Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

There are several legends about this place, the most famous is about 40 girls who in an effort to avoid the Turkish slavery together jumped off cliffs into the sea. This fabulous event is commemorated by an obelisk called the “The Gate of the 40 Maidens” at the entrance to the Cape. You’ll also find a small museum with archaeological finds here. There are remnants of Tirisis fort that was built before the advent of the Romans and served until the Middle Ages. Its location on the Cape was not accidental, the sea and high cliffs represented an ideal natural protection against invaders.

But the main thing that attracts tourists, is the overall scenery of the Cape and the local nature at all. The dramatic view from the top of the rocks of the turquoise sea is really worth it. There are many caves and photogenic corners here. Kaliakra Cape is a protected area since 1941, but since that it has increased its area three times and now reaches 687 ha.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Marcin Chady

Fairly typical is to watch the dolphins while playing in the waves. Even relatively recently it was also a home to rare Mediterranean seal. This animal was in the past, very abundant and very common throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea including Bulgaria, but due to the pollution of their environment, hunting and development of the tourism industry they disappeared. The last Bulgarian seals could be seen in the early eighties of the 20th century. Today, Mediterranean seal is officially considered the most endangered mammal of the European Union and its future existence is uncertain.

Other places for nature lovers are 8 kilometres away, in Taukliman protected area and the subsequent reservation called Jajlata.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by alex yosifov

Surroundings of Kaliakra Cape is interesting not only from the land but also from the sea. In August 1791, in the vicinity of the cape, there was a naval battle, during which the Russian fleet under the leadership of the famous admiral Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov completely destroyed the large Turkish fleet. That is one reason why the area attracts divers and wrecks seekers. On the seabed there are a number of objects and remnants of ships from various medieval periods and of the World War II.

Very interesting is also a restaurant situated in one of the caves in the middle of the Cape. It boasts an outdoor garden offering magnificent views of the surrounding area. However you will not find any accommodation right on the spot, most tourists come here on a trip from various places on the Black Sea, for example, from a well-known resort of Albena. If you go on your own, you surely find some bed in the vicinity.

So if you wandered into this region, just visit this place, where sea fights with the mainland and still make for an unusual beauty.

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Colosseum / Photo by admin

Colosseum dates back to 1st century AD. Specifically, its construction began sometimes after the year 70 during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in the year 80. Its further modifications followed at the end of the 1st century during Domitian rule.

Colosseum is monumental even today, can you imagine how monumental it was in those ancient times? The building, designed mainly for gladiatorial contests and various public performances, was the largest building ever built in the Roman empire. Colosseum could houses about 50 thousand people (according to the recent estimation but up to 87 thousand people according to an old document), which is astronomic number even today. Its length is 189 meters, the width 156 meters and height 48 meters, and covers an area of ​​6 acres. Unfortunately the building has not been preserved in full, but was destroyed by numerous earthquakes and other impacts. The current outer wall of the Colosseum was originally inside the walls, the original exterior one was 545 meters long.

But now let me return back to the name of the building. At the beginning it was known as Amphitheatrum Flavium (according to the emperors names – Titus Flavius ​​Vespasian and Titus Flavius ​​Domitian). And this name survived for hundreds of years.

Colosseum was used for almost 500 years for its intended purpose, until the 6th century (so more than 100 years after the collapse of Roman Empire). In the Middle Ages it served to various other purposes.

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And how Colosseum came to its current name? Not far from it was a huge statue of the emperor Nero. Emperor’s followers variously rebuilt the statue into a god Helios, or they replaced his head with their own heads. Anyway, this statue was called “Colossus.” During the history, however, the statue disappeared and was eventually forgotten, now it just contains remnants of the base. But around the year 1000, for yet unknown reason, its name began to use for Amphitheatrum Flavium, whose original name was later forgotten as well.

