Tag Archives: Unesco

An Overview of the Historic Attractions of Prague

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Prague, capital of the Czech Republic and one of Central Europe’s economic and cultural centers. Prague is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

 

 

Charles Bridge

Prague Astronomical ClockMany of the city’s most famed landmarks are located here, including:

  • Charles Bridge, which is the city’s oldest surviving bridge. Charles IV commissioned the bridge in 1357 and it was completed in 1390. It is notable for its striking Gothic towers on either side as well as the historic statues that can be found along its length.
  • Hradcany Castle, which was once the seat of the country’s rulers but is currently the Czech president’s official residence. Established in the ninth century, it is a complex encompassing 45 acres where many historical landmarks can be found.
  • St Vitus Cathedral is a must see attraction in the Hradcany Castle complex. It is where the coronation ceremonies of Bohemia’s kings were once held. The cathedral also has several underground tombs were a number of kings are buried.
  • The Prague Astronomical Clock, which is installed outside of the Old Town Hall in Old Town Square. Originally installed in 1410, the clock is the oldest one of its type to be still operating. It’s marking of the hour draws visitors from all over the world.
  • Prague Castle, which overlooks the Lesser Town and dates back to the ninth century. The castle complex encompasses an area of nearly 70,000 square meters and includes ecclesiastical buildings and palaces in a variety of architectural styles ranging from the Gothic to the Romanesque. It has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • St. Vitus Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral notable as an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. Located in the Prague Castle complex, the cathedral is currently the seat of Prague’s Archbishop.

St Victus Cathedral located in Prague

Visitors who want to learn about Prague’s rich history can visit some of the city’s many museums. The most interesting of these include:

  • The Jewish Museum is a complex of preserved monuments that include synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Jewish Ceremonial Hall. Walking through the cobblestoned streets of the exhibits offers visitors a glimpse into the history of Prague’s Jewish community.
  • The Museum of Communism shows how Czechs lived under Communist rule from 1948 until 1989. Visitors can view multimedia exhibits as well as the museum’s collection of propaganda and other artifacts from the period.
  • The St. Cyril and St. Methodus Cathedral is an Orthodox Church whose basement hosts a memorial to Czech resistance fighters who assassinated the city’s Nazi governor Reinhard Heydrich in May 1942 and hid in the cathedral’s crypt afterwards. The church itself is of historic interest since it was Prague’s first Orthodox cathedral.

There are several ways to visit Prague, including river cruises from Prague.

We offer river cruises on the Elbe River and Vitavia River aboard an 80 passenger Paddleboat – Elbe Princess I and II.  Cruise itineraries include 7-night round trip Prague and 9 day Elbe River Cruise between Belin and Prague.

Another way to see Prague from a river cruise tour is with as pre or post land program from a Danube or Main-Danube River Cruise or Mosel River Cruise.  There are even Christmas Market cruises between Budapest and Nuremberg or Budapest and Vilshofen, so you can enjoy Prague Christmas Markets.

For more information contact us:  888-869-7907 / 713-240-6753  jan@europeanbarging.com

 

If Wurzburg is a stop on your Main Danube River Cruise, you have many architectural delights awaiting you

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Located on both banks of the Main River, Wurzburg is a town in the region of Lower Franconia in northern Bavaria, Germany. The town serves as the capital of the administrative district of Lower Franconia. Spoken in the region is the Franconian dialect.

Würzburg is celebrated for its beautiful art scene and abundance of wines and wineries. In contrast with the old-fashioned cobbled streets and striking baroque architectures, it also boasts a hip and lively nightlife.

However, before it became the city it is now, Würzburg used to be a Franconian duchy until 686, when it was Christianized by three Irish missionaries named Kilian, Kolonat, and Totnan.

Their mission, although successful, ended up killing them. They all eventually became saints. Saint Kilian at one point appeared on the city seal for 300 years, and the Würzburg Cathedral was also dedicated to him.

The Würzburg Residence, the city’s crowning glory
For centuries, the prince-bishops seated in the diocese of Würzburg commanded much wealth and power. Under their reign, the city grew in luxuriousness, best exemplified by a vast compound in the city’s center.

Two prince-shops commissioned the construction of the grandiose palace compound, known as the Würzburg Residence or Residence in 1720. With funding from the von Schönborn brothers, Johann Philipp Franz and Friedrich Carl, the construction was supervised by many people including Baroque architects Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt and Maximilian von Welsch. The principal architect was Balthasar Neumann. It was also Neumann who created the palace’s Baroque grand staircase.

The vast frescoes adorning the interior of the building were painted by two Venetian painters, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and his son Domenico, who served as his assistant. In fact, the palace’s immense ceiling fresco is widely considered to be the largest in the world.

The Würzburg Residence was completed in 1744, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the finest Baroque structures in Europe.
Although the palace, along with 90% of the city center, was destroyed by British bombers during an air raid in World War II, an ambitious rebuilding project spanning 20 years since, restored the city’s landscape and structures.

“While in port, during our AmaWaterways cruise, we really enjoyed the
Residence as well as the beautiful gardens in the back and the rose
garden to the side. Be sure and take a look if you have the time”
– Jan Baumgartner, Partner, Europeanbarging.com

Würzburg’s majestic Baroque and Romanesque churches
Like the Residence, all the city’s churches were demolished during the war, but fortunately they were all restored as well.

