Posts tagged: monuments

Zaragoza Landmarks

Today I will describe the most important monuments of the city of Zaragoza, capital of Aragon. Zaragoza is located geographically on the banks of the river Ebro, Gallego and Huerva and Imperial Canal of Aragon. We consider that occupies a strategic position being only 300 km from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Toulouse.

Rich historical past important this city was dominated by the Visigoths, Romans, Arabs and Christians has an outstanding architectural legacy among which we mention: the Museum Caesaraugusta Forum. This is located in the Plaza de la Seo. It houses archaeological remains found in excavations that were conducted during the years 1988-1991 in this area of the city that have been preserved in its original location.

The architectural structures Caesaraugusta Forum related mainly to two stages: the first and the oldest member of the founding era that the remains of a market and brought piping drinking water, a sewer with gutters and some wall stores. In the second stage are remains of a spacious forum, a large sewer, canals and the foundations of a section of porch and attached premises.

The Arab conquest can recommend a special visit to the Palace of Aljafería. The Palace is located on the street without number Deputies and is without doubt one of the most important monuments of Moorish architecture in the XI century. The salient points that are worth a visit go in are the Patio de Santa Isabel, with its beautiful landscaped porches, the Golden Hall and the Chapel. As historical facts we can say that from 1485 the palace was the seat of the Tribunal of the Inquisition and is now hosted at the Cortes of Aragon.

As a Christian building it’s include: the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of El Pilar. Its relevance lies in being the largest Baroque church in Spain. Its interior is notable for having fresh notable painters like Goya and Francisco Bayeu, among others. It is also home to great works of art as the altarpiece by Damian Forment and the Holy Chapel, the work of eighteenth-century Spanish baroque.

Zaragoza undoubtedly is not limited to these three monuments but is countless number of them and the variety of styles due to the people who ruled in ancient times. These lines are only intended as an input window to learn more about these living relics.

Gambia, Arc, Music and Ecotourism

Gambia is a country in western Africa. The country is the smallest continent of Africa and is bordered by the Gambia River, which divides the country into two, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Gambia was part of the British Empire until 1965. Most of the country’s economy depends on agriculture, fisheries and tourism. One of the most interesting routes and walks in the river is usually from bridges Lamin Lodge and Denton Bridge.

The predominant religions are Islam and Christian religions. Therefore, there are a variety of mosques and cathedrals in major cities, such as the main mosques and the King Fahad Mosque and the Anglican Cathedral of Santa Maria in Banjul. There is also increasing influence of Rastafarian culture in the country.

Gambia is also notable for the wide variety of different ethnic groups living in the country. There is relatively little friction between the different groups. Highlight the larger tribes, and tribes Mandinka, Fula and Wolof. All the tribes maintain their own dialects and customs, but also celebrate the holidays in the country.

The Mandinka attach great importance to the music and the tradition of storytelling through song. The instrument that usually accompanies the stories is usually the drums and the kora. The kora is a 22-string musical instrument resembling a guitar.

Gambia is a country known for its music and his love of dance. Several new trends have emerged due to the influence of different tribes. The vast majority of the population lives in rural villages, and although the younger generations are increasingly globalized, it continues to maintain a balance between traditional customs and modern aspects of the country.

Gambia is a popular tourist destination due to its more than 80 miles of beaches. The country has a warm tropical climate, with periods of rain. Gambia is known for its many golden beaches fringed with palm trees, and are usually found near the best hotels and resorts in the country. The beaches of Cape Point are the most visited of the country.

The country attaches great importance to nature conservation. Ecotourism has become more important in recent years, and are encouraged safari tours. In Gambia there are six parks and reserves natural, filled with all kinds of birds and mammals. The forest Makasutu, which translates as Holy Forest is a spectacular forest where, according to legends, tribal wars took place several hundred years ago, but now has become one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

The City of Banjul is the capital of the country. The city is located on the island of St. Mary’s, sometimes known as the Banjul Island. In this city are the historical and cultural monuments more important, like the Gambia National Museum, which houses the largest collection of historical documents and archives in the country. It also highlights the Albert Market, located near the Avenue of Liberation and the nineteenth century. Other attractions include the Museum of African Heritage, a center full of art galleries with a large collection of African statues, and several mosques and cathedrals.

