Did you know- Present-day Angola has had an independent foreign policy since the 1990s. Currently, the modern state of Angola maintains close diplomatic relations with the United States of America. It also has excellent ties with Brazil and the People’s Republic of China. In December 2008, the country’s ruler Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a Soviet-trained-engineer, arrived in Beijing, China’s capital, for an official visit. During the Cold War, in the 1970s and early 1980s, it had had rocky relationship with the White House. During that time, Luanda forged strong links with the Soviet Union (modern-day Russia), Cuba, Bulgaria and the German Democratic Republic (now Germany). Due to its anti-American policy, the Angolan rule, along with other pro-Soviet states, boycotted the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, CA.
Tourism
Did you know- This land has important scope for exploiting its potential in fishing, and eco-tourism. There are several virgin beaches -unknown in the world– with spectacular landscapes and a favorable climate.
Geography
Did you know- This former Portuguese colony is Africa’s seventh-largest country, after Sudan, Algeria, Libya and other countries. Otherwise, the African nation of Angola shares borders with Namibia (former South African territory) and Zambia (ex British dependency), as well as Congo ( ex French territory), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire).It is one of the most diverse nations on the Planet, from tropical jungles, and savannahs to mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and deserts.
Economics
Did you know- Thanks to oil exports, between 1994 and 2004, the country boasted one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, ahead of several Asian and Latin American nations.
Modern History
Did you know- Like many Portuguese colonies on the African mainland, the modern country of Angola, once the seat of an ancient kingdom, gained its national independence in the mid-1970s. Then, in the succeeding years, it, with Soviet/Cuban backing, became a Marxist republic in the Third World, alongside states like the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea), Laos, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Benin (former Dahomey). In the subsequent decade, Angola, under the rule of Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, the country’s ruler since 1979, abandoned Marxism-Leninism, along with Benin, Ethiopia, and Sao Tome & Principe.…
Algiers is located on the Mediterranean coast and is the capital and largest city of Algeria. Algeria features glistening white buildings with remarkable architectural beauty. The city has distinct modern and historical areas and boasts a population of more than 3.5 million people. Even though the local terrorist groups have been creating problems, Algiers is still a preferred North African tourist destination. When visiting Algiers, you will want to make sure you visit the following attractions.
Notre Dame d’Afrique is located on the plateau of Bouzaréah at 120m above sea level. It is the most important Cathedral and spiritual site in Algiers. The beautiful basilica, featuring a statue of the Virgin and walls filled with many small memorial plaques, was founded in 1872. The statue was crowned as ‘Queen of Africa’ by the Pope.
Visit the Casbah of Algiers in the remarkable old town area. It’s an important UNESCO world heritage site. This unique Islamic neighborhood that got its name from an Arabic word meaning “citadel” offers plenty for the site-seer. There are old palaces, mosques, Ottoman-style buildings, ancient water fountains and doors as well as the famed Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. The massive 16th century Citadel in the Casbah port area saved the city from various enemies and wars is a notable sight. See the series of cannons at 188m above sea level in Algiers’ stronghold.
Dar Hassan Pacha is a great, historic mansion and a popular attraction. The huge house with numerous large windows, beautiful balconies and elaborate plasterwork is particularly notable for its European-style. The Emperor Napoleon and Empress stayed in this house that bears the name of its original owner, Hassan Pacha.
To learn the history and ethnology of the place, visit the famed Bardo Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography. The great museum located in a grand, 18th century country residence holds an amazing collection of fossils, Neolithic pottery, paintings, rock carvings and old chariots. The various urban artifacts displayed in the ethnography division are amazing. Also, see its central pool in the upper courtyard and pretty gardens. The National Museum of Bardo, presenting lots of native artifacts from different parts of the country is another interesting site. The museum located in a gorgeous Moorish style building has a praiseworthy collection of local ornaments, dresses, weapons, leatherwork as well as the city’s unique tin helmets.
The picturesque Jardin d’Essai is the renowned public garden in Algiers and is the ideal place to stroll and unwind. Jardin d’Essai started as a model farm by the French in the 1830s and is now the best-known natural hothouse. It has streets of palms, various exotic trees, numerous plants and much more to enjoy. Tour The famous Palais des Rais, featuring a row of various waterfront mansions built in the glorious Ottoman style. The beautiful Palace 18, built in 1798, and the art gallery, Centre des Arts, are the major attractions here. Visitors can also watch a lot of impressive shows in the grand compound.…
The remnants of the Roman Empire are scattered across much of western and southern Europe, with small sites being dotted all over the place. However, there are a number of quite remarkable sites spread across the ancient superpower’s territory that are still standing today.
