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The Berlin Wall split East from West Berlin for many years. There was a time when it was considered the most detested symbol and Berliners were eager to tear it down but now the city officials and the artists are arguing about how to do the exact opposite. How to save the crumbling wall rich in history of troubled times.
The Wall is rotten inside which is eroding it away steadily and fiercely. Not only the East Side Gallery of the wall is crumbling but the remains of the166-kilometer wall are also dying out.
A long 1.3-kilometer stretch of gaily-colored Berlin Wall situated alongside the river Spree and near the Ostbahnhof railway station is one of the major tourist attraction. The famous images such as the fraternal communist kiss between East German leader Erich Honecker and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev or the East German Trabant car that appears to be bursting through the wall are fading and appear as a sad sight.
The total cost of renovating the wall is estimated to be more than euro 1.3 million (US$1.8 million). The start of restoration work was planned for September but would most likely have to be postponed due to funding woes and paperwork.
The delay in the wall’s renovation project is further deteriorating it and we hope the city officials soon take steps forward to keep the wall’s largest remaining section from eroding away and falling apart.
Source: globeandmail
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Giant statue of Roman emperor Hadrian has been unearthed in the archaeological site in south-central Turkey. Estimated to be the 4m-5m in height originally, the statue dates to the beginning of Hadrian’s reign in the 2nd century AD. The discovery was made by archaeologists from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
Who was Hardin?
Hadrian was a Roman Emperor who was born in 76 AD in a well-to-do family in Italica, near modern Seville, Spain. He ruled Rome from 117AD to AD138. He was known as a great military administrator and one of the so-called five good emperors. His achievements include the massive wall built across the width of northern Britain which bears his name.
So, far a sandaled foot, a part of leg and the almost intact head of the emperor’s statue have been unearthed. The marble toes with dowel holes to fix it to a long dress belonging to another huge statue which may be of Hadrian’s wife Sabina have also been discovered. Archaeologists have also found part of a gilded bronze statue of the emperor. The discovery of other parts of the statue is likely to be made in coming weeks.
Source: BBC
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Trieste is a wonderful place that has an idyllic setting backed by the green and white cliffs of a limestone plateau. Apart from spell-bounding natural beauty, it has fascinating history.
Trieste was an inspiration for the Irish genius, James Joyce who lived here for many years and penned down his numerous famous works. It’s the place that certainly fueled his creative juices and fired his spirit. There is a famous bronze statue of Joyce that occupies a special place in this charming historic place.
There are many historical sites churches and museums. Arco di Riccardo, 14th-century Cathedral of San Giusto, a medieval Castle of San Giusto and Roman basilica Museum of History and Art are the sites which no one can miss if on trip to this breathtaking place. It is Italy’s leading center of scientific research and a hotbed of theoretical physics, genetic engineering, biotechnology and astrophysics.
There are innumerable museums and historical sites to visit, but one can feel the real pulse of the city on its streets. One can get all the luxuries and trappings of modern wealth in Trieste but the walk at twilight has its own ambience that gives relaxed, timeless and priceless pleasures. Trieste satisfies the criteria of a remarkable destination. Make sure you put the Pearl of the Adriatic on your next Italian tour.
Trieste is well connected to other cities in Italy. Ronchi dei Legionari is the nearest airport. The A4 is a main motorway that connects Trieste to Venice and beyond. Koper and Ljubljana in Slovenia are the other road connections. Buses run from Udine, Venice, Padova and Grado in Italy and from Pula and Rijeka in Croatia.
Source: Stuff
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Valencia is known for its history, culture and fun-loving atmosphere. Every year, on the last Wednesday of August, a Spanish village of Bunol, hosts the world’s largest tomato fight - La Tomatina. It’s one of the world’s strangest events and biggest food fights in which around 30,000 foodies come face-to-face with truckloads of over-ripened tomatoes.
La Tomatina is a weeklong festival of music, parades, dancing, cooking and fireworks. Local bands provide music for dancing and singing and plenty of drinking. Portable showers are installed for the participants.
Rules to be observed:
• Tomatoes should be squashed before they are thrown.
• Bottles or any type of objects, which could cause serious injury are not allowed.
• Tearing of other’s shirt is not allowed (this rule is oft broken)
• Food fight gets over when water cannons are fired.
This year, the La Tomatina will be celebrated on the 29 of August 2007, starting from 11 am.
Source: Wandalust
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No doubt, there are many countries throughout the world that organize the beer festivals. But, Munich’s Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival that attracts around 6 million people every year.
It’s a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany during late September and early October. This year the festival is scheduled to run for 16 days from 22nd September to 9th October. There will be about 14 tents that will be set up at this year’s Oktoberfest. Each tent will offer a different atmosphere and a variety of food and drink to choose from.
At the Hofbrau Festhalle, you can enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch with one liter glass of beer. If you prefer wine to beer, then visit the Weinzelt tent that offers an array of still and sparkling wines and champagne. Fischer Vroni is a tent that sells all kinds of fish delicacies, so if you’re looking for an alternative to the endless sausage dishes available, it’s just the right place.
