Famous places in the world

Versailles

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Palace of Versailles,  former French royal residence
and centre of government, now a national landmark. It is located in the city of Versailles,
Yvelines département, Île-de-France région, northern France, 10 miles (16 km)
west-southwest of Paris.
As the centre of the French court, Versailles was one of the grandest theatres
of European absolutism.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The original residence, built from 1631 to 1634, was
primarily a hunting lodge and private retreat for </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis XIII</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> (reigned
1610–43) and his family. Under the guidance of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ref634043" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis XIV</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> (1643–1715),
it was transformed (1661–1710) into an immense and extravagant complex
surrounded by stylized English and French gardens; every detail of its
construction glorified the king. The additions were designed by such renowned
architects as </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ref634044" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Jules
Hardouin-Mansart</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Robert de Cotte</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">,
and Louis Le Vau. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Charles Le Brun</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> oversaw
the interior decoration. Landscape artist </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ref634045" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">André Le Nôtre</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> created
symmetrical French gardens that included ornate fountains with “magically”
still water, expressing the power of humanity—and, specifically, the king—over
nature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Declared the official royal residence in 1682 and the
official residence of the court of France on May 6, 1682, the Palace of
Versailles was abandoned after the death of </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis XIV</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> in
1715. In 1722, however, it was returned to its status as royal residence.
Further additions were made during the reigns of </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis XV</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> (1715–74)
and </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis XVI</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> (1774–92).
Following the </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">French
Revolution</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> of 1789, the complex was nearly destroyed; it was
subsequently restored by </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Louis-Philippe</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> (1830–48),
but its utility gradually decreased. By the 20th century, though it was
occasionally used for plenary congresses of the French parliament or as housing
for visiting heads of state, the primary utility of the palace lay in tourism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Among the most famous rooms in the palace are the Galerie
des Glaces (</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ref634047" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Hall of Mirrors</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">;
1678–89) and the other Grands Appartements (State Rooms). The former is
characterized by 17 wide, arcaded mirrors opposite 17 windows; glass
chandeliers hang from its arched, ornately painted ceiling, and gilded statues
and reliefs border its walls. The hall is flanked on opposite ends by the
equally striking Salon de la Paix (Salon of Peace) and Salon de la Guerre
(Salon of War). It was in the Galerie des Glaces that the </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Treaty of
Versailles</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> was signed by the Allies and Germany in 1919. Other
important sites are the Grand Trianon (1678–88) and the late 18th-century Petit
Trianon, which were built as private residences for the royal family and
special guests. The Museum of French History, founded in 1837 during the period
of restoration overseen by Louis-Philippe, was consecrated “to all the glories
of France”; however, its 6,000 paintings and 2,000 sculptures are largely
closed to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">UNESCO designated the palace and its gardens a </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ref634041" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">World
Heritage site</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> in 1979. Following a devastating winter storm in 1989,
which destroyed more than 1,000 trees on the palace grounds, the French
government initiated a wide-ranging project of repair and renovation. A severe
windstorm in 1999 caused the loss of some 10,000 trees, including several
planted by Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte. The château was also
damaged. In the late 1990s some nine million people visited the palace annually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>britannica.com</i></span></span></div>
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Europe Versailles

Palace of Versailles, former French royal residence and centre of government, now a national landmark. It is located in the city of Versai...

Buckingham Palace

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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">uckingham Palace is
the most iconic royal building in the country. It is the London residence of
Her Majesty The Queen and is one of only a few working royal palaces left in
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The history of the original building dates back to the
early 1700’s and finally became the official residence of the British monarch
in 1837 after Queen Victoria came to the throne.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The 19 State Rooms at the palace are regularly used by the
Royal family to entertain guests on their State, ceremonial and official visits
to the United Kingdom. During August and September the Queen makes her yearly
visit to Scotland allowing the palace to open up these lavish rooms to the
public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The reception of the 2011 Royal Wedding was hosted by Her
Majesty The Queen at the Palace, and Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge
were greeted by hundreds of thousands rejoicing fans and well wishers as they
posed for pictures on the famous East Front balcony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Located in the heart of London and surrounded by 2 royal
parks, a trip to Buckingham Palace is a must for any visitor to London during
August and September.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">State Rooms<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Palace has an incredible 19 state rooms which are used
to entertain visitors with lavish Banquets, speeches and famously the Pipers.
The State rooms are beautifully furnished with treasures from the Royal
Collection including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Poussin as well classic
furniture from England and France.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">During the Queens annual visit to Balmoral in Scotland from
August to September the State Rooms are opened to visitors and are laid out as
they are during state visits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">A Royal Welcome exhibition</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">This special exhibition at the Palace for the Summer 2015
0pening will provide a unique insight into what goes into creating an official
state visit to Buckingham Palace. What food is cooked in the Royal Kitchen?
What porcelain and bed linens are to be used? Every detail is scrutinised and
perfected by Royal staff at the Palace during visits by VIP guests such as
Royal family members and foreign dignitaries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Garden<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Known as the “walled oasis in the middle of London”
Buckingham Palace’s garden is as stunning as the building with over 350
different species of wild flowers. The finale of a visit is a walk along the
south side of the garden with views over the famous lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>buckinghampalace.londonpass.com</i></span></span></div>

Europe Buckingham Palace

uckingham Palace is the most iconic royal building in the country. It is the London residence of Her Majesty The Queen and is one of only a...

