septembrie 2020 – Unlimited Possibilities

Contemporary artists painting women in classical tradition: the best in figurative art

On the world’s art scenes I can see a gentle benefic come back of figurative painting, after the American culture was dominated for decades by abstract art genres..

Today I came across a site that I liked in particular because the author points out this trend that I go along with quite well. She chose a few contemporary artists works of art in order to demonstrate this aspect.

„I’d like to feature some of the best contemporary male artists painting women in classical tradition. After decades of abstract art dominating the American culture, figurative painting sees a gentle come back that is becoming stronger and more popular year after year. While contemporary art is an amalgam of so many subjects and styles, it’s often subjective to the viewer’s personal taste to determine who is the best in painting. Therefore, I don’t aim to say that the following artists deserve more attention than others, but I’d like to highlight the ones who show both technical and creative mastery in the depiction of women, finding their inspiration in the female form.

Pino Daeni (1939-2010) was an Italian artist who painted women in fresh pastel colors that evoked feelings of love, admiration, and family warmth. Women dance, read or take a stroll in a field of flowers or at the beach. Sweet and lighthearted, the figures are painted in colorful, loose strokes, using the sophisticated color schemes that overlay and harmonize with each other like notes in music. Long skirts, comfy white shirts, and summer dresses get lost in the soft edges of the surroundings. To see the artist’s work, visit: http://www.pino-artist.com/

Russian artist, Serge Marshennikov is the representational painter who solely focuses on painting women. His youthful, semi-nude models rest on a couch in swirls of delicate fabric. The elaborate lace and cotton alike, it feels so gentle and real, the viewer feels tempted to reach out and touch it. Like the 19th-century French artist David, Serge plays with complex fabric folds and the luminous skin tones to create stunning contrast in his paintings.

Besides exhibiting a tremendous technical skill in oil painting, the artist possesses true talent composing his images with honest admiration and sensitivity to his models that transcend time and place. Follow the artist here: http://serge-marshennikov.tumblr.com/

American artist, Joshua LaRock is a classical realist who studied with Jacob Collins to nurture his talents. Deeply rooted in classical painting, his portraits and still lifes are carefully planned and executed in classical tradition. Joshua describes his models in soft, slightly loose brushwork that breath with life. The award-winning artist works and teaches in New York. Connect with the artist here: http://joshualarock.com/

Italian artist, Emanuele Dascanio draws and paints in the hyperrealism style with the models occupying huge surfaces. His subjects vary from women to old men, to still life. He often controls the light with a single light source (the Rembrandt lighting) to create dramatic charcoal drawings and paintings. To see the artist’s work, go here: http://www.emanueledascanio.com/en

The first time I encountered Jeremy Mann’s work I was blown away by his loose style of painting that seemed totally real nevertheless. Painting cityscapes and women in thick, bold strokes of ink brayers and brushes, the artist creates a universe of harmonious, often monochromatic color relationships. Views of Manhattan and reposed models alike, his paintings make us contemplate a moment of beautiful silence that doesn’t scream with melancholy.

Gregory Mortenson is a classically trained artist whose recent body of work features Haitian children, who were painted by the artist after the devastating earthquake hit the country. His subdued color palettes show a beautiful restraint. To see the artist’s work: http://www.gregorymortenson.com/

Goyo Dominguez is a Spanish artist who paints women and still life, combining traditional painting techniques with the loose brushwork of the Impressionists. Influenced by Renaissance, his romantic artwork is colorful and pure with a sense of lightness and tranquility. Early in life he studied for priesthood and was encouraged to pursue the artistic career. His upbringing led the artist to create numerous murals and commissions for the church and more. To see his work: http://goyodominguez.com/

American artist, Brad Kunkle paints women on the silver-leafed panels. He employs monochromatic grays and browns to describe his models. Brad often places women against the patterned background or lets the flying leaves revolve around the models like tiny birds. His figures could be the nymphs of magical forests that strike us with primal physical presence. To connect with the artist: http://bradkunkle.com/

source : veronicasart.com

Cristina David

The Black Sea in September

Not a very usual time of year to choose for spending a few days at the shore. The weather was gorgeous, though, we decided that we will go. I ma referring here at the Black Sea, one middlesized body of salty water situated in Europe, the south-eastern part.

