KNOWN and UNKNOWN EUROPE the Students’ Voice

KNOWN AND UNKNOWN EUROPE The students’ voice

I love to travel and I am glad that I was a part of this great project. It was really amazing how just for 5 days we all got used to each other and became so close. It was pleasure to meet all those adorable people. I enjoyed every single moment and I won’t forget it ! Thanks to Comenius ! I miss you all ! I hope we will see again some day!

Irina Evstatiewa

I learnt a lots of countries cultures,histories. I love BULGARIA speaking english i learnt something from diffent languages. Now i want to know all of the european countries life styles,cultures. Thanks comenious i hope we will meet again.

Fatih Karakaş

Comenius Project.!! I think its legen.....dary! We had a week in Portugal. Now i can say this is the best weeks I lived We had the opportunity to develop our English and learned some words from other languages.I miss Portugal and i think my friends miss to.

i Özay BULGARIA Cultural HighlightsinSofiaRegion craftsmen (Bulgarians, Russians, Austrians, Germans, Italians, sound ofthelargest bell can beheard30kmaway. Artists and twelve bells of different size with a total weight of 23000kg. The accommodate a congregation of 5000. The church tower has can and m. sq. 3170 of area an occupies it high; m 50.52 wide, m 52 long, m 73.50 is Cathedral The Peninsula. Balkan the on Built in neo-Byzantine style, thetemple is without anequal 1912. the and church was completed in 1904 in work began building 1882, in laid foundation stonewas war (1877-1878).Its heroes in the Liberation people fortheRussian gratitude oftheBulgarian of expression magnificent church representsthe This memorial gold domed Patriarchal Cathedral. Nevsky St. Alexander Square with Alexander Nevsky Mostofthecity sightseeing walking tours start from the Bulgarian hospitality. wonderful landscape of the villages nearby and traditional is onlyastone’s throwawayfromthecapital, mineral springs, which mountain beautiful life, cultural rich architecture, finest experience – longandturbulent history, opportunity to admire the town its genuine charm. Sofia offers its visitors a remarkable gives day present the and past the between harmony fine The business andculturalcenter. city – from an old and historic town to a major administrative, but Does not Age” expresses the dynamic development of the goes backthousandsofyears. The mottoofthecapital “It Grows Turnovo, oneofthe oldest cities in Europe, has ahistorythat and Preslav Pliska, after Veliko capital Bulgaria’s fourth Sofia, (the areaaroundSofia)andSofiacity. district Sofia – regions two in divided is country.It the of part Sofia west the in situated Valley, is Bulgaria, in one biggest the P a S triarchl t . A lexander C a thedral N evsky .

S t . S ophia C hurch to havebeenbuilt after the invasionofHuns(5 believed is it one, existing now the is church fifth the Probably at the time of the Justinian the Great (6 centuries. The first had been erected as early as the 4 the as early as erected been had first The centuries. existed on thesame place (Serdica’s necropolis) throughout the The Crypt below the church houses a superb collection of traditions. stained glass windows embodies the spirit of the finest Orthodox Egyptian alabaster, Brazilian onyx, gold, Venetian mosaics and and chandeliers. The interior design made of Italian marble, Czechs) created uniquemasterpieces of icons,frescoes,murals National Library isthebiggestand richestinBulgaria. At The 1954. in completed and 1942 in began was building the of erection The rule. Ottoman from Liberation the after soon National Library“St.St. CyrilandMethodius”wasfounded of Freedom”washanged bythe Turks onFebruary19,1873. Vassil LevskiMonumentmarksthespotwhere of themostimportantlandmarkscity. Just behind Alexander NevskyCathedral tourists canseethree life ofthetown. At present St. Sophia once again plays an important role in the mosque wasabandonedandrestoredasachurchafter liberation. in 1858destructedthebuilding. After thesemisfortunesthe In 1818terrible earthquake destroyedtheminaret and asecond the church functioned as amosque(SiyaushPashaMosque). the church.During Turkish ruleminaretswereaddedand The fame of the basilica is sogreat that the city is named after are preserved. Serdica ancient of flourishing the of period the from mosaics Several smaller churches Balkan Peninsula. monuments inthe remarkable historical and oneofthe most of theBulgariancapital Cathedral, is thesymbol Nevsky St. Alexander standing infrontofthe St. SophiaChurch, sacred objects. books, goldvessels, miniatures, service old icons,frescoes, th c.). Very interesting “The Apostle th th century. c.)and

BULGARIA BULGARIA Vienna. The almost squareblockin Renaissance style with Ivanovich, Bulgarian who hadbeen living and workingin Konstantin architect the of plans on 1928, to 1884 from stages white building, listed asa cultural monument, was built in several beautiful This rule. Ottoman from liberation the after closely associatedwiththehistoryandfate ofthepeople The Square with: National Assembly Nevsky Cathedralisthe Within ashort walkingdistance developed the first Slavicalphabet(Glagolic)inthe9 first developed the Methodius. They and holy brothersSt.Cyril erected a monument to the the National Library was of in front garden flower the smallbutbeautiful portraits, records. In documents, maps, rare books, many archival from 11 manuscripts (theoldest valuable collection of million volumes including present it preservesseveral (scholar from9 Ohridski Kliment St. to monument a situated is building the of including old manuscripts and books.Inasmall garden infront one inthecountry, hasoneoftherichestlibraries in Bulgaria prestigious most the considered Sofia, of University icons. The decorated with stain-glasswindowsliketheBulgarian old of theuniversity. The entrance and theceremonial halls are who donated the landandconsiderable funds forthefounding seated statuesofthetwobrothers,HristoandEvlogi Georgiev, largethe are entrance main impressive the of sides both the On began before the Second World War but was completed in 1952. wings side two the of erection The 1934. to 1924 from period Breanson, Frencharchitect. Its central block wasbuiltinthe “St. Kliment Ohridski” was constructed after the design of The imposingBaroque-style buildingoftheUniversity of Sofia Slavic world. and usedinthewhole It was later transformed as the well-known Cyrillic alphabet National Assembly(Bulgarian Parliament) which is th century), th century),nowthepatronofUniversity. on therightofSt. Alexander th century. L N S evski a ofia tional

university monument L ibrar . N a tional A ssembly were painted in the style of the famous Novgorod icon school. with muralcompositions andgilded iconostasis. The frescoes with greenmajolica tiles. The interior is exquisitely decorated of the old Russian temple style. The roof ofthe church is covered domes (onehighsurrounded byfoursmaller) are characteristic on the project of architect Preobrazhenski. The five golden onion Church “St.Nicolai”, built in 1912-1914 by Russian workmen the to tourists lead will Boulevard Osvoboditel Tsar their liberators. welcoming Bulgarians and victories Russian depicting figures the pedestalaresituatedimpressivecompositions withmany of part upper the of sides four the On Liberation. of War the his righthand Tsar Alexander IIholdstheManifestodeclaring Zocchi. ItisconsideredoneoftheZocchi’smasterpieces. In m high. The sculptorwasthefamousFlorentinemaster Arnoldo statue of the Russian Emperor Alexander II on horseback is 4.5 liberators from Ottoman rule. It is 14 meters high and the bronze a symbolofthegratitudeBulgarianstoRussian on thesquareinfrontofNational Assembly buildingas Tsar Osvoboditel (Tsar Liberator) Monument issituated Sofia. In1911 itwasrenamedBulgarian Academy ofSciences. from Ottoman rule and the Bulgarian Literary Society moved to of the Society was elected Marin Drinov. Bulgaria was liberated president first The publicists. and writers Bulgarian prominent Academy. Foundermembers of the Literary Society were Romanian townBraila.Itwasthepredecessorofpresent In 1869wasfounded the Bulgarian Literary Society in the research institutes andcenters function as partsofthe Academy. country. Many the in institution scientific prestigious most the Academy of Sciences, Bulgarian it the of office Now accommodates the main 1892. in Sciences of Bulgarian Academy The building of the “Unity MakesStrength”. is National Assembly main entrance of the the façadeabove The famoussloganon elegant and harmonious. classical elements is very was constructed Russian

BULGARIA BULGARIA of paintings, graphics and sculptures by old and contemporary Alexander Battenberg. The Art Gallery possesses rich collection first the Bulgarian monarch,Knyaz for Palace a style andconverted into in Viennesereconstructed this oldbuildingwas After the Liberation Ethnographic Museum. Gallery houses theNationalArt former Royal Palace, which Square wherestandsthe Alexander Battenberg A few meters away is the windows. a systematic principle in 20 to according arranged are floor. They fourth the on placed are others and butterflies beetles, as such Insects bear. European interesting to see. It wore a gold medal for being the biggest The two-meter highbearfromRilastandingonitshindlegsis mammals. to dedicated is museum the of floor third entire The in Bulgaria as well as somerare species from all over the world. contemporary bird species all representativesofthe visitors can see almost Here floor. second the on are presented in5halls amphibians, fish and fossils of thecentral foyer. Birds, can beseenonbothsides An expositionofminerals floors. museum four the are placedin16hallson At present expositions on theBalkan Peninsula. natural history museums museum in Bulgaria and the oldest and richest among the oldest the is it old, year 120- than more Being church. Russian The NationalMuseumofNaturalHistoryisnexttothe sarcophagus ofBishopSerafim,buriedinthecrypt. Written wishesonpaperareplacedinboxbythemarble The church is named after St. Nicolai “The Miracle maker”. andtheNational and N N a tural a tional H R E istory ussian thnographic M

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buildings in Sofia – Buyuk Mosque, erected in the 15 the in erected Mosque, Buyuk – Sofia in buildings oldest the of one occupies It (1892). Bulgaria in one oldest the In closeproximity is the National Museumof Archaeology, mythical firebirdinbright colors. present the modern stage has animpressive curtain with huge lavishly decorated with more than 2000 Baroque ornaments. At inside. Marble stairs lead to the ornate main hall. The foyers are Goddess of Victory Nike. The theater is alsoveryimpressive of façade high m 40 the Along architecture. Neoclassical the Theater“Ivan Vazov” . Itwasbuilt in 1907andisamodel of one of the most beautiful and valuable buildings – the If yougothroughthe garden opposite the Palace, you will see Bulgarian house(19 of thedifferent regionsofBulgaria. The authentic design of old embroideries, jewelry, folk costumes with characteristic features th century)ispreserved. carpets, fabrics,textiles, variety of pottery, it displaysremarkable of theoldPalace. Today occupies theeasternwing Ethnographic Museum The National Nikolov, etc. TsankoLavrenov, Andrei Dimitrov-The Master, Pavlovich, Vladimir Dospevski, Nikolai Zahari Zograf, Stanislav Bulgarian artists– by sculptureofthe rise twotowers,topped On both sides of the façade culture. of temple remind us that this isa of Apollo andfourmuses antique shrines, arelief In thesamewayas mythological scenes. pediment, decorated with support alarge triangular with beautiful capital white marble columns this majestic building six th National century.

BULGARIA BULGARIA . It was built in the 14 the in built was It Samardzhiiska. a lookatcharming little Christianchurchcalled Nearby istheSt.NedelyaSquare wheretouristscanhave and itwasreopenedtothe visitors. of St.George hasnowbeenrestored almost to its original form Rotunda The 2m). (over size large very in depicted are church well preserved building in Sofia, dating back to the 4 the to back dating Sofia, in building preserved well Not farfromit is the one oftherichestinworld. St. Sophia Church. The numismatic collection (300 000 pcs) is from mosaic floor original the and Valchitrantreasure famous Preslav and Veliko Turnovo. The exhibits include the world capitals of Pliska, Veliki including theformer all partsofthecountry, treasures, coinsfrom and Bulgarian settlements, Thracian, Greek, Roman remains of Prehistoric, collection includes The richmuseum European architecture. characteristics of East incorporates manyofthe is asquarestructure and The pretty old mosque to the 10 the earliestdatingback have been discovered and Three layersoffrescoes decorated many times. of St.George were The wallsoftheRotunda into aChristiantemple. century) it was converted preserved and housesfrescoesfromthree different periods. The later (probablyinthe5 had acivilfunctionand building the Originally ancient town of Serdica. Hotel, amid remains of the back yard behind Sheraton It issmallbutcharmingroundredbrickchurchsituatedinthe th etr.Te anfcn mdavl uas inthe murals mediaeval magnificent The century. St. George Rotunda th

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m. displayarea. The monolithic structure wasbuilttomark Mountain. Itisamodernarchitectural center covering19 000sq. (referred to as NDK) faces the majestic silhouette of Vitosha The largest multifunctional complex in Southeastern Europe National PalaceofCulture. Vitosha Boulevard, which starts from the square leads to the of communistsinassassinationattempt Tsar BorisIII. – Yossif I. On April 16, 1925 the temple was blown up by group Exarch Bulgarian first the of grave the is it of part southern the preserves therelicsofSerbianKingSt.StefanMilutin. In The churchwasknownalsoasSvetiKral(HolyKing)sinceit The National Palace of Culture and the area around are the section of the Palace has animpressive fountain in themiddle. 4 Culture has 16halls with seating capacity ranging from 50 to as numerousdifferent cultural events. The National Palace of 000, equipped with modern technology. The large basement large technology.The modern with equipped 000, the 1 300 here inmediaeval times. A chapelhadexisted Roman townofSerdica. upon theremainsof in the period 1856-1863 This churchwasbuilt the otherattraction here. St. NedelyaChurch is of theSaddlers). Samardzhiiska (St. Petka was namedSt.Petka after thechurchandit Guild ofSaddlerslooked shows, festivalsaswell trade fairs, fashion hosts major conferences, Throughout theyearit offices, shops and restaurants. many houses movie screeningsand theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions, capital’s complex for It isthemostprominent of the Bulgarian State. (1981) oftheformation th anniversary

BULGARIA BULGARIA added to the small old church. The frescoes fromthe 13 was Kaloyan Sebastocrator by financed building, new a 1259 20 modern times (the early from prehistorytothe covers thewholeperiod remarkable exposition on the Balkans. The largest history museums Bulgaria and one of the History –the biggest in the Boyana Residence houses time. of Bulgarian life at that artist depicted the features and TsaritsaIrina. The as TsarConstantine-Assen (the local governor) andhisbeautiful wife Dessislavaaswell the walls are the portraits of the donors Sebastocrator Kaloyan Renaissance and the famous Giotto). Among the fine frescoes on humanistic tendency inthemediaeval art (earlierthantheItalian by anunknownbutexceptionally gifted artist,exhibit a new biblical scenes onthe walls ofthe church. The murals, painted in depicted are figures human realistic 240 About monument. are themostinteresting feature of theremarkable mediaeval bronze and silver jewelryfromthe Bronze Age, uniquegold three parts built in different ages (11 The temple consists of List. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in included significant historical treasure Church, notable for the this beautiful suburbis Now (Sofia). Sredets of around the mediaeval city one ofthedozenfortresses Mountain Vitoshawas Boyana atthefootof young peopleofSofia. favorite places ofthe th century). The museum possessespriceless exhibits like National Museum of Boyana th , 13 th and 19 th century). In th century N a B tional oy an of M H C hurch useum istory

U rvich (19 Revival Period and relics from the epic struggle for liberation manuscripts, beautiful creations oftheBulgarian National precious Roman and Byzantine objects of culture, mediaeval Thracian treasures from Panagyurishte and silver from Rogozen, The people damned the betrayer and she petrified. Today if a if Today petrified. she and betrayer the damned people The life, revealed the location ofthesecret entrance of Urvich. local woman, named Vedena in an attempt to saveherchild’s withstood thelastsiege for alongtime, until thedaywhena is surroundedfromthree sides bythe Iskar river, the fortress by thelocalhabitants Tsar Jasen. Thanks tothefact,thatit location were the last battles of Tsar Ivan Shishman, called of theSecondBulgarian Empire. A legend says that in this There aretwoversionsregardingtheoriginofname. 6 m.andpartsofthe walls ofthe inner courtchurch“St.Ilia”. Preserved todayarepartsofthe outside wall with aheight up to XIII centuryinthetime of theSecondBulgarian Empire. other remains) shows that the fortress wasbuilt during the gorge.The historical information (construction of thewalls, is themedievalfortressofUrvich,locatedinPancharevo visiting some other less known places in the region. One of them tourists can immerse in the city’s long and eventful past by Apart from the numerous churches, museums and monuments Bulgarian alphabetandearlyChristianartonsoil. rooms fromthatperiod. Visitors canseethedevelopment of the folk costumes,carpets,domestic items andtypically furnished collection of material from the National Revival, including often singly, sothey can be fully appreciated. There isa rich th century). Thracian gold treasures are spaciously displayed, played in thedefence is the role that Urvich “History”. Emphasized Paisii Hilendarski in his the fortress aregivenby about records first The meaning precipice). (an oldbulgarian word situation - from“urva” the name follows the that The otheronesays, the localboyar-Urvich. named afterthenameof first one, thefortresswas the to According