Manneken Pis, Brussels

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Upon arrival in Brussels the first attraction you are shown
is definitely the Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish). Located close to
the Grand Place on rue
de l’Etuve 31 (Lievevrouwbroersstraat 31, 1000 Brussels, Belgium) he stands at
just 61cm (24 inches). The peeing boy is a tiny bronze fountain statue. One
would not normally call this art piece ‘majestic’, but the locals have so many
stories and ways of celebrating festivals with the little peeing boy that even
the toughest critic would leave with fondness for the bronze doll.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Stories of Manneken
Pis</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Many great legends bring this little statue to life in the
hearts of visitors, and the question is why was this statue erected? One story
tells of a tourist father who lost his son in the city and after receiving help
from villagers to find the boy, he gifted this statue to them. Another, more
daring, tale is one where the boy was a spy during a siege of the city. He
literally put out a ploy to bomb the city by urinating on the explosives! Many
stories such as this have given the Mannekin Pis a firm place in Brussels’
city-life but none would compete with its present-day glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Celebrations with the
Manneken Pis</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The people of Brussels don’t simply look upon the cute
statuette and show it to tourists. The Manneken Pis plays a full part in the
city’s annual calendar and even has an outfit for every occasion. Manneken Pis’
wardrobe ranges from Santa suits to national costumes from countries around the
world. The most recent addition is a red leather Chinese costume presented by
the city of Haining, China. On special occasions, brass-bands would play and
Manneken Pis would be hooked up to different flavours of Belgian beer, which is poured
from his fountain tip and given out to the public. With such love and care for
the Manneken, who needs Big Ben?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6qYj-HVOfsVvBUH_iSkaIXuO_C56ha8SleyIIdpJCgnC_0bZfmkXcTzcfLtYQQCtqGhCvA-CDmQbggN5En_Nhm-U1E9KQ8sUKPKmbXRiTW_oJRbTmR9X9JmN1Ws1P_1QeNzNoSAG-O8/s1600/Manneken_Pis_Brussels_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6qYj-HVOfsVvBUH_iSkaIXuO_C56ha8SleyIIdpJCgnC_0bZfmkXcTzcfLtYQQCtqGhCvA-CDmQbggN5En_Nhm-U1E9KQ8sUKPKmbXRiTW_oJRbTmR9X9JmN1Ws1P_1QeNzNoSAG-O8/s400/Manneken_Pis_Brussels_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the 80s another statue was built called Jeanneke Pis to
give Manneken Pis a playmate. This other statue is a little girl fountain, but
she is lesser known and hides in an alleyway a short distance away from
Mannekin Pis.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Location in Brussels</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihF6xaY9o283NlDooIJMsKZUiekpyoL_Wuj8S2M0_86GsTZ0P3EhcPVVYu8a8ZLTY7oRQmq2VTblYh-Ylyqj7vMeNL0G3-wClOntPgyVW3LcrqiNojppmt_eZMBtsbN7VP91LCYKjjpA/s1600/Manneken_Pis_Brussels_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihF6xaY9o283NlDooIJMsKZUiekpyoL_Wuj8S2M0_86GsTZ0P3EhcPVVYu8a8ZLTY7oRQmq2VTblYh-Ylyqj7vMeNL0G3-wClOntPgyVW3LcrqiNojppmt_eZMBtsbN7VP91LCYKjjpA/s400/Manneken_Pis_Brussels_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Mannekin Pis is located southwest of the Town Hall. If you are at the Grand Place facing the
Town Hall take the exit on the left, the Mannekin Pis is two blocks behind the
Town Hall. Alternatively, you can walk from one of the metro stations below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>brussels.info</i></span></span></div>

Europe Manneken Pis, Brussels

Upon arrival in Brussels the first attraction you are shown is definitely the Manneken Pis (little pee man in Flemish). Located close to th...

