Interesting Spot on the Maps

Alhambra

2012-01-29T17:58:00.003+08:00

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The Alhambra ( /ælˈhæmbrə/; Spanish: [aˈlambɾa]; Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء‎, trans. al-Ḥamrā; literally "the red one"), the complete form of which was Calat Alhambra (Arabic: الْقَلْعَةُ ٱلْحَمْرَاءُ‎, trans. al-Qal‘at al-Ḥamrā’, "the red fortress"), is a palace and fortress complex located in the Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in al-Andalus, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada.

~ Source: Wikipedia - Alhambra

Saint-Paul de Vence

2011-12-04T20:40:00.002+08:00

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Saint-Paul or Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. One of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, it is well-known for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries such as Fondation Maeght which is located nearby.

Wikipedia - Saint-Paul-de-Vence

York Castle Museum

2011-11-14T03:48:00.003+08:00

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York Castle Museum is a museum located in York, North Yorkshire, England, on the site of York Castle, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. The museum itself was founded by Dr John L Kirk in 1938, and is housed in prison buildings which were built on the site of the castle in the 18th century, the Debtors Prison (built in 1701-05 using stone from the ruins of the castle) and the Female Prison (built 1780-1785).

The museum's displays include recreated period rooms such as a Victorian parlour and a 17th century dining room. There are displays of everyday life including an exhibition about rites of passage and an exhibition all about washing and cleaning. There is also a Hearth Gallery with recreated fireplaces and kitchens. A display about life in the prison has been opened in the cells of the old Debtors Prison. There is also a recreation of a Victorian street (Kirkgate, named after Dr. Kirk). What was once an Edwardian street (Half Moon Court) is now an exhibit on the 1960s. The museum also has a Barn Gallery, a Children's Gallery and military and costume displays. The former Condemned Cell, possibly once occupied by Dick Turpin, can also be visited. Studio areas feature programmed activities where visitors can come into close contact with items from the museum's large and nationally designated collections.

Source: Wikipedia - York Castle Museum

York Castle

2011-11-02T03:13:00.002+08:00

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York Castle in the city of York, England, is a fortified complex comprising, over the last nine centuries, a sequence of castles, prisons, law courts and other buildings on the south side of the River Foss. The now-ruinous keep of the medieval Norman castle is sometimes referred to as Clifford's Tower. Built originally on the orders of William I to dominate the former Viking city of York, the castle suffered a tumultuous early history before developing into a major fortification with extensive water defences. After a major explosion in 1684 rendered the remaining military defences uninhabitable, York Castle continued to be used as a jail and prison until 1929.

The first motte and bailey castle on the site was built in 1068 following the Norman conquest of York. After the destruction of the castle by rebels and a Viking army in 1069, York Castle was rebuilt and reinforced with extensive water defences, including a moat and an artificial lake. York Castle formed an important royal fortification in the north of England.

In 1190, 150 local Jews were killed in a pogrom in the castle keep. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, creating a keep with a unique quatrefoil design, supported by an outer bailey wall and a substantial gatehouse. During the Scottish wars between 1298 and 1338, York Castle was frequently used as the centre of royal administration across England, as well as an important military base of operations.

York Castle fell into disrepair by the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming used increasingly as a jail for both local felons and political prisoners. By the time of Elizabeth I the castle was estimated to have lost all of its military value but was maintained as a centre of royal authority in York. The outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 saw York Castle being repaired and refortified, playing a part in the Royalist defence of York in 1644 against Parliamentary forces. York Castle continued to be garrisoned until 1684, when an explosion destroyed the interior of Clifford's Tower. The castle bailey was redeveloped in a neoclassical style in the 18th century as a centre for county administration in Yorkshire, and was used as a jail and debtors' prison. Prison reform in the 19th century led to the creation of a new prison built in a Tudor Gothic style on the castle site in 1825; used first as a county and then as a military prison, this facility was demolished in 1935. By the 20th century the ruin of Clifford's Tower had become a well-known tourist destination and national monument; today the site is owned by English Heritage and open to the public. The other remaining buildings serve as the York Castle Museum and the Crown Court.

