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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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The Lost Legends of Lagenda Langkawi

Erin — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 03:04:44 +0000

Lagenda Langkawi isn’t your typical historic site. It’s actually not really all that old. Built in 1996, the park isn’t even 20 years old yet, but the inconsistent upkeep on the site has made it appear a bit older than it actually is. I imagine that when the park was first created it was magnificent and drew crowds of people. The 17 massive stone sculptures depicting scenes from legend and folklore were probably a sight to behold in their shiny new glory. But 20 years of neglect and apathy have taken their toll on the once-grand monuments. It’s not decrepit, but you’d think that after spending RM37 million ($9.5M) on the park that they’d take better care of the features. The official name of the site is Lagenda Langkawi Dalam Taman, which means Legendary Langkawi in a Garden. It is a beautifully landscaped park near the waterfront in Kuah, a town on the island of Langkawi. That park itself is 50 acres (20 hectares) of winding paths that lead to ponds, grottos and gardens that host heroic giants, mythical birds, evil ogres and beautiful princesses. To make it easier on visitors, the signs explaining each of the legends has both Malay and English. Only, neglect has made the stone signboards almost illegible. And the once-grand sculptures and once-magnificent grounds have been reduced to common, weather-worn features that bear the marks of forgotten grandeur. Without the signs to tell the story of each sculpture, the park just seems like a mishmash of enormous stonework and ponds with random items. It made me sad to wander around Lagenda Langkawi and see how forlorn it has become. The exterior gave such high hopes for what was beyond the massive walls, but soon after entering we realized that the locals had all but forgotten about the place. It’s not awful, but there is a definite rundown appearance. When we were heading over to the park, we came across this adorable bridge. It gives off an old world charm and fits right in with the era of myths and legends. It was the perfect segue between the town and the park entrance. The courtyard outside the entrance to the park is very clean and vibrant. The welcome sign shows signs of age, but we were still able to read most of it. I was pretty excited about the park after reading it. Seriously. The place sounds amazing! It reads: A theme park, Lagenda Langkawi was created to recapture the glorious history of Langkawi. Lagenda Langkawi brings to life the mystifying events and romantic legends that have made Langkawi known as the “Isle of Legends”. The subject of enchanting tales, Langkawi is a cluster of 99 islands. Folklore claimed Langkawi was the habitation of spirits while classical literature, Hikaya Merong Mahawangsa, related that Garuda, a giant bird, nested in these islands. The Chinese admiral Cheng Ho in his voyage to Malacca in 1406 recorded Langkawi in his map as a cluster of islands known as Lung-ya-Kiao-yi while 16th century maps described Langkawi with various names such as Langa, Langka, Langu Langura and Langapura. Lagenda Langkawi, approximately 50 acres, is a beautiful park built on reclaimed land with man-made freshwater ponds and a lagoon. A sparkling waterway flows through the middle separating a Hillview on the left from the exciting sculptural displays of the legends on the right. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Straits of Kuah both from the 20-foot-high hill and the 40-foot-high Celebration Gallery or a scenic view of the surrounding sea from the two horns of the Tanjung or Cape embracing the lagoon and the Lagenda Beach. Step into Lagenda Langkawi, a journey through history and a series of gerbang (gateways) will welcome you to an enjoyable passage righ with mystifying legends and local folklore. I really liked the map of the Langkawi islands on the wall outside the park. It was neat being able to see all the different places we’d been over the past few days and all the other areas that make up the island group. The map of the park makes it look huge! The grounds were pretty extensive, but it wasn’t quite as big as we thought it would be. I think we may have missed a few areas. This is Banjaran Gondwana, which is the Gondwana Range. Gondwana is one of the two supercontinents that was created when Pangaea first broke up. Laurasia is the other one. Malaysia was part of the Gondwana continent, which is depicted with these trees. I discovered this on google because the sign for this section was gone. The pond is Laluan Hujan Hujan, which means Rain Driving Rain. It rains a lot in Malaysia. Like, a lot. We lived in Kuala Lumpur and almost every day around 2pm it would rain. It was nice having the predictability, but I was happy on the days it didn’t rain. This next section is Tanjong Chinchin. It doesn’t translate to English and the sign for the legend story was missing. By googling I discovered a legend called The Legend of Mat Cincang and Mat Raya or The Feud of Two Families (think Montagues and Capulets), which tells of how the island was created. The story goes that two families (Cincang and Raya) were having a party to celebrate the engagement of their children when the son of Cincang was caught flirting with another girl at the party. This was perceived as an insult to the Raya family (understandable). The engagement was immediately called off and a heated fued begun. The place where the daughter of Raya threw her engagement ring is now known as Tanjung Cincin (spelling is not consistent in Malaysia, which drives me crazy!) which means Cape of the Ring. This sculpture also goes along with the Tanjon Chinchin legend. The broken crockery became the village of Belange Pecah which means Broken Crockery. Near Belange Pecah is the town of Kuah, which means gravy. Near Kuah is Kisap, which means ‘to seep in’. That