Asia

The variety, and sheer geographical spread, of Asia is as fascinating on the inside as it is from the outside. From Turkish souks to the hubbub of downtown Delhi, there is lots to savour and experience. And also lots which isn’t immediately obvious to travellers.

I’ve documented lots of forgotten or unknown stories, and I’m fascinated by the way in which Asia and Europe shaped each other.

Asian articles, by country

Select one of the countries to drill down and see articles and stories connected to it.

All my Asia articles

• Genoa’s Lost Debtors’ Prison October 7, 2026 - Genoa’s medieval debtors’ prison no longer exists. Yet its story still explains how money, war and a royal hostage shaped the Mediterranean. Continue Reading
• Livonia – Russia’s Baltic doorway July 15, 2026 - In 1558, Ivan the Terrible tried to punch a doorway to the sea — and Europe panicked. The question is: was this a 16th-century war, or the first chapter of… Continue Reading
• Why Bohemond III gave Apamea away June 25, 2026 - In 1168, Bohemond III of Antioch handed the frontier district of Apamea to the Knights of St John. A prince doesn't do this unless he needs something bigger; so what… Continue Reading
• Did World War II Start With a Failed Secret Raid? March 26, 2026 - World War II began on 1 September 1939. What if I told you a secret German commando unit jumped the gun, invading Poland six days early? This is the Jabłonków… Continue Reading
• The Fruttuaria Abbey March 7, 2026 - 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… Continue Reading
• A Medieval Marriage That Never Was January 2, 2026 - The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting… Continue Reading
• 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 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
• Macedonia and the Bulgarian Horrors September 3, 2025 - During my travels in North Macedonia, I was puzzled to see lots of references and mentioned to ex-UK Prime Minister William Gladstone. What would a 19th-century British statesman have in… Continue Reading
• Creating the Emirates June 5, 2025 - 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.… 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 Icelandic anomaly April 21, 2025 - In geopolitical terms, Iceland is a bit of an anomaly. It gained independence from Denmark, but found itself unable to defend itself. It joined NATO even though it doesn't have… 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
• Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories February 5, 2025 - During World War II, the USA and UK plotted to place France under Allied administration after the war, instead of restoring the French government. Why would they consider this, and… Continue Reading
• The flamboyant chapel in Chartres’ cathedral June 24, 2024 - Chartres Cathedral features a Flamboyant Gothic chapel by Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme, built to honor a vow made during his imprisonment. Continue Reading
• RAF hijacking in Prague May 22, 2024 - In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West. Continue Reading
• St Stephen’s missing rotunda November 15, 2023 - 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… Continue Reading
• The Maltese Rosetta Stone September 19, 2023 - The Cippi of Melqart, discovered in Malta, are priceless because they were the key to deciphering Phoenician script. This article explains who Melqart was, what cippi are and what this… Continue Reading
• The siege of Barbastro – the pre-crusade June 22, 2023 - In the 11th century, Musim-controlled Spain was under attack from Roman Catholic Europe. One key siege was a turning point in how the church viewed war as a tool of… Continue Reading
• Double agent Colonel Alfred Redl February 22, 2023 - Colonel Alfred Redl was chief of intelligence for Austro-Hungary at the beginning of the 20th century. He also was a double-agent for Russia, France and Italy. There is a direct… 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
• Russian exiles in Malta October 15, 2022 - Mentioning exiled Russians these days suggests pro-Ukrainian protesters or anti-Putin demonstrators. Malta's reputation as a haven for Russians goes back more than 100 years before Putin's antics. Continue Reading
• Who would rule Italy? July 7, 2022 - In 1024, Italy tired of German rule and wondered if French nobility would like to be the King of Italy. Would this have been good for France, or would it… Continue Reading
• The ultimate story of Czech heros February 1, 2021 - Many countries have memorials to fallen heros, and stories of bravery from wartime. Czechia is unusual in that it has heros from both sides of World War II. Continue Reading
• Why does St Margaret always appear with a dragon? September 28, 2020 - I’ve have a keen interest in iconography and imagery. Regular readers will know I often write about these things. Sometimes I spot something I haven't before and, curiosity piqued, I… Continue Reading
• The Soviets wanted to ‘protect’ Czechoslovakia August 17, 2020 - Following the fall of the Iron Curtain Soviet troops started to leave Europe. Czechoslovakia, as it then still was, was happy that the ‘temporary deployment’ of Soviet troops was coming… Continue Reading
• Learn how Portugal helped Malta in its time of need July 20, 2020 - If you ask people how Malta fought against French occupation, most will talk about how the British helped the Maltese out. Few know that the Portuguese navy played the decisive… Continue Reading
• The Great Moravian Empire June 15, 2020 - I grew up with a Mediterranean-centric view of history, so I'm fascinated by stories of Central and Eastern Europe. Learning them for the first time is part of the fun.… Continue Reading
• The powerful Anglo-Egyptian Bank in Malta May 4, 2020 - In the 19th century an offshore British bank in Malta issued its own banknotes. It's unusual to think of a private company issuing banknotes, more so in a small country… Continue Reading
• The Battle of Ferozeshah April 20, 2020 - British forces fought wars all over India in the 18th and 19th century. Between tribal feuds, and the British, there were many sources of conflict. This article describes the Battle… Continue Reading
