Tag: 18th Century

A photo of the harbour - Valletta, Malta

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

There weren’t many female physicians in the 19th century. Irishwoman Margaret Bulkley pretended to be a man for over 40 years to practise medicine. This article explains how this happened, Bulkley's life in Malta and how we know what happened.
A photo of the church-tower - Žulová, Czechia

Frydberk castle

The criminals who built Frydberk ? castle terrorised the Bohemian countryside in mediaeval times. Conquered, plundered, turned into a ? brewery and then the Church built a place of worship out of its tower. This is the castle's amazing story ?
A photo of the balcony on the Grandmaster's Palace - Valletta, Malta

The Revolting Slaves of Malta

Malta is not known for its revolutions. Unlike other countries, the people preferred other ways of changing history. This article describes one unsuccessful plot to overthrow the Knights of Malta.
A photo of the gate and entrance to Český Šternberk castle

Český Šternberk Castle

It’s not everyday you find castles still owned by the original family. Czechia's Český Šternberk ? towers over the town of the same name, and is one of the few in the world to make that claim ?
A photo of the Altar of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Divine Grace

The Chapel of Our Lady of Divine Grace

The old adage claims there are 356 chapels and churches in Malta, 1 for every day of the year! One tiny often neglected chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Grace in Sliema. This article details its history and its significance to this sprawling metropolis.
A photo of the statue of the infant Jesus of Prague - Prague, Czechia

The Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague statue is a key point of interest for many tourists visiting Prague's Church of Our Lady Victorious. This article explains the legends behind it, and associated with it.
A photo of the sculpture's and allegories on Mitrovice's tomb - Prague, Czechia

The man who was buried alive

There are many legends of accidental burial. I hadn't encountered a real story about this sort of thing until I saw the tomb of Count Mitrovice in the ⛪️ Basilica of St James in Prague's Old Town.
A photo of the Bridge of Fists - Venice, Italy

The Bridge of Fists

It was a hot and humid day, the type where the clammy air sticks to you and weighs at your temples. I strolled through an alley barely wider than my shoulders, blinked as I entered the Venetian sunlight and turned right. I was looking for the Bridge of Fists, so I headed north-west from the charming apartment I had found on the southern end of Dorsoduro.
Cannonballs above the windows - Prague, Czechia

The Cannonballs of Prague’s Church

Of all the wars Prague was an active participant in, few leave their mark on the city today. One exception is on the church of Charlemagne in Prague's New Town - the Siege of Prague from 1757.