BULGARIA BULGARIA Another icon depicts the image of the monastery’s patron “Jesus Christ All-Powerful” dated back to the 15th century. really impressiveandinteresting icons. The oldestofthem is kept in thenewchurch. The Kremikovtsi Monastery boasts iconostasis dating back to the 17th century. All ofthem are bishop Kalevit,beautiful calligraphic scripts, andawooden having been ordered to be written by the Sofia’s metropolitan 1497, to back dated Gospel a are Monastery Kremikovtsi the in relics the of Some out. stand saints of figures the which Ages. Mostofthem are painted on adarkbackground, on churches’ art-painting from the period of Bulgarian Middle the oldchurcharecloselyconnected to thetraditions ofthe end of the 15th century and renovated two times. Frescoes in building there isthe church “St.Georgi” dated back tothe and many liturgical booksweretranscribed there. The oldest residents Sofia’s and cultural centre for was animportant literary Kremikovtsi Monastery the Slavery Ottoman the 15th century. During its existence fromthe is certain evidence for (1333-1371), but there the kingIvan Alexander built duringthereignof believed to havebeen of BalkanMountain,is situated on the outskirts Kremikovtsi Monastery, Athos inGreece. Mount of complex monastic famous the to it comparing Sofia, large fraternitygiventhenameofMinorMount was Athos of monastery “St. St. Kyril and Methodius” and many others. This Michael”, German Monastery“St.IvanRilski”, Gorna Banya monastery “St.Nikolay”,KokalyaneMonastery“St. Archangel are: Dragalevtsi Monastery”Virgin Maryof Vitosha”, Kladnitsa till nowadays, are huddled in the mountains around Sofia. These The maincultural and historical cloisters, mostofwhichexist Urvich isapartofthesocalled“Urvichfortresscomplex”. a kid. This rockstructureisnamed “Starchikov kamak”. see a rock shape, which looks like a figure of a woman hugging traveller looks towardstheleft bank of Vedena river, hewill

K remikovtsi G erman M M onastery onastery visitor ofthecapital. ensure an exciting and unforgettable experience for every cultural heritage of the city as well as the cultural routes could The resources. tourist of potential rich a enjoys region Sofia with thefortresssituatedinnearKaletoPeak. to thetimeofFirstBulgarianStateanditwasconnected far away fromthe monastery. It is believed that it dates back monastery.of theGerman The ruinsofanold churchwerediscoverednot north the to beseen can city), Sofia (today troops ofKhanKrumin809aftertheoccupation of Sredets which wasdestroyedbythe of anoldByzantinefortress, eminent brothers Nikola and Ivan Dospevski. The remnants frescoes, butit has valuable iconswhichwerepainted bythe rapidly turnedintoacultural centre. The shrinedoesnotboast their power. The shrinewasrestoredonecentury later andit under fell city Sofia when 1382 in conquerors Ottoman of was completely destroyedduringthetimeofinvasion Byzantine Emperor Alexius IKomnin. The holycloister the by presents sent was it flourished, monastery the when Soon afterwards,duringthetimeofByzantinedomination “Sofia’s cloisters). the in abundant is of region (Sofia’s Gora” part Sveta Little a respectively, and, centre spiritual of thekingPetur, themonasterywasturnedintoanimportant he found his solitude in the Rila Mountain. During the reign the venerableSt.IvanRilskilivedthereforawhilejustbefore established inthe10thcenturyandaccordingtolegend, German Monastery,whichliesintheLozenmountain,was century. from 1667andseveraliconsdatedbacktothe18th19th

BULGARIA BULGARIA separate branches. The two offer differing difficulty levels.The difficulty differingoffer two The branches. separate good conditions foriceclimbing. The waterfall freezes intwo Boyana waterfall is one of the few places in Bulgaria that offers tourism- tryclimbing up the Boyanawaterfall during thewinter. Vitosha Mountain. If you love extreme and alternative forms of district ofBoyana.Italsohappenstobethelargest waterfall of residential the from away kilometers five only flows waterfall Boyana Waterfall descending from a height of 15m.Boyana breathtaking the to you take Vitosha.will trail picturesque One offering coziness andcalm amidthealpinebeautyofMount too. Mountaintrailstakeyoutochalets and recreation homes special picnicMarkedtouristroutesoffer spots. rescueshelters for hikingtourism.Forthepurpose Vitosha isdottedwith Most ofthevisitors–80%orevenmore,cometomountain Brezi (White Birches) locality where the Owlet Museum stands. slopes ofMount Vitosha. Nature-loversoftenstopattheBelite attraction for touristsistheMuseumof Bear in thenorthern as a stunning diversity of insects and wild animals. Another More than100birdspeciesinhabit Mount Vitosha aswell than 300haofhigh-mountain turf landareunderprotection. eastern portionwhereanexpanseofspruceforestsandmore The biosphere reserve of BistrishkoBranishtefalls into its mountain belongs totheterritories of the Vitosha NaturePark. refreshing coolness of its crystal clear air. Almost 90% of the temperatures. In the summer people are keen to experience the sunny skiesandwarmer fog, while Vitosha offers deeply immersed in thick is Sofia occasions many city. traffic-fumed And indeed,on blanketed to goupabovethesmog- get on the lifts, impatient weather, touristsline to of the season and of the regardless weekends On lovers andyoungpeople. the favorite place of nature is Sofia from away km 15 Vitosha Mountain,just Itineraries fortheYoung V itosha M ount ain B K oy ominite an W

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the adrenaline rush. They maytakeparaglide lessonsorselect who wantto havealookattheregion fromaboveandsense and physical strength. Paragliding is another option for those experience more require routes Other routine. daily your and you a chance to escape for a short period of time from the office of the routes can be completed in two orthree hours, giving Bulgaria. Koumata cabin andskicenter Konyarnika aretwo in highest fourth the Vitosha Mount makes which m/, 290 /2 Cherni Vruh, orBlackpeak, Zlatnite Mostove can be usedasastarting point for theroute to stones. Another optionistryingtoclimbupthestoneriver. Tourists can haveapicnic orsunbatheonthelarge, smooth another version, the place had some gold deposits. given the name of Zlatni Mostove. According to Large stoneblocks,coveredbygoldlichens,have ‘flows’ at an altitude of 1500to1350m. at ‘flows’ Mostove. The stone river stone river-Zlatnite and headdowntothe cross the Vitosha plateau your walk from Aleko, at thesametimestart several Vitoshabeauties If youwanttoexplore professional iceclimbers. is suitable only for while the right branch left branch islesssteep and many tracks. Some offers diverseterrains attracts manybikers.It Sofia, to close situated The mountain of Vitosha, this. the perfect place to do with itsvertical rocksis (The Chimneys) locality eastern part. Kominite for rockclimbing in its Vitosha alsooffers walls will visit along the way. of the places that you

BULGARIA BULGARIA Dragalevtsi, whichareclose totheliftsleadingskiruns. villages of Simeonovoand the besthotelsarein with higher requirements holidaymakers. For people popularity with enjoys tremendous instructors, ski qualified as skisforrent and highly accommodation as well offering chalet Aleko, The biggest tourist the mountain near Aleko. reaching almostthetopof and Sofia of outskirts the of chairanddraglifts,aswellaGondolalift starting from All ski runshave the necessary facilities. There are a number There is also a trail for skirunning - Univerisada, 9600 m long. ski run being the easiest and the Vitoshko Lale the most difficult. green the - length and difficulty various offerswith runs ski six would besuitableforskiersandboardersofanylevel. Vitosha lovers ofwintersports. The skirunsof Vitosha arevarious and originated near the Aleko Chalet. It is the best opportunity for the the skiing season is 120 days. The first skiing center in Bulgaria of choiceforwintertourismduetothefact that theduration of Vitosha isoneofthecityemblemsandaveryattractive place take youinside. if youwanttovisit it, you need to get an experienced guide to in the cave. The cave has a wide variety of cave formations. Yet, found were species bat 6 including animals, cave of species 22 galleries, underground lakes, waterfalls and sinterformations. passes throughthecaveentrance.Duhlataisamazeoftunnels, name is associated with thesoundthat the windmakes while it right bank of the Struma river near the village of Bosnek..Its to Bulgaria’s longestreachingcave,Duhlata,located on the the least frequented. It bordersonMount Verila. It ishome The Southwesternpart of the mountain is the largest andyet possible. in suchaflightandrising7000metersabovethegroundisalso a flight with an instructor. A distance of 400 km can be covered

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P anchrevo L ake wishing the family prosperity. The houseowner invitesthem men dressed innational costumes visit thehouses,singingand ritual thatcanbeseenthere. Young, single orrecently married and dance,drivingaway evilspirits.Koledaruvaneisanother masks ofanimalsandbells attached to theirbelts,whowalk winter, theycan joinintheKukeri,costumedmenwooden in the town of Elin Pelin. If they happen to visit the region in They cantake partinsomeofthetypical festivals, held annually villages, preserving the unique spirit of the Shopluk region. Another option for youngpeople is to visit the picturesque small will lightenyourday. and nature to back you bring definately will Lake Pancharevo to visit a - short In fishermen. the watch and food Bulgarian You can just sit on the bridge above the lake, taste the delicious meat, homemade potatoes, fresh salads, fried fish and cold beer. offer cozyatmosphereandplentyofdelicious food -grilled areas with coffee shops and restaurants around the lake, which nature, away from the noise of the big city.There are several park Pancharevo touristscansimplywalkandenjoythebeautiful swimming pool attracts young people even in cold weather. In Nearby,are located. hotmineralsprings The outdoormineral skiing. water and surfing, swimming, - sports water and fishing sports andrecreation activities. It issuitable for sun-bathing, suburbs ofthecapital city, alsooffers plenty of opportunities for long and 1 km wide/, located just 12 km away from Sofia, in the fully have Locals Sofia. developed spatourism.Numeroushotelsoffer qualityprocedures from away kilometers few a only vacation, If youngstersdecide that theywanttogetspoiledduringthe Bankya is the place. It is a balneological resort situated Pancharevo Lake/5km spa treatmentpackage. good hotelsthatoffer full Bankya hassomevery from thehealing centers, year-round. Apart region attracts tourists tothe heals heart deseases and of Bankya spring, which mineral water, makinguse company produces vacation. Abottling necessary foragood and everything else

BULGARIA BULGARIA into apreferable destinationforspa, cultural andruraltourism. their closeness to the capital ofthe country, hasturned the region and practicing sportsand attractive cultural sights along with Breathtaking landscapes, wonderful opportunities for recreation stones makesthisplacevery attractive. watermill among flowers wonderful woods, nature, beautiful by theBulgarianfolklore troupes. The ideal combination of and togetintouchwiththeoldBulgariantraditions, presented pleasure to enjoytheperformance of authentic Bulgarian folklore During theirstayintherestaurant,foreigners will havethe jam, pancakeswithhoneyandwalnutsorbaklava. wrapped upwithacupofsteaming coffee servedwithsweet full reds. The meal is delicate white winesand to choose among the many hard it find probably will plates. Touristsceramic temptingly arranged on sprinkled with paprika are /, pastrami and fetacheese loukanka / flat dry sausage of savorythinlysliced mixed with thefragrance of oven-freshbreadrollsis meshana skara. The smell sheep’s cheese,kebab or feta cheesebakedinanearthenwaredishorpeppersstuffed with bean soup ortarator /cold yoghurt anddiced cucumber soup/, you withShopskasaladandchilled grape brandy, monastery Mountain, veryclosetoDragalevtsiMonastery.It willtempt restaurant of thepearls in contemporary Bulgarian tourism is the amusement typically Bulgarian itsfolk-style cosy, restaurants, with called “mehana”. One tourists attracts Region Sofia entertainment of region – kopanitsa. Apart from numerous landmarks and ways festivals end withjoining in the typical folk dance for the hair, singinganddancingastheygofromhometohome. All their in flowers of wreaths with costumes traditional colorful for younggirls known asLazarki. The maidens are dressed in days beforeEaster. This dayisa“coming of age”celebration most attractive festivals – Lazarovden, heldonSaturdayeight songs chased evil spirits. Spring is the season for one of the in andgivesthemwine,moneyfood.Peoplebelieved that “Vodenitsata”/ the Watermill /, nestingin Vitosha V odenitsa t a ITALY ITALY Puglie by theTavoliere delle from therestof region Daunian chain aredivided The Gargano andthe heritage. of therespect cultural andnatural for award an flag, orange the received have castle here which overlooks the Daunian Subappenines and the Frederick II, who built a also much endeared by Age. This townwas built duringthe Augustan where an amphiteatre was was aRoman colony town inthisarea,Lucera, plain in Italy. The main Pietramontecorvino, Sant’Agata di Puglia numbers amongthenicestlittletownsinItaly. since 1345, when a French colony settled in the town. also forthefactthatProvencalFrenchhasbeenspokenhere gastronomic specialities,suchasitshamandlard,but extinct townwherehedied.Faetoisknownnotonlyforits Apricena, Civitate,Ortanova where themostfamousofhissitesaresituated:Lucera, he builtthreeimposingimperialpalacesandforitsprovince, the developmentof the capital cityofthis area, Foggia, for important was 1250, to 1220 from Emperor Roman Holy The adventofFrederickII,kingSicilyandEmperorthe the nicestin Apulia. whose this areais Troia, famousforits RomanesqueCathedral in towns well-known most the of One life. of pace relaxing towns withtheirstonehouses,peoplecanenjoyaparticularly and luxuriant oakand beech woods. In its cosy medieval The Promontory the Tavoliere PlainandtheGargano Subapennine, Northern Apulia:theDaunian Daunia ischaracterizedbyafewmountains,rockyhills , rose-window isthesymboloftownandone the second largest and CastelFiorentino, the and Alberona Bovino where

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t 1000 etrs f aon, onan, oet, rugged forests, mountains, lagoons, of hectares 120,000 its stunning views. through roughenchanting villages from which youcan see The S.S.89coastroadunfoldsforabout100kmspassing views anddozensofbeautifulcovesis Benedictine and Cistercian monks. Another islandwithscenic Maria aMare,Romanesquechurchbuiltinthetypical styleof In the island of SanNicolatouristsshouldvisit the abbey ofS. the attracts tourists fromall over the world insummer. Northof The Gargano coastline, with its bays,caves,covesandcliffs forest juttingoutintothe Adriatic Sea. The Tavoliere Plain. Gargano Promontory there are Gargano Promontoryisaspurofruggedcliffs and dense two salt lakes: National Park , with hung. The are nets fishing which wooden buildingsfrom called you will notice the so- From out tothesea. and tortuousalleys, lean quaint housesandnarrow villages which, withtheir of itsmostfamous Mattinata arethe names Peschici Vieste Rodi Garganico, of theGargano. part oftheNationalPark marine reservewhichis to Apulia and boasta the Gargano, also belong set off the north-east of enchanting archipelago The of tastyfemaleeels. known forthe production is amaritime village the homonymouslake, Lesina Varano. San Domino. Tremiti Islands,an Vieste , ontheshoresof trabucchi, to Peschici Lesina and Gargano typical and

ITALY ITALY of St.MariaMaggiore, isanimportant Romanesque masterpiece. Its Cathedral, the Basilica Magna Greciainthepast. an important portofthe Manfredonia, whichwas at the Angevins. Stopover II’s sonandcompleted by by Manfredi,Frederick there is acastle started to foot of the promontory, Mattinata andthen, at the coast youwillgetto Sloping downalongthe ascetism. were builtinthe VI century by Turkish monksdedicated to hermitages 23 area secluded this In Santa MariadiPulsano. of About 10kmsfromMonteSant’Angelostandstheabbey who hasmadealotofmiraclesforthesick. seek theprotectionofPadrePio,asaint by alotofpeoplewho 2 -themonasteryofSanGiovanniRotondo,whichisvisited Norman castle; also boasts anoutstanding style architecture andit examples ofLombard- thanks to its remarkable the Unesco World Heritage recently beenincludedin to thissaint. The townhas Western Europededicated which istheoldestshrinein church of Saint-Michael, where there is thecave- 1 -MonteSant’Angelo, Monte Gargano isthesiteoftwoimportant religious sanctuaries a naturalreservewhosefloraandfaunaarevariedunique. of the Gargano National Park, the so-called reserve too), is one of the most beautiful areas in Italy. The heart or sandybeaches (which include the Tremiti Islands’ marine Siponto, Manfredonia, where a hamlet of Foresta Umbra, is :

