Budapest- Dohany Street Synagogue

          Dohany Street Syngagogue
      The Dohany Street Synagogue is described as the most impressive synagogue in the country of Budapest. It is the largest synagogue in Europe, and the second largest in the world. In 2009, the massive monument celebrated 150 years of existence. The building can hold upwards of 3,000 people and is designed like a basilica. The synagogue includes architectural elements from the Byzantine and Moorish styles. This site is now part of the complex and home to the Jewish Museum.

      During the inter-war years, anti-Semitism grew quickly in Hungary. A series of anti-Jewish policies were passed, and fascist groups like the Arrow Cross Party started to attract more followers. Hungary became an ally of Germany and the Arrow Cross Party damaged the Synagogue in 1939. During World War II, the Great Synagogue served as a stable and as a radio communication center for the Germans. Today, the synagogue serves as the main center for the Jewish community.
      
      I find this synagogue so beautiful and classic. I think it is great that there is such a large and gorgeous place to worship for the people of Budapest, and for visitors to admire. This will be a fun site to see.

References:
"Great Synagogue Budapest - Dohany Street Synagogue." Budapest - Budapest Travel Guide and Information - Budapest, an Insider's Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2013.
"Budapest,inside The Dohany Street Synagogue Photos, Wallpapers." RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013.

Vienna- Schönbrunn Castle

                        Schönbrunn Castle

Schonbrunn Palace is a baroque synthesis of different arts and was the Habsburg's possession
for centuries, used as a summer residence. The palace contains an enchanting park, the Palm House, the Gloriette and a zoo. This land was in the possession of the Habsburg's since 1569, when the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II. had a summer residence built there in 1642, which she called "Schönbrunn". The palace and garden were rebuilt and redesigned by Maria Theresia after 1743.

<--- Palmhouse

Today, the palace is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings.
The rooms are mostly decorated in Rococo style and have walls and ceilings covered with white-lacquered surfaces with ornamentation covered with gold leaf. These rooms are available to the public through guided tours. Although Austria is now a republic, Schönbrunn has remained a place of high political relevance.
The magnificent architecture and the exquisite décor of its state rooms marks Schönbrunn out as a cultural treasure and tourist attraction of the first order.
References:
"Schönbrunn Palace." - VIENNA – NOW OR NEVER. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013."Stock Photo - Vienna, Austria - June, 2011: Architecture of the Famous Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria." 123RF Stock Photos. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2013.

Vienna- Wachau Valley Vineyards

               Vineyards along the Danube

                   Wachau Valley Vineyards

      Located along the narrow Danube valley between the towns of Melk and Krems is the Wachau. There are 1,400 hectares of vineyards located here, with some of them even being located on steep terraces. This vineyard features mainly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The wine categories of Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd are used respectively for light, medium and full-bodied wines with natural alcohol.

     It is one of Austria's most fascinating wine-growing areas, and has an exciting history as well! In the post-glacial period, silt sediments were deposited on the mountains, and this resulted in the loess soils as well as the steep slopes of Gföhler gneiss. The Danube river left deposits of sand, gravel and loess onto the flat vineyard areas. The combination of these conditions, along with the man-made stone terraces, used to help facilitate cultivation, are typical of the landscape of Wachau.

 The Danube River has a good network consisting of an inland navigation system. One can visit Wachau valley historic sights by steamer boats and the best season to visit is between May and September. However, there are no bridges across the Danube River in this region, and ferries are the only way to cross the river.

     The only thing better than drinking wine is drinking wine in the beautiful landscape of the Wachau Valley...

I cannot wait to experience the wine tour here!

References:

 "Wineandleisure.com. Austrian Wines of the Wachau." Wineandleisure.com. Austrian Wines of the Wachau. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

http://www.austria.info/us/austria-wine-country/vineyards-along-the-danube-1084228.html

 "Vineyards along the Danube." Austria.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

 Photo References: 

 http://www.catawbafurniture.com/cornerstone_wine_and_gifts.htm

http://www.austria.info/us/austria-wine-country/vineyards-along-the-danube-1084228.html

Prague- Charles Bridge

                    Charles Bridge                      

       This magnificent stone Gothic structure connects the old town with the Lesser Town and Prague Castle, marking the center of the city.This is one of the largest attractions in the city, and during the day street artists, vendors, and musicians fill the bridge. Beginning in 1357, its construction was commissioned by Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Petr Parléř was in charge of the construction, his other works include the  St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle. It is said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar to strengthen the construction of the bridge.There are now 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries damaged the originals.
      The St. John of Nepomuk is arguably the most popular statue and displays a Czech martyr saint who was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV by being thrown into the Vltava from the bridge.  The plaque on the statue has been polished to a shine by countless people having touched it over the centuries. Touching the statue is supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague!
      I cannot wait to see this landmark at sunset when the Prague Castle is fully lit. This is one of the places I am incredibly excited to see (along with many others), and I have heard that it is a simply beautiful site to see. 