Louvre Museum

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>First stop in Paris for most art lovers is the Louvre, the
largest museum in the western world. Originally the building was a
fortress and if you go to the basement you can see the original walls which
date from 1190. </b></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB130ZZWUlq_HDgSyUvdOBvJtrK5xWeCp6IdZCO0bB-jxivc2Ce-8X6xiIK8Tb3RZdvZlP0kHGbOhgTfxbbnOYyaxfTXtAQ9-NKhgNZ58nOlalyxBGezoRrcG_nld7iLK-kdOWWNXvyU/s1600/Louvre_Museum_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB130ZZWUlq_HDgSyUvdOBvJtrK5xWeCp6IdZCO0bB-jxivc2Ce-8X6xiIK8Tb3RZdvZlP0kHGbOhgTfxbbnOYyaxfTXtAQ9-NKhgNZ58nOlalyxBGezoRrcG_nld7iLK-kdOWWNXvyU/s400/Louvre_Museum_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the 16th Century it was turned into a Renaissance style
palace which housed the royal art collection which consisted of a dozen
paintings by such artists as Leonardo di Vinci and Raphael that had been stolen
from Italy. The palace was expanded and renovated and was the home of King
Louis XIV until he moved to Versailles and the place fell into disrepair, full
of bums, bars and brothels. (Actually it must have been amazing during that
period).The Louvre once again became the home for some of the royal art of
Louis XIV and Marie Antionette shortly before their beheadings in 1793 when it
held over 2500 pieces. Though originally only kings and royalty were able to
view the art, after the French Revolution the doors were opened for everyone.
It contains some of the most famous pieces in the world including the Venus di
Milo, Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace and the best collection of Greek,
Roman, and Egyptian antiquities, and paintings from the middle agesto be
found under one roof.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTrCnUQrx5jP9ZHJBP9qqdONvWFBcynbXj_DL50e-tz0qLgz0BWKpkHqZiEkNjsrksgmThcOKnf7ec5Bto0K5sqKZbPBOrsfBfYcTXE5JpkiIKH7Z-NGTIIQOlEk8SpdIfIwbtQbTnbk/s1600/Louvre_Museum_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTrCnUQrx5jP9ZHJBP9qqdONvWFBcynbXj_DL50e-tz0qLgz0BWKpkHqZiEkNjsrksgmThcOKnf7ec5Bto0K5sqKZbPBOrsfBfYcTXE5JpkiIKH7Z-NGTIIQOlEk8SpdIfIwbtQbTnbk/s400/Louvre_Museum_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Unless you are a gifted athlete with a photographic memory
that enables you to take in a piece of art in three seconds, don't even
try to see the whole museum in one day. Make a mental list of the works
you want to see and find them on the map and you will see plenty of
other things on the way. You can always come back and you probably will.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXhA34f0Hu2oJ2DcdJSJ2cIuLzqpU5ZwGBY6wxov1XrLHGMkwzLoOikgG2QBl8zrg722BJjYr0a1F3zWUZm-b3Jsuxe6Q1TccvSHq_3sT58hc3YC_8OUw6sGEvzaOP078lJqWR-h8BF0/s1600/Louvre_Museum_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXhA34f0Hu2oJ2DcdJSJ2cIuLzqpU5ZwGBY6wxov1XrLHGMkwzLoOikgG2QBl8zrg722BJjYr0a1F3zWUZm-b3Jsuxe6Q1TccvSHq_3sT58hc3YC_8OUw6sGEvzaOP078lJqWR-h8BF0/s400/Louvre_Museum_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The entrance is through the glass pyramid in the
Cour Napoleon (Courtyard of Napoleon) which anyone who has read The
DiVinci Code will be familiar with. Beneath the Pyramid is the Hall
Napoleon, a 700 foot cavern which holds the ticket office, the excellent book
store and the entranceways to all the exhibit areas. There are other bookstores
in the different sections of the museum. Be sure to pick up a map at
the information desk. You will need it. Guided tours are offered several times
a day except Sunday and Tuesday. Expect to stand in line though the more
off-season you go the shorter the line will be. You can also do a Skip the Line Tours of the Louvre and avoid the
waiting. Otherwise, you can also buy tickets at Virgin Mega Stores
and Paris Railway Stations. The museum is open daily, except Tuesdays and
certain public holidays, from 9am to 6pm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWkNQtV3XaOt7jeg9F6_TC2Jp5VF78Cqky8FlPHtdZn0rxXj1QX1s7eO0EhDSoZ7gOcfU6rCnY0GWDeUMKO9LwagleMBaQclMBf48oQjoyxrB3WCJ2FYdg56olqdVniKVgR3pDB8Y_1c/s1600/Louvre_Museum_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWkNQtV3XaOt7jeg9F6_TC2Jp5VF78Cqky8FlPHtdZn0rxXj1QX1s7eO0EhDSoZ7gOcfU6rCnY0GWDeUMKO9LwagleMBaQclMBf48oQjoyxrB3WCJ2FYdg56olqdVniKVgR3pDB8Y_1c/s400/Louvre_Museum_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The Louvre is open evenings until 9.45pm on Wednesdays and
Fridays. Tickets for the permanent exhibitions is 8.50 euros before
6pm and 6 euros after 6pm. You can also buy anadmission package for 13 and
11 euros that gets you in to see all the temporary exhibitions as
well as the permanent ones. There are grouprates too. The museum is free
on the first Sunday of each month. It is also free to young people under 18,
disabled and the unemployed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OO9c6KcjpX3_v7zSzqeeyeJGtOU2d6vbvM11q6fh7Pixu1Kb9EqnjYUGPaKHZSzkQtTjJbVL3p30plUPCi2OAeXQTXGDKohpBkivlxAuBc4t1bXYFOr_d8fNnbpVTZ5IF7TlWEvM56M/s1600/Louvre_Museum_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OO9c6KcjpX3_v7zSzqeeyeJGtOU2d6vbvM11q6fh7Pixu1Kb9EqnjYUGPaKHZSzkQtTjJbVL3p30plUPCi2OAeXQTXGDKohpBkivlxAuBc4t1bXYFOr_d8fNnbpVTZ5IF7TlWEvM56M/s400/Louvre_Museum_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>aparisguide.com</i></span></span></div>

Europe Louvre Museum

First stop in Paris for most art lovers is the Louvre, the largest museum in the western world. Originally the building was a fortress and ...

