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See Bristol with Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Thursday, June 11th, 2009Heather Cowper

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One interesting way to get under the skin of a city is to use as your guide a famous person who lived there and visit the places they lived and worked. In Barcelona, for instance you’re bound to go on a little Gaudi tour. But when you visit my home town of Bristol, you might like to see some of the sights made famous by the famous Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

In 1833 Brunel was appointed chief engineer of the Great Western Railway running from London to Bristol and he also carried out many improvements on the Bristol Docks, then a thriving hub of industrial Bristol, now a pleasant harbourside area for leisure and relaxation. If you arrive by train, you’ll pass through Temple Mead Station which he designed.

Clifton suspension bridge

The most famous of Brunel’s Bristol creations is the Clifton Suspension bridge, which spans the Avon Gorge. Brunel won a competition to design the bridge and it was his first major commission, and has become Bristol’s major and most photographed landmark. The bridge was designed for horses and carriages but thousands of cars still cross it every day. However, when festivals are held on Ashton Court park on the far side of the bridge, it is closed for fear of the stress of too many people at one time. On one side of the suspension bridge you’ll find picturesque Clifton Village, with elegant Georgian terraces, restaurants and boutiques. On the other side there are woods to walk in and the Ashton Court Park where the Balloon fiesta is held every August.

SS Great Brittain
The other major Bristol landmark designed by Brunel is the SS Great Brittain, moored in the Harbourside. When it launched in 1843 it was the largest ship of it’s kind with a steel hull and steam powered propellor. After many voyages to New York and Australia it ended up rusting away in the Faulkland Islands, before being salvaged and returned to Bristol. Since then an ongoing restoration programme has made it an award winning visitor attraction.

If you’d like to see more of Bristol, following the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, you can download a free audio guide to the Brunel Mile and City Docks from the Visit Bristol Website.

Even if you’re not coming to Bristol, why not try this approach to find interesting things in other cities through the work of famous people who lived and worked there.

Photos by Heatheronhertravels and dizz on Flickr

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Posted in Architecture, England, United Kingdom by Heather Cowper | No Comments »

Union Bridge, Horncliffe – the oldest suspension bridge in the world

Sunday, May 31st, 2009Karen Bryan

Union Bridge, also known as Chain Bridge, traversing the River Tweed near Horncliffe, was the first suspension bridge built in Europe for vehicles. It is the oldest suspension bridge still in use in the world.

It is a single lane bridge, limited to one vehicle at a time. The bridge was constructed in 1820 by Captain S Brown of the Royal Navy. In the past the river was crossed by a ford, as the tide no longer affects the river at this point.

Union Bridge is only a couple of miles of the A1, signposted to turn west at the A689 to Coldstream at the roundabout south of Berwick upon Tweed. Chain Bridge Honey Farm is a few hundred metres from the bridge.

It’s an interesting and beautiful historic site to visit if you are in Northumberland or the Scottish Borders.

Update 31 May 2009

At present a section of the road between the Honey Farm and Union Bridge is closed due to a landslide. However there is still pedestrian access.

This post was first published in August 2007 but I’ve added the video of the walk over Union Bridge shot on 30 May 2009 and the access update.

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Posted in Architecture, Day trips, England, Scotland, United Kingdom, Videos by Karen Bryan | 4 Comments »

The Natural Beauty of Delphi, Greece

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009Marcus Cederstrom

temple-of-apollo-4

Nestled in the mountains of central Greece and just a two and a half hour drive from Athens lies the ruins of Delphi (as well as a town, but it’s the old stuff that’s interesting). The archaeological site, which is also a World Heritage Site, is most famous for the oracle of Delphi.

temple-of-apollo-2

However, Delphi has so much more to offer than ancient prophesies. The Temple of Apollo is marked by a few beautiful remaining columns. The stadium gives rise to visions of ancient footraces with thousands of spectators filling the seats still visible today. And of course, a large theater. From its place on the side of a mountain it looks out over the Temple of Apollo and the valley below. It was this very view that caught my attention.

temple-of-apollo-1

I love history. To read it. To see it. I love to romanticize it and imagine what life was like. But what truly took my breath away was not the ruins, which were amazing, but the setting. To be honest, I wasn’t prepared for the mountains of Greece. The jagged rock and sheer cliff faces were an intimidating backdrop to the ancient ruins. Really, a beautiful juxtaposition to the spectacular view to the valley below.

theater-2

In fact, the scenery allowed me to romanticize the history of Delphi even more. The ancient kings coming to consult the oracle. The worship of Apollo. The early forms of athletic competition. The World Heritage Site designation is well-deserved at Delphi.

