Tag Archives: Europe

Butrint

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Butrint, Roman, Ten Random Facts, Ruins, Greek, City, Flickr, Europe

See the ages of the past at Butrint.

  • Butrint is a now ruined city that existed during the times of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, and the site is part of a protected area of approximately 86 square kilometres (33.2 square miles).
  • ‘Butrint’ is also known as ‘Buthrotum’, ‘Bouthrōtón’ and ‘Buthrōtum’, the latter two being Greek and Latin respectively.
  • Butrint is located on the southern tip of Albania, in Europe, in the area of Ksamil, on a hill, and the site is almost completely surrounded by water.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage Convention declared Butrint a World Heritage Site in 1992, and a National Park of the same name was formed in the year 2000 to further protect the site.
  • Butrint is said to have been settled by Greeks as early as the 900s BC, until it had a significant Roman influence by the mid 2nd century BC, and it was later influenced by Christians and Roman Catholics.

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Part of Butrint
Image courtesy of Matias Hallberg/Flickr
  • Butrint was the site of many clashes, especially during the Middle and Modern Ages, including those with Normans and Venetians.
  • Butrint is said to have been hit by a damaging earthquake and flood, during the 200s AD and the medieval period respectively; while the latter disaster caused the occupants to cease living in the city, and never return.
  • Archaeologists have performed modern excavations on Butrint since 1928, that were initially undertaken by Italians, and were intended by the Italian government to increase their influence in the area.
  • Butrint has previously been damaged by theft and vandalism, and since protection of the site has been more prominent, further damage has diminished.
  • Butrint has many monuments and other significant sights to see, and is visited by busloads of tourists quite regularly; while the first road to the archaeological site was built in 1959.
Bibliography:
Butrint, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/570
Buthrotum, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buthrotum
Butrint, nd, Butrint Foundation, http://butrint.com/index.php

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Burgos Cathedral

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Burgos Cathedral

Go back in time with Burgos Cathedral.

  • Burgos Cathedral is one of Spain’s many cathedrals, and it is located in Burgos, and it is used for Roman Catholic religious purposes.
  • The construction of Burgos Cathedral was arranged by King Ferdinand III, along with the then Bishop of Burgos, Don Mauricio who was born in England.
  • The Burgos Cathedral building process began in 1221, and the building is said to be located on land that originally housed another cathedral.
  • Burgos Cathedral was completed in 1567, although an alter had been built by 1260, when it was consecrated; while the long construction period was due to a two century-long break.
  • ‘Burgos Cathedral’ is officially known as the ‘Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos’, or in Spanish, ‘Catedral de Santa María de Burgos’, and it is also known as ‘Our Lady of Burgos’.
Burgos Cathedral, Ten Random Facts, Church, Roman, Gothic, Spain, Europe, Old
Part of Burgos Cathedral
Image courtesy of Rafael dP/Flickr
  • Burgos Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and it is dedicated to, and named after Mary, the mother of Jesus.
  • Burgos Cathedral features significant French Gothic architecture, and includes many spires, windows and statues in the style.
  • Burgos Cathedral sits on a site that is an area of 10,300 square metres (110,870 square feet) and the tallest parts of the cathedral are the two spires on the two main towers; and they reach a height of 88 metres (289 feet).
  • Numerous artworks, including sculptures, such as a virgin Mary statue, and paintings, are featured in Burgos Cathedral, with notable works by Juan de Anchieta and Gil de Siloé.
  • Burgos Cathedral has many mass services each week and is open to tourists for a fee.
Bibliography:
Burgos Cathedral, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgos_Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/316
Catedral de Burgos History, n.d., Catedral de Burgos, http://www.catedraldeburgos.es/

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Stoat

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Stoat

Don’t stoat around… at least not too much!

  • Stoats are small mammals that are close relatives of weasels, and they originate in North America, Asia and Europe.
  • The scientific name of a stoat is Mustela erminea, and it is from the family Mustelidae, the family of weasels.
  • ‘Stoats’ are also known as ‘short-tailed weasels’, ‘Bonaparte weasels’ and ‘ermines’, and they occupy a wide range of habitats.
  • Stoats range from 17 to 35 centimetres (6.7 to 13.8 inches) in length, and generally weigh between 180 to 258 grams (6.3 to 9.1 ounces).
  • The coat of a stoat is typically coloured a combination of brown, black and tan with a white underside, and when the animal moults in autumn, the fur will usually grow back as a lighter colour for camouflaging purposes in winter, and this new fur coat can be completely white except for the tip of its tail, although the resulting colour change depends on the geographical region and climate that the animal lives in.
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Stoat
Image courtesy of Mark Kilner/Flickr
  • Stoats live in territories and occupy multiple dens, that are often the original home of past prey and these can be hollows, nests, burrows or other small sheltered areas.
  • The diet of stoats varies, depending on their location, and it can include rabbits, rodents, lizards, insects, birds and fish; and they are preyed upon by wild cats, foxes and snakes.
  • The fur of stoats has been historically used by humans for winter clothing purposes, and commonly for ornamental reasons, especially by nobility.
  • Stoats were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s for the purpose of reducing rabbit numbers, however, as predicted, they have had a significant, negative environmental impact, and have threatened numerous native species of birds.
  • Female stoats typically give birth to between 5 and 15 young at one time, and they usually have only one litter during their life, which is an average of 4 to 6 years.
Bibliography:
Stoat, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/stoat/
Stoat, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoat

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Pesto

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Pesto

Let your foods burst with flavour, with pesto!

