Posts tagged Europe

Letters from Moldova: Castel Mimi and Bender Fortress, Pearls of a Small Country with a Big Heart!

Adventure Travel 7 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual trips, I hope you are well and ready to continue our adventure in Moldova. Today’s post will be dedicated to interesting tourist attractions that you should definitely visit if your way leads you to the Republic of Moldova.

At the very beginning of today’s post, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova for the kind invitation and the amazing experience to get to know the Moldovan culture and customs better. It is a great honor and pleasure to have had the opportunity to visit Chisinau and other famous tourist attractions in this wonderful small country with a big heart in Eastern Europe!

For all my dear adventurers and fashion lovers who didn’t have time to read my previous travelogues and fashion stories from Moldova on the Mr.M blog or want to remind yourself of some details, take a few minutes of your time and visit the post on the following links:

  1. The story of Chisinau (travelogue): LINK
  2. JETSET, the Swiss pioneer of luxury ski outerwear is back! (fashion story): LINK
  3. André Maurice, Italian fashion story on the streets of Chisinau (fashion story): LINK
  4. Letters from Moldova: In vino veritas! (travelogue): LINK
  5. Fratelli Rossetti: Italian fashion meets Moldovan wine (fashion story): LINK

Castel Mimi is one of the best and most visited tourist attractions in Moldova. Included in the top 15 most beautiful wineries in the world, which represents an unusual combination of history and tradition on the one hand and modern architecture for tens of thousands of visitors who come every year from over 80 countries around the world. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the only castle in Moldova, learn about the unique role of the Castel Mimi winery in the history of Moldovan winemaking, learn how they maintain Moldovan traditions through their food and exceptional wines. Visitors also have the opportunity to explore the many interesting terraces and picturesque gardens of the Castel Mimi complex.

It was a great honor and pleasure to meet the man behind this great project, Mr. Adrian Trofim, general director and founder of the “Constantin Mimi” foundation. During the conversation with him, I learned that the history of winemaking in Moldova began long before Constantine Mimi created Castel Mimi, almost 3000 years ago. The wine industry has come a long way since then and has undergone many evolutions. The official winemaking history of the Castel Mimi winery begins with Constantine Mimi, the last governor of Bessarabia and one of the best winemakers and politicians of the 20th century.

Mr. Trofim believes that legends are created by great people who achieve great things, driven by their passion and dreams and not afraid of hard work and dedication. One of these men is Constantine Mimi, a pioneer, passionate winemaker and significant public figure of the 20th century. He dedicated his life to wine and politics. Applying the knowledge he acquired in Western Europe, Constantine Mimi managed to build the first castle in Moldavia. This led him to produce excellent wines and raise standards by applying new technologies. Thanks to his actions, the country’s wine industry was saved a couple of times, so today Moldova can be one of the leading wine producers in the world. Impressive, right?!

The legacy of Constantine Mimi, as well as the making of wine with great love, continues. The castle, along with its secret recipes and valuable approach, passed it on to future generations of winemakers who do justice to its memory by continuing to produce high-quality wines, suitable for every occasion. So, every time you raise a glass of quality Moldovan wine, remember this extraordinary person who supported the development of Moldovan winemaking culture – Konstantin Mimi!

This winery is considered to be the first real castle in Bessarabia. Since it was built of reinforced concrete with two floors, it was considered a modern building, not only in the Bender district, but also in the entire governorate. The cellar had the capacity to store around 300,000 liters of wine in barrels. A few years ago, more precisely in 2011, the renovation of the winery began, which has become a major tourist attraction. When the castle was rebuilt, it was named “Castel Mimi” in honor of its founder. The works lasted 5 years and the winery was reopened in September 2016.

The renovation of the Castel Mimi tourist complex included: a museum, an art gallery for young artists, a conference hall, a small boutique hotel, a spa, a restaurant, folk art and culinary studios, as well as several entertainment halls. The castle itself has four large halls for 100 to 120 guests, two wine tasting rooms and six rooms in the basement. The plan is to open a hotel with a larger capacity in 2023, and work is currently underway to expand this complex, so that from next year we can expect novelties in the Castel Mimi complex that will attract a large number of tourists.

Fine dining restaurant “The White Owl” and bars in the Castel Mimi complex are the perfect locations for hedonists who want to enjoy excellent Moldovan gourmet cuisine in a relaxing and luxurious environment. All dishes are prepared from the highest quality, fresh ingredients from the garden located in the complex itself, and the whole concept is designed to preserve the environment. You can feel a special pleasure in every bite, which can only be enhanced in the company of top Moldovan wines from the rich Castel Mimi collection.

“The White Owl” is the first fine dining restaurant in Moldova where visitors can enjoy excellent dishes inspired by traditional Moldavian gastronomy with special influences from the cuisine of Provence. You can enjoy the best food and wine that Moldova has to offer at the incredible location of Castel Mimi Winery. The exceptional A La Carte menu will delight you with a rich selection of delicacies, all of which are prepared by the chef according to the best recipes.

The tour of the wine cellars of the Castel Mimi winery was special because I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the way of wine production and to learn something new about this precious and refined alcoholic beverage. Did you know that the wood from which wine barrels are made can affect the taste of wine? Do you know that the same wine can have a different taste if it is kept in barrels made of different types of wood? Mr. Trofim took the time to demonstrate and show me some interesting things from the world of winemaking and how his team takes care of the wines in the barrels every day. Of course, I also had the opportunity to look at some of the special wines that are kept as treasures.

If you want to stay updated and find out news from Castel Mimi Winery or you want to book a tour of the tourist complex, have the option to choose between several types of tours, you can visit their official website or you can follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

After finishing the Castel Mimi winery tour I headed to the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, sound familiar? Transnistria is an unrecognized independent state that separated (separated) from the Republic of Moldova. This independent state was created on September 2, 1990. due to its unusual shape, geographical position along the Dniester River and due to the border length of 816 km and the area of slightly more than 4,000 km2, this country has the shape of an elongated island.

Why did I decide to go to Transnistria? The reason is very interesting – Tighina Fortress (Bender). Tighina Fortress (renamed Bender by the Turks) is a 15th-century fortress on the right bank of the Dniester River in Bender, Moldova. This fortress was originally built of earth and wood during the reign of Prince Stephen the Great. Back in 1538, this fortress was conquered by the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who ordered it to be rebuilt in stone and expanded.

According to historians, the first mention of Tighina, as a settlement and customs warehouse, can be found in the trade privilege given on October 6, 1408 by the Moldavian prince Alexander the Good to merchants from Lviv. Later, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the name Tighina is often recorded in medieval documents. In the Moldavian documents that mention the locality, in Tighina, along with the imperial customs and the crossing, a guard is also mentioned.

