Allocated to the tribe of Asher under the Israelites, Acre would come under the rule of the Assyrians (9th century BC) and the Phoenicians (6th-4th centuries BC) before being conquered by Alexander the Great. It would later be ruled by the Egyptian Ptolemid Dynasty, Syria’s Seleucids and form part of the Hasmonean Kingdom, then being taken by the Romans in 63 BC. From 638 AD, Acre became an Arab city, part of the Caliphate of Cairo.
All of these cultures and civilisations left their mark on the Old City of Acre. The ruins of various fortifications and structures can still be seen there today. However, the overwhelming character of Acre is defined by two later periods, denoting the city’s time under the Crusaders and the Ottomans.
The Crusaders took Acre in 1104 and proceeded to build an impressive set of fortifications, much of which remain. This was a time of great development and prosperity, with the erection of many public buildings such as bathhouses, markets, shops and churches. However, from 1187, Acre fell to the Muslims and proceeded to change hands many more times including falling to the Crusaders yet again under Richard the Lion Heart in 1191.
From 1517, Acre – then in a poor state due to damage from several conflicts – came under Ottoman rule, although it was not until the 18th century that reconstruction began taking place. The Ottoman redevelopment of Acre was sympathetic to the Crusader buildings, with their remaining structures being used as a basis for new construction. At this time, Acre experienced yet another period of prosperity, with many new public buildings, including mosques and homes.
Acre is also famous for being the site of a failed siege by Napoleon in 1799 and being the location of a prison for political dissidents under the British Mandate.
Visitors to Acre can see its impressive fortifications, sites related to the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitallers, such as the Knights’ Halls, sites of the Bahá’í Faith, the old city walls and the many remaining public buildings, most of which originate from the Ottoman and Crusader periods. The Old City (Akko) takes a good day to explore (although an overnight stay is worth it if you’ve got the time) – look out for the excellent food on offer.
Acre is about 25km north of Haifa, on Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Buses 361 and 371 both run from Haifa to Acre. Trains also run between the two cities, taking about 30 minutes.
]]>The Battle of Belchite refers to a series of military operations that took place between August and September of 1937, in and around the small town of Belchite in Aragon during the Spanish Civil War.
The Republican military leaderships decided to try a new series of offensives to slow down the Nationalist advance in the north. The destruction that tens of thousands of troops and military equipment caused led to the whole town being destroyed.
As a result, Franco ordered that the ruins be left untouched as a ‘living’ monument of war, with the holes and caves in Lobo Hill south of Belchite from where the Spanish Republican artillery positions fired towards what is now Belchite Old Town have been preserved and are open to visitors.
Today a modern town of the same name sits alongside the ruins and visitors are relatively free to explore the old town’s remains. Among the most prominent structures within Belchite is the eerie Church of San Martin, which seems more like a medieval ruin than a victim of 20th century conflict.
Other areas within the old town include the remains of the main street, the Church of San Juan and the Convent of San Agustín.
Certain areas of Belchite are restricted due to unstable structures and care is advised when visiting the site. Belchite features as one of our recommended key places to visit when touring Spain.
From the centre of Belchite, the ruins are a ten minute walk via the Ctra. Cariñena/A-220 roads, or a 5 minute drive via the Travesía del Barrio Alto road.
]]>Archaeological excavations suggest there has been a settlement on the site since Roman times: digs have uncovered the remains of a Roman villa with well-preserved mosaics inside.
The town’s name stems from the fact it was established around a ford across the River Avon: the stone bridge which still stands today was built in Norman times, and remnants of the Norman village can be seen upstream.
Bradford-on-Avon became prosperous because of the Avon – it generated power for wool mills, and weaving was a major source of employment for villagers in the 17th and 18th century. Many of the buildings date from this period, including several weavers’ cottagers.
The Industrial Revolution led to around 30 purpose-built woollen mills being built in Bradford-on-Avon: the last one closed in 1905 as the British wool industry shifted up north, towards Yorkshire.
