Athens Greece
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Hosios Loukas, nestled on the western slopes of Mount Helicon in Boeotia, central Greece, is one of the finest surviving monuments of Middle Byzantine art and architecture. Established in the 10th century in association with Saint Luke of Stiris, a revered hermit and ascetic who died in 953 AD, the monastery grew into a major pilgrimage center of the Byzantine world.
The complex is renowned for its exceptional architecture and artistic decoration. Its two principal churches—the Church of the Theotokos, built in the late 10th century and the oldest structure on the site, and the larger Katholikon of the early 11th century—preserve an extraordinary ensemble of gold-ground mosaics, marble revetments, and frescoes that rank among the masterpieces of Byzantine religious art. Their remarkable state of preservation offers a rare insight into the spiritual and artistic ideals of medieval Byzantium.
Closely associated with Orthodox monastic life and Christian pilgrimage for more than a millennium, Hosios Loukas remains an active religious site today. In 1990, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the monasteries of Daphni and Nea Moni of Chios, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the cultural, artistic, and spiritual heritage of the Byzantine world.
The mosaic depicts the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Η ΥΠΑΠΑΝΤΗ, "The Meeting"), the feast commemorating the fortieth day after Christ's birth, when the infant was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem in fulfillment of Mosaic law. Set within one of the squinches beneath the dome of the Katholikon, the composition unfolds beside a ciborium-like canopy marking the sacred space of the altar. On the left, the prophetess Anna stands as witness to the event she had long foretold, while beside her the elderly Symeon leans forward, his hands veiled in reverence as he prepares to receive the Christ Child. At center, the Virgin, draped in deep blue, presents her son with solemn tenderness; behind her stands Joseph, bearded and composed, completing the sacred encounter. Above, the inscription names the feast against a shimmering gold ground, the Byzantine symbol of the eternal and divine. Poised within the curve of the squinch, the scene captures the meeting of the Old Covenant, embodied by Symeon and Anna, with the New, embodied by the Christ Child himself.
Steiri, Boeotia, Greece
Mt. Wilson Observatory
Angeles National Forest
San Gabriel Mountains
Taken about 30 seconds before I discovered the gate to the Grove walk was locked, would have made it if I hadn't stopped for photos.
(57/365) sign for a long departed pharmacy, seen on Rolle Street, Exmouth - 3rd August 2026
Note the shields on the left. These represent The House of the Twin Tailed Lion “an authentic 13th-century re-enactment group based in Evesham, Worcestershire. They portray the household and retinue of Simon de Montfort during the Second Barons' War, taking a leading role in the annual Battle of Evesham festival.”
The Battle of Evesham, fought on August 4, 1265, was a decisive conflict in the Second Barons' War. Prince Edward (later King Edward I) led the royal forces of King Henry III to defeat the rebel baron Simon de Montfort. De Montfort was trapped, heavily outnumbered and killed, restoring royal power and paving the way for modern parliamentary representation.
The re-enactment of the Battle of Evesham is Europe's largest annual 13th century re-enactment event. It is held annually at Crown Meadow in Evesham, Worcestershire and this year, pictures were taken on the Saturday 1st August 2026. Only a few pictures here as I'd attended mainly for the evening concert that day. But there was plenty going on in the morning and afternoon with living history displays, battles, skirmishes, falconry and even a fashion parade. For more information, please see.......... www.battleofevesham.co.uk/
N341A Douglas C-41A Golden Age Air Tours This is the only C-41A in the world and was used for carrying VIP’s and Military personnel 40-0070 USAAC
This aircraft was built in 1939 during its military career it has served with USAAC s/n 40-0070 and was based at Bolling Field Washington DC USA 1st Staff Squardron
Photo taken at the Imperial War Museum Duxford Cambridgeshire July 2026
HAK_1614
"Recordando viejos ferrocarriles"
Antiguo Ferrocarril de Murcia a Mula y Caravaca 1933-1971.
La estación hundida...
La antigua estación de la población se encuentra literalmente enterrada en el centro de una plaza construida en los viejos terrenos ferroviarios.
Originalmente, la traza ferroviaria discurría por el pueblo en trinchera, con el consecuente desnivel entre las calles y las casas. Tras el cierre de la línea, el Ayuntamiento decidió conservar el edificio, renunciando a parte del mismo para que el terreno de la nueva plaza estuviera a nivel.
En sus principios, la estación contó con con tres vías y un muelle de carga cerrado con una cuarta para el mismo.
Curiosamente, en la nueva plaza se celebran las fiestas del pueblo.
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"Remembering Old Railroads"
Old Railway from Murcia to Mula and Caravaca 1933-1971.
The Sunken Station...
The town's old station is literally buried in the center of a plaza built on the former railway grounds.
Originally, the train tracks ran through the town in a trench, creating a drop between the streets and the houses. After the line closed, the Town Hall decided to preserve the building, giving up part of it so the ground of the new plaza could be leveled.
In its early days, the station had three tracks and a covered loading dock with a fourth track dedicated to it.
Interestingly, the new plaza is now where the town festivals are held.
Der Bau des Hieronymitenklosters im Pfarrbezirk Belém der portugiesischen Hauptstadt Lissabon liegt nahe zum Ufer des Flusses Tejo, wurde 1501 im manuelinischen Stil (der portugiesischen Gotik) begonnen und 100 Jahre später vollendet. Das große Erdbeben im Jahr 1755 überstand das Kloster mit nur kleinen Schäden, die schnell behoben werden konnten. Die Mönche des Hieronymus-Ordens wirkten hier bis zur Säkularisierung im Jahr 1833.
Jerónimos Monastery, situated in the parish of Belém in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, lies close to the banks of the River Tagus. Construction began in 1501 in the Manueline style (Portuguese Gothic) and was completed 100 years later. The monastery survived the great earthquake of 1755 with only minor damage, which was quickly repaired. The monks of the Order of St Jerome remained here until the secularisation of 1833.
Ruins of the rock-cut tomb known as "The Treasury" (Al-Khazneh) located in Petra, Jordan. This tomb dates back to roughly 2,000 years ago. It's one of the many elaborate structures that were created at Petra, which once served as the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom.
This photo was taken back in 2014.