As for the fortress of Tighina, according to the information that circulated in the previous centuries, they accredited the idea that it was built by the Genoese in the 12th century, as well as the fortresses of Hotin and Cetatea Alba. The military historian Aleksandar Zaščuk saw an accentuated western character in the architecture of the inner citadel. The first and only definitive mention of the existence of the Moldavian fortification itself, a fortress which is assumed to have been made of wood and earth, is found in the Moldavian-Polish Chronicle from the mid-16th century. It states, referring to the Ottoman conquests of 1538, that the Turkish Sultan Suleiman “took possession of the Moldavian fortress of Tighina.”

Archaeological research, which was limited in scope and character, carried out by researcher Jon Hinz in 1969, enabled the discovery of residential complexes and a defensive moat dating from the 15th-16th centuries. century. Archaeological investigations have led to the identification of a fortification, probably of wood and earth, which preceded the later stone construction. The surface of the circular or egg-shaped fortress courtyard was covered with a layer of ash. Ceramic and metal objects have traces of fire.

The fortress, which was restored by Petru Rares and conquered by the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, became the residence of the Turkish paradise. Its old name was replaced by a new one, Bender, which means “river port, berth”. During this period, Suleiman I ordered the fortress to be rebuilt in stone and enlarged according to the project of the architect Sinan, and the reconstruction work was completed only in 1541. Using local resources and the labor of local peasants, the Ottomans turned the fortress into a well-fortified fighting facility. At that time, the stone fortress was quadrangular in shape, surrounded on three sides by a very deep moat.

Until the end of the 16th century, Moldavian detachments repeatedly attacked the Bender fortress, but without success. In the summer of 1574, John the Brave besieged it with his army. Then, in 1595 and 1600, Mihail the Brave made two attempts, but neither of the two rulers was successful. Around the same time, Bender was attacked by the Zaporozhian Cossacks. In the years 1705-1707. Prince Antioch Kantemir continued the work on strengthening this fortification of special military importance for the Turks. In this last variant, the fortress consisted of an ensemble of 10 bastions and 11 towers surrounded by the same traditional defensive moat.

The bitter fate of the fortress ruled by the Turks made the chronicler Myron Kostin write that “Tighina fortress has darkened”. As a result of three Russian-Turkish wars, the fortress fell under the rule of the Russian Empire, and the imperial generals considered it very suitable for military barracks. From 1812, that is, from the second half of the 19th century, the Bender fortress gradually began to lose its former strategic importance.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this third and also the last special travelogue in the autumn season about Moldova where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of wine and the history of this small unusual country with a big heart. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Moldovan culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Moldova.

I would like to especially thank the staff of BERD’S Chisinau MGallery Hotel for their warm welcome and having me in their wonderful hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of my own home!

Time always flies when a person is having a good time! A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis of COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to cooperate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual country in Eastern Europe in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about Moldovan wine, culture and history? Have you had the chance to visit the magical Republic of Moldova so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Moldova,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Fratelli Rossetti: When Italian Fashion Meets Moldovan Wine…

Fashion Outfit Post 9 Comments

My dear fashionistas, today I present to you a new unusual fashion story that was created during my exciting adventure on the wine roads of Moldova. The pictures that you will have the opportunity to see in today’s post were created in one of the most famous Moldovan wineries – Castel Mimi Winery.

At the very beginning of today’s fashion adventure, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova for the kind invitation and the incredible experience to get to know the Moldovan culture and customs better. It is a great honor and pleasure that I had the opportunity to take pictures for my first fashion stories on the streets of Chisinau and other famous locations in this wonderful small country with a big heart in Eastern Europe!

Castel Mimi is one of the best and most visited tourist attractions in Moldova. Included in the top 15 most beautiful wineries in the world, which represents an unusual combination of history and tradition on the one hand and modern architecture for tens of thousands of visitors who come every year from over 80 countries around the world. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the only castle in Moldova, learn about the unique role of the Castel Mimi winery in the history of Moldovan winemaking, learn how they maintain Moldovan traditions through their food and exceptional wines. Visitors also have the opportunity to explore the many interesting terraces and picturesque gardens of the Castel Mimi complex. This is just the beginning of the presentation of this extraordinary complex and in the next post I will explain in more detail everything about this tourist attraction that you should not miss if your trip leads you to the Republic of Moldova!

Today we are meeting again with the famous Italian knitwear brand that you had the opportunity to meet in the previous fashion story. If by some chance you missed reading an interesting story about the André Maurice brand or you want to remind yourself of some interesting details, take a few minutes of your time and enjoy the beauty of Italian luxury knitwear with the following link.

An André Maurice piece of clothing is something more than just a wardrobe, because you have the opportunity to wear an exclusive and unique valuable gift of knowledge. The story of this brand is unique because with the influence of light, colors, smells, atmosphere, shapes and traditions of the territory of origin – Monferrato – combined with the constant desire to discover and face the whole world, we get a unique fashion story that has been passed down from generation to generation for 4 generations.

Art and beauty, culture and knowledge, tradition and heritage are the axioms that inspire the André Maurice team every day, striving never to indulge in useless compromises or useless shortcuts. Art and culture, in any of its forms, are often able to generate the same surprising sense of satisfaction that has always inspired the André Maurice team in the thinking, design and creation of all collections for a century. In this creative and unusual way, the art and culture of knitting can convey the spirit, love and tradition of the precious hands that participated with a lot of emotion in the creation process.

Tradition is something that is the basic starting point of the André Maurice brand. Gestures, rituals and customs that are repeated and transferred indefinitely, creating a nostalgic illusion of stopping time, which tirelessly chases modernity. Tradition has always been a source of inspiration for the André Maurice team, as an invisible glue between past and present, as well as a deep groove towards the future. By repeating everyday gestures, they remain faithful witnesses of the material and the spiritual burden that should be shown in the work and transmitted over time to generations to come.

André Maurice as a brand that cherishes true values and respects tradition and the spirit of heritage is woven into every piece of clothing, the tradition, culture, and fragrances of Montferrato. Find your Genius Loci and create some of your unforgettable moments to remember this winter season with garments from the latest André Maurice FW22/23 men’s collection and warm your dreams with the softest cashmere.

If you want to stay updated and find out what all the new models of knitted garments André Maurice brand has in its online store for dear ladies and gentlemen, follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

Finally, we have reached the stars of our today’s fashion story! I believe that by now you have thoroughly familiarized yourself with the offer of the famous Italian brand of footwear and leather goods Fratelli Rossetti, and today I present to you the “crown” of their latest FW 2022/23 men’s collection, the Brera model, which is made with special embroidery. These shoes are unisex and for men they are available in navy, while for women the same model can be found in navy, black and burgundy (officially on the website they are listed as skin color, but for me personally they are some color between burgundy and brown, since material such as velvet is with some quite shiny effect, you can never be sure of the right shade).

Let’s determine what we learned and remember how the Brera model got its name? Brera is the “art district” of Milan, where in the 60s sculptors, painters and writers tried to leave their mark, with new languages ​​and new forms. Its liberal and open atmosphere inspired the creation of the “Brera”, the fringed moccasin, a style revolution just beginning to rediscover its love of life. Like an artistic composition, Brera combines different materials and colors. This special mix of materials and shapes makes the moccasin one of the most successful chapters in Fratelli Rossetti’s history.

