Reformation Wall | A Monument in Geneva, Switzerland

Reformation Wall | A Monument in Geneva, Switzerland


Reformation Wall — A monument of remarkable history of Switzerland, which was established to perpetuate the memory of the outstanding figures of the Reformation, an important period of development. The wall is in the grounds of the University of Geneva, founded by John Calvin, one of the ideologists of the reform movement. That is why the opening of the monument was dedicated to the 400th anniversary of Calvin birth and the 350th anniversary of the founding of the university.
However, the construction of the wall continues until 1917, it is bordered by University Park, repeating forms bastion wall, its length is 100 meters, height is 9 meters. In the central part of the Reformation wall mounted four largest Statues, with the height of 5 meter. The figure of John Calvin, John Knox, Theodore de Beze and Ggullaume Farelya. These famous personalities have played a crucial role in the development of the Reformation in Switzerland. It is note-worth that these figures undoubted leaders of the reformist movement, as Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther created a very small size and placed on the outermost edges of the walls. This is due to the fact that the leader of the Swiss Reformation, Calvin, these figures had significant disagreements on certain issues. Also on theses monument are highlighting the various scenes from the history of Switzerland and Vybitdeviz reformers - " After Dark - Light".
Right of the central group of sculptures installed three meter, the figure of Oliver cromwell and roger Williams Istavan Bacskai and left - the same size figures of William Ist of Orange (the leader of the bourgeois revolution in the Netherlands), Gaspard IInd de Coligny (one of the leaders of the Huguenots) and Frederick William Ist of Brandenburg (founder of the Brandenburg-Prussian State). Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...

The Motherland Calls | Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia

The Motherland Calls | Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia


Central figure Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd is the sculpture "The Motherland Calls!" Statue towers over the country side at 52 meters. The hill on which stands a monument to Motherland, bulk-its height is about meters. Height Motherland considering the sword is 85 meters sculpture is one of the tallest statues in the world. Both sides to the top of Mamaev Kurgan are several tracks, one of which is from the area of the Tribulation. Along the path there are several tombstones - with the name of those who gave their lives in the battles of Stalingrad. There is also the tomb of the unknown soldier. Just a mound under the statue "The Motherland Calls!" whose reward was to be 34,505 soldiers buried right here - the defenders of Stalingrad. On the top of the hill at the foot of Mother Motherland is serpentine path along which the 35 granite tombstones heroes of the Soviet Union, members of the Stalingrad Battle. From the foot of the mound to its tip serpentine consists of exactly 200 granite steps height of 15 cm.
Author of the sculpture "The Motherland Calls!" Volggograd became suptor EV Vucetich. Around the monument there is always lot of rumors and gossip. Perhaps the most pressing issue was the mystery of who was the prototype of the world famous sculpture Vucetic. Someone thinks that face Motherland like a discus thrower Nina Dubadze, while others believe that Vuctick presented Motherland statue features his wife Faith. In fact, the prototype of the main figures of Mamaev Kurgan was Valentina Izotova - waitress (Rodina Mat) of city restaurant "Volgograd", she was 26 years old.
Sculpture "The Motherland Calls!" Vogogradmounted on a pedestal height of tow meters, which in tun rests on a foundation of hidden underground. Construction of the monument " the Motherland Calls!" on Mamaev Hill went step by step using a special technology. Sculpture inside is supported not only rigid frame, but hundreds of strong ropes that keep the frame to bend under the weight of concrete, the momument stands on the 16 meter foundation. First Image Credit Vadim Burkovsky
During the design of the sculpture "The Motherland Calls!" Vogograd Vucetic constantly had to make changes tot he construction plan. Little know fact that initially Motherland had to look in a different way: the original draft suggested the existence of 2 figures (and woman kneeling soldier), and in his hand Motherland had not hold a sword, and a red banner. Not found it necessary to Vucetich and sumptuously decorated pedestal of the mother and the stairs, so initially in the project, were replaced path, like a ribbon that encircled the Motherland. Dimensions sculptures have also been changed - The original 36 meters "grown up" to 52 meters. And finally the construction began in May 1959, the opening of the monument occurred on 15th of October 1967. Its height - 52 meters, the length of here arms outstretched, ups - 20 meters, the length of the sword - 33 meters. Overall height sculptures - 85 meters. Weight monument without foundations - about 8000 tons.
Sword of the Motherland was originally made of stainless steel, titanium lined with leaves. In 1972 replaced the blade, still has to high wind-age and strongly swayed by the wind. Threatening structural strength. New sword made fro fluoridated steel with holes in the top of the blade.