Whether it is in Britain, Spain or Algeria, ancient structures continue to live on outside of Italy. Here are three of the top places to visit if you’re interested in visiting some ancient sites:
Hadrian’s Wall, North England
There are plenty of Roman ruins and buildings scattered around Britain, but Hadrian’s Wall is the most famous, and it’s described by English Heritage as ‘the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.’ Built at the orders of the Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD, the seventy four mile long wall had the intention of protecting the northern boundaries of the Roman occupation.
Most of the wall still stands today, although at a lower height than the frequent five to six metres tall that it stood in ancient times. The wall has regular forts along its length, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Particularly prominent ruins are the Vindolanda Praetorium and the Vindolanda bath house. The wall was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Tarragona, Spain
This Catalonian city was the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior, which covers most of modern Spain. While the city is thought to have been founded by the Phoenicians, the Romans took a particular liking to it, especially the Emperor Augustus, who bestowed many marks of honour on it.
Today two of the top buildings left by the Romans are a magnificent seven hundred metre long aqueduct, which spans a valley about a mile away from the gates. There is also the Tower of the Scipios (La Torre dels Escipions) which is an impressive funeral monument built in the first century AD.
The city is about an hour’s drive to the west of Barcelona, so it’s ideal for a daytrip if you’re visiting that city for the holidays.
An especially good time to visit if you’re a history fanatic is between 10th and 20th May, which is the date of the Tarraco Viva, one of the world’s biggest Roman enactments.
Leptis Magna, Algeria
Located in the city of Al Khums on the coast of Algeria, the ruins of Leptis Magna are some of the most spectacular and unspoilt ruins in the Mediterranean. The city was conquered by Rome in the Third Punic War against Carthage, but didn’t come under the full control of the Empire until the reign of Tiberius in 14 AD.
It achieved its greatest prominence, however, when Septimius Serverus became Emperor. As he was born in the city, he took a particular liking to it, and he consequently lavished much of his wealth on making it one of the most important cities in Africa.
Today some of the most spectacular ruins include the market place, the Severan Basilica, a theatre, and what used to be a circus. For some of the most complete ruins outside of Rome this is the place to visit.…
Taking a Vaporetto across the lagoon to Murano, the home of Venice’s renowned glass makers, is a must-do activity for anybody visiting the city of canals. In the 13th century, they were brought here to lessen the possibility of a fire breaking out in one of the glass furnaces sweeping across the densely packed core of Venice.
The Council of Ten of the Venetians took serious notice of this, passing a law in 1454 that stated: “If a glassblower takes his skill to another country to the detriment of the Republic, he shall be ordered to return; should he refuse, his nearest relatives shall be thrown into prison to induce him to return; should he persist in his secret disobedience measures shall be taken to eliminate him wherever he may be.” If they were restricted to an island, keeping track of them would be much simpler.
Today, glass showrooms and studios surround the canal, displaying anything from expensive works of art to inexpensive imported souvenirs. The Glass Museum, housed inside the 17th-century Palazzo Giustinian, houses one of the most significant collections of Venetian glass from the time of the Romans until the 20th century.
But the church of Santi Maria e Donato is not entirely made of glass; due to its multiple construction phases between the seventh and 12th centuries, it mixes Veneto-Byzantine and Early Romanesque elements. Particularly noteworthy features include the Greek marble columns with Veneto-Byzantine capitals, the animal-themed mosaic floor from the 12th century, and the statue of St.…
The Grand Canal, which connects Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and the places where the rail station and bridge from the mainland arrive, cuts through the center of Venice in a massive reverse S curve.
Only four bridges span its 3.8-kilometer length, but at various locations between them, decrepit gondolas known as spaghetti carry passengers back and forth. Anyone who claimed to have any influence in Venice would usually be found around The Grand Canal. The grand Venetian Gothic and Early Renaissance façade of the powerful families’ palaces face the canal, where the public arrives.
The most excellent way to see these grand mansions is on a voyage by Vaporetto, Venice’s floating public transportation system, along the canal. These grand palaces, or at least their façade, are still in good condition today. Or you may take a Venice Grand Canal Small Group 1-Hour Boat Tour, which includes some of the smaller canals, to visit the palaces more leisurely.