During the creation of the new collection for the autumn-winter season, the design team of Fratelli Rossetti decided to go a step further and bring the Brera loafers model to perfection and complete it with unusual colorful hand embroidery. The main material of the outer part of the shoe is soft velvet and a special hand embroidery is done over it, while the inner part of the shoe, like every other Fratelli Rossetti shoe, is made of the highest quality leather. Since this work was so unusual, I honestly didn’t even look at the basic color of the shoes in the catalog and I was convinced that the velvet was black, even during the shooting photos in Moldova I was convinced that the shoes were black with colorful embroidery, but I just one moment, when the sunlight was stronger, he realized that it was actually dark blue velvet and that the shoes were navy…

Fratelli Rossetti has a long tradition of “big little innovations”. In this company, tradition and quality have always gone hand in hand with insatiable curiosity and commitment to innovation. From the introduction of tassels and the invention of shoes designed to be worn without socks, to stylistic innovations and the launch of the “masculine” style, to the application of colors in unique chromatic shades. It was Renzo Rossetti who emphasized the importance of embracing new materials, styles and shapes: as early as the 60s, he was already experimenting with different color combinations on leather. Today, the company continues its research and development activities thanks to the knowledge of its craftsmen and the creative spirit of the styling department.

If you want to stay updated and find out which models of shoes and leather goods the Fratelli Rossetti brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Coat: André Maurice

Sweater: Loro Piana

Trousers: Loro Piana

Shoes: Fratelli Rossetti

My unusual autumn adventure and unforgettable experience on the wine roads of Moldova was completed by my friends from the Loro Piana brand who made this experience in Moldova better for me with their products.

You have seen the Loro Piana brand on the Mr.M blog so far, and I think there are no more words left to describe the quality and beauty of the creations of this famous fashion house that belongs to the LVMH group.

The yellow sweater is made from 100% baby cashmere, while the trousers are made from the finest wool and cashmere blend, which are the best friends you can have when it gets cold and you need something nice and comfortable to keep you at least a little warm.

My dear fashionistas, we have come to the end of this special fashion story where together we discovered the beauty and brilliance of the true elegance of the prestigious Italian knitwear brand André Maurice, the beauty of Italian elegance with the famous luxury brand Loro Piana and the famous Italian footwear and leather goods brand Fratello Rossetti, partners with whom fashion stories are a real adventure. I sincerely hope you got some inspiration for your ideal outfit! See you soon and continue our fashion adventures from Moldova on the Mr.M blog! How did you like my outfit today?

I really tried my best to prepare today’s post with lots of love and I hope you like it!

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or any message for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. I’ll see you soon!

With love from Moldova,
Mr. M

This post is sponsored by the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, as well as André Maurice, Fratelli Rossetti and Loro Piana brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.

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Letters from Moldova: In Vino Veritas!

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual trips, today we continue our adventure in Moldova. In the previous post, you had the opportunity to get acquainted with the beauties of the capital of the Republic of Moldova – Chisinau. If by some chance you didn’t have time to read the post or you want to remind yourself with some interesting information, take the opportunity and read the post at the following link.

What have we learned so far about Moldova? We know that it is a country of good wines and exceptional food, and that is why many say that Moldova is the new great destination for wine and food tourism in Eastern Europe. Today we will prove it and I will take you along with me along the wine roads of Moldova where we will get to know some of the famous wineries in this unusual country of Eastern Europe.

At the very beginning of this post, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Invest Moldova Invest Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova for the kind invitation and the incredible experience to get to know the Moldovan culture and customs better.

Sparkling wine has a special place in Moldovan cuisine. The country produces large quantities of classic white and rosé sparkling wines, as well as red sparkling wines that were originally introduced in Moldova. The most famous sparkling wines are those produced in the Cricova winery. Famous brands of Moldovan sparkling wines are Negru de Purcari, Moldova, Chisinau, Cricova, Muscat spumant, National, Nisporeni, etc. They are made from a wide range of European grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Menu, Sauvignon, Aligot, Traminac Rosé, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The local variety Feteasca Alba, which is also used in sparkling wines, has been cultivated in Moldavia since the time of ancient Dacia.

During my visit to Moldova, I visited the 3 most famous wineries: Cricova, Castel Mimi and Chateau Vartely, today we will visit the wine cellars together and learn more about Chateau Vartely and Cricova wineries, while we will spend a small break in an interesting rural environment with beautiful landscapes – Butuceni.

Chateau Vartely winery officially appeared on the market in 1996 and established itself as a leader on the national wine scene. A few years later, in 2004, the company Chateau Vartely was founded, which has already gained numerous international awards, and in 2008, a tourist complex was opened, equipped with all the latest world standards for the needs of visitors to the Chateau Vartely winery.

The winery is located only 50 kilometers from Chisinau. The total area of ​​the Chateau Vartely vineyard is 550 hectares, and it is located in the Codru and Bugeac zone. It is believed that the vintage grown in this area is bottled in more than 4.5 million bottles annually.

Where does the name Chateau Vartely winery come from? The name Vartely itself comes from the name of the city of Orhei, which in Hungarian means “place for a fortress”. The Chateau Vartely brand was developed and launched in 2004. The slogan of this winery is “Wine with love for you”, because every noble wine that is produced in the Chateau Vartely winery has a part of the heart and dedication of the people who work here.

As a person who loves wine, I can only say that this trip was an extremely new experience for me, especially because I saw an unusual blend of modern and traditional at Chateau Vartely winery. My observation was confirmed by eminent winemakers who also consider Chateau Vartely to be an unusual winery that combines the latest innovations in grape growing and processing technology with a passion for producing top quality wines.

The excellence and outstanding quality of Chateau Vartelly wines has been recognized through numerous medals and recognitions awarded at the most prestigious international competitions such as: Mondial de Bruxelles, Mundus Vini, Vinalies Internationales, Decanter, International Wine & Spirits Competition, Sakura, Citta del Vino, International Wine Challenge and others.

After this exciting tour of the Chateau Vartely winery, which was a combination of a classic tourist tour with the use of modern technology and a picturesque presentation of the unusual story of this winery, the team from the Invest Moldova Agency decided that it would be best to take a break in one of the most beautiful rural areas in Moldova – Butuceni .

One of the most popular places in Moldova is the tourist area called Old Orhei, which is located on the Raut River. It is a national heritage of the Republic of Moldova, located approximately 60 km from the capital Chisinau, this zone includes three villages: Butuceni, Morovaja and Trebujeni. Orhei Vechi is an archaeological and historical complex consisting of the newly opened Arheological Museum, an ancient rock church, a new church and several private old-fashioned hotels – inns in a very rural traditional style, located in the villages of Butuceni and Trebujeni. Old Orhei is a beautiful quiet and wonderful place with beautiful landscapes and rich history that brings tourists to discover the ancient roots of Moldova.

