The 16th Century

I tend to think of the 16th century as a fictional place. The characters and stories are so far away from ther present as to be unreal, in a way. The effects can still be felt – from Napoleon to Holy wars – but they still are far away enough to be vague mirages in the mists of time.

All my 16th Century articles

1500 – 1509

  • The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - 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,… Continue Reading
A photo of Selimiye mosque - Nicosia, TRNC
Selimiye mosque – Nicosia, TRNC

1510 – 1519

  • Andorra January 21, 2026 - Microstates are fascinating. There’s always a story behind them, and their continued existence in today’s world for that matter. Andorra, sandwiched between Spain and France, is one such microstate. For… Continue Reading
  • The Schmalkaldic war September 21, 2020 - The Holy Roman Empire has a lot to answer for. Before it defined modern international relations, the Empire was going through the Reformation. This led to the tongue-twisting Schmalkaldic war. Continue Reading
  • The lost Royal Palace of Prague September 4, 2017 - Tourists mistake any old-looking structure as something which is ancient and "worthy of attention." Whether this is true or not, it's always worth looking into the detail of anything you… Continue Reading
  • The Communist Clock of Olomouc November 14, 2016 - In Prague, tourists push one another to catch a glimpse of the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. In Olomouc, there are not that many tourists in front of the… Continue Reading

1520 -1529

  • St Martin’s rotunda April 13, 2020 - I'm fascinated by the rotundas in Prague. This city has more of them than I'd ever seen in my life. St Martin's rotunda sits inside the Vyšehrad castle complex and… Continue Reading
  • The lost Royal Palace of Prague September 4, 2017 - Tourists mistake any old-looking structure as something which is ancient and "worthy of attention." Whether this is true or not, it's always worth looking into the detail of anything you… Continue Reading
A photo of St Martin's rotunda
St Martin’s rotunda

1530 – 1539

  • When Napoleon Conquered Malta in 72 Hours December 11, 2025 - Think the fall of powerful nations takes months? Napoleon Bonaparte dismantled 268 years of Knights' rule over Malta in three days. If you want to understand how empires truly fall, keep… Continue Reading
  • The Abbey of Bourgueil August 2, 2025 - 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… Continue Reading
  • The Schmalkaldic war September 21, 2020 - The Holy Roman Empire has a lot to answer for. Before it defined modern international relations, the Empire was going through the Reformation. This led to the tongue-twisting Schmalkaldic war. Continue Reading
A photo of the Abbey - Bourgueil, France
The Abbey – Bourgueil, France

1540 – 1549

  • The Battle of Strigonia February 11, 2026 - Sixteenth century Europe was ablaze with one war after another. The epoch-defining conflict was the one between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg Empire. This changed European, and Middle-Eastern history. One… Continue Reading
  • The Schmalkaldic war September 21, 2020 - The Holy Roman Empire has a lot to answer for. Before it defined modern international relations, the Empire was going through the Reformation. This led to the tongue-twisting Schmalkaldic war. Continue Reading
  • Fort St Angelo’s Fortifications October 3, 2016 - Fort St Angelo guarding the harbour. This is a quintessential view of Malta from the capital, Valletta. Many assume that the Knights built it for the Great Siege of Malta, but… Continue Reading
A photo of Fort St Angelo - Birgu, Malta
Would this have been the new Vatican?

1550 – 1559

  • The Schmalkaldic war September 21, 2020 - The Holy Roman Empire has a lot to answer for. Before it defined modern international relations, the Empire was going through the Reformation. This led to the tongue-twisting Schmalkaldic war. Continue Reading
  • The Infant Jesus of Prague August 12, 2019 - 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… Continue Reading
  • The Unexpectedly Polish National Library of Malta May 21, 2018 - Valletta is an ornate and Baroque city built by the Knights of Malta. One of it’s most famous historical buildings is neo-classical which contrasts with the rest of the city.… Continue Reading
A photo of the statue of the infant Jesus of Prague - Prague, Czechia
The infant Jesus of Prague – Prague, Czechia

1560 – 1569

A close-up photo of the door of the church of Saint-Jean de Montierneuf - Poitiers, France
The door of the church of Saint-Jean de Montierneuf – Poitiers, France

1570 – 1579

  • The Battle of Strigonia February 11, 2026 - Sixteenth century Europe was ablaze with one war after another. The epoch-defining conflict was the one between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg Empire. This changed European, and Middle-Eastern history. One… Continue Reading
  • The independence of Ħal-Għargħur May 30, 2025 - In the 16th century, the rural village of Ħal-Għargħur became an independent parish for 3 brief years. It’s unusual that someone thought it should be independent and changed their mind… Continue Reading
  • The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - 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,… Continue Reading
  • The lost cathedral of St Nicholas December 2, 2022 - 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. Continue Reading
  • The Black Sun in medieval Prague February 8, 2016 - Tourists stroll along Prague’s Celetna street, heading to or from the beautiful Old Town Square. Those who look up and marvel at the art on the buildings facades will wonder… Continue Reading
A photo of the Black Sun - Prague, Czechia
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Most, Czechia

1580 – 1589

  • Andorra January 21, 2026 - Microstates are fascinating. There’s always a story behind them, and their continued existence in today’s world for that matter. Andorra, sandwiched between Spain and France, is one such microstate. For… Continue Reading
  • The Phantom Time Hypothesis October 29, 2025 - There are dark corners of the internet where I've found mentions of "The Phantom Time Hypothesis". This suggests that the years between 614 AD and 911 AD didn't exist. But… Continue Reading
  • Frydberk castle November 18, 2019 - 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… Continue Reading
  • The death of Tycho Brahe September 30, 2019 - One of the many illustrious people who lived in Prague was the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. He came for the mysteries of alchemy, and he died in Prague because he… Continue Reading
  • Maltese windows October 9, 2017 - When the Knights of Malta built Valletta in the seventeenth century, it was admired by all who saw it. We don't realise that it took 400 years or so to… Continue Reading
A portrait of Tycho Brahe
By Eduard Ender (1822-1883) – Encyclopedia Britannica, Public Domain, Link

1590 – 1599

  • The Battle of Strigonia February 11, 2026 - Sixteenth century Europe was ablaze with one war after another. The epoch-defining conflict was the one between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg Empire. This changed European, and Middle-Eastern history. One… Continue Reading
  • The independence of Ħal-Għargħur May 30, 2025 - In the 16th century, the rural village of Ħal-Għargħur became an independent parish for 3 brief years. It’s unusual that someone thought it should be independent and changed their mind… Continue Reading
  • How the 1602 famine hit Malta and Sicily November 20, 2024 - We often don't think of how explosive and violent Mother Nature can be. In 1600 a volcano exploded in Peru, affecting life around the planet in many ways. In Malta,… Continue Reading
  • The death of Tycho Brahe September 30, 2019 - One of the many illustrious people who lived in Prague was the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. He came for the mysteries of alchemy, and he died in Prague because he… Continue Reading
  • The surprising tunnel under Prague 7 June 11, 2018 - Sixteenth century Prague was smaller than it is today. Prague Castle was the only part of the city north of the river. The neighbourhood which is now known as Prague… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Powder Tower: The Full History May 18, 2015 - Tourists crowd around the Powder Tower for selfies and videos and who can blame them? The city is photogenic; this tower is one of the iconic scenes people have in… Continue Reading