Among these churches is the Käppele, a chapel built in 1748 in late Baroque style. It used to be a small altar until Balthasar Neumann made plans to expand it into the chapel it is today. Its full name is Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung, or the Visitation of Mary, and serves to this day as a pilgrimage church.

Another church to visit is the Würzburg Cathedral which serves as the diocese of Würzburg’s seat. This Cathedral was dedicated to Saint Kilian and has served as the resting place for Würzburg’s prince-bishops for centuries. It is one of the largest Baroque-Romanesque church buildings in Germany and is considered a masterpiece of German architecture from the Frankish dynasty.

Many more churches, monuments, and works of art grace the streets and landscapes of Würzburg, making it one of the most scenic cities in Germany, due in part to its rich and grand history. Its old-fashioned charm mixed with the luxury of its past have branded this town as an undisputed must-visit.

To visit Wurzburg from a river cruise, we offer the Medieval Treasures, Europe’s Rivers and Castles, and Magnificent Europe itineraries on Amawaterways. For more information contact Europeanbarging.com 888-869-7907

Cruising the Danube on AmaWaterways

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We invite you to take one of our Danube river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort. River cruises in Europe are an excellent way to explore a destination. Discover local tourist  sights on included tours, and then arrive back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next city or village.  Included in the price of our river cruises are shore excursions in every port, all dining on board, fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner are included as well as a daily happy hour; Wi-fi and internet access are included and there are bicycles that you can use to explore the countryside  or you may decide to join one of the guided bike tours.

In Europe, one of our most popular itineraries is a Danube river cruise.  A typical itinerary for a Danube river  cruise would include destinations such as: Vienna, Austria;  Regensburg, Germany;  Belgrade, Serbia and  Budapest, Hungary.

Cruise the Danube, one of Europe’s most beautiful  rivers, as you travel from Nuremberg through the Main-Danube Canal and across the Continental Divide. Visit centuries-old towns and marvel at the beautiful scenery slowly gliding past. In  Austria you will  cruise through the lush Wachau wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  At either end of the Wachau Valley are two grand capitals, Vienna and Budapest.

On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In most ports, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Europeanbarging.com   888-869-7907

The Portuguese UNESCO City of Sintra

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Tourist are Welcomed by Sintra

sintraThe beautiful city of Sintra is just what anyone needs to give them a feel of romanticism and feel refreshed for days to come. This romantic city gives off an aura of uniqueness and individuality. Perhaps, many tourists enjoy returning to Sintra because of these qualities
The Royal Palace is undoubtedly the dominant architectural feature of Sintra, situated in the center of the town. Probably constructed on the site of the Moorish Alcazar, its buildings result from two main periods (15th-16th centuries). The interior contains much painted and tiled decoration, but one of the most important features is the facing with tiles (azulejos ), the finest example of this Mudejar technique on the Iberian Peninsula.

Choose Romantic Features to View

Sintra is well known for its romantic architecture after Ferdinand II decided to transform a ruined monastery into a romantic castle. The castle featured many styles, Renaissance, Moorish, and Egyptian. Ferdinand II is well known for his incredible work and will forever be remembered by the town of Sintra where he put his mark. There is something for every visitor to catch each eye laid on the beautiful masterpiece. The interesting parks took over the scenery with elegant beauty that formed a visual with exotic and local tree species.

Other structures, built along the same lines in the surrounding area, created a unique combination of parks and gardens which influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.

Duoro Cruise

Located between Lisbon and Oporto, a visit to Sintra can be made as a pre or post Douro Cruise visit. We offer several cruise lines with cruises ranging from 5 – 7 nights on the Douro River.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Flower-Carpet- At Brussel’s Grand Place

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Flower- CarpetBrussel’s Grand Place and its Flower-Carpet

The Grand-Place known as Grote Market in Dutch is the central square of the City of Brussels. This is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe with its architecture dating back to different eras. The Grand Place is famous throughout the world for its decorative and aesthetic treasures. It is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi. The Grand-Place of Brussels was registered on the World Heritage List of the UNESCO in 1998 due to its diverse and wide-ranging architecture and style.

Originally, Grand Place was built as a merchants market in the 13th century where traders and residents sold and bought food. That is why all the streets around the square have been named after foods. Over time, the market shelters have been replaced by grand buildings. The Grand Place serves as the city center where you can best enjoy the Belgian hospitality.

Experience the Beautiful Brussel’s Grand Place

The Grand Place holds several events and concerts throughout the year, but the Flower- carpet is the most celebrated and mesmerizing event among them. The event is organized every two years in the month of August. Thousands of visitors throng to the city of Brussels to have a glimpse of the stunning Flower- carpet, consisting of a million begonias laid out across Grand place.

The origin of Flower -carpet dates back to 1971. That is when the first Flower-Carpet of Brussels was created by landscape architect E. Stautemans. He was inspired by other Flower Carpets created in various Flemish cities. What makes the Brussels Flower-carpet special, is its placement on Grand Place.

Enjoy the Incredible Flower-Carpet While on A Belgium Cruise

The astonishing Flower-carpet takes two years for preparation and is realized in several stages. The Flower-carpet is installed just for one weekend when Grand Place becomes suddenly packed with visitors from all over the world.

The Grand Place and its famed Flower-carpet are something you cannot afford to miss. Get aboard one of our Belgium cruises. Visit the beautiful city of Brussels. Get lost in the architectural marvels of the Grand Place as well as the breathtaking beauty of its Flower-carpet!