  • Pesto is a condiment or paste used for culinary purposes, and it is primarily for used for flavouring dishes.
  • Pesto is typically made of olive oil; parmesan cheese; garlic; nuts, such as pine nuts; and herbs – usually basil.
  • ‘Pesto’ comes from the word ‘pestâ’ or ‘pestare’, meaning ‘to pound’ or ‘crush’, that originates from the Genoese language in Italy.
  • Italy’s Liguria in Europe is the original home of pesto, although Ancient Romans made a similar condiment with different herbs, named ‘moretum’.
  • Pesto is made by crushing the ingredients; and when made at home, the tool historically used is a mortar and pestle, although modern appliances, like blenders, are sometimes used.
Pesto, Green, Sauce, Condiment, Spoon, Culinary, Ten Random Facts, Flickr
Pesto
Image courtesy of bloggyboulga/Flickr
  • Foods that can be flavoured with pesto include beans, pasta, potatoes and bread, and while it can be prepared at home, it is commonly available in supermarkets, often in small jars.
  • A modern style recipe for pesto was first published in 1863, by Giovanni Battista Ratto, in his book.
  • Pesto can be fairly smooth to quite chunky in texture, and is often a vivid green colour, due to the crushed basil.
  • Pesto ingredients can vary, and can include sundried tomatoes and capsicum, or different nuts and herbs, and this will alter the taste, and sometimes the colour, which can be red due to the inclusion of tomatoes or capsicum.
  • Pesto is often a good source of iron, and vitamins A and C, and sometimes the sodium content can be very high.
Bibliography:
A Marvel of Simplicity: Pesto alla Genovese, 2015, Delallo, http://www.delallo.com/articles/marvel-simplicity-pesto-alla-genovese
Pesto, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesto
Pesto, 2015, Dr. Gourmet, http://www.drgourmet.com/ingredients/pesto.shtml

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Wolverine

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Wolverine

Any wolverine you come across may be slightly dangerous.

  • Wolverines are mammals found in the northern areas of the Northern Hemisphere, and the largest population can be found in America’s Canada.
  • A ‘wolverine’ is also known as a ‘carcajou’, ‘skunk bear’, ‘glutton’ and ‘quickhatch’, while its scientific name is Gulo gulo, and it is from the family Mustelidae, the family of weasels.
  • Wolverines look somewhat like a bear, and they have notably lengthy claws and a strong jaw; and the fur is significantly water repellant which is mostly coloured brown and black.
  • Wolverine habitats range from alpine tundras to forests of the taiga and subarctic; and they usually live alone.
  • Wolverines range from 65 to 107 centimetres (26 to 42 inches) in length, and generally weigh between 9 to 32 kilograms (20 to 71 pounds),  and they are the largest species in the weasel family that live on land.

Wolverine, Mammal, Ten Random Facts, Animal, Brown, Black, Flickr,

Wolverine
Image courtesy of Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr
  • Mammals make up the primary diet of wolverines, and includes rodents, foxes, weasels, moose and deer, and occasionally vegetation, eggs, insects and birds.
  • Female wolverines give birth every two or three years around spring, to an average of two or three kits; and the typical lifespan of the animal ranges from 8 to 15 years, and they have been kept successfully in zoos.
  • Although classified as least concern, wolverine numbers have been declining, and are threatened from illegal hunting in some areas, as well as loss of habitat.
  • Wolverines are notable in both film and literature, particularly as the concept of the Marvel Comic superhero of the same name.
  • When threatened or trying to repel fellow competitors, wolverines may excrete an unpleasant smell; and the males have a very large territory that can be 620 square kilometres (240 square miles) or more in area.
Bibliography:
Wolverine, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/wolverine/
Wolverine, 2015, National Geographic, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/mammals/wolverine/
Wolverine, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverine

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Wartburg Castle

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Wartburg Castle

Be dazzled by both the architecture and history of Wartburg Castle.

  • Wartburg Castle is a medieval castle located approximately 410 metres (1345 feet) high on a rocky hill in Germany’s Thuringia, in Europe.
  • ‘Wartburg Castle’ is also known as ‘Wartburg’ and ‘Schloss Wartburg’.
  • Around 1067, the building of Wartburg Castle commenced, under the orders of Louis the Springer, Schauenburg’s count.
  • Wartburg Castle was built looking out over Eisenach, a nearby town, and protrudes from a surrounding forest, on a hill.
  • The term ‘Wartburg Castle’ possibly comes from the German words for ‘warte’, ‘berg’ and ‘burg’, translating as ‘wait’, ‘mountain’ and ‘fortress’, respectively.
Wartburg Castle, Germany, Renovated, Part, Side, Ten Random Facts, Flickr, HillPart of Wartburg Castle
Image courtesy of Forarama/Flickr
  • Some of the best Romanesque architecture can be found as part of Wartburg Castle, and the site has been home to many significant historical events.
  • Wartburg Castle is a common tourist attraction, visited by approximately 500,000 people annually, and it is the home to a museum, as well as an area suitable for opera productions and concerts.
  • The German Catholic priest and theologian, Martin Luther is believed to have translated the Bible’s New Testament to German, from the Greek language, during the months he was in exile at Wartburg Castle between 1521 and 1522.
  • Wartburg Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and is owned by the Wartburg Foundation of Eisenach.
  • Wartburg Castle became majorly abandoned and unused from the 1500s, until the Grand Duke of Saxony in the 1800s decided to re-establish and repair the castle early in that century.
Bibliography:
Wartburg, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wartburg
Wartburg Castle, 2015, Sacred Destinations, http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/wartburg-castle
Wartburg Castle, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/897

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