Prinsengracht -- Canal Introduces -- 7 Popular Attractions -- in Amsterdam

 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam

Named after William l, Prinsengracht's name means Prince's Canal. He was in addition called William of Orange and participated in the eighty Years War that led to the Dutch Republic's independence. Prinsengracht is Amsterdam's longest, major canal, shaping the canal ring's outer circle. As the 3rd and outermost of 3 central canals, together they form the city's 4th outlay, which was an expansion project begun in 1612 and lasted 50 years to complete. By then, Amsterdam had grown four times larger.  In 2009, the 3 central canals were given the UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A few of the city's best-known structures could be seen along it, from Unicorn Lock, Hudde's Stone to Noorderkerk, creating a picturesque stroll. Let's start the tour here:

Unicorn Lock

Prinsengracht's entrance called Eenhoomsluis, or Unicorn Lock, is one out of 16 waterlocks that were constructed around Amsterdam in the 17th century, in order to control the canals' water level as well as to protect the city from the sea. Since the city was a seaport, this worked as a sealock. Visitors could yet observe that the city-side's lockdoors are much lower than the outer flood doors, which were erected to safeguard the city from North Westerly storm and spring tides.

Hudde's Stone

The horizontal line running across this stone suggests the sea-dykes' height around Amsterdam in those days. The tidal average high-water level via those dykes turned into the benchmark for the canals' water level, which was 9 feet and 5 inches below that benchmark. Mayor Hudde put in a system of watermills, locks, and measuring stones by which citizens can have their feet dry and prevented from getting sick from the canals' pollution and stench.

   

Amsterdam Cafe Papeneiland

On the opposite side of the canal, stands a cafe on the corner of the Brewer's Canal, Papeneiland, one of Amsterdam's oldest cafes, established in the year 1641. It was originally a catholic cafe standing on a small island only outside the city.

The construction of a secret tunnel began in the 17th century that originated from the Posthorn church, beneath the canal itself, leading to the cafe's basement. That tunnel allowed the Catholics to escape the city in case of danger. If you politely ask the cafe's barman about it, he might take you to the actual basement and where the tunnel begins. Former president Bill Clinton spent a few hours here while visiting Holland back in 2011, enjoying the cafe's renowned home-made apple pie.

Posthorn Hidden Church

The reformation proved to be of huge significance for Amsterdam, for it sparked the city's fast growth during the 17th century. During this critical time, Catholics were tossed out of churches and out of public office and were not permitted to practice their religion in the open. As a result, they constructed 14 semi-clandestine concealed churches to exercise their faith in. Everyone knew they existed but they tolerated it if they continued in that fashion. Posthorn Church was one of these secret churches, which could be identified via a posthorn's gablestone above the door.

Northern Church

Built after Western Church, Northern Church was commissioned by rich merchants, who wanted the common smelly citizens such as farmers and fishermen and others to enter. Though it took 13 long years to complete the fancy Western Church, the Northern Church was built in only 2 years.

Amsterdam's Narrowest House

The majority of the foreigners arriving in the early 17th century were merchants, all wanting a home standing on the canalside in order to hoist merchandise from their ships in the canals directly to their homes' attic for storage. All of such homes on the canals were erected deep and narrow and with very steep staircases. The local tax laws of the 17th century led to this particular architectural style. Estate on the canalsides was rare and valuable, and taxes were paid via the width of the homes' canalfront. The narrowest home sits on Singel canal nr 7, which is just 1 meter wide but the rear is 7 meters wide; that was an excellent size in a good site, plus the owner did not have to pay a lot of taxes. 

Anne Frank House Museum

The modern structure standing nearby is the Anne Frank Museum, which is one of the country's busiest museums, boasting nearly a million tourists every year. Three homes down is where Anne Frank hid throughout the war and drafted her famed diary.

 

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Wawel Royal Castle -- History, Facts, Location, & How to Get There

 Wawel Royal Castle

Located in central Krakow, Wawel Royal Castle is a 13th century residence, and home to several of Poland’s most notable monarchs. But as a major cultural site, the Castle today operates as a museum inside a bigger Wawel complex, hosting a massive collection of military and royal objects on display.

History

From the 11th all the way to the 17th century, the castle functioned as the main royal residence for a number of Polish monarchs. It lies atop Wawel Hill. It is believed that heroic Polish prince Krakus founded it after defeating a fearsome dragon that resided in the caves beneath. Then the prince established Krakow and constructed the Wawel Castle on top of the dragon’s lair.

