Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Mgiganteus1

Approach to the Tombs of the Kings

At first sight during my visit there appeared to be very little of interest to be seen, just a craggy outcrop of rocks, as the tombs are almost entirely underground.  It was only as I ventured around the side of the site that the detail of how it had been used became apparent.  It was amazing to think of these tombs being chiseled by hand from the soft limestone, and then completely excavated to form rectangular rooms with about three feet of thick rock above them as a ceiling.

A subterranean adventure

Seven of the eight tombs have been excavated, and I found them to be extremely well preserved.  Their overall design is quite unusual for this part of the world since, although they date from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, their architecture tends more towards Macedonian in style.  Some of the tombs were constructed to look like dwelling places for the living rather than burial sites for the dead.  It is possible to see fragments of the original frescoes, and the atriums (central courtyards) are largely intact, so that the overall structure – complete with porticos and columns – is clearly evident.

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Romeparis

Getting around the site

To gain access to the underground tombs there are stone staircases leading downwards, although tomb number three has an additional wooden staircase that was installed during the excavation, making it easier to negotiate.  Great care is needed when descending into any of the tombs, as the stone steps are quite uneven.  The best time to visit is early morning before the heat of the day builds up, and it is sensible to wear comfortable shoes and take a hat and bottled water, as the site is quite large.  Touring the whole of it can easily take a minimum of two hours.

Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus by Romeparis

Getting to the Tombs of the Kings

There is a good bus service from Paphos city center to the Tombs of the Kings, and it is worth taking the bus, as the neighborhood around the site is a little shabby.  Admission prices are very reasonable and, along with cheap flight deals available to Paphos International Airport, I found a vacation in Cyprus to be both affordable and rewarding.  Besides the historic Tombs of the Kings, there are many other visitor attractions, including Aphrodite’s Rock, Coral Bay, the Adonis Baths Waterfalls and Kato Paphos Archaeological Park.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

The main feature of the town is Acireale Cathedral. It dates from the 16th and 17th century, however it was rebuilt in the 18th century. The facade is from the 17th century, which is the work of Giambattista Basile and has a beautiful portal of marble and alabaster (17th century). The majestic interior has a dome and is richly decorated with frescoes (created in the 18th century).

The city’s heart is a Piazza del Duomo, where this cathedral is situated. There is also the Palazzo Comunale, which is building from the second half of the 17th century built in a typical Catalonian Baroque style. There is also a Basilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo from the 17th century. It boasts a beautiful architectural design with ornamental decoration.

You should visit also the public gardens and Villa Belvedere. Here you can enjoy really a beautiful panoramic view of Mount Etna and the sea. You can then take a pleasant walk through beautiful scenery and exciting surroundings, along the steep slopes of The natural reserve La Timpa and get to a picturesque fishing village – Santa Maria la Scala.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

Acireale is also known for a famous Carnival, which attracts people from around the world. It is considered the most beautiful carnival in Sicily. For 2012 it is planned from the 4th to 21st of February.

The city has two patrons – St. Venera (celebrated on the 26th of July) and St. Sebastian (celebrated on the 20th of January).

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The oldest city of Hungary was known as Savaria – the capital of Pannonia. It has been an important city since the very beginning. There were built the imperial residences, public baths and amphitheater. From Roman times you can see the preserved Savaria Mithraeum shrine, which was discovered during the construction of a new shopping center in 2008.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by János Tamás

In one area of ​​excavation (Romkert Templom tér) you can find the remains of the Forum, which belonged to a civilian city. There are also fragments of the largest mosaic of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Palace. Majority of the most important Roman monuments, including remains of Roman road signs, customs, shops and the medieval castle walls, can be seen in the so-called Garden of Ruins.

Once you are in Szombathely you should visit Savaria Museum, which takes care of the fortress foundations, findings from the Mercury Temple and public baths, and almost fifty metres long part of two thousand years old Amber Road. The cellar is full of Roman altars and blue glass vials found during excavations in Savaria. The first floor of the museum provides an overview of local history, including the collection dedicated to the Romanesque church of Jak.

Jak is the nearby small village boasting a Benedictine church, which is one of the finest examples of Hungarian Romanesque architecture.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cecilia, Lili & Krisztian

In Szombathely there is also a huge cathedral designed in 1791 by Melchior Hefele for Bishop János Szily. This Bishop’s double-towered cathedral was covered with stucco and frescoes by Franz Anton Maulbertsch and supported by large marble pillars. It is the largest Baroque church in Hungary. Its interior is decorated with frescoes, paintings and sculptures, which were, however, in 1945 seriously damaged during a bombing and are still restoring.

Those are just few of lots of sights you can see here. Szombathely is really worth a visit!

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Santa María de León Cathedral was built of golden sandstone, in the Gothic style in the 13th Century. Master Cathedral architect was Enrique. It was built in the place where originally (in the 2nd century BC) stood Roman Spa, which was about 800 years later converted into a palace.

León Cathedral was completed in the 16th century. Today it is a wonderful building and since 1844 it is Spanish National Monument.

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Right at the entrance of the León Cathedral there are three decorated portals. Inside the cathedral there are more than 250 magnificent stained glass windows and a large circular window. Stained glass windows occupy more than 1800 m2.

In León Cathedral you also find cathedral’s museum. You can see there La Virgen Blanca, which is a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary. Then the treasury of the 16th century and the cloister decorated with frescoes by Nicolás Frances. Cathedral Museum is in the summer (July-September) open from Monday to Friday, from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30. On Saturday it is open from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

But the museum is open all year round, however opening hours are changing, it is better to look at the official site of the León Cathedral. Basic admission fee is 4 €.