Butuceni is a very small and lovely village that is located next to the rocks and belongs to the Old Orhei complex. Of the three villages, Butuceni is the closest to Old Orhei. That is why today it is the most visited tourist destination. This quiet and interesting village attracts tourists because it preserves the true Moldavian tradition with its striking colorful houses, narrow streets and amazing nature. There is no household in Butuceni that does not engage in agriculture and animal husbandry because tourism is only a part of their income.

I had a great experience with the Butuceni Eco Resort Restaurant and Museum, where I learned a lot of interesting information about this picturesque place and had the opportunity to peek into the authentic Moldovan tradition, culture and history with an amazing gourmet trip with wonderful meals and the famous warm Moldovan hospitality. The exterior appearance of all the houses in Batuceni looks very charming because they remind you of your grandparents’ house in the countryside.

If you come to this part of Moldova, don’t forget to stop at Butuceni Eco Resort where you can really relax after a long hiking tour. I’m sure you will be delighted by the taste of traditional Moldovan zama soup, mamaliga with meat and a glass of good wine. Once you try the local Moldovan cuisine, be sure that you will fall in love at the first bite. In this place you are provided with a wireless WiFi internet network, so you will be able to share the experience with your family and friends through the many applications that make our life modern.

In Old Orhei, you feel as if you have left the modern city life and stepped into a rural idyll, a real nirvana isolated from the influence of the outside modern world. Staying in the middle of monumental stone constructions, cave monasteries and all other archaeological reserves, you will have the opportunity to peer into history to the ancient roots of Moldovan culture and national identity. Visit Orheiul Vechi and discover its significance and incredible history.

Finally, I left you one of the most famous tourist attractions for lovers of refined alcoholic beverages – wine. The wine cellars of Cricova Winery are the second largest wine cellar in Moldova, after Milestii Mici (the largest in the world). This amazing winery boasts 120 kilometers of labyrinthine roads located at levels from 30 to 100 meters underground. Tunnels have existed under Cricova since the 15th century, when limestone was quarried for the construction of Chisinau. In the 1950s, they were turned into a wine cellar.

Half of the tunnel is used for wine storage. The roads in the Cricova winery are named after the wines they store. This “wine city” has its own special warehouses, wine tasting rooms and other facilities underground. It descends as much as 100 meters below ground level and contains over a million bottles of rare wine. The oldest wine dates back to 1902 (see the picture below). The temperature stays at around 12 °C all year round, which is the perfect temperature for wine, but I was always bundled up with my winter jacket, which I didn’t part with during my entire trip through Moldova.

The largest importer of wine from Cricova is Kazakhstan. It used to be Russia, but that changed in 2014 when Russia imposed an embargo on Moldovan wine in retaliation for Moldova taking steps towards joining the European Union.

Cricova winery produces sparkling wines according to the classic French method, which was supposedly invented several centuries ago by the monk Dom Pierre Pérignon – “Methode Champenoise”. Cricova makes a unique sparkling red wine, kodrinskoie-sparkling, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and marketed as having a “rich velvety texture and flavors of blackcurrant and cherry.”

The “Grand Cellars of Cricova” house a varied collection of wines, The National Oenotec. The unique exhibits (“Jerusalem of Easter” vintage 1902, the liqueur “Jan Becher” vintage 1902) together with other 158 brands from Burgundy, Moselle, Tokay, the Rhine, are in the collection of the establishment as well as of Moldova in general, comprising nowadays a total of about 1.3 million bottles.

However, the pride of the Oenotec are, first of all, the wines bearing the name “Cricova”, which brought the winery a collection of national and international tasting awards. As of 2008, the collection consists of over 70 silver, gold, and Grand Prix awards.

However, the pride of the Oenotec are, first of all, the wines bearing the name “Cricova”, which brought the winery a collection of national and international tasting awards. As of 2008, the collection consists of over 70 silver, gold, and Grand Prix awards.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue in the autumn season about Moldova where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the wine of this small unusual country with a big heart. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Moldovan culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Moldova.

I would like to especially thank the staff of BERD’S Chisinau MGallery Hotel for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of my own home!

Time always flies when a person is having a good time! A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis of COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to cooperate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual country in Eastern Europe in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about Moldovan wine, culture and heritage? Have you had the chance to visit the magical Republic of Moldova so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT ME page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Moldova,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Moldova: Chisinau, a Small Metropolis with a Big Heart…

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travelers, I hope you are well and ready for a new season of adventures on the Mr.M blog! This autumn I had the opportunity to visit an unusual small country with a big heart in Eastern Europe – the Republic of Moldova. I am very proud of the fact that I am the first blogger in the world who was invited to visit and feel the Moldovan hospitality and to check some facts that I read in numerous magazines that this small country is the new big destination for lovers of good wines and food in the Eastern Europe.

At the very beginning of this post, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova for the kind invitation and the incredible experience to get to know the Moldovan culture and customs better.

What do we know about Moldova? The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It borders Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south. The capital and also the largest city of the Republic of Moldova is Chisinau. Most of the Moldavian territory was part of the Principality of Moldavia from the 14th century until 1812, when the Ottoman Empire ceded it to the Russian Empire, to which Moldavia was a vassal state and became recognized as Bessarabia.

Southern Bessarabia was returned to Moldavia in 1856, which united with Wallachia three years later to form Romania, but Russian rule was restored over the entire region in 1878. During the Russian Revolution in 1917, Bessarabia briefly became an autonomous state within the Russian Federation. During February 1918, the Moldavian Democratic Republic declared independence and then integrated into Romania later that year after a vote in its assembly. The decision was contested by Soviet Russia, which in 1924 established, within the Ukrainian SSR, the so-called Moldavian Autonomous Republic (MASSR) on the territories partially inhabited by Moldavia east of Bessarabia.

Today, Moldova is a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. It is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Trio of Associations . This year, Moldova became an official candidate for membership in the European Union.

How did Moldova get its name? The name Moldavia is derived from the river Moldavia, whose valley served as a political center at the time of the founding of the Principality of Moldavia in 1359. The origin of the river’s name remains unclear to this day. According to the legend transmitted by Moldavian chroniclers Dimitrije Kantemir and Grigore Ureča, Prince Dragoš named the river after hunting aurochs: after the chase, the prince’s exhausted hound Molda drowned in the river. The name of the dog, given to the river, spread to the Principality and then to the Republic of Moldova.

The cultural tradition of Moldova was primarily influenced by the Romanian origin of its majority population, whose roots go back to the second century AD, the period of Roman colonization in Dacia. Due to its unusual geographical location at the crossroads of Latin, Slavic and other cultures, Moldova has enriched its own culture by adopting and maintaining the traditions of neighboring regions and other influential powerful states. The largest ethnic group, which by the 14th century had become widely identified as the “Moldavian” league, played a significant role in shaping classical Romanian culture. Moldavian culture was also influenced by Byzantine culture, the neighboring Hungarian and Slavic populations, and later the Ottoman Turks. The strong Western European influence in Moldovan literature and art experienced a golden revival in the 19th century. During the period 1812-1917. and 1944-1989. , Moldovans were under the influence of Russian and Soviet administrative control, as well as immigration of ethnic Russians.