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ITALY ITALY Scesciola its historic centre, called through theoldestpart of balcony, andhaveawalk has been called Apulia’s Minervino Murge, Enjoy scenic viewsfrom capture Antioch. to helped who crusade, first one oftheheroes the Mausoleum of Bohemond, of right Cathedral stands the the On burial places. Dauni andbyRomansas Christian church)andtheHypogeaLagrasta, used bothbythe Apulia, oneshouldnotmisstheBasilica of S.Leucio (an early archaeological centre in the most important In Canosa, octagonal.. interior courtyard is also octagonal towers and its up itsshape,eightare eight: eight sides make castle basedonthenumber del Monte,themysterious Heritage siteofCastel reach the Unesco World towns onecaneasily their strength. Fromthese who wanted to show dolmen, which according to the legend, was created by giants In thesurroundingsofCoratothereisChiancadeiPaladini Comfits, setinabeautifulLiberty-stylebuilding. should visittheoldtown,DucalPalace and aMuseumof In Andria, oneofthecapitals of theBAT province, tourists hawks, theendangeredotterandothersliveinthisarea. kind. Rareanimalssuchasfoxes,crows,hares,owls,larks, can goinsearchoftheso-calledcardoncelli can see rare species of birdsand,inautumn, mushroom searchers Here flower lovers can see wonderful wild orchids, birdwatchers cultivated areasandwoodsofoaks. , characterized by a labyrinth of narrowlanes, slopes which is which , atastymushroom oct agonl C astle

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of P uglia G argnone C a - thedral of awholehuman skeleton ofthePalaeolithic Age were found. one can find the In Altamura, whose breadisamongthemostrenownedinItaly, Heading westwardsyou will reach grottoes, dolinasandsteep gorges called The karstic land of the Murge is the birthplace of canyons, on thesamelinesasSt.Nicholas’ BasilicainBari. outstanding example of Romanesque cathedral which was built The historiccentreofthistownisembellished with an town bythegoddessMinerva. from thetreethat,according tothelegend,was given tothis Bitonto of themythicaldaemonguardianCrete. particular the Talos Vase, an Attic crater representing the death the coasttownsare parallel Murgewhich the of centres hinterland important Other landscape andbethereforesaferagainstattacks. is alsofamousforitshigh-quality olive-oil obtained Pulo, aKarsticdolina where theuniqueremains Ruvo diPugliaandBitonto. Gravina andAltamura. are ondisplay, in findings archaeological Apulian vasesandother Museum Jatta, where Archaeological seat oftheNational also the is This town Romanesque Cathedral. which hostsagraceful medieval historic centre of winesandhasa for theproduction di Pugliaisfamous Ruvo not tostandoutinthe the topofrocksoas with camouflaged was the NormanEmpireand which was built during Castle ofGaragnone, region, the ruins of the secluded placesofthe and reachoneofmost Head thenforSpinazzola on thehillside. medieval houses rising and archwayslinkingthe gravine.

ITALY ITALY Caves. the mostrepresentative being thechurchofSt.Michael of the dug rockchurchesinitscavespaintedwithsplendidfrescoes, iconoclast persecutions, Byzantine age toavoid from the East during the fled who monks, Basilian linked byexteriorstairs. superimposed levelsand houses were built on from aravine wherecave Gravina Archaeological Museum. Dinosaur Parkandthe Cathedrals in Apulia, the see oneofthefourpalatine In thistownyoucanalso In Norman-Swabian castle. enacted every yearinits Knights. This event is re- fought against 13 French when 13 Italian Knights from BarlettatoMonopoli The Adriaticcoastanditshinterland Barletta Romanesque churches. or Swabian castles and stone buildings, Norman Medieval and Renaissance centres toadmireamazing Wander aroundthenarrowwinding streetsoftheircosyhistorical vegetation ischaracterizedbythepredominanceofolivetrees. Along the coast sandalternates with rocksorpebbles andthe agriculture centres. which were in the past the coastal outlets of the hinterland From on 13 a battle whichtookplace (the Disfida Trani Barletta toBarithereareseveralmiddle-sized towns th February1503 you willadmire an outstandingexample of an Apulian is takes itsname famous forthe Challenge ), G ra vina

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used forkeeping farmers’ tools), oil-mills, votive chapels, Giovinazzo there aremanytracesoftheNeolithic Age. town, the Hospice of the Crusaders and the famous for its dolmens which can be seen in its surroundings, is another middle-sized town whichhasacosy pagliari towers, rural churches, farmhouses, look-out fortified trees, almond century-old olive trees, landscape onecansee In thecountryside with 1747 Baroque touches. in rebuilt facing thesea,partly Romanesque cathedral historic centre and a The town ofBisceglie a Synagogue. (Ognissanti church)and by the Templar Knights castle, a churchbuilt also admire a Swabian In thischurchonecan bronze portal. magnificent a and crypts imposing façade, two the seaandhasan square which overlooks The church rises ona Romanesque cathedral. fish-bone patterned old patterned fish-bone on axis, a characteristic with three domes aligned Romanesque cathedral with thepresence of a its pastsplendour important traces of of the Adriatic sea, bears port fishing Molfetta, della Chianca in particular the Dolmen Pulo, a dolina where (small buildings an important . is

ITALY ITALY the heart of the so-called its cafés and nightspots, is Piazza Mercantile, with adjoins theoldtown. neighbourhood which a regularly planned elegant Murat quarter, orthodox churchandthe during the Fascist age, an important seafront built picturesque old town,an in 1156. Barihasa suffered seriousdamage by Frederick after it renovated Normans, was Its castle,builtbythe pray inanareachapelreservedtothem. can faithful Orthodox religious dialogue as the important role inthe nowadays playsan present Turkey)in (an Saint taken from Mira keep thebodyof of the11th century to Nicholas, The Basilica ofSt. the BasilicaofSt.NicholasandCathedralSabinus. town insouthernItaly, boaststwotwinRomanesquechurches, Bari, the second largest its Normanclocktower. visiting for itsoldtownand its and ceramics, is alsoworth flowers its for agriculture centre famous Terlizzi from underground). horses fordrawingwater (which weredriven by tanks andwaterwheels millstones, public storage ancient townset , anhinterland built at the end movida. South ofBari tourists can charcterise of

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M onopoli This area is also marked by the presence of several gentle slopes cherries inparticular. Bari therearevastvine-yards andfruit-orchardswhichproduce of SaintEustace,which belongedtotheking.South-eastof examples of Renaissance architecture in Apulia, the Cathedral for the production of red onions, visitors can see one of the few In AcquavivadelleFonti,atownwhichisparticularly famous Swabian castle. You might also stopoveratSannicandro tovisititsNorman- goes backto4000yearsago. to see the Along the State Road whichleads to Bitonto it is alsopossible saint, livedanddied. St. Conrad of Bavaria, a monk who became Molfetta’s patron Church ofSt.Marythe Caves where,according to the legend In thebasinofBari,3kmsfromModugno,touristscanvisit built ofredstones. farmhouses, among which standsout Masseria Spina Grande, Modugno, anItalian singer This townisalsofamousforbeingthebirthplace of Domenico these caveswereofteninhabitedinprehistorictimes. reef; the on erosion sea of result the are which sea-caves the shades oftenchangeduringthedaytime, is themostfamousof overlooks sceniccliffs. Grotta Palazzese, whose blue-green The nextcoastal town isPolignanoaMare whoseoldtown end ofJuly. d’Anjou. Inthistownaspectacular octopus feast is held at the visit Mola diBari,withitsimpregnable castle builtbyCharles Monk, an impressive 3.7 metre high menhir which famous in particular for his oe- n fortified and domes- church with aligned - atypical Benedictine Stephen’sSaint Abbey area tourists can visit In the surrounding port. fishing old its and pier have a stroll around its Aragonese castleand should visit the In Monopoli tourists (Volare). Nel Blu Dipintodi international hit song

ITALY ITALY where one can museum see numerous findings archaeological belonging to an the Peucetian hosts castle this death; to Bianca according to alegend Frederick II secluded his unfaithful wife In thistownthereisawell keptNorman-Swabiancastlewhere dei Trulli.ones, isalsopartlyimmersed intheso-calledMurgia Murge fromthesouth-east divides the north-west Gioia delColle,which all overEurope. cherry which isexported of aparticular variety of famous fortheproduction a nearby town, is also Conversano, just like Turi, century. second halfoftheXIV and completed duringthe started bytheNormans and thecathedral, dedicated toourLady of the Assumption, which overlooksthe town anddividesit into three parts, In Conversanoone should not miss the trapezoidal castle, solemn polychromemajolica-tiledbelltower. nuns. Their rivalry with the local bishops led them to make a the end ofthe X century and waslater entrusted to Cistercian latter was probably built at of St.Benedict’s), this Conversano (Monastery Trani (St. Francis’)andin Molfetta (St. Conrad’s), of on thesameaxisarein examples churches with three domes Other golden number. with theproportionsof church, which wasbuilt Benedictine Romanesque of All Saints, a typical In the surroundings of January, St. Anthony the Abbot’s day. Rutigliano, anearthenware whistlefestival is heldon17th most important Holy Week processions takes place while in Noicattaro called lames (dryriver-beds). is famousforbeing the town whereoneofthe Valenzano tourists can reach the church

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The towngives itsname to agrapefrom whichoneofthe best surrounding towns. the From itsfavourableposition Locorotondooverlooks church, builtintheneoclassical stylebetween1790and1825. The townisperchedona hillwhichisdominated by St.Georges’ floor houseswithpitchedroofs. is built in concentric circles marked by cummerse,twoorthree- Locorotondo, whosenamemeansround place which datesbackto1885. Basilica of Saints Cosmas andDamian, in Neoclassic style, strikingly contrastswiththeothertrulli the The otherdistrict of thehistorical centre, this quarter. it became love contenders) are the most particular buildings of to thelegend was splitintwoafter two brotherswholived in church of St. Anthony and the type of souvenir, in particular miniature stone In Heritage List. town. ForthisreasonithasbeenincludedintheUnesco World of buildinghasbecomeparttheordinaryarchitecture ofa Alberobello is theonlyplace in theregionwherethistype or ofsacredstones. whose pinnacles have shapes remembering the cult of the sun whose slabsarepainted with religious or exoteric symbols and presence ofnumerouscavesandtrulli, The valley is an extensive karst depression characterised by the was importedintheXcentury. Rione Monti, one of its two main districts, one can buy any , the only one which has two floors, which floors, two has which one only the Trullo Sovrano, Siamese trullo (which according Costantinople whose cult of of patroness Lady Odegitria, Our of cult comes fromthe The name Itria probably areas inthewholeregion. is oneofthemostscenic the nameofItriaValley, which isalsoknownby dei Trulli,Murgia Santo Mola. of MonteSannaceand in thesurroundingareas communities who lived cone-roofed buildings foritssize,andthe Aia Piccola, hosts , isatownwhich trulli. The trullo

ITALY ITALY particular for foodfestivals, in have become thesetting Nowadays thesespaces such aswine-cellars. houses orotherpremises bounded onthreesidesby courtyards which are of is markedbythepresence Its medieval historic centre a great number ofwalnuts. the presenceinpastof walnuts) Noci in Italyisheld. a little town Karstic caves be thebestcaveinworld. of white stalactites and which is considered by many experts to to theWhite Cave, astunning,hugegrotto made up exclusively Its longtour leads through scenic caves with spectacular names, in Apulia. attractions among themostimportant and are karstic erosions spectacular expression of they representthemost stalagmites and little lakes With their stalactites, ago. started 90 million years grottoes whoseformation its nametospectacular Castellana Grotte owes produced. Apulian white wines is St. Equizio. an abbeybuilt inthe VI centurybythe Benedictine monks of have spiritual stays)and the Barsento Farmhouse which adjoins Madonna della Scala and its monastery(whereitispossibleto In the surroundings one should visit the Benedictine Abbey of fritters coatedwithchocolate. wines andchestnuts)FrittersintheGnostre , dedicated to gnostre, particular (which means owes itsname to Bacchus in the gnostre where oneofthe most important Carnival festivals are also interspersedintheterritory ofPutignano, (a festival for tasting new B acchus G rotte

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gnostre T E orre gnazi G uaceto Its Cathedral wasbuiltinthesecond halfoftheXV centuryin the cosiest Apulian towns. lime, is alsocalled the WhiteTown andisundoubtedlyone of white with painted all are houses whose particular, in Ostuni immersed inalandscape dottedwithtrulliandwhitebuildings. Ostuni, justlikeothertownsbelongingtotheItria Valley, are The roadtoBrindisialsoleadsTorre Guaceto,an therapeutic watershavemadeitsspawell-known. Savelletri Along the coast, during the summer, touristscan stop over at and theSalentoplain The provinces ofBrindisiandTaranto , famousforitssea-urchins,andTorre Canne,whose Ceglie Messapica and Cisternino, Carovigno, (Fasanolandia). Fasano, an adjoining funpark animals (Zoosafari)and of species 200 with park maquis andboastsa typical Mediterranean Fasano) by woodlands(Selvadi Fasano oasis. Initshinterland a WWF overlooks tower which nowadays Aragonese watch-out in the10 the town wasdestroyed town ofFasanowhen refuge in thehinterland Its inhabitants took Messapia. between Peucetia and town ontheborder an importantcoastal was which at the Roman age excavations of Egnazia - suggest visitingthe Brindisi wewould In theprovinceof th century. is surrounded covered with

ITALY ITALY of This area,just liketheSalento,isalso markedbythepresence and aRenaissanceloggia ofitsoriginalstructure. most ofitsoriginal features andkeepsonlyonesquaretower Mesagne’s the RomanesquetoGothicstyle. Casale, aremarkableexampleofarchitectural transition from the Church of S.Maria del archaeological area and the Templar Knights, the Templars, theporticoof al Sepolcro built by the Temple of S.Giovanni Museum, theNorman the Archaeological visit Tourists should also the town. considered the symbolof Appian way, whichis marking theendof Roman port,asprovedbytheremainsofonecolumns The townwasthemainMessapiancentreandaveryimportant 1227, andthe Aragonese castle,builttodefendthetownport. two castles:theLandCastle,whichwasbuiltbyFrederickIIin Brindisi, the town fromwhich the Appia Roadstarted, boasts castles builtbyFrederickII. colony, isdominated by oneofthe most beautiful defensive Oria of theoldtown. itsformer castle, whichisnowadaystheseatof Town style, Hall,istheheart Baroque Salento the by influenced clearly In of itsCollegiateChurch. fortress whosecrenellated tower facesthemajolica-tiled dome The white houses ofCeglieMessapicaareoverlookedbya S. Biagio. the XVcenturies, oneshouldvisittherockchurchof andXVI besides thecastle built byBoemondofHauteville and rebuilt in castle with an unusual lozenge shape; in towns ofthisprovince:CarovignohasaXV centurydefensive lovely the distinguish also palaces fortifies or castles Beautiful monument. national a considered is and earthquake 1456 the a GothicstyletorestoretheoldRomanesquedestroyedby specchie, cone-shaped bigheapsofhighstones whichwere Francavilla Fontana, whose , whichintheMiddles Ages wasanimportant Jewish main highlight isitsNorman castle which haslost churches and buildings are San Vito deiNormanni, C astello

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Martina Franca,whichpertainstotheprovince of Taranto, whose wooden roof beams were fitted with a thick layer of reeds. probably usedaslittle watch-out towers,andbycaseacannizzi, Middle Ages: in Middle Ages: whose caves were inhabited by Basilian monks in the early which crown the Bay of Taranto one can tour amazing towns In thefan-shapedareaofsteepravinesandimpressivecanyons can beadmiredintheSalento. are endowed with wrought iron balconies like the ones which to theSalento plain.Infacttheyareintypical Baroque styleand the Basilica of St.Martin,isclearly influenced byitsproximity its old town buildings, among which stand out Ducal Palace and It isoneofthe so-called white towns butthe architectural style of Murge, fromwhichitoverlookstheItria Valley. perched on of This townoverlooksitsravine and alsohasaravine park where and paintedcryptsarein LIPU, an Italian association for the protection of birds. Caves its hinterland there is abird-watching reserve cared for bythe with Grottaglie, includedintheItalian Route ofCeramics. In together is, Laterza patterns. turquoise refined with decorated Kiln, usedforbakingthefamouswhiteandpolishedmajolicas where masonrymeetingswereprobablyheld-andtheMedieval and FontanaImperatore), theso-called Spanish cellar -acrypt (the most famousonesare should visit Palazzo Marchesale, its rockchurches,Fountains Mottola, atownwhich hasbeen inhabited since prehistoric the hill of S. Martino, thehighestoneinLower the hillofS. Laterza, Palagianello Fontana Medievale, Fontana Candile which rises town. Inthe surroundings who was born in this great star of Hollywood Rodolfo Valentino,the opened inhonourof A museum has been Apulian ravines. of the most impressive a time, isperchedonone let in onlyonepersonat whose narrow alleyways a quainthistoriccentre Castellaneta, species canbefound. many rarebotanical andGinosa. west ofits ravine, one which has