 References:
 "Charles Bridge." In Prague. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
 "Charles Bridge, Prague." Charles Bridge, Prague. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
Photo References:
http://www.bestourism.com/items/di/846?title=Charles-Bridge&b=143

Dresden- Frauenkirche, The Church of Our Lady

                           Frauenkirche
                                                   "The Church of Our Lady"

      Officially known as the Dom zu unserer lieben Frau, this monument is located just east of Marienplatz. Duke Sigismund laid the original foundation in stone in the cathedral in 1468. The massive church was constructed in only 20 years. By law, no new building is allowed to obstruct the view of the cathedral.
      The church was originally designed as a late Gothic church containing a long central nave. At the end of the 17th century, the interior was decorated with Baroque elements. In the 19th century, after the church was promoted to the status of cathedral, all the Baroque elements were removed because Gothic was considered as the only pure church style at the time. Sadly, the building was severely damaged at the end of the Second World War, when the roof partially collapsed as a result of an allied bombardment. After the war the cathedral was restored in several phases; the first phase was completed in 1953 but it would take until 1994 before the church was fully restored.

 

"Footprint of the Devil"

      The notorious "footprint of the devil" is located inside the church. According to a legend, the architect of the Frauenkirche, Jörg von Halsbach, promised the devil you could not see a window from the inside of the church. In return, the devil would help him build the Frauenkirche. After he completed the building, the architect led the devil to the middle of the church from where you could not see a single window, although all churchgoers would sit in an area where a lot of light came through the windows. The devil would have stamped his foot with so much rage that his footprint was visible in the stone floor. The footprint is still clearly visible today.

References:
"Frauenkirche." , Munich. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2013.
Photo References:
http://www.eugene.be/europe.html
http://gyshough.blogspot.com/2010/09/munich-devil-wears-size-9-and-freaky.html

Leipzig- St. Thomas Church

                      St. Thomas Church

      A Lutheran Church, St. Thomas Church is one of two worship centers that Leipzig's heart of the city holds. The church is home of the St. Thomas Boys Choir and is also the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach, the famous St. Thomas cantor. Bach was the choir director at St. Thomas Church from 1723 until his death in 1750. The University of Leipzig was founded here in 1409. The church took the form of a late Gothic hall church from 1492-1496. Martin Luther also preached the implementation of the Reformation here in 1539, signaling the arrival of Protestantism in Leipzig. On December 4, 1943, the tower was damaged in an Allied bombing raid on Leipzig, requiring repair.
      Today, visitors from all over the world come to Leipzig to observe church services in the St. Thomas Church, hear a motet from the St. Thomas Boys Choir, or to take pleasure in concerts and organ music.
Choirboys still follow an almost medieval regime within a distinctive subculture that's almost a separate world. Each newcomer is assigned a "mentor" from among the trusted older members of the choir, and all members are required to eat, sleep, study, and rehearse according to a semi-monastic regimen.

"Welcome." Thomaskirche Leipzig. St. Thomas Church, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.


Photo References:
http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-thomaskirche-st-thomas-church-leipzig-image21508079

Berlin- Museum Island

Museum Island located in Berlin is comprised of five historic museums. The museum was built to allow the general public to view the “royal art treasures of Germany”. The idea for the island was not thought of until around 1841, when Friedrich August Stüler proposed the idea to create a cultural center on the island.

Devastatingly enough, nearly 70% of the historic buildings were destroyed during World War II. At the end of the 20^th century a reconstruction and remodernization program was started, designed to restore all five of the museums. The five museums located in Museum Island include the Altes Museum (Old Museum), Neues Museum (New Museum), The Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Bode Museum, and the Pergamon Museum.

Altes Museum:

This museum was restored and reopened in 1966, and now houses ancient Greek and Roman artifacts. It was originally built to display the treasures of the royal family. Built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the city’s greatest architect, the building resembles a Greek Corinithian Temple.

Neues Museum:

Reopening in 2009, the Neues museum stores a collection of prehistoric, early history and Egyptian works of Art. It is connected to the Altes Museum.

Alte Nationalgalerie:

Otherwise known as the Old National Gallery, this museum reopened in 2001. It owns one of the largest collections of 19^th century sculpture and paintings in Germany. 

Bode Museum:

 This museum shows a large collection of sculptures and a selection of paintings from the Germaldegalerie.

Pergamon Museum:

This was the final museum created, completed in 1930. It houses Greek and Babylonian antiques including the impressive Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the gigantic Pergamon Altar.

References:

"Museum Island." , Berlin. A View On Cities, n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.

Photo References:

http://www.bestourism.com/items/di/1191?title=Museum-Island&b=185

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altes_Museum_in_Berlin.jpg

http://gogermany.about.com/od/picturesofgermany/ig/Museum-Island-Berlin-Photos/Neues-Museum-Berlin-.htm

http://thevacationgals.com/things-to-do-in-berlin-germany/

http://www.sitesandbites.com/blog/