You can’t miss the Peggy Guggenheim Collection if you adore modern art. This contemporary art museum is housed within Peggy Guggenheim’s former residence on the Grand Canal. The museum is one of Venice’s most well-liked tourist destinations because of its remarkable collection of artwork.…
One of those places where sightseeing, the arts, nightlife, and, yes, even romance coexist in harmony is Venice. Venice may appear to be a little island, but each neighborhood offers something unique. The most crucial query is: What must you visit in Venice?
St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), unquestionably the most famous church in Venice and one of the easiest to recognize in the entire world, was formerly the Doge’s private chapel and is now embellished with Byzantine art treasures that were looted and brought back by Venetian ships after Constantinople fell.
The 4,240 square meters of gold mosaics that adorn the domes and walls within are only hinted at by the gold-backed mosaic images above the doors on the façade. These give its grand interior a particularly Byzantine feel. Still, you’ll also find gems from other eras, including later mosaics created by Titian and Tintoretto, whose names you’ll see all around the city.
Early 12th-century painters started work on the beautiful golden altarpiece, the Pala d’Oro, one of the best in Europe. Several decades later, approximately 2,000 diamonds and precious stones were added. Look down at the floor, a work of marble inlay, if you can tear your eyes away from this, the mosaic domes, and the numerous elaborately painted altars. Spend some time admiring the gold icons and shrines in the Treasury.…
Once upon a time, visitors to Venice would come ashore beneath the facade of this remarkable palace. Their admiration for its vastness and the elegance of its architecture was unavoidable.
If the Doges welcomed them, the impression would only grow as they passed through the Porta della Carta, a magnificent example of Venetian Gothic at its height, and climbed the towering Scala dei Giganti and the gold-vaulted Scala d’Oro before being welcomed in Sala del Collegio, a room that many people believe to be the palace’s most stunning space.
Even jaded tourists from the twenty-first century are amazed by the palace’s grandeur and expensive decorations. All the great Venetian artists are represented, including Tintoretto, whose Paradise is the enormous oil painting in the entire world.
A stroll across the Bridge of Sighs to the dark cells of the Prigioni, the jails from which Casanova made his infamous escape, is included in private tours but is not accessible to the general public. The Ponte della Paglia, located on the Riva Degli Schiavoni behind the Doge’s Palace, has the most excellent perspective of the Bridge of Sighs and is a famous postcard location.
The Doge’s Palace frequently has large lines for admittance, but if you purchase a Skip the Line: Doge’s Palace Ticket and Tour, you can skip these lines and view parts of the palace that are not accessible to ordinary tourists. Before guiding you under the Bridge of Sighs and inside the renowned jail, a local guide will escort you through the lines and discuss the history and artwork in each opulent apartment.…
The Rialto Bridge, once the only bridge over the Grand Canal, stands where Rivus Altus, the island’s first population, once stood (high bank). This stone arch, which was constructed in 1588, around 150 years after the collapse of a prior wooden bridge, spans two busy streets and a double row of stores.
It serves as a bustling crossing point halfway along the canal and is a popular spot for tourists to take photos, pose for pictures, and watch the boats constantly passing underneath it.
German traders who resided and worked in the Fondaco dei Tedeschi (German Commodity Exchange), located next to the canal, went to worship at the San Bartolomeo church, which is not far from the San Marco end of the bridge. The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew, a fine altarpiece by Palma the Younger, is present. The former exchange is now a well-liked destination for retail therapy.
Venetians and chefs browse for fresh produce and seafood at the bustling food market on the other side of Rialto Bridge. One of the most excellent places to shop in Venice is the San Polo neighborhood’s winding lanes, which are beyond the market and home to artisan shops and mask-making studios. Additionally, there are dining establishments that are less crowded with tourists than those close to San Marco.
It is challenging to know where to start in a city like Venice, which is full of tourist attractions. It is best to get lost for a few hours and spend that time exploring its charming tiny streets and alleyways, meandering alongside its canals, and discovering its hidden corners.
You’ll come across something worth photographing at every turn. Returning to the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco will be simple no matter where your adventures take you. The majority of the top attractions are concentrated around these two landmarks.
Venice is separated into six sestieri, or distinct neighborhoods, each with its distinct personality. The giantThe giant loop of the Grand Canal encircles San Marco, which is in the center. San Polo, a neighborhood of artisans, lies across the Rialto Bridge. Dorsoduro. Dorsoduro is a fashionable district with notable art museums and bustling squares across the Grand Canal to the south.
Santa Croce, Castello, and Cannaregio, the old Ghetto, are on the periphery. Beyond the city’s six sestieri or neighborhoods, you should take a Vaporetto to one of its islands, such as Lido, Murano, Burano, or Torcello. The stunning views of San Marco and Venice from the tower of the fourth island, San Giorgio Maggiore, make it worthwhile to travel there.
