Gamzigrad-Romuliana, the imperial Palace of Galerius, is one of the most important Late Roman sites. It is located in in Gamzigrad, Serbia. Construction works started in 289 by the tetrarch Galerius to mark the place of his birth after a victory over the Persians. It was given the name Felix Romuliana in memory of his mother Queen Romula, a priestess of a pagan cult.

Like Diocletian's Palace in Split, the palace in Gamzigrad was designed to be a representative Imperial residence, housing the abdicated Emperor while retained the imperial symbols.

Archaeological excavations in the fortress revealed remains of a palace with exceptionally fine mosaics, baths and impressive gates. Among the important finds from the site are portraits of rulers made from the
Egyptian purple stone called porphyry and coins that help to date the complex.

Felix Romuliana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the reasons why it is a protected site is the fact that the complex is preserved in its integrity and authenticity up to now unlike many other buildings.  

​Sources:
https://www.worldheritagesite.org/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/
https://whc.unesco.org/

The Great Mosque in Pristina, Kosovo is an Ottoman mosque built in 1461 by Sultan Mehmet II Fatih. It was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990.
 
The Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih II is located in the old city of Pristina, near the Great Hammam (15th century), the Clock Tower (19th century), and the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (19th century). The locals also call it "the Imperial Mosque".
 
Due to its structure and decorative elements it ranks among the most important buildings of Islamic architecture in Eastern Europe. It was built with carved yellow sandstones. The inside walls are lined with bricks joined and plastered with lime mortar. The building consists of a rectangular shaped space, a cupola, a minaret, and a representative porch. The dome of the Great Mosque is one of the largest domes of the 15th-century buildings in Eastern Europe.
Remarkable part of the interior is the wooden pew decorated with geometric ornaments. The inside walls are painted in various colours with plant motifs of the technique al Seko. In architectural, spatial, structural and decorative terms, the building retains all the features of its construction time.
 
It is a unique and dominating building on the landscape of Pristina. During the years, the Great Mosque has been restored several times, among which is worth mentioning the restoration of the years 1682-1683 (during the reign of Sulltan Mehmet IV), as well as the reparation interventions after the earthquake in 1955. 
 
Sources:
https://dtk.rks-gov.net/
https://en.wikipedia.org/

Today, October 26, is the Orthodox church holiday of St. Dimitar. In folklore, with the arrival of St. Dimitar, starts to snow for the first time. It is believed that the winter begins on this day.
 
On St. Dimitar's Day, many predictions were made for the upcoming year. If the moon was full, the hive would be full of honey and the bees would swarm. On the evening before the feast, the shepherds threw a staff into the barn. If the sheep lay on it in the morning, it was believed that the winter would be long, severe and cold.
To this day, traditional predictions are made after the first guest enters the house. If the guest is good and rich, the year will also be rich and blessed.
 
Dimitar is one of the most beloved Bulgarian names and on this day celebrates everyone who is named after the saint. According to an old custom, on a Name’s Day one goes uninvited and should bring white flowers so that the winter is good. The flowers are wrapped with red thread in order to bring health to the receiver.
 
Sources: https://www.hera.bg/
https://www.wikipedia.org

The #Skanderbeg Museum located in #Krujë, #Albania is one of the most important and visited museums in the country. It was built at the end of the 1970's and dedicated to the most celebrated of all Albanian heroes. George Skanderbeg’s ability to reunite Albanian families that had been divided for six centuries, made him an important national figure. He was the leader of the country during one of its most prosperous periods and created an army that successfully fended off the #Ottomans’ advances for 25 years, until his death in 1468.

The Museum of Skanderbeg represents grand collaboration of experts in all fields, including a team of renowned Albanian architects, led by Pirro Vaso and Pranvera Hoxha. They drew inspiration from the conceptual platform devised by Aleks Buda, then chair of the #Academy of #Sciences of Albania. Originally conceived as a memorial, the architecture of the museum seamlessly synchronises with history and the medieval arts. It also adds a contemporary flair to the medieval #Castle of Krujë within which it is located.