In 1848, Stephen Moulton set up rubber manufacturing in the town: there were vacant mills and a skilled workforce, making it a great location to produce the substance. Moulton won big contracts with Great Western Railway and the army, and rubber production was carried out until the 1990s.
The town is extremely picturesque: it lies across the banks of the Avon and many of the houses are built from warm Cotswold stone, similar to that of nearby Bath, which brings the town to life on a sunny day. It remains quaint, and there are plenty of independent shops and cafes to visit.
The Tithe Barn lies just outside the town itself, and dates back to the 14th century. The Hall, still owned by the Moulton family, is a glorious example of Renaissance architecture, with added Gothic features. It’s open on certain days and events run there semi-regularly: it’s worth timing a visit to coincide with these as The Hall is a stunning building with a rich history of its own.
Bradford-on-Avon is about 8 miles south east on Bath: the town has a station and there’s plenty of central parking. It lies on the B3108, a few miles off the A36 and A361 respectively.
]]>
Burnaby Village Museum began in 1971 as part of the Burnaby Centennial Project with a specific goal, according to the museum’s website, to create “a small town reflecting the early history of British Columbia.”
Originlly named “Heritage Village,” the official groundbreaking began on 11 April, 1971. Construction lasted only a few months, during which time the main Hill Street storefronts were built at three-quarter size of regular buildings.
The official opening ceremony was 19 November, 1971. Approximately 15,000 people visited the village, which was only open to the public for three days. The museum opened with a blacksmith shop, buggy and bicycle shop, general store, land office, schoolhouse, manor house (Elworth), ice cream parlour, apothecary shop, barber shop, dentist shop, Chinese general imports shop, print shop and tram.
Spanning 10 acres of land, the museum today constitutes of a reconstructed 1920s village, containing 31 full scale buildings and costumed staff demonstrating traditional trades.
Watch for businesses of a bygone era such as Wagner’s Blacksmith Shop, Way Sang Yeun Wat Kee, Chinese Herbalist, Seaforth School and Treble Clef Phonographs.
Some of the buildings are original heritage buildings, moved from other locations in the community and restored. Others are replica buildings, created to house specific displays and artifacts, including a 1912 B.C. Electric Railway interurban tram. The Museum is also known for the 1912 C. W. Parker Carousel, available for visitors to ride.
The Museum also offers a space for visitors to learn about First Nations, whose relationship with the land predates the arrival of colonial settlers. At the Indigenous learning house, visitors will form a better understanding of the significance of the land from an Indigenous perspective.
Burnaby Village Museum is easily accessible by vehicle or public transport.
If driving directly from the city centre, head south-east on Melville St towards Burrard St before taking W Cordova St, Powell St, McGill St and Trans-Canada Highway to Sperling Ave in Burnaby. From here, follow signs to the Burnaby Village Museum.
If travelling from the city centre via public transport, take the subway (Millennium Line) to Holborn Station before riding the 133 bus to Century Park Way. The museum is a 5 minute walk from this bus stop.
Note that there are two entrances to Burnaby Village Museum — at the Carousel Pavilion and the Main Entrance. Free parking is available in the Museum lot.
]]>Believed to have been founded around 500 BC, Civita di Bagnoregio was originally a Etruscan settlement and sat along an important trade route. Later falling under Roman rule, the area was conquered by the Lombards after the fall of the Western Empire.
In fact, the city was once known as Balneum Regis – meaning ‘the bath of the king’, as the Lombard King Desiderious had his wounds treated by the hot springs of the area. Passing later to the Franks and then becoming part of the Papal states, Civita di Bagnoregio is also known for being the birthplace of Saint Bonaventure.
An earthquake in 1695 started the decline of Civita di Bagnoregio as many inhabitants began to leave after significant damage occurred. In the following decades and centuries the seismic activity, landslides and erosion saw the Civita di Bagnoregio virtually abandoned as more and more of the city was destroyed.
Today, Civita di Bagnoregio’s unique history, location and architecture has seen it become a tourist attraction and efforts have been made to try to preserve this historic location. However, Civita di Bagnoregio remains on the list of the 100 Most Endangered Sites.