However you call it, this is a remarkable work of ancient builders. It is estimated that its creation consumed more than 100,000 cubic meters of travertine and 300 tons of iron clamps (on Colosseum we can observe the decline of architectural skills – older civilizations were able to create even larger structures, but often held and still hold together without using ferrous fasteners). The amphitheater had a smart system of underground tunnels leading right under the arena (the hypogeum), which is now exposed and accessible to all the visitors. There were also other corridors leading in and out of the construction, or through other parts of Colosseum. It has even the elevators and hydraulically powered equipment. The amphitheater included also some other auxiliary buildings.

Colosseum is currently one of the most visited and most admired monuments not only in Rome but throughout Italy. Colosseum is certainly a symbol of the city but sometimes even a symbol of Italy.

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The old castle was built on the place of today’s castle in Pierrefonds already in the 12th century. This great military strength has undergone a number of refurbishment over the centuries as well as its owner changed frequently. In March 1617, during the troubled reign of King Louis XIII, the castle was conquered by troops of the Chief minister Cardinal Richelieu. He decided to demolish a castle. However thanks to a huge range of construction, the work of destruction was not completed. The roofs have been destroyed and the walls were devastated by the canons.

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Pierrefonds Castle then remained as a ruin for the next two centuries. Napoleon I bought the wreck in 1810 for just 3,000 francs. In the 19th century began a period of fashion traditions of medieval knights. The ruins of Pierrefonds Castle were captured between 1834 and 1866 by the French painter Corot in his paintings.

The future French emperor Napoleon III visited the castle in 1850. Later, as emperor, asked the architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1857 to carry out reconstruction of the castle. The project grew and later they wanted to build a royal residence here. Viollet-le-Duc built it much under the influence of his ideas about the Middle Ages. The fort was changed to the castle. Yet as a builder proved very good knowledge of military fortifications of 14th century.

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Houses were occupied until the Second World War, but the area was protected already for several years, and no changes which would change the character of the street or houses were allowed. The writer Franz Kafka lived here in the house no. 22 between 1916-1917. The last owners and the tenants moved out in 1948, and despite of receiving high quality houses, they left with protests.

Golden Lane was reopened to the public on 1 June 2011 after one year of reconstructions. It is probably the most romantic and famous part of Prague Castle. You can access the Golden Lane if you buy a ticket for a Long (350 CZK) or Short (250 CZK) Tour around the Castle.

You can take really interesting Virtual Tour by visiting the following website:
https://virtualni.praha.eu/nocni/zlata-ulicka.html

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The city’s history dates back to somewhere in the 200 BC, when it was strategically advantageous area at an altitude of 185 meters above sea level, inhabited by the Romans. They built massive walls around the settlement and built a city named Melita. Later also the palace, where they placed the headquarters of the government.

In 870 Mdina was occupied with the Arabs and was divided into two parts. The central part was surrounded by walls and deep moat, and was renamed Medina, which in Arabic means “city”. The remaining part called Rabat, which is now an independent city, or more like a suburb of Mdina. Due to the walls, Medina was not able to expand further, therefore, it remained almost unchanged. After leaving of the Arabs its name was changed to the original one – Mdina, and even today has the character, who in the 16th and 17 Century imprint Maltese nobles, which I later withdrew from the island.

In 1571 Valletta became the capital of Malta and Mdina was further often referred to as the Citta Vecchia (Old City). This name comes from the Middle Ages, when this place was home to many aristocrats and their descendants from Norman countries, Spain and Sicily. Many people at that time left the city, but most aristocratic families still lived in their residences. This made it possible to maintain their homes still in its original beauty. Most of the buildings in Mdina dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The paradox is that most younger baroque monuments were destroyed by an earthquake in the 1693.

