Month February 2022

Amiens Cathedral Cathédrale d’Amiens

Amiens Cathedral France
Amiens Cathedral, situated in the Hauts-de-France region, specifically in the Department of the Somme, is a truly monumental architectural masterpiece. It ranks among the largest churches in France and stands as one of the most complete examples of 13th-century Gothic architecture. What makes it particularly remarkable is the meticulous coherence of its design, characterized by a perfectly symmetrical layout of the nave and choir on either side of the transept, a breathtaking three-tier interior elevation, a pioneering structural lightness that heralds a new era in the conquest of luminosity, an opulent array of sculpted ornamentation, and stunning stained glass. All these elements combined make it a truly outstanding representation of medieval architecture. The construction of Amiens Cathedral was completed in less than a century, characterized by a high degree of continuity among the master builders who worked on it. Here are some historical facts about the cathedral.

Hoi An Vietnam

Vietnam lantern festival
Hoian, or Hoi An Vietnam, also known as Hoi An Ancient Town, is famous for its Lantern festival in Vietnam and was a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1999 onwards

Axum, aka Aksum Empire

Ethiopia Obelisk Axum
The Aksum Empire, alternatively known as the Kingdom of Aksum or Axum, represents an ancient civilization located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. Situated near Ethiopia’s northern border, the city of Aksum serves as a poignant reminder of ancient Ethiopia’s heart. Flourishing from the 1st to the 13th centuries AD, the Aksum Kingdom held a formidable position between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Archaeological remnants, including colossal obelisks, stelae, royal tombs, and ancient castle ruins, underscore the kingdom’s historical significance. Despite its decline in the 10th century, Aksum retained symbolic importance as the site where rulers were crowned. Presently, governance over the remnants of the Aksumite empire is shared among Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Somaliland. Through strategic endeavors such as farming, cattle-raising, and trade route control, Aksum thrived by exchanging gold and ivory for luxury goods, contributing to Ethiopia’s cultural identity. Key features and aspects of the Aksum Empire include:

Pyramids of Meroe

Nubian Pyramids, Sudan
Meroe, also known as Meroe Pyramids or Nubian Pyramids and colloquially as Meroe Sudan, are pyramids in Sudan that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011

Angkor Wat Cambodia

Angkor Wat Cambodia
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Angkor, Cambodia, near Siemréab. It was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992