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Posted in Architecture, Culture, Greece by Marcus Cederstrom | 3 Comments »

Visit La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia

Thursday, May 14th, 2009Heather Cowper

La Lonja was one of my favourite sights to see in Valencia when we visited last Spring. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and had recently re-opened after restoration. It’s free to enter and luckily it wasn’t too crowded on the day we visited, so we could enjoy it’s cool stone halls and tranquil, cathedral-like atmosphere.

 La Lonja, Valencia

La Lonja de Seda or Silk Exchange was founded in the 15th century and in the past would have been filled with Valencia’s merchants going about their business. We entered through the Sala de Contratacion (The Contract Hall) with its twisted stone pillars reaching up to the vaulted ceiling resembling skeins of twisted silk. At one side is a small, shady courtyard, with orange trees scenting the air and by walking up an external stone staircase you find the first floor chamber with it’s beautiful coffered ceiling and patterned marble floor.

Courtyard garden at La Lonja, Valencia

On the ground floor, off the courtyard there is the Pavillion of the Consulate, where the Merchant’s tribunal would sit. At the height of summer I’m sure the merchants would have found it a cool and shady oasis to retreat from the bustle of the street outside.

See more photos of Valencia from Heatheronhertravels on Flickr

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Posted in Architecture, Spain by Heather Cowper | No Comments »

Trakoscan Castle, Croatia

Monday, May 11th, 2009neha

If you happen to be in Zagreb and have a day to spare, be sure to visit the lovely Trakoscan Castle. Located about an hour’s drive from the city, this 13th century structure was originally a small part of the Zagorje principality defence fortification. And while little is known of the original fortification, the castle rose, both in size and prominence over the years. Several influential, aristocratic families have claimed ownership at one time or the other; each family added and accessorized to the original structure leading to the form we see today.

Trakoscan Castle

Sitting on a hilltop, Trakoscan’s distinct yellow-white walls and red turrets are visible from a distance. Peeping out from a cover of rich green, it makes for quite a picture. The view is equally spectacular from the top. Along the twisting gravel walking path that leads to the castle gates, you can admire the well manicured landscape below, complete with an artificial lake and a fairytale chapel.

Trakoscan

The castle has four levels, including the dungeons. Converted into a museum in 1953, it allows for authentic period exhibits – a small courtyard, an equipped kitchen, dining and entertaining halls, bedrooms, a knight’s room (with a fascinating collection of weapons from the 15-19th century), a lavish music parlour and even a hunting room. The rooms are fully furnished. You’ll come across some amazing antique furniture here. The rooms are also adorned with family portraits, memorabilia and the elaborate family coat-of-arms; so neat is the set up, that you can’t shake the feeling that someone still lives here. 

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Posted in Architecture, Croatia, Culture, Day trips by neha | 3 Comments »

Glimmingehus: Sweden’s oldest medieval manor house

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009Marcus Cederstrom

Southern Sweden, known as Skåne, was once part of Denmark. Today, the region is dotted by centuries old farms, manor houses, and the occasional castle.

glimmingehus-side-view

Glimmingehus is one of Sweden’s older medieval buildings with construction having started in 1499. Not really looking like your classic castle, Glimmingehus was built as a fortress meant to defend what was then Denmark. Apparently, the strength of the fortress was never tested and instead it was used as a residence for the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand.

Today, Glimmingehus is a classic medieval ruin. The building allows almost total access complete with various booby traps, none of which seem to be active. Although, the holes in the floors and walls designed for boiling tar and large rocks to be thrown onto unsuspecting enemy invaders is a stark reminder of the security measures in use at the time.

glimmingehus-inside

Luckily, the employees of Glimmingehus who now guide people through the building avoid any form of medieval violence, instead focusing on the history of the area, the building, and southern Sweden. While a bit out of the way, a short day trip to Glimmingehus allows you to escape into the often overlooked medieval history of Scandinavia.

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Posted in Architecture, Culture, Day trips, Sweden by Marcus Cederstrom | 2 Comments »

The Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Monday, March 23rd, 2009neha

The Palace

As the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna was designed to be a Hapsburg showcase, and the majestic Hofburg Palace was, and still is, the city’s crowned jewel.

