Tag: 1970-1979

A photo of the Fruttuaria Abbey - Piedmonte, Italy

The Fruttuaria Abbey

A King Died Here. Then the Church Buried It. Then a Plumber Found It Again. The Abbazia di Fruttuaria has been a monastery, a political pawn, a makeover project, and a school. What lies beneath the floor is one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in northern Italy — and almost nobody knows about it.
A photo of the old bridge that gives Mustek its name - Prague, Czechia

The significance of the little bridge

Prague's Můstek neighborhood and metro station has a fascinating story behind it. This area represents a remarkable convergence of medieval history and modern urban development. What appears today as a bustling transit hub and shopping district used to be a crucial defensive boundary between different sections of a growing medieval city. Visitors can still see the remnants of this history today. This article explains the history and the legends behind this neighbourhood.
A photo of the landscape behind the Abbey - Bourgeuil, France

The Abbey of Bourgueil

In 990, Emma of Blois leveraged her dowry and family alliances to found an abbey in Bourgueil, France. The abbey grew into a regional powerhouse over the next 500 years influencing daily life.
A photo of Abu Dhabi today

Creating the Emirates

The United Arab Emirates exist because of a reaction to Britain's loss of power, post-Word War II. That power, in turn, came about because of geography, rather than outright politics. It's strange to think a modern country exists because of a random geographical feature. This article explains the whole story.
A photo of the organ and choir at St Clementine's - Prague, Czechia

St Clements in Pořiči

Near Prague's city centre, but not quite close enough, St Clement's church is possibly one of the oldest religious structures in the city. It is more than 1000 years' old.
A photo of the modern stained-glass windows in Saint-Jean de Montierneuf - Poitiers, France

A church for a cousin

In the 11th century the Duke of Aquitaine built an abbey in exchange for permission to marry a relative of his. It sounds like the ultimate form of privilege but is this fair, and what is the real story behind William's motives? This article explains the context behind this transaction and what the abbey looks like today.
A photo of a British Royal Air Force Vulcan bomber

The RAF Vulcan crash in Malta

In 1975, a British RAF Vulcan bomber exploded as it approached the runway of Malta's airport. That few cilivians died is near-miraculous. This article describes what happened and the view on the ground.
A photo of the fake ruins - Dejvice, Prague

The fake ruins of Baba

Europe is full of ruins that paint a delightful picture of its turbulent past. It's not every day you can see ruins that are as artificial as a fast food joint. Prague's ruins of Baba are one such fake ruin.
A photo of the Nibbia Chapel of Bones - Valletta, Malta

The Maltese chapel of bones

I’ve written about Czech ossuaries before, and I’ve visited the one in Paris, but few know there is a Maltese chapel of bones. Well, there used to be one anyway.