Germany - Traveling Thru History

Black Forest Clocks

Erin — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 03:08:36 +0000

Black Forest Clocks are some of the most popular clocks in the world. This post looks at the history of the clocks and how they've evolved over the centuries. #TBIN

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Top Historic Sites in Europe, Part 4

Erin — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:56:46 +0000

Welcome to Part 4 of my Top Historic Sites in Europe series! I’m glad you came back to check out some more fantastic sites. So far we’ve done the top historic sites from 30 countries in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 and today you’ll get to see 10 more in Part 4! I have really loved learning more about these countries along with the significance of some of their historic sites and I’m so excited to share this with you. With a recorded history going back over 37,000 years, there are just way too many fascinating places to see them all. That’s why I’ve partnered with other travel bloggers to find out which sites are of the most historic and significant importance for each of these countries. I hope you’ll enjoy what we’ve put together today. Norway – Akershus Fortress Akershus Fortress was once one of the most important castles in Norway. Built by King Haakon V during the 1290s after Earl Alv Erlingsson of Sarpsborg attacked Oslo in 1287, it was a stronghold that was able to withstand battles and sieges for hundreds of years. The fortress changed hands a few times during battles, but was strong enough and well-stocked enough to survive every siege laid at the door. The first battle Akershus saw, and won, was in 1308 when Duke Eric of Södermanland of Sweden laid siege and battled the Norwegian army. After this successful standoff, Akershus Fortress wasn’t besieged again until 1449 when King Karl Knutsson Bonde of Sweden decided to give it a go. He, too, was unsuccessful. Sometime between 1450 and 1502, the fortress was lost to the Norwegian nobleman Knut Alysson, who won a siege by combined forces of the Danish and Scottish. The next siege was in 1523 by Swedish soldiers. Residents of Oslo burned down their own homes in order to get the Swedes to leave, which was a successful maneuver. Another siege, this time by King Christian II of Denmark, took place from 1531 to 1532. It, too, was unsuccessful. Due to damage sustained during the recent sieges, the castle fortress underwent repairs, improvements, and additional fortification during this time. 1567 brought another siege be Swedish forces. At this time, Akershus had been given to Danish Lord and Statue Officer Christian Munk, who was serving in Norway. The next notable event involving Akershus Fortress took place in 1624 when the city of Oslo was uprooted and moved closer to the fortress after the city was decimated by a fire. At this time, the castle fortress was remodeled to look more like an Italian Renaissance castle instead of a medieval fortress castle. Over time, new towers, halls, chambers, and gateways were added. A section of the fortress was designed as a prison where many notable rebels, criminals, and political idealists were held and executed. There were various other skirmishes and battles that took place over the years, but the fortress remained in Norwegian hands until 1940 when the government decided to evacuate Oslo when Nazi Germany attacked Norway and Denmark. It wasn’t until May 11, 1945, that Oslo was liberated from the Germans. Currently, the fortress is used as a military training center, defense bastion, museum, defense headquarters, and Royal Mausoleum. Visitors can enter between the hours of 6:00am and 9:00pm daily. Erin Tracy is the owner and author of this blog, Traveling Thru History, which she uses to share her love of history, culture, and travel with her readers. You can also find stories and pictures of her travels on her Facebook page. Spain – Plaza Mayor If you’re looking for the epicenter of traditional Spanish history, look no further than Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, which celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2017. Nearly every Spanish town has a Plaza Mayor – the main plaza where the townspeople come together for all manner of events. In the past, these would have been bullfights, though now they’re more often filled with markets and outdoor cafes. Madrid’s Plaza Mayor has perhaps the most notorious history of them all, as it was here that people deemed heretics during the Spanish Inquisition were condemned and executed. Madrid’s Plaza Mayor witnessed hangings, burnings at the stake, and beheadings during this time, so it’s no surprise that the plaza is supposedly haunted. Still, it wasn’t all morbid goings-on, as coronations and marketplaces also took place in Plaza Mayor throughout history. The plaza that stands today has undergone many reconstructions due to no less than three fires that burned through the original wooden structures in the 17th and 18th centuries. Juan de Herrera designed the previous plaza, Plaza del Arrabal, in 1560 and was asked by King Philip II to design a remodel in 1577. Construction on what was to become Plaza Mayor started in 1617, and finished in 1619. In 1790, Juan de Villanueva designed the current plaza after the three fires destroyed the previous one. Interestingly, in honor of the Constitution of 1812, Spain put out a decree that all major plazas were to be renamed Plaza de la Constitución. The Borbóns regained the throne in 1814 and renamed the plaza Plaza Real. Between 1820 to 1873, the plaza bounced between Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza Real. In 1873, it became Plaza de la República and then Plaza de la Constitución from 1876 to 1922. The Second Spanish Republic once again named the plaza Plaza de la Constitución, which lasted until the end of the Spanish Civil War. At that time, the plaza was named Plaza Mayor. The reconstructed Plaza Mayor is one of the most touristy places in Madrid, but it’s without a doubt still worth a visit. Simply stroll through the stone arches and envision all of the history that took place right where you’re standing. There are many events still held in Plaza Mayor, but luckily of a more benign kind, such as jazz concerts and the annual Christmas market, which was first started back in 1860. When you visit, be sure not to miss the unique street performers, like Fat Spiderman and Tinsel Goat. If you’re looking for more tips about the rest of your stay in Madrid, the tourism office is also located right in Plaza Mayor. Free walking tours also leave from in front of it twice a day. Sam and Veren are New Yorkers now living in Madrid. Read more tips on free and cheap things to do in Madrid on their blog, Alternative Travelers, where they also write about sustainable vegan travel and expat life in Spain. Find them also on Instagram. Andorra – Church of Santa Coloma d’Andorra The Church of Santa Coloma d’Andorra is the oldest church in Andorra and is located in Santa Coloma, Andorra la Vella Parish. It is believed the church was originally built during the late 8th or early 9th centuries and underwent modifications during the 12th century. During these modifications, the four-floor Lombardian bell tower was added. This circular bell tower is one of the few that exists in the Pyrenees. In 1730, the windows on the bell tower were covered to reduce the amount of wind that came into the church, but they have since been uncovered. During the 1740s, the interior of the church was modified to add the current altarpiece. The interior was once covered in Romanesque murals. Most of these murals were taken by the Germans in 1930 and showcased in Berlin until 2007 when they were returned to Andorra. In 1933, new Romanesque mural paintings were discovered around the nave and restoration work was done. These fragments can still be seen today. In 1976, a large campaign was undertaken to restore the church to its original design. As it stands now, the Church of Santa Coloma d’Andorra looks as it did after the modifications of the 12th century and the addition of the 1740 baroque altarpiece. Another item of note is the 11th century Romanesque statue Mare de Déu de Santa Coloma found in the