The cultural heritage of Moldavia was marked by numerous churches and monasteries built by the Moldavian ruler Stefan the Great in the 15th century, the works of later Renaissance metropolitans Varlaam and Dosoftei, as well as the works of scientists such as Grigore Ureche, Miron Kostin, Nikolae Milescu. In the 19th century, Moldavians from the territory of the medieval Principality of Moldavia, divided into Bessarabia, Bukovina and Western Moldavia (after 1859, Romania), made a significant contribution to the formation of modern Romanian culture. Among them there were many Bessarabians, such as Alexander Donica, Alexander Heide, Bogdan Petricic Hasde, Konstantin Stamati, Konstantin Stamati-Chiurea, Kostache Negruci, Alek Rousseau, Konstantin Stere.

Mihai Eminescu, a late romantic poet, and Ion Creanga, a writer, are the most influential artists in the Romanian language, considered national writers in both Romania and Moldova.

We come to the interesting part that interests us all – the food! Moldovan cuisine is specific and the style of cooking is a matter of tradition that is extremely important for Moldovans. It consists mainly of ingredients such as various types of meat, potatoes, cabbage and various grains. The local cuisine is very similar to Romanian, and also draws inspiration and elements from other cuisines in the region, including Greek, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian, with a strong influence from Ottoman cuisine.

Due to its excellent geographical position, the fertile soil of Moldova provides an abundance of grapes, fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat and dairy products, all of which have found their application in the national cuisine. The fertile black soil combined with the use of traditional agricultural methods allows the cultivation of a wide range of food in Moldova. Moldovan cuisine is rich and with good food you can always find a suitable wine!

The most famous Moldovan dish is mamaliga (porridge or porridge made from corn flour). This is a polenta-like staple on the Moldovan table, served as a side dish to stews and meat dishes or garnished with fresh cheese, sour cream or pork rind. Regional delicacies include branza (brine cheese) and friptura (lamb or goat stew). Do not forget that every good Moldovan dish must be accompanied by a suitable wine because it is a matter of tradition and way of life that Moldovans have cherished for centuries!

Traditional for Moldovan cuisine are dishes that combine a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, beans, onions, garlic and leeks. Vegetables are used in salads and sauces, and are baked, steamed, pickled (muraturi), salted or marinated.

Different types of borscht (stew) include a wide range of soups with a characteristic sour taste. These can be meat and vegetable soups, or fish soups, all of which are pickled with borscht (traditionally made from bran) or lemon juice. Chicken soup with meat, known as zeama, is very popular.

Meat products occupy a special place in traditional Moldovan cuisine, especially as an appetizer or main course. Roasted and roasted pork, beef meatballs and steamed lamb are common. Meat and fish are often marinated and then grilled. Traditional holiday dishes include stuffed cabbage with minced meat, pilaf (rice dish), pork jelly, noodles, chicken and many others.

In certain areas, the cuisine of different ethnic minorities prevails. In the eastern regions, Ukrainians eat borscht, while in the south, Bessarabian Bulgarians serve traditional mange (chicken with sauce), while Gagauz prepare shorpa, a very spicy mutton soup. Pelmeni (dumplings filled with meat) are popular in Russian communities. The various dishes served at the New Year’s table include mostly Russian-influenced dishes such as shuba and salade de boeuf.

Other very popular dishes include a variety of pierogi called coltunasi, filled with fresh white cheese (coltunasi cu brinza), meat (coltunasi cu carne) or cherries.

Soft drinks include stewed fruit compote and fruit juice. Popular alcoholic beverages are divin (Moldavian brandy), beer and, of course, the famous Moldovan wine. European grapes are used in wine production. Popular grapes include Sauvignon, Cabernet and Muscat. The main domestic Moldovan varieties include Feteasca, Rara neagra and Busuioaca alba.

Sparkling wine has a special place in Moldovan cuisine. The country produces large quantities of classic white and rosé sparkling wines, as well as red sparkling wines that were originally introduced in Moldova. The most famous sparkling wines are those produced in the Krikova winery. Famous brands of Moldovan sparkling wines are Negru de Purcari, Moldova, Chisinau, Cricova, Muscat spumant, National, Nisporeni, etc. They are made from a wide range of European grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Menu, Sauvignon, Aligot, Traminac Rosé, Muscat Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The local variety Feteasca Alba, which is also used in sparkling wines, has been cultivated in Moldavia since the time of ancient Dacia.

During my visit to Moldova, I visited 3 of the most famous wineries: Cricova, Castel Mimi and Chateau Vartely, about which I will write more in the next post and I am sure you will enjoy the unique content!

After I introduced you to the history of Moldova and introduced you to the Moldovan culture, heritage, as well as their cuisine, it’s time to write something about the capital of this unusual small country with a big heart that forms the heart of Eastern Europe – Chisinau!

Chisinau is the main industrial and commercial center of Moldova, and it is located in the very heart of the country, on the Bach River, a tributary of the Dniester. According to some recent data, over 600,000 inhabitants live in the city itself, while the municipality of Chisinau, which includes the city itself and other nearby communities, has almost 800,000 inhabitants. Chisinau is the most economically prosperous center in Moldova and the largest traffic hub. Almost a third of the population of Moldova lives in the metro area, which is really impressive!

How did the capital of Moldova get its name? The origin of the city’s name is still unclear. There are numerous legends and theories that indicate that the name could come from the archaic Romanian words chisla (meaning “spring”, “source of water”) and noua (“new”), because it was built around a small spring, at the corner of Pushkin and Albisvara streets that form the heart of today’s Chisinau!

There is one official version of history, formulated by Stefan Čobanu, a Romanian historian and academic, who believes that the name was formed in the same way as the name of Chișinău (alternatively spelled: Chişinău) in western Romania, near the border with Hungary. Her Hungarian name is Kisjeno, which is where her Romanian name comes from. Kisjeno comes from kis “small” and Jeno, one of the seven Hungarian tribes that entered the Carpathian Basin in 896. At least 24 other settlements are named after the Jeno tribe.

Chisinau is known as Kishinev in Russian, while Moldova’s Russian-language media call it Chisinau. It was also written as Chisineu in the Romanian language before the 20th century and as Chisineu in the Moldavian Cyrillic script. Historically, the city’s English-language name, Chisinau, was based on a modified Russian because it entered the English language via Russian when Chisinau was part of the Russian Empire.

How was Chisinau created? Founded in 1436 as a monastery village, the town was part of the Principality of Moldavia, which became a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century, but still retained its autonomy. At the beginning of the 19th century, Chisinau was a small town with 7,000 inhabitants.