Legend or not, the castle in the 11th century became the home of Casimir I the Restorer, responsible for building operations that provided the castle's earliest remains today.

By the 14th century, King Ladislaus l the Short and then his son Casimir lll the Great expanded the castle considerably, prior to King Alexander l rebuilding it in the Renaissance style, of which a lot could be observed now. With its novel outer design and roomy, well lit interiors, the structure represents a unique period of Polish architecture.

Later, In the 16th century, the castle took on another role: it became the main site for hosting the sessions of senate and sejm. In 1595, after a fire, it was again re-constructed but in the Baroque style with the guidance of Sigismund III Vasa. However, in 1610, when the entire royal court moved for good to Warsaw, the castle began to fall apart.

The Third Partition of Poland in 1795 event brought Austrian occupation of Wawel, which started utilizing it as barracks and damaging a lot of its building.  But after finally retreating in 1905, they handed it back to Poland.

Wawel Castle today

The beautiful Crown Treasury and Armoury displays a big collection of regal insignia and weapon-related items from Krakow’s several years of history. In Casimir the Great’s Room, you'll find the last example of the 14th century formal apartments, alongside precious stones and relics belonging to Polish kings and queens ruling over the centuries.

The coronation sword that belonged to Sigismund I the Old can be seen on display in the Jadwiga and Jagiello’s Room. Six rooms is home to the castle’s enormous collection of military artifacts that include ceremonial weapons to complete suits of armor.

Another exhibition worth noting, ‘Art of the Orient’, which contains a big collection of Asian and Islamic artwork procured via years of successful military expeditions and trade contracts. For example, while you'll observe carpets, military standards, and tent panels from the Ottoman Empire on display, you'll see in another room a large collection of East Asian ceramics.

The entire castle complex offers an interesting look at the varying periods of Polish architecture and history, including the mysterious legendary Dragon’s Den.

Visiting Wawel Castle

Located on Wawel Hill in central Krakow, Wawel Castle is only a 10-minute walk away from the Main Market Square. The closest tram stops are Wawel, at the base of Wawel Hill, and Stradom, just a 5-minute walk away. Also, buses run to Jubilat and Stradom, a 10-minute walk away.

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Malbork Castle -- 10 Fascinating Facts -- on Europe's Largest Castle

 Malbork Castle

One of Europe's greatest castles ever constructed it sometimes is referred to as Malbork Zamek. Let's examine 10 most fascinating facts about the Malbork Castle.

1. It's situated in the heart of northern Poland.  Malbork Castle sits in the center of a town sharing the same name.

The rather small town with less than 40,000 people, is filled with a rich past, particularly on account of the huge castle standing within its boundaries.

2. German crusaders, belonging to the Teutonic Order, built it.  But becoming eventually a Catholic religious order, the Teutonic knights received the task to assist pilgrims on their travels to the Holy Land.

3. The complex comprises 3 castles erected in a large enclosed area.  The castle's original version was finished about 1300.

It was built in a strategic site on the River Nogat's east bank and the Teutonic Order finally established their headquarters in the castle. The whole area in which this castle was erected covers 52 acres. The complex includes 3 castles and an enormous castle wall that surrounds the whole perimeter.

4. The central castle boasts a superb record after completion.  At the time, its buildings were finished about 1406, the structure being Europe's biggest fortified Gothic building in the early fifteen-century. In addition, it was the largest brick structure in the world.

5. It was home to Polish kings for 3+ centuries.  After the Teutonic Order finally abandoned the castle owing to money problems and a potential invasion in 1454, both the town and castle fell officially under control of Poland's kingdom. It then became the Polish king's official residence until Prussia took it over in the First Partition of Poland in 1772.

6. After the Prussian army used the castle, it suffered ruins.  The battered and crumbling castle served as a barracks for Prussia's army. Then it served in the capacity of a hospital and even weapons arsenal throughout the Napoleonic era.

Though Napoleon himself dropped by twice between 1807 and 1812, this didn't stop the medieval castle from worsening.

7. The initial restoration period lasted almost 100 years.  After Napoleon's final defeat, the first serious restoration period occurred from 1816 until the beginning of WWl.

8. Its architecture became Hitler's blueprint for indoctrination centers.  After the Germans took it by force, the castle grew quite popular throughout the Nazi regime, even serving Hitler Youth as well as League of German Girls related propaganda events.

The castle assumed a dark version as it transformed into a fine model structure for other future structures called fondly National Socialist Order Castles. Next, there was mass construction of Nazi propaganda indoctrination centers being built across Germany.

