Altenburg Abbey lies amidst the rolling hills of the Waldviertel (Forest Quarter), the northwestern region of the Austrian state Lower Austria. After being destroyed by the Swedes, it was rebuilt by the Benedictines. In the 18th Century the architect Munggenast undertook a transformation to Baroque, retaining most of the Gothic elements. The most significant frescoes […]
Rouen – A walk through the historic center
Rouen was the historical capital of Normandy. Since 1954, the city on the Seine River is the capital of the Upper Normandy region. Although Rouen is not on our itinerary, we decide at short notice to visit the city. Even if we only can see a small part of the city, we are thrilled. Our […]
Zwettl Abbey and Rappottenstein Castle – Austria
Zwettl Abbey is located in the Waldviertel – Forest Quarter, the northwestern part of Lower Austria. On the way to the Waldviertel we meet the typical granite rocks of the Bohemian Massif, which contain valuable amethysts and as the forests characterize the landscape. Rappottenstein Castle, built by the Kuenringer dynasty, lies almost like in the […]
Hagios Demetrios – Άγιος Δημήτριος
Hagios Demetrios in Thessaloniki, Greece, is a five-naves basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrius. Please watch the video of our visit The basilica is part of the UNESCO world heritage Palaeochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki. It is the largest church in the city and was presumably built on the remains […]
Notre-Dame de Montréal
The Notre-Dame Basilica is located on the east side of the Place d’Armes in the historic district of Old Montreal. Please watch the video It is seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec, the oldest Roman Catholic parish church of North America and one of the largest churches in North America. The wood paneling […]
From Ybbs in Lower Austria to Mariazell in Styria
Our journey from Ybbs in Lower Austria to Mariazell begins at the power plant Ybbs-Persenbeug. The run-of-the-river hydroelectricity plant is the oldest of the Austrian Danube power plants and was put into operation in 1959. Please watch the video On a rock next door you can see Persenbeug Castle, the birthplace of the last Emperor […]