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.
St James’ Church, Valletta
St James' Church on Valletta's bustling Merchants' street never attracted my eye the same way the other churches in the city do. When I found out my ancestors married there so I thought I'd take a closer look at this historical building.
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.
The lost Cathedral of St Sophia
In occupied Cyprus, across the demilitarised zone in Nicosia, the French gothic cathedral of St Sophia is now Selimiye mosque. The building was at the heart of Cypriot crusader history, with many stories in its past. Today, tourists wonder at something that looks like European architecture is a mosque.
This article explains the cathedral history, its significance and the current mosque.
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.
The flamboyant chapel in Chartres’ cathedral
Chartres Cathedral features a Flamboyant Gothic chapel by Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme, built to honor a vow made during his imprisonment.
St Stephen’s missing rotunda
The Rotunda of St Stephen in Prague, was part of the Christianization effort in Bohemia. Constructed in the Benedictine-owned village of Na Rybničku, the rotunda was later owned by Teutonic Knights who reconsecrated it to St Longinus in the 15th century.
Harry Potter and Porto’s Hidden House
In Porto, in between the Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, there exists a hidden, narrow three-storey house called Casa Escondida. Some claim this house inspired J.K. Rowling, but did it?
The lost cathedral of St Nicholas
In Famagusta, Cyprus, there is a building that used to be a cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas. It saw major events of the country's history and is now a mosque.
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.