Wikipedia - York Castle

Bratislava

2011-10-29T19:12:00.003+08:00

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Bratislava ([ˈbracɪslava] ( listen); German: Pressburg formerly Preßburg, Hungarian: Pozsony) is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. Bratislava and Vienna are two of the closest European national capitals to each other, at less than 60 kilometres (37 mi) apart.

Bratislava is the political, cultural, and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament, and the executive branch of the government. It is home to several universities, museums, theatres, galleries and other important cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions also have headquarters there.

The history of the city, long known by the German name Preßburg, has been strongly influenced by people of different nations and religions, namely by Austrians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Slovaks, and Jews. The city was the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, a part of the larger Habsburg Monarchy territories, from 1536 to 1783 and has been home to many Slovak, Hungarian, and German historical figures.

Wikipedia - Bratislava

Tower of Hercules

2011-10-20T20:05:00.004+08:00

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The Tower of Hercules (Galician and Spanish: Torre de Hércules) is an ancient Roman lighthouse on a peninsula about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi) from the centre of A Coruña, Galicia, in north-western Spain. Until the 20th century, the tower itself was known as the "Farum Brigantium". The Latin word farum is derived from the Greek pharos for the Lighthouse of Alexandria. The structure is 55 metres (180 ft) tall and overlooks the North Atlantic coast of Spain. The structure, almost 1900 years old and rehabilitated in 1791, is the oldest Roman lighthouse in use today. There is a sculpture garden featuring works by Pablo Serrano and Francisco Leiro.

The Tower of Hercules is a National Monument of Spain, and since June 27, 2009, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second tallest lighthouse in Spain, after the Faro de Chipiona.

Wikipedia - Tower of Hercules

Spaceport America (Southwest Regional Spaceport)

2011-10-18T19:02:00.003+08:00

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Spaceport America (formerly the Southwest Regional Spaceport) is a spaceport located in the Jornada del Muerto desert basin in New Mexico, United States. It lies 90 miles (140 km) north of El Paso, 45 miles (72 km) north of Las Cruces, 30 miles (48 km) east of Truth or Consequences. It is currently under active development and is expected to be completed in 2011.

The site has been described "the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport". As of October 2009, eight suborbital missions have been successfully launched from the port.

Wikipedia - Spaceport America

Legoland Florida

2011-10-17T00:23:00.002+08:00

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Legoland Florida is a theme park in Winter Haven, Florida, scheduled to open on Saturday October 15, 2011. Merlin Entertainments Group will operate the park which will encompass 145 acres (0.59 km2) of the former Cypress Gardens amusement park, making Legoland Florida the world's largest Legoland park.

Wikipedia - Legoland Florida

Official website

LEGOLAND Florida, opening October 2011, is a 150-acre family theme park located in Winter Haven, just 45 minutes southwest of the Orlando theme parks or downtown Tampa. The Park will offer interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape specifically geared for families with children ages 2 to12.

The Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

2011-10-15T19:31:00.003+08:00

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The Willis Tower (formerly named, and still commonly referred to as, the Sears Tower) is a 108-story, 1,451-foot (442 m) skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois.[4] At the time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the seventh-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

Although Sears's naming rights expired in 2003, the building continued to be called the Sears Tower for several years. In March 2009, London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings agreed to lease a portion of the building, and obtained the building's naming rights.[6] On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed the Willis Tower.

Wikipedia - Willis Tower

St Pancras railway station

2011-09-03T15:01:00.003+08:00

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St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the British Library, King's Cross station and the Regent's Canal. It was opened in 1868 by the Midland Railway as the southern terminus of that company's Midland Main Line, which connected London with the East Midlands and Yorkshire. When it opened, the arched Barlow train shed was the largest single-span roof in the world.