A large #relief of Skanderbeg and his brave soldiers confronts the visitors upon entering the museum. This massive sculpture reflects symbolic moments of the countless wars led by the national hero. Many of the museum’s visual art pieces portray Skanderbeg in his various roles as statesman, warrior, and battle commander. The pavilions store documents, original bibliographies, and reproductions which recount the history of Albania during the 15th century.

The museum shows the life and history of the Albanian principalities. The chronological #exhibition takes visitors through ceramic, bronze, iron, and copper objects as well as original icons and swords of the period. Beautiful #Byzantine-style frescoes cover the museum walls. These images depict Skanderbeg’s return to Krujë and glorify the unification of the once-divided Albanian principalities.
​
Sources:
https://www.intoalbania.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/

#Diocletian considered one of Rome’s greatest #emperors, ruled from 284 to 305. His reign stabilized the empire and marks the end of the Imperial Crisis. After 21 years of political career Diocletian decided to abdicate and settled down near the Adriatic Sea.
 
In #Croatia, at the very heart of #Dalmatia, Diocletian created a special point on the map – the future city of #Split. The residence Diocletian built for himself was beyond comparison in his time. The palace was a massive structure and contains not only the palace itself but also buildings for housing the military garrison. The Emperor had a wish to enter his palace on a ship, without leaving the deck, so the lower tier of Diocletian’s #palace once was covered with water, and the ship of the Emperor was usually slowly passing between the columns and stopping among the vaulted rooms of the lower tier. The windows in the lower rooms are located near the ceiling – in case the water rises. During the ages, the sea receded, and a city emerged around the palace.
 
Today, the ruins of Diocletian’s palace are some of the most imposing Roman ruins, and certainly the main attraction of the city of Split, Croatia. For its unique past, the Old town of Split is included in the #UNESCO World Heritage List.
 
Although Diocletian spent just 10 years of his life there, his Palace survived many centuries and is still visited today. If you’d like to feel the echo of its antient glory, explore Split in your next jurney!
 
Sources:
http://www.diocletianspalace.org/
https://croatia.hr/
https://en.wikipedia.org

One of the most important archaeological discoveries of XX century are the excavations in the village of #Vergina, Northern Greece – former capital of the antient #Kingdom of #Macedon called Aigai. The excavations include several tombs which are protected by #UNESCO. The Royal Tomb of Philip II of Macedon is undoubtedly one of the most impressive ones with enormous worldwide impact.
 
The funeral of #Philip II in 336 BC was performed, as imposed by tradition, in the capital Aigai. It was the most lavish funeral ceremony held in #Greece. In a monumental death chamber, laid on an elaborate gold and ivory deathbed wearing his precious golden oak wreath, the king was surrendered to the funeral pyre. His son #Alexander became the king of Macedon. An army leader and a legislator, Philip, the hero, descended to his eternal residence, which was reached by a ramp and was in the form of an underground barrel-vaulted building with two chambers and a monumental facade. The concept of the “Macedonian tomb”, similar to the platonic concept of the leaders’ burial in an ideal state, interweaves a palace and a temple. The portraits of the two kings, father and son, are depicted in the hunting scene of the tomb’s facade, as well as on the gold deathbed in the chamber.
Philip’s Thracian wife, Meda, was buried with him in the tomb’s antechamber.
 
The imposing protective installation covering the royal burial cluster of Philip houses an exhibition of the #artefacts once touched by kings and people that took part in the sacred ritual of the heroic royal transit to the world of eternity. At the same time, the visitors of Vergina have a unique chance to admire the whole spectrum of ancient Greek #art in the late Classical times (architecture, painting, artistic metalwork, weaponry, jewellery).
 
