Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Ready to learn more about the city of Lëtzebuerg? The Lëtzebuerg City Museum is a modern museum located close to the Chemin de la Corniche and it is just around the corner of the Palais Grand-Ducal. It was opened in 1996 on eight levels containing a standard exhibition on the history of the city and changing exhibitions. The architecture itself is wonderful: modern elements connect the historic buildings dating back to the 17th century CE.
Continue reading “City history”
When visiting Luxembourg you shouldn’t leave out the Musée national d’histoire et d’art. It is located at the fish market in the old town very close to the Casemates. Even if it would be completely empty this modern building would be worth a visit. It is like an iceberg – you just see some floors of a museum building in a contemporary style, but most of the museum is underground. The lower of the nine floors are carved into the rock and the archeological items exhibited blend with the rock surrounding it.
Continue reading “History on the rocks”
Next to the ancient Fort Thüngen you can find the MUDAM, the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean. It is a wonderful modern building, with lavish rooms and many areas to explore. The museum was inaugurated in 2006 and has been designed by a Chinese architect.
Continue reading “Fortress of modern art”
When you climb up to the Kirchberg mountain or pass the bridge from the city center you’ll find the Fort Thüngen (or Draï Eechelen, Trois Glands). It is part of the extensive fortification system of the city of Luxembourg. The ancient fortress with its special structure would already be worth a visit, but within the old walls you can also find the Musée Dräi Eechelen.
Continue reading “Fort Thüngen”
When you walk through the city quarter Boyana of София you will probably come across a vast park protected by a strong metal fence. It is easy to guess whom this place was created for: Todor Zhivkov, the last Communist dictator of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Within you’ll find his residence, a giant palace with fantastic views on the capital city on one side of the building and a terrace facing the beautiful Vitosha mountains on the other side.
Continue reading “Presidential residence”
When the Soviet Union broke apart and the Iron Curtain fell, when Bulgaria became a fully independent country and capitalism made its way east – then the wind of change blew away many remains of the past. Symbols where removed, old heroes like Lenin and Che Guevara had to take their hats and classic Socialist art was unwanted on the streets and places. That’s quite understandable, but it is also a loss. Socialist artists had a unique style and a special way to depict people.
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I really hate war, I’ve never joined an army and I’m not attracted by any kind of military stuff. But the National Museum of Military History in София is so special (and awkward to me) that I had to visit it. The museum belongs to the Ministry of Defence of Bulgaria and dates back already to the year 1916. It tells the military history of the country in multiple buildings, but most people will go there for the vast exhibition of military equipment.
Continue reading “Tornado”
If you’re interested in Bulgarian art and Soviet-style artworks, then the Kvadrat 500 belonging to the National Gallery is your best choice. It is the biggest art museum of София and was opened in 2015. Next to Bulgarian works there is also a lot of European art and you can additionally see works from different other continents. The collection contains 42,000 pieces and only a small fraction can be shown in the 28 halls of the museum next to the Alexander Newski Cathedral.
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Ferdinand I of Bulgaria was interested in nature and science. Due to this, he initiated the foundation of the Natural History Museum of София, which was the first museum focusing on nature on the Balkans. The museum dates back to 1889 and it is special, very different to everything I’ve seen before. It is a bit strange, creepy and therefore a real recommendation.
Continue reading “Chamber of secrets”
When Bulgarian was freed from Ottoman reign in 1878 a royal palace was created at София. Today it contains the National Art Gallery (belonging to the National Gallery) which exhibits fantastic old and contemporary art. Sometimes the amazing palace architecture and decorations capture your views and distract you from the art works, most times both coexist in a wonderful symbiosis.
Continue reading “Palace of art”