Visitors to Civita di Bagnoregio can see a number of interesting sites as well as the exceptional architecture on display. The fascinating ‘Eutruscan Corridor’ is a Etruscan tunnel that completely crosses the town. Also worth a visit is the Cave Of Saint Bonaventure, the ancient olive-press and Saint Donato’s Church. There is a tourist information centre at the site which provides a good starting point for visitors.
The erosion caused over the centuries changed this once thriving settlement into an isolated citadel and Civita di Bagnoregio now has only a handful of residents.
Accessible only by a remarkable foot-bridge, visitors to Civita di Bagnoregio should head for Bagnoregio. Note that if you come by car, you will have to pay a fee to park it in the valley below the bridge. A bus will take you to the beginning of the bridge. You can as well get there by foot, but the road is uphill and quite steep.
For those driving, follow Highway A1 towards Rome and exit in Orvieto. After the toll both turn left and follow directions to Civita di Bagnoregio.
]]>Colonial Williamsburg is an extremely popular visitor experience, home to a series of museums and exhibits for both adults and children.
After the Jamestown statehouse burned down in 1698, the Virginia government decided to relocate the American colonial capital to Middle Plantation. The proposal was attractive, as the Jamestown Island location was a hotbed of mosquitoes and malaria and Middle Plantation was particularly fertile.
Middle Plantation was renamed Williamsburg by Governor Francis Nicholson who was a keen advocate of the change and in honour of William of Orange – then ruler of the Dutch Republic, England, Ireland and Scotland. For 81 years Williamsburg was the centre of government, education and culture in the Virginia colony. During the American Revolutionary War, the Governor Thomas Jefferson moved the government to Richmond to be more accessible from the west and British attack.
Williamsburg thereafter went into a period of decline in business as it was increasingly bypassed. The town was fortunate to escape much damage during the Civil War as it was garrisoned by Union soldiers, and following the conflict people relied on the college, Courthouse and Eastern State Hospital for jobs. The colonial-era buildings were modified, protected and neglected.
The College of William and Mary started a fundraising drive int he 1920s, adopting a proposal by ecclesiastical architect, J. Stewart Barney, to save the historic houses and revive the grounds – Colonial style. The project to restore Williamsburg gained support from the wealthy Rockefeller family, offering those living in the historical homes free life tenancies in exchange for ownership. Many of the buildings post-dating 1790 were demolished and local businesses were forced out for the site to be restored.
Today, literally walk back in time from the visitor’s centre to the colonial-style town along the timeline-bridge counting back from present day to the town’s founding. You can walk among the 500 houses that were revived, free of charge at any time, talking with local historical re-enactors who explain and demonstrate aspects of daily life during the colonial era.
For those wanting to enter museums and crafts demonstrations during the day, you will need to purchase entrance. Colonial Williamsburg is also home to the one of the oldest Anglican parish churches in the United States, Bruton Parish Church, that holds regular episcopal services.
For those driving, Colonial Williamsburg is located just off route 60, and is a 50 minute drive from central Richmond where you can rent cars. There is a large free car park at the visitor’s centre, from which you must walk to the town. The town is also along the Colonial Parkway that links Jamestown, Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Transportation Centre also serves the Northeast Regional train line.
]]>Perched on a hilltop known as Puig de Vila, Dalt Vila offers impressive views of the harbour and the neighbouring island of Formentera.
Dalt Vila, originally known as Ibosim, was first populated in the Phoenician era in 654 BC. Its elevated location led to its new name of Dalt Vila, meaning ‘High Town’, and over the centuries, the town was occupied by various civilizations, including the Romans.
Walls were first constructed around the town in the 5th century to defend it against pirate attacks. These underwent several modifications and were reinforced in the 16th century under King Philip II. The new heptagon-shaped Renaissance-era wall, equipped with cannons, took 40 years to build and played a crucial role in safeguarding the city from pirate and Ottoman invasions.
