Support our authors
DonateBlog
Here, we will delight you with information, curiosities, history and legends from locations across Europe. Everything can be seen by those whose eyes have the power to observe… follow us and we will show you where to look!
Mysteries of Madrid “The Fallen Angel”
The Mother of Mankind, what time his Pride Had cast him out from Heav’n, with all his Host Of Rebel Angels. (…) Round he throws his baleful eyes That witnessed huge affliction and dismay Mixt with obdurate pride and steadfast hate. This quote is from the first book of John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise […]
The White Lady of Lőcse – Part 1
Almost every country has its own White Lady figure deeply rooted in folklore. In a popular medieval legend from the United Kingdom the White Lady is a ghost who appears in a house in which a family member is soon to die, in French mythology the Dames Blanches are female spirits who sometimes require one […]
Myths and Legends of Playing Cards – 2
Ruthven Castle (now Barracks) The castle that once stood on the site of the barracks, was said to be haunted by its notorious lord, who was trapped in limbo playing cards with the Devil. Ruthven was first used as a Barracks in 1689 however a castle used to stand on the site and which was […]
Mysteries of Madrid “The Palace of Linares”
My son, it cost me a great effort to write this letter. So many times I have longed to confide in you and tell you my secret, a terrible secret that I have kept hidden for a long time. In my life, as in that of other men, there have been fleeting love stories which […]
Myths and Legends of Playing Cards – 1
The Devil in his many guises and of many different names – Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub, Mephisto, Mephistopheles is a rather well travelled chap appearing throughout history to just about every society and culture that has existed. As a young boy growing up in my home country of Wales I learned a local legend that, many […]
Myths and Legends of Playing Cards
Playing cards are an everyday object used for gambling and game playing the world over. But the familiar deck of cards conceals many hidden meanings and inspire questions. Why are there four suits and why hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs? What is the significance of the picture cards? What is the meaning of the symbolism of […]
The Dark Side of Toledo
“The sacrificed one must be male. The blood of a woman can be infected, because they are among the few guardians of innocence. His soul must be free from original sin and his body must not have been stained with holy water, so he must not have been baptized. Neither his body nor his soul […]
Mysteries of Madrid “The House of the Seven Chimneys”
One, two … three … four, five, six, seven… seven chimneys. That’s right, there are seven chimneys crowning the house with seven chimneys ‘Casa de las siete chimeneas’, a singular feature that gives the house it’s name. The house of the seven chimneys… a historic dwelling with a mysterious past. The old building dates from […]
Mysteries of Madrid “The Church of San Pedro”
Come, the elderly, to San Pedro, Come, the blessed Andreini Is ready with his aspergillum To chase the devil away. This is how the great Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo spoke of the small church of San Pedro el Viejo (Saint Peter the Elder), located in the heart of the city of Madrid, in […]
Rudas Baths in Budapest
Recently restored and modernized the Rudas baths originally built during the Turkish occupation of Hungary in the 16th century still retains many features of traditional Turkish design. Six thermal baths of varying temperatures bubble gently in one dimly lit, intimate and steamy room downstairs. The ceiling of the centre bath is a patchwork of small, […]