Why do they call it the Black Sea? The sea was first named by the ancient Greeks who called it „Inhospitable Sea.” The sea got this reputation because it was difficult to navigate, and hostile tribes inhabited its shores. …

The Black Sea is all colors, but black. Emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, silvery and sparkling gold , all due, in turn, to the particular time of the day . It could also be steel like, restless or stern looking in times of stormy weather.

Actually, I meant to show you something myrific about one particular morning when I happened to go out on the balcony with my coffee. I realized something amazing that one can catch maybe a few times in their life, or none at all .

The sun rising slowly in perfect silence slowly….Photo Cristina David

A seagull welcomes the life giving celestial body

I sincerely wish you had a similar experience, it is breath-taking, literally!

Stay safe and healthy, my friends!

Cristina David

The World’s Most Glamorous Railway Journeys

“Every luxury must be paid for, and everything is a luxury, starting with being in this world.”
― Cesare Pavese

“Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”
― Coco Chanel

Imagine being inside an exotic train that resembles a posh 5-star hotel and takes you on a trip on some of the most breathtaking destinations. Doesn’t that sound like a fantasy? Well, in this video, you will get to discover some of the world’s best luxury train rides. From ‘The Ghan’ of Australia to the Maharajas’ Express of India, being inside these glamorous trains will make you feel like royalty. Take a look.

These Are the World’s Most Glamorous Railway Journeys

Take it slow on these luxurious train rides through some of the world’s most glamorous destinations . Whether you’re exploring the Andes or dashing through an island luxurious train travel consistently proves that fly-by country is much more interesting when seen on the ground. On these luxurious trains people are still expected to dress for dinner and attentive waiters serve five-course meals on bone china .

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Venice

No other train journey evokes romance and adventure quite like the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, setting of notorious Agatha Christie mystery „Murder on the Orient Express.”The train still rolls by some of Europe’s most captivating scenery through cities that have become legends in themselves: London, Paris, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice.Its Art Deco glamor has persevered through the decades while the train’s elegant suites recall an older, more stylish age.Most guests board the train in London for the one-night journey to Venice. But passengers traveling from Italy might notice a set of unusual crates being delivered personally to the head chef on the Paris platform.They are filled with freshly caught lobsters to be served during a delicious brunch before the train reaches the French port of Calais – only available on the westward route.

Golden Eagle: Moscow to Vladivostok

Hardcore travelers say you haven’t really experienced train travel until you’ve rode the Trans-Siberian Express, with its intimidating itinerary that spans a whopping eight time zones.The Golden Eagle is a luxury version of the Trans-Siberian, featuring en-suite bathrooms, air-con in the summer, full heat in the winter, laundry services, TVs, a resident pianist and an English-speaking doctor.The two-week passage feels more like a cruise than a train ride as it stops for daily excursions along the way.It rides along Lake Baikal, hauled by a Soviet Era steam locomotive, and makes a detour to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital.To help passengers acclimatize in extravagance, five-star accommodations in Moscow and Vladivostok are provided.From US$15,895 per person (Silver Class)

Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

The Blue Train’s 27-hour, 1,600 kilometer journey crosses South Africa diagonally, stopping at the diamond mines of Kimberley on the way south and at the eccentrically colonial outpost of Matjiesfontein on the way north.Luxurious surroundings apart, the image that lingers afterward is of the friendly and helpful staff.Many of the butlers have worked on the train for years and are on call 24/7 for a drink, a snack or even to iron clothes.Some of the luxury double suites have full size bathtubs – there’s nothing quite like lying in a sea of bubbles, glass of champagne in hand as the savannah rolls by.Past passengers include Nelson Mandela, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, Mia Farrow, Margaret Thatcher and Kylie Minogue.Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2016, the Blue Train is now offering special journeys from Pretoria to Hoedspruit, in the Kruger Park area.From $976 per person.