Among the most important monuments of the country highlights the Ark 22, an arc of 35 meters high built in 1996 to commemorate the coup that took place on July 22, 1994. At the base of the arch, eight columns, the statue of the unknown soldier with a baby and the symbol of victory, with a rifle in the back. The arch is one of the country’s major roads, the road between the two most prominent cities, Banjul and Serrekunda. The arch has three floors and an observatory with stunning views of the city and the forest on the second floor and the Textile Museum on the third floor.

The largest city is Serrekunda. Highlights of town market, like their guilds engaged in the silk and textile industry.

Gambia also has several places which are considered World Heritage by UNESCO. Stresses James Island, where once a fortress and was one of the most prominent on the sale of slaves. Other World Heritage Sites are the Stone Circles of Senegambia, a place shared with neighboring Senegal.

The Stone Circles of Senegambia are north of the country. The circles are formed by huge stones and were trained in the eighth century. Apparently more than a thousand circles are above some old graves. One of the best known formations is near the town of Wassu.

Beside Wassu Janjangbureh can find a place that holds the remains and the influences of the colonial era. It also highlights Bakau, a region known for its botanical gardens, like Kachikali, notable for its ponds full of crocodiles. There are a variety of traditional villages, among which we highlight Brikama, a town dedicated to handicrafts.

Sochi, the City of Sea and Mountains

Sochi is a city in southern Russia, known for being the resting place where in summer the former Soviet leaders and as the next city to host the Winter Olympics 2014. The city lies on the coast and is full of mountains.

Sochi is located in the region Krasnadar Krai, on the shores of the Black Sea. Since the city opened a stunning view over the Caucasus Mountains, it is often covered with snow. The city has a subtropical climate, and thus is a favorite place for locals to spend the holidays. The city is full of beautiful sub-tropical vegetation, all kinds of parks and monuments and buildings dating from the Stalinist era.

The central district of the city has an area of 32 square kilometers. Here are some of the buildings and monuments of the city, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, a small church built between 1873 and 1891. The church was built at the end of the Caucasian War. Column of the Archangel was built in 2006 to commemorate the Russian soldiers who died in the Caucasian War and above all is a figure of the Archangel Michael, the patron of the city.

In the cultural landscape, the city is noted for its many museums and cultural sites. Sochi Art Museum is an impressive building dating from 1939. The museum, a neoclassical style, was built by Ivan Zholtovsky. You can also visiting the Ethnographic Museum Private Sochi.

Winter Theatre, a beautiful neoclassical building dating from the 1930s, stands out for its 88 majestic Corinthian columns. The theater, one of the best known in the panorama of interpretative works, is also decorated with three statues, designed by Vera Mukhina.

The film is a very important part in the life of the city. Every summer, this town is celebrated Russian film festival in the country over the Kinotavr.

The biosphere reserve of the Caucasus, which is north of the city, is also a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Near here are also some of the largest tea plantations in Europe.

Nature is a very important part of the city. Being a city with a pleasant climate for nothing for the stereotype of the Russian ice, with a view to the sea and mountains, it is logical that the city devote a large part of its territory to gardens and parks. The Arboretum is a huge botanical garden that brings together hundreds of species of tropical trees that come from many countries. The Alley of Mayors is the central avenue of the garden, and here is where historically the mayors of cities around the world who have visited the city have planted trees.

The Friendship Tree, planted by Otto Schmidt, is a lemon tree dating from 1934. The museum is associated with the tree has a huge collection of over 20,000 objects and gifts from all over the world.

One of the most outstanding parks is Riviera Park, which dates from 1898. The park is a popular destination for local and visiting those who want to relax in the city. The park is full of statues humorous and somewhat unusual, and highlights the Paseo de la Amistad, filled with magnolia trees planted by all Soviet cosmonauts.