The festival offers roller coasters, festival parades and even live bands. The beer, the food and the music all combine to create an atmosphere that is unequaled. All these attractions are unique and best of all; entrance to the festival is free. So, if you are planning your tour to Germany and you love drinking, do plan your tour during late September to make yourselves part of this world famous beer festival.
Click here for more information about the festival.
Source: Just The Flight
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Whilst Damien Hirst’s $99,000,000 diamond encrusted skull is on everyone’s lips, 1000 kilo sculpture Very Hungry God by the Indian artist Subodh Gupta is exciting many people at the Venice Biennale. It’s an enormous skull made out of stainless steel utensils.
The skull was first exhibited last fall in Paris in the Eglise Saint-Bernard church during Nuit Blanche. It’s currently on show in Venice as part of an exhibition of Francois Pinault’s collection. Subodh Gupta is best known for his sculptural works that elevate the status of found objects from everyday items to artworks and this skull made out of aluminum pots and pans is one of the finest examples.
Source: Eternally Cool
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Gone are the days when you needed a royal title to spend a night in a castle. With more and more castles being converted into premium hotels, it has become possible for masses to stay in the castles. There are many castles around the world that have been converted into luxurious hotels. One such castle is Amberley Castle that is nestled in the picturesque village of Amberley. Presently, the castle is owned and run by Joy and Martin Cummings.
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Amberley Castle is a magnificent historical treasure that offers a truly unique experience. There are19 luxurious suites that are tastefully decorated with antiques and fine fabrics and each guestroom features a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub.
The castle has two restaurants, lounge areas, tennis court, croquet lawn, gardens and lakes, 18-hole professional putting course and an eye-catching thatched roof tree house complete with rope bridge.
One thing that adds to the delights of the castle is the mighty portcullis being lowered at midnight, as in times past. You’ll not only get a unique experience while a stay at the castle, you can also enjoy the flora and fauna of Amberley village which is is unarguably the prettiest village of the Sussex Downland villages. Nearby Amberley Wildbrooks nature reserve that has beautiful water meadows with a stunning variety of flora and fauna adds to its beauty.
Location: Amberley, Near Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LT, England
Source: Icastelli
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Madrid which was once synonymous with hedonism, a place most visited by party goers has now become a shopper’s paradise. Madrid has emerged as one of Europe’s top shopping destinations, boasting streets crammed with some of the world’s top designers. Also, there are numerous delightful traditional stores and markets creating wonderful contrasts and variety.
There are so many shops to choose from in Madrid that it is difficult to know where to start, but if you want to shop beyond the global brands, focus to a single street head to Calle Serrano. Here you’ll find dresses of various international designers such as Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger and many more.
Wanna buy post-punk cloths with a Spanish twist? If yes, you can head over to the Mercado Fuencarral, which features three floors of tiny boutiques. You’ll get great Spanish shoes, vintage duds and lots of quirky wares if you move to Chueca neighborhood, especially along the Calles Augusto Figueroa, Libertad and Horteleza.
Wanda is a cozy boutique that carries men and women wear. It is the sole distributor for up-and-coming designers like Micco. Men wear includes a green military-style jacket from Boxfresh, a small British label, on sale for 89 euros and more.
Delishoes (Calle Manuela Malasana) specializes in shoes from native Italy and adopted Spain, including a pair of delicate, strappy sandals from the Madrid label S.ALBA, recently on sale for 85 euros.
Biscuit (Calle Divino Pastor) is a cute boutique with lilac walls. You’ll find brands such as Muka, which makes a blousey women’s T-shirt and a silk-crepe wrap dress for 144 euros, also, you can buy men’s graphic design T-shirts that range from 20 euros.
Farrutx is a store that sells classy leather goods - jackets, boots, shoes and bags, don’t expect any bargain prices out here. Loewe has separate stores for men and women and sells a range of bags, accessories and fashionable clothing.
Whether you’re looking for a valuable antique or just a simple gift for someone back home, Madrid has a lot to offer you. Enjoy shopping!
Source: The New York Times
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Sandwood Bay that lies on the northwest coast of Scotland is one of the most beautiful bays that has sandy beaches and is well worth a visit. It’s the most magnificent beach in UK. Best known for beaches, cliffs and peatlands, Sandwood Bay offers over two kilometers of wide pinkish sand backed by huge sand dunes and a loch. At the south end of the bay stands a 60 meter sandstone stack, Am Buachaille. The area is also good for bird watching.
Sandwood Bay can only be reached by a walk of 8 miles there and back. The nearest approach by public road is at Blairmore, a few miles North West of Kinlochbervie and four miles short of Sandwood Bay itself.
You can sit on a rock and watch the sea, explore the beach, dunes and loch, or search for Seton Gordon’s wrecks and explore the cliffs to the north and south.
Source: Telegraph
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