The 17th Century

A photo of the tiled eastern facade of the Igreja do Carmo - Porto, Portugal

Who knows where we’ll be in 300 years? Look at how different the world was 300 years ago and you’ll see what I mean. From the Napoleonic wars to Imperialism, the 1700s feel like they’re closer to us than they are. I’m intrigued to see many castles and stately homes built (or restored) at the time are still preserved today.

All my 17th Century articles

A photo of the facade of the church of St James - Valletta, Malta
The facade of the church of St James – Valletta, Malta

1700 – 1709

  • 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
  • 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
  • St James’ Church, Valletta April 16, 2025 - 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… Continue Reading
  • The startling story behind the Hebrew inscription February 3, 2020 - One of the more curious sights on Prague’s Charles Bridge is that of Hebrew script on a Roman Catholic crucifix. The crucifix is a religious symbol that points to the… 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 surprising connection between Prague and Rome October 28, 2019 - Architectural connections between cities are interesting because they show how influences affect architects visions. The connection alone tells a story about how something came to be. In this article I look into the… Continue Reading
  • The man who was buried alive August 5, 2019 - 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… Continue Reading
  • The Bridge of Fists April 23, 2018 - 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… Continue Reading
  • Ggantija – The Giant’s Tower in Gozo August 15, 2016 - On the island of Gozo, in the middle of the Mediterranean, you can find one of the oldest man-made structures. Older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids, this is Ggantija -… Continue Reading
A photo of the Charles Bridge - Prague, Czechia
The Charles Bridge

1710 – 1719

A photo of the tree-lined boulevard in the Royal Park - Brussels, Belgium
Tree-lined boulevard in the Royal Park – Brussels, Belgium

1720 -1729

  • 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
  • Banning Bohemian gargoyles May 14, 2025 - Gargoyles are an important architectural feature in Gothic buildings around Europe. These ornate water spouts depict grotesque creatures or human figures. As practical as they were, they seem to have… Continue Reading
  • The lost anti-Viking defence system August 28, 2024 - In the late 10th century, France faced with an economic crisis and an uneasy peace with the Vikings. Would the Vikings attack again? Or was their recent attempt at peace going… Continue Reading
  • Spanish steps February 10, 2020 - Rome’s Spanish steps are an iconic image of the city. People have loitered on the stairs since the 16th century. Not everyone knows the reason behind the name. Why would… Continue Reading
  • Charles’ Crown Castle July 31, 2017 - As architectural designs go, insisting on a new castle that resembles a crown is quite original. Wanting this sort of thing to impress the king is less original, but that's… Continue Reading
  • The Legend of St John’s 5 Stars November 2, 2015 - Uniquely amongst Catholic saints, the statue of the Bohemian St John of Nepomuk has 5 stars on its halo. Catholic tradition usually portrays the Virgin Mary with stars (and all… Continue Reading
A photo of Piazza di Spagna - Rome, Italy
Piazza di Spagna – Rome, Italy

1730 – 1739

  • 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
  • The Maltese chapel of bones March 1, 2021 - 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. Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Invalidovna August 24, 2020 - If you ask many people in Prague about 'Invalidovna' they'd be more likely to direct you to the metro stop of that name. Few know of the magnificent Baroque building… Continue Reading
  • The church that moved June 8, 2020 - We often hear of buildings being “in the way” of new developments. It’s a constant argument between conservationists and modernisers. Sometimes, ancient treasures are even lost in our quest to… Continue Reading
A photo of the Nibbia Chapel of Bones - Valletta, Malta
The Nibbia Chapel of Bones – Valletta, Malta

