churches Archives - sateless suitcase

Photo Essay: Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Every once in a while I just have to go back to the roots. Back to my roots as an art historian. I can't go too long without writing about my beloved Gothic cathedrals. If you have read my little art historical background you know that I decided to become an art historian while being moved to tears in the shimmering ambulatory of Basilique Saint Denis, one of the most magnificent Gothic cathedrals of all times. Medieval churches are my favorite places, my emotional safe havens. They are places to calm down, to think, to catch your breath, to be still. To [...]

By Julika|2015-05-11T09:10:56+02:002013/08/07|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, churches, Europe, France, medieval, Paris, Photo Essay|14 Comments

Photo Essay: Inside the Cathedral of Strasbourg

No matter how much I like the view of gorgeous 19th century town houses or ancient Roman ruins, my favorite buildings of all times will always be the grand Gothic churches. No other buildings make you feel that small and insignificant, but at same time encase you with such an atmosphere of spirituality and serenity. Every time I enter a Gothic cathedral it gives me goosebumps. I feel overwhelmed and weakened, my mind is racing as I pass through 800-year-old gates. Although I theoretically know how cathedrals were built, I just can't fully grasp how they could build this high, this [...]

By Julika|2013-05-29T16:15:31+02:002013/05/07|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Alsace, Architecture, churches, Europe, France, medieval, Photo Essay|4 Comments

A Weekend in Alsace via Instagram

I admit it: I'm a newly converted Instagram-addict (and, ugh, fancy phone owner). Although I tried really hard not to give in to yet another hyped social media platform for the longest time, I've come to realize that taking travel photos with Instagram is actually a lot of fun. And I just love the idea of having two cameras with me, which can both capture whole different angles of a destination. My fabulous travel buddy Ashley and me in the pretty town of Colmar Ashley's and my recent trip to France's Alsace region was a great option to try a [...]

By Julika|2013-05-09T10:09:12+02:002013/05/01|Categories: Destinations, Europe, France|Tags: Alsace, churches, Europe, France, medieval|8 Comments

Nuremberg – Franconia’s Historical Treasure Chest

Nuremberg is one of those cities which are love at first sight. As soon as you pass through the main entrance door of the train station, your eyes fall upon the late medieval town fortification and into the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses leading into the old city center... Yes, Nuremberg, you had me at hello. But to really understand this city, there is a lot to know -- from a gloomy history to quirky regional and dialect pride to famous little sausages. First, a little note on regional mentality: Although Nuremberg is geographically located in the German state [...]

By Julika|2013-05-13T14:29:46+02:002013/04/11|Categories: Destinations, Europe, Germany|Tags: Bavaria, churches, Europe, Germany, medieval|14 Comments

Nuremberg via Instagram

I just got back from a few days in the famous Bavarian city of Nuremberg, where I attended a field trip with a medieval studies group. Although spring still hasn't arrived in Germany yet and I was freezing most of time, I had a great time exploring the exciting -- and sometimes difficult -- history of Nuremberg. But before I go into further detail (soon!) and tell you about sleeping in the former hayloft of a medieval castle, and what it feels like to touch the fragile pages of a 15th century manuscript, I'll give you a little sneak peek [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:38:42+02:002013/04/05|Categories: Destinations, Europe, Germany|Tags: Architecture, Bavaria, churches, Europe, Germany, medieval|10 Comments

Photo Essay: The Medieval Wonderland of Maulbronn

Last August my family and I were driving down to Southern Germany where one of my cousins held a post-wedding family barbeque (because she before eloped in Denmark with her Nigerian husband -- I love how multi-cultural my family is!). Somewhere on the road, in-between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, I spotted a sign saying 'Maulbronn'. I knew I had heard this name before, and was pretty sure it had something to do with the Middle Ages and art. I blurrily recalled one of my first semester art history professors mention Maulbronn in a lecture. Without really knowing what to expect, I [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:31:10+02:002013/02/18|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, churches, Europe, Germany, medieval, Photo Essay|10 Comments

Photo Essay: The Windows of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague

It's no secret that my favorite art historical period is the Middle Ages. I really can't tell you how that happened (it is a quirky favorite period after all), but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Gothic cathedrals. These gigantic churches that were built as high as possible without any help of cranes or measurement technologies. All the builders wanted, was to praise God with sanctuaries that were symbols for a heavenly afterlife. And now, almost thousand years later, some of these churches still stand. They survived depredations and sometimes even bombs. Although our modern world can [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:31:23+02:002013/02/11|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, Art, churches, Czech Republic, medieval, Photo Essay, Prague|18 Comments

Photo Essay: The Ancient City of Évora

Portugal's (architectural) history dates back until ancient Roman times. Unfortunately there nowadays is little proof of the old Roman colony Lusitania anymore. Solely one little city in the central Portuguese region of Alentejo stands out, because it is home to the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. During the Roman reign, the city of Évora began to flourish, and in the first century A.D. this Corinthian temple was built. It was partly destroyed in the following centuries, but is classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. The Roman Temple of Évora This ancient architectural highlight is surrounded by a gorgeous medieval [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:31:28+02:002013/02/04|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, churches, Europe, medieval, Photo Essay, Portugal|6 Comments

What Porto Really Is About – A Photo Essay

My beloved Lisbon and I have an ongoing love affair, which has lasted for years. But if I ever happened to cheat on Lisbon in a weak moment, it would be with Porto. That other great city, up in Portugal's north, where the people are even friendlier, the food is heartier, and the wine is even sweeter. The old wooden boats of the port wine cellars Porto is just adoringly Portuguese: Beautiful, at ease, a little slow. It is not a perfect city - the streets aren't free of dog poop, and most of the houses in the city are [...]

By Julika|2015-05-05T09:33:07+02:002013/01/03|Categories: Destinations, Europe, Portugal|Tags: Architecture, churches, Europe, Porto, Portugal|20 Comments

A Little German Christmas Market Competition

Although I didn't leave the borders of Germany in December, I traveled a lot. In Germany. My objective: Finding my favorite German Christmas market. So I explored the Christmas markets in five different cities and four different states. I didn't go for the markets in the big touristic cities (there is a lot of coverage on the markets of Munich, Berlin, or Nuremberg out there). I just tried to find my personal favorite German city in the Christmas season - the most festive atmosphere, the best food, the most authentic Christmas feeling, and of course the prettiest Christmas market... Bayreuth, [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:33:38+02:002012/12/23|Categories: Specials|Tags: Bavaria, churches, Europe, Germany, medieval|18 Comments