Thursday, 23 June 2016

Bursa, an Ottoman Capital (Turkey)

Bursa was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1326 and it soon became its first major capital. Due to its new status the city witnessed a considerable amount of urban growth in the 14th century. The capital was moved to Adrianople, modern day Edirne, in 1363, but Bursa's spiritual and commercial importance remained. 

Mehmed I was born in Bursa in 1389. He was between 1413 and 1421 the fifth Ottoman Sultan. He died in Adrianople in 1421 and is buried in the Yeşil Türbe ("Green Tomb") in Bursa.

Bursa is today the fourth largest city of Turkey and one of the country's industrial centres. Since 2014 is "Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire" on the UNESCO World Heritage List.


Greeks, Romans and Christians in Ephesus (Turkey)

Ephesus is a former Greek and later Roman city and was one of the most important cities in Asia minor. Once it had an important harbour, but as it silted up its importance as a commercial center declined. It was the location of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also said to be the place where the Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life and where John the Apostle wrote his Gospel.

Ephesus is since 2015 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.


Friday, 10 June 2016

The Works of Antoni Gaudí (Spain)

Antoni Gaudí was a Catalan architect. He was born in Reus in 1852 and died in Barcelona in 1926. He was one of the most important representatives of the Modernisme and his works are still very popular. 


The Casa Vicens was built between 1883 and 1885. It is the first house designed by Antoni Gaudí and is considered to be one of the first structures built in the style of the Modernisme.


The Palau Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí for his patron Eusebi Güell, a Catalan industrialist. It was built between 1886 and 1888.

The Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements created by Antoni Gaudí. It was built for Eusebi Güell between 1900 and 1914.


The Casa Batlló was already built in 1877, but between 1904 and 1906 it was redesigned by Antoni Gaudí. It is considered to be one of his masterpieces and one of the most beautiful buildings of Barcelona. The façade depicts the legend of Saint George.


The Casa Milà is the last civil building constructed by Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912. Special features of the building are the wrought iron balconies, the underground garage and the natural air conditioning. It is also known by its nickname La Pedrera, the quarry.


The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is the most important work of Antoni Gaudí, although it is not completed. Gaudí was involved in the construction between 1883 and his death. It became a basilica minor in 2010 and is the most visited sight of Spain. According to current schedules it will be completed in 2026. Then it will have 18 towers and will be the tallest church in the World.


Some of Gaudí's works are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1984 the Park Güell, the Palau Güell and the Casa Milà were added. In 2005 the site was extended by the Casa Vicens, the crypt and nativity façade of the Sagrada Família, the Casa Batlló and the crypt at the Colònia Güell.
I am looking for a card of the Colònia Güell. Anyone can help?