Another place this city is famous for its Marine Passenger Terminal, a majestic building with a tower and four statues, each representing the cardinal points. The Terminal Railway is also one of the most recognizable buildings, since it is one of the first buildings that visitors see upon arrival in the city.

The region has numerous statues that are located along the promenade, many of the statues representing Neptune. The city also has several lakes and numerous mineral springs. Also noteworthy Agura Falls, a beautiful natural waterfalls.

Other districts near the city include the district Lazarevsky. In this part of northwest of the city is a dolphin. Nearby are the ancient palaces and mansions of the former princes. Even today there are still remnants of a medieval church that dates from the eighth century, which was later rebuilt and became strong. Other highlights include strong Golovinsky Fort, which was destroyed after the Crimean War, and Fort Godlike, of which there are only remnants and had a bloody history between the V and VIII. The village of Dagomys noted for its botanical garden. This place is also the summer residence of some political leaders.

The district stands out for Matsesta Khostinksy, an old spa that dates back to 1902. The nearby town of Kudepsta is one of the most frequented by summer visitors, and is famous for Vorontsoy caves, caves that taper along four kilometers.

Adlersky The district is also famous for its caves, and one of its caves, 160 feet long, have found traces of human activity dating back to 30.00 years ago. In addition, about this part of town is where Krasnaya Polyana.

Krasnaya Polyana is a favorite place for skiers, and is in the nearby mountains. Since the 1990s here you can go heli-skiing, ski jumping from the helicopter. These trails are frequented by celebrities of the country. Here it says that will be held skiing competitions in the upcoming Winter Olympics. The mountains have several different tracks of various difficulties and from the top of it beautiful open views of the city, sea and mountains.

The Modern City of Damascus

The city of Damascus is the capital of Syria, one of the oldest countries, and this city which was the most inhabited for centuries in the Middle East. The city is a modern city with thousands of years of history and is surrounded by an oasis in the region near the river Barada Ghouta.

The city, which was inhabited by various peoples for thousands of years, now is a modern city. In terms of catering and food, the city is known for its famous teas, drinks, mates, and Turkish coffees.

Moreover, this city is full of all sorts of historical buildings and monuments, each of great importance for its time. Hundreds of Archaeologists work in the city. They are trying to find the remains of ancient civilizations that lie at 2.4 meters below the surface of the city.

The Citadel of Damascus, located in the old part of town, is one of the most interesting. Part of streets dating from Roman times, the main road that crossed the city from east to west was known as the Via Recta, more than a mile long. However, today we can find here the street of Bab Sharqi, an ancient street filled with all sorts of small shops that runs through the city to the Christian Quarter. The Souk Medhat Pasha is one of the largest markets and curious, which sells all sorts of local delicacies.

Nearby, in the Christian district, is the House of Ananias, a small church dating back to centuries ago, the only of this age throughout the city. The simple little church with an altar and a pair of decorations is five meters underground. It is said that Ananias baptized Saul, who became St. Paul the Apostle.

In the city we can find the Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Damascus. This mosque is one of worlds largest and most frequented since the rise of Islam. It is said that here is the head of Husain ibn Ali and the body of San Juan Batista. Nearby is a mausoleum, in the gardens.

In the old part of town are also seven gates that enter the Citadel of Damascus. Around town, you can find many religious buildings, libraries and palaces of great beauty.

Damascus is full of parks. Tishreen Park is the largest park in Damascus, where every year we celebrate the Flower Show. If you want to relax can visit one of the many cafes, where they served a narghile or shisha, with your coffee or tea while playing cards or board games.

If one wants to know the ancient cultures that lived in this city, we recommend visiting the National Museum of Damascus. Also visit Azem Palace, a palace dating from the eighteenth century which has now become a museum. The Military Museum and the Museum of Arabic calligraphy are places of great interest in this ancient city.