The White House

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>The official home for the U.S. president was designed by
Irish-born architect James Hoban in the 1790s. Rebuilt after a British attack
in 1814, the “President’s House” evolved with the personal touches of its
residents, and accommodated such technological changes as the installation of
electricity. The building underwent major structural changes in the early 1900s
under Teddy Roosevelt, who also officially established the “White House”
moniker, and again under Harry Truman after WWII. Counting the Oval Office and
the Rose Garden among its famous features, it remains the only private
residence of a head of state open free of charge to the public.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIQD5azoasdgPLBHPyc7BqtWqbmcTPdPaR3UgOeYsLEQ6OWCxkb2Jm9KxFDTx-qWztYvxEvbQslhxPrRq_n5O93KK0JQ6qt7IC9rcvXjDqTDtrbX9tAm0owEn_yBcyIENFN2O6KUq6CM/s1600/The_White_House_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIQD5azoasdgPLBHPyc7BqtWqbmcTPdPaR3UgOeYsLEQ6OWCxkb2Jm9KxFDTx-qWztYvxEvbQslhxPrRq_n5O93KK0JQ6qt7IC9rcvXjDqTDtrbX9tAm0owEn_yBcyIENFN2O6KUq6CM/s400/The_White_House_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Not long after the inauguration of President </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">George
Washington</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> in 1789, plans to build an official President’s House in a
federal district along the Potomac River took shape. A contest to find a
builder produced a winning design from Irish-born architect James Hoban, who
modeled his building after an Anglo-Irish villa in Dublin called the Leinster
House.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792, and over the
next eight years a construction team comprised of both enslaved and freed
African Americans and European immigrants built the Aquia Creek sandstone
structure. It was coated with lime-based whitewash in 1798, producing a color
that gave rise to its famous nickname. Built at a cost of $232,372, the
two-story house was not quite completed when John Adams and Abigail Adams became
the first residents on November 1, 1800.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi348LdDc0Cw0rxnN-la71uViFrCCK2UoOLF5MtSbIDgqyOp7Q54UMkUbPMCy1fAd3QJlWh6xFYxMxLE3xSELhKXJ10ekA8a_AW4QRoC9iXAi9_-2zQJ7c-Axl6RQYS2-RpBuGze8q1XxI/s1600/The_White_House_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi348LdDc0Cw0rxnN-la71uViFrCCK2UoOLF5MtSbIDgqyOp7Q54UMkUbPMCy1fAd3QJlWh6xFYxMxLE3xSELhKXJ10ekA8a_AW4QRoC9iXAi9_-2zQJ7c-Axl6RQYS2-RpBuGze8q1XxI/s400/The_White_House_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Thomas
Jefferson</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> added his own personal touches upon moving in a few months
later, installing two water closets and working with architect Benjamin Latrobe
to add bookending terrace-pavilions. Having transformed the building into a
more suitable representation of a leader’s home, Jefferson held the first
inaugural open house in 1805, and also opened its doors for public tours and
receptions on New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Burned to the ground by the British in August 1814, the
President’s House was nearly left in its smoldering remains as lawmakers
contemplated moving the capital to another city. Instead, Hoban was brought
back to rebuild it nearly from scratch, in some areas incorporating the
original, charred walls. Upon reassuming residency in 1817, James Madison and
his wife Dolley gave the home a more regal touch by decorating with extravagant
French furniture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">The building’s South and North Porticoes were added in 1824
and 1829, respectively, while </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">John
Quincy Adams</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"> established the residence’s first flower garden.
Subsequent administrations continued to overhaul and bolster the interior
through Congressional appropriations; the Fillmores added a library in the
second-floor oval room, while the Arthurs hired famed decorator Louis Tiffany
to redecorate the east, blue, red and state dining rooms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0CY4oF87jLcjqmM1d9Zh5gzhVFX8nEpnNCMr8xvKX2ZQtpEGzYgHFCxSZG2HtlgFmxj2afSGmc2_O897_LF2B_dYEQL9avKLhIXw9czfYVCrrp1aFZAtHMtMpwFg-u1MGpiLJxJdUr0/s1600/The_White_House_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0CY4oF87jLcjqmM1d9Zh5gzhVFX8nEpnNCMr8xvKX2ZQtpEGzYgHFCxSZG2HtlgFmxj2afSGmc2_O897_LF2B_dYEQL9avKLhIXw9czfYVCrrp1aFZAtHMtMpwFg-u1MGpiLJxJdUr0/s400/The_White_House_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">William Taft hired architect Nathan Wyeth to expand the
executive wing in 1909, resulting in the formation of the Oval Office as the
president’s work space. In 1913, the White House added another enduring feature
with Ellen Wilson’s Rose Garden. A fire during the Hoover administration in
1929 destroyed the executive wing and led to more renovations, which continued
after Franklin Roosevelt entered office.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Architect Eric Gugler more than doubled the space of what
was becoming known as the “West Wing,” added a swimming pool in the west
terrace for the polio-stricken president, and moved the Oval Office to the
southeast corner. A new east wing was constructed in 1942, its cloakroom transformed
into a movie theater.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">A final major overhaul took place after Harry Truman entered
office in 1945. With structural problems mounting from the 1902 installation of
floor-bearing steel beams, most of the building’s interior was stripped bare as
a new concrete foundation went in place. The Trumans helped redesign most of
the state rooms and decorate the second and third floors, and the president
proudly displayed the results during a televised tour of the completed house in
1952.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH91rYVVmB9yfbadBHqbxbtjW_ZIjh5QDSoaTWpcEGFmirXbnN2ukCtjIyt9wXu1z2x4y39yNgdPiQzmF5myzmSYo-JyzeN7neXh5Mo-4kClP8RIS6CIJMp-y2Vv2mMDJeMj72ZiXpBo4/s1600/The_White_House_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH91rYVVmB9yfbadBHqbxbtjW_ZIjh5QDSoaTWpcEGFmirXbnN2ukCtjIyt9wXu1z2x4y39yNgdPiQzmF5myzmSYo-JyzeN7neXh5Mo-4kClP8RIS6CIJMp-y2Vv2mMDJeMj72ZiXpBo4/s400/The_White_House_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Over the course of 1969-70, a porte-cochere and circular
drive were added to the exterior of the West Wing, with a new press briefing
room installed inside. Following a 1978 study to assess the exterior paint, up
to 40 layers were removed in some areas, allowing for repairs of deteriorated
stone. Meanwhile, the Carter administration set about adjusting to a new
information age by installing the White House’s first computer and laser
printer. The internet made its debut in the mansion under the watch of George
H.W. Bush in 1992.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The White House today holds 142 rooms on six floors, the
floor space totaling approximately 55,000 square feet. It has hosted
longstanding traditions such as the annual Easter Egg
Roll, as well as historic events like the 1987 nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
The only private residence of a head of state open free of charge to the
public, the White House reflects a nation’s history through the accumulated
collections of its residing presidents, and serves as a worldwide symbol of the
American republic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>history.com</i></span></span></div>
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Americas The White House

The official home for the U.S. president was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the 1790s. Rebuilt after a British attack in 1...

