Posts with strong current momentum based on recent reader activity.
In 1850, Count Cesare Mattei decided to become a self-taught doctor and scientific researcher after his mother died of a tumor. Nearly a decade into his medical studies, Count Mattei began to construct a whimsical Italian castle known as Rocchetta Mattei on the foundation of a medieval fortress which would serve as a fanciful laboratory,…
In 1791, the King of Bohemia organized an exhibition in Prague to showcase Bohemiaβs 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…
In 1921, Italian nobleman Gelasio Caetani inherited a crumbling estate called Ninfa that was covered in overgrown foliage. Ninfa was once a thriving medieval village that ultimately languished due to a civil war and a relentless malaria outbreak. Gelasio Caetaniβs passionate love of plants inspired him to work tirelessly to create a lush garden estate…
In the remote Vestmannaeyjar (Westman) Islands off the southern coast of Iceland sits one of the countryβs most intriguing mysteries: ElliΓ°aey Island. A lone white house perched on a carpet of bright green grass and surrounded by dramatic cliffs has fueled endless online speculation. Known everywhere as the βWorldβs Loneliest House,β it has inspired myths,…
Established by the Byzantines in the 6th century, Monemvasia is a stunning medieval fortress city situated on the southeastern shoreline of the Peloponnese. Seize the chance to explore this mystical stone-crafted settlement, tucked away at the edge of a massive seaside rock, and soak up its unique medieval ambiance! As soon as you step into…
The 11 stone churches built by Ethiopian King Lalibela is considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. The exact date of Lalibela’s rule is unknown, but numerous historians speculate that he reigned in the late 12th or early 13th century AD. Lalibela was a devout Christian who dreamed of recreating Jerusalem in his…