Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher John SSF

The city was established by the Romans as a first-century military base. It had a larger fortress than those built in York and other parts of the country, which suggests that Chester was meant to be the capital of Roman Britain. In any case, it was certainly a very important place, and some evidence of Roman Chester survives to this day. These include the remains of Britain’s largest Roman amphitheatre, and central Chester’s main street plan, which follows the same pattern that was laid out by its Roman pioneers.

Chester’s medieval past is more immediately visible today. This was a violent period in the city’s history, and the impressive wall surrounding Chester is evidence of this. First the Saxons, then the Normans built up its fortifications. The Normans further strengthened the city by constructing the castle, and they also carried out much of the early work on the cathedral. Today, Chester has one of the most complete city walls in Britain. Apart from a short section, the wall is virtually intact. It creates a certain feeling of calm within, and walking around the city wall is a fantastic ways to see Chester from a different angle.

Whatever aspect of Chester’s long history you’d like to learn more about, the city works hard to bring it to life for you. There are plenty of activities and attractions for children and families. These recreate moments in history, to help better our understanding of Roman and medieval times.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Christopher John SSF

Walking through Chester’s streets, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s entirely built in the middle-ages. The shopping streets are dominated by black and white timber-framed buildings. They create a unique atmosphere. In reality, some of Chester’s buildings are medieval, but most are the product of Victorian reconstruction and revival. Authentic or not, it doesn’t really matter. The city’s streets have a wonderful charm to them.

Shopping in Chester is especially famous for what it calls the Rows. You won’t find anything else quite like these in Britain. The lower two floors of these typical black and white houses are usually commercial in purpose. The bottom floor is below street level, and there are steps leading down to the shops there. The first floor is above street level, and shops are accessed via a walkway. You’ll find all the big high street names in Chester, but the design of the Rows is much better suited to smaller shops. As a result, Chester has a thriving independent retail sector. It’s not just the atmosphere that’s unique, many of the shops are too.

When you’ve had enough of history and shopping, you won’t have to walk too far before finding somewhere to sit and have a bite to eat. Cafes and restaurants are all over the city. Sometimes they’re tucked away in quiet little courtyards, so look out for the signs. It’s also worth getting a map when you visit Chester. It’s a compact city, but it has some hidden gems. If you don’t know where to look, you might miss out on something special.

Written by www.globaltravelblog.co.uk

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The mining started already in the 1st Century. The Romans used the hydraulic mining technique. After two centuries of extremely profitable mining the Romans departed and left here a devastated landscape. But after centuries it has changed and now the country looks so much impressive that in 1997 was Las Médulas registered by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.

Even today you can still see a mining operation there, at non-forested slopes, that are full of steep rocky bits in orange or almost red color. According to Pliny the Elder, it could be extracted about 1,650,000 kg of pure gold during the 250 years of mining.

Villages in the area of Las Médulas belong to the poorest in Spain. Once you come here you will feel that the time totally stopped. The buildings are abandoned and dilapidated, young people left to large cities. Just after including the area to UNESCO the first tourists started to arrive. Local residents are very sincere and offer their domestic products, especially wines, liqueurs and cheeses.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alessio Milan

Long after the World War II, people still lived in these “cave homes” and often lived in one room with the pet. Until the late 1980s this was considered an area of poverty, as these houses were, mostly unlivable. Local administration has become more tourism-oriented, and has promoted the re-generation of the Sassi with the aid of the European Union, the government, UNESCO, and Hollywood. Today there are many thriving businesses, pubs, and hotels.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by giuseppe portale

You can park the car near the center of the city completely free of charge. Throughout the city you can see several hiking trails, together with several maps with marked trails. However, it is not difficult at all to get lost in the winding streets.

Do not miss Matera Cathedral at the Piazza dei Duomo, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view. Similar views of the city are also at several other places in the city.

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Torre de Hercules was already built by the Romans in the 2nd century. As already mentioned, it is still working, which makes it a unique monument. Torre de Hercules is 68 meters high; there are 234 stairs leading to the top. The lighting ensures a group of 4 lights that flash every 20 seconds and is visible up to a distance of 39 km. Torre de Hercules and this entire site is otherwise surrounded by a series of legends.

