Across the Swartberg and through the brightly coloured Meiringspoort October 22, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Africa, Cape Town, Hotels, Map, Memorial, Money, Restaurant, South Africa, Sunblock, Travelling Bag , 2commentsThe Grootrivier (great river) sculpted the colourful Meiringspoort gorge through the barrier of the Swartberg range, and our route follows the road that now winds along the river’s banks. First, however, we cross the mountains from south to north by rneans of the soaring Swartberg Pass. Four fifths of the route is tarred, the rest is gravel.
If you are considering this drive in winter, first check with the AA in George that the Swartberg Pass has not been blocked by snow. (more…)
The Royal Palace Monaco: A Mediterranean fortress transformed into a gracious house part 3 May 5, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Library, Monaco, Museum , 5commentsThe palace was in a dreadful condition when the Principality regained its independence. The Bath Pavilion was in such bad repair that it had to be demolished. The work of restoration was started under Honoré V and finished by Prince Charles III. The latter rebuilt St Mary’s Tower, placed a new altar in the chapel and had its vaulting covered with frescoes. On the facade the frescoes of Jacob Froëschle and Deschler depicted the past glories of the Grimaldis and of the Principality. Finally the Guard Room was completely altered. A huge chimney-piece was inserted and the whole was decorated in renaissance style.
The Royal Palace Monaco: A Mediterranean fortress transformed into a gracious house part 2 May 5, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Accommodation, Air Tickets, Airlines, Beach Resorts, Destination, England, France, Library, London, Memorial, Monaco, Museum , add a commentThere were three towers along the main wing where the lords lived: St Mary’s Tower, the Middle Tower and the South Tower. To the right a round building guarded the entrance to the castle, for military strength was still its main purpose. As artillery improved, the art of defence was modified to meet the new threat. Honores new system of defence was based on two main points, All Saints Tower and the Serravalle Bastion. The first, of semi-circular shape, guarded the end of the rocky promontary. It had a platform for guns and was connected to shelters, hacked out of the rock, in which cannon were also placed. Underground passages connected it with the Serravalle Bastion, which consisted of three storeys of vaulted casemates, and which was likewise armed with guns. (more…)
Huis ten Bosch: The elegant ‘House in the Wood’ of the Dutch Royal Family May 4, 2008
Posted by dodo in : England, Nassau, Netherlands , 4commentsThe seventeenth century represents one of the most interesting periods in the architectural development of the northern Netherlands. The Dutch had challenged the Spaniards for their freedom, but it was not until the reign of Frederik Hendrik, a son of Prince William of Orange, that Holland attained political and cultural unity.
The Princes of Orange had at first been modest in their residential requirements. Frederik Hendrik, however, after assuming the Stadholdership in 1625, ushered in a new period and began his architectural activities by rebuilding the old castle at Honselaarsdijk, soon to be followed by the Huis ter Nieuburch at Rijswijk and the wings of het Oude Hof (the Old Court) in the Noordeinde at the Hague. Finally, the Oranjesael or Huis ten Bosch (` the House in the Wood’) was planned by Pieter Post at the wish of Princess Amalia van Solms-Braunfels. Countess van Solms, a maid-of-honour at the court of Frederik V of the Palatinate, had married Frederik Hendrik of Orange in 1625. (more…)