Situated along the Ringstrasse in Vienna, this sprawling complex was home to the Hapsburgs for over 600 years. Die Burg, or the Palace, as it is commonly known, is said to have started off as medieval castle. As the Hapsburg Empire grew, so did their residence. Each emperor added his own opulent touch to the existing structure, expanding the complex into the masterpiece it is today.

To this day the Palace is a place of power. The Austrian President operates out of an office here, as do many government officials.

The Palace has over 2500 rooms, many of which are open to the public. Amongst these are the well preserved imperial apartments; the Sisi Museum, chronicling Empress Elisabet’s life; and the Imperial Treasury, displaying the Hapsburg crowned jewels.

The Palace Cathedral is a masterpiece in its own right. It also hosts the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir every Sunday during high mass. Another famous act can be seen at the edge of the palace grounds, where the prestigious Spanish Riding School operates; practice sessions are open to the public for a small entrance fee.

The complex is large and exhausting. If you’re lucky you can catch a special exhibit or event taking place on the grounds. Otherwise you can unwind across one of the many manicured gardens that pepper the complex. On most days you’ll find clusters of teenagers and tourists stretched out here, and as with any other place in the city, there is a lovely café where you can catch your breath over a cup of Austrian coffee.

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Posted in Architecture, Austria by neha | No Comments »

Guest post – Exploring Lanzarote: Cesar’s Empire

Thursday, January 15th, 2009Karen Bryan

Nick of the Lanzarote Guide Book, which offers in depth information about the island, describes how the efforts of one man, Cesar Manrique, helped temper the over development of Lanzarote as a holiday destination.

“The small Canary Island of Lanzarote is best known as a beach holiday destination. Thanks to the fact that this small speck of Spain is located just
79 miles off the coast of Africa and enjoys a year round clement climate, which is often likened to an eternal Spring with temperatures averaging 21 Celsius, even in the winter months.

Lanzarote by BK59

Mix in manageable journey times, with flights to Lanzarote taking just four hours from all major UK airports, over 90 great beaches and a high quality of accommodation in all of the main resorts and it´s easy to see why over 800,000 British tourists spent their holidays in Lanzarote during the course of 2008.

But despite the islands undoubted popularity as a tourist destination and the legacy of the Monty Python Lanzagrotty tag, Lanzarote remains largely unspoiled. It is in fact an island of enormous natural beauty. The three main tourist resorts are all well contained, advertising hoardings are outlawed and high rise buildings are banned, offering visitors much more than just bucket and spade beach holiday alone.

Salt Water Lake, Lanzarote by BK59

Much of the credit for this can be attributed to an island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrique who fought against untrammelled development as package tourism started to take off back in the 1970´s.

Manrique had been studying in New York and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Andy Warhol in the early 1960´s. But feared that his birthplace could soon become submerged beneath a sea of high rise hotels – a fate already befalling swathes of the southern Spanish coastline and larger Canary Islands such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

As a result Manrique returned to Lanzarote and lobbied the island government to implement a policy of controlled development. So leaving much of the island as nature intended today.

Manrique also sought to create a series of tourist attractions that united the unique volcanic beauty of Lanzarote with his own artistic aesthetic. As an alternative to the water parks and golf courses springing up in other Spanish sunspots.

Resulting in the creation of attractions such as the Jameos del Agua – where Manrique converted a collapsed lava tube into an underground auditorium and night club. The Mirador del Rio – a former naval gun battery dating back to the 1890´s which was transformed by the artist into a unique lookout point across to the neighbouring island of La Garcuiosa. And his own incredible underground home and studio – fashioned out of five volcanic bubbles.

Thanks to the work of Manrique Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere in 1994 – the first island in the world to enjoy such status.”

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Posted in Architecture, Guest post, Spain by Karen Bryan | No Comments »

Ljubljana, Slovenia – Big City with Small City Charm

Thursday, December 4th, 2008Jason Green

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and even though there are over 300,000 residents the city has the charm of a much smaller city. Ljubljana is one of the more colorful cities in the Balkan region and there are no shortages of sights and things to do.

River going through Old Town

River going through Old Town

There is a river that flows through the city and you definitely want to check out the old part of Ljubljana. Here you can see many old buildings and churches and it is the part of the city where there is the most shopping as well as dining and nightclub attractions are located. This part of the city is located right below the city castle and across from the Triple Bridge. There are many narrow lanes with tons of shops, great cafes, quaint restaurants, and happening nightclubs.