The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin

The Ghan is a three-night, 2,979-kilometer tour from Darwin to Adelaide that allows travelers to cross Australia while peering into the endless uniformity of the red-earthed antipodean bush.The Platinum service offers more cabin and ensuite space, chauffeured transfers, access to an exclusive dining carriage, breakfast in bed and five-course meals.The menu highlights Australia’s exotic local fare, like saltwater barramundi fish and grilled kangaroo fillet.The Ghan offers scheduled excursions in Katherine and Alice Springs, while special stops provide an opportunity to experience either an outback sunrise in Marla going north, or a nightcap under the Milky Way in Manguri going south.From $2,637 per person

Rovos Rail: Southern and eastern Africa

Rovos Rail is a slower, chiller version of the Blue Train, featuring an extended network of far-flung destinations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania.Luxurious and lavish cabin surroundings mean the Rovos ride is not an end in itself, but an essential part of a long journey with several overnights.Because the train never travels more than 60 kilometers per hour (37 m.p.h.) passengers can open windows for fresh air or to photograph the landscapes.In fact, the staff provide sets of goggles so that, should the urge arise to stick heads out of windows, dust in eyes won’t be a problem.Popular journeys fill up quickly: the leisurely ramble from Pretoria to Dar es Salaam, the Namibia safari and golfing trips have sold out well into 2017.The four-day Pretoria to Victoria Falls journey in the Pullman suite costs $1,504 per person

The Rocky Mountaineer: Banff to Vancouver

The Gold Leaf Service of the Rocky Mountaineer offers one of few five-star rail experiences in North America.There are several routes into the Rockies, but it’s the classic Banff to Vancouver ride that still captures the imagination.This was the last, arduous leg of the great rail expansion westwards that united Canada in the late 1880s.Although most tourists prefer the summer season, September to mid-October is possibly the most romantic time to travel, when the leaves turn to a vibrant mix of reds, oranges and yellows and fresh snow accumulates on the mountaintops.To ramp up the romance, couples traveling together can rotate their seats so they face each other during the journey.From $1,309 per person

Belmond Royal Scotsman: Scottish Highlands.

A journey aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman is a unique way to see the magnificent Scottish countryside in a Downton Abbey atmosphere.Travelers can choose from several round trips from Edinburgh lasting between two and seven days, but the classic voyage is the four-night passage to the Scottish Highlands.It includes visits to distilleries and sightseeing excursions to castles.The UK’s only luxury sleeper train, it has a bar stocked with more than 50 kinds of whisky.Fall is perhaps the best time of year to travel, when the purples of wild heather color the Scottish meadows.From $3,917 per person (two nights)

Maharajas’ Express: Delhi to Mumbai

Often called „the Orient Express of the Orient,” the Maharajas’ Express is a recent entrant to the luxury train market.The decor attempts to emulate the golden days of the Raj when Maharajas traveled with opulence and pomp in ostentatious carriages.Such colonial splendor has been recreated to the full and the week-long journey also immerses travelers in the spirit of the era with gin and tonic sundowners, elephant rides and a chance to chat with erstwhile royal families.It’s an enjoyable three-night ride, but passengers should beware of some hidden extras such as camera and video fees or porter charges.From $3,850 per person

The Transcantabrico Gran Lujo: San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Chugging slowly along Spain’s Atlantic coast for seven days, the Transcantabrico feels more like a five-star hotel on wheels than a full on train experience.In fact a luxury coach catches up with the train at every stop for the day’s excursion, meaning you’ll likely spend as long on the bus as on the train.The rides are short, the sightseeing extensive but what you’ll remember afterward is the exceptional catering with select wines, haute cuisine and excursion meals in top-notch restaurants.Consider this a luxury roll through the best of northern Spain – stops include the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, the prehistoric cave of Altamira, the Picos de Europa National Park and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – and you won’t be disappointed.From $4,859 per person

Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan

The „Seven Stars in Kyushu” is Japan’s most luxurious train, featuring seven carriages that hold just 30 people in 14 suites.The interiors showcase the best in Japanese craftsmanship, such as walls of rosewood and maple, walnut floors, shoji paper screens as window coverings and sliding glass doors etched with flowers and birds.