After escaping planned demolition in the 1960s, the complex was renovated and expanded during the 2000s at a cost of £800 million with a ceremony attended by the Queen and extensive publicity introducing it as a public space. A security-sealed terminal area was constructed for Eurostar services to Continental Europe—via High Speed 1 and the Channel Tunnel—along with platforms for domestic connections to the north and south-east of England. The restored station houses fifteen platforms, a shopping centre and a bus station, in addition to London Underground services from King's Cross St Pancras tube station. St Pancras is owned by London and Continental Railways along with the adjacent urban regeneration area known as King's Cross Central. The redeveloped terminus has been described by the travel writer Simon Calder as "the world's most wonderful railway station".

Wikipedia - St Pancras railway station

Biserica Neagră

2011-08-28T17:38:00.003+08:00

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Biserica Neagră or Black Church (German: Schwarze Kirche; Romanian: Biserica Neagră; Hungarian: Fekete templom) is a cathedral in Braşov, a city in south-eastern Transylvania, Romania. It was built by the German community of the city and stands as the main Gothic style monument in the country, as well as being the largest and one of the most important Lutheran (Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Romania) places of worship in the region.

Wikipedia - Biserica Neagră

Temple of All Religions

2011-08-25T00:20:00.003+08:00

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The Temple of All Religions (Russian: Храм всех религий) or the Temple of the Universe (Russian: Вселенский храм) is an architectural complex in Staroye Arakchino Microdistrict of Kazan, Russia, incorporating Orthodox church, minaret, synagogue and other recognizable forms of religious architecture. Its construction continues, having been started in 1992 by local artist and philanthropist Ildar Khanov. The structure serves as a cultural center and a residence for Khanov and his assistants.

Khanov is known for his activities involving healing people from alcoholism, drug addiction and various diseases. Former and current patients of Khanov help him in maintaining and developing of the Temple, either by direct involvement in construction works or through sponsorship.

The structure is not an active temple of one or several religions, but rather a "temple of culture and truth" as Khanov describes its mission. It has become a popular landmark of the city of Kazan, which takes pride in peaceful combination of different cultures (Islamic Tatar culture, Orthodox Russian, and others). The Temple is visited both by tourists and by people seeking Khanov's help.

Khanov says that eventually the structure will have 16 domes, corresponding to 16 of the world religions.

Wikipedia - Temple of All Religions

Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors)

2011-08-11T17:44:00.003+08:00

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Castelo dos Mouros (English: Castle of the Moors) is a castle located in the town of Sintra, Portugal. The castle is located on a high hill overlooking the town, being one of its most important tourist attractions. It is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

As implied by its name, the castle is of Moorish origin, but the current building is the result of a romantic renovation carried out in the 19th century. The views from its walls and towers are breathtaking. The town of Sintra with its royal palace, as well as the Pena National Palace, are all visible from the Castle of the Moors.

Source: Wikipedia - Castle of the Moors

Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza

2011-08-06T03:03:00.002+08:00

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The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is an urban park and gathering place, located in front of the Arizona state capitol complex in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It serves as a home to a number of memorials honoring prominent figures in Arizona history as well as memorializing significant wars and other events that have had an impact on the state. It is designated as one of the Phoenix Points of Pride.

Source: Wikipedia - Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza

Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light)

2011-08-04T02:49:00.003+08:00

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The Costa de la Luz (English: Coast of Light) is a section of the Andalusian coast in Spain facing the Atlantic; it extends from Tarifa in the south, along the coasts of the Province of Cádiz and the Province of Huelva, to the mouth of the Guadiana River.

Source: Wikipedia - Costa de la Luz

Capital Gate

2011-07-03T21:03:00.002+08:00

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Capital Gate is a mixed use skyscraper in Abu Dhabi adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre designed with a striking lean. At 160 m (520 ft) and 35 stories, it is one of the tallest buildings in the city and features a dramatic 18-degree incline to the west. The owner and developer of Capital Gate is Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. The tower is the focal point of the Capital Center/ Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre master development.

Source: Wikipedia - Capital Gate

Piazza del Campo

2011-06-21T04:02:00.002+08:00

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Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany, Italy and is one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico and its Torre del Mangia, as well as various palazzi signorili surround the shell-shaped piazza. At the northwest edge is the Fonte Gaia.
The twice-a-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, is held around the edges of the piazza.