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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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Already in 740, Salzburg’s monks founded a settlement at this place called Cella Bisontio, which ensured them prosperity mainly in salt trading. Local people were moving the salt on mules through Hochtor to the south, where they changed it with the wine. Hochtor is a place lying now on the high Alpine road Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, which was completed in 1935 and begin at Bruck, about 4 km from Zell am See. In 1348 the village acquired the right of market town, but the real boom came up with the railway which was built here in 1875. This developed a tourism and mountaineering here.

Zell am See is the capital city of the Zell am See district in the Salzburger Land (the Austrian state of Salzburg). It is situated at an altitude of 757 meters and has around 9700 permanent residents. The town is surrounded by massive mountain giants, reaching heights of about 3000 meters above sea level. This stunning surroundings not leave visitors rest and certainly not hiking lovers. Winding streets full of shops, restaurants and Zell am See hotels offer pleasant atmosphere. Also history lovers can admire many sights in Zell am See.

The oldest building is a tower Vogturm built probably at the end of 10th century. Tower is also sometimes called Kastnerturm, according to trader Johann Kastner, who bought the tower in 1866. In its interior there is now a small museum of local history Heimatmuseum. A major monument of Zell am See is also a parish church of St. Hippolyte from 11th century, which was rebuilt several times over the centuries and in 1770 to its current Baroque style. Inside the church there is a Gothic altar and the frescoes from the 13th and 14th century.

City Hall can be found in the Rosenberg Castle, built in the late 16th century. It has the four corner towers and a circular central tower. The town is located not far from the another castle Prielau from the 15th century, which currently operates as a luxury hotel.

Nearby mountain Schmittenhohe (1965 meters high above sea level) is also a popular tourist site. You can climb up on your foot, a hike will take about 3 hours, or take a lift and then enjoy the view of the snowy peaks of the Hohe Tauern. They are around 3000 meters high – e.g. Grossglockner and Großvenediger. Mountain Schmittenhohe is ideal starting point for hiking and in the winter it is a great place for skiing.

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The city was founded sometime in the late of 12th century by rich Saxon merchants. Its strategic importance gradually grew and the fortifications were improved. Sighisoara is well known because of Vlad Tepes or Vlad III the Impaler (known as Dracula) was born here around the year of 1430.

Historical center is located on a hill, and it is thoroughly fortified. From the train station it takes for about 15 minutes to get there. At the courtyard there is the landmark of the city – Clock Tower, a 64m high tower built in the 13th century where is now museum. There is also Dracula’s family house, which is now one of the best (and most expensive) local restaurant.

There is a medieval festival in the courtyard and city events.

What else you can see in Sighisoara?

• Sighisoara Citadel – a 12th Century Saxon edifice, is the historic center of the city. Still inhabited, the citadel is listed as a World Heritage Site
• Weapon Museum – next to Vlad’s birthplace. Very small, but it contains an interesting selection of medieval weapons (swords, arrows, etc.)
• Covered Staircase – a very old stone staircase with a wooden roof along the whole span. This leads up to the Church on the Hill and the cemetery
• Church on the Hill – contains many frescoes and a crypt. Built on the location of a Roman fort. Located on the side of the hill next to it is one of the Lutheran cemeteries in the city, which contains many tombstones of Germans.
• Bust of Vlad Tepes – Located around the corner from his birthplace, within sight of the Clock Tower

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Castell’Arquato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy by mat’s eye

The main street in Castell’Arquato is known as Via Dante and anyone visiting the town will have to make their way up the street if they plan on reaching the castle. On your way up, you will pass a number of nice restaurants and shops. After you have climbed halfway up the hill, you will come to the Palazzo del Duca whose fountain was built back in 1292. Near the Palazzo you will find a tower from the 16th century that dominates the skyline.

Once you get to the top and before you can ever make it to the castle, you will come to the Palazzo Pretorio and Piazza Municipio which dates back to the late 1200s. During the months of July and August, the Enoteca Communale offers music and free wine tasting on Thursday nights.

Castell’Arquato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy by Benjamin Claverie

The Rocca Viscontea di Castell’Arquato is the castle in the center of the town. It is a masterpiece to say the least. You can wander through the courtyards and even visit the fortress museum. However, if you want to see the surrounding countryside around Castell’Arquato, you will need to pay a small fee to climb the stairs to the top of the castle’s tower. But before you leave the town, make sure to stop and rest in the park just outside of the castle before making your way back down to the lower parts of Castell’Arquato.

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Levoča is a charming medieval town with approximately 15.000 inhabitants. The historic center is surrounded with walls built already in the 13th and 14th centuries. Master Paul’s Square is the largest preserved medieval town square in Europe. More than 50 burgher houses represent the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles. In main Church of St. Jacob you can see the highest wooden altar in the world, one of the works of well-known Master Paul from Levoča. The altar is 18.6 meters high and 6 meters wide.

The gothic cathedral is surrounded by burgher houses and the entire historic center is secure by the stone walls. Very interesting is also the Town hall with allegorical frescoes on the south facade, dating from the 15th century.

The centre of Levoča is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Ancient Levoča is situated very close to the Spiš Castle, making it the ideal tourist destination. If you decided to visit Slovakia, this magnificent city you cannot miss.

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