Enjoy dreamlike journeys around the world!

reference – CNN Travel

Cristina David

The History of These Ancient Temples is Truly Fascinating

Among the earliest structures built by ancient civilizations, places of worship like tombs and temples were perhaps of the highest importance for the population of those days. In fact, of the buildings that still remain today from the early years of civilization, ancient temples are the most captivating and spectacular. You still can find several of the oldest known temples, built thousands of years ago, in different parts of the world today. While not all of them have been well-preserved, they still hold a magical allure and tell us of mysterious stories.. These old temples also help us get a better understanding of humanity’s earliest societies and what the world was like in those times. Some of the ancient temples featured in the list below are older than the written word itself, some have been built underground, and some have been able to maintain their architectural splendor even after thousands of years. Of all these ancient structures I only got the chance to visit The Temple of Apollo in Greece while taking a long trip throughout the country. It’s truly an amazing place! Take a look.

Temple of Amada, Egypt

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Olaf Tausch

The Temple of Amada is one of the oldest temples in Egypt and was first constructed by Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III of the 18th dynasty, sometime around the 15th century BC. Dedicated to the gods Amun and Ra-Horakhty, the temple is considered to be one of the earliest examples of Egyptian temple architecture in the area of the Middle Nile. While it was originally constructed on the east bank of the Nile, the Temple of Amada was moved in the 1960s and ’70s to a higher site on Lake Nasser to protect it from flooding. One of the most significant features of the temple is a relief along with two important inscriptions describing the military feats of the pharaohs who built it – Tuthmosis III and his son Amenhotep II. While the temple is quite small and dilapidated, it is still quite fascinating and vibrant from inside.

Luxor Temple, Egypt

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Gerd Eichmann

Located on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor, in the ancient city of Thebes, the Luxor Temple was built in 1,100 and 1,600 BC during the reigns of several pharaohs – Amenhotep III (1390-52 BC), Tutankhamun (1336-27 BC), and Horemheb (1323-1295 BC), and then added to by Rameses II (1279-13 BC). The temple was dedicated to the three Egyptian gods Amun, Mut, and Chons, and is considered the largest and most important site in ancient Egypt.The Luxor temple served as a place of worship for nearly 3,500 years and was also the center of the festival of Opet (ancient Egyptian festival of the second month of the lunar calendar). According to Egyptian legends, the Luxor Temple was “the place of the First Occasion,” where the god Amun experienced a rebirth. Today, the massive Great Colonnade Hall is one of the most vital remains of this vast temple complex.

Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Malta

Built around 2,500 BC, the Hypogeum in Malta is the oldest prehistoric underground temple in the world. The island of Malta has several Megalithic Temples and this structure is easily one of the most remarkable ones. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hypogeum is one of the world’s best-preserved prehistoric sites and contains halls, chambers and passages carved out of rock. Archeologists believe that the Hypogeum was used as a temple as well as a sanctuary and a necropolis in prehistoric times. The complex is divided into three levels – the upper level (3600-3300 BC), the middle level (3300-3000 BC), and the lower level (3150 -2500 BC). Amazingly, the lower level has a room that is 10.6 meters (35 ft) underground. The structure was rediscovered in 1902 and was restored over mid-2016 to early 2017. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Temple of Apollo, Greece

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Saffron Blaze

The Temple of Apollo is located at Delphi, the center of the Ancient Greek world, and was built on the location of two earlier temples. The temple was first built around the 7th century BC by the two iconic architects Trophonios and Agamedes and was rebuilt after a fire in the 6th century BC. The temple was of the Doric order and had 6 columns at the front, and 15 columns at the flanks.In 373 BC, the Temple of Apollo was destroyed by an earthquake and was rebuilt for the third time in 330 BC. Even after so many centuries, the foundations of the iconic temple still survive today along with several Doric columns that are made of porous stone and limestone. Not much is known about the temple’s interior arrangement. However, ancient writers have mentioned that the walls of the temple were inscribed with the aphorisms of the seven sages.

