June 2010
Monthly Archives6 Colourful Capital Cities of the World
While the outward appearance of many capital cities is one of dull concrete, grand stone or skilled brickwork, others are characterised by a more colourful and quirky look that compliments their streetlife and brightens up even the most isolated of settlements. Here are six very different examples.
“Firepits”: How Air Force Fire Fighters Cut their Teeth
Most airfields and air force bases have an area known as the firepit, where unfortunate old aircraft are reincarnated as blazing infernos with the specific task of saving life and limb. It is here where rookie and experienced fire fighters alike acquire the necessary skills to tackle aircraft blazes, saving passengers and crew in the process.
Glasgow’s Silent Subterranean Botanic Gardens Railway Station
Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens are a popular attraction in the Scottish city, hosting thousands of visitors each year. But lurking deep beneath its tranquil flower beds and grassy knolls is an abandoned railway station, with two silent subterranean platforms hidden away for 70 years.
Colosseum To Open Subterranean Gladiator Passageways
The Colosseum is one of ancient Rome’s most revered and reviled ruins, yet areas of the famous structure have long been off-limits to the public. This summer, the network of subterranean passageways beneath the arena, where gladiators prepared for battle, will open for the first time.
6 Fiery Festivals and Ancient Midsummer Traditions
Midsummer has long been a time when myth and reality converge, when deities dance in woodlands and fiery festivities mark the advent of Midsummer’s Day. Primarily a European tradition, different countries have their own unique and often colourful take on this festival. Let’s take a look at six of them.
Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
An eclectic mix of druids, hippies and sun worshippers gathered at Stonehenge this morning to watch dawn break on the longest day of the year.
Military Mayhem and Wartime Wrecks in Miniature
Scale models and wartime dioramas present a unique and visually arresting image of history. Stories retold range from epic battles to heroic events, while modellers take great care to accurately recreate even the most brief moment in our history. Here we take a look at the work of a master – military historian and artist Sheperd Paine.
From Ancient to Modern: Greece’s Disused Olympic Arenas
One commentator recently branded Athens’ abandoned stadiums left over from the 2004 Summer Olympics as “the newest wonder of the world: the ruins of modern Greece”.
Citadels of Christendom: 6 Mighty Crusader Castles
Crusaders left the Holy Land when the fall of Acre (1291) ended almost 200 years of fighting, purging the Levante of Christian rule. Left behind were dozens of mighty fortresses that once guarded the trade and pilgrim routes of the Middle East.
Fort Tilden: New York’s Abandoned Military Base
In 1917, when the United States entered a distant war half a world away in Europe, two large forts were constructed in New York City with one purpose in mind – to defend the homeland against potential attack.
The Deserted Medieval Village of Wharram Percy
In America “DMV” stands for the Department of Motor Vehicles, while in Britain it refers to something far more interesting – deserted medieval villages. Join us as we explore the enigmatic ruins of Wharram Percy, widely credited as the most famous deserted medieval village in England.
North Tiles – Creating Your Own Wall
Yesterday we explored the Jumbo Hostel in Stockholm. Today we take a peek at a very different aspect of interior design in the Swedish capital. Enter the Kvadrat Showroom, with a unique tile system designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.
5 Creatively Recycled (and DIY) 747s: from Jumbo Hostels to Houses & Beyond
The awesome Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet revolutionised commercial air travel. With more than 1,400 rolled off the production line to date, this select group is revolutionising the Jumbo’s life-after-flight potential, from environmental consideration to the world’s wildest recycled home and hostel.
Rust Belt Road Trip: 75 Urban Decay Images
Exploring the Rust Belt is bound to turn up myriad faded treasures. The boom times of manufacturing led to unparalleled prosperity in America’s industrial cities, with the creation of lavish buildings rendered eerily abandoned by more recent economic decline. Join us on our virtual road trip through America’s industrial heartland.
Fair Weather Exploration of Scotland’s Dramatic Landscape
Popular belief says the sun is an infrequent visitor to Scotland, but this series of sun-soaked photos by Shadowgate reminds us why thousands of visitors each year love to spend their time trekking this wild and wonderful landscape.
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