9. The castle underwent destruction again as WWll ended.  Due to the Nazis using it as they did, continuous onslaughts in the surrounding area flattened half of the castle. 

Though the other structures in the castle complex were damaged severely, the castle's outer walls remained intact. 

10. It was at last fully restored and UNESCO listed.  Following WWll, Malbork Castle returned to Poland's control and was then restored completely to its previous glory. The restoration began in 1962 after a fire leveled more structures in 1959. 

On account of its many centuries of history and superb medieval architecture, UNESCO awarded it its World Heritage Site badge in 1997.

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Top 10 Facts About Oseberg Ship -- Norway's Greatest Discovery

Oseberg Ship Museum

 

Many people ask, "What is the Oseberg Ship?" Obviously, they want to know more about this incredible Viking vessel. To accommodate this desire, I have put together this list of top 10 facts about the Oseberg Ship. 

1. In 1904, archaeologist Professor Gustafson started digging at a farm in Norway. In only less than 3 months, he and his helpers excavated a mound, discovering one of the world's most important Viking era finds in history.

2. The vessel, measuring 17.8 feet long and 16.7 feet wide, is not only the oldest Viking longship but the best-preserved one to have been found.

3. Because the total weight of earth and rocks combined crushed the ship's structure, it took 21 painstaking long years for specialists to piece the entire burial vessel together as it once was.

4. It was re-constructed using 90% of its original timber. As a Karve, a small kind of Viking longship, it's built nearly mostly of oak and can be rowed and sailed. With fifteen pairs of oar holes, 30 men can row it, going no faster than about 10 knots, or 11.5 mph.

5. The ship's prow and stern are lavishly adorned with human and animal depictions, plus the bowhead is etched to appear like a spiraling snakehead.

6. The vessel's incredible decoration offers clues at the lofty status of everyone buried inside its wooden frame, for such an exquisite ship can just be used for Vikings possessing wealth and status.

7. Scientific investigations now reveal that one female passed away in the 70 to 80 age range, and a second died about 50 to 55.

8. One or the two ladies formed part of Viking aristocracy, playing significant religious or political roles in their community.

9. Several items were also found in the burial such as a gorgeously designed cart, 3 adorned sleighs, beds, a variety of lavish textiles, 5 well-carved animal heads, farming tools, and combs.

10. Many bones were discovered belonging to 6 dogs, 2 oxen, and 15 horses, probably representing sacrificial beasts sent to accompany the women on their journey to the afterlife.

Today, you can visit the Oseberg Museum to get a far better first-hand experience of the long-survived Viking ship.

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum -- World-Famous & 8,000 Exhibits

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, opening in 1901, now one of Scotland's supremely popular tourist free attractions, provides 22 themed, ultramodern galleries exhibiting a shocking 8000 objects.

Kelvingrove Museum houses world-famous collections that are immense, broad-ranging and globally important. They include from arms and armor, natural history, art from several eras of history to art movements.

The most renowned painting shown at Kelvingrove happens to be the Salvador Dali crowning artwork ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’. Another major attraction is Sir Roger the Asian elephant. In addition, a Spitfire plane hangs from the west court's ceiling.

The refurbished museum itself is a worthy attraction and invites families, for its exhibits have been arranged with kids in mind. Besides all the displays, Kelvingrove makes it easy to spend the whole day there with a restaurant, a pleasant café, and even a gift shop. 

Regular hours of operation

Monday through Thursday and Saturday: 10am-5pm

Friday and Sunday: 11am-5pm 

Museum shops and the primary restaurant are still open.

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Palace of Holyroodhouse -- 11 Fascinating Facts -- Marriage, Murder to Construction

 The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has been intriguing people all around the world for a very long time. Find out what's so different about this palace with my list of 11 fascinating facts.

1. It's located on the other end of the old town of Edinburgh, called Royal Mile, where Edinburgh Castle stands.

2. It once housed the British Monarch, functioning at this capacity until 16th century. Now, it serves state affairs as well as a reception for notable religious and political leaders such as once receiving Nelson Mandela and Vladimir Putin.

3. The general public can visit it throughout the year, except the time when the British monarch is staying, start of every summer for one week, to carry out a number of ceremonial duties.

4. King David l built the Holyrood Abbey which now is in ruins.

5. It was a significant place from 12th to 15th centuries, being used to fulfill administrative functions. Both kings James ll and David ll were buried at its abbey. Robert the Bruce hosted a parliament here in 1326. James lll and Margaret Tudor were married here in 1469. 