Tchogha Zanbil, Iran

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Pentocelo

Tchogha Zanbil or Choga Zambil is a ruined palace and temple complex of the ancient Elamite city of Dur Untashi in Iran. Built in 1250 BC, the temple was founded by the Elamite king Untash-Napirisha (1275-1240 BC). The primary feature of the complex is a gigantic ziggurat (a rectangular stepped tower built to honor the main god of the city) dedicated to the Elamite divinities Inshushinak and Napirisha. Outside of Mesopotamia, the ziggurat at Tchogha Zanbil remains the best-preserved monument of this type.Incidentally, the city was never completed and was attacked and damaged by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal around 640 BC. The temple complex was excavated between 1946 to 1962 by archaeologist Roman Ghirshman after prospectors for an oil company discovered it in 1935.

Vittala Temple, India

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Shivajidesai29

The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi, India, is located near the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka. Among the many ancient temples at Hampi, the Vittala temple is the most well-renowned because of its stunning architecture and unmatched craftsmanship.Built in the 15th century by King Devaraya II (1422- 1446 AD) of the Vijayanagara Empire, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala or Krishna and is known for its iconic stone chariot and the unique musical pillars. Many sections of the temple were expanded and renovated during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509- 1529 AD). The temple is amazingly well-preserved and represents the epitome of ancient Indian architecture.

source of inspiration and reference : ba-bamail.com

Cristina David

A Gallery of the Most Expensive Paintings To Ever Be Sold

Are you a fan of the arts? Do you find pleasure in gazing at the bold brushstrokes and harmony, symmetry and great colors of the greatest artists of the world? I am, I do not know about you, though. Would you pay millions for a chance to hold one of those beauties? I know for sure that i would not do that, so I prefer the museums that house such fascinating works of art. I mean, even if I had such kind of money – an immense fortune , I would not spend it on matrialistic things. Their beauty, anyway is meant to be seen and admired by millions of art lovers around the world.

Over the years, the art world has grown, developed, and flourished, giving birth to new and varied forms and styles. But this development has in no way undercut the value of the paintings that came before it, both monetarily and creatively. From the 15th century to the 20th, the champions of the art movement wowed us with their skill. Today, their passion remains forever memorialized in their work, and their work remains pristinely preserved in museums, galleries, and private collections around the world.

In fact, some private collectors and eccentric art connoisseurs have paid exorbitant amounts of money to ensure a Picasso or Monet classic ends up in their collections and no one else’s. This highly lucrative posthumous industry has gotten increasingly competitive over the years, but who could say that these gorgeous paintings that sculpted the history of art aren’t worth 6 figure sums? From least to most expensive, these are the unmissable, the incomparable, and the irreplaceable – the highest valued paintings in the world.

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, by Gustav Klimt – Sold for $135 Million

Also known as the Lady in Gold, this portrait was painted by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt between 1903 and 1907, during a time that was deemed to be the artist’s “Golden Phase”. Its current owner, Ronald Lauder, purchased it for the above-mentioned heavy sum in a private sale and has it proudly on display in New York’s Neue Galerie.

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II, by Gustav Klimt – Sold for $150 Million

This painting was the second formal painting of this gorgeous lady, created by Klimt in 1912, 5 years after the first and more famous work. After a long legal battle, the Bloch-Bauer family took possession of the painting in 2006 and sold it to Oprah Winfrey. 10 years later, the television mogul sold it for the high price of $150 million to an unknown buyer in China.