Times Square

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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Times Square, the
most bustling square of New York is known for its many Broadway theatres,
cinemas and electronic billboards. It is one of those places that make New York
a city that never sleeps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OM5ocPCHekLyAzbCynpnkEUayxgRMSAHEYEwd3vEfMXE0w3VHve9l9ZqfgM2PqNxkrIKfktc-KQusn7wL8ickbXBTQlWxgrXGbm3X_poRdu4OgruyvzdOj7mGTUOsq7vXTuBDgutOXk/s1600/Times_Square_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OM5ocPCHekLyAzbCynpnkEUayxgRMSAHEYEwd3vEfMXE0w3VHve9l9ZqfgM2PqNxkrIKfktc-KQusn7wL8ickbXBTQlWxgrXGbm3X_poRdu4OgruyvzdOj7mGTUOsq7vXTuBDgutOXk/s400/Times_Square_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">History</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">By the end of the nineteenth century, New York City had
expanded up to 42nd street and the area was becoming the center of the city's
social scene. In 1904, the New York Times built the Times Tower on 43rd street
just off Broadway to replace its downtown premises. The square in front of the
building was called Longacre square, but was soon renamed Times Square. The
name is now used for the area between 40th and 53rd street and 6th and 9th
avenue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">New York Times
Headquarters<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The inauguration of the New York Times' new headquarters at
1 Times Square was celebrated with a fireworks display, starting a New Year's
Eve tradition which still continues today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The first famous ball-lowering from the 1 Times Square's
rooftop pole was held on New Year's Eve 1907.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVbRMWYdaK-17MSvkYbn5WWwqTI55Uphxh58fizyj-bQlctrw8JzF1JvkdzbdAqPDb-oZ5BG7qdp1IiNGbml2zz0pHLUkI2AtQUcQo3N_pWbK62an91_xoTTShTTE7ZooA1eWdqkD1eQ/s1600/Times_Square_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVbRMWYdaK-17MSvkYbn5WWwqTI55Uphxh58fizyj-bQlctrw8JzF1JvkdzbdAqPDb-oZ5BG7qdp1IiNGbml2zz0pHLUkI2AtQUcQo3N_pWbK62an91_xoTTShTTE7ZooA1eWdqkD1eQ/s400/Times_Square_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Theater District and
Billboards</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">At the start of the First World War, Times Square was the
center of the Theater District and attracted a large number of visitors. This
made the square an ideal place for billboards. In 1917 the first large electric
display billboard was installed. Eleven years later, the first running electric
sign was lit for the first time, to announce Herbert Hoover's victory in the Presidential
elections. The billboards have become such a tourist attraction for the area,
that the zoning now requires the buildings to be covered with billboards!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Decline<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">In the thirties, the Great Depression led to a sharp
decline in theater attendance. Many businesses had to close down, and they were
quickly replaced by strip teases and and peep shows. The area continued to
attract visitors though and after the Second World War, the Theater District
was booming again. At the end of the sixties, the area started to go downhill
and by the mid-seventies, tourists avoided Times square, which had become a
seedy, crime-ridden and drug-infested place.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Disneyfication<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">In the 1980s redevelopment proposals were submitted, with
little result. This changed a decade later, when the Walt Disney Company opened
a Disney store on Times Square. This attracted more family-friendly businesses
to the area, leading to a so-called 'Disneyfication'. The area was now - like
most of New York City - a lot safer than in the early nineties and Times Square
once again became a magnet for tourists and a center of New York's social
scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Times Square Today<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Today Times Square is a constantly buzzing tourist magnet;
the square is even one of the most visited places in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig8MAjLh8fPEkAwdBUkb0z5PcmqirF7DLwxiEOIzH_CcKcdFy7jUz8tfa6LXhSL2EZM3s4Abew7kihct6be_BgGpFHVrgq8bUYWAIlZY_q9wvg6NIWfrfLT7paM2vZ1IHOprGOsF_Z3Y/s1600/Times_Square_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig8MAjLh8fPEkAwdBUkb0z5PcmqirF7DLwxiEOIzH_CcKcdFy7jUz8tfa6LXhSL2EZM3s4Abew7kihct6be_BgGpFHVrgq8bUYWAIlZY_q9wvg6NIWfrfLT7paM2vZ1IHOprGOsF_Z3Y/s400/Times_Square_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pedestrianization</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">For most of its existence Times Square wasn't much more
than a large traffic intersection, but it is now being redeveloped into a
pedestrian-friendly square with large car-free plazas replacing much of the
asphalt. The redevelopment project - dubbed Times Square Transformation -
started in 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Many people come to Times Square for the ambiance and the
billboards spectacle, but there are also many restaurants and shops - well over
100 - in the area including some crowd-pullers such as the Disney Store and a
large Toys"R"Us. But Times Square is best known for its
entertainment, and plenty of visitors come here to attend a Broadway show.
Times Square is also home to MTV's headquarters and ABC's 'Good Morning
America' is broadcast in front of a live audience from its office at 44th and
Broadway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWby47opSOfpYIv7UKmQJPN-9uLHkoVPn9G-LR50aFAjo4y2lS16Fny5gUuCBVl40Ls3VawCYxPXbX-aGq23N25hhT5odqG9wsfUY1LRG49iI1dU47IyDGyjlnQdT16KHp_bWDi5vw018/s1600/Times_Square_04.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWby47opSOfpYIv7UKmQJPN-9uLHkoVPn9G-LR50aFAjo4y2lS16Fny5gUuCBVl40Ls3VawCYxPXbX-aGq23N25hhT5odqG9wsfUY1LRG49iI1dU47IyDGyjlnQdT16KHp_bWDi5vw018/s400/Times_Square_04.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Paramount Building
and Visitors Center</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The most famous building at the square is undoubtedly the
iconic Paramount Building. The building was home to the Paramount theater where
stars such as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra performed in their
heyday. Unfortunately the theater was demolished and the Paramount building is
now merely an office tower.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Another former theater, the Embassy Theater, is now the
home of Times Square's own visitors center. Here you can get information about
events and Broadway shows. There's also a small museum that tells the history
of Times Square.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><i>aviewoncities.com</i></span></span></div>

Americas Times Square

Times Square, the most bustling square of New York is known for its many Broadway theatres, cinemas and electronic billboards. It is one of...

