To think of Heidelberg is to think of learning. One of the first ofEuropean universities was established in this town by the ElectorRupert; and here culture has flourished for centuries, in spite ofrepeated sieges and a long history of disasters. What a grim story isthat of yonder old grey castle that frowns upon Heidelberg across […]
In the days of Roman dominion, a city called Civitas Ubiorum was builtby the Rhine upon the site where now stands the fortified mediæval townof Cologne. Remains of the Roman occupation are still to be traced inthe city in the bases of walls, but the amphitheatre was demolished longago. Agrippina was born here, and Trajan […]
Three centuries ago the city of Antwerp had in Europe scarcely a rival in commerce and affluence. To-day Antwerp remains one of the most populous commercial cities of Belgium, although the period of its greatest splendour passed with the Spanish persecution under the Duke of Alva. Not only as a busy port and mart is […]
From Bruges to Ghent the distance is about twenty-eight miles. Therailroad runs by the side of a placid canal, with banks planted withrows of tall trees–such as Hobbema painted–and traverses a fertilecountry, a verdant district of West Flanders, famous for its gardens andorchards. Though an inland town, Ghent can be approached by largevessels, by way […]
The air of prosperity which is so apparent in Amsterdam and Antwerp ismissing in Bruges, once populated by a busy multitude of craftsmen andweavers. Early in the seventh century, the city contained as many asfifty thousand weavers, and this was probably the period of its greatestsplendour. For several centuries, however, Bruges held its position as […]
By the side of the River Vesle, in the province of Marne, and on theverge of a famous champagne producing country, is one of the oldesttowns of France. Rheims, with its ancient gates, its memorials of Romantimes, and monuments of illustrious kings of Gaul, has a history of muchinterest. Its cathedral ranks with the finest […]
When Bacchus and Lusus came to the Peninsula, sundered from Italy by theMediterranean Sea, they discovered a delightful region of mountains andglens, well-watered and fertile, which they called Lusitania. Betweenthe rivers Minho and Douro is a glowing tract of country, not unlike thefinest parts of North Wales, with a varied sea coast, bright littlevillages nestling […]
That which is lacking in sober Toledo is evident everywhere in glowingGranada. The fiery Andalusian sun gilds and colours the city, and thewhitened houses cast a deep blue shade in the narrow streets. Noforbidding portals bar the way to the flowing patios, those courtyardsthat are to-day one of the chief charms of the Andalusian towns. […]
Since visiting Toledo in Spain I have read that masterly novel by Blasco deIbañez, “The Cathedral,” a work of genius, which has brought the cityvividly to my recollection. I see the old dun-coloured houses on theslopes, the gorge of the yellow Tagus, and the commanding steeple of thecathedral, and I recall the Oriental landscape, viewed […]
Cordova, like Seville and Granada, is a memorial of the Moors in Spain. It is acity that sleeps, living in the memory of its past. Its history since the last of the sultans in Spain is comparativelyuneventful, its glorious days were before the expulsion of the Moriscoinhabitants, when the city was a seat of learning, […]