medieval Archives - Page 2 of 4

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

Photo Essay: Castle Views from Nuremberg

When I introduced the beautiful city of Nuremberg with its difficult history, I left out the little detail about my accommodation there. But actually -- where I stayed, was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Nuremberg: I slept in a castle hostel! The city's youth hostel is located in the former hayloft of Nuremberg's iconic castle. Archeological findings on the castle hill date back until the 11th century, first written account of the castle's existence and its use as a royal residence is proofed since the mid of the 12th century. The history of the castle and [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:29:49+02:002013/04/22|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Germany, medieval, Photo Essay|6 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: Fascinating Frankfurt

In my opinion, Frankfurt is underrated. It's renowned as Europe's financial capital and for being home to the third largest airport in Europe. Most travelers end up in Frankfurt, the seemingly unexciting lay-over city, sooner or later. But Frankfurt has a whole lot more to offer. I might be biased, but I really like Frankfurt. From there I started my most life-changing travel adventures. Frankfurt was first place I was asked to pose for a photo with a bunch of Japanese tourists. It was the first city I rode a subway all by myself (and yes, when you grow up [...]

By Julika|2015-07-06T14:19:22+02:002013/03/11|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, medieval, Photo Essay|29 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

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

Photo Essay: The Cathedral of Cologne

In my very first semester of art history back in 2007 I took a class called "The Medieval Cathedral"... not only because I loved Gothic cathedrals ever since I saw one for the first time, but also because my professor had a field trip planned. He had some connections to the stonemasons' workshop, which could offer us a behind the scenes tour. Now, what is "behind the scenes" when it comes to a medieval cathedral? My art historian's dream come true: The roof! The passages above the vaults! The restoration workshop! The triforium! Everything you might know is there, but [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:34:12+02:002012/11/26|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Architecture, churches, Germany, medieval, Photo Essay|2 Comments