Saint Water

2022 By justmovingaround in Sacred Grounds, Sightseeing Tags: Catholic, crosses, hill, Podlasie, Poland, religious practice, worship, Święta Woda

Last Saturday we were visiting the North Eastern Polish region of Podlasie. It is a beautiful spot with almost no modern industry. Just forests, water, small towns and villages. Throughout our journey, I was sitting behind the wheel. The drive was a pleasure. Good roads and beautiful green landscapes.

On the way, we visited some more or less interesting places stopping for an hour or two. This region of Poland used to be a multicultural pot through the ages, with three religious communities coexisting: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish. On our way, besides beautiful green spots, we looked at one or the other site of a religious nature. One of those places was Saint Water, a sanctuary with a water dwell of presumably healing power. To be frank, I had never heard of this place before. But, as we were to decide where to go and where to stop for short sightseeing on foot, my fellows told me of ‘a hill with crosses’. But as we arrived and I took a look onto the hill, it exceeded by far my expectations. The ‘hill with crosses’ turned out to be a sanctuary where people could place a cross for gratitude, offer or prayer intention. It was nothing unusual. On my journeys, I saw a couple of places like that. One covered on this blog was far away in Japan. The idea was the same, only different confessions and different offerings. In Catholic Poland, it is crosses. In Shinto & Buddhist Japan, these were torii >>>.

However, what was astonishing for me was that it was not some idea by one or another fellow to offer a cross that launched the offerings. Saint Water was organised from scratch in 1997 and seemingly well planned in recent years by an outdoor greenery architect. On the premises, you can even find some small Bonsai cut trees. This place has nothing similar to surrounding it forests, where kings came for hunting in old times. I guess after the long suppression by Tsar Russia and long years of Soviet Communism in Poland that ended in 1990, somebody wanted to create a place of pilgrimage in this region. I barely think it is a place truly worth sightseeing. But from a chronicler’s duty, below some pictures of the hill and the sanctuary.

To PODLASIE photo gallery

To POLAND main site

To SACRED GROUNDS main site

The Eiffel Tower. Key Facts in Short

2020 By justmovingaround in History, Sightseeing Tags: Eiffel Tour, Eiffel Tower, France, Gustave Eiffel, Paris

It’s almost impossible to think of Paris without picturing the Eiffel Tower. Whether admired from afar or visited up close, this iron landmark remains one of the most recognisable symbols in the world. Below is a brief collection of key facts to keep in mind — especially if you’re planning to see it for the first time — along with a short note on the man behind it: Gustave Eiffel.

One of the most important symbols in Europe. I would even say it’s the most famous one. The Eiffel Tower is visited by 7 million people every year.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Gustave Eiffel, an expert in metal construction, designed and oversaw the project, and the tower was named after him.

Although initially intended to stand for only twenty years, we are soon approaching its 130th birthday. The construction of the Eiffel Tower took a total of 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

Eiffel Tower – Key facts | Tour Eiffel – Infos clés | Eiffelturm – Wissenswertes | Torre Eiffel – Lo esencial que debes saber | Torre Eiffel – Cosa sapere | Wieża Eiffla – Co warto wiedzieć | Эйфелева башня – Что важно знать | 埃菲尔铁塔 – 你需要知道的要点 | エッフェル塔 – 知っておきたいこと | 에펠탑 – 알아두면 좋은 정보

THE LAYOUT

The Eiffel Tower stands at a height of 324 meters and features three floors that offer breathtaking views. The highest floor, located near the top, is situated at 276 meters. From the third floor, visitors can capture panoramic shots of the surrounding scenery. This floor consists of two levels: a fully sheltered lower level and an upper level that is open but secured with a net. The first floor of the Eiffel Tower is expansive in size and offers various attractions. During the winter season, an ice skating rink is constructed at one of its corners, adding a delightful activity for visitors to enjoy. The second floor, positioned at a height of 115 meters, provides an excellent vantage point for capturing photos of the intricate metal structures of the tower. It offers the opportunity to explore at least two levels, allowing visitors to freely move around and explore the area.