ITALY ITALY The most important architectural attraction in this area are the Adriatic sea. Salento isavastplainextending betweentheIonianand Marina diPulsanoand SanPietro inBevagna. Marina diGinosa, Along the coast there are well-known seaside resorts suchas are exhibitedinthismuseum. findings, other and vases Greek with together which, artefacts jewels oftheMagnaGrecia,asprovenbyarich collection of Tarantothe maincentreofproductionanddiffusion was ofgold in Apulia, dedicated to SaintCatald, and the Aragonese Castle. Romanesque Cathedrals visit oneoftheoldest swing bridge,one should from themodernonebya In theoldtown,separated of theMagnaGrecia town became thecapital In the 8th century this Seas. called the Grande andistherefore Mar Piccoloandthe Taranto Primitivo called wine red fortified Nowadays thetowniswell-knownforproduction of a archeological area. ruins ofMessapian cyclopean walls which can be seen in its Taranto forthesupremacyofSalento,asprovenby for head can One leaves. a great variety of styles, often decorated with cocks and grape show artisans 28 than more where ceramics of quarter the visit inhabitants of thecavessurroundingravines,oneshould In Grottaglie, Its nearby WWF oasisissurroundedbyamaquisandoakwoods. long picturesqueBaroquestaircase. not miss the Among thenumerousimportantcryptsofMassafra Churches. crypt in particular, consideredasthe Sistine Chapel of Rock times, one should is washedbythe . Town ofthe Two Madonna della Scala, which is accessed through a which was founded in the X century by the see the so-called “God’s caves”,St.Nicholas’ . Riva dei TessaliRiva , Manduria, which inthepastrivalled Castellaneta Marina, one should T arnto

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beheaded by the Turks in 1480 and whose skulls can be seen be can skulls whose and 1480 in Turks the by beheaded cosy seasideresorts. watch-out and defence towers which have aggregated small picturesque cliffs and by lowand sandy beaches are dotted with charming townswhereonecanalsovisithypogeumoilmills hinterland buildings, gracious other and farmhouses fortified landscapes wherecenturyoldolivetreesintermingle with monuments of the past (menhirs, dolmens, waters often deserve the numberless attractions: seaside resortsmanyofwhoseunspoilt it isoneofthemostimportanttouristareasin Apulia andhas Salento is also famous for its past links with the Magna Grecia; Baroque churchesandbuildings. Blue Flag, art cities, numerous inhabitants that were because ofthe800 “the Town ofMartyrs ” The town isalsocalled Italy eastern-oriented part of which liesonthemost Otranto, the AliminiLakes),and Frassanito Foca, Torredell’Orso, at could choose to stay of the Adriatic Seaone stretch first the On characterized by The Salento coasts, folk musicfestival. the “NottedellaTaranta” folk festivals, especially in particular) and foodor papier-maché artefacts decorations, reed bags, products (laces,stone is constant, handicraft where the temperature underground room are placed inan tasty becausemillstones whose oil is particularly San Cataldo, San . specchie a fortresstown etc.),rural (near

ITALY ITALY flock to the seaside the marinas on the west coast (Torre Vado, Marina di Pescoluse, to flock Aqueduct. Touristsalso stretch ofthe Apulian which boundthelast steps 284 the climb can landing inthisplace,one commemorate St. Peter’ Maria, which wasbuilt to Near theBasilicaofSanta called the region, for thisreason the extreme jagged tip of to from be visited along the coast can grottoes beautiful other and marinas beautiful Other for underwaterdivers. Castro Marina is an exclusive seaside resort which is a paradise along theseshores. stalagmites, is oneofthe karstic marvels which can be admired waters and the large Cesareaspa resortofSantaTerme is famousforitssulphurous Europe.Southwards, the pictorial and rockyartin imposing monumentsof Badisco, isoneofthemost Grotta deiCervi,inPorto numerous caves. stretch characterised by reaches a rugged coastline Heading forthesouthone Oasis LeCesine. town) ortothe WWF fortified Aragonese an of (to see a unique example might easily reach From SanCataldo one a visit. worth also is 1764 in novel Gothic first the write to inspiration The Aragonese castle from whichHorace Warpole drew biggest mosaicfloorsintheworld. in itssplendidRomanesqueCathedral paved withoneofthe Santa MariadiLeuca, Marina d’Andrano finis terrae. Acaya Zinzulusa Grotto, with its stalactites and

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dei of S C ant elestini a C roce which was built in the second century A.D. Inthe streets of the animals, grotesquefiguresandvegetables. with decorated flamboyantly are Duomo, the and Chiara. Santa Santa Croceandtheadjacent Palazzo Celestini, the Churchof Its mostrepresentative monuments,such astheBasilica of The surroundingsaremarked by thepresence of several seabed hasasub-tropicalenvironment. reserves inItaly, setinthefacing Baroque façade.PortoCesareo has on a promontory, the cathedral of St. Agatha, with its magnificent Angevin castle and,within its cosyoldtown,whichstandsout Salento. Ithasanancient monumental fountain, adefensive Gallipoli Cesareo, etc.). Torre S.Giovanni,MarinadiMancaversa,Gallipoli, Porto isoneofthemostenchanting coastal towns inthe Isola dei Conigli one ofthebiggestmarine the Roman amphitheatre the square one can see meetings were held.In place where Town Hall which used to be the Palazzo delSedile Near the column is the Road. the Appia which marked the end of top ofthetwincolumn of itspatronSaint,seton you canadmire thestatue where Oronzo S. piazza A mustinthistownis Salento between 1550and1700. in flourished Baroque style,which is the capital city of the or the Athens ofPuglia) Florence of theSouth Lecce vegetation. a particular typeof fresh water generating salt watersmixwith spunnulate) where karstic grottoes (called watch-out towersandof (calledthe , whose ,

ITALY ITALY tower. Byantine-style engravings, andtheDuomoofMaglie fine its for monument national a as regarded façade in 1667 and,in the same town, the archway Lucchetti, Corigliano considered a national monument, the XV century castle of Pietà at Peter and Paul at Galatina, the churchofSS. lavishly decoratedportal,theChurchofS.DomenicoinNardò, the Salento: the Renaissance-style castle of Copertino, during ahinterlandtourof attractions can be admired Numerous other of a Messapian settlement. important shows evidence a vastnaturalistic area, Cavallino, the In the surroundings this material. particular are made with workshops, where cribs in stone andpapier-mâché old town one can see local Museo Diffusoof Galatone, d’Otranto, whichwasaltered with aBaroque immersed in the spire of the parish churchofSoleto, the church of Del Crocifisso della Crocifisso Del of church the , withitssolemnbell- with its C origliano

d ’O C tranto astle into apreferabledestinationforspa,culturalandruraltourism. their closeness to the capital ofthe country, hasturned the region and practicing sportsand attractive cultural sights along with Breathtaking landscapes, wonderful opportunities for recreation stones makesthisplaceveryattractive. watermill among flowers wonderful woods, nature, beautiful POLAND POLAND list ofthe12 mostpricelessworldmonuments inPoland.It by UNESCO, besideCracow, onthe the antiquesaltmine,placed in1978 The greatesttouristattraction hereis kilometres fromCracow is polish kings,leadersand poets.13km on Wawel Hillcontainingthegravesof Catherine andCorpusChristi,thechurch district withJewishchurchesofSt. famous artist Wit Stwosz,theKazimierz St Mary`sChurchwiththealtarof occupied byClothiers`Hall, Market Place,whosecentralpartis It hasmanypreciousrelics-thevast years longtradition. culture andartcherishingathousand capital ofPoland,centrescience, developed onthe Vistula, was theformer The Town atthefootof Wawel Hill, only togetacquaintedwiththiscity. It isworthvisitingsouthernPolandif Europe -Cracow. beautiful andmostfamouscitiesof the mostsplendidisoneof architecture andculture. Among them a thousandyearshistorythatboastmanypricelessrelicsof are oldsettlementswith this partofthecountry Awaiting thetouristin tourism andrelaxation. in variousformsof can alwaysparticipate here theyeararoundand greeted andreceived The touristiswarmly country. the southernpartofour land stretchingover to visitthebeautiful We cordiallyinviteyou The SouthofPoland Wieliczka theGothic . W awel K rak H ill ¢ w A W uschwitz ieliczka S alt M ine tourist trails run fromhere: the limestone cragsintheshapeofeagles’ nests. Two marked destroyed inlatercenturies, buttheirruinsarestillvisibleon on thesidesandtopsofelevations. Nearlyallofthemwere from KrakówtoOświęcim-thetowninwhichlargest 200 metresbelowsealevel.Ittakesonlyanhourtoget of asthma)makesuseaspecificmicroclimate.Itislocated sanatorium “Kinga”,whichfortherapeuticpurposes(treatment their work.Opensince1964inthemineisunderground as togivetheimpressionthatminershavejustfinished there areoriginalminingtoolsandimplementsplacedso exhibition presentsthehistoryofPolishmining.Ondisplay part alsocontainstheMuseumofCracowSalt-Works, whose and thenatural,world-uniqueCrystalCaves. The underground Eagles’ NestsandJurassic and 19thcenturychapels Here onecansee17th on threemininglevels. galleries andchambers long routeleadsthrough to visitors. The 4.5km- part ofthemineisopen 700 years. The oldest here inthecourseof salt havingbeenmined about 20,000,000tonsof this type,withatotalof largest complexesof is amongtheoldestand castles wasbuilthere chain ofsmallfortified in theMiddle Ages a the NorthwestofCracow Second World War. To and operatedduringthe The campwasbuilt terror andtheHolocaust. become asymbolof has world, Auschwitz Oświęcim. All overthe is theGermannamefor was located. concentration camps of NaziGermany Auschwitz

POLAND POLAND on topofMountBirów . built. To the north of Ogrodzieniec Castle, there is a stronghold burned duringthe Tartar invasionagothiccastleofstonewas sheltered bycliffs. When, in1241 thecastlewaslootedand It wasasmallsettlement withonlyafewwoodenhuts, castle existedthereuntilthebeginningoftwelfth century. fortress. The impregnable centuries, beingan (504 m)–itsurvived the highestpeakofJura the Janowski’s Mount- Upland. Itislocatedon Krakow -Częstochowa most impressivecastlein in Podzamczeisthe The Ogrodzieniec Castle Bobolice, andOlsztyn. in Ogrodziniec,Mirow, ruins ofsmallcastles Eagles’ Nestsrunning toCzestochowaitisworthvisitingthe metres high)calledtheClubofHercules.On Trail of In thevicinityofpalacerisesacharacteristicrock(25 On thegroundflooris“Zamkowa”periodrestaurant. contains theMuseumofNational Wawel Art Collections. century castle,rebuiltintoaRenaissanceresidence.Itnow steep elevationoverthevalleyofPradnikriverisa14th Cracow). Risingona Skala (27kmfrom the parklies of plants. At theedgeof well asrarespecimens in thelimestonecragsas valleys andcavescarved protecting thebeautiful Ojcowski NationalPark, On allsidesstretchesthe of a14thcenturycastle. There arealsotheruins and regionalmuseum. natural historymuseum km) lies and linkalloftheoldcastles.ClosesttoCracow(distance24 Strongholds. They leadthroughthemostcharmingareas Ojcow witha Pieskowa

P ieskowa O grodzieniec S kal C C astle astle B C M lack zestochowa ount T B rout irow T unnel and machine industries,boastingacenturies-long traditionof and thecentreofcult Virgin Mary, theplaceof chemicals, wood,food) (metallurgy, textiles, It’s anindustrialcentre Czestochowa. the BlackMadonnais embodied intheiconof Holy VirginMary to thepresenceof over theworlddue The cityknownall unification ofPoland. Vaclav IICzechoverthe Władysław Łokietekand result ofabattlebetween Probably, itwasthe fourteenth century. the beginningof was burntdownat settlement Period. The from theNeolithic this placewerepeople The firstinhabitantsof century. there untilthefourteenth settlement whichexisted of medievalwooden This isthereconstruction - acentreof the mining town Tarnowskie Gory Częstochowa thereisa About 50kmsouthfrom of industryinPoland. important concentration the largest andmost Industrial Regionis The UpperSilesian August). are on15thand26th entire world(thelargest from Polandandthe numerous pilgrimages

POLAND POLAND here. The museum collectshistoricmachines andprinting in Silesia‘The PolishFarmers’ Weekly’ waspublished here wasestablishedin1805 andthefirstPolishnewspaper in Silesiafromitsbeginnings until1939. The firstpress museum inPoland.Itsexhibits showahistoryofprinting Press inPszczynafounded1985istheonlyperiodical Chamber musicconcertsareheldhere. various epochs-fromtheRenaissanceto20th century. Antique Furnishingsthathasmanypreciousexhibits from Gothic, thenrebuiltseveraltimes)thereisaMuseum of one oftherichesthousesEurope.In Pszczyna wasthecentreofestatesdukes, middle of the 19th century Upper Silesia.Fromthe worth seeing,liessouthof next town,definitely traditions. The mining museum thatdocuments collections oftheregional also worthvisitingthe in September. Itis annual Miners’ Days colourful eventarethe big minemachines. A work ofenormously one maywatchthe mining. What ismore, corridors, admiretheexhibitionillustratinghistoryof People canwalkdownandclimbalongoriginalmine’s Mine „Guido”inZabrze. id TheMuseumofCoal the depthsofEarth experience thetravelinto for thosewhowantto obligatory placetovisit of SteamEngines. An is aSkansenMuseum boat), besidewhichthere Black Trout (tripby and the visiting theantiquemine A greatattractionis ore-mining. Tunnel ofthe Museum ofSilesian palace (originally P szczyna G uido P M alce ine B _ ubry eskid M ount ains as itsprogramme “Man UNESCO hasincluded thisareatothebiosphere reservations is protectionarea-called The NationalParkofBabiaGora. level) withitsuniquenature. The areasurroundingthetop of theBeskidyMountains isBabiaGora(1725mabovesea Silesian Żywiec,Insular, andLowBeskids. The highesttop Beskids areapproximately600kminlengthand50–70 important elementinthelandscapeofsouthernPoland. the historyofPszczyna’s bisons. The mountainsarethemost Building thereisavarietyofexhibitions,also3Dfilmabout deer, roedeer, andmanykinds ofbirds.InsidetheEducational the BisonCenteryoucanalsoseeotheranimals:deer, fallow built. The animalscanbeseenfromthescenicplatform.In Park, called‘Zwierzyniec’.Onalmost10hatwopenswere The placewassetupinthehistoricpartofPszczyna and Biosphere”. The longestPolish can meetarealbison! from theOld Town you a fewhundredmeters the BisonCenter,only and Cieszynpress.In and alsothePszczyna bookbinding machines, composition casters)and machines, titleandline linoleum engraving of the20thcentury, from thebeginning the broadsheetmachines equipment (including smaller mountaingroups: valleys dividetheminto forests, andtheriver covered withbeautiful the mostparttheyare in westernUkraine.For northern Slovakia,and neighboring regionsin eastern CzechRepublic, in theneighboring border ofPoland,and along thesouthern They standmainly width. The

POLAND POLAND offering awide range oftreatmentsandtop-class professional with modern equipment, rehabilitation centres of sanatoriumsand is agreatnumber resort. There health internationally known Ustroń isnowan activities. and forculturedleisure of sportsandrecreation treatments, forallkinds physiotherapeutic place formedicaland town isanexcellent above sealevel). The and Równica(884metres metres abovesealevel) Czantoria Wielka(995 Vistula valleybetween nestling attractivelyinthe Beskid mountains, towns intheSilesian one ofthemostcharming in theBeskidŚląski.Itis of tourismandrecreation most importantcenters Ustroń istodayoneofthe walking, mountaintracking,skiing,cyclingorcarexcursions. attraction like placesof big varietyoftouristic The regionoffers a Podbeskidzie Region. and industrialcentreof It isthemainurban Kozia GoraMountains. of theSzyndzielniaand the BialaRiveratfoot is situated on bothsidesof sea level). Mountain (1200mabove the footofBaraniaGora river - Vistula startsat Bielsko-Biala