Historically speaking, Chisinau was home to fourteen factories in 1919. Chisinau is the financial and business capital of Moldova. Chisinau has the largest and most developed mass media sector in Moldova and is home to several affiliated companies, from leading television networks and radio stations to major newspapers. All national and international banks have their headquarters in Chisinau. Notable locations around Chisinau include the Patria cinema, new malls Malldova, Megapolis Mall and the most famous shops. While many locals continue to shop at the bazaars, many upper-class residents and tourists shop at retail outlets in Maldova as well.

Elat, an older shopping center in the Botanica district, and Sun City, in the center, are more popular with locals. There are several amusement parks in the city. One from the Soviet era is located in the Botanica district, along the three lakes of the large park, which extends to the outskirts of the city center. The second, modern park Aventura, is located further from the center.

The urban plan of Chisinau was developed in the 19th century. As far back as 1836, the construction of the Chisinau Cathedral and its bell tower was completed. The bell tower was demolished during the Soviet era and was rebuilt in 1997. Chisinau also displays a huge number of Orthodox churches and 19th-century buildings throughout the city, such as the Ćuflea Monastery or the Church of the Transfiguration. Most of the town is made of limestone quarried from Krikova, leaving the famous wine cellar there.

Many buildings of modern architectural style were built in the city after 1991. There are many office and retail complexes that are modern, renovated or newly built, including Kentford, SkyTower and the headquarters of Union Fenos. However, old clusters of Soviet-style apartment blocks are still an extensive feature of the cityscape.

There are several important museums in Chisinau. The three national museums are the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, the National Museum of Art and the National Archaeological and Historical Museum. Chisinau, like all of Moldova, still shows significant signs of ethnic culture. Signs reading “Patria Mea” (My Homeland) can be found all over the capital. Although few people still wear traditional Moldovan clothing, large public events often attract people to wear national costumes.

Moldova’s National Wine Day and Wine Festival are held every year on the first weekend of October in Chisinau. The events celebrate the fall harvest and recognize the country’s long history of winemaking, dating back some 500 years. It is the tradition and culture of this country and it is the strong roots that make this country original and beautiful!

During my first day in Chisinau, I had the opportunity to attend a big fashion event UNZIP which is important both for famous Moldovan fashion designers and for some new young rising fashion designers who are considered to become important names in the fashion world. My first impression when I entered the magnificent building where the shows were held was incredible because you can see how much the Moldovans actually take care of all the details, so I had the impression that I was at some gala event as part of the Milan fashion week that I attended, so I have only words of praise for the organization of this wonderful event.

My first day in Chisinau was exciting and full of surprises. I enjoyed numerous Moldovan specialties and rode local trolleybuses, since the people from the organization thought that I had no idea what it’s like to be a tourist in a city where you can feel the positive energy while cruising through the city on one of the numerous trolleybus lines…

I would like to use this unique opportunity to thank the team of the Invest Moldova Agency of the Republic of Moldova for the sincere and kind invitation to visit their country and to feel the Moldovan hospitality and at least for a short glimpse into the centuries-old culture and traditions of an unusual and beautiful country in Eastern Europe. This was an unusual and beautiful trip where I recorded numerous photos, beautiful memories and brought home the most beautiful Moldovan wines and cheeses. Travel is the best form of informal education, where a person gets to know the world and new cultures and thus has the opportunity to connect with the world and expand his horizons and cultural limits. This time Invest Moldova Agency with its partners made my trip exceptional and I am glad that I was the first blogger in the world to visit their country and I sincerely hope that in the near future there will be more bloggers, influencers and media persons who will show Moldova and prove that it is a beautiful small country with a big heart that is always ready to welcome everyone and find yourself!

Of course, my visit to Moldova was exceptional because I had the opportunity to stay in one of the best hotels in the city – BERD’S Chisinau MGallery Hotel Collection, which is the first and only designer hotel in Moldova. It is located in the heart of the social and cultural life of Chisinau and it was very easy and simple to move around the city, which is the most important thing for any traveler, right?

The hotel offers 33 rooms and apartments full of local tradition combined with modern, contemporary architecture and aesthetics with top comfort. The Italian restaurant MEZZO presents a new fresh look at Italian tradition, delicious cuisine and an elegant interior that remains true to the spirit of minimalism. BERD’S Chisinau MGallery promises an authentic journey into Moldovan culture.

I would like to thank the friendly and professional staff who made my stay unforgettable and it was a great pleasure to be their dear guest in the special Signature suite, which represents a true and deep understanding of luxury and design. This elegant two-bedroom apartment with a spacious living room is equipped with soft leather furniture, an amazing bedroom with a leather desk, an open bathroom with a jacuzzi and a shower. The interior is decorated with hand-woven carpets originating from Tibet and conceptualized by Lucca Scacchetti to convey traditional local motifs. The unique collection of ceramics by the famous Moldavian sculptor – Yuri Platon also contributes to the experience.

My dear travelers, we have reached the end of this first special travelogue in the autumn season about Moldova where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the capital of this small unusual country with a big heart – Chisinau. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Moldovan culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Moldova.

I would like to once again give special thanks to the staff of BERD’S Chisinau MGallery Hotel for their warm welcome and for hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of my own home!

Time always flies when a person is having a good time! A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis of COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to cooperate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual country in Eastern Europe in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about Chisinau and Moldovan culture? Have you had the chance to visit the magical Republic of Moldova so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT ME page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Chisinau,

Mr.M

In the next post, we will go together on the wine roads of Moldova and visit some of the most Moldovan famous wineries…

This post is sponsored by the Invest Moldova Agency and the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from the Kingdom of Sweden: Nationalmuseum, the greatest Art Treasure in the Heart of Scandinavia!

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travellers and lovers of extraordinary trips, I hope you are well and ready for a new adventure on the Mr.M blog. Today’s post will be the last post for the month of July (sorry for the confusion that I made with the previous post) and also the last letter in the series of posts from Sweden.

Before I start today’s post, I would like to remind you of some of the previous posts from the edition of letters from the Kingdom of Sweden, so if you haven’t had time to read the previous stories or maybe you want to remind yourself of some interesting details, spare a few minutes of your time and by clicking on the following links, visit some of the previous travelogues from Sweden:

1) Stockholm: A Modern Green City of Culture on the Water

2) Everything you need to know about the Royal Palace in Stockholm

3) Vasa, The Story of the sunken legendary luxurious warship…

Today I will share with you my impressions of the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and I would like to thank the Visit Stockholm for the invitation and the amazing experience to get to know the culture and customs in the heart of Scandinavia.

The Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Fine Arts) is the central Swedish state museum in Stockholm, and also the largest Swedish art museum. The collections of this extraordinary art treasure house consist of various works of painting, sculpture and art on paper from around the 16th century to the 20th century, as well as arts and crafts and design objects from the 16th century to the present day. The total number of exhibited works reaches an incredible figure of almost 700,000 objects. The National Museum is located on Blasieholmen in Stockholm in a building designed for this purpose by the German architect Friedrich August Stühler. The building was completed in 1866, but the museum’s history is older than that and goes back to June 28, 1792, when the Royal Museum was founded. The National Museum is therefore one of the oldest art museums in Europe.