Le Rêve (The Dream), by Pablo Picasso – Sold for $155 Million

This work of art, depicting the painter’s mistress in the throes of sleep, was created in 1932 and was owned by Steven Wynn for well over a decade. In 2006, when the piece was set to be sold to billionaire Steve Cohen, Wynn accidentally ran his elbow into the masterpiece in a now-infamous gathering at his office. While nothing can fix the faux pas of making a hole in a Picasso painting, the painting was restored and finally sold to Cohen in 2013 for the price of $155 million.

Nu Couché (Sur Le Côté Gauche), by Amedeo Modigliani – Sold for $157.2 Million

(By Amedeo Modigliani, Wikimedia Commons)

Created in 1917 by Amedeo Modigliani, an Italian artist known for his portraiture and nude art, this piece remains one of the painter’s largest works. Though it is not the most famous of his nude works, it is a distinctly unique piece for his style and was sold in 2018 to an anonymous bidder for slightly more than the estimated $150 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

Masterpiece, by Roy Lichtenstein – Sold for $165 Million

Painted in 1962 by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, “Masterpiece” is one of this artist’s most famous works, and is still considered by many to be an amusingly accurate portrayal of the artist’s own career. Naturally, the one person who absolutely had to have this delightful tongue-in-cheek love letter to comic illustrations and painting was collector and mogul Steve Cohen who purchased it in 2017.

Pendant Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, by Rembrandt van Rijn – Sold for $180 Million

(Left: Portrait of Maerten Soolmans, By Rembrandt, Wikimedia Commons / Right: Portrait of Oopjen Coppit, By Rembrandt, Wikimedia Commons)

These two portraits by famous Dutch artist Rembrandt depict a wedding pair individually on the eve of their marriage. Originally owned by the wealthy Rothschild family, the pendant portraits were jointly purchased by Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and the Louvre for the hefty sum mentioned. As it has been universally deemed unacceptable to separate the couple, the museums take turns displaying them, with the Louvre currently caring for them.

Nafea Faa Ipoipo, Paul Gauguin – Sold for $210 Million

This piece is titled “When Will You Marry?” in English, with the original title being the Tahitian translation, and was created in 1892 by French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin. It was originally owned for over 50 years by Swiss businessman Rudolf Staechelin and his family, after his passing, and was frequently on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Switzerland. In 2015, it was sold by them to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, a member of the ruling family of Qatar.

The Card Player, by Paul Cézanne – Sold for $250 Million

Paul Cézanne was and continues to remain “the father of us all” as proclaimed by Picasso, as his works inspired many artists that followed. The Card Players is an iconic painting whose place in history was always solidified but gained another layer of armor in 2012 when it was purchased by the Royal family of Qatar. It remained at the very top of the list of most expensive paintings until 2015.

Salvator Mundi, by Leonardo Da Vinci – Sold for $450.3 Million

(By Leonardo da Vinci, Wikimedia Commons)

This piece by renowned artist Leonardo Da Vinci depicts a near-angelic Jesus Christ making a cross sign with his fingers while holding a crystal sphere. For many years, the authenticity of the painting was in question with many claiming the piece was either a copy of Da Vinci’s original lost work or created by one of his disciples in a similar manner.

However, most experts have now determined the painting to be legitimate and in 2017, at an auction at Christie’s in New York, this piece was purchased for a record-shattering price by Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, on behalf of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. Fun fact: the previous owner of the painting at the time of its auction was Dmitry Rybolovlev, who purchased it from none other than Yves Bouvier.

A few quotes about Art :

“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henry Matisse

“Don’t be an art critic, but paint, there lies salvation.”- Paul Cezanne

Yes , indeed, Art means hard work, a lot of practice and takes a lot of courage!

Share this article with those who love art!

reference – https://commons.wikimedia.org

Cristina David

Fascinating Facts About Paris

Thomas Jefferson once said, “a walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” He wasn’t wrong. There’s a reason that Paris is one of the most popular cities in the world and captivates all of us. Known as the “City of Light” or the “City of Love,” the streets of Paris gush with culture, art, beauty, and history.

