Following the first post about the Monastic Island of Reichenau, which focuses on the outstanding values as well as its history and glory (such as the golden and silver ages, the scriptorium, the St. Gallen Monastery Plan, the poet monk, Hermann the Lame etc.), this post is gonna focus on introducing the three churches on this island. […]
Monastic Island of Reichenau – the cradle of western culture (1/2)
As commented by the UNESCO: The island of Reichenau on Lake Constance preserves the traces of the Benedictine monastery, founded in 724, which exercised remarkable spiritual, intellectual and artistic influence. The churches of St Mary and Marcus, St Peter and St Paul, and St George, mainly built between the 9th and 11th centuries, provide a […]
The Silk Exchange – La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia
As commented by the UNESCO: Built between 1482 and 1533, this group of buildings was originally used for trading in silk (hence its name, the Silk Exchange) and it has always been a centre for commerce. It is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. The grandiose Sala de Contratación (Contract or Trading Hall), in particular, […]
Works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner (2/2) – Palau de la Música Catalana
As the UNESCO comments: Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona. These are two of the finest contributions to Barcelona’s architecture by the Catalan art nouveau architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The Palau de la Música Catalana is an exuberant steel-framed structure full of light and space, and decorated by many […]
Works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1/2) – Hospital de Sant Pau
As the UNESCO comments: Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona. These are two of the finest contributions to Barcelona’s architecture by the Catalan art nouveau architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The Palau de la Música Catalana is an exuberant steel-framed structure full of light and space, and decorated by many […]
Maison Cailler – A Chocolate Attraction
Whenever you hear about Switzerland, what’s the first thing that comes into your mind representing this beautiful country? The Alps? The villages? The chalets? The cheese with holes? For me, it is always chocolate. Why is Swiss chocolate so popular all around the world? Because of its high quality? Because it’s super delicious? Today, let’s […]
La Maison du Gruyère – Demonstration Cheese Dairy of Gruyère AOP
Have you ever heard about the Swiss cheese called “Le Gruyère AOP“? In fact, the first time that I saw and tasted it was when I was flying from Shanghai to Zurich by Swiss International Air Lines. As you probably know already, for us Chinese people, cheese are not really that popular. However, as one […]
Lötschental – the magic valley, the hiking paradise
In fact, the first time I read about Lötschental was when I was looking for where to go to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn. If you have read my previous posts about this region you probably know already that the protected area is huge, 824 km2. Before, I always travelled to the […]
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn (2/2) – A hike to remember (Belalp – Riederalp)
Following the first post about the UNESCO Panorama Path from Belalp to Riederalp, this post will continue introducing to you the highlights including the the “färricha” and “Zickzackweg“, Aletschji, the suspension bridge (Hängebrücke), Grünsee (the Green Lake), Aletsch forest and Pro Nature Center Aletsch (Villa Cassel). 3.4 Evidence of traditional farming such as “Färricha” and the “Zickzackweg” Along […]
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn (1/2) – A hike to remember (Belalp – Riederalp)
As the UNESCO comments: The extension of the natural World Heritage property of Jungfrau – Aletsch – Bietschhorn (first inscribed in 2001), expands the site to the east and west, bringing its surface area up to 82,400 ha., up from 53,900. The site provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps, including […]