church. It is no longer housed there, but can be found with the murals at the Andorran Government Exhibition Hall. Erin Tracy is the owner and author of this blog, Traveling Thru History, which she uses to share her love of history, culture, and travel with her readers. You can also find stories and pictures of her travels on her Facebook page. Azerbaijan – Palace of the Shirvanshahs The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is a 15th century palace in Baku and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The main part of the palace is two stories with three winding staircases. Construction started in 1411 by order of Shirvanshah Sheykh Ibrahim I after the capital was moved to Baku from Shemakha when an earthquake decimated the city. Built on the highest hill in the city, the limestone palace complex boasts nine buildings in three courtyards on different levels: the palace, the Courtroom, the Dervish´s Tomb, the Eastern Gate, the Shah Mosque, the Keygubad Mosque, the palace tomb, the bathhouse and the reservoir. To keep his palace safe, Ibrahim I paid a tribute to Timur of the Mongols. Even so, when war broke out between the Shirvanshahs and the Safavids in 1500, the palace was looted and damaged. Later, while the Iranians and Ottomans were fighting for control of the South Caucasus, the state of Shirvan was attacked multiple times due to their proximity to a heavily traveled trade route between the two regions. Shirvanshah Palace was damaged several times during these attacks. In 1828, the Russians stepped in and occupied Shirvan State and much of what is now Azerbaijan. They turned Shirvanshah Palace into a military headquarters and destroyed many of the palace buildings. The palace was renamed Complex of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in 1954 amd made a State Historic-Architectural Reserve and Museum. In 1960, the palace was designated an architectural monument. Erin Tracy is the owner and author of this blog, Traveling Thru History, which she uses to share her love of history, culture, and travel with her readers. You can also find stories and pictures of her travels on her Facebook page. Liechtenstein – Gutenberg Castle The hill where Gutenberg Castle stands has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period. The castle that stands there now first started out as a medieval church. During the 12th century, the church was converted to a keep and the attached cemetery was removed. Walls were built around the keep and a tower was added to the keep. Records show the structure was called Gutenberg Castle in 1296, but it’s possible the name was given earlier. Ownership of the castle was held by the Lords of Frauenberg during the 12th and 13th centuries, but it transferred to the House of Habsburg in 1314. The Habsburgs used Gutenberg Castle as a fortification to guard the borders of their territories from the Swiss. Since 1314, Gutenberg Castle has gone through a myriad of changes. In 1499, the castle was damaged by a siege during the Swabian War. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I began an initiative to repair the damage and improve fortifications. Later, in 1537, the drawbridge to the castle was destroyed during a storm and was dismantled. It was never replaced. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle was damaged by a series of fires. It was during the time the castle was also deemed no longer a military necessity, though residents still inhabited the castle until around 1750. In 1795, a fire damaged a great part of the nearby city of Balzers and the residents used materials from the now-abandoned castle to rebuild their city. The town purchased the castle in 1824 and attempted to do repairs, but not much was done and it was eventually sold to Princess Franziska von Liechtenstein, who then sold it to Egon Rheinberger, an architect from Vaduz. He undertook an extensive restoration project between 1905 and 1912 to add nes buildings to the lower part of the castle. After he died in 1936, the castle was rented out for events until it was sold again in 1951. It wasn’t until 1979 that the Principality of...

