Photo by Bernhard Waldmann

However the first things you notice on your arrival from the south is the sky full of smoking chimneys and gray massive prison. But, the city centre, consisting of a grid of straight streets, hides some gems that are worth your attention.

The dominant feature of Daugavpils’s city centre is three-aisled St. Boris and Gleb Orthodox Cathedral, built in the neo-Russian style. This great structure with a total of ten towers culminating in a gilded dome, rises on a hill along with two other temples. Towers of these sanctuaries create a unique cityscape.

The most notable monument of Daugavpils is a huge fortification built in 1810 by the Russians during the Napoleonic wars. There is also a war memorial, which recalls that during the World War II, the city was a place of a concentration camp Stalag. The fort is considered the largest of its kind in Europe. Museum of Regional History and Art guarded by stone lions is also worth a visit as well as a large sports complex, which is situated in one of the few really modern buildings in the city. Daugavpils is now slowly changing into a friendly town with lots of green areas and a good range of services and recreational facilities for its residents and visitors.

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The city is mentioned for the first time at the beginning of our era, during the reign of emperor Augustus. The city was the base for Roman troops. Even the Emperor Marcus Aurelius stayed here for 3 years (172-175), during Markoman Wars. The city was destroyed by the Germans in the 4th century and Valentinian I. tried to restore it. But the city has never achieved such fame again and later, in the Middle Ages, was completely destroyed by the Hungarians.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ulrich Latzenhofer

Now it is possible to visit the Archaeological Park Carnuntum in 3 different parts: Civilian part, Military part and Museum Carnuntinum.

The civilian part
The first is the civilian part, which are the foundations of the former city and several reconstructed buildings, amphitheater and Heidentor (Pagan Gate). Everything is located on the western edge of Petronell. Refurbished buildings – public baths and dwelling house – were reconstructed using the methods that were typical for the Romans. The park area is such an interesting mix of the excavated ruins with renovated Roman buildings.

A few minutes walking from the excavated ruins you can find the amphitheatre, which at that time can serve for up to 15,000 people. Reportedly it was the fourth largest amphitheater in the Roman empire.

Then you can see Heidentor – Pagan Gate. The monumental gate, which was located at the entrance to the fortification of Carnuntum. At the middle of it is a statue of Emperor Constantine II., built between 354 and 361.

The military part
The military part of the city contains only the ruins of the second amphitheatre, located on the outskirts of the town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. This amphitheatre was special because it could be filled with water and so there could be even naval battles. There is now also a small gladiator museum.

Museum Carnuntinum
The museum is also in the town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, a few meters from the shore of the Danube river. Here you can see the most interesting excavations of the area.

Museum is opened daily from 16 April to 15 November 2011 at 9.00 to 18.00 and the basic admission is €9. For further details visit the official site of Open Air Museum Petronell-Carnuntum.

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Carisbrooke Castle is located in a strategically advantageous small hill. In the castle grounds were found remnants of a building of 3rd century, which had Roman style. In the 10th century, the fortification was built around the hills to protect from attacks of the Vikings. In the 11th century, the Normans used this fortification and built a strong castle. Over the next few centuries, the castle was extended and gradually grew.

The last descendant of the Redvers family, Countess Isabella, sold the Carisbrooke Castle to King Edward I in 1293, and so the castle became a royal property. The constant fear of French or Spanish invasions forced more and more owners to build more and more stronger castle. In 1601, a strong fortification has been completed. But there was never any assault occurred at Carisbrooke. Therefore, the castle was used as prison. The most famous prisoner was King Charles I, who was imprisoned for nearly a year here, and at least twice he tried to escape. Charles I was finally executed in London on the 30th January 1649.

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Carisbrooke Castle was the seat of governor of the island until 1944.

Today the castle houses an exhibition on the history of the Isle of Wight. Museum was first opened in 1898 by Princess Beatrice, who was the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria. Her husband became governor of the island, and after his death, Beatrice took over this function. She opened the museum in memory of her husband. The first exhibition was dedicated to King Charles I. In the 20 century, the collection gradually grew to archaeological finds on the island and another, mainly medieval artifacts. Visitors will love the beautiful and colorful garden of Princess Beatrice. In 2009 a garden was restored.

