There are probably more of them, but I lost count. Below 43 notes on the European history, written in the time span of several years to understand the stories behind when travelling Europe. There is no specific key, just notes written on a spur of the moment. Enjoy!
Finland’s relations with Russia shortly explained
Initially, as a Russian Grand Duchy, Finland enjoyed autonomy, maintaining peaceful relations. Post-independence, the dynamic shifted, influenced by wars and the need for careful diplomatic navigation
Damnatio memoriae. A few words on the Emperor Domitian
After Emperor Domitian was killed in 96 AD, the Roman Senate tried to erase his memory due to his tyrannic rule.
Manueline and the Templars
A short note on the Role of the Order of Christ, the Portuguese descent of the Templars and their role in Portuguese Age of Discoveries.
The Rise and Fall of the Teutonic Knights
Last year, I went to the Malbork Castle which has been a part of historical events in the southern and eastern Baltic regions during medieval times. Learning about its founders – the Teutonic Knights – is important for understanding the history of this region.
The Ishtar Gate of Babylon
The Ishtar Gate was a main entrance to Babylon. It was dedicated to the goddess Ishtar, who was the patron deity of love, fertility, and war. The gate was rediscovered in the early 20th century by a group of German archaeologists led by Robert Koldewey. Now we can see its parts in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
A couple who came from England
During our two-week stay in New Zealand, we once visited a town that seemed totally deserted. In high season it was popular with surfers. But with a heavy storm on approach, there was not a soul around us. It was like we would have reached the end of the world. The name of the town was Collingwood.
On vandals and revolutionaries
Two thousand years ago, a tribe called Vandals originating somewhere in Scandinavia looted or destroyed some of the heritage of ancient Rome. Today the historians are no longer convinced of the latter. But in the international vocabulary, a vandal is someone who destroys or damages things of value.
Written in the Norman city of Rouen
As Normandy is located in the traditionally French territory, we associate it with French, or Franks. But who were the Normans according to historical facts? There is probably no better place in Europe to answer this question than Rouen in the past – the birthplace of the Norman traditions and culture.
notes on the European history
Masters and mentors
Raphael’s Rooms is a series of rooms in the Vatican Palace richly decorated by Raphael. A part of this masterpiece unlike many others, is of civic nature. It is called the School of Athens.
Beginnings of Christendom in Central Europe
A note on the origins of Christendom in Moravia and Bohemia (present-day Czechia) inspired by the historical figures that can be seen on the facade of the Olomouc Cathedral – Sts. Wenceslas, Cyril, and Methodius.
Power plays of Pope Innocent III in Medieval Europe
In the Middle Ages, the Papacy wielded more political influence than today. Pope Innocent III stands out as one who aggressively exerted power over European rulers.
Christchurch. Bringing England there did not work fully …
Christchurch, founded in 1850 in New Zealand’s South Island, is a city with a rich English heritage. A short note after a visit in this remarkable city.
A devastating moment to see
In April 2019, a devastating fire engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing significant damage to its structure and roof. Restoration efforts began immediately to preserve this iconic Gothic landmark’s historical and cultural legacy.
The grave of Ceasar
At Caesar’s cremation site in the Roman Forum, the Temple of Divus Iulius was erected, honoring a comet linked to his death and believed to carry his soul. Its remains are viewed as his grave.
The unfinished … Cathedral of Beauvais
The construction of Gothic cathedrals proved to be an extensive and costly endeavor. The Cathedral of Beauvais serves as a prominent instance of a project that, for various reasons, remained unfinished.
Scottish history shortly explained
A note on Scotland’s history, steeped in battles for sovereignty, and influential innovations. From the ancient Picts and Scots, through the wars of independence, struggles between Catholics and Protestants, to the union with England in 1707 forming Great Britain and contemporary dispute about Brexit.
Hanseatic League
A note on the Hanseatic League was a medieval alliance of merchant guilds and their towns across Northern Europe, dominating trade along the coast from the 13th to the 17th century.
Liberty Leading the People
A short recollection of events in revolutionary France in order as they have occurred inspired by the famous painting by Lacroix.
The Crusader King
A note on Godfrey of Bouillon, whose monument stands in front of the Brussels royal palace, the key leader of the First Crusade. He became the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem after its capture in 1099.
Navigating time with precision
Pope Gregory XIII asked for changes to the calendar to make it match the solar year better. It used to be called the Julian Calendar, but the new one is named after him. This made the calendar year and the solar year align more accurately.
Bona Sforza
Born in Milan, Italy, she spent her formative years in Bari before ascending to become one of the most influential queens of Poland. Her journey from Italy to the royalty of Poland is about cultural transition and leadership.
Patria, in commemoration of 1830
The Pro Patria monument at Martyrs’ Square in Brussels commemorates the events of 1830. It features a female figure carved from Carrara marble in 1838 by Guillaume Geefs. The sculpture represents Belgium standing on the chains of oppression after years under foreign rule.
Cook missed it twice
A short note on Captain Cook who despite his experience missed the concealed entry to Milford Sound, a fjord leading to New Zealand’s South Island’s southwestern coast.