6. King James lV commissioned the palace's earliest version, which was completed either by 1501 or 1505, in the Gothic architectural style, featuring royal apartments, a gallery, chapel, and even a great hall. 

James V then expanded the palace between the years 1528 and 1536, adding more royal apartments like in the northwest tower.

7. Queen of Scots resided here for six years during 1560s. After Mary Stuart married in 1558 to Dauphin and assumed the role of France's Queen consort until the king's demise in 1560, she came back to Scotland and took up residence in the northwest tower's royal apartments during 1561 and 1567 before being abdicated forcibly. She married two times during her stay: Henry Stewart in 1565 and James Hepburn in 1567.

8. Mary personally witnessed an Italian man killed in her apartments. Lord Darnley grew insanely jealous of Mary's rather intimate but work-related relationship with her secretary, David Rizzio. 

But when tongues were wagging and rumors began circulating that Mary's personal secretary impregnated her, Darnley and many Protestant nobles designed a conspiracy to murder Rizzio.

On the evening of March 9 in the year 1566, Mary, Rizzio, and many female courtiers were dining together, when Darnley, after joining them, accused his wife of adultery. Then, the co-conspirators concealing themselves close by, bolted out stabbing Rizzio 57 times in the northwest tower's chambers.

9. The present palace was built between the years of 1671 and 1678. After plans were conceived to construct a stunning new palace in the 1660s, the first survey occurred in 1663. Sir William Bruce was one of the palace's architects, and later came master stonemason Robert Mylne.

10. The palace boasts a quadrangle design, proving to be larger than imagined. The construction which began in 1671, was finished by 1678. They used a quadrangle layout, achieving this by erecting a similar tower at the northwest tower's opposite end. It's much larger than it looks, for the square form measures 70 meters from south to north as well as the same length west to east.

11. The biggest room displays 110 portraits of Scottish monarchs. The Great Hall, located in the building's western range, is a vast space decorated lavishly with 110 paintings of Scottish Monarchs that date as far back as Fergus l, who ruled about 330 B.C. 

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Po Nagar Cham Towers -- 15 Most Fascinating Facts that Most Didn't Know

 Po Nagar Cham Towers

Po Nagar Cham Towers today is a source of fascination for many tourists. Learn about it with my list of 15 most fascinating facts.

1. Po Nagar Cham Temple was erected before 781 C.E.

2. The entire temple complex lies on Cu Lao Mountain. It comprises 3 levels and the highest encompasses 2 rows of towers. The central tower is around 25 meters tall.

3. These towers sit on a granite knoll three kilometers north of Nha Trang, on Cai River's northern bank.

4. Before the relic complex stand two rows of ten big pillars and two small pillars on the two sides.

5. The temple's main image consists of a 1.2-meter-high stone statue representing goddess Yan Po Nagar seated cross-legged, clothed in a skirt only, and ten hands grasping varying symbolic things. Vietnamese scholar, Ngo Van Doanh, claims such items suggest Yan Po Nagar was recognized in addition with Hindu goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini.

6. The temples are constructed of many small red bricks that are arranged so close to one another that's impossible to slide something such as a cobweb-thin object between them.

7. The whole tower's architecture comprises three storeys, the first floor having a gate tower that was completely ruined.

8. During the 17th century, a takeover of the temple tower occurred by the Viet people, who named it Thien Y Thanh Mau Tower. Some Vietnamese legends about the tower and goddess emerged.

9. Pirates raided the temple several times, attempted to take it over. On many occasions the temple was nearly totally destroyed. but since the locals believed it was a sacred site, they stopped the attacks and restored it each time.

10. The complex is regarded as female. During the Cham kingdom the clans in command fell under two main headings such as female, or yang, and male, or yin.

11. Po Nagar Tower was built in dedication to Yan Po Nagar, the country's goddess, being identified with the following Hindu goddesses Mahishasuramardini and Bhagavati.

12. Once, the complex housed 7 or 8 towers in all, but today there are only four remaining towers.

13. The entire temple is in fact a Buddhist temple still functioning today, despite Vietnam being a secular nation and most of its people are atheists.

14. Visitors will be astonished by the superabundance of colorful flowers, Buddhist sculptures, small statues, little ponds, and fountains. The entire area is surrounded by beautiful stones, comfortable alleys among and automatic watering, and green plants.

15. Since the interior of the temple is rather "slender," large crowds of people touring might find this confining.

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