Motherland on Mamev Hill presented in the form of mother convening their heroes to defend the homeland. Sharp lines of the figure, disheveled hair in the wind, her eyes wide and mouth woman, hand stretched out over the city - all this creates a feeling of power and voltage, the atmosphere of the anxiety and movement.
In sharp, swift rush woman stood on the mound. With sword in hand she encourages her son to defend the Fatherland. Her right foot slightly back, torso and head vigorously deployed to the left. Face stern and resolute. Frown, wide open screaming mouth, fanned by wind gusts short hair, strong hands, body shape fitting long dress, fanned by wind gusts ends handkerchief - all this creates a feeling of strength, expression and irresistible striving froward. On the background of the sky it is like a bird soaring in the sky.

Preview...

Church carved from the living rock | Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia

Church carved from the living rock | Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia


Lalibela — A small town on the slopes of Moun Prytula Abuna Yosef that is famous for its monolithic rock-cut churches. It was the political and cultural capital of Ethiopia in middle ages, at an altitude of two thousand five hundred meters above sea level. The local temple complex, an architectural gem which is the church of St. George (Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia) was built in the middle of the XII century by order of the king, who want to see his country like a New Jerusalem. When young Saint Gebre Mesqel Lalibela was born into the Zagwe Dynasty in Ethiopia, the town of Lalibela was known as Roha. The name Lalibela was given to the young boy when he was surrounded by a swarm of bees, soon after birth his mother believed this was a sign that he would come to rule Ethiopia on day. His name literally means, "the bees recognize his sovereignty."
Lalibela is best known as the king who ordered the construction of eleven monolithic stone churches found in the town today. Lalaibela's goad was to create a new Ethiopian Jerusalem, and he recreated many biblical scenes, such as the stable, out of carved rock. The Bete Giyorgis is by far the most spectacular of these churches. Carved out of the ground, and shaped from the inside out. it is one, unbroken piece of stone. Bete Giorgis is connected to the other sunken stone churches through a series of elaborate tunnels. there are tow version of the church's history says — one says that the church was bilt after Lalibela's death 1220 c. by his widow as a memorial to the "Saint King". The other claims it was a promise king Lalibela had made to St. George, who had been upset Lalibela had not constructed a church dedicated to him. First Image Credit Joanne Hodges
The church is cut 40 feet down, its roof forming the shape of a Greek cross. Inside the church, there is a curtain that shields the Holy of Holies and a priest displaying books and paintings to visitors. In the shadow of one of the arms of the cruciform-shaped church is a replica of the Ark of the Covenant. Althouh an explorer was one allowed to open it, he found it empty. No one was able to tell him what happened to its contents.
The town of Lalibela is completely isolated from the modern world. Without motor vehicles, gas stations, or paved streets, the town goes about this business as it has for hundreds of years. Religious ritual is central to the life to the town : one tenth of its population is devoted to priesthood. Regular processions, extensive fasts, and crowed of singing and dancing priests are also part of the package. The eleven solid rock churches, in the hills not far from the town, make Lalivela one of the holiest place in Ethiopia.
Today, the site is considered one of the centers of pilgrimages form Ethiopian Christians. This atmosphere combined with the religious architecture and simplicity of the town's way of life, gives the city of Laliblela " a distinctively timeless, almost biblical atmosphere". Known world -recognized churches of Lalibela a miracle of engineering, as it was hundreds of years ago, they are admired by thousands of people who come to Ethiopia in order to pay homage to the holy sites and to see the inimitable wonder of the world, carved eight centuries ago in the city with the beautiful name of Lalibela. Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain | Stepping Stone

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain | Stepping Stone


San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is an islet on the coast of Biscay belonging to the municipality of Bermeo, in Basque Country, Spain. It is connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge. On the top of the island stand a hermitage the named called Gaztellugatexek Doniene ins Basque, dedicated to John the Baptist, that date from the 10th century, although discoveries indicates that the date might be the 9th century. The hermitage is accessed by a narrow path, crossing the solid stone bridge, and going up 237 steps, nobody really knows how many exactly According to legend, after the slightly strenuous climb to the top of the crag one should ring the bell three times and make a wish. The best season to visit are spring and autumn, to enjoy the peace of the setting, as summer s are typically crowded. Etymologically the word Gaztelugatxe comes from the Baxque gaztelu = " castel" and aitz = "rock" or "crag", forming "crag of the castle". Another possible translation of gatxe is bad this would means "bad castle".
The small church, which is usually closed, dates from the 10th century and seems to have come from the Knights Templar. In the year 1053 it was donated, by don Inigo Lopez Lord of Biscay, to the monastery of San Juan de la Pena Near Jaca in Huesca. Medieval burials from the night and twelfth centuries have been found on the esplanade and in the hermitage. In 1593 it was attacked and sacked by Francis Drake. Among other incidents, it has caught fire several times. On November 10. 1978, it was destroyed in one such fire. Tow years later, on June 24, 1980 it was re-inaugurated. The hermitage belongs to the parish of San Pelayo in Bakio. the hermitage also houses votive offerings from sailors who survived shipwrecks. Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...