• Italian political prisoners in Czechia March 30, 2020 - One of the most dangerous secret societies in 19th century Italy was the Carbonari. Fighting for a united Italy, many across Europe feared them and what they represented. This article… Continue Reading
• Preserving Malta’s money supply March 23, 2020 - European geopolitics in the 1930s caused plenty of uncertainty. The British worried about riots in the Middle East, and the possibility of another major war with Germany. They hatched a… Continue Reading
• Why Delhi’s iron pillar doesn’t rust March 16, 2020 - The world is full of magnificent stories and this website is a testament to some fascinating ones. When I travel I always look for these sort of unexpected finds and… Continue Reading
• The mystical messianic troglodyte of Comino January 20, 2020 - One early scholar of Kabbalah was a 13th century mystic called Abraham Abulafia. He had visions, tried to convince the Pope of his reasoning and lived in Malta. But who… Continue Reading
• The Punctation of Olomouc: Prussia vs Austria October 21, 2019 - The small town of Olomouc in Moravia is the place were the issue of German unity became a sore point in the 19th century between expansionist Prussia and dominant Austria.… Continue Reading
• The Revolting Slaves of Malta October 14, 2019 - 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. 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 Lasting effects of the Thirty Years’ War November 26, 2018 - I've written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years' war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of the story so I decided… Continue Reading
• How did the British take control of Malta? October 8, 2018 - I often discuss Maltese history with others and have written about unusual parts of it here. Often people claims that ‘the British illegally took control’ of the Maltese islands. This is… Continue Reading
• The strange case of Amsterdam’s House of the Blood Stains May 14, 2018 - In the eastern part of Amsterdam's city centre, there is a building which has unsightly scrawls on its facade. It's as if there was graffiti that faded over time. Not… Continue Reading
• The Belgians know Tsar Peter’s secret February 5, 2018 - The National Park in Brussels, right in front of the Royal Palace, is a welcome touch of greenery in the city. But why would the Belgians commemorate the spot in… Continue Reading
• The Knights of St Lazarus August 14, 2017 - The Knights of Malta (to give them their full name, the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta) are certainly familiar to followers of this site. I was… Continue Reading
• The Buskett Forest and the Maltese Falcon June 5, 2017 - When the Knights were given the Maltese islands they were asked to pay tribute of a Maltese Falcon every year to the monarch of Sicily. It's a strange request, and… Continue Reading
• The Cathedral of Bones May 22, 2017 - I seem to have written many morbid articles about ossuaries, ghosts and skeletons lately. There are plenty of these stories here in Czechia so this shouldn't be surprising. I haven't… Continue Reading
• The Bridges of Prague October 10, 2016 - Prague's lengthy promenades along the river Vltava are one of the most underrated features of the city. Walking along them using the bridges as stepping stones provides you with a great… Continue Reading
• The Fall of Constantinople & the Siege of Malta September 19, 2016 - On 29 May 1453, the Ottoman Empire captured the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople. On 18 May 1565, the Ottoman Empire advanced on the tiny island of Malta… Continue Reading
• Istanbul’s Galata Tower March 21, 2016 - Like any self-respecting city, Istanbul is not short of towering city blocks providing incredible views. One of the oldest towers is the Galata Tower which overlooks the Bosphorus straits. Continue Reading
• Slapping a French Empress in Turkey February 15, 2016 - Once you cross the Bosphorus Straits from Europe to Asia, one of the first places you can visit is Beylerbeyi Palace. This is where you would slap a French Empress… Continue Reading
• Discovering Nazareth in Portugal January 11, 2016 - Along the Atlantic coast, in Portugal's central region, lies the town of Nazaré - literally, Nazareth. It sprawls over a clifftop and a beach below the cliffs and is a… Continue Reading
• Crossing Continents, the Quick and Easy Way December 28, 2015 - I looked up from my newspaper in down-town Şişli. I shrugged into my jacket to keep the worst of the cold wind at bay as I prepared myself. It's not everyday… Continue Reading
• Magically Entering a Parallel Universe November 16, 2015 - My only excursions to Asia were to China in 2008, and Japan earlier this year. (Let's ignore a few airports whilst in transit). As a European, being in Asia is… Continue Reading
• The Best Places to View a City from November 9, 2015 - If there is one thing that fascinates me about cities, it is the view from the top of a skyscraper. Nothing quite beats the moment of "Good Grief!" that hits… Continue Reading
• The Significance of a Japanese Shrine (to a Westerner) October 19, 2015 - Unaware of the significance of Buddhism, I didn't know what to expect from Japanese shrines. I suppose it's like being a non-Christian foreigner visiting cathedrals in Europe. Continue Reading
• Evidence of The Prussian Invasion of Prague August 17, 2015 - The Seven Years' War took place between 1756 & 1763 when Prussian troops invaded Bohemia under King Frederick II. The story behind most wars is usually found in history books… Continue Reading
• Revealing the House of the Black Madonna June 15, 2015 - Behind the hustle and bustle of Prague's shopping district, just off the Fruit Market (Ovocny Trh), the House of the Black Madonna stands watch at the junction of the market… Continue Reading
• Revealing my 5 Ambitious Travel Resolutions June 8, 2015 - Over the New Year, while I was peacefully driving through the hills and valleys of Andalusia, it occurred to me that I had not really made any fixed plans for… Continue Reading
• How to Drink Coffee Like a Local June 1, 2015 - You can study the tourist guide as much as you like, you can make sure to avoid looking at a map when you're on holiday and you can even perfect… Continue Reading