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Top Historic Sites in Europe, Part 1

Erin — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 09:15:22 +0000

A region that was settled around 35,000 BC, Europe is just full of ruins and historically significant sites. I’ve been to Europe a few times and it has always amazed me how many amazing things there are to see. History mixed with modern and ruins surrounded by technology. Europe really is such a wonderful place. Seeing as Europe is so old, there are hundreds of thousands of historic sites around the region. It’s hard to pick favorites, so I asked a group of travel bloggers which were their favorite historic sites around Europe. There are too many for one post, so this will be a five-part series showcasing the most memorable historic sites for each country. Take a look below and let me know what you think of these picks. Germany – Frauenkirche The large sandstone facade of the Frauenkirche “Church of our Lady” sits dominant on the landscape in the former East German city of Dresden. Dresden has a rich history as a center of arts and culture in the 18th century. Sadly, the grand baroque city was heavily bombed during the second world war and the Frauenkirche was damaged. Due to political unrest, reconstruction of the city stagnated until German reunification in 1990. The Dresden Frauenkirche has remained a symbolic landmark throughout the cities turbulent history, and not only for its religious significance. George Bähr, the Dresden city architect and one of the best German baroque architects of the time, was commissioned to design the church. The huge stone dome, which became known as the Steinerne Glocke or “Stone Bell” was to be the focal point of the masterpiece, a feat of engineering not seen at the time. Construction of this Lutheran church took place between 1726 and 1743. The strength of the 12-tonne dome was put to the test during the Seven Year War in 1760 when lore states the dome was pummeled with 100 cannonballs and still held strong. Again, though, on February 15th, 1945, Dresden was heavily bombed. The Frauenkirche initially held strong, but as the city turned into an inferno of fires, the heat is thought to have melted the copper ring strengthening the dome and weakened the structure of the stone pillars. The dome collapsed into the church. Dresden locals collected and documented the rubble, hoping to rebuild the church that was so central to their city. But, under East German communist rule, religion was discouraged, and city planners wanted to clear the site. Eventually it was agreed to preserve the site and the rubble remained. Grass grew around the site and sheep even grazed in the square that had once been the center of the city for the past 1,000 years. Following the fall of the Berlin wall and German reunification, it was decided to rebuild the Church which was to be a symbol of Dresden’s rise from the now long cold ashes. The project was funded through lotteries and donations from around the world and the church was finally completed in 2005. The cross which sits atop the Frauenkirche was smithed by hand using 18th-century techniques by Alan Smith and was gifted to the city of Dresden by the Duke of Kent as a symbol of peace. Kaylie of Happiness Travels Here is a doctor and New Zealander who moved to Dresden, Germany, with her husband, 6-month-old daughter, and 3-year-old son in 2014. Together they have visited more than 30 countries around the world and share their adventures on Facebook. Serbia – Kalemegdan Belgrade’s fortress on the confluence of the Danube and Sava river has been inhabited long before it was called the ‘White City’. Prehistoric tribes in this region did not leave a huge mark, so known history starts with the Celtic tribe of Scordisci, who called the city ‘Singidunum,’ in the 3rd century BC. The Scordisci defeated Thracian and Dacian tribes that previously lived in and around the fort, so Kalemegdan’s history predates written record. After the Scordisci took possession of what is now known as Belgrade, the fort was fought over dozens of times throughout the centuries. The third time I visited the Kalemegdan, I met a guy on a park bench who could name all the 26 or so civilizations that have fought over the region, chronologically. I can try to tell you about them, but it will be a sorry imitation compared to what this guy did. Basically, the Scordisci invaded the area, only to be replaced by centuries of Roman emperors. After Rome’s collapse, the territory falls under the Byzantine empire and the city is renamed Belgrade. Attila the Hun makes a visit and lays the city to ashes, after which Emperor Justinian I rebuilds the fort around 535 AD. The Byzantines lose it, then gain it again while fighting off invasions by various groups like the Huns, Avars, and Goths. Legend says when Attila the Hun died, his grave ended up underneath the fortress as the structure expanded out towards the river. After the Byzantine’s gain the area back, the first Bulgarians take it, then lose it to the Franks. The Franks get visited by the Hungarians, after which it gets retaken by the Byzantine empire and then the Crusaders passed through. A tug-of-war between the second Bulgarians and the Hungarians happened until a Serbian king took control during the 12th century and then the Hungarians gifted the fortress to Serbia when the Hungarian prince married a Serbian princess. In 1427, Kalemegdan was returned to Hungary. In 1521, the Ottomans come by and decide to stay while fighting the Habsburg empire. During the occupation of the Turks, Austria and Serbia both invaded various times. During the 20-year Austrian occupation, Kalemegdan was rebuilt and modernized. The Ottomans left in the 19th century when Serbian rule had been established and modern-day Belgrade was born with Kalemegdan as the core and oldest section of the city. Today, the Kalemegdan is Belgrade’s most visited and enjoyed public space. People