B ielsko -B U stro ial W isla the BlackLittle Vistula (Czarna Wisełka) andcontinuesto It beginswith the White Little Vistula (Biała Wisełka) and It coversoverhalfthearea ofthecountry. rivers inPolandat1,047 km inlength. Cieszyn County, tothesouthofUstrońandwest Wisla -acityandmunicipalityintheprovinceofSilesia, temporary exhibitionsandorganizes variousevents. Ustroń HarvestFestival.Museumhaspermanentand Ustroń Musical Autumn, theFolkandCountryFestival and the Some ofthemaineventsare:Ustroń Theatre Festival,the In summer, eventsarestagedintheroofedamphitheatre. summer andwinter. Ustroń canoffer arichandvariedculturalprogrammein Nature Park. looking atlarge wildanimals and birdshemustvisittheForest toboggan run.Ifsomeonewouldliketospendsometime attractions oftheExtremePark,wherethereisayear-round On Równicapeoplecanenjoythehighropescourseand can climbRównica. panorama fromtheviewingtower. Ifyou’reingoodshapeyou You canalsowalkuptothesummitandenjoyspectacular cycle pathortakethenew, four-seater chairliftupCzantoria. In Ustrońyoucanheadforwaymarkedwalk,hikingtrailor sleigh ride. gets tiredofschussingdowntheslopes,hecantakeatorch-lit snowboarding, cross-countryskiingandskitouring. When one summer. There areskiliftsandrunsfordownhillskiing, service. Winter inUstrońisjustasenjoyableandexciting of themostimportant It isthelongestandone Vistula). same name– Wisła (The biggest riverofthe its sourcehasPoland’s sports resort.Inthecity well-known touristand above sealevel.It’s a at analtitudeof430m Wisla Centerislocated near theCzechborder. Beskid Mountainsrange, deep intheSilesian Szczyrk. Itislocated

POLAND POLAND of 13different denominations andreligious groupslivehere, Nowadays the believers by Lutheran. was inhabitedalmostonly 19th centurythevillage of religion. Till theendof interesting placeincase Wisła isalsoa very Gołębiewski. impressive isHotel The biggestandmost built. many hotelshavebeen recent growthintourism, fields. To supportits disposition, aswellindoorpools,tenniscourtsandsport trails. Duringthesummerguestshaveanoutdoorpooltotheir Wisła isagreatplacetogohikingthroughitsmanymountain The skijumpwasnamedafter Adam Małysz.Insummer host internationalcompetitions. a worldclassskijump‘SkoczniaMalinka’ hasbeenbuiltto most oftherouteslighted).Recently skiers, morethan20skilift(with routes forNordicanddownhill In thewintertherearebeautiful pedestrians andmountainbikers. different scaleofdifficultyfor summer thosearethetrailswith trails totheirdisposition.Inthe more than100kilometersoftourist Tourists thatcometo Wisła have well asinotherseasons. encourage peopletorestinwinteras location, climateandsceniccharms for outdooradventureenthusiast.Its mountainsides andmountainstreams. Wisła isagreatplace The landscapeisdominatedbyforests,meadowsonthe division toseveralvalleys. Adam Małysz.Characteristicfeatureofthisplaceisits jumpers. Itisknownforbeingthehometownofskijumper destination, withthenearbymountainsfavouredbyski Warszawa andGdańsk. Wisła isapopularyear-round tourist flow throughseverallarge Polish cities:Kraków, Sandomierz, M alink ywiec S B ki rewery J ump P iast T ower One should not miss seeing the Romanesque rotunda and 14th and rotunda Romanesque the seeing miss not should One architectural relics. prince of initiative the Albrecht FryderykHabsburg. on created was It 1852. in dynasty lies. The city houses the Brewery foto19,built by the Habsburg To theeastofSilesian Beskids thereisavalley in Żywiec pastoral instruments. highlanders’ cottage - mementos ofthe family and concerts on art inthe18thcentury church andinthe19thcenturyKawulok of KoniakowandIstebna,wherethere is amuseumofsacral folkart and folklore,amongwhichtothefamouslace-making towns of the centre is Beskid The there. fishing or picking campfires, at sledging cavalcades or and picnics. festivals One can various go hunting, mushroom- at amongthe especially art highlanders, this of examples colourful most the find will Those wholovefolklore and theperformances of folkbands mostly protestant. long historyandprecious boasting a centuries- Republic is Cieszyn, border withtheCzech Standing guardonthe Week” areheldin August. of the“BeskidianCulture Poland. Numerousevents the People’s Republic of situation at the time of political and economic illustrates the tangled a labyrinththatvividly small Galician town,or century alleyway ina into areplica ofa19th takes itspassengers A shakingtimemachine brewing history. entertaining 150 yearsof - lead visitors through an where thebeerisstored - thehistoricice cellars rooms cutintothecliff founded in 2006. 18 cellar The museum was

POLAND POLAND why you’llbewarmlywelcomedhere. with westernmodernityandtrustinnewtechnologies. That’s living herecombinetypically eastern hospitality and openness heart of Poland. You can never get bored here. Moreover people areas ensuretranquility and contact with natureintheindustrial by shaped extent large a industry, anabundance of forests,parksandgreenrecreational to is image Silesia2’s Although and theLarishpalace(todayhousingamuseum). century Piast Tower, the former hunting castle of the Habsburgs, into apreferabledestinationforspa,culturalandruraltourism. their closeness to the capital ofthe country, hasturned the region and practicing sportsand attractive cultural sights along with Breathtaking landscapes, wonderful opportunities for recreation stones makesthisplaceveryattractive. watermill among flowers wonderful woods, nature, beautiful PORTUGAL PORTUGAL the tradition; famous the Oporto, beaches; its other many can visit CastelodeSãoJorge with aviewoverthetownand The majorplaces ofattraction are thecapital, destination. can enjoybeautiful beaches whichare averypopularholiday lower regions. There isalsoavastcoastline northern part, by its greatnaturalbeauty, with the Tagus River dividingthe sport. city centre. the salt minesexistinginavillage few historical monuments. winters andshorthot summers. It isayoungcity witha Candeeiros)with amild climate dos inhabitants. It is asmall town in the district of Santarém. It has about Rio Maior its seven hills, Located on the north bank by Portugal. sea what stronglysupportedtheprocessofexpansioninitiated It became a cosmopolitan city destined forcommercial life at and thestageofdeparturefor greatPortuguesenavigators. of adventures betweenmainland Europe andtherestofworld the Mediterranean Sea andthe Atlantic thescene ocean, was Discoveries. Lisbon, situated in a geographically The city ofLisbon can Lisboa Portugal Portugal h past. the traditions. visit it moreoften. For all this andmuch more, once you visit it you will and animpressive castlemirrorthecity’s rich culturalheritage. Algarve coast. Algarve hr yu a observe can you where is the westernmost Serra The charm of Lisbon existsinitsstronglinkswith h renovated The Rio Maioris famousforits infrastructures ot ie Ciba a city a Coimbra, wine; port It islocated nexttoamountainrange(Serra itrcl ouet; Cascais monuments; historical ita ih its with Sintra more mountainous and a srl, h hget onan range mountain highest the Estrela, da is a rightly city ofart, The most famousnatural monument country

of the Tagus river, aae n many and Palace palaces, be considered the capital h Duo ie and River Douro the 3 kilometers of all Europe, architecture, culture and magnificent churches magnificent with moderately cold ih great with the Lisbon, where you s surprising is southern with away fromthe re spaces; green characterized Lisbon, with where you point near academic linked to want to of the enjoy 8000 and for is S.J R ossio orge

square C astle P - hoto photo 2 1 area of958 km. administrative city limits with apopulation of 3million onan area of 84.8 of area population of 547,631withinitsadministrative limits onaland It isthecapital city LISBOA that havebeen soldintheRossioSquare formanyyears. chestnuts roasted the and - 1929 in founded Nicola Cafe like - Praça doComércio. was destroyedintheGreatEarthquake) was built in today’s from 1371, and became the royal palace until another one (that of England,commemorating the Anglo-Portuguese pactdating Holy Land.Itwaslater dedicated to St.George, thepatronsaint the help ofnorthern European crusaders on their way to the km 2 2 . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the andlargest city of Portugal witha Portuguese personalities cafes visited by famous the Queens; and Kings performed and seen by plays were, andare, Theatre, where many D. MariaIINational and a fascinating history. monuments, fountains in Lisbon,with most beautiful squares is oneofthe Rossio ROSSIO with 1147 in it captured first Henriques king Afonso Portugal’s until Moorish royal residence the Moors.Itservedasa the Romans, Visigoths,and by fortified was it the 6thcentury, when Its oldestpartsdatefrom everywhere inthecity. can beseenfromalmost Saint George’s Castle ST. JORGECASTLE CITY HIGHLIGHTS

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL was built to commemorate Vasco DaGama’s voyage and to give the siteofahermitage founded byPrince HenrytheNavigator. It during the It is the most impressive symbol of Portugal’s powerandwealth JERONIMOS MONASTERY Manueline style. monument. Built in the listed it as a World Heritage has UNESCO homeland. the lastsightoftheir and forthe sailors it was voyages ofdiscovery point formanyofthe Tower was thestarting Lisbon’s harbour, Belem to guard the entrance to Built in 1515 asa fortress of the Age ofDiscovery. symbol a icon; Lisbon’s BELÉM TOWER street plan that characterized the district before the Earthquake. and thecurrentgridpattern stronglydiffers fromtheorganic earthquake. He imposed strict conditions on rebuilding the city, of Lisbon after the 1755 ordering therebuilding to 1777tooktheleadin I ofPortugalfrom1750 Prime MinistertoD.José Marquis ofPombal,the 1755 Lisbonearthquake constructed after the elegant district, primarily Lisboa downtown is an DOWNTOWN Pedro himself. qualities attributed toDom Strength andModeration, at its foot the four female figures representing Justice, Wisdom, In themiddle of thesquarethere’s astatue of DomPedroIV and Age of Discovery . . King Manuel I built it in 1502 on 1502 in it built I Manuel King . D owntow B elém -L

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11 millionvisitors. Expo 98 received around Portuguese discoveries. 500 years of the future” to commemorate Oceans, a heritage for the “The theme ofthefairwas September 30 1998. The to 22 May from Lisbon, world fair was held in Area created when a NAÇÕES PARQUE DAS great discoveries. Manueline, toglorifythe became known as This styleofarchitecture of theepic Luis deCamões,author as wasthetombofpoet inside bytheentrance, Gama’s tombwasplaced for itssuccess. Vasco da thanks tothe Virgin Mary lisboa

oceanrium The Lusiads.

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL WebSite: www.largo.pt Underground station: Tel. +351213477225 Rua SerpaPinto,nº10A 1200-445Chiado,Lisboa Largo (Gourmetcuisine) WebSite: http://www.gambrinuslisboa.com Underground station: Tel.: 213421466-Fax:213465032 Baixa. 1150-264 Lisbon Address: RuadasPortasdeSanto Antão 23.SantaJusta. Gambrinus Restaurant(thebestseafood) WebSite: http://www.bicadosapato.com Underground station: Tel.: 218810320-Fax:218810329 1900 Lisbon Doca doJardim Tabaco.Alfama. Address: Avenida InfanteDomHenrique, Armazem B. Bica doSapatoRestaurant(Portuguesecuisine) Recommended restaurants Baixa-Chiado Restauradores Santa Apolónia

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Places tovisitinmunicipalofRioMaior: 2 coveredMunicipalSwimmingPools25mand 50m. pitch, 2 basketball/volleyball courts, 1 synthetic athletics track); football 3 football track; artificial seven-a-side (1 Park Sports Multiple pitches; athletics tartan (with Stadium Municipal Training; and Education Sports of Centre facilities: following and taverns stores, handicraft find can one purpose, tourism conceal secrets in the art of their locks. Today renovated for 00 ad nopse the encompasses and 2000, inauguration in the year This complexwas Olympic athletes Committee. Portuguese Olympic by for a PreparatoryCentre is toacknowledged as installations has enabled The quality of the Sports Complex restaurants. of thesaltpanworkers The typicalwoodenhouses unique landscape. the surrounding hills form a the blue sky and greenery of The whitepyramidsagainst community inRomantimes. been exploited by local They aresaidtohave salt pansinwere. from thesea,butexist Rio Maiorstaysome30km Salt Pans

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL Today ithasbeenconverted intoanexhibitioncentre. probably also in the rebellious period of the Liberal Revolution. king stayed here bothduring journeysandonhunting trips, and known thatthe (King MiguelHouse),due tothefactthatitwas The building was alwaysknownastheCasade D.Miguel of RioMaior. zone waslocated on thesouthernlimit of whatwas thevillage Santarem, andtheotherfromlisboa.Inmedieval times this to ajunctionoftwoimportant Romanroads,one coming from Built adjacent to thechurchofMisericórdia, it islocated next Casa SenhorialD’El-ReiDomMiguel at CasaSenhorial). Maior (whichcanbeadmired Ninfa (marble Nymph) deRio the intact; almost is sample parts found, one remarkable Among the various statue richness ofitsproprietors. showing thegreatluxuryand remains unearthed up tonow, important, judging bythe Villa seems to have been very Discovered in1983,this Roman Villa Church. be backtowithaParish the only onein Portugal to the Iberian Peninsula, it is in Dolmens largest the One Alcobertas Dolmen product attheendofvisit. the taste and stove wood-fired in bread of baking the observe The Museumalsohasparticularity kitchen where visitorscan Museum. by richnessandorganization ofthecollection of the Rural Stay some10kmfromRioMaior, onecannotfailtobesurprised Rural MuseumofSãoJoãodaRibeira alcobert as

dolmen

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beach where the disabledhavehadspecialattention. Beaches nearRioMaior fish, like friedeels, clams andseafood stew. and restaurants,where youcan enjoy deliciousdishesof huts stripedwith brightcolours. facilities are among otheramenities, with traditional beach are very popularwithsurfersandbodyboarders. The beach avenue, where therearelotsofshops. The wavesinNazaré bds Lagoon, Obidos Foz do Arelho Foz regards thesupportof beach, been created as More andbetter conditionshave the impressivesea. to lookbeyondnature,admire a duneenvironment,allows us of A considerable bodyboarders. This beach Supertubos beach art of from the possibility of people thesea. also with averystrongpresence beach for holidaymakers, but Nazaré Beach Nazaré beach calm beach, qualities exceptional where nature givesussome for see thepilesof “baskets”used has great outdoorcafes charm extends through themain drying fish. It is a beach sewing and quiet lagoon sandy beach and Arelho beach, near for children. pt for spot and a vast area of is for has ahugesandy nets, surfers and ufr; the surfers; is we can This therapeutic to see the a stretch beach Apart place is

still that a

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL one, on October 13th, was confirmed last by a miracle witnessed by The apparitions. successive witnessed 1917, of October and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta that, between May and Lúcia children, shepherd three to Rosary the of Lady Our of world. The fameofthisplace is theresultof Apparitions welcomes millionsofpilgrimsandtouristsfrom all overthe shrines oftheworlddedicated to the Virgin Mary. This Sanctuary important most the of one is Fátima Lisbon, of North km 142 saint: 1984. The name was changed the shepherdsin formofOurLadyFatima. Virgin Mary appeared to on May 13,1917,the due tothefact that Its worldwide fame of theMiddle lobster, seabass, andthegoldengrilledsoleorroastsardines. restaurants village, lighthouse region Santarém, in the central Belongs to the district of hab/km². 162,7 Density: (2011). inhabitants 596 11 with 71,29 of municipality town, belongs to the Fátima, a Portuguese FÁTIMA meters 250 to a former Gulfthatuntilthesixteenth century extended sports. The Bay ofSãoMartinhodoPortoisthelastvestige sea. Due toitscharacteristics Beach thatstretches alongabeautiful São MartinhodoPortobeach Alfeizerão Nossa SenhoradosPrazeres . h existing The there isavariety and bars ofoutdoorcafés, shops, and km² of area and specialized (north). In the wide, and it has anopening sub-region between the hills of hills the between Ourém, Tagus. ige parish single in is almost all by Pope John Paul II on avenue, it isideal forchildrenandwater cosmopolitan centre flavours of the sea: steamed n h city the in to the ocean, bay washed bytheblue Santana (south) Santana a a has with about May 13, and patron of the the F átima F átima

miracle the place,thatbecame acityonJuly12,1997. construction ofthe ShrineFatimabroughtdevelopment to during between cousins Mary apparitions tothreeshepherdchildren name Accepting n hc te tte f u Ld i placed. is Lady all typesofsouvenirs,speciallyreligiousobjects. Our Near thesantuarythere are lotsofshopswheretouristscanbuy of Statue each year. the Here converge thefourmillion pilgrimswhovisittheSanctuary which Apparitions. on Lady’s Our of place the The exact spot is marked by a marble pillar at Iria, da Cova in The very heart of the Sanctuary was the first building constructed 70,000 people“onthedaysundanced”. Oriana Reconquista Francisco and Jacinta May 13 Christianity, she wasbaptized n 18 I bcm world became It 1158. in and 13 was October given in marriage to 1917, the site Marto), which thentookplace the being captured by Fatima princess named derives story thatthe name is the Arabic. from The city’s name FATIMA MIRACLE HISTORY OF n unconfirmed an aos for famous of Cova da Christian army a count of from and giventhe (Lucia andher who, after a Moorish Iria. Ourém. comes Virgin There The

