Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
The Orient Express was a legendary train that was first running from Paris to Constantinople (todays Istanbul) in 1883 – via München, Wien, Budapest, Beograd, and София. But there were also connections to Berlin, to Constanța via București or via Frankfurt, Köln and Bruxelles to London. It was a beloved experience, kings and celebrities were using this amazing connection in luxurious trains which lasted around six days.
Continue reading “Orient Express”
It might sound weird, but one thing that people immediately connect with Bruxelles is a fountain including the statue of a urinating boy, the Manneken Pis. The current statue was designed in 1619 but the tradition goes back to the 15th century CE. You can find it in the city center at the crossing of the roads Rue de l’Etuve, Rue des Grands Carmes and Rue du Chêne – always surrounded by tourists.
Continue reading “Manneken Pis”
The Grote Markt or Grand-Place of Bruxelles is the representative square of the capital city showing all the wealth. Most important building is the Gothic-style town hall building (Stadhuis), but also the neo-Gothic Broodhuis and the different guildhalls in Baroque style contribute to the atmosphere of the square. Today this ensemble of buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (declared 1998).
Continue reading “Grote Markt”
The most important church of Bruxelles is the Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule located in the east of the city center. The Gothic-style church was built from the year 1226 on and was finished in the 15th century. A first church building on this site dates back to the eighth century CE and was dedicated to archangel Michel. When the bones of the national saint Gudule were transferred to the church this dedication was extended.
Continue reading “Cathédrale”
The Ruine Katzenstein is a historic building close to the city center of Bad Wildungen that has been almost forgotten. It is the ruin of a ruin, partially covered with concrete and hidden in a forest. But this was different in the past; for many years, the Katzenstein tower was shown in most touristic postcards of the region. It was created as a ruin in 1876 when the spa gardens of the city were redesigned, and it was visible from the city.
Continue reading “Katzenstein”
Bad Wildungen is a small spa town with mineral springs in northern Hesse. It is beautifully located on and between mountains, different small rivers (like the Wilde, Bornebach, Sonderbach, Uhrenbach, Erdbach) run through the city. At the riversides you can find nice parks and a lot of artworks – a lot to discover. On top of one of the mountains (the Schloßberg), you can find the yellow-painted Baroque-style castle Schloß Friedrichstein.
Continue reading “Schloß Friedrichstein”
It is disputed whether the Igelsburg (formerly Engelsburg) in the Habichtswald forest was a real castle. Ancient sketches show just four houses on top of a basalt rock protected by palisades. At which point in time this fortification was built is unknown, but it is believed that it was used by Charles the Great in his war against the Saxons (772 to 804 CE). It was given up somewhen in the 12th or 13th century CE.
Continue reading “Igelsburg”
When in earlier days the people living at Klein Lengden (a village belonging to Gleichen, Germany) needed protection, they went up onto the mountain Lengderburg (383 meters high), one kilometer afar from the settlement. The so called Lengder Burg (Lengden castle), a refuge created between the year 500 and 300 BCE, is unfortunately not preserved – but its former location offers nice views on the area underneath.
Continue reading “Lengder Burg”
The Rocky Bay of Gozo is an often-visited area on the island. Tourists get to this place to walk through a moonlike landscape with many small ponds engraved into the rocks by the sea. Often you can observe a rough sea here with high waves spreading their water when crushing against the rocks. It’s a magnificent place and there is also a small grotto.
Continue reading “Lost Azure Window”
The Wied il-Għasri gorge is a wonderful natural phenomenon at Żebbuġ on the island Gozo. You can walk down in steps and enjoy swimming at this very secluded beach, or you can hike above it and find cart ruts in the rocks with unknown origin. The gorge is 250 meters long and up to thirty meters wide.
Continue reading “Wied il-Għasri”