Insights into the history
At first Bonn was the Roman military settlement. In the 13th century it had become a city and from the 16th century it was the home of Archbishops and Prince-electors of Cologne. Between 1949 and 1990 Bonn was the capital of Germany.

Historical monuments and sights
After the year of 1950, the government district grew up in Bonn, which is dominated by the 30 levels building. North of it you can see Schaumburg palace that housed the Chancellery and the Hammerschmidt Villa, which was the seat of the president. The historic center of Bonn and the government district is separated by the Koblenz Gate. Not far from it you can visit a courtyard garden. On its outskirts there is the University Museum of Art with originals and casts of ancient sculptures.

View Bonn – the first capital of Germany and birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven in a larger map

In Bonn you can find also Poppelsdorf castle, which is used by the university. Near the castle there is a monument to the composer Robert Schumann. Very interesting is also the baroque town hall located in the centre of the city and close to it the memorial dedicated to the composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The oldest building in Bonn is a Romanesque church, built in the 11th to 12th century. The new buildings include the Municipal Theatre, built in 1964 and Beethoven’s multipurpose hall.

Tourist Attractions
City of Bonn offers a variety of sports. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pool, sports hall, stadium and other facilities. The wine experts should not miss the bars on the banks of the Rhine River that offers great view of the Seven-hills (Siebengebierge) – the area of the local wine Riesling.

View Bonn – the first capital of Germany and birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven in a larger map

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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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