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL (the feud between Kings SanchoIIand Afonso III. tradition where nowthere shouldbea niche withanimagewhich chapel-shrine Lady of Grace door- The access door ofthe town has a the Epistle. Christ in Heaven,iscurrently in the sidewall altarpiece painting altarpiece its interior, its affected spiral staircase to thebelltower.Greatly chapel at the,coveredbyasmalldomeand churches inthe village, with a baptismal second half ofthesixteenth century, as other old its initial construction retains onlythevestigesof famous as themosttypicalandtraditionaldrinkofObidos. known wines fromGaeiras, like cherry, a liquorthatbecame Church of St.Peter- The Medieval beautiful Manuelinestyle.Photo 20 some parts ofthecastle. the construction of aspace the reignof ManuelI,mayorordered Óbidos Region and qualified most the is pear of species a Rocha”, and lampreys from Gaeiras, fruit -applesandoranges.“Pêra lagoon, eel repaired rule. Dishes Gastronomy ofÓbidos was is probably Castle Óbidos At Óbidos youcanvisit Gothic portal After conquered bytheChristiansitwas produces by theearthquake of 1755,stands outin says was later and enlarged of gilded - S.Peterreceivingthe keysof from the tribune achieves great expression the -

eiae t Our to dedicated stew andfried,sweet-Muggle-of-eggs nave, the magnificent the nave, based on a offered excellent wines, excellent fortified Wt Rmn origin, Roman With – fish stew fish Johannine period. in the façade. several times. in thanksgiving It haswindows of ne Arab under and changed ay f Grace of Lady foundation among which are which among It was reformed fort. of the in the Region baroque f h Óbidos the of The old During after the siege of of of It of the Westernthe of n h place the in of Usseira. the well- the in the 1246 Ó Ó bidos bidos caldeird

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night into apreferabledestinationforspa,culturalandruraltourism. their closeness to the capital ofthe country, hasturned the region and practicing sportsand attractive cultural sights along with Breathtaking landscapes, wonderful opportunities for recreation stones makesthisplaceveryattractive. watermill among flowers wonderful woods, nature, beautiful REPUBLIC CZECH CZECH REPUBLIC climatic conditions that are ideal for hiking and recreation. countryside and pleasant vast expansesofbeautiful town anditsenvirons have and Svitava Rivers, the in thebasinofSvratka glen. Thanks toitsposition by the and southeast it is bordered Uplands, andfromthesouth from the west by the spur ofthe the north it is shielded by has avaried character. From whose settlement stretches wayback into prehistorical times, one ofthelandsBohemian Crown. The city’s environs, Brno formsthenatural centre of Moravia.Historically it was about 400 000inhabitants). Moravian city, second largest in the Czech Republic, Moravian Wine Path. The metropolisoftheregionislargest long-distance andregionalcyclingroutes,aswelltheunique swimmable waterreservoirs.SouthMoraviaprovidesboth synagogues, placesofbloodybattles, traditional folk festsand and chateaus, karst caverns,archaeological sites, churchesand local people. The regionoffers scenic beauties, historical castles traditions, such as the Ride of the Kings, meet the hospitality of vineyards andwinecellars, taste our liquid sun! Learn folk Veltlín, Frankovka, andSt.Lawrencewines. Walk amongthe Moravian culture.DiscovertheregionproducingRieslings, silhouette of Pálava of theMoravaandDyjerivers,orunforgettableforks at the forest floodplain the of charms mysterious Mountains, the beech woods and orchid meadows of the of beauty the yourself for discover can fields. You fertile and Moravia isaplaceofcultivated vineyards,blossomingorchards before you–innotime, and forever. Formanypeople,South of Europe,whichyouwillcometolove,asdidsomanymore veryheart the in region a specific find will Youcountryside. not hesitate, set off fora journey to see the beauties of the local Moravia, anddo Czech Republic,letyoureyesrestonSouth When looking at the map for aperfect holiday destination in the Region SouthMoravia Drahan uplands, Dyjsko-svratecký . Viticulture is an integral part of South Bobrav White Carpathian Brno( B rno M ora vian K arst 1100 caves, five of which are accessible to the public. Another the to accessible are which of five 1100caves, of theCzech Television andtheCzech Radio inbothcasesby 13 universitiesandabout89,000students. There isalsoastudio also animportant centre of higher education, with 33 faculties of two hundredthousandvisitorseverydayit‘sbeingheld.Brnois competition fireworks international an includes tradition cultural notable the was established in1930andthemostprestigiousracesinclude motorbike and other races on the one ofthe sights ofthe city. The city is also knownforhostingbig exhibitions and started functioning in 1928 and established the tradition of large first complex huge this world), the in (23rd Europe in centres Brno Exhibition Centre ranksamong the largest exhibition of themostfamousbattles of the Napoleonic Wars tookplace. is theSlavkov Battlefield . Yes, thisistheveryplace where one sites these of One changed. was history where sites and parks Moravian Karst The city’s environsare full ofnatural reserves, nature, one of the especially attractive areas nearby being the World Heritage Sites.Brnoissurroundedbyrelatively pleasant Tugendhat Another important monument of Brnoisthe functionalist for acoupleoflegendslikenumberotherplaces inBrno. VeveříCastle neartheBrnoDamLake,thiscastle is asubject symbols. The other large and preserved castle in the city is characteristic cityscape and areoftendepicted as itstraditional on fortress The most important sights of the city include the castle and Petrov hill,thesetwoformerlymedieval buildingsformthe Road Špilberk andtheCathedralofSaintsPeter and Paul Racing World ChampionshipGrandPrix.Another which has beenincluded in the Ignis Brunensis, trade fairs held in Brno, nowit also ranks among this eventusuallyattracts one or Masaryk Circuit, Central Europe withover fascinating karst regions in Because it is one of the most metre in allofEurope. Why? speleologists per square has the greatest density of said thattheMoravianKarst of exaggeration it canbe With aconsiderable amount local televisionstation. to Brno Television, asmall law. The city isalsohome UNESCO list of this tradition Villa

CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC and charming chateaux in Milotice, enchanting full ofgreenmeadowsand river nourishesawidevalley of the beautiful meanders Carpathians. The beautiful Slovácko ishome to the the water. is idealforsimplyrelaxing by and fishing, sport and riding as hiking,cycling, horseback for sportingactivities, such clean countryside isperfect offers manydifferent optionsfortourists. The local climate and devoted to metallurgy. In addition to this, the Moravian Karst trail and atBlanenskyChateau,wherethereisanexposition (Železa) remindersthisperiodalongtheIron hiking can find of of the Bohemian and Moravian lands in the Middle Ages. You pastreveals that theMoravianKarstanditsenvironswereironworks less distant the into glimpse fleeting animals.A drawings dating back 13thousandyears.Mostofthem are of Caves. InthePekárna, Kůlna The oldest footprints of ourancestors were discovered in the ago. years thousand 120 man Neanderthal by populated were and deepunderground. There are also hundredsofcavesthat calcite Devonian that createsenchanting scenery bothontheEarth’s surface karstified of consists wonder natural This the Moravian Karst,which is situated north of the city of Brno. limits.The heart ofthisregionistheprotected landscape areaof here to take on Mother Winter (Paní Zima) and test their physical When thesnowfalls,thousandsofcross-countryskierscome castles, fairy tale-like chateaux, windmills and A densenetworkofclearlyaroundmighty marked trailsruns summer theregionattracts tourists withitsromantic landscape. and itsenvironsareidealforaholiday. Inspring,autumnand underground worldfarfromlovely, theMoravianKarstregion Republic, one of its major attractions isthe deepest gorge in the Czech There are the fortifications the are There There are thegreat Moravian hradiskoofStaré , Město Pohansko, aswell pilgrimage sites suchas Velehrad. Chřiby and the Macocha (138,5 metres). Even for those who find the un forests between the mountains. There are Lužní Morava White Buchlov

Buchlovice and archaeologists unearthed Malenovice and rugged Bojkovice. Mikulčice Castles. rocks.

L uhacovice R otunda Z nojmo Luhačovice, powers. Today youcan enjoy contemporary spa facilities in springs andwells,manyofwhichhavelegendary curative sites in the region, there were, and still are, innumerable local spa official to addition In century. 16th the to back dates that springs. Useofthe local healing waters hasalong tradition its wine and slivovice (plum brandy), but also for its curative aviation museum inKunovice a remarkable archaeologicalin outdoormuseum Strážnice outdoor museum withanengagingfolkloreprogram, and paths andsnow-carpeted ski runs. There are spasinLuačovice scenery. grass-carpeted the has admiring It just and fishing and Lakes. Itisperfect for sportandrecreation, on theOstrožský riding, riding along the vintners. It is an ideal location for biking, hiking, horse-back Petrov, numerous vineyards, picturesque little paths to wine cellars in costumes, dances,celebrations, and traditional crafts. There are folklore festivals, wine tastings, a magical world offolk songs, There areroadsthatkingsoncerodealong,Slovácko’s festivals, sample their wine, and, as soon as youleavetheDyjeValleysample their wine,and,assoon the ruins oflong-abandoned mills, you can enter vineyards and Šobes. Bytakingatripalong theriver, you willcomeacross blessed withthebestof southern Moravia’s vineyards, suchas an honourablemention. this regard, the spa facilities in Slovácko deserve more than just in thecountryside,andnumerouscultural and socialevents.In the beautifulenvironment, which offers severalpleasantwalks here, in addition to the aforementioned healing waters, include Hodonín neboZlín-Kostelec Hodonín. There isalsoazooinHodonín,famous Vlčnov and sržk Nv Ves, Nová Ostrožská Mařatice Baťa Canal, and flying over and boating . Important aspects oftreatment , where you will find industrious find will you where , . Slovácko is famous not only for and onitsleftbankit is twists, curves and meanders, unpolluted form. The Dyje well-preserved in itsoriginal the Dyje River remains this, the countryside around zone with Austria. Thanks to encompassed a vast border to thepublicbecauseit Podyjí For alongtime,muchof Buchlovice-Smraďavec, wasinaccessible Modrá, andan ,

CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC unl bnah njo oe 2, klmte udr the under kilometres 26,5 historical part ofthecityand12kilometres outsideofthatpart. cover Znojmo beneath tunnels labyrinth of underground tunnels in the Czech Republic. The merchants. This medieval townalso has the most extensive tournaments andahistorical marketwithcraftsmenand houses”). Two morepopularattractions are theknight taprooms and“mázhauz” (roughly translated: “measuring Refreshments areavailable atanyofseveraldozen stylised with ahistoricscenarioonthemainplatform. Friday eveningorSaturdayafternoon of thefestival and ends Luxemburg (JanLucemburský), whichtakes place either on the Its biggest attraction is the historic procession ofKing John is situatedthroughoutalmost allofthecity’s historical centre. vinobraní)ishighlyrecommended. The festival (Znojemské frescos. Visiting Romanesque in centre. Several outstanding historical monuments are situated southwestern Moravia’s natural cultural and commercial one of the Czech Republic’s oldest towns and today it constitutes The region’s natural centre is the town ofZnojmo. wine. the somewhat contradictory practice of combining cycling and wine cellars. However, youshouldbecareful when itcomes to out alongthebeautifulpathsoflocalvineyardsandcharming in ÚnanovandZnojmo. summer the about said be can same the good; summer months, the water conditions at the saying that you canalsogohorsebackriding in Podyjí.Inthe without goes it course, Of abilities. and wishes their suits best that difficulty the chose to visitors enables and sufficient than The region’snetwork ofmarkedhikingandbikingtrailsismore smallest and youngest national park is situated along the river. over the length of the Dyje. Additionally, the Czech Republic’s romantic chateaux stand guard along the border that spans baked goodsanditspickles. experience – in addition to all the wine there are Znojmo’s spring toautumn,forbikerides,andofcourseagourmet The regionseemstohavebeenmadeforpleasantstrollsfrom orchards andmorevineyards. fruit with lowlands fertile sun-drenched in yourself find you’ll Znojmo, ofwhichthemostnotableisindisputably the rotunda ofSaintCatherinewithitsunique Znojmo And finally, wine enthusiasts can set can enthusiasts wine finally, And duringtheZnojmoWine Festival Several monumental castles and Vranov Dam swimming pools Znojmo are is D olní VÏ stonice attractive partsoftheroyaltown historical wine train. The sightseeing train travels to the most Znojmo Castle,and you can learn more about the region’s the vineyards, inpartsof new sampling standsintheHavraníky as wellmoreaboutwinetastingattheŠobesvineyard and of A visitor’s centre provides information about the operations cellars. A tourofthemonasteryendswithsomewinesampling. crypts, acooper’s andvintner’s museum,andstuccohalls Znojmo landmark. Itoffers tours ofitsartgallery, Romanesque monumental The floor. one partinZnojmo–theLouckýMonastery also has a fifth In some sections there are four stories above one another, only Pálava wasmade justforthem. anglers and wine lovers can all feel like the countryside under you are in a spa town. Hikers, cyclists, water sport enthusiasts, When youwalkthrough thedistrict, you havethe feeling that colonnades, statuesandchapels,toartificialruins. are anumberofstylised buildings, fromchateaux through and artfulvistas, inwhichthere meadows rare trees,ponds, to create “Europe’s Garden” in this region – a lovely world of a routetohereandcenturies later, theLichtensteins decided The RomanlegionofEmperorMark Aurelius alsodiscovered Věstonice, anditgainedinternationalrenown. made here. The sculpturewasdiscoveredinthevillage ofDolní Pálava “Europe’s Garden”foritalsoencompassesPavlov’s Peaksand The touristic Moravian winecellarsinŠatovandthe Křížov cellar in Přímětice in cellar Křížov Novomlýnský reservoir system reservoir , theNovomlýnský Lednice - Valticedistrict - Lednice Loucký Monastery , intheZnojmounderground, in ětncá Venuše –was Věstonická world-famous carvingofthe prehistoric ceramics – the of the oldest specimens of mammoth hunts, and one was oncethesiteofgreat region underPálava have drawnpeopletothe climate and fertile soil dawn ofhistory, afavourable and in theenvironsofMikulov Znojmo isnot limited to being Hustopeče. Sincethe , andawineregion . Malovan cellar s significant a is . This ,

CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC creation spreading over an area of almost 200 square kilometers. platforms are set into the landscape to form a single, harmonious is theGardenofEurope, Chateaus,pavilionsandobservations countryside nexttofarm buildingsinawayclearly signals: this meant for relaxation and entertainment, and aresetintothe structures inRomantic, Classicist, EmpireandNeo-Gothic are the aristocratic family Liechtenstein. Architectural follies and cultured landscape formedoverthe course ofcenturies by The uniqueworkartknownastheLednice-ValticeArea isa list. district expansively landscapedcountryside,the this is what makes Pálava so extraordinary. As Europe’s most factors cannot be found anywhere else in the country, and Area Valtice climatic impact on the heat and aridity of the Panonská significant a has which Moravia, of south very the in location great degree of diversity, andpartly because of itsgeographical This is partly owning to its limestone subsoil, with guarantees a country andeasilyoutshinesallofournationalparks. abundance of plant and insect specimens is incomparable in this Pálava you might spy amajestic ospreycircling below theclouds. change ofleavesintheforestandvineyards,whilewinter lizard orpryingmantis.Infallyoucanlookforwardtocolorful green a by crossed be might path your summer the In flower. In the spring you can´t miss the blooming irises and Adonis Děvičky is The highestpeakoftherange part oflowerMoraviaRiver. Areaand Lednice-Valtice explanded to includetheneighboring was it 2003 In UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 1986 it was declared a Hills andsurroundingarea. countryside ofthePálava in1976 to save the valuable Landscape Area wasdeclared The PálavaHills Děvín (550m),guardedatthenorthendbyruinsofcastle , was entered into UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage WorldCultural UNESCO’s into entered was , isoneoftheCzechRepublic’s truenatural gems. Its . On the Pálava Hills every season is amazing own way. district. The combination of thesetwonatural