While we have all seen glorious pictures of the French capital, but there’s still a lot you may not know about it. For instance, did you know that Paris wasn’t always called “Paris”? And do you know what the city’s motto is? Here, we have listed some little-known and interesting facts about Paris that you are unlikely to know. Check them out./

1. Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris

Pont neuf, Ile de la Cite, Paris – France

It was built from 1578 to 1607 and was designed by Baptiste Du Cerceau and Pierre des Illes. It was the city’s first path-breaking public work and introduced them to a new kind of street life.

2. The motto of Paris is “Fluctuat nec mergitur”

small paris street with view on the famous paris eifel tower on a cloudy rainy day with some sunshine

This means ‘Tossed but not sunk,’ or ‘Beaten by the waves, but does not flounder.’ This phrase is most commonly found on Paris’ coat of arms and suggests resilience, courage, and inner strength.

3. Paris was founded around the end of the 3rd century BC and was initially called Lutetia.

The city was founded around the end of the 3rd century BC by a Celtic tribe called Parisii who had settled on the banks of the Seine. In 52 BC, the village was conquered by the Romans, who went on to establish it as a Gallo-Roman town called Lutetia. The city changed its name to Paris during the 4th century.

4. Paris was among the first cities in the world to install street lights.

It is said that the first public lamp in Paris was the famous candle lantern placed in front of the Grand Chatelet in 1318. The first gas lamps were placed in the Place du Carrousel in 1829. By 1900, there were around 50,900 street lamps in Paris.

5. The oldest house in Paris was built in 1407

The house is located at 51 rue de Montmorency and was built by the city’s most famous alchemist, Nicolas Flamel, in 1407. Historians believe that this is the house where Flamel carried out his experiments in alchemy.

6.The oldest café in Paris has been around since 1686

Image source: Wikimedia Commons/ ich selbst

Café Procope is the oldest and among the most famous eateries in the city. It is known as the first literary cafe in the world and was opened in 1686 by the Sicilian chef Procopio Cutò. The café is said to have played a major part in setting up the café culture in Paris.

7. Cheese shops in Paris have more than 1000 different varieties of French Cheese

Wine and Cheese Shop – French Wine and Cheese Shop in Paris

You will be spoilt for choice when looking for French cheese in Paris. From the soft and creamy Camembert to the rich and firm Comté, you won’t be able to try out all the varieties in one trip.

Liked this post? Share it with other travel enthusiasts…

source : https://www.ba-bamail.com

Cristina David

The Sea Secrets

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

Jacques Yves Cousteau

Have you ever wondered why the sea has such a magnetic attraction to us?

Its infinity attracts us, our souls dream of boundlessness because they are part of the endless universe.

Looking for hours at the waves and listening to their enchanting, ceaseless, rythmic song we might get a glimpse of ETERNITY.

Cristina David

A few Quotes to Cherish from Princess Diana

Diana Spencer was born on July 1, 1961, near Sandringham, England. She only became Lady Diana in 1975, after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer. Diana who was described as a jolly and lively kid and teenager, and her husband-to-be Prince Charles met in 1977, while he was reportedly involved with her older sister, Sarah Spencer. Despite their 13-year age gap, their courtship moved quickly. The couple got married in what was dubbed the “Wedding of the Century” when Diana was 20 years old.

The Princess of Wales is known to have broken the rigid royal traditions quite a few times, for example, she was the first member of the royal family to give birth at a hospital rather than the palace. This may have contributed, in a way, to her becoming one of the most popular and beloved royals in history. However, it is mostly due to her humanitarian work and approachability.

Princess Diana was always eager to meet with people of all ages and backgrounds while traveling and refused to wear gloves when greeting people, which was customary for royals.

She passed away when she was only 36, on August 31, 1997. Princess Diana will always be remembered as the people’s princess. She won the hearts of many around the world with her grace, compassion, and generosity. We hope you get inspired by some of her most powerful words.