christianity
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San Xavier del Bac: The White Dove of the Desert
Nestled in the heart of the Arizona desert, just 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, lies a gem of Spanish Colonial architecture and spiritual tranquillity: the Mission San Xavier del Bac. Often referred to as the “White Dove of the Desert,” this active Catholic mission offers a stunning contrast against the rugged Santa Rita Mountains’…
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Quedlinburg: Unearthing the Timeless Magic of Germany’s Hidden Gem
Immerse yourself in the captivating charm of Quedlinburg, a quaint town nestled in the heart of Germany’s Harz Mountains. Esteemed for its impeccable preservation of medieval architecture and striking antiquity, Quedlinburg boasts a timeless allure that attracts travellers from across the globe. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as a living testament to…
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Zentralfriedhof, Vienna – The same size as Zurich and twice the fun!
The Zentralfriedhof (main cemetary) in Vienna lies on the edge of the city not far from the Vienna airport. With a “population” of over 3 million, it houses twice as many people as currently are alive in the city. But why would you ever want to visit a cemetery when you go to Vienna? Maybe…
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Covadonga, Spain – The village of Kings
Located on the northern Spanish coast, Asturias is one of the Spanish autonomous communities that lie to the west of Cantabria. Officially known as the Principality of Asturias, the area is well known for its mountains (the Picos de Europa). The mountains also set the culture apart from the rest of Spain. For example, individual…
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Glastonbury Abbey, England – Walking the ruins
Nestled in the sleepy, mystic town of Glastonbury in Somerset are the ruins of what was once one of the most powerful institutions to have existed in the UK. I am of course referring to the famous Glastonbury Abbey. History Foundation The history of the Abbey goes back to the 7th century. The king of…
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Loarre Castle, Spain – The final defence
Loarre Castle is quite a special place due to its history; it is not only one of the oldest castles in Spain, but also a fortified abbey. Originally built as the line of last defence in northern Huesca (Aragon) against the Moorish invaders. Then it became a fortified religious site and expanded over the next…
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Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – A European capital
Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is a truly remarkable city in which you can see wonderful architecture, picturesque views and astonishing places. It holds the world’s top spot for personal safety and ranks high for quality of life; Luxembourg the country has the second-highest GDP in the world! If you are looking to move…
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Maastricht, Netherlands – The Rhine’s centre of religion
Just across the border from Aachen in Germany lies the city of Maastricht in the Netherlands. Like Aachen, Maastricht also has a Roman history. Unlike Aachen, it did not develop into a political capital. Rather Maastricht developed into a religious one due to the legend of the death and burial of Saint Servatius. At the same…
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Maulbronn Monastery, Germany – A Religious Paradise
Nestled in the tiny town of Maulbronn in the Enz Province of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, sits the Maulbronn Monastery, a Romanesque-style monastery with a long past. This Monastery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a long and bloody past but is also a beautiful and unique place to visit. History The name comes…
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Wartburg Castle, Germany – The birthplace of religious resistance
Eisenach is a town in western Thüringen (Thuringia). It is well known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Wartburg Castle. This town has a surprisingly star-studded history: Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to German in Eisenach, Johann Sebastian Bach was born here in 1865, and hosted the famous writer/statesman Johann Wolfgang Goethe, all…
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Hildesheim, Germany – A tale from history
Continuing on with the Germany theme, I would like to introduce a nice, small city in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) that I particularly like called Hildesheim. If you like medieval history, this small city 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Hanover is the place to be. It is one of the oldest cities in northern Germany;…
