by Lindsay Shapka in History, Discovey, Travel
The Bodleian Library, affectionately known as "the Bod" to those that frequent it, is more than just shelves full of ancient books — it is a depository of historic knowledge and a cornerstone of Oxford University’s storied history.
On a recent visit to the UK, I boarded a train at London Paddington station that deposited me in Oxford about 45 minutes later. I walked down the historic street, filled with pubs, cafes, and shops, that took me straight to the library.
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in History, Discovey, Travel
In 1974, east of what is now called Xi’an in China, peasants digging a well in their field uncovered one of the largest, and arguably the most important finds of the 20th century — an underground vault full of thousands of intact terracotta warriors and horses standing in battle formation.
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in art, culture, History, Travel
One of the best parts of strolling through the historic heart of Portugal’s cities — like Lisbon, Porto, and Lagos — is encountering the stunning decorative tiles that can be found covering the facades of both medieval and more modern homes, restaurants, cafes, churches, shops, and train stations.
But where did all these tiles come from?
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in Travel, History, Discovey, culture
Both and assault on and a delight for the senses, the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford is unlike any other museum you’ve visited (seriously, I have been in museums all over the world, and none compare to this one).
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in History, culture, art
Referred to by many as the Duomo, this imposing and breathtaking cathedral in Florence (it literally took my breath away the first time I saw it), is officially known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
A mix of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, its fabled dome rises above the historic city, and its intricate facade of white, green, and pink marble attracts millions of visitors each year.
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in History, Discovey, Travel, culture
Yes, there are two famous Pantheons that you can visit in Europe — one in Paris and one in Rome — but they were both constructed for very different reasons, and were built hundreds of years apart.
Read Moreby Lindsay Shapka in History, Travel, Discovey, culture
The Rosetta Stone is more than an artifact; it is a symbol of discovery, persistence, and the enduring quest for knowledge. Its story reminds us that even the smallest objects can hold the key to unlocking great mysteries.
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