About

Hello there!

Travel has been part of who I am for such a long time. Who doesn’t like to grab their passport and head for the nearest airport or train station?

Am I right?

As well as touristy things, I search for unusual things about places. Legends, ghost stories, unusual facts. I am interested in the history behind a place. The stories, woven like strands in the tapestry of time, which make a place what it is. It’s these kind of stories which make sense of the crosses in the paving in Prague’s Old Town Square. It’s what explains the breach in the fortifications around Birgu.

The trivia and little details make me smile. It’s more fun to say, “Yes – and I visited the convent built by the priest who wanted to help poor women provided they were beautiful.”

A photo of the facades on Giudecca Island - Venice, Italy
The facades on Giudecca Island – Venice, Italy

It’s entertaining to understand why there’s a statue of Darth Vader in Prague. Or the story behind the pagan astrological signs in Milan’s Roman Catholic cathedral.

There’s always a reason.

There’s always a story.

I collect and write these stories here. It’s all stuff you don’t find in guide books which add colour to a destination. Why is there a painting of a peacock on this house? Why are there leaves protruding from this statue’s face? There is always a reason.

And they give you bragging rights. You can nonchalantly tell your friends, “Did you know this church was built by the Emperor’s brother to celebrate the fact his brother wasn’t killed by a deranged Hungarian?”

A photo of the organ at the Votivkirche - Vienna, Austria

It’s what I like hearing about places. It’s what I travel for.

I hope it’s what you like too.

I’ve thrown in the odd tip here and there, a few road trips and suggestions too.

Happy travels!

Antoine

9 Replies to “About

  1. Hi Antoine,
    I was looking for some information on the defences of Prague, when I came across your site.
    Most interesting and very helpful for an article I am writing for the Fortress Study Group (UK).
    Unlike you I don’t use the Web, but have produced a small magazine for many years, mainly devoted
    to fortifications.
    I just have fun writing (sometimes others contribute), producing and printing my little mag ‘Postern’.
    I will get back to your site when I have a little more time.

    Best Wishes …. Peter

    1. Hi Peter,

      How lovely to hear about this! I wish you well with your article; I’d love to read it when you’re done. These things, as you may have gathered, fascinate me. I’ve also written about the fortifications of Malta which may interest you.

      One question about your Fortress Study Group, if I may. Is this a formal group under the auspices of academia or is it a group of like-minded and history-loving people? I’m interested in the topic and would love to join if you accept foreign (or foreign based) members.

      best wishes.

      A

      1. Dear Antoine,
        Thank you for your reply, sorry to be a little slow getting back to you.
        The FSG has a web-site …. fsgfort.com
        There is also the Castlestudiesgroup.org.uk.
        Both require membership I’m afraid.
        They are very good organisations, but run by volunteers. Very serious volunteers I might add.
        The CSG has a Newsletter and an excellent yearly Journal.
        I can e-mail you copies of the former.
        The FSG has once again an excellent international Journal, but also a thrice yearly magazine ‘Casemate’, which I hope my article on Prague will be accepted for.
        Like yourself I like finding the not so well known.
        Two of my recent articles have been .. Il Balipedio di Viareggio, and, Il Pozzo, the Great Well of Turin Citadel.
        I now have a mound of information on Prague, which all needs to be sorted to make some sense.
        Pictures play an important part in all the journals mentioned, so information is only half the work.
        Unfortunately this year has been a disaster for everyone, so no Italian travels for my wife and myself.
        Plus a five-mile travel restriction here in Wales has only just been lifted.
        We hope for better times and that you have kept safe ?

        Wishes …. Peter

  2. Sorry!
    We have visited Malta, and I published a short article on its fortifications in my magazine ‘Postern’
    some years ago.
    But I will look yours up.

  3. Hello Antoine
    There is a claim that Carlo D’Evoli IV conte di Castropiniano was involved in the negotiations between the Maltese and the British after the French blockaded in Valletta surrendered. I do not know at what stage this is claimed to have occurred. He died in Naples in 1815. Do you have a resources to verify this?
    Carlo is also supposed to be the father of Cesare Federico Vassallo, the first librarian of the Maltese National Library. Again no actual proof
    Thanks Emanuel

    1. Hello Emanuel – I haven’t got any definitive proof of this so I’d have to scour my sources and see if I turn up anything. How fascinating that there’s such a connection with the National Library!

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