The collections were moved to Blasieholmen after previously being partially housed in the Royal Museum, which opened in 1794 in the north wing of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. As with several other national art museums, the collections are largely based on generations of royal collectors, which for various reasons passed into state ownership. For example, works that belonged to Gustav Vasa can be seen today in the Nationalmuseum.

The museum’s activities also go outside the box, so you can see certain works outside the building on Blasieholmen. The National Museum also includes a collection of portraits of the Swedish state exhibited in Gripsholm Castle. In addition, objects from the museum’s collections are exhibited in a number of museum institutions throughout Sweden.

This museum has a long history and I will try my best to briefly explain some of the most important historical moments related to this institution. In the early history of the National Museum, as with several other European national galleries, the history of the National Museum is largely synonymous with the development of royal, state and more widely available collections. In Sweden, the foundation for today’s state art collections was laid in the 18th century. Several works included in the collection of the National Museum, for example a part of French paintings from the 18th century were once owned by Queen Louisa Ulrike. By 1777, the queen’s financial situation had become unsustainable, partly as a result of a large and expensive investment in art. The debts were settled by her son, the then Swedish king Gustav III, in exchange for her giving up her collections and Drottningholm Castle.

For today’s Nationalmuseum, it is important that the king did not use his own financial means, but the state’s, which prevented the collections from being dispersed during the succession. It is likely that state funds were also used when Gustav III, after the death of his father Adolf Frederick, acquired several works of art, including Chardin’s Tecnarin. At the same time, the king also made an important acquisition of the collection of drawings by Carl Gustav Tessin that Adolf Fredrik had bought from him in 1755. The collection of drawings was immediately donated to the Royal Library, but was then transferred to the Royal Museum when it opened in 1794.

How did that transformation from a royal art collection to a state museum take place? There are no official records that can explain to us what Gustav III intended with his museum arrangement. It was believed that he was targeting a publicly accessible institution, but recent research has shown that there is no reliable evidence for this. It should be remembered that the significance of making something available to the public was somewhat different then than it is today, which is why it is believed that the royal museum would have become a private matter, accessible to those who could be considered competent. Regardless of Gustav III’s intentions, the Royal Museum was founded on June 28, 1792, just three months after the king’s death.

At that time, they did not have prepared rooms for exhibitions, and the work on the building was not finished after the king’s death. The transfer of the artistic heritage was carried out in December 1792 and was of great importance for the future of the museum. During the work on the registry office, the significance of the financial resources (state or private) used by the king for the acquisition of art collections was highlighted. At that time, there were no firm laws governing what was considered the king’s private property and what was state property.

Through the transfer of inheritance, all the king’s art collections became state property. In this way, the king’s art collections became the property of the people, but only later would they become fully publicly available.

The first decades of the 19th century were an extremely difficult period for the museum. The lack of interest combined with very little resources bordering on non-existent meant that the work was kept alive by the energy of the museum’s dedicated staff. The lack of funds made new acquisitions largely impossible. At the same time, many of the great museum collections in Europe were created at this time thanks to an aggressive acquisition policy, supported by more concerned courts and the bourgeoisie. From 1817 the Royal Museum did receive an annual grant from the State, but this was insufficient for anything more than the maintenance necessary to save the collections from total decay. However, the donations saved the museum because they legitimized the museum as its own authority.

However, rather poor economic conditions made it difficult for the first part of the 19th century to pass completely uneventfully. The most significant thing that happened at that time was the large acquisition of sculptures by Johann Tobias Sergel in 1815. After Sergel’s death, the Royal Museum was able to acquire all the sketches of plaster and terracotta sculptures that were part of his work.

It can be said that the acquisition and installation of Sergel’s sculptures marked a turning point in the exhibition activities of the museum because it represents both classicism and indigenous art. Because, at the same time when the Sergel collection was presented to the public in artistic Sweden, voices were raised who wanted to shift the focus from classicism to domestic and nationally oriented art. In this context, it may be noted that in 1818, King Carl XIV Johan commissioned from Bengt Erland Fogelberg colossal sculptures representing the gods Asa Oden, Thor and Balder. They will later be placed in the Royal Museum.

Later in the 19th century, painting will have a more significant place in museum activities, as can be seen from the documentation on the drastic changes initiated by the museum director. The director took the museum into the 19th century in a completely different way with a new color scheme, associated above all with the Danish and German Biedermeier, and the exhibitions were arranged in a modern way for that time, from the classically oriented Enlightenment principle to the provoking imagination, romantically suggestive exhibition aesthetics.

The 20th century brought certain innovations, so the department of modern art was founded in 1952. The first exhibition was a tour of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica in October 1956, when the renovation of the museum was completed, the facility was named “Moderna Muzeet”, which was officially opened on May 9, 1958. Until 1975, the Modern Museum was a subdivision of the National Museum.

Later, the Modern Museum became a unique separate institution, which together with the Nationalmuseum and the East Asian Museum was part of the joint body Statens konstmuseer. When the Modern Museum became an independent institution in 1999, the Statens konstmuseer changed its name to the Nationalmuseum from Valdemarsudde Prins Eugen. At the same time, the East Asian Museum was transferred to the newly formed State Museum of World Culture. A few years ago, in 2017 to be exact, Valdemarsudde became an independent foundation again, and the authority has since been called the Nationalmuseum.

A large number of works in the museum’s collections come from the royal collections of many generations. From the gallery of Gustav Vasa’s paintings that were in Gripsholm Castle, it is possible to identify with certainty several paintings that are now in the National Museum. Gustav Vasa’s collection consisted mainly of works of art by Northern European painters.

Of the works with a past in royal ownership, many were acquired on the background of various personal preferences, but also several examples of objects that came to royal collections in the 17th century as war booty.

A large part of the works that today are considered to form the core of the Nationalmuseum’s collection of paintings before 1800 mainly come from several collections: Karl Gustav Tessin, Queen Lovisa Ulrike, King Adolf Fredrik and Gustav III. However, several of the most important works in the royal collections were acquired through Tessin in various ways.

These collections were dominated by French, Dutch and Gustavian Swedish painting, which greatly influenced the composition of the National Museum’s collection as it looks today. Several of the museum’s Rembrandt works are owned by these people, as well as other important works from 17th-century Holland and some from Flanders from the same period.

One ff these four collectors, Carl Gustaf Tessin undoubtedly had the greatest importance, not least because a large part of the collections of Adolf Fredrik and Lovisa Ulrike ended up there under his care. At the age of nineteen, Tessin went on a grand tour during which he stayed in Paris between 1714 and 1716. He would later return several times, but during this first visit he acquired a large number of master drawings and 23 so-called contre-epreuves by Antoine Vato and met several artists of that time.

Later, Tessin returned to Paris, now in better financial conditions as he was appointed overseer responsible for the building of a castle in Stockholm, succeeded his father and married a wealthy heiress. He now acquired paintings by artists such as Francois Lemoine, Francois Desport, Nicolas Lancrat and Jean-Baptiste Pater.