St. Mark's Basilica & Campanile

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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">St. Mark’s Campanile
is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, located in the
Piazza San Marcos. The exact date of its original construction is unknown but
authorities agree that it was most likely during the 9th century during
the rule of Doge Tribuno Memmo. It was completed sometime between 1148-1157
during the reign of Domenico Morosini. The tower stood approximately 99 meters
tall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZSDkzX3ClO8olSX7Ez3eE0QoyZvva2KmQbDrq7aGS5p0P5vBp678qUQEMAKltiXCdU5H9GlHLRwxV8J3efUcSyy4myKTwF9HN68ILL_5OVj8pk-dpJM_u7EIZk0_FR9ihxWjMY7kiHc/s1600/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZSDkzX3ClO8olSX7Ez3eE0QoyZvva2KmQbDrq7aGS5p0P5vBp678qUQEMAKltiXCdU5H9GlHLRwxV8J3efUcSyy4myKTwF9HN68ILL_5OVj8pk-dpJM_u7EIZk0_FR9ihxWjMY7kiHc/s400/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
 <span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">St. Mark’s Campanile has a very long history of accidents.
The towers first run in with mother nature occurred on June 7th, 1388 when it
was struck by lightning. Then on October 24th, 1403 the upper portion of the
tower was burned after fires lit for a celebration got out of hand. After its
reconstruction, St. Mark’s campanile suffered damage from an earthquake in
1511. In the next 500 years, the tower would be struck by lightning and
partially burned a total of seven more times. The most damaging of these
lightning strikes occurred in 1745 and resulted in three deaths and a large crack
running from near the top of the tower down to the 5th window. Finally in
1776, a conductor was installed on the tower rendering it safe from further
damage due to lightning strikes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr69n1vhE0eFtHlnsW5EGOkH6LiMqwhiLKrdja6bAJSyXOpxB6QVj1Zsg0gpd15CuooWIGBfRMD66pXE3jPGdhvgec99IAmOW_PWWzIXfvpYNiCCHPZHGPF4R-dDBqwI_A9bYTs0vY0c/s1600/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr69n1vhE0eFtHlnsW5EGOkH6LiMqwhiLKrdja6bAJSyXOpxB6QVj1Zsg0gpd15CuooWIGBfRMD66pXE3jPGdhvgec99IAmOW_PWWzIXfvpYNiCCHPZHGPF4R-dDBqwI_A9bYTs0vY0c/s400/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">After suffering substantial periods of damage and
restoration throughout the course of its life, St. Mark’s Campanile collapsed
to the ground on July 14th, 1902. According to eye witnesses, the first sign of
danger appeared early in the morning on the 14th when a large crack formed
near the northeast top corner of the Loggia Sansovino (the structure at the
bottom of the tower) and rose diagonally across the main corner buttress of the
tower. “Just before the collapse, the sound of falling stones within the bell
chamber warned the people in or near the tower to flee, so that no life was
lost by the accident.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsl-BksvPS7AJHXcdixpClh_8HLgh0yGGJWEgWwWGOmMR6th22i-aFl6SlvtvId1TchKnhb4GgMwi8F8-asPGTZ93ouMLE0vsTh4dfaI8mTDIempHaQqKVBwuWfu2KT6_DJWwRKvKsTE/s1600/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsl-BksvPS7AJHXcdixpClh_8HLgh0yGGJWEgWwWGOmMR6th22i-aFl6SlvtvId1TchKnhb4GgMwi8F8-asPGTZ93ouMLE0vsTh4dfaI8mTDIempHaQqKVBwuWfu2KT6_DJWwRKvKsTE/s400/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">The exact cause of the collapse is unknown, but there are a
multitude of probable factors that led to its collapse. First and foremost, the
tower’s original foundation “was built on a platform of two layers of oak
beams, crossed, which platform itself rests on a bed of clay, into which piles
of white poplar were driven.” </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">This
foundation was only intended to support the weight of the lower, more solid
portion of the tower and was therefore not adequate to support extra weight
when the tower was expanded upwards. Experts also believe that the foundation
could have been negatively affected by the dredging of the Grand Canal and even
more so by the frequent flooding of St. Mark’s square. Other causes for the
towers collapse are attributed to its extreme old age and long history of
damage from lightning strikes, fires, and earthquakes as mentioned above. All
of these disasters took a major toll on the structural integrity of the
foundation, internal structure, and exterior masonry of the tower. St. Mark’s
Campanile is also believed to have been repeatedly weakened by its constant
restorations and renovations throughout its long history. Different materials
and methods of construction were used in each successive attempt to mend the
tower.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW36YSR3Nlf12SuYXbXJbByyrgfAo781-6r8uWqsaYEn0fw_ZKpuZwRB0cHmsZYlRDJbnLw6E_wf4irjFJSHrtaV9AU9l3ViEA8FwBZd4KG_qhquaUdsHa6WAwXWKdfwf3dMSdN57MNFE/s1600/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW36YSR3Nlf12SuYXbXJbByyrgfAo781-6r8uWqsaYEn0fw_ZKpuZwRB0cHmsZYlRDJbnLw6E_wf4irjFJSHrtaV9AU9l3ViEA8FwBZd4KG_qhquaUdsHa6WAwXWKdfwf3dMSdN57MNFE/s400/St.+Mark%2527s+Basilica+%2526+Campanile+04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">After the tower collapsed, the Venetians immediately began
discussing whether or not St. Mark’s Campanile should be rebuilt and if so, if
it should be rebuilt as an exact replica of the previous version or a
completely new design. The matter was extremely controversial with many
citizens feeling strongly for both sides of the argument. In the end, it was
decided that St. Mark’s Campanile would be rebuilt as an exact replica to the
original because of its historic sentiment for the city of Venice. The new
tower would differ only in terms of its structural support. The new design
would replace the foundation beams with cement and iron, and the frame would
consist of a large iron framework with iron clamps fastened into the masonry.</span><br />
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">buildingfailures.wordpress.com<span class="image-caption"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>

Europe St. Mark's Basilica & Campanile

St. Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, located in the Piazza San Marcos. The exact date of its ori...