Sources:
http://www.aigai.gr/
http://www.visitgreece.gr/
http://www.historyofmacedonia.org

In the old part of #Tetovo, on the right bank of the river #Pena, rises a beautiful #mosque. The locals call it Šarena Džamija, meaning #Painted Mosque. It was originally built in 1495. Most of the mosques of that time were financed by sultans, beys or pashas. However, the donors of the Painted Mosque were two sisters – Hurshida and Mensure. They were buried in the eight-sided #mausoleum in the yard of the mosque. The mausoleum is still standing in front of the temple, surrounded by many flowers and a fountain. In 1833, the mosque was renovated and expanded by Abdurahman Pasha. The distinguishing feature of the mosque is its painted #decorations. Abdurrahman Pasha commissioned masters from #Debar to paint the #ornamentation with oil paints. In addition to the geometric and floral ornamentation, there are also images of landscapes. Among the bright-coloured decorations, especially attractive is the depiction of #Mecca, a rare example of the #illustration of the shrine of the #Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Another major difference between the Šarena Džamija and other #Ottoman mosques is that it does not have a distinctive exterior dome, typical for the early Constantinople Ottoman architecture.

The Painted Mosque is unique example of the Muslim temples and we include it in almost every trip in North Macedonia. Entering the mosque without local guide could be a little tricky since it is usually closed. However, we work with experienced local guides who make sure it is opened for our groups. We would love to take you there!

​Source: Wikipedia.org

In December 2019 the second biggest monastery in #Bulgaria entered new renovation phase. During the last few years, the #Bachkovo #monastery went through numerous #restoration and #repair works.

Nowadays, the unique #frescoes in the oldest monastery #church - Holy Archangels, are restored and beautifully displayed. During the restoration process, some more #ancient frescoes were revealed. The official reception hall is now ready, and all guests and pilgrims of the monastery are welcomed in a fascinating church hall. In addition, the monastery #refectory is also painted with beautiful frescoes in the style of the ones at Mount #Athos. Currently, two multimedia halls are being prepared for a permanent screening of films about the monastery and the #Orthodox faith.

The images at the monastery’s #interior are made by the famous Bulgarian icon #painter Zahariy Zograf from 1838 to 1841. In the #cathedral, there is an #icon from 1311 known as The #Holy #Mother of God Icon, with a silver repousse cover. This icon is believed to have miraculous powers.
Visitors to monastery may also view other icons, silver repousse covers for copies of the Gospels, and other works of art from 16th - 19th centuries. #Treasures from the 17th century include a carved wooden icon stand with #gold ornamentation and the cathedrals royal doors. The Bulgarian #Exarch Stefan I (1878-1957) is buried at the monastery, as is the Bulgarian #Patriarch Kiril (1901-1971). There is a #museum on the grounds where some of the oldest artefacts connected with the history of the monastery are on display.
A favourite gathering place for pilgrims and visitors is the monastery’s #courtyard, with its impressive trees, such as a #Paradise apple tree and a #Chinese fir. The monastery is still functioning, and the #monks offer overnight #accommodations.

Sources:
https://www.marica.bg/
https://bulgariatravel.org

Today is a special day for the Bulgarian #teachers, #students and #education. The school year begins on September 15 both in #Bulgaria and in about a dozen other #European countries.
The education of the Bulgarian people became a priority during the National #Revival Period. Initially, in the so-called “mutual schools” the students were taught by the mutual method, i.e. the older and more advanced students taught the younger ones. The teacher taught the older ones and monitored the education of the younger ones. One teacher was responsible for more than 50 children. In 1843 the first “class school” was established in the town of #Elena. In the “class school”, the children were divided into classes according to their age. One teacher was now responsible for a class of up to 30 students. The children studied disciplines such as general Bulgarian history, Bulgarian grammar, arithmetic, anthropology and others.
In the photos you can see the #first #Bulgarian “class school” in the town of Elena, which today functions as a museum. Elena is located close to the ancient capital of the Bulgarian #Kingdom #Veliko #Tarnovo and it has been a trade and cultural centre for centuries. The town and the people of Elena played an important role during the Bulgarian Revival Period. Today, the picturesque town preserves about 150 cultural monuments, over 6000 ethnographic objects, many old books which enforced the Bulgarian education.
 
Sources:
http://bg.wikipedia.org/
https://dariknews.bg/
https://uchiteli.bg/
http://visit.elena.bg/