Svartisen Glacier, Norway

Svartisen Glacier, Norway


Svartisen is Norway's second largest glacier. the Svartisen glacier is a park of Saltfjellet/Svartosem national park. The Svartisen glacier is 370 square kilometer, and thereby cover quit a bit of land. The Svartisen glacier stretches all the way from the width is Salthfjellet mountain area, through beautiful valleys with calm river, and out to fjords and steep mountains at the coast. The Svartisen glacier is divided in to tow separate glaciers. The west Ice and the East Ice. The western valley, that separates the two glaciers, became free of ice just a short while ago. The glacier landscape consists of river plains with sand and clay remains that's under continuous change bye glacier rivers. In some glacier lakes you can be witness to the glaciers calve in to the lake. In flowing river beside Svartisenom can enjoy delightful fishing form salmon, trout and salmon.
The Savrtisen Glacier is the great tourist attraction of Salfjellet National park is the Svartisen "Black Ice" glacier, the largest icefield in the northern Scandinavia extending westwards to the coastal fjords. For the most parst the plateau lies between 1200 meters, 900 fts and 1.4 meters, 600 ft, with individual peaks rising above this, including Snetind, Sniptind and Istind. the best access from the south is by way of Mo i Rana and from there northwest to Svartishytta or Melfjorden. Both roads end at the foot of an offshoot of the Svartisen glacier. Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...

Arlington National Cemetery | Washington, United States

Arlington National Cemetery | Washington, United States


Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington County, Virginia, directly across the Potomac river from the Lincoln Memorial, in a Washington, United States, Military cemetery beneath whose 624 acres have been laid casualties, and deceased veterans of the nation's conflicts beginning with the American Civil War, as well as re-interred dead from earlier wars. Old Cemetery, Originally buried here real Hero's, Soldiers who died during the Civil War of 1861-1865. It is noteworthy that the land was confiscated by General Robert E. L. who commanded the Confederate Army during the conflict between North and Southern then they started to bury unidentified soldiers and poor relatives who could not afford to choose another palace of burial.

However, over time, the trend has changed and the Arlington National Cemetery has become a very prestigious place, where they found their last resting place, several U.S. presidents. Today Cemetery in Arlington takes almost three square kilometers and is one of the most famous n the United States.
To be eligible to be buried here, you must be a participant in the war, an astronaut, President, Chairman of the Supreme Court the owner of the medal of Honor and " Purple Heart" in general, anybody at Arlington National Cemetery have buried. Each cemetery has attracted attention not only for its monument and memorials, many famous personalities buried here. Arlington is no exception - it was buried here, John Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline and brothers Robert and Edward, the famous U.S Secretary of States John Dulles Dozens of Generals, famous Military, Politicians and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every year, on Memorial day and Veterans Day and Arlington National Cemetery Wreath-laying ceremony held on the country's president.
Every half hour in summer and every hour in the winter at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a changing of the guard duty.This ceremony has not changed since 1921, the date of disposal of the body of unknown soldier killed during the First World war. Twice a year, Memorial Day and Veterans Day by laying a wreath at the memorial of the President. The First Soldiers war buried in Arlington National Cemetery was white soldier, William Henry Christman was made on May 13, 1864, on the orders of General Montgomery Meigs unionists. Now the cemetery can be buried just soldiers with military experience not less than 20 years or certain rewards, as well as their spouses.
Every day at Arlington Cemetery takes about 30 funerals. During burial coffin, covered state fag bears the honor guard, rifle salute performed. Arlington Cemetery every year 4 million visit. At least until 2060 Arlington Cemetery, said his staff will continue to be "alive" After that, if there's nowhere to grow, become a legendary cemetery monument to himself.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. - As winter storm Janus dumped several inches of snow on Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. on January 14, the Tomb Sentinels of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) kept their watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...

Mkulumadzi Lodge Malawi

Mkulumadzi Lodge, Malawi
The Mkulumadzi Safri Lodge is situated in the shadow of mighty Lead-wood and mango trees on the banks of the Shire River. the Lodge is located in a 70 square Km Majete private concession area, a few kilometers away from the spot where concession area, a few kilometers away from the spot where the Shire River, the impressive Kapichira tumbles down waterfalls. The main feature of this hotel is that guests stay comes as close a possible to nature. Staying in a cabin in that morning you can go to the balcony and admire the picturesque forest. plants and animals. But, despite the closeness to wildlife living conditions here are not wild. Comfortable rooms, exquisite decoration - all this awaits guests Mkulumazi Lodge. Loges allow to fully relax after a busy day and fully enjoy a paradis setting. Deserves special attention service hotel. Friendly staff will make the stay even more comfortable, convenient and interesting. Tanks to the excellent employees, each client will be in good spirits, and will be able to enjoy a unique place. Clean rooms, a variety of tours and travel programs all this and more at each hotel Mkulumadzi Lodge. Like Us and Join us at Xtreme Collections for more fun and knowledge.

Preview...