Trevi Fountain

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous
and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive
monument dominates the small Trevi Square located in the Quirinale district.</b></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJbw7ay7F_7Vikisi8zQ1OcMI88knCcLM6jAddMdFEezK0J2y1hpH0X51-w08Jrc3vjOv5Z9G9e_ORce3WpxT81brKIyDiVrTymmzt7tztJlFq23DO6e1sgq1kOoAOSNmm3OtmhpNh8/s1600/Trevi_Fountain_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJbw7ay7F_7Vikisi8zQ1OcMI88knCcLM6jAddMdFEezK0J2y1hpH0X51-w08Jrc3vjOv5Z9G9e_ORce3WpxT81brKIyDiVrTymmzt7tztJlFq23DO6e1sgq1kOoAOSNmm3OtmhpNh8/s400/Trevi_Fountain_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Aqua Virgo</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Trevi Fountain is situated at the end of the Aqua
Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC by Agrippa, the son-in-law of Emperor
Augustus. The aqueduct brings water all the way from the Salone Springs
(approx. 21km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of
Rome with water.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">According to legend, Agrippa sent out a group of soldiers
to search for a spring near Rome. The spring was found after a young virgin
(virgo) showed the source to the soldiers, hence the name of the aqueduct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLxu10lHQ_jUjOmEm6I-fSY34x638gREEiHCmJGAzPunVcYvCt7aoiK1nvhV2kWNKIaHDTI0pIrrL5ZxGY0pVW3wkWRBNEiL0Su6M3NpK5A7dyFV7El6Kkf4uFAjfO5Zp4r0gLSj5PdA/s1600/Trevi_Fountain_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLxu10lHQ_jUjOmEm6I-fSY34x638gREEiHCmJGAzPunVcYvCt7aoiK1nvhV2kWNKIaHDTI0pIrrL5ZxGY0pVW3wkWRBNEiL0Su6M3NpK5A7dyFV7El6Kkf4uFAjfO5Zp4r0gLSj5PdA/s400/Trevi_Fountain_02.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Construction of the
Fountain</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Already in the fifteenth century a small Trevi Fountain was
built here during the papacy of Nicholas V. In 1732, pope Clement XII
commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square to
replace the existing fountain. A previous undertaking to build the fountain
after a design by Bernini was halted a century earlier after the death of pope
Urban VIII. Salvi based his theatrical masterpiece on this design. He never saw
his monumental Baroque fountain completed. The Trevi Fountain was only
inaugurated in 1762, eleven years after Salvi had passed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3TjJj9EXqztryk0RsldnMRGsYiLtQrgrIT1pqqZ7G-GZp22vIaj8T3uVG249HOgyH4sZoCfI6wjedacKWXs6cThh7EZDO6hkhsMmXeyeURL3KaWvHbRmW0-RxhQJ-PIytDEjczBcfJY/s1600/Trevi_Fountain_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3TjJj9EXqztryk0RsldnMRGsYiLtQrgrIT1pqqZ7G-GZp22vIaj8T3uVG249HOgyH4sZoCfI6wjedacKWXs6cThh7EZDO6hkhsMmXeyeURL3KaWvHbRmW0-RxhQJ-PIytDEjczBcfJY/s400/Trevi_Fountain_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Fountain</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The fountain, which is designed like a monumental triumphal
arch, was built against a wall of the Palazzo Poli. It measures twenty meters
wide and twenty-six meters high and occupies more than half the square. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">The central figure of the fountain, standing in a large
niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He rides a shell-shaped chariot that is
pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the
horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the
fluctuating moods of the sea. The statues were sculpted by Pietro Bracci.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing
Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Both these statues
were the work of Filippo della Valle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Above the two allegorical statues are bas-reliefs. The one
on the left shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries
water to the fountain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">He is shown explaining his plan for the aqueduct to
Augustus. The bas-relief on the right captures the moment the virgin points to
the source of the spring. The allegorical statues on the top, in front of the
attic, symbolize the four seasons. Crowning the top is the coat of arms of pope
Clement XII. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30LNIRQdtFiU59EPoWGyapC0FIGHhm_3sEaa9MIpfHKkM57LJvMKYPW3SPn0xsbtWMRyFXyrWpMJacqFuCjUKb-K76ysh-7GZPMNELlf_0F98kWxKk1H3qSKoIl2nNCISsZmsLGEKo5U/s1600/Trevi_Fountain_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30LNIRQdtFiU59EPoWGyapC0FIGHhm_3sEaa9MIpfHKkM57LJvMKYPW3SPn0xsbtWMRyFXyrWpMJacqFuCjUKb-K76ysh-7GZPMNELlf_0F98kWxKk1H3qSKoIl2nNCISsZmsLGEKo5U/s400/Trevi_Fountain_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Water flows over artificial rocks into a large semicircular
basin that represents the sea. Every day some eighty million liters of water
flow through the fountain. The water is reused to supply several other Roman
fountains, including the Fountain
of the Four Rivers, the Tortoise Fountain and the Fountain of the Old Boat
in front of the Spanish
Steps.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tossing a Coin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;">Tradition has it that you will return to Rome if you throw
a coin into the fountain's water basin. You should toss it with your right hand
over your left shoulder (or left hand over your right shoulder) with your back
to the fountain. You're not allowed to look behind you while you're tossing the
coin but the fountain is so large it's basically impossible to miss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">aviewoncities.com<span class="image-caption"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>

Europe Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument...

