Category: Architecture

Stories and photos about the interesting architecture I discovered in my travels.

A Walk Down 42nd Street in New York City – Let Me Take You There

Take a walk with me down 42nd street in New York and discover 100 years of history and architecture in the heart of the city that never sleeps.

If Midtown is the heart of Manhattan, then 42nd street in New York City must be its main artery. It’s only a two mile walk from the East River to the Hudson River on this historic lane, but you pass through a handful of defined neighborhoods in the process, each with its own distinctive flavor. You also pass by some of the city’s most iconic and decorative buildings, both old and new.

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PhotoPOSTcard: The Covered Bridges of Frederick County

Covered bridges were actually designed for function – to protect the wooden bridge structure from the elements and thereby extending the bridge’s lifespan up to 100 years. As iron began to replace wood, the many covered bridges across the US began to disappear. Today, the remaining bridges are a romantic reminder of a time in US history that was slower and more pastoral. If you are visiting Frederick, MD, stop by the visitor’s center to pick up a map of the local covered bridge trail that takes you to three beautiful examples of this unique architecture.

Please note that I was hosted by Visit Frederick. All content is my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

PhotoPOSTcard: The Monocacy Aquaduct

When you really think about it, and aqueduct could be considered an oxymoron – it’s a bridge  built over water to carry water. In this case, the Monocacy aqueduct was the largest of the eleven aqueducts built as part of the C&O canal system in the mid 1800’s. The Monacacy Aqueduct has survived the Civil War and hurricanes and is now part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. You can easily visit this site and others along the C&O canal system from a base in Frederick,MD.

Please note that I was hosted by Visit Frederick. All content is my own.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

PhotoPOSTcard: Morocco’s Zellij Tiles

Throughout my wanderings in Marrakesh, I saw the characteristic Zellij tile decoration. Whether it was a museum, an old restored historic building or in the narrow lanes of the Medina, this typical Moroccan mosaic tile work in shades of blue, tan and green was prevalent. The combination of small hand chiseled tiles laid in intricate geometric patterns seemed infinite. I definitely got a few ideas for a quilt or two.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Stairway to Gothic Heaven

The stairway of the beautifully restored St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. That is actually somewhat fitting since the hotel is across the street from Kings Cross Station and the fabled platform 9 3/4. More important, for the muggle traveler, the hotel is also next door to the St. Pancras train station which makes it a convenient luxury resting spot for those taking the Eurostar train to the continent. Regardless of whether you stay there or not, this historic hotel and its grand Gothic interior is a beautiful visit.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Olomouc’s Holy Trinity Column

Olomouc’s Holy Trinity Column in the Lower Town Square is one of the many UNESCO listed heritage sites in the Czech Republic.The highly ornate baroque design was built between 1716 to 1754 as an expression of gratitude at the ending of the plague that had infected the region between 1713 and 1715. The column was as much an expression of patriotism as it was of faith. All the sculptured saints decorating the column have a connection to the town and the craftsman that produced the column were also all locals. Inside, there is actually a little chapel.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Climbing to New Heights in Ostrava’s Bolt Tower

The Bolt Tower in Ostrava, Czech Republic is a unique glass cafe and observation tower that was built on top of what was once an ironworks blast furnace. The wrap-around glass walkway is meant to look like the fire that once burned for real in the metal producing furnace below. At 250 feet high the Bolt Tower is the highest point in Ostrava and provides the best views of the city, especially at sunset. Would you have the nerve to stroll this glass walkway?

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

Bathing Like a Sultan – Overcoming Naked Inhibitions in a Turkish Bath in Istanbul

Enjoying a hamam, or Turkish bath in Istanbul is a unique experience in Turkey. I wanted to try it on my first visit to Istanbul, but to do so, I would have to set aside my inhibitions about being seen naked by strangers. Could I do that?

I know I have a typical American hang up about public nudity. Hollywood may show a lot of bare skin, but that’s not me on that screen. Plus, at my age, I feel like I am losing both the battle of the bulge and the battle with gravity. I am not sure that I really should subject the world to seeing my body without clothes on.

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Sleeping With the Sultan – Behind the Walls of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace Harem

The Topkapi Palace harem complex is a beautiful and still slightly mysterious part of the Topkapi Palace which was the home of the Ottoman Empire Sultans.

Paris has the Palace of Versailles. Vienna has the Hofburg Palace. London has Buckingham Palace. In Istanbul, it is Topkapi Palace that was the opulent home to the Sultan rulers of the Ottoman Empire and their female entourage for almost 400 years. Learn about what went on behind the walls of the Topkapi Palace harem.

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