Restored in the 20th century, the walls of Dalt Vila now stand 25 metres high, and are up to 5 metres thick. The town’s historical significance and cultural heritage led to its designation as a UNESCO heritage site in 1999.
Today Dalt Vila seamlessly blends old and new, with a mix of quaint spots scattered with pretty restaurants, cafes, boutiques and shops. Much of the architecture and layout of the area has remained untouched since the town’s construction, and blue information plaques provide historical insights at key sites.
Dalt Vila has 4 entrances, the most impressive (and dramatic) of which is the Portal de ses Taules, where visitors walk up a stone slope across a drawbridge and through a large arched gate flanked by two Roman statues, leading to the Plaza de Vila – the main square. Roads from all directions lead to the 13th century Cathedral, which also offers spectacular Mediterranean views. Adjacent is the Castell d’Eivissa, an imposing medieval hilltop castle with high ramparts.
The cathedral is free to enter, and also houses the Museu Diocesa which is well worth a visit. Opposite is the Madina Yabisa Interpretive Centre charting the city’s Arab history and containing a section of the original defensive walls. The Archaeological Museum is also situated in the same square, and houses a small collection of prehistoric and Phoenician artefacts. For something more modern, visitors can head to the Museum of Contemporary Art, just past Portal Nou, the town’s second entrance.
Whilst the Dalt Vila is full of history, it’s also worth walking around simply for its stunning views out over the port, the sea and inland over Ibiza town. The Placa D’Espanya’s steep tunnel takes visitors through and outside the walls – an exhibition of which can be found at the Baluard de Sant Pere.
Walking the entire way around the city ramparts takes less than an hour, but it’s also worth wandering through the towns steep maze of white streets, narrow passageways and residential cobblestoned UNESCO-listed streets with their picture-postcard houses. In early May, a medieval festival adds to the town’s allure.
Dalt Vila also hosts significant events including the grand finale of the International Music Summit, which takes place on the battlements of Santa Lucía in early summer and features an open-air concert with some top names in techno, pop and electronic music. Additionally, the Bastion of Sant Pere ramparts serve as a scenic location for a fantastic open-air cinema, Cinema Paradiso.
Dalt Vila is easily accessed from Ibiza town and is free to enter. The best way to explore is on foot, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes to tackle its steep maze of cobbled streets, alleyways and paths. There are 3 official sightseeing loops, and 2-hour guided tours run daily throughout the Old Town.
]]>District Six, as it became known, was long one of Cape Town’s poorer districts – its first inhabitants were newly freed slaves. At its peak, District Six housed around 1/10th of the city’s population.
Following the Group Areas Act of 1950, District Six was declared a white area in 1960 and the government forcibly removed around 30,000 of its inhabitants to make way for white settlements and bulldozed many of the existing buildings, including large areas of slums.
The government declared District Six was a crime-ridden slum full of dens of vice, only fit for clearance. Many believed this was a convenient cover story and that in fact, their desire to demolish District Six was because it was a prime piece of land, nestled between the city centre, Table Mountain and Cape Town’s harbour.
Despite grand plans for District Six, almost none of them came to fruition: the government’s rebuilding schemes were viewed as too excessive, and inability to raise funds combined with repeated stalling.
Some attempts were made to build residential areas in its place, most of the area which made up District Six is now empty, standing as a stark reminder of the savagery of apartheid with only grass fields marking its original place. In the 1980s, the Hands Off District Six came into being, lobbying the government to halt investment and redevelopment. Over time, they helped many displaced residents reclaim their land.
The District Six Museum was established in 1994, and aims not just to highlight the injustice and savagery of the apartheid regime, but also to document and remember the vibrant cultural melting pot that District Six was prior to the clearances. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area, as the museum stands testament to this politically and historically important area of Cape Town.
District Six also has plenty of cultural institutions including the Fugard Theatre and Cape Craft and Design Institute.
Cape Town is a city which primarily favours cars – Ubers, cars or MyCiti buses are the best way of getting around, and getting to District Six. The suburb lies under Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and is a 5 minute walk from the Castle of Good Hope and Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum.