Acropolis, Greece

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens,
dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of
the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. The most celebrated
myths of ancient Athens, its greatest religious festivals, earliest cults and
several decisive events in the city's history are all connected to this sacred
precinct. The monuments of the Acropolis stand in harmony with their natural
setting. These unique masterpieces of ancient architecture combine different
orders and styles of Classical art in a most innovative manner and have
influenced art and culture for many centuries. The Acropolis of the fifth
century BC is the most accurate reflection of the splendour, power and wealth
of Athens at its greatest peak, the golden age of Perikles.</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYcSllLBvdJWIGn8EM8lvhS_yZ8poqrsDA7ZH-m1rYuK1GZ_SPGn6EqZSUi9aVdeeGd25OVcd4fdAo4BBlZpv0ovcY1KojQxw6Lgp8hmY_F8Y2jVY09fCZam3COlTqMe7qCfTQFW3sU0/s1600/Acropolis_Greece_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYcSllLBvdJWIGn8EM8lvhS_yZ8poqrsDA7ZH-m1rYuK1GZ_SPGn6EqZSUi9aVdeeGd25OVcd4fdAo4BBlZpv0ovcY1KojQxw6Lgp8hmY_F8Y2jVY09fCZam3COlTqMe7qCfTQFW3sU0/s400/Acropolis_Greece_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">Pottery sherds of the Neolithic period (4000/3500-3000 BC)
and, from near the Erechtheion, of the Early and Middle Bronze Age, show that
the hill was inhabited from a very early period. A fortification wall was built
around it in the thirteenth century BC and the citadel became the centre of a
Mycenaean kingdom. This early fortification is partially preserved among the
later monuments and its history can be traced fairly accurately. The Acropolis
became a sacred precinct in the eighth century BC with the establishment of the
cult of Athena Polias, whose temple stood at the northeast side of the hill.
The sanctuary flourished under Peisistratos in the mid-sixth century BC, when
the Panathinaia, the city's greatest religious festival, was established and
the first monumental buildings of the Acropolis erected, among them the
so-called “Old temple” and the Hekatompedos, the predecessor of the Parthenon,
both dedicated to Athena. The shrine of Artemis Brauronia and the first
monumental propylon also date to this period. Numerous opulent votive
offerings, such as marble korai and horsemen, bronze and terracotta statuettes,
were dedicated to the sanctuary. Several of these bear inscriptions that show
the great importance of Athena's cult in the Archaic period. After the
Athenians defeated the Persians at Marathon, in 490 BC, they began building a
very large temple, the so-called Pre-Parthenon. This temple was still
unfinished when the Persians invaded Attica in 480 BC, pillaged the Acropolis
and set fire to its monuments. The Athenians buried the surviving sculptures
and votive offerings inside natural cavities of the sacred rock, thus forming
artificial terraces, and fortified the Acropolis with two new walls, the wall
of Themistokles along the northern side and that of Kimon on the south. Several
architectural elements of the ruined temples were incorporated in the northern
wall and are still visible today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysPMnwrF733of2qjElmiB-2r9Xj0555sH_dt_oHxnjtS2ZNJM0Ia9qkoRubPZmD2Z8q3FXw3CzUKnEwL_qRnOAUr_G3gz9eve1tlN2X7ATXZ6VZLw4SwQqLqxmEgQihbUOfgHE5PfF_c/s1600/Acropolis_Greece_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysPMnwrF733of2qjElmiB-2r9Xj0555sH_dt_oHxnjtS2ZNJM0Ia9qkoRubPZmD2Z8q3FXw3CzUKnEwL_qRnOAUr_G3gz9eve1tlN2X7ATXZ6VZLw4SwQqLqxmEgQihbUOfgHE5PfF_c/s400/Acropolis_Greece_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In the mid-fifth century BC, when the Acropolis became the
seat of the Athenian League and Athens was the greatest cultural centre of its
time, Perikles initiated an ambitious building project which lasted the entire
second half of the fifth century BC. Athenians and foreigners alike worked on
this project, receiving a salary of one drachma a day. The most important
buildings visible on the Acropolis today - that is, the Parthenon, the
Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike, were erected during
this period under the supervision of the greatest architects, sculptors and
artists of their time. The temples on the north side of the Acropolis housed
primarily the earlier Athenian cults and those of the Olympian gods, while the
southern part of the Acropolis was dedicated to the cult of Athena in her many
qualities: as Polias (patron of the city), Parthenos, Pallas, Promachos
(goddess of war), Ergane (goddess of manual labour) and Nike (Victory). After
the end of the Peloponnesian war in 404 BC and until the first century BC no
other important buildings were erected on the Acropolis. In 27 BC a small
temple dedicated to Augustus and Rome was built east of the Parthenon. In Roman
times, although other Greek sanctuaries were pillaged and damaged, the
Acropolis retained its prestige and continued to attract the opulent votive
offerings of the faithful. After the invasion of the Herulians in the third
century AD, a new fortification wall was built, with two gates on the west
side. One of these, the so-called Beul? Gate, named after the nineteenth
century French archaeologist who investigated it, is preserved to this day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ydOtt5cFrLL1vWgu51jheVlDCMhlijn_b1objln6dat2btAzPB_OGqrZgFdeO4HDw4Q9dNCOZiSd0wr140M2k9wcP7JeLEegM70bnumhsWV4fWnYLoeZxgblTcOk4COPaQ2RSOyZ_QM/s1600/Acropolis_Greece_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ydOtt5cFrLL1vWgu51jheVlDCMhlijn_b1objln6dat2btAzPB_OGqrZgFdeO4HDw4Q9dNCOZiSd0wr140M2k9wcP7JeLEegM70bnumhsWV4fWnYLoeZxgblTcOk4COPaQ2RSOyZ_QM/s400/Acropolis_Greece_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">In subsequent centuries the monuments of the Acropolis
suffered from both natural causes and human intervention. After the
establishment of Christianity and especially in the sixth century AD the temples
were converted into Christian churches. The Parthenon was dedicated to
Parthenos Maria (the Virgin Mary), was later re-named Panagia Athiniotissa
(Virgin of Athens) and served as the city's cathedral in the eleventh century.
The Erechtheion was dedicated to the Sotiras (Saviour) or the Panagia, the
temple of Athena Nike became a chapel and the Propylaia an episcopal residence.
The Acropolis became the fortress of the medieval city. Under Frankish
occupation (1204-1456) the Propylaia were converted into a residence for the
Frankish ruler and in the Ottoman period (1456-1833) into the Turkish garrison
headquarters. The Venetians under F. Morozini besieged the Acropolis in 1687
and on September 26th bombarded and destroyed the Parthenon, which then served as
a munitions store. Lord Elgin caused further serious damage in 1801-1802 by
looting the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, the temple of Athena Nike
and the Erechtheion. The Acropolis was handed over to the Greeks in 1822,
during the Greek War of Independence, and Odysseas Androutsos became its first
Greek garrison commander.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvChEaJ4bLYRjmz66tXrLY7X4GiHxW2s-mv1zTzB5-Ihifqw9aHfKZ7UN7Drhjhktk-MPd0wkrRkBuc6tSGPkFjIAfRL8L7hyphenhyphenJH3b0R0Y3gE_pne7IRz53c1PoYKMfkhBuD7wDLBMjR90/s1600/Acropolis_Greece_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvChEaJ4bLYRjmz66tXrLY7X4GiHxW2s-mv1zTzB5-Ihifqw9aHfKZ7UN7Drhjhktk-MPd0wkrRkBuc6tSGPkFjIAfRL8L7hyphenhyphenJH3b0R0Y3gE_pne7IRz53c1PoYKMfkhBuD7wDLBMjR90/s400/Acropolis_Greece_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;">After the
liberation of Greece, the monuments of the Acropolis came under the care of the
newly founded Greek state. Limited investigation took place in 1835 and 1837,
while in 1885-1890 the site was systematically excavated under P. Kavvadias. In
the early twentieth century N. Balanos headed the first large-scale restoration
project. A Committee for the Conservation of the Monuments on the Acropolis was
created in 1975 with the aim to plan and undertake large-scale conservation and
restoration on the Acropolis. The project, conducted by the Service of
Restoration of the Monuments of the Acropolis in collaboration with the First
Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, is still in progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: VI; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: VI;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: VI; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: VI;"><i>Author</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: VI; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: VI;"><i>Ioanna Venieri, archaeologist</i></span></div>

Europe Acropolis, Greece

The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the mod...