Author: Ms. R.

The property of Hatley Park in British Columbia, was originally purchased in 1906 by James Dunsmuir, the province’s Lieutenant Governor. Dunsmuir and his wife commissioned the Canadian architect Samuel Maclure to construct a 40-room mansion, a project that took two years to complete. As Dunsmuir was of Scottish descent, the mansion was built in the Scottish Baronial style rather than the Tudor style that was popular at the time. The mansion, known as Hatley Castle, became a local landmark. It……

Read More

In a small housing project apartment within the town of Shlomi, Israel, an 80-year-old woman stood and painted Yemenite embroidery patterns on the walls and ceiling. Neighbors claim they heard the woman talking—to herself or to her paintings. After her death, the project apartment and its concealed treasure began attracting hundreds of visitors every year. The woman, Afia Zecharia, passed away in 2002. She was born in the early 20th century in Southern Yemen. Her parents married her off……

Read More

An abandoned Soviet observatory on the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere in Tajikistan sounds inviting, no? Shorbulak Observatory, once the site of challenging astronomical observations, stands as a remnant of the former Soviet Union. Located some 4,350 meters (14,200 feet) above sea level, this remote site in the Pamir mountains was perfect for an observatory. The dry climate made it an ideal spot to study submillimeter-wavelength astronomy. Observing these incredibly short wavelengths can be especially challenging……

Read More

For as long as humans have existed, art has been crafted in various forms and for various reasons. From bone and wood carvings—to cave paintings and petroglyphs, these remnants are sometimes our only insight into the lives of these ancient cultures. Unfortunately, many of these places have faded over the years. Especially across Europe, where the wet climate is an enemy of preservation efforts. Those that do survive are priceless windows into the past.  Not far from the shores……

Read More

One of the most iconic places in the Royal Palace of Caserta is the waterfall located behind the building., but the water did not flow in naturally from the surrounding hills to feed falls.  In 1753, work began on an aqueduct to supply water to the Royal Palace of Caserta and the nearby San Leucio complex began. It was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, who also designed the Royal Palace and was commissioned by the King of Naples Charles VII…….

Read More