Shakespeare’s Birthplace is a gorgeous 16th century Tudor house
Shakespeare’s Birthplace is renowned to be a remarkable Tudor half-timbered mansion located in a traditional market town in Warwickshire, England. Situated on Henley Street, this was the place where the most famous playwright of the English language, William Shakespeare, spent his childhood and also lived for five years as an adult after his marriage to […]
The majestic fountains of Rome
The most famous fountain, not only in Rome but probably in the world, is Fontana di Trevi. The design of the fountain is work of the Italian architect Nicola Salvi. Since ancient times, the Romans have built both public and courtyard fountains. Their ancient fountains were of simple design and had a functional purpose. However, over time […]
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum Village Life From the 18th Century
There is an unusual outdoor museum in the middle of Bucharest known as the Village Museum, which features exhibits about traditional Romanian village life between the 17th and 19th centuries. The complex was created by sociologist Dimitrie Gusti who placed it near the lake in Herăstrău Park. There are many houses from different historical regions […]
Strahov Monastery and its magnificent library: a remarkable collection stored in impressive Baroque halls
On Petrin Hill, a white building with two towers has stood overlooking the city of Prague for centuries. King Vladislav II authorized the large structure for a religious community known as the Premonstratensians. In 1140, the construction that would be known as the Premonstratensian monastery in the Strahov area was completed, but it officially started functioning […]
Gargoyles: The grotesque carved creatures of Christian architecture were borrowed from ancient pagan religions
Gargoyles are instantly recognizable, grotesque, carved creatures peering down from the tops of churches and cathedrals. However, their origin has nothing to do with Christianity; in fact, they are borrowed symbols that were incorporated into Christian buildings. Their history dates back to ancient, pre-Christian times when they acted as protective talismans against the powers of evil. […]
Sèvres potpourri vases in the shape of a ship – only ten of these 18th-century decorative vases survive today
Dried plants have been used to perfume rooms for centuries. At the beginning of the 17th century, the French used to gather plants during the spring and summer, dry them and mix them with spices. The mixture called potpourri would later be placed in special perforated pots in order to add a pleasant scent to […]
Schlüsselfelder Ship: An impressive table piece created by a Nuremberg goldsmith
Extravagant table pieces were a common feature in the homes of wealthy Europeans in the 16th century. Elaborate pieces in the popular shape of a ship made of silver or gold would stand in the middle of the table as a sign of wealth and prestige. Centerpieces had a mostly decorative role but were sometimes used […]
Remarkable real-life castles used as filming locations for Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a hugely popular television fantasy drama and is perhaps one of the most widely-viewed productions in television history. The series airs on HBO, created by D. B. Weiss and David Benioff, and is an adaptation of the series of fantasy novels written by George R. R. Martin, A Song of Ice […]