Protected Lednicko -Valtice Lednice- P ála v a M L ednice inaret C ha teau selecting thecountry´sonehundredbestwineseach year. excellent wine andtastingatWine SalonofCzech The chateau´s enormouswinecellarsholdvast quantities of At theendof18thcenturyaBaroquetheaterwas added. guard theentrance: Hercules andthree-headed dog Cerberus. shape withacentral courtyard. Two monumental sculptures The reconstructioninthe17thcenturygaveitarectangular in the16thcenturyintoafortifiedlateRenaissancemansion. the smalltownofValtice. The original Gothic castle was rebuilt its chateau park dominates The leading uptothelibrary. carved wood spiral staircase The crowning workisa and floors. carving, cassetteceilings including fabulous wood famous for its interiors, The chateau is especially park withMinaret. the chateau is anextensive the main chateau. Behind and a greenhouse attached to towers, aBaroqueridinghall surrounding courtyards, two with eight wings and The resultwasamansion Chateau complexes: Gothic architectural Europe´s loveliest Neo- The pearl of isone Baroque chateau with dates from1850. Republic, Lednice

CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC thermal pool. The thermal the mostpopular campgroundsin the Czechrepublicwith not farfromthe main route Vienna-Mikulov-Brno, is oneof Jihlava and Svratka Rivers).. By the willage of Pasohlávky, Dyje, the of confluence the at reservoir the of water of bodies reaches oftheextensive enthusiasts, surfers and yachting enthusiasts head to the upper paths, or the scenic voyages along the Dyje River. Water sport hiking trips,otherstoenjoytheabundantnetwork ofbike of outdoorrecreation. Some come here to setouton pleasant Valtice district castles, colonnades,statuesandforestchapels. The Lednicko- abounds witha wide assortment of historical chateaux and region this flood-plainforest, a of remains preserved largest the having to addition In 1605. from dates here tombstones 4000 is oneoflargest andoldestinthecountry. The oldestof the along narrow, winding streets. The 317 housescrammed together Chateau Hillandconsisted covered thewesternslopeof quarter The formerJewish centre of MoravianJudaism. was the cultural and religious three hundred yearsMikulov Dietrichstein Tomb. For the square is the massive feature on theeastsideof Holy Trinity by acolumn consecrated to the decorated with sgraffito. The axis of the town centre is dominated square. Mikulov´s longBaroquetown Bellow the chateau extends Renaissance winebarrel. the chateaucellarisagigant Museum inMikulov headquartes of the Mikulov Chateau is the forbidding Holy Hill of itsgrandchateau, the famous for the panorama The oldtownMikulovis The Renaisancehouseonthecornercalled behinditandthe . The dominant . The Goat Tower. also tends to the needs of those seeking any type Pasohlávky Recreation Area offers excellent Regional andin oolnk reservoir Novomlýnský Jewish cementary U Rytířů is in Mikulov ( thethree M ikulov H C oly ha H teau ill A U S P asohla lmond ynku

vky garden Triton withdolphins risesfromthecentre of thefountain. It Trinity(1736). Foto 14 The gallery, informationcentre and thepermanent wine exposition. almonds. a Vinařská streets) and the and Vinařskáa streets) several winecellarsandshopsinthetown(NaHradbách Hustopeče Baroque plaguepillar The stonefountaindatebackto1595. Ancient

almond gardens areuniquethroughout Permanent Wine Exhibition of March. and wine was inthe end year and the fest of almond in thealmondgardenthis outlook-tower wasopened the Czech Republic. A new Synků”. the in the historic cellars of 1579, whereistheMuseum, Synků U “ house square istheRenaissance and intheupperpartof Renaissance style in 1906 was built in German Neo- growing apricotsandeven The regionissuitable for memorable events of June. and Vrbice was oneofthe Hustopeče through running Andre Regioncycling route and the opening of the Hustopeče crossing routes and Moravian 1365. Today visitorscanvisit of the vineyards there around inhabitants ownedonethird connected with Brno whose winegrowing wasclosely vineyard slopesandthelocal first-class had Hustopeče good wine and almond. Hustopeče- and adrenalinsports. windsurfing for conditions hasa sculpture of the Holy Renaissance house“U

The Velké Pavlovice The town hall the town of wine cycle ” from localed

CZECH REPUBLIC CZECH REPUBLIC to plaguepatronsdatesback1680 to relaxabovethetown. The original baroque chapel dedicated neglected forest park offers a pleasant atmosphere and a place amphitheatre and somewhat chapel of St. Roch, natural The Cross hillwith its baroque the townduringhisstudies. his familyandstayingin interesting. Places relating to T.G.Masaryk can also be first the President ofCzechoslovakia, with connected A walkthrough places from the original church. many preservedartifacts 1994. 25, The newbuildingincludes September on of Bohemiatookplace St.Wenceslas andSt. Agnes The on February26,1961. subsoil whichtoitscollapse 1902) did not respect the overall stability of the building and the 14 Wenceslas Church from Gothic take pride in the dominant could Hustopeče in square a few decades ago the town where were several wells. Just pipes fromthewesternhillock Water was brought by wooden drinking waterinthetown. was one of the few sourcesof changes (from16 th century. The grandiose new church of building ofSaint th centruryto . B aroque H ustopece

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pillar into apreferabledestinationforspa,culturalandruraltourism. their closeness to the capital ofthe country, hasturned the region and practicing sportsand attractive cultural sights along with Breathtaking landscapes, wonderful opportunities for recreation stones makesthisplaceveryattractive. watermill among flowers wonderful woods, nature, beautiful TURKEY TURKEY the Internet, but useofscanners,printers etc.isusuallyextra. prices. A settime-related feeischarged forthe useofthecomputeror It isveryeasytofindInternet cafesanywhereinthecitywithreasonable Internet Cafes your ownforuseofanyextraelectricalitem. prongs. As isnoteasytofindadapters inthecity, itisadvisabletobring In Istanbul,electricityissuppliedat220voltswith plugsoftworound Electricity where possible,insteadofcashingthem. a sizablecommission.Itisadvisabletousethem asdirectpayment cashed asmostofthebanksandexchangeoffices(dovizburosu)char or DinersCardscanposedifficulties. Travelers’ Chequesarenoteasily cards areacceptedgenerallyeverywhere,although American Express are quotedinUSD(especiallythetouristareas). Visa andMaster The currencyusedinthe Turkish RepublicistheLira.Manyprices Money recorded is41’C(105.8‘F)-16’C(5’F). country, withanaveragehumidityof73%. The maximumthathasbeen The regionallocationofIstanbulisthesecondmosthumidregion Climate departure. the homecountry. Checkwithyourlocal Turkish Embassypriorto for othersitisadvisabletopre-arrangeata Turkish Embassyin countries thisvisacanbesupplieddirectlyuponarrivalattheairport, Most countries’ citizensrequireavisatoenter Turkey. Forsome Arrival some helpfuldetailstomakeyourstayeasierwhenyouareinIstanbul. find will you Below Horn’. Golden ‘the called water of channel narrow a by downtown) modern the and City Old (the districts two into divided contrast, the European side is the commercial and cultural center, further residential role ofthe city, it doesn’t present a lot to see historically. In the Fulfilling side. Asian the of inhabitants are 65% almost which from population census shows that it has a population of about 12 million people, Istanbul Fact for thevisitor INFORMATION

is acosmopolitan city built ontwocontinents. The mostrecent

ge Turkey usesthemetricsystem. Weight and Measurement System 0-0-8001 2277,MCI1177, USSprint0-0-80014477. international operators,herearethemostcommon numbers: AT&T they areavailableattheairportandallmajor touristysites.For 3. Credit cardphones: These workwithallthemajorcreditcardsand purchase 60or100unitsformakinginternational calls. are threekinds-30units,60unitsand100units. Itisadvisableto be purchasedfromthepostofficesandmoststreet vendors. There 2. Cardphones and quiteold-fashioned. be purchasedfromthepostoffice. Thesephonesareveryhardtofind 1. Tokenphones : Fortheseyouhavetoinsertaspecialtokenthatcan There arethreekindsofpublicphones: Public Telephones cellular thereisacharge. free whenyouusearegularphonebutifareusingpublicor Police 155. Traffic police154. Ambulance 112. Thesenumbersaretoll Emergency PhoneNumbers lunar Islamiccalendarof354days. religious holidays,ofwhichthetimesvarygreatly, astheyfollowthe : Victory Day, October29th:RepublicDay. There aretwoother and Children’s Day, May19th: Youth andSportsDay, August 30th January 1st:New Years Eve, April 23rd:NationalIndependence National Holidays April andendsaroundOctober. so itisalwaystwohoursaheadofGMT. Daylightsavingstartsaround The wholecountryisinonetimezonewithadaylightsavingperiod, Time commences aftermidnight. not appeartobeworking,itisadvisablechangetaxis. The nightfare All taxisinthecity(atotalof22,000!)carryameter. Ifthemeterdoes Taxis : These workwithaspecialprepaidcardthatcan

TURKEY TURKEY legend associatedwiththem. and Hippodrome. Belowisaguideofinterestinghistoryand Church, Topkapi Palace,BlueMosque,BasilicaCistern within easywalkingdistanceandcoverthe and cisterns,mosquesbaths. The mainattractionsareall Ottoman-ness, eminentfromthemarvelouspalaces,churches steeped and Istanbul The worldrenownedcitiesof A TOUROFTHEOLDCITY partial collapses ofthedomein989 and 1346,theshapeof giving it40 windows alongitsparameter. Although therewere the nephewoffirstarchitect. Heopenedupthedomeby dome collapsedtwentyyears laterandithadtoberebuiltby December 26thin537,on theSt.Stephen’s day. However, the Anthemeios. Itwascompletedandopenedtothe publicon architects -Isidorusand ordered fromtwofamous one standing)was structure (thecurrent After theseriots,anew reign ofJustinian. revolt in532,duringthe down duringtheNika as thefirstone,burning the samefataldestiny years 404-415,butshared was erectedbetweenthe second Constantinus. The 404, duringthereignof AD butburntdownin built atthesamelocation. The firstchurchwasbuiltin360 This massive6thcenturybuildingisthethirdchurchtobe SAINT SOPHIA the OldCityarea ofSultanahmetinByzantineand , intotalspanningalmost2500years,have

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city sogukcemeokak Divine Wisdom, standsasoneofthelandmarkscity. museum andremainssotoday. Aya Sofya,theChurchof established, bytheorderofKemal Ataturk itbecamea In 1935,twelveyearsafter Turkish Republichadbeen lodge, sultan’s lodgeandlibraryareallfromthisperiod. inside andoutside. The minarets, amihrab,mimber, muezzin’s mosque. After thisconversion,Islamicadditionsweremade took power, hegavetheordertoconvertchurchintoa Ottoman Turks undertheleadershipofMehmetII.Oncehe It servedasachurchuntilthecitywasconqueredby dome todayremainsasitwasthen. loge. where theSultans couldenterdirectly fromthePalacetotheir Imperial Ottomanentrance atthecornerof Aya Sophia,from as youexitfromthetop of thislittlestreet,notethemarble century decor. There isalsothe Ataturk Libraryhere.Just is decoratedindifferent colorsandwithtypicalnineteenth houses, nowthefamous Aya SophiaPensiyonlari.Eachhouse walls aresomebeautifullyrestoredtypicalOttoman wooden and atmosphericsettingforameal.Pressedagainst thepalace occupies partoftheoldunderground cisternitself,abeautiful also istheSarnicRestaurantserving Turkish cuisine,which which ittakesitsname,atopanoldByzantinecistern. Here way. At theverytopofstreetliesasmallfountainfrom Sophia museum,withbloomingflowersandplantsalongits right andfollowthetram-linedownasfarentranceto Upon yourexitfromSaintSophia,walkarounditto SOGUKCESME SOKAK

and thebackofSaint the wallsofPalace clambers upbetween This littlecobbledstreets of theCoolFountain. Cesme Sokak,orStreet streets, namedSoguk pleasant andpicturesque of theoldcitiesmost Topkapi Palace viaone be abletowalkup you turnright,will Gulhane Park.Should

TURKEY TURKEY The secondcourtyard servedastheofficial sectionofthe Archaeological Museum. / outertreasuryoftheOttoman EmpireandtheIstanbul buildings: Aya Eirine(theChurchofDivinePeace),themint in Europe.Inthiscourtyard therearethreeimportant families attheagesof9-16,duringOttoman conquests They wereformedfromboyswhohadbeentaken fromtheir who actedasoneofthebranchesOttoman army. The first courtyard is known as the courtyard of the Janissaries, four courtyards: (‘Topkapi’ =CanonGate). The palaceismainlydividedinto takes itsnamefromthemainseagateinthesedefensive walls palace. Infact,thepalace around thewallsof the Byzantinecitywalls years later. Headjusted the palacewasbuilt6 courtyard. The restof the Haremandfourth Palace in1459including began tobuild Topkapi disuse. SultanMehmet saray) asitwassoonin as theoldpalace(eski palace isnowknown stand. This currently of IstanbulUniversity Palaces, sohebuilthisownpalacewherethemainbuildings Mehmet II,theConqueror, didnottaketotheByzantine When thecitywasconqueredbyOttoman Turks in1453, TOPKAPI PALACE 1728. Ahmet III,builtbythisSultanin Gate isthebeautifulFountainof Just infrontofthePalaceImperial FOUNTAIN OFAHMETIII

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of A hmet

palace I ii

sult anhmet University. Marmara the for Office Dean’s the as serves presently It Art. were restoredandincorporated into theSchoolofIndustrial they 1970, in fire a in destroyed were kitchens public the After century. the hospital and caravanserai were destroyed in the nineteenth caravaserai, primary school, public kitchen and market, although also heldamedrese(theological school),turbe(tomb), hospital, Mosque’ bylocalpeople,wasbuiltSultan Ahmet in1609 Istanbul’s BlueMosque,alsoknownasthe‘SultanAhmet BLUE MOSQUE/SULTANAHMET CAMII found here. and RevanPavilions,MecidiyeKoskamosquecanallbe varying levelsdecoratedbykiosksorpavilions. The Baghdad The fourthcourtismoreofagardenthancourtyard,builton sultans, alibraryandthe Treasury. dresses oftheOttomanSultans,holyrelics,portraits (palace school),andvarioussectionsdisplayingtheceremonial for visitorstotheSultan). There arealsoroomsoftheEnderun The thirdcourtyardopenswiththe Arz Odasi(audiencehall and thedivan(chamberof Viziers). palace, holdingtheimperialkitchens,bakery, storagerooms surrounding complex as amosque,butitshuge only wasitbuilttoserve Not Empire). Ottoman architect ever seeninthe of Sinan(thegreatest known asastudent better Mehmet Aga, design wasSedefkar oversaw themosque’s The architect who interior. Iznik tilesdecoratingthe of thebeautifulblue Blue Mosque‘because taken tocallingitthe although foreignershave and completed in7years,

TURKEY TURKEY marble platform. Now, whilst lyingonaheated scrubbed tomassaged, washed, lathered, experience frombeing the traditionalbathing you canstillenjoy baths inIstanbulwhere This isoneoftheoldest HAMAMI CAGALOGLU in thefaceofgoodluck. belief that the bad luck associated with her myth would reverse two medusa snake heads were directed to face eachother in the tree-trunk/tear effect column withcarvings of that effect. The beautiful Medusa snakeheadsat the end ofthe cistern, and the from ruins elsewhere, as evident by the long-time submerged 336 columnssuggestedthat they were recycled or pillaged The mix-mash ofover predecessor into its core. fourth century Byzantine absorbed the smaller exists today, having sixth centuryeffort that It is Emperor Justinian’s its survival. major roleinmaintaining much besieged, it played a 20 kmaway. Foracityso from theBelgradeforest rainwater andaqueducts suburbs. Itwasfilledvia city, theBasilicaCistern,suppliedpalaceandimmediate The largest ofmanyByzantine waterstoragesystemsinthe BASILICA CISTERN/YEREBATAN SARAYI 5 timesadaytotouristsforshortperiodsprayertimes. The BlueMosqueisopeneverydayallyeararoundbutcloses Opening Hours: cagloglu basalica rumeli suleymaniye

fortress

during thevariousmusic festivalsinIstanbul. conquest. There isalsoanoutdoormini-amphi-theater used Istanbul, hisaimwastoblockanypossibleseasupportwhich Built in1452bySultanMehmetIIpriortotheconquestof RUMELI FORTRESS Sinan, between1550-1557,SuleymaniyeMosquestands Built bythegreatestarchitectofOttomanEmpire- SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE remaining relicsoftheHippodrome. cross backovertowardstheparknearBlueMosquetovisit that wereusedduringthe displaying thecanons serves asamuseum, and 19days.Nowit finished after4months The constructionwork erected on the Asian side. smaller fortressalready strait, facinganother point oftheBosphorus situated onthenarrowest Therefore, itwastobe the flailingByzantines. the BlackSeatoassist might havecomefrom (Roxelana). and hisloverHurrem the tombsofSultan The mosquealsoholds for itsconstruction. 1566, gavetheorder Empire, between1520- reign intheOttoman enjoyed thelongest Magnificent, who Sultan Suleymanthe greatest workinIstanbul. as undoubtedlyhis