Source: Wikipedia - Piazza del Campo

Serb Orthodox Cathedral@Sarajevo

2011-05-29T19:45:00.004+08:00

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The Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos (Serbian: Саборна Црква Рођења Пресвете Богородице or Saborna Crkva Rođenja Presvete Bogorodice) is the largest Serbian Orthodox church in Sarajevo and one of the largest in the Balkans.

The cathedral is dedicated to the nativity of the Theotokos. It was erected at the request of the Orthodox parish of Sarajevo between 1863-1868. The church is constructed as a three section basilica incribed in a cross shaped plan, and has five domes. The domes are build on the beams, the central one is much larger than the other four side domes. The church is arched by round elements. The small gilded baroque style belfry is built in front of the entrance. The interior walls are decorated by painted ornaments. In the lower zones of the walls the painted ornaments are simulating the marble stone construction look. Arches and vaults are decorated in ornaments only. In 1898 the Orthodox Metropolian Palace was built near the cathedral.

Wikipedia - Serb Orthodox Cathedral (Sarajevo)

Wembley Stadium

2011-05-29T03:50:00.002+08:00

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Wembley Stadium (often referred to simply as Wembley, pronounced /ˈwɛmbli/, or sometimes as the New Wembley) is a football stadium located in Wembley Park, in the Borough of Brent, London, England. It opened in 2007 and was built on the site of the previous 1923 Wembley Stadium. The earlier Wembley stadium, originally called the Empire Stadium, was often referred to as "The Twin Towers" and was one of the world's most famous football stadiums until its demolition in 2003.

The 90,000-capacity venue is the second largest stadium in Europe, and serves as one of England's national stadium. It is the home venue of the England national football team, and hosts the latter stages of the top level domestic club cup competition, the FA Cup. It held UEFA five-star stadium status which was superseded by a new system of classification. It is owned by English football's governing body, The Football Association (The FA), through their subsidiary Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL).

Source: Wikipedia - Wembley Stadium

Santiago de Compostela

2011-05-26T20:09:00.001+08:00

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Santiago de Compostela (Galician pronunciation: [saŋtiˈaɣo ðe komposˈtɛla], Spanish: [sanˈtjaɣo ðe komposˈtela]) is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James. In 1985 the city's Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Source: Wikipedia - Santiago de Compostela

Tahaa

2011-05-25T19:17:00.004+08:00

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Tahaa is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The islands of Tahaa and neighboring Raiatea are enclosed by the same coral reef, and may once have been a single island.

Source: Wikipedia - Tahaa

Fuerteventura

2011-05-25T04:59:00.002+08:00

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Fuerteventura (pronounced [fweɾteβenˈtuɾa]), a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is situated at 28°20' north, 14°00' west. At 1,660 km² it is the second largest of the Canary Islands, after Tenerife. It was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO on May 26, 2009.

Source: Wikipedia - Fuerteventura

Seaford, East Sussex

2011-05-09T04:07:00.002+08:00

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Seaford is a coastal town in the county of East Sussex, on the south coast of England. Lying east of Newhaven and Brighton and west of Eastbourne, it is the largest town in Lewes district, with a population of about 23,000.

Wikipedia - Seaford, East Sussex

Temple Mount

2011-05-08T02:54:00.001+08:00

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The Temple Mount (Hebrew: הַר הַבַּיִת‎, Har haBáyith), also known in the Bible as Mount Moriah (some also identify it with the biblical Mount Zion) and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary (Bait-ul-Muqaddas) (Arabic: الحرم القدسي الشريف‎, al-haram al-qudsī ash-sharīf), is a religious site in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Source: Wikipedia - Temple Mount

The Bird's Nest

2011-04-22T19:42:00.004+08:00

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The Bird's Nest Cottage is a historic house in Newport, Rhode Island on 526 Broadway at One Mile Corner, which is located on the border between Newport and the neighboring town of Middletown, Rhode Island.

The building was completed in the mid-nineteenth century and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as building #82000130.

Source: Wikipedia - The Bird's Nest