Around the tower Torre de Hercules there is the Statue Park, an open-air museum. There are more than 15 sculptures by major artists of the 20th Century, such as Francisco Leiro or Pablo Serrano. For local residents the most important sculpture is Breogan, which is the mythological father of the population of Galicia.

Thanks to its historical significance, Torre de Hercules is registered since 2009 in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Not far from tower you can also visit A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, the Roman walls of Lugo city, Aquarium Finisterrae.

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Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia by Giovanni Dall’Orto

Soon after the completion of the main road, which connected the town to Altinum, Aquileia would grow to become a powerful and wealth commercial center. At the peak of its time, the town of Aquileia was home to more than 200,000 Romans. The city was known for its glassmakers.

In 452, the town was attacked by Attila the Hun and set ablaze. Many of the glassmakers who had helped make the town prosperous, relocated to the area surrounding the Venetian Lagoon. It is here at the lagoon that some of the most famous glass shops min the entire empire rose.

Archaeological Area, Aquileia, Italy by Zumzum

The town of Aquileia today is a park which is opened to the general public. Many of the ruins in Aquileia such as the forum, necropolis and harbor can be visited by year round by the general public. Many people also take the time to wander through the two neighborhoods in Aquileia that have been recently opened to the public as well. There are two different museums in Aquileia that house the many artifacts that have been uncovered over the years in the archeological dig sites located throughout Aquileia.

It is important to note that the original Roman basilica which had been built back in the 3rd century was destroyed during the attacks of Attila the Hun. The present day basilica was built on the ruins of the originally by order of the House of Savoy back in 1031.

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Famous Balcony, Juliet’s House, Verona, Italy by Elliott Brown

In ancient times, there was a Roman colony at the site of Verona, which over time turned into a prominent city-state’s and a capital of the whole region. Greatest importance, however, Verona got in the Middle Ages, when the invaders’ king Theodor changed its status to a royal city. At that time the city was under rule of Scaliger’s, later Milanese Visconti’s and finally it fell under the Venetian Republic, and remained so until the advent of Napoleon. Then the city came under the power of Austria, which lasted until the unification of Italy in 1866.

Verona currently has around 270 thousand inhabitants, it is a very prosperous city and a center of culture. It is also one of the most beautiful historic cities of northern Italy and has a lot to offer. It is often referred to as the “Gateway to Italy”. If exploring the city, you will be surprised as the most of the monuments and museums are located relatively close together, so it is pleasant and easy walk.

Verona Arena, Italy by Kevin Poh

The most visitors begins their tour at the famous Arena in Piazza Bra. Arena comes from the 1st century AD and after the Roman Colosseum and Capua, near Naples, it is the third largest amphitheater in Italy. The arena is very well preserved, it lacks only the third layer, which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1183. It has stone seats and can holds more than 20 thousand spectators. The amphitheater was used for public executions, fairs, theater and opera performances and bullfighting. At present, this amphitheater is mainly used for the famous summer opera festival.

Then you can take a walk through the pedestrian zone of Via Mazzini, which is lined with many souvenir shops. This street leads to Piazza delle Erbe, which is the medieval heart of the city. Long ago there was a Roman Forum, now you will find bustling marketplaces here, cafes and buildings of different styles. There is e.g. a beautiful brick house Casa dei Mercanti of 1301, which served as a exchange and later as warehouse for buyers. The centre of the square is decorated with several monuments, such as Capitello, Berlina, Colona di San Marco and a beautiful fountain from 1523 with the statue “Madonna Verona”.

Piazza dei Signori, Verona, Italy by Richard, enjoy my life!

Once you walk through the arch, you get to the Piazza dei Signori, which was in the past the main square of Verona. It is dominated by banded Palace Palazzo del Comune, whose construction started in 1193. It served as a city hall, but later was used as the Court. On the right you can see the tower Torre dei Lamberti, of which you can enjoy a superb view of the city. Other important monuments are the brick palace Palazzo degli Scaligeri and Renaissance Loggia del Consiglio. In the middle you can see a statue of Dante from 1301.

What to visit in Verona

• Piazza dei Signori
• Porta Borsari
• Verona Arena
• Basilica di San Zeno
• Ponte Scaligero
• Statue of Dante Alighieri
• Sant’Anastasia church
• The Balcony of Juliet’s house

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