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Piazza San Marco
The beautiful homogeneity of its architecture on its three sides unites the considerable length of Venice’s most perfect square and gives it an almost intimate feel. However, St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is cherished as Venice’s living room, where everyone congregates, strolls, drinks coffee, stops to chat, meets friends and tour guides, or passes through on the way to work or play. This is due to more than just its architectural beauty.
Arcades framed on three sides are home to chic boutiques and even chicer cafés. The irregular, exotic curves, swirls, mosaics, and lacy stone filigree of St. Mark’s Basilica serve as a landmark for the open end.
The Campanile’s masonry shaft rises above it. You can climb to its summit or the top of the Torre dell Orologio, where two “Moors” strike the hour, for views of this crowded piazza.
Torre dell Orologio
One of Venice’s most recognizable landmarks is a clock tower to one side of the basilica, looking out onto Piazza San Marco. The clock tower is finished by two bronze Moors who ring a vast bell once an hour. The clock face features the zodiac and moon phases in gold on a blue backdrop. A small balcony and a statue of the Virgin Mary are located above the clock.
Giorgio Massari added the winged Lion of St. Mark and a mosaic of golden stars on a blue backdrop above that in 1755. The tower is a superb example of Venetian Renaissance design and dates to the 15th century. The Calle Mercerei, one of Venice’s busiest streets, flows through an arched doorway at its base.
Campanile
The Campanile is not the first structure to exist here; it towers over Piazza San Marco like a giant exclamation point. The first one, built in 1153 as a lighthouse, fell abruptly into the piazza in 1902 and had to be rebuilt on a more sturdy foundation. The Loggetta at its foot, a small marble loggia finished in 1540, where members of the Great Council gathered before attending meetings, was also reconstructed.
Sansovino’s four bronze masterpieces, which were extricated from the wreckage following the collapse, can be seen in the loggia at the base between the columns. The history of the Campanile has a darker side: during the Middle Ages, prisoners—including rebel priests—were transported in cages halfway up the exterior and left to hang there for days at a time.
The Campanile is now a well-liked tourist destination because of its panoramic views over the city, the lagoon, and the Adriatic from its apex (try to go early or late in the day, as lines for the lift can be very long).
Santa Maria Della Salute
Santa Maria Della Salute, one of Venice’s most famous churches and one of the most picturesque, rises at the end of a peninsula directly across from the Doge’s Palace.
The enormous Baroque church was erected in gratitude for the 1630 plague’s conclusion. But before the church could be built, its architect, Baldassare Longhena, had more than a million timbers driven into the lagoon’s floor since the brittle ground couldn’t hold its enormous weight.
In addition to the beautiful dome, the Sacristy, where masterpieces like Tintoretto’s Marriage at Cana are located, is the focus of the church’s interior. It is directly across from the Vaporetto landing.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Between 1515 and 1560, this beautiful structure made of white marble was constructed to house a San Rocco-inspired charity organization. To the annoyance of his opponent painters, the famous Venetian painter Tintoretto entered the building and placed his picture in its proper location before the judgment, winning the competition to create the central panel for the ceiling of the Sala dell, Albergo, not long after it was finished.
Later, he painted a complete cycle of paintings regarded as the artist’s finest work and decorated the room’s walls and ceilings. The Glorification of St. Roch, Christ before Pilate, the Ecce Homo, and the most potent of all, The Crucifixion, are among the earliest pieces in the Sala dell Albergo, dating from 1564 and 1576, respectively. The paintings in the top hall, created between 1575 and 1581, feature scenes from the New Testament.
Teatro La Fenice
Since it has emerged from the ashes like the mythological phoenix, the name La Fenice (The Phoenix), adopted at the constriction in 1792, has proven prophetic. Three fires have destroyed the theatre, with the most recent one occurring in 1996 and only the exterior walls remaining. It has been renovated each time and is still one of the best opera houses in the world.
Many of the most well-known Italian operas, including those by Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi, had their world premieres at La Fenice throughout its history, especially in the 19th century. The venue still hosts opera and ballet performances and musical concerts today.
La Fenice is still a very tiny opera house. Therefore tickets are tough to come by, especially for significant events, even after its reopening in 2003 with substantially expanded seating. However, you can use an audio guide to take a self-guided tour of the magnificent Rococo interior, which lasts around 45 minutes and includes the theater’s standard rooms.