You can use elevators to reach all floors, but you need to decide where you want to go before getting a ticket. You can skip the first floor and take an elevator directly to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Once you’re on the second floor, you can either end your visit or take another elevator to the top level. When coming down from the top level, you must use the elevator. However, on the second floor, you can choose to take the elevator or use the stairs to go back to the ground level. During my last visit to the Eiffel Tower, I chose to take the stairs from the second floor to the ground. It was a bit of a workout to go down more than 100 meters, but it was worth it because you can see the metal structure up close.

EIFFEL TOWER INTERIOR IN PICTURES

Gustave Eiffel's Masterpiece * Eiffel Tower | ギュスターヴ・エッフェルの傑作 * エッフェル塔 | 居斯塔夫·埃菲尔的杰作 * 埃菲尔铁塔 | 귀스타브 에펠의 걸작 * 에펠탑

THE CONSTRUCTION

The tower’s framework is composed of iron, which was a revolutionary material in the late 19th century. Around 18,000 individual iron pieces and over 2.5 million rivets were used to assemble the tower. Gustave Eiffel and his team paid careful attention to wind resistance during the tower’s design and construction. The open lattice structure and strategic placement of supports contribute to the tower’s stability in windy conditions. The Eiffel Tower features a unique arch design, which provides both strength and aesthetic appeal. The arches intersect at the tower’s second level, creating a visually captivating pattern. The tower originally had hydraulic elevators that were later replaced with electric elevators. These elevators, equipped with modern safety features, efficiently transport visitors to different levels of the tower. Diagonal bracing elements were incorporated into the tower’s design to enhance its structural integrity. These elements help distribute loads and reinforce the tower against external forces. The Eiffel Tower’s foundation consists of concrete footings, deep underground, to provide stability and support for the towering structure. The foundation was carefully engineered to withstand the immense weight of the tower. The weight of the Eiffel Tower is approximately 7,300 metric tons.

ABOUT GUSTAVE EIFFEL

Gustave Eiffel is recognized as the architect and chief engineer behind the renowned Eiffel Tower. He was 55 years old when construction began on the Eiffel Tower in 1887. By the time Gustave Eiffel worked on the Eiffel Tower, he was already an established chief engineer and had his own design and construction company. Eiffel founded Gustave Eiffel & Cie in 1866, his own engineering firm, which specialized in metal construction. He had been involved in prominent projects, including designing railway bridges and the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty. His engineering firm was responsible for the design and construction of the Eiffel Tower, though the tower itself was initially conceived by two of his employees, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, with Eiffel lending his full support and expertise to the project. During my travels, I came across his name also in Porto, Portugal, as he designed or co-designed two do the bridges spanning the Douro River.

Gustave Eiffel, born Alexandre Gustave Eiffel in 1832 in Dijon, France, was a renowned engineer and architect. There was no engineering tradition in his family; however, his mother ran a successful business, which allowed him to attend prestigious schools, including the Lycée Royal in Dijon and later the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris, where he initially studied chemistry but eventually shifted his focus to engineering.

Eiffel specialized in metal construction, showcasing his talent and innovation in structural engineering. While the Eiffel Tower remains his most celebrated achievement, Gustave Eiffel’s influence extended far beyond it. His engineering brilliance and forward-thinking approach led him to undertake various noteworthy projects around the world. He left his mark on several other remarkable structures like the Statue of Liberty’s interior iron framework, the Garabit Viaduct in France, and the Porto Bridge in Portugal. These structures showcase his expertise in metal construction and innovative use of iron, blending engineering excellence with aesthetic appeal.

Gustave Eiffel | ギュスターヴ・エッフェル | 居斯塔夫·埃菲尔 | 귀스타브 에펠

These projects, among many others, demonstrated Eiffel’s ability to push the boundaries of structural engineering and his penchant for combining functionality with artistic beauty. His meticulous attention to detail, understanding of wind resistance, and innovative use of iron revolutionized the field of construction. Beyond his architectural feats, Eiffel’s later career saw him establish the Société des Établissements Eiffel, a company focused on constructing bridges, railway stations, and other impressive metal structures around the world. His expertise and reputation allowed him to leave a lasting impact on the field of engineering, inspiring future generations of architects and engineers.

