Dr. Stefan Christmann

July 20, 2025July 30, 2025

Central State Museum

If you’re exploring Алматы, the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan is one stop that shouldn’t be missed. This grand museum sits in a leafy area, and its imposing blue-domed structure makes it instantly recognizable. As you approach, you’ll notice the constant buzz of school groups, travelers, and locals alike – all eager to learn more about the country’s rich heritage. The museum’s halls are vast and welcoming, providing a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and heat.

July 20, 2025July 30, 2025

Kasteyev

The Abylkhan Kasteyev State Museum of Arts in Алматы is the largest and most prominent art museum in Kazakhstan. Established officially in 1976, it was named in honor of Abylkhan Kasteyev, a celebrated Kazakh painter and founder of the national school of painting. The museum’s collection exceeds 23,000 works, encompassing an extensive range of Kazakh historic and contemporary art, Soviet-era pieces, Russian art from the 17th to 20th centuries, as well as Western European and East Asian art. Its holdings include paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and folk applied art, making it a comprehensive showcase of Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage alongside global artistic traditions.

July 20, 2025July 30, 2025

28 Panfilowzy

The Panfilov park in Алматы is one of the city’s most beloved and historically rich green spaces, spanning around 18 hectares in the city center. It dates back to the late 19th century, originally established as a city garden over an old cemetery site. Over decades, the park’s name evolved several times – from Starokladbischensky park to Pushkin garden and Lenin park – before receiving its current designation in 1942. This renaming honored the heroic 28 Panfilov guardsmen, soldiers from Алматы and nearby regions who fought valiantly during World War II.

July 20, 2025July 29, 2025

Almaty International Airport

Touching down at Almaty International Airport is often the first experience many travelers have in Kazakhstan, and it’s one that leaves a strong impression. The airport itself, situated not far from the city center, is framed by the spectacular Tien Shan mountains – when the weather is clear, the view from the terminal windows is truly breathtaking. Despite serving as the main gateway for international visitors and domestic travelers alike, the airport has a notably calm and even friendly atmosphere, especially when compared with the frantic pace of larger global hubs.

July 6, 2025July 6, 2025

Sachsenhausen

Visiting the Konzentrationslager Sachsenhausen in Oranienburg, just north of Berlin, is a sobering and deeply educational experience. Established in 1936 by the SS, Sachsenhausen was intended as a model camp, both in its design and its function. Initially, it held political prisoners, but over time, its population expanded to include Jews, Roma, Sinti, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Soviet prisoners of war. The camp became notorious for its harsh conditions, forced labor, medical experiments, and systematic executions. After the end of the Nazi regime, the site was repurposed by the Soviets as a special camp for political prisoners and former Nazis, where thousands more perished.

July 5, 2025July 5, 2025

Eurostar

The Eurostar is a remarkable high-speed train service that connects London with several major cities in mainland Europe, including Paris, Bruxelles, and Amsterdam. Its story began in the late 20th century, following the completion of the Channel Tunnel – a monumental engineering feat that links the United Kingdom and France beneath the English Channel. The first Eurostar trains started running in 1994, revolutionizing cross-channel travel by offering a swift, comfortable alternative to air and ferry routes.

July 4, 2025July 5, 2025

Euston underground

Euston Underground Station in London is a fascinating place for anyone interested in the city’s transport history. Located beneath the mainline Euston railway station, it has served as a key interchange for generations of travellers. The original Euston station opened in 1837 as the capital’s first mainline railway terminus, connecting London with Birmingham. Over time, the underground station evolved to accommodate the growing network, and today it is a major hub for the Northern and Victoria lines, serving millions of passengers each year.

July 4, 2025July 5, 2025

Written treasures

The British Library in London is a true sanctuary for anyone passionate about history, literature, and culture. Its origins trace back to the 18th century, when the collections of Sir Hans Sloane, Robert Harley, and Sir Robert Cotton were brought together to form the core of the British Museum’s library. Over time, these collections expanded with royal donations and acquisitions, eventually leading to the establishment of the British Library as a separate entity in 1973. The library’s current home, a striking modern building near St. Pancras, opened its doors in 1998 and now houses over 170 million items, making it one of the largest libraries in the world.

July 4, 2025July 5, 2025

Mail Rail

Beneath the bustling streets of London lies a unique piece of the city’s industrial heritage: the Mail Rail. Originally known as the Post Office Railway, this driverless, narrow-gauge railway was built in the early 20th century to transport mail quickly and efficiently between major sorting offices across the city. Construction began in 1915, but due to the disruptions of World War I, the railway only opened in 1927. For 76 years, the Mail Rail operated tirelessly, shuttling letters and parcels through six and a half miles of tunnels, until it was finally closed in 2003 as road transport became more practical for the Royal Mail.

June 22, 2025June 23, 2025

Bunker Valentin

Located near Farge on the banks of the river Weser just outside Bremen, Bunker Valentin is one of the largest above-ground bunkers in Europe and a haunting reminder of the final phase of World War II. Construction began in 1943, as the Nazi regime sought to protect its crucial submarine production from relentless Allied bombing. The plan was to assemble the advanced Type XXI submarines here, using innovative assembly-line techniques inside a massive, bomb-proof structure. The parts would have been preproduced in Hamburg and Danzig; the idea was to release a new U-Boot every 56 hours. The bunker stretches an astonishing 426 meters in length and 97 meters in width, with walls and a roof several meters thick – designed to withstand even the heaviest aerial attacks.