2008-11-15

On the Footprint of the Templars in Rio Lobos  

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They say that the Wolves River Canyon is a magical place, because there are traces of the presence of the Templars and some mysteries wrapped in order to resolve this.

Lobos Canyon River Gorge is a 14 km long in the Nafría mountain range. The canyon, the diversity of fauna and landscape cantiles are the highlights of the protected area. It is one of the reliefs that stand between the Central and the Iberian.

Its continental climate has generated a growing poplar, willow and juniper albar, living with the oak and pine oak.

As for fauna, there griffon vultures, golden eagles, hawks ... and between mamíeros, the Iberian wolf. Also deserving attention amphibians and reptiles.
The slopes can reach an altitude of 100 meters

Erosion by water has sunk the riverbed. On the slopes of the canyon, which can reach 100 meters in altitude, low-water sources for the rusty color of the walls. There are numerous marked hiking trails and the ability to enter any of the numerous torcas, potholes and caves that undermine their walls.

Three different access

Access into the canyon are made from three different points. On the west side, upstream, is accessed from Hontoria del Pinar (Burgos) population being reached by the N-234.

The second access is located 12 km from the previous half-way stage, missing 9km Ucero to output, and is called the Bridge of Seven Eyes and is next to the SO-960 road that connects San Leonardo de Yagüe St. Mary of the Hoyas.

At the end of the canyon is the entry of Ucero is the most popular is the ydonde Interpretation Center of Nature. About Ucero on the road SO-920 is the viewpoint of the Galiana shows that the park from the edge of cliffs.
Since there is a huge cave a spectacular view of the shrine Templar

The most traveled and well-known park is undoubtedly the Colmenar of the friars at the foot of which lies the shrine of St. Bartholomew Templar.

This area is located 3.5 km from the entrance to Ucero, the esplanade that stretches in front of the Great Cave, an enormous cave that remains always open and accessible.

The chapel of St. Bartholomew

The chapel of St. Bartholomew is a Romanesque building of the first quarter of the thirteenth century with a burgeoning influence of Gothic. It was part of a Templar monastery which retains only the chapel.

The link with the Order of the Temple and tested this with her open mysteries remain.

This shrine is at the same distance in meters of the outer limits to the east and west of the Iberian Peninsula. The union between the location of the chapel with other churches Templar Peninsula form a Maltese cross, the symbol of the order.

2008-10-12

Replicas of Neolithic villages to promote tourism archeological  

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Macedonia has rebuilt a Neolithic village in the oldest archaeological site found near the capital, Skopje, in a state wide project to promote tourism.

Madzari replica of the tomb was built on a hill in Skopje on the grounds of the village of 6000 years ago, which existed until 4300.
A copy of Madzari Tomb was built on a hill in Skopje
The village was located along a small lake, whose remains pervivían until some five decades, although even then it seemed more of a swamp.

The age of the houses were rebuilt with stone materials as archaeological research is used in the Neolithic period, such as wood, cane and mud.

Its interior has been placed figures of people dressed in costumes that are supposed to be wearing at that time, and dedicated to the daily, grinding wheat or weaving.

Madzari tomb was discovered in 1961 during preparations for the construction of an international highway, which passes a few kilometers from the area.

Approximately two thirds of the deposit, with a diameter of 220 meters, is located underneath privately owned buildings, hampering the investigation.

Archaeologists first found in 1981 a Neolithic house in this place, and there are eight, including a sanctuary.
Archaeologists found in 1981 the first house neoítico
This shrine is the figure of pottery called "Majka Golemata" (The great mother), which has become a symbol of the Balkan country and sold as a souvenir of the most famous archaeological.

It is expected that the reply from another Neolithic village built on stilts on Lake Ohrid, in southwest Macedonia, is also open to the public this month.

This is the only Neolithic village built on water in this country.

With about 2 million people, Macedonia, located southeast of Europe landlocked but rich in archaeological sites, wants to promote this sector as a major bid to attract foreign tourists.

2008-09-22

Locust trees, dunes and stone walls: Val di Noto in Sicily more authentic  

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Who wants to see the real Sicily, the one without vendors Sicilian carts crowded the edges of the temples of Agrigento or lookout in Taormina, should go in the area to the south of the triangle, the one that almost touches Africa. And have the courage to go where the magnificence of the volcano, the celebrity of casba Palermo el'assaltata beauty of the Aeolian islands give way to the chirp of cicadas, crossed by a desert locust trees and stone walls at various spots surrounded by beaches dunes. The southeast Sicily, in between the province of Ragusa and Siracusa, is the most extreme corner of the island, the true heart of the Mediterranean. It's called Val di Noto and takes its name from the city late for excellence, Noto. But hidden gems less known and more fascinating: Ibla Ragusa, Modica and San Diego. All rebuilt after the earthquake in 1693 with a unique style: the rococo carved in local stone, white and crumbly. Capita so to find the gaze of magnificent cathedrals scenic bill, real stone embroidery, boasting of columns and capitals between miserable huts plaster yellow, consumed scales from four centuries of sun peak, glimpses of streets that require silence, contemplation. More often, though the smell of jasmine Arab mixes with that of tomato and laundry hanging out to dry, with struggimento.