TURKEY TURKEY preserved mosaicsandfrescoesfromtheRomanerain Turkey. as manyattractivefrescoes.Infact,thesearethemostwell depicting thelifeof Virgin MaryandJesusChrist,aswell as amuseum.Inthechurch,therearebeautifulmosaics mosque, butnowserves it wasconvertedtoa In theearly16thcentury, narthex andparacclesion. the additionofanouter inner narthexrebuiltand occupation, which sawthe following theLatin a furtherremodeling years later, itreceived century. Twohundred remodeled inthe12th the 11th centuryandwas originally underthisname. The existingchurchwasbuiltin There isnolongeranyevidenceofthechurchwhichwasbuilt CHURCH OFCHORA chora ROMANIA ROMANIA monasteries and churcesvaryingfrom thehumble hermitage up and also,Not surprisingforsuchareligious country, manyold found herefrontier fortresses andnicely renovated mansions, which both,inoldtimes, werethecapital of Wallachia. He will the historicaltownofCurtea de Arges and Campulung Muscel, history andarquitecture must visitthe Arges regionandspecially But thetraveller who wantstoexploredeeperthe Romanian river bank haveastrangecharm. of pre-Communist interest. tthe is neither too picturesque reveran landseemstobeabbandoned. This partof Wallachia During theSecond Ploiesti. Dating from 1850,theyareamongtheoldestinEuropa. mark wells Oil producing oneofthebestwinesinRomania. side of the Danube’s basin, there are the Dealu Mare vineyards, fade in the n h Suhr eteiy f Wallachia, of estremity Southern the In of the richestnationsinEurope. leave than rather important, that the alliesdecideditwasbettertobombPloiesti of small and fields well-groomed south, the in Its alpine slopes gentlely become hilss or gorges and farther peak and the highest of Romania “Moldoveanu Peak” (2 544m). In Nord-Eastof Wallachia, the Fagaras Massif erects its biggest Romanian nationalunitarystate. one of the three historical provinces that formed in 1859 the first beauty. The most frequently usedname is Wallachia, denoting Eastern side of the River Olt, a region blessed with a rare natural The Romanians call in many waysthe region situated in the Wallachia Plain and Gypsiesjust forethnic reasons. Inthe30sBaragan Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej exiledhere thousandsofGermans known BaraganPlain.Inthe1950s, communist leader In theeast ofCarpathians, into the countryside. private buildings raisedwithout agricultural business development, while Today, the enormous land advancing Germanarmy. mountain was producing Due tothe proximityofDanubeandsomeremnaits endless stretches ofuncultivated part is, butexactly the Northern extremity of extremity Northern the the oil fields to fields oil the so many grains that made of Romania prosperity, the towns located World areas nor orietentated towards tourism in the center of Wallchia are used for Wallachia War theywere consideredso for thisreason it presents some restrictions, penetrate fall extends upto thewell- no h hns of hands the into the oil fields around fields oil the wide land. In the other commercial strips family on the deeper of farms one and flat the as Poienari Fortress Fortress raisingoverhim. can feel seeing the Vlad Tepes’ (alsocalled Dracula) Poienari impresing engineering enterprises. Nottomention the thrill one Europe. Others, as the Tranfagarasan, with its norrow curbes are rutes whichlinked Wallachia with Asia andtheNorthen Part ofthe Arges regionroadsfollowthemedieval comercial to memorableanddominantcathedrals. Wallachia and wasincluded church the Built big complex is Saint Nicholas church from theXIIIth centurybutbestpreservedbuilding ofthis of theSaintNicoara Churchdating In theCourtthereareruins of theRoyalCourtissurroundedbywalls. of PosadawhenBasarabrulerstoped theHungarians. The ruins 1395, andits exteriorisimpressive. The majorityofthefrescoes aretheoriginalonesdatingfrom Wallachia founder was somewhere from Campulung is among is Vlaicu between the middle and the oldest the Voda, whomoved thecapital Muscel toCurteade Arges in1369. Orthodox in road towards Pitesti north of the Municipal Museum, inthe was of Wallachia.capital The Arges de As its namesuggestsCurtea churches andmedieval court. its two famous reborn attracting touristswith 1990 the townseemstobe of the most important Curtea de Arges is oneof River, surrounded byhills. is located near the de Arges Curtea Former capital of Curtea deArges 1330, shortly aftertheBattle Royal Court built the World Heritage. Its created in Byzantine style. Wallachia, end places market of the of worship of XIV near and since Wallachia, h first the faces

the main century, places Arges the of in in

ROMANIA ROMANIA a charmingwoodenhermitage fromthe15 to the left on a steep trail that climbs a hill. After 2 km you reach In the center of the village, near a mill and abunchoftrees take find manypensions. by thick forests. If you want to stay overnight at Bradet you will means pineforest. The townoffering superbviewsisbordered Galesu andBradulet villages until you reach Bradet. Bradet and poorlymaintainedthrough country roadandyouwillpass that youhavetotaketheleftBradet.Enternarrow shows Km youwillreachRobaiaandMusatestiwhereanindicator 14 after Valleyand Iasi the through Pass DN73C. on Muscel in Curtea de Arges center and take to the right towards Campul regarding the direction, always ask.Start from the Royal Court of theRomanianruralareasareoftenabsent.Ifyouhavedoubts Before starting yourjourney, keepinmindthatroadsignsmost the 20thcentury. of beginning the until century 14th the from Transylvania and monasteries. This regionmarkedtheborderbetween Wallachia offer awonderfulviewandshelterisolated villages and solitary The mountains withdeepvalleys in thenorthofCurtea de Arges kept theinteriorofGolescufamilyhome. houses made from woodwithtraditional interior. The mansion of therurallife, The Museumisformedofanentirevillage of the vineyardandorchardcomplexwithafascinating museum Industrial center of Pitesti was opened for the first time combined Since 1939 whenthis splendid mansion situated near the The Vineyard andorchardingMuseum,Golesti 1821. you canseeagenuininterior andpainted cellings dating from Mitrofan’s restaurant opened inanoldPhanariotmansionwhere Romanian beer andtaste the delicious „mititei” in Mrs. among the counters of The Central Market, have a cup of Thursdays are the most suitable day for a visit. After a walk oldest innsituatedinthe Viorelelor Street. century andearly twentieth the houses inthisneighborhoodwerebuilt period, explore theareaaroundMarketCentrale.The most of the next village, Domnesti, crossthe bridge and take another At Musatesti returntothemainroad DN73Candtakeleft. In In some zone of the river, a prehistoric fish called the River Vaslan towardstheNorth, crossingthe Vaslan Gorges. path through the woods leaves the village and meanders along To get an idea of how Curtea de Arges was during the century. Casa Goanga,isoneofthe in the late eighteenth th century. Another asprete

communist lives. Campulung Monastery (“Stone Ravens”) “Corbii de Piatra” Here thereistheoldesttombstoneofarulerinRomania. Wallachia.of founder the Negru, Radu Prince by 1215 in built being existence, wasdiscovered. Negru Voda Monasterywas At The oldestproofsofmaterial culture arefrom(1700-1600 BC). Brasov, from km 87 and Pitesti from Km 54 at located Being crossed by Târgului River. The NationalPark “PiatraCraiului” Campulung calceolus (a very rarespeciesoforchid), Rupicapra rupicapra Craiului, Nigritella nigra, Trollius europaeus, Cypripedium plants andanimals as:theedelweiss, thealpine carnation ofPiatra A flora and fauna reservation, it was founded for protecting rare Stone) Pescăreasa, in the south oftown,a necropolis, proof of human most pureByzantinestyle. Monastery, diginhardgrindstoneandpainted in the 1 km,theroadwill take you toSaintsPetruandPavel’s Corbi village take a right turn andkeep going forabout Transylvanian shepherds fromJina.Inthemiddle of the (the StoneRavens)andwasfoundedin18 Corbi village. The full name of the village is Corbii de Piatra the to up continue Stăneşti, through pass and country roadtotheleft,drivealongDoamneiRiver townislocated in Campulung hallow, anditis area longtime before. But people lived in the German here lived a significant Until theXVIIcentury town ofRomania. Campulung the oldest 1300, whichmakes mention dates from Firstdocumentary Transilvania. of Walachiawith an activeconnection have beenalways and itssurroundings 73, Campulungtown on the National Road th community. century by (King’s

ROMANIA ROMANIA alpine rooster), thelinx,andbear. Aquila chrysaetos (the alpine falcon), Tetrao urogallus (the animal spices are: Tichdroma muraria, the viper, the raven, on theslopescomingdown themontains. The predominant increased theirspreading areauptotheDambovitei Valley and alder, the black currant, or Lilium martagon (the forest lily) (the Rabit’s tail)and Thymus vulgaris.Speciesas:thewhite (the Hero’s Cross),oxalis acetosella Hepatica TransilvanicaBurdock), Symphytum cordatum (the Black beard), Aconitum tauricum (omagul), Dianthus spicullifolius (the Hungarian that have been put under protection: by approx.50speciesofwildplants areaAn ofthereservationisinhabited century werefoundinthearea. and achurchdatingbacktoXII-XV medieval one, traces of settlements Ruins ofaDacian fortress andofa the villages Cetateni and Cotenesti. of theLeoata Mountains between The reservationislocatedinthesouth Coltii Cremenii Athenaeum andthe Athenaeum Cross. over Passage, orcomingfromtheFagarasMountains,andcross The accesstothereservationcanbemadebyRucar-Bran reservations inourcountry. inclusion ofthisareaamongthe glacier valley hasdetermined the The presenceofrareplantsand rich in glacial valleys and circuses. is characterized by a landscape Dambovita and Lady’s Rivers,and is surroundedbythevalleys of peak. The Papusa - Iezer Massif valleys andtheIezerul Mare Catunului and Iezerului glacier The reservation zoneincludesthe “Iezer” Reservation. and theviper. goat), black rocks) (the Tichdroma the of butterfly (the muraria E co “I T ezer “P he ia N (K ” R tra a ing tional eserv C ’ s raiului S a P tone tion ark ” ) .

hailesti-Muscel Park from Mi - Dendrological In Albesti village, near Campulung-Muscel are located the The Geological Reservations from Albesti the broadsnout,trout. loach, the as: such species other find can we Valsanwater the why the area was declared a nature reserve. Beside asprete, in to extinction. It can be found in abundance in this area that’s of fish was discovered in 1957 and has a small area, being close called with the Romanian word all over the world. This species is that fish only the asprete, the for especially there are that fish a wonderfulview, thereservation is knownforthe species of the Valsanului Valley was declared a faunareservation. Having Between the villages Musesesti and Bradulet, an aria of 17km of Valsanului Valley fauna reservationfromCorbi-Ciungi. and June.Nearthe narcissus glades from Negrasissituated the the narcissus that resist during two months of the year: May and the mild climate encourages the optimal development of rise plane and theGavanu-Burdea one. The nature of soils the between village, Negrasi of zone the in ha 4.6 of area an occupies and 1966 in founded was flowers of reservation The The NarcissusGladesfromNegrasi. natural reservation. and exotic species, the parkfromMihailesti was declared Occupying an area of 57.50 ha the forestry reservation is located Dendrological ParkfromMihailesti-Muscel Due to the important collection of inland Cyprus and Virginia juniper. pine, thegingobiloba, the Californian species: the American walnut,thesilvery red oak,theash,juniper and theexotic The predominant inland species are: the in height. m 30 and of diameters ofthem in cm 40 some reaching oak, red strobe, pine fir, species wereplanted,suchasCaucasian various indigenousandexoticforest Campulung-Muscel city. They planted the from km 20 Mihailesti, village the in

ROMANIA ROMANIA with agreatscientificvalue. invertebrates, and vertebrates of species identified were layers and thesecondlayerisonupperpartpure.Intwo having two layers: the first layer is impure and lies at the bottom limestone of Albesti representedbyarockabout15mthick, the is there sector, first the from km 1.8 At lichen. and moss in themiddle ofthissector there are larger blocks,covered by represented byhazelnuts,herbs,alder, briarandblackthorn, having different sizes. These are covered by vegetation well 80 blocks of granite that occupies an area of 250 square meters, over includes sector first The reservations. scientific declared important for geological and paleontological researches being reservations ofgranitandlimestone of Albesti. These arevery of the fortress is still difficult because 1.480 steps carved on the army way. Inclusively nowadays,theaccess tothethickwalls this istheplacewhere Vlad Tepes backedoff fromthe Turkish perched on a mountain pick, at 860 m altitude. The legend says Poienari Fortress is placed 4 kilometers away from Vidraru dam, Poienari Fortress some greenspotsforstopovers,surroundedbywonderful cliffs. of small waterfalls. The road goes along with the river, offering The roadtothecavepassesbyDambovicioara River whichisfull temperature of 10-12 °C, because it is crossed by a stream of air. river action. It is a warm cave, with a moderate humidity and a stone Massif of Piatra Craiului, as a result of Dambovicioara on theRucar-Bran passage. The cavewasformedinthechalk- Dambovita Cave is situated in Arges County, at 20 km from Bran, Dambovita Cave being declaredanaturalmonument. fossil place from Suslanesti is recognized in the entire world three categories: local theminto fish, deep sea fish and migratory fish. grouped The the fauna of study scientific newfor The are science. 13 which from fish, of species 30 than more by preserved arichfossilfaunarepresented In thefoundationwas the reservationoccupiesanareaof1ha,onHobaiaHill. Situated on the Arges Valley, 6 kmfromthetownofCampulung, The Fossil PlacefromSuslanesti Balea Lake electrically lit sothat Vidraru canbeseen fromairplanes. is 830,000meters above the sea. hinder of height normal The ml. millions 465 is capacity the water is generally of 155 m, near the high dam of 166 m and of 2.2 km, in the Wolf Valley area - Calugarita. The depth of the about 393hectares,alength of10.3kmandamaximum width is lake the of area total The ml/s. 5.5 about of flow total a with water of the Capra River, Buda River and other affluent streams It issituatedintheheartofFagarasMountain,highestand Balea Lake Byzantine andXIV century. which expertssayareofthepuresttradition dating fromthe implanted into therock,butalsobecause it isfullofpaintings, The churchisspecialnotonlyforthewayinwhichitwas the waterinfiltrationthereisarealdangerofcrumbling. the grit stone. Because of the trees grown above which facilitate Campulung - Domnestiroad. The monastery church wasdugin from Curtea de Arges in the “Corbi (Ravens)” village, onthe The monastery issituated on Lady’s Riverbank,at35km Monastery “Corbii dePiatra”(“StoneRavens”) National Geographic,DiscoveryandHistoryChannel. mentioned in some documentaries of famous channels like Poienari Fortress is also known as Vlad Tepes’ Fortress. It was hill mustbeclimbedtoreachthem. Mountains, the lake collects the between FruntiiandGhitu on the Arges River. Situated 1966 in built was length, km 28 Vidraru, anaccumulation lake of Vidraru dam shape, dominatedbydeepridge. terraces and agreat valley in “U” glacial relief withmoraine, reserve andrepresentsatypical part ofthehomonymousnature of ourCarpathians.Balea Lake is mountain magnificent most the At night the outlines are

ROMANIA ROMANIA century. dug into the rock by unknown hands, in the first half of the XVI Placed at5kmnorth-eastfromCampulung,thechurchisall situated into an oldpicturesqueness area with historical traces. Namesti Monastery, hidden into a rock,at 765 maltitude, is Namesti Monastery the fog,evenduringsummer. in lost almost yourself find you Suddenly Transfagarasan isarealexcitement. spectacular view of theregion. Driving on the a offers and m 2042 to up second height Romanian road, ascending (Vallachia). the The Transfagarasanis and connects Transylvania with Muntenia alttitude m 2000 at Mountain Fagaras the Transfagarasan crosses the main peak of Through a 900 m long tunnel The The Transfagarasan Road T he T ransf agrasan R oad KNOWN AND UNKNOWN EUROPE

Partner- schools of the 1 - 54 SOU “Sv.Ivan Rilski” Сoy Comenius Project Sofia (Bulgaria) “Landscapes of Europe” 2 - Istituto Tecnico Commerciale e per Geometri Gaetano Salvemini Molfetta (Italy)

3 - Urzad Gminy Miedzna Miedzna (Poland)

4 - Agrupamento de Escolas Marinhas do Sal Rio Maior (Portugal)

5 - Gymnazium T.G.Masaryka Dukelske Namesti Hustopeče (Czech Republic)

6 - Kokasinan Şehit Samet Kirbaş Teknik Ve Endüstri Meslek Lisesi Istanbul (Turkey)

7 - Liceul Teoretic B. Franklin Bucarest (Romania)