]]>Pronounced ‘essa-weera’, the Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira is full of narrow alleys and the pungent smell of spices, thuya wood and sea air tells you that you are in an ancient north African town.
Essaouira, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, was established by Hanno the Navigator, a Carthaginian explorer in the 5th century BC and over the next two thousand years it was a port, a centre of the manufacture of purple dye (which coloured the purple stripe in Imperial Roman Senatorial dress) and a garrison town but the Essaouira you see today is largely thanks to Mohammed III who built the fortifications and walled the beautiful town in.
The Portuguese seized swathes of Moroccan coast in the early 16th century, building forts along them, but these did not last long. Other European powers tried and failed to establish bases in Essaouira – both because of its strategic location, but also because of the large numbers of pirates who took shelter in the port. In the 20th century, Essaouira became part of the French protectorate of Morocco.
The influences of Portuguese, French, Berber, Dutch, Jewish and Muslim cultures are evident as you make your way around the town and at one stage the population was evenly split 50/50 between Jews and Muslims. The city is also located on the crossroads between two tribes (the Haha Berbers and the Arab Chiadma), adding to the rich cultural mix of the city.
Around the harbour, the fishermen and artisan woodworkers are doing the same as their predecessors and the art scene is as vibrant as it has always been but if you’re a Game of Thrones devotee, Essaouira is and will always be Astapor, home of the Unsullied and the southernmost of the three city-states of Slaver’s Bay.
Because of the ‘vents alizés’ – the trade winds that sweep inland off the Atlantic, it’s known as the ‘Wind City of Africa’ and is a favourite spot for hardcore windsurfers rather than sun-seekers. The city has a temperate climate, and is popular with tourists all year round. The port, medina and fish markets are some of the highlights to visit – look out for fresh fish being cooked on the streets, which is Essaouira’s speciality.
Essaouira is on the west coast of Morocco, about 3 hours drive west of Marrakech. Flights operate seasonally from an assortment of European airports including London Stansted, Paris Orly, Brussels, Bordeaux and Toulouse directly to Essaouira.
]]>The ironworks of Fiskars Village were established in 1649, after Queen Christina of Sweden granted Dutch businessman Peter Thorwöste the privilege of manufacturing cast iron and forged products, except for cannons. At the time, the region of Finland was renowned for the production of iron.
The eighteenth century was hard on Fiskars. Years of famine and being plundered and wrecked in 1713 after ten years of Russian occupation – a period known as the Great Wrath – meant that Fiskars’ future was uncertain. By 1740, some 115 people lived in Fiskars village.
Fiskars Village thrived again and went on to flourish during the 19th century under Johan von Julin. During this time, Fiskars was advanced in terms of agriculture, medicine and education, having its own doctor as early as 1860, a hospital from 1892, and a school (now the oldest part of the Clock Tower building) from 1826.
As demand for iron production reduced into the twentieth century, Fiskars diversified its manufacturing portfolio.
Later, under the slogan ‘A Living Ironworks Village’, Fiskars transformed itself into a space for artisan craft making, and by 1993, professionals from more than 20 fields of arts had moved to the village as part of the joint exhibition.
Today, Fiskars still operates as an international corporation creating consumer items, but is also one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing in some 25,000 visitors per year.
Fiskars Village is considered to be a cultural hub and visitors can also tour its ironworks museum which tells the story of how the village developed.
It is a totally unique experience, featuring unique outdoor, design, and culinary treats, and is dotted with top quality hotels, restaurants, and boutiques.
Many are attracted to the village because it is home to some of the best bike trails in the country, as well as the work of leading Nordic designers as part of many events which the site runs all year round.
There are around 600 residents who live at Fiskars. For those who really enjoy the Fiskars experience, houses and plots of land are available to buy or rent.
From Helsinki, Fiskars Village is an hour to an hour and a half drive, via Route 51 and E18. There is also a regular connecting bus schedule which takes around an hour and a half from Helsinki to the village.
]]>