not only come to immerse themselves in history but also to have a picnic and catch up with an old friend. Visiting the citadel is free of charge, so don’t skip it! Iris of Mind of a Hitchhiker has hitchhiked the equivalent distance of twice around the Earth. She writes about her encounters and adventures on her blog and shares her experiences on Facebook. Hungary- Parliament The most important part of the architectural heritage of Budapest was created at the end of the 19th century during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy era. Even amongst the most beautiful buildings to visit in Budapest, the majestic building of the Hungarian Parliament stands out. This magnificent building is one of the most spectacular Neo-Gothic buildings in Europe, which also includes Baroque and Renaissance elements. Its construction took about a decade and the building was officially inaugurated for the 1000th anniversary of Hungary in 1896. The Hungarian Parliament is the third largest Parliament building in the whole world with 691 rooms, 20 kilometers of stairs and is 96m (315ft) tall. It is just as tall as St. Stephen’s Basilica, the main cathedral of the Hungarian Catholic Church. Many Hungarians still remember when a huge red star was present at the central tower of the building, which is fortunately only a distant memory now, since it was removed when Communism fell in 1990. The Parliament building is found at one of the main squares of the city, Kossuth Square, and looks down on the Danube River. The best place to take an exterior picture of the building is from the Buda Side of the Danube River, either from the Batthyány Square or from up in the Buda Castle. From there you will appreciate even more the harmony of the building than from close range. You can visit the Parliament building on a guided tour when the National Assembly is not in session. During the visit you will have the chance to walk on the majestic stairs, gaze at the very detailed architecture of the halls and lobbies, and you also get the chance to see the Hungarian Crown Jewels, which were moved here from the National Museum at the end of the last century. The best way to get to the Parliament is by subway (M2), which stops at Kossuth Square itself. It’s recommended to book your tickets in advance, since usually queues are long and the number of tickets sold per day is limited. Gábor of Surfing the Planet is a Hungarian travel blogger and photographer who has lived in Spain for more than a decade with his Italian wife, Rachele. Together they write about long-term travel and weekend getaways on their blog, which they also share on their Facebook page. Romania – Peles Castle Romania’s Peles Castle is one of Europe’s most stunning castles. While it’s often referred to as a castle, Peles is actually a palace, both in form and function. Built on the medieval route that linked Transylvania to Wallachia, in the Carpathian Mountains, it’s 80 miles north of Bucharest. The palace was commissioned in 1874 by King Carol I, the first King of Romania, as an extravagant summer home. The Royal family used Peles Castle up until 1954. Peles Castle is home to 160 rooms, formal gardens with statues and fountains, and intricate murals across its exterior. Many of the rooms celebrate specific cultures like The Turkish Parlor, The Florentine Room, and The Moorish Salon. It was a palace built ahead of its time. Not only was it the first European castle lit entirely by electrical current, but the electricity was made from its own plant. Peles Castle is a delight to wander, with rooms full of stained-glass windows, Murano crystal chandeliers, and European art. A few notable rooms include; the Music Room, the Armory, and The Hall of Honour. The Hall of Honour covers three floors and is home to retractable stain glass panels, alabaster sculptures, and carved woodwork. On a grand scale, it leaves a lasting impression. The Armory may not seem fancy to all, it is still impressive, nonetheless. King Carol I was a proficient soldier who also helped improve Romania’s military. He amassed a large collection of over 4,000 pieces which range from European to Oriental and date from the 19th century back to the 15th. The Queen, a writer herself, was a fan of the arts, from music to literature and fine art. Carved of teak with frescoes, her Music Room is one of Peles Castle’s most breathtaking rooms. So, whether you’re looking for a great day trip from Bucharest or on the hunt for a slice of Europe’s brilliant history, Peles Castle is a must visit. Please note: you’ll want to splurge on paying extra for the pass to take photographs. Stephanie is the gal behind The World As I See It, where she shares her adventures, tips, and guides from her travels around everywhere from Europe to her own backyard of Ontario, Canada. She loves getting lost in cities, on the hunt for street art or a cute café, but also finding herself in the great outdoors, exploring trail after trail, all of which she shares on her Instagram. Greece – Acropolis of Athens The Acropolis of Athens is the most popular landmarks and a symbol of the city of Athens in Greece. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel which sits atop a hill overlooking the city of Athens and houses several ancient buildings which are of great historical importance. The site can be accessed after a short hike which leads to the main entrance of the site termed as Propylaea. The first structure once inside is the magnificent Parthenon. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena and which is almost in ruins, is still one of the imposing buildings of exemplary Greek architecture. The most striking part of the Parthenon is the 58 columns enclosing the central part of the structure. On your left will be the Erechtheion, another beautiful ancient Greek temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. The interesting feature here is...

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