village is where the gravy seeped through the land. And just beyond that is Ayer Hangat, the Hot Springs where a cauldron of hot water was broken. As for the two warring fathers, they were turned into mountains of stone, Gunung Mat Cincang and Gunung Mat Raya, and the man who tried to mediate between them, Mat Sawar, was transformed into the hill which now separates the two mountains. The next legend we encountered was of the Pulau Dayang Bunting. That translates to “Pregnant Maiden Island”. I can’t read the sign, but I this is the story I found on google: Dayang Bunting was a female giant guardian that kept watch over the islands of Langkawi. The giant’s defensive weapons include her pet lion and poison from the tuba root. Hence, the two islands closest to Pulau Dayang Bunting, whose silhoutte resembles that of a reclined pregnant giant, are named Pulau Singa Besar (Great Lion Island) and Pulau Tuba (Poisonous Root Island). The story goes that, a group of merchants failed to pay the obligatory respects to Dayang Bunting as they passed by the islands. Awakened by the intrusion, Dayang Bunting summoned her pet lion to dispatch the trespassers. She roused the spirits of wind and water, stirring up a tropical storm that unleashed its fury on the incoming fleet of sailors. The howling winds and tossing waves threw the vessels on Pulau Jong (Junk Island) where they were destroyed beyond repair. After the ships were destroyed, the cargo of black and white water buffaloes escaped to Pulau Gubang Darat (Land Stable Island) and Pulau Gubang Laut (Sea Stable Island) while the white buffaloes made their way to Pulau Balar (White Water Buffalo Island). The last of the ships, laden with rice, were stranded at Pulau Beras Basah (Wet Rice Island). Unfortunately, along from the pond being overgrown and murky, some of the sculptures have been broken. This sculpture is called Bahtera Karam, Sunken Ship. The placard next to it reads: Some believe that you can still see the horrific reminders of the great epic battle between Garuda and Jentayu at Pasir Tengkorak (Sand of Skulls), Tanlong Tulang (Cape of Bones) and Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand Beach) in the form of skulls, bone fragments and shop ballast remnants. Others claim that these beaches bear the remains of the traders and their ships, wrecked in the whirlpools off northern Langkawi where turbulent waters merge with calmer seas. These same whirlpools also sank countless vessels, or Bantera Karam, which came along this way. Pantai Pasir Hitam spins another tail of a mermaid who gave a magical ring which could bring forth an endless supply of fish to a fisherman. In return for a promise by him to find a cure that could transform her back to a princess. If, however, he failed, he was to return the ring within a specified time period. Alas, that fisherman failed and did not even return the ring as promised. Thus the mermaid turnde the beach from white to black. The next place is actually a semi-circular area and looks like it has either been kept up really well or was recently restored. This actually gives me hope that they are working to restore the rest of the park. There is a pavilion (perhaps to listen to the mythical music?) next to three tunnels that lead to sculptures of legendary musical instruments. This reads: The west coast of Lulau Langkawi reverberates with the strains of gentle breezes as if a full orchestra performs in and around Padang Gaong (Field of Echoes) where the winds meet the highlands of Bukit Hantu (Hill of Guardians). This is nature’s gift to Langkawi, entertainment with a naturally sense surrounding environment: tapping waves evoke the rhythm of the canang (inverted gong), giving the beach the name Pantai Cenang. Listen carefully or the multi-layered compositions of the canang, the hypnotic beat of the genggang (double-sided conical drums) and the classical strains of the rebab (three-stringed instrument). The story of the rebab claims that angels once watched over the islands, riding on the winds playing their musical instruments. A pair of rebab fell into the sea and were transformed into the islands of Pulau Rebak Besar and Pulau Rebak Kechil (Big and Small Rebak Islands), living off Pentai Cenang. The rest of the sculptures had plates that were too weathered to read, so I had to do a lot of googling to figure out what some of them mean. This is a sculpture of a mermaid playing with a golden ball. According to legend, a heavenly princess used to come down and bath in a lake on Langkawi and one of the mountain princes happened upon her one day. He immediately fell in love with her and attempted to woo her. She resisted his advances and he sought out the advice of a local mystic. The mystic told him that if he were to rub mermaid tears on his face, the heavenly princess would fall in love with him. So, the prince found a mermaid and when she refused him her tears, he gave her a golden ball to play with. So distracted by the golden ball, the mermaid didn’t notice the tide going out and was stranded on land. Devastated by her predicament, she began to cry and the prince gathered her tears in the golden ball. After the prince made his way back to the lake where the princess was bathing, he rubbed the tears on his face and presented himself to the princess. Enamored by magic, the princess fell in love with him and they were married. Unfortunately, deception cannot bring about a happy union and the couple’s first child died seven days after being born. The princess then learned of the prince’s deception and after burying her child in the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden and putting a blessing of fertility on the lake, she disappeared from this world for forever. It is rumored that the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden is protected by a giant albino crocodile who prevents the unworthy from getting near the water and partaking of the powers of fertility. I guess Troy and...

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