However, he did not buy anything from Watteau, whom he held in high esteem. The explanation for this can be seen in the fact that the artist has now passed away and that Tessin has concentrated on living artists and that the prices of Watteau’s works have risen. Being in Paris also meant buying art in the name of building a castle. From Paris he traveled to Venice to try to negotiate a contract with Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, but without success.

Later, in 1739 Tessin returned to Paris again, where the art scene behaved differently with the re-established salon from 1737. During this visit, he focused on François Boucher and Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, acquiring among others Boucher’s Triumph of Venus, which was shown at the Salon of 1740. Tessin also made several purchases of Dutch paintings on the Paris market, mostly through the art dealer Edme – François Gersen. Among those works, Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Young Woman in Profile and Constantin Verhout’s Sleeping Student are significant.

Until 2013, when the Nationalmuseum building on Blasieholmen in Stockholm was closed for renovations, several temporary large exhibitions were shown annually. Some examples were Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Design by Sigward Bernadotte, Terribly Beautiful, Deceit the Eye, Pre-Raphaelites, Caspar David Friedrich, Rubens and van Dyck, Concept Design, The Shape of Time, and Slow Art. In the gallery of engravers, smaller exhibitions with works mainly from their own collections are shown.

The museum borrows a large number of works for exhibitions in other museums in Sweden and abroad. In the Nationalmuseum, research is carried out on the basis of its own collections as a starting point, as well as its own publishing activities.

The Nationalmuseum also has a picture archive. The museum is also in charge of the Art Library, which is one of the largest art libraries in the Nordic countries and is a joint library of the Nationalmuseum and the Modern Museum.

The museum has a department for conservation, photography and art management with orientations according to the objects of each collection. The department works on the preservation of objects and cooperates with the Department of Collections and Research on technical research.

The Nationalmuseum manages, in whole or in part, the collections of objects in a large number of visitor destinations throughout the country. These include, for example, Drottningholm Castle, Gripsholm Castle, Ulriksdal Castle, Nines Castle, Lacko Castle, Lovstabruk Castle, Vadstena Castle and the Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory. The Orangery Museum in Ulriksdal Castle and the Museum de Vries in Drottningholmsmalmen preserve the central parts of the museum’s sculpture collection. Since 2018, the National Museum has a branch in Ostersund – the Jamtli National Museum.

Until July 1, 2017, Prins Eugens Valdemarsudde belonged to the competent National Museum with Prins Eugens Valdemarsudde. The authority (now called only the Nationalmuseum) falls under the Department of Culture. The association of friends of the Nationalmusei vanner museum was founded in 1911 by the then Crown Prince Gustaf (VI) Adolf and over the years has made a significant contribution to the museum’s collections.

The Nationalmuseum in Stockholm was closed on February 3, 2013 for renovations. The museum was in need of extensive restoration and renovation, as the building was badly worn from heavy use. Several technical systems in the museum have reached their useful life.

The Nationalmuseum reopened on October 13, 2018, and the opening ceremony was personally performed by King Carl XVI Gustaf in the presence of members of the royal family, Minister of Culture Alice Bach Kunke and thousands of visitors. The museum’s exhibition space has been expanded and can now accommodate twice as many visitors and display almost three times as many works of art. In addition to the technical update, previously blocked windows and skylights have been opened to create more daylight and views towards the city. The noisy restaurant got a better, quieter location and was replaced by an airy and quiet sculpture garden. The museum has restored a color scheme inspired by the original palette.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of the fourth and at the same time last special post from the Letters from the Kingdom of Sweden, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Visit Stockholm in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Swedish culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Sweden.

Time always flies when a person is having a good time! A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis of COVID-19.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to cooperate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual city in Scandinavia in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm? Have you had the chance to visit the heart of Scandinavia so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT ME page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With love from Stockholm,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Visit Stockholm, as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letter from Türkiye: Alanya, Place where is Fun in the Sun!

Adventure Travel Turkey in my eyes 4 Comments

My dear travelers, I hope you are well and ready for a new adventure on the Mr.M blog! Today I decided to delight you with a real summer travelogue about Alanya, a Mediterranean Turkish city where it is sunny almost during all four seasons and where the fun never stops! I am sure that this post will refresh you, so that all of us will start this June with only good moments!

How did I get to Alanya? While writing a blog post in May, I decided to take a break, because you know how creative work can sometimes make a person tired. During the break, I always try to check if there are any new messages or emails and I noticed an email from the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation – ALTAV. A kind invitation to feel all the beauties and charms of the Mediterranean coastal city in Turkey. Without thinking, I accepted the invitation and already in my mind I was in sunny Alanya!

Today I will share with you my impressions of this unusual city and I would like to thank the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation – ALTAV for the invitation and incredible experience to get to know better the culture and customs in this part of Turkey.

People say that red evokes happiness and attracts positive energy, which is why I decided to take my FPM Milano Bank Spinner 53 red cabin suitcase on my Turkish adventure, which brought me luck on my travels this year. Not only is it practical, light, but it is also a photogenic suitcase that many people asked me about at the airport where I bought it. So my little red suitcase and I heroically prepared and embarked on our new adventure together! I will write something more about this brand later, and now let’s start with the story of Alanya!

For the beginning, it would be helpful to tell you a few basic information about Alanya that will surely benefit you! Alanya is a Mediterranean coastal city in Turkey located near Antalya. Scientists have found writings proving that Alanya as a city was first inhabited since the 4th century BC, due to this incredible historical fact, one of the most important things in Alanya – a fortress built as the main witness of history in the heart of the city. , surrounded by walls, built on a peninsula that stretches towards the Mediterranean Sea.

The Alanya we know today developed in the area between the Taurus Mountains and the coast over 100 kilometers long. Yes, you read that right, the length of the coast is over 100 kilometers and that is why the locals and tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the numerous clean and spacious beaches that are natural and decorated according to international standards. Alanya is a city that, in addition to its rich cultural heritage, also has incredible natural charms and beauties.

What is the climate like in Alanya? Alanya has a typical Mediterranean climate to be desired, with refreshing winters as well as warm and dry summers. The average winter temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius, while the summer temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius, while the average water temperature in winter is around 20 degrees, while in summer it is between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. If you plan to visit Alanya during the winter, be sure that winter is beautiful in Alanya and that snow is considered a scientific phenomenon.

If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of Alanya, you can visit the plateaus, which have a rich flora and fauna that are ideal for safaris and trekking. It is interesting that there are no industrial zones in Alanya and that is why all economic life depends on tourism and agriculture. If you have ever wondered what Alanya is best at, know that she is known for growing bananas and citrus fruits, which is why Alanya occupies an important place in Turkey.

Alanya is a city with extremely rich cultural and tourist content offer, so I am sure that even the most demanding tourists with refined taste will return with unforgettable impressions and recommend to their friends to spend their vacation in Alanya.

Holiday in Alanya can be relaxing, peaceful for body and soul, but it can also be