Archaeologists Find The Tomb of Queen Edith

German archaeologists were baffled and confounded by the find of Queen Edith’s remains. The remains were found in her grave in Magdeburg’s cathedral what nobody could have expected. The remains are currently at Bristol University for testing to prove that the bones really are Edith’s. 



The Shrine of The Magi in Cologne

The city of Cologne in Germany houses one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Central Europe. In it, visitors will find one of the most extraordinary works of art in existence: The shrine of the three Magi. It draws thousands of worshipers as well as art lovers from all over the world. 



Five Christmas Islands

If you want to go to Christmas Island for a holiday, you are spoilt for choice. There are several islands going by that name, and by dint of majority, Australia wins the crown as the true Christmas country hands down. 



The Yearly Onion Market in Bern

Always on the fourth Monday in November, the city center of Bern is awash with onions. The yearly onion market has a long tradition, going back to the feast of St. Martin, when the cities of Southern Germany all had large markets, pageants, and communal dinners to mark summer passing into autumn. 



Neuchatel: The Anachronistic City in Switzerland

Neuchatel is a beautiful little town in Switzerland situated on Lake Neuchatel. It managed to become an anachronistic holdover from the middle ages into the 19th century and thereby almost brought Switzerland and Prussia to declare war on each other. Today, it has a university and is a center for tourists visiting the beautiful countryside and the Jura Mountains. 



There is Music in The Ceilings of Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle was once a Royal residence of the Scottish kings. But being situated near the border to England, it was a castle of strategic importance before that. When the Scots started to convert it into a residence, the builders included a curious code into the ceiling of the king’s bedchamber. The code was recently cracked to reveal the music hidden within. 



Lugano, The Largest Italian Speaking Town in Switzerland

Lugano is the warm spot of Switzerland, situated in the southern Republic and Canton of Ticino on Lake Lugano. The local climate is warm enough that palms and other southern plants thrive, and nestled in between in the lake and the mountains, it offers breathtaking views wherever you go. 



Temperamental Tempest on The Way to Nicosia

An outing turned adventure on Sicily. Sicily is the island at the southern tip of the boot of Italy. It is a mysterious island full of old superstitions, religions, and a language completely alien to Italian. The old gods still walk in its hills; they are (mostly) Greek gods as they colonized the island before the Romans had learnt to build boats. 



The New Year is on January 13th

In parts of Eastern Switzerland, the New Year is still celebrated on the 13th of January. New Year’s Eve, i.e. the 12th, is a festival day for everybody and schools and shops are closed. On this day, the Claus is on the loose going from house to house. 


Why Santa Muerte is an Austrian (too)

R J Evans published an article on the not quite standard saint Santa Muerte in Central America The Strange Cult of Santa Muerte: Saint Death. In it, he claimed quite correctly an Austrian influence on this strange phenomenon. As this might seem a strange connotation to many, I am following it up with information on the strange burial rites of the Austrian Imperial family. 



Geneva: Switzerland’s International Centre

Geneva is mostly seen as the seat of the United Nations in Europe. This is highly unjust, as it is a city full of history and unique international charm. At some time or another, it was capital to three kingdoms and a home to saints and many less saintly. 



Do You Know the Village of Cadempino?

You probably don’t, I don’t. And I’ve driven through it several times. But this is the third richest community of Switzerland. With its 1350 inhabitants that is a major feat. Obviously, there must be a big tax payer around. 



St. Gall: Town of Embroidery

St Gall is linked today with high quality embroideries used for haute couture. But it is also a beautiful town with a long history and a picturesque city center. At its center stands the magnificent monastery of St Gall with its cathedral and library. 



Basel: Cultural Centre of Switzerland

Basel is not only a cultural center. Its special situation bordering both Germany and France has brought forth other peculiarities, like three railway stations in town center and a tri-national airport. It is also a city steeped in legend, most of which is fervently believed by its inhabitants. 



Liechtenstein: Prince and People

The Principality of Liechtenstein is sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland. It is a hereditary principality with equal powers shared between parliament and Prince. Nobody knows what happens if ever they should agree to disagree. The Prince is also head of state. 



Zürich: Switzerland’s Financial Centre

Zurich is the financial center of Switzerland. But it is much more than that; it is a beautiful town full of vibrant life. Rich in history and rich in money, it is listed every year in the top ten cities of the world, when it comes to the title ‘most expensive city’.



Bern: The Centre of Switzerland

Bern is usually and falsely referred to as the capital of Switzerland. Correctly it is the seat of the Federal Government, and as such it is called Federal City. Town history goes back a long way, and part of that history allows you to go shopping in town on a rainy day without getting wet.



When Traveling to Rome

My parents went to Rome every January for many years. When my father turned 80 I noticed that they started to become a bit forgetful, so I checked everything before they left. Almost everything as we were to find out. 



San Marino: Oldest Republic in the World

San Marino is the oldest Republic in the world. This is not some boast, but historical fact. The beginnings, as befits a good story, are shrouded in legend, putting the founding of the city into the hands of a saint, St Marinus. Like most of the early and many of the later Catholic saints, he is probably mythical. 



Andorra: Two Unlikely Princes

Andorra is an old country. It was established in 1278 after a long and costly war between France and Spain over the territory which is not valuable in itself but strategically placed on major medieval routes through the Pyrenees. It was already then established as a Principality with two reigning Princes, the Bishop of Seu d’Urgell in Spain and the Count of Foix in France to represent the interests of both powers. This condominium endured for 500 years until the French revolutionary government rescinded all contracts signed by the kings of France at any time. 



Vogel Gryff: Day of The Griffin

It takes a special town to have a festival dedicated to a mythical beast, but in a city where you stumble over basilisks with almost every other step you take, it has to be expected. Vogel Gryff, the Festival of the Griffin is held every January in the city of Basel. 



Palmanova: Star Among Towns in Italy

Like a time capsule, Palmanova remains almost unchanged since the time of Napoleon. Founded by Venice as the ideal of a Renaissance town, it was intended to keep the Turks and Austrians alike from getting a hold on the Friuli.