This is Sicily by Giuseppe Tornatore and his Malena, for who speaks the language of cinema. Montalbano Commissioner for those that of television. Of Vinicio Capossela if you love music. By Elio Vittorini, Salvatore Quasimodo and Gesualdo Bufalino for means of literature.
Around, "the usual" historical and archaeological traces left by Sicilians, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, a campaign designed by rocks and terraces and corners of nature still unspoiled. It will be why the whole area recently joined the list of goods protected by 'Unesco.

Ragusa Ibla
A Ragusa Ibla deserve a visit the Gothic-Catalan old St. George, the Church of San Giorgio, the church of San Giuseppe and communal gardens. But above all, the alleys and streets closed to traffic that offer splendid views of the valley below and the sight of hidden courtyards and beautiful.

Modica

A Modica, an ancient seat of the county and now known for its chocolate tradition of Spanish and Aztec derivation, the tour departs from classic Umberto course, coverage of the stream that ran through the city, to visit the church of Santa Maria di Betlem, the church St. Peter with the statues of the twelve apostles on the staircase, the rock church of St. Nicholas Lower, cave in a jewel of the twelfth century and the two symbols of the city, the Church of San Giorgio, the hinge between the lower and that alta with its 250 steps, and the tower of the castle last part of the walls.

Scicli
In San Diego, the route is short but more suggestive, all concentrated between the Via Francesco Mormino Penna, the living room of the city, and one of the most beautiful Sicilian palace, Palazzo Beneventano. Who has time, the visits during Easter, when it plays one of the most fascinating religious festivals: San Diego. It is the procession of the risen Christ for the alleys of the city, carried on shoulders by the crowd without paths or directions to night. It is also the essence of this part of Sicily: outside time and space.

The kitchen
Ragusa excels for caciocavallo, cheese dall'orgoglio Dop, so called because they spread out to dry on a horse with a rope stretched. San Diego has a serricoltura intense that produces the famous cherry tomatoes and zucchini mini. Modica is now recognized as one of the Italian capital of chocolate: it produces a dough craft, manufactured cold and without milk, which leads Aztec and Spanish traditions. The whole area excels comuque for desserts. The case of ricotta, straight or mixed with chocolate and cinnamon, the "mustazzola" hard biscuits made with honey and almonds, "a ghugghulena" or cobaita, nougat of sesame seeds, "the mpanatigghie, small stuffed trousers a preparation of meat and chocolate. As for savory dishes, worth mention the "Chess" and "pastizzi, rolls of bread dough stuffed with tomato, cheese, broccoli or meat.

How to get there, where to stay and where to eat
Some relevant information for those wishing to travel accingersi. Ragusa, Modica and Scicli can be reached by air (better not rely on trains in a region where rail routes, and sometimes even the coaches, go back to the Bourbons). The nearest airport and in Catania, where they operate all major national and international areas, including low cost and Windjet Volare, (but soon will be available the old missile base in Comiso). From there to rent a car or take a bus or Etna Ast: Ragusa direction.
Those seeking a guide, contact the cooperative Etnos, provides qualified personnel, tourist guides, advice on routes, visits to museums and other helpful tips.
To stay there is a flood of Bed & Breakfast for all tastes and all pockets and are easily booked and visited here. An easy guide to restaurants, however, is here.

2008-09-17

Germany's most romantic castles  

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In the Middle Ages, castles served as living quarters and military buildings. How many total in Germany, is not known. According to the European Institute in Castle Braubach there are 20,000 to 25,000.

The Castles, the centuries, wars and weather have survived, let us by a lady existence as a castle or robbery knights dream. BILD.de the most beautiful castles in Germany.

Closely connected to German history is connected to the Wartburg in Eisenach. Under the code name "Young Jörg" held here in 1521/22 the reformer Martin Luther translated hidden and only eleven weeks in the New Testament into German. On 18 October 1817 was held here the first Wartburg Festival, where 500 students gathered and for a nation-state and a liberal constitution demonstrated.

From the other side comes across on the other hand, the fame of Marksburg in Braubach on the Rhine. The castle is the model of many fantasy castles, especially in the toy manufacturing. In the 90 years it should be sold to Japan, transported and rebuilt. The owner refused, however. As a replacement is in German cultural village "Ueno" on the island of Miyako-jima a replica of the original castle at the beach.