1740 – 1749

  • The lost church of St Philip and St Jacob May 27, 2026 - In the city of a hundred spires, it's hard to imagine that there were more belfries, towers and churches than there are today. The church of St Philip and St… 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
  • The Empress who transformed a city October 1, 2025 - When Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV died in 1740, he didn’t leave any male heirs. His daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited the role and became the first Empress of the Empire.… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Invalidovna August 24, 2020 - If you ask many people in Prague about 'Invalidovna' they'd be more likely to direct you to the metro stop of that name. Few know of the magnificent Baroque building… 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 Stone Lamb House May 29, 2017 - Right in the middle of Prague’s Old Town Square stands a house where scientists, musicians, and mystics once crossed paths. The portal of the Stone Lamb House contains symbols that… Continue Reading
  • The Crying Madonna of Malta July 25, 2016 - In the centre of island of Malta lies a small neighbourhood known as 'Tal-Mirakli'. ('The Miraculous [Neighbourhood]'). It nestles between the three residential villages of Attard, Balzan and Lija. There you… Continue Reading
A photo of the triptych of the Madonna - Lija, Malta
The Nibbia Chapel of Bones – Valletta, Malta

1750 – 1759

A photo of the tiled eastern facade of the Igreja do Carmo - Porto, Portugal
The tiled eastern facade of the Igreja do Carmo – Porto, Portugal

1760 – 1769

A photo of the National Library - Valletta, Malta
The National Library – Valletta, Malta

1770 – 1779

  • 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
  • The Empress who transformed a city October 1, 2025 - When Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV died in 1740, he didn’t leave any male heirs. His daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited the role and became the first Empress of the Empire.… Continue Reading
  • Banning Bohemian gargoyles May 14, 2025 - Gargoyles are an important architectural feature in Gothic buildings around Europe. These ornate water spouts depict grotesque creatures or human figures. As practical as they were, they seem to have… 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 Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane October 23, 2017 - Nothing cheers up a good ghost story than a juicy double entendre. One of London’s most famous 18th century hauntings took place in the marvellously named Cock Lane. 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 Revolting Priests of Malta October 31, 2016 - Priests, especially in the Christian tradition, are rarely militant or warmongering. Even in the days of the Crusades, priests were not the ones at the front doing the fighting. So why… Continue Reading
  • The Bohemian Chapel of Bones May 23, 2016 - About 20 minutes' drive north of Prague lies the small town of Melnik. Its tall church belfry squatting on the top of the hill, overlooking a wide range of Bohemian countryside. The… Continue Reading
A photo of Cock Lane - London, United Kingdom
Cock Lane – London, United Kingdom

1780 – 1789

  • 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
  • Banning Bohemian gargoyles May 14, 2025 - Gargoyles are an important architectural feature in Gothic buildings around Europe. These ornate water spouts depict grotesque creatures or human figures. As practical as they were, they seem to have… Continue Reading
  • St Clements in Pořiči March 26, 2025 - 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. Continue Reading
  • A church for a cousin January 20, 2025 - 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… Continue Reading
  • Learn all about Malta’s lost Orsi Tower September 7, 2020 - We are so focused on preserving historical buildings that we often don’t realise how many already disappeared for one reason or another. Orsi tower used to stand guard at the… Continue Reading
  • The Rotunda of the finding of the Holy Cross July 13, 2020 - Prague's early chapels and churches seem to all have been rotundas. At least, that's all we seem to have left. Close to the Vltava river, almost overshadowed by newer buildings,… Continue Reading
  • The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry December 2, 2019 - 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,… 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
  • St Christopher and the Alchemist December 18, 2017 - On Prague’s Charles Bridge, statues watch tourists cross this city's ancient route. One of the statues, that of St Christopher, doesn't. He's walking towards the left bank - something no… Continue Reading
  • The Brno Ossuary March 6, 2017 - An ossuary is a building where human remains are stored. To be precise, it's considered to be a final resting place for human remains. In places where space is scarce,… Continue Reading
  • Celebrate Mozart in Prague – A Walking Tour January 16, 2017 - The name 'Mozart' is indelibly linked with Vienna, and rightly so. He visited Prague too and his itinerary is well documented. The places he lived in, visited and worked in… Continue Reading
  • This Golden Angel Hides a Mystical Prague Secret June 29, 2015 - Stand beneath the gilded figure on Celetná Street and you'll discover more than just beautiful baroque art. You'll be at the threshold of one of Europe's most intriguing alchemical mysteries… Continue Reading
A photo of the statue of mercury on the House of the Golden Angel - Prague, Czechia
The statue of Mercury on the House of the Golden Angel – Prague, Czechia

1790 – 1799