Posts gaining attention across the site right now.
In 1593, The Venetian Republic constructed a fortified city in the shape of a nine-pointed star to celebrate the defeat of Ottoman forces in the War of Cyprus by Italian and Spanish soldiers. Palmanova—which is located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy—served as a military fortress and the physical embodiment of utopian ideals of perfect symmetry…
In the 1930s, a hunter named Douglas Herrick developed a keen interest in taxidermy. A jackrabbit pelt positioned next to a rack of antlers inspired Herrick to craft a mythical creature that would become a Wyoming legend. Herrick christened his creation a jackalope (one part jackrabbit, and one part antelope). Ever since Doug Herrick sold…
In the late 1600s, a small group of settlers who had been living a tumultuous life on the coast of Massachusetts migrated inland in order to cultivate a peaceful existence that was not constantly turned upside down by pirates and marauders. What is now known as Gloucester, Massachusetts was once referred to as Dogtown—thanks to…
Armenia’s landscapes are breathtaking, and the Symphony of Stones in the Garni Gorge is one of its most remarkable wonders. This protected natural monument looks like it was carved by master stonemasons, yet it was shaped by volcanic forces and erosion over millions of years. Below you’ll find how this natural marvel was formed, where…
In the 8th century AD, a Rashtrakuta King ordered a rock-cut temple that celebrated Mt. Kailash—which Hindus believe is the Himalayan home of the deity Shiva—to be built in Maharashtra, India. Mt. Kailash was located in a remote corner of Tibet, so the Rashtrakuta ruler wanted to create an accessible pilgrimage spot for devotees of…
In 1791, the King of Bohemia organized an exhibition in Prague to showcase Bohemia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. In the 19th century, several European countries held similar exhibitions. Eventually, the World Expo was born. By the 20th century, millions of people gathered every few years in various cities around the globe to celebrate some of the…
Thousands of years ago, the sandy shores of the Oregon coast near what is now the city of Neskowin were blanketed with a robust forest of Sikta spruce trees. Through the centuries the sea, the sand, and a powerful earthquake caused these 200-foot-tall trees to recede into the water. The ghostly forest was submerged beneath…
Just off the Columbia River Gorge highway in Oregon, there is a stop that feels unexpectedly prehistoric. The Bonneville Fish Hatchery does not look particularly unusual at first. There is a small parking area, picnic tables, and a short walk toward a concrete pond where visitors gather along a metal railing. Some stay for only…