Donkeys at the castle
For hundreds of years, donkeys helped get water to the Carisbrooke Castle, so you can also see the demonstrations of the donkeys at work here.

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However the first written document of the Telč dates back to the 1315. In 1334 Karel IV. (at this time as Margrave of Moravia) paid the mortgage of this municipality, and a few years later (1339) he replaced it by the Castle of Bánov, that belonged to Jindřich of Hradec.

The family of the new owner then established a new Telč. Unfortunately, the Memorandum has not preserved, but the first written report of Telč Burgess comes from 1353. It is assumed that it was Menhart of Hradec, who in 1354 built a castle, church, water fortification and Gothic houses (originally wooden) around the perimeter of a large marketplace. Other buildings and lake were built progressively.

Telč is a fascinating blend of architectural styles, and on many houses you can see a gradual evolution from Gothic style through Renaissance to Baroque style, in some cases also the later styles. The best example are the Gothic houses on the square, some with well-preserved typical pointed arches. They have Renaissance facades with beautiful gables, decorated with frescoes and paintings on the walls, or a baroque and rococo sculptures. The square is also decorated with two fountains and the Marian column.

Until now, well-preserved are also the medieval walls and city gates, the castle and other monuments, such as the former Jesuit college from 1655 (now high school).

The town of Telč is listed on UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992.

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The most important monument in the town of Kutna Hora is undoubtedly a monumental and unique late Gothic church of St. Barbara, patron saint of miners. Another important object is Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr) from 14 century, which served as a mint. Other tourist attractions include the Church of St. James (Kostel sv. Jakuba) from 1330, Cathedral of Our Lady (Chrám Nanebevzetí Pany Marie) on the square, Hradek (Czech Museum of Silver), Gothic fortification, the baroque Jesuit College, a stone house, a Gothic fountain and Church of Ursuline Convent (Kostel Kláštera Voršilek). In the Sedlec suburb there is a former Cistercian monastery, founded in 1142.

Historic Centre of Kutna Hora was together with Sedlec added into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 . There is a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, shops and clubs. You can visit the underground city of Kutna Hora, where the silver was mined in the Middle Ages and is now available to the public. Kutna Hora has now more than 21 thousand inhabitants.

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Floriana has beautiful parks and squares and boasting the representative buildings occupied by the government ministry. But it is more appropriate for the serious history lovers, since it lacks a lively bustle streets of Valletta.

The main entrance to the fortifications of Valletta is City Gate, just behind that is the Republic Street, which stretches across the peninsula to its furthest end, to Fort St. Elmo, which is now a military museum. On the Republic Street there are major historical sights, most shops and the only two cafes in the city. Beautiful churches and palaces are in contrast with the military look of the city. Rising and falling streets are lined with houses that are decorated with beautiful bay windows and balconies.

What to see in Valletta?
When you go to Valletta, you should not miss its sights that are definitely worth seeing. Among the most interesting of them is one of the oldest buildings in town – Grandmaster’s Palace from 16th century. Today it houses the Maltese parliament, president and museum. Today it houses the Maltese parliament, president’s office and museum.

Another major attraction is fortification Fort St. Elmo, that played an important role in defending the island. It is now home to a voluntary army and a location of the National War Museum. St. James Cavalier is the strongest fortification of Valletta, now there is a cultural center with a cinema, theater and concert hall.

Memorial to victims of the second World War II we can see in the Lower Barracca Gardens. Another baroque building is the Co-Cathedral of St John, which dates from 1573 – 1578. Discreet Manoel Theatre building dates from 1732 and is the cultural heart of the island. One of the dominant features of Valletta is a the Church of Our Lady of Mount Caramel. This church was founded in 1573. The Upper Barracca Gardens offers a beautiful view of Grand Harbour, the marina and the “Three Cities” on the opposite shore of the Gulf.

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