The Triple Bridge is actually 3 interconnected bridges leading to the center square where the town hall is located. In the square there is the statue of France Prešeren, who was Slovenia’s greatest poet. Near the Triple Bridge is Old Ljubljana, a great open-air market, and you can even catch a train to the castle.

The Ljubljana Castle, up from the old town, can be reached by hiking up the steep hill or taking the Funicular Railway. Entrance to the Castle Courtyard, Chapel and Gift shop is free of charge, but there is a charge for access to the tower. I would definitely suggest paying to check out the tower, as you can see all of Ljubljana as well as the Sava River and Kamnik Alps off in the distance. At the castle there is also a 3D Movie of the history of Ljubljana from a pre-historic settlement to the Roman Empire to modern times.

View of Castle from Old Town

View of Castle from Old Town

If you are a museum buff then Ljubljana has you covered. There are many great and fascinating museums, many of which are located near the old town. Just some of the museums you should check out are The National Gallery, Museum of Modern Art, Ljubljana, National Museum of Contemporary History, and the Tivoli Gallery – International centre of Graphic Art.

Other attractions in Ljubljana include the Ljubljana Zoo, Tivoli Park, Water City of Atlantis (thermal baths), and Laguna Fun & Spa.

In the old part of Ljubljana you can find many restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs. There are tons of eating options from authentic Slovenian food to fantastic pizzas and everything in between. There are some romantic quaint restaurants tucked in many of the small lanes in the old part of town. There are tons of cafes, but I would suggest finding one right on the river, as it makes it a relaxing time. Ljubljana, is known for its nightlife, as besides all the nightclubs in the city there are also may huge concerts with some of the biggest music acts in the world that play in the city. Just walking around the old part of town is a great way to spend the day.

Considering that Ljubljana is a big city there are many hotels available, as well as pensions, and private accommodations. Near the city’s main university, located near the old town, there are many small pensions that are very reasonable priced.

Ljubljana is one of the more beautiful, and especially colorful, cities in the Balkan region. If you are anywhere near Slovenia, you should check out the capital, as it is a city that is full of life.

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Posted in Architecture, Culture, Slovenia by Jason Green | 2 Comments »

The Castles of Potsdam

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008Jacinta Lodge
When most visitors want to see castles in Germany they do a cruise of the Rhein, where turreted towers are perched on every other hill top overlooking the river thoroughfare. All too often, the summer castles of the Prussian kings in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, are overlooked.

Park Sanssouci houses numerous castles, grottos, temples and extensive parklands and all are within an easy train ride from central Berlin. The most famous is Berlin’s own miniature Versailles,　the rococco-style Schloss Sanssouci which is built on a hill lined with terraces of vines. The view from below is beautiful. On the other side of the castle, where the road is, you can see across to the Ruinenberg, a hill with artificial Roman ruins. Because, in the time of Frederick the Great (1748), fake decayed buildings were cool.

Potsdam Sanssouci Palace by Wolfgang Staudt

Potsdam Sanssouci Palace by Wolfgang Staudt

The other big castle in the parklands is the Neue Palais (New Palace) which was built 1763-1769.　This pink baroque edifice houses an amazing theatre and a grotto room smothered in seashells and shiny stones. Opposite the main castle are two matching buildings which housed the business side of royalty. Dinners cooked over there in the kitchens were rushed to the King’s halls through underground passageways.

The Orangerieschloss (Orangery Palace) is an Italian renaissance-style palace finished by Friedrich Wilhelm IV. The same king managed to bring fountains to play in the park. Orangeries are buildings created for keeping citrus fruits alive in the cold winters, and are generally large, long buildings lined with shuttered windows that face south. In keeping with the name, the Orangerieschloss has one.
Many other buildings are spread throughout the grounds. An egyptian obelisk marks one of the exits to the park, while the Neptune grotto, having undergone many differnt restorations in centuries past, now lacks the golden Venus that was there pre WWII.

Getting to Potsdam from central Berlin is easy with the S1 or S7 S-bahn lines, although you will have to buy a ticket covering zones A,B and C. Get bus 695 from the Potsdam central train station and it will drop you at Schloss Sanssouci. From here you can start discovering the beauty of the park.

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Posted in Architecture, Culture, Germany by Jacinta Lodge | 3 Comments »

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