Le Roi Soleil
Louis XIV, known as the Roi Soleil, reigned over France from 1643 to 1715, marking the height of French absolute monarchy. His reign is famed for the cultural flourishing of France, the expansion of royal power, and the construction of the opulent Palace of Versailles, symbolizing his absolute rule.
The Old Port in Gdansk
The Old Port in Gdansk, a favorite for leisurely walks and photography, is not just scenic but historically significant, having been a maritime trade hub since the Middle Ages.
notes on the European history
The Berlin Quadriga
Brandenburg Gate, a central Berlin landmark, symbolizes German history. Its crowning feature, the Quadriga, showcases Nike guiding a four-horse chariot, epitomizing victory.
An elected king, a great battle and a fall of once a mighty kingdom
Among Vatican Museum photos, a striking painting captures King John III Sobieski of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth heroically leading the Battle of Vienna, a pivotal moment halting the Ottoman Empire’s European invasion in the late Middle Ages
Copernicus
Copernicus, a pioneering Polish astronomer, changed our view of the cosmos with his work ‘De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium’, arguing for Earth’s solar orbit and igniting the scientific revolution
A short note on the Battle of Grunwald
When traveling in East Northern Poland and the Baltic states, in historical context, we hear of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Teutonic Order. The Battle of Grunwald was one of the biggest battles in this part of Europe in Medieval times. It marked the beginning of the fall of the Teutonic Knights.
notes on the European history
Trajan
Emperor Trajan is celebrated as one of Rome’s greatest emperors. Under his leadership, the Roman Empire reached its maximum territorial extent, following successful conquests in Dacia and the East. Trajan’s reign is noted for significant building projects and welfare policies, including the famous Trajan’s Market.
Pius XII. Pope of the Warfare Time and Harsh Politics
A note on Pius XII, the Pontiff whose papacy fell onto the times of the appearance of Fascism in Europe and the times of WWII.
A short note on the Roman Empire
A short recollection of historical facts on the Roman Empire with photos of Roman ruins still preserved in Rome.
The Roman Empire, at its zenith, was one of history’s most powerful civilizations, spanning three continents from 27 BC to 476 AD. It was renowned for its advances in law, architecture, and governance, fostering a period of cultural and scientific achievement known as the Pax Romana. The empire’s legacy profoundly influenced Western civilization.
notes on the European history
A short note on slavery in Middle Age Europe
When listening to the beautiful Gladiator theme by Hans Zimmer on the radio, I thought of the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza twin monuments, one in Madrid and the other in Brussels. Although it may seem unrelated at first, there is a connection between these pictures and the Gladiator theme.
Ich bin ein Berliner
“Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berlin citizen) were the famous words spoken 1963 by the American president John F Kennedy in West Berlin, with key importance to the modern European history. The gesture and the whole speech were considered a response to the erection of the Berlin Wall.
Vikings did not bother to settle there
The Vikings homeland was lower Scandinavia, the coastal Northern Norway on Lofoten and a small continental region under the Gulf Stream impact. Although much land was available in Scandinavia, the Vikings did not settle there. Their interest was in the South.
notes on the European history
Charlemagne, the King of Franks
Charlemagne, known as Charles the Great, was a linchpin in early medieval history, merging military prowess and political acumen to establish the Carolingian Empire. This empire, succeeding Rome’s influence in Western Europe, laid the groundwork for the Kingdom of France and today’s French Republic
Mulberry harbour
D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion on June 6, 1944, is synonymous with Normandy, France. Beyond the invasion, its success hinged on complex logistics, including the vital Mulberry harbours, one notably operated in Arromanches.
Giordano Bruno
A Rebel Thinker Ahead of His Time. Imprisoned and burned at the stake for his radical ideas, Bruno challenged traditional beliefs about the universe. A short note on his life.
A day to remember. August, the 1st, at 5 pm
The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army to liberate Warsaw from Nazi German occupation. Lasting 63 days, it ended tragically with massive casualties and the city’s near-total destruction by the Nazis. Each year on 1st August, Warsaw stops for a couple of minutes.
Hadrian
A short note on Emperor Hadrian and his relatives. Hadrian is known for consolidating the Roman Empire’s borders and extensive building projects, including Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, marking the empire’s northern limit. His reign emphasized cultural integration and architectural innovation, exemplified by the Pantheon’s redesign in Rome.
notes on the European history
More on revolutionary France: La Convention Nationale
The National Convention was the governing body of France from 1792 to 1795 during the French Revolution. It abolished the monarchy, established the First French Republic, and faced internal and external wars. The Convention’s radical phase led to the Reign of Terror.
The Republican Calendar. A curious way of showing disregard
The National Convention’s effort to break from tradition manifested in the Republican Calendar, aiming to redefine time and culture, signifying a deep desire for revolutionary change and secularization.
Roland
Roland, a legendary Frankish knight and Charlemagne’s nephew, is celebrated in medieval literature, notably the epic poem “The Song of Roland.” He heroically died at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778. For unknown reasons he is a patron of many European merchant cities.
The Benedictine rule
The tradition of dedicated and methodical labor within the Benedictine orders (and their descendants) originated in the 6th century AD. Benedict of Nursia authored a tome outlining the regulations for the residents of religious communities. He meticulously formulated these rules, organizing them into 72 book chapters.