After Gustave Eiffel’s involvement in the construction of the Eiffel Tower and other significant projects, Société des Établissements Eiffel faced a major challenge in 1892. Eiffel became embroiled in a scandal related to the failed Panama Canal project, in which he had been contracted to design locks for the canal. The project faced financial difficulties and accusations of fraud, leading to legal investigations. Although Eiffel was initially convicted and sentenced to two years in prison and a fine, he was later fully exonerated by the French Supreme Court in 1893. However, the scandal had damaged his reputation, and it prompted Eiffel to step back from business. He retired from active management of his company around this time. Following his retirement, Société des Établissements Eiffel continued to operate under different leadership. The firm diversified and became involved in other engineering projects, but its activities were no longer tied to Eiffel himself. Over the years, the company underwent several transformations and mergers. Eventually, it became part of larger engineering groups.

The Eiffel Tower might be one of the most visited landmarks in the world, but it still offers something unique — whether it’s the view, the engineering, or simply the experience of standing beneath it. Even if you decide not to go up, seeing it from the ground is worth the stop.

To my FRANCE main site

Medieval life reconstructed at the Stirling Castle

2020 By justmovingaround in Sightseeing Tags: Braveheart, castle, Medieval, Scotland, Scottish history, Stirling

Stirling Castle was a seat of Scottish kings (see map). It was built originally in the XIIth century. Throughout the turbulent Scottish Wars of Independence, Stirling Castle played a critical role, frequently changing hands between the Scots and the English.

The Scottish Wars of Independence, spanning from 1296 to 1357, were pivotal in shaping Scotland’s national identity. Initiated by English King Edward I’s attempt to annex Scotland, these wars comprised two major phases. The First War (1296-1328) saw iconic figures like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce emerge. Wallace’s victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 became a symbol of resistance, but it was Robert the Bruce’s triumph at Bannockburn in 1314 that was decisive. The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, asserting Scotland’s sovereignty, further solidified this period’s significance. The Second War (1332-1357) involved less direct combat but was marked by political intrigue and smaller skirmishes. These conflicts ended with the Treaty of Berwick in 1357, affirming Scotland’s independence. The wars left a lasting legacy of Scottish resilience and the enduring pursuit of self-governance.

The story of William Wallace wa told in the film “Braveheart”, where Wallace was portrayed by Mel Gibson. However, the film takes creative liberties with historical facts. Despite the film’s portrayal, in historical records, it is Robert the Bruce, not William Wallace, who is referred to as “Braveheart”.

William Wallace Monument, view from the Stirling Castle

The William Wallace monument seen from over the walls of the Stirling Castle

The castle as we can admire it today was constructed in XVth, XVIth, XVIIth and early XVIIIth century by successful additions of new premises inside and outside the castle defensive walls. It was mostly in times as it served as the Scottish royal residence.

Later on, the Stirling castle served as an army barrack and a military depot. From the mid-XXth century, much effort had been given to restore the interiors so that they can provide at least a grasp of medieval life. The restored chambers have been opened since 2011.

The internal yard of the Stirling Castle

I must say I enjoyed the sightseeing in Stirling Castle very much. Usually, when visiting castles, you are let in, and go along a predefined route, with no return possibilities. Stirling is organized more openly. You can enjoy it outdoors as well as indoors, freely moving around. Of course, in royal chambers, you follow a defined route entering by one door and leaving by another. By you can return to previous chambers if you want to. It is also possible to make the route once again as the order, in which you visit the castle premises is up to you.

The Stirling castle exteriors

Of the interiors, you can visit the royal lodgings. The chambers are restored, but only a few of them contain furniture so that you can see how it was in the past. Besides the furniture, you can admire hand-woven tapestries. This is not the originals. Still, they had been reconstructed recently to recapture the atmosphere of the Scottish royal court.

During our visit, there were at least three guides inside, each working in another chamber, wearing dedicated clothing and patiently answering questions asked by visitors.

The royal lodgings

The part of the building, where the royal lodgings are located, was turned into a small museum showing not only the history of the castle but also giving insights into the history of Scotland.

A part of the castle I found interesting was the kitchen, fully equipped, with wax figures and food replicas. We arrived at the Stirling castle in the very morning to enter among the first groups on the opening. I left my fellows and somehow found my way to the kitchens. I had around twenty minutes being alone there, so making clean photos was quite easy. Later in royal chambers, taking clean photos turned out to be difficult as the chambers were full of visitors.