On Holidays

Acropolis of Athens is the most known acropolis (citadel). The Acropolis itself is a 150 m high flat-topped rock. Most of the major temples on Acropolis were rebuilt under the leadership of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460–430 BC) and until the end of the 5th century BC the Acropolis gained its final shape. Later, during the Roman period, the major part of buildings were repaired. After the Turkish conquest, the Acropolis hill was used by the Turkish army. In 1687, the Parthenon, which was being used as a gunpowder magazine, was hit by artillery fire and widely damaged. Read more…

Honfleur is an old port in Normandy, located at the estuary of Seine. It was a favourite place of many French artists, including the well known impressionists Eugène Boudin and Claude Monet. There are a lot of sighseeings in the city – the old Lieutenancy, the Saint-Catherine’s Church, Museum Eugène Boudin, Naval Museum. Read more…

Le Beffroi (also called El Catiau by Montois, in English The Belfry) is a 87 m high bell tower. This tower is considered to be a symbol of Mons, Belgium. It has a 49 bells carillon. The Belfry was built in baroque style in 17th century (1661-1669) and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. Read more…

The tidal island Mont-St-Michel (in English St. Michael’s Mount) is located at the mouth of Couesnon River in Lower Normandy (France). Sometimes, it is attributed to the nearby Brittanny as well. The first chapel devoted to St. Michael was founded by bishop Aubert of Avranches in the 8th century. Later, the island was converted to a fortified abbey. In 1789, the abbey was closed and converted to a prison for about 90 years. Read more…

This collegiate church of St. Waltrude is considered as a major symbol of the city of Mons in Belgium. The French name is Collégiale Sainte-Waudru. Built in XVth Century, this church is an excellent example of Brabantine Gothic architecture. The construction is made from brick, sandstone a bluestone. Read more…

The Athenian Agora is the most known ancient agora world-wide. Originally, the Agora was a large square. This space was usually used as a market, for citizen assembliew, theathre performancew, military exercises, or athletic competitions. The central place was surrounded by the public “governmental” buildings. Private houses disappeared from the Athenian Agora in 6th Century B.C. Read more…