Today Mdina is a traditional city with only less than 400 permanent residents. The town is called “Silent” or “Silent City”. It is caused by the fact that it is forbidden to enter the city walls by any motor vehicle. The city is ideal for walking and relaxing. Mdina is, with the city of Rabat, very attractive place, especially for the history lovers. You can walk through the ancient streets or enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Malta from the city walls.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by leoplus

Pena National Palace was built in 19th century but its history started already in the Middle Ages when a chapel was built here and later in 1493 also monastery, however it was severely damaged by lightning and later by the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. After that only ruins remained here for many decades. King Ferdinand started reconstructions and rebuilt the place into a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family in 1847.

Pena National Palace is now a place of Portuguese government and president officials. Around the Palace there is 200 hectares large vast forest with lots of paths.

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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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Parma Baptisterium, Italy by Philip Schäfer

Up until the middle ages, the town of Parma was regularly attacked, plundered and destroyed. There were many such occasions in which the entire town was rebuilt from the ground up. However, there are still a number of beautiful sites in this small Italian town that dates back to the 11th century. The most famous attraction in Parma is a pink marble tower which can be found in the town’s center. Taking more than 60 years to construct, the Parma Baptisterium has become a symbol of the city. Shortly after its completion, the tower had been damaged by an earthquake requiring it to be rebuilt.

Anyone who visits Parma will have to make their way over to the Teatro Regio which is the city’s own opera house. Arturo Toscanini, the famous conductor was born in Parma and the Theater is now a museum which is dedicated to the life and genius of Toscanini.

Of course we would not have parmesan cheese if it were not for the town of Parma. The town is also known for its special ham recipes too. Today, Parma stands as the European Association for Food Safety’s official home. One cannot go to Parma without trying the many local delicacies which are world renowned. While the town may not have a lot in architectural attractions, the cheese and hams of Parma are an attraction in their own right.

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The city of Banská Bystrica can be found situated along the banks of the Hron River. It was back during the Middle Ages when the city was first established and things to its ideal location along the banks of the river, it quickly flourished as an important trading point within the nation. And while trade provide an important part of the economy in Banská Bystrica, the city is most well-known for its mining industry; of which it is considered to be one of the richest mining towns in Slovakia.

Banská Bystrica main square, Slovakia by GSouthFace

Back in the early years of Banská Bystrica’s existence, its number one product was that of copper that was pulled on the ground in mines that are found throughout the surrounding countryside. However, as time went on the copper eventually dried up and as a result was replaced with the processing of both iron and the clear cutting of the surrounding forest.

However, for those living in Slovakia, the city of Banská Bystrica played an important part of the nation’s history on account of the fact that it was the centre of the 1944 Slovak National Uprising against Nazi Germany. It is also home to the Yugoslav Partisan War which occurred the following year. In order to immortalize the Slovak National Uprising, in the centre of town one will find a Monument as well as an open air museum dedicated to the Slovak National Uprising.

Of course there are countless other monuments which can be found throughout the city of Banská Bystrica. The best way to see everything that the city has to offer courses on foot. There is the beautiful Clocktower (Hodinová veža) which was built back in 1552 as well as the Thurzov house which is home to the popular Central Slovakia museum dedicated to the people and nature of central Slovakia. Of course the oldest landmark in Banská Bystrica is that of the Romanesque Church of the Virgin Mary which was constructed back in 1255.

Banská Bystrica, Slovakia by Civertan

Perhaps one of the most popular attractions in the city is the old town hall which is known as Stará radnica. It is here where the Praetorium tower was built back in 1500. For anyone choosing to visit the city there is a historical train that runs in or around downtown area which is known as the Praetorium Mini-train.

Once you are in Banská Bystrica, you could also pay a visit to nearby village of Špania dolina, which is well hidden among the surrounding mountains and offers great atmosphere of typical Slovak historic village. Banská Bystrica is situated at the foothills of Low Tatras and Veľká Fatra National Parks and therefore offers lots of hiking possibilities during the summer months as well as some of the best skiing opportunities in winter. One of the most popular is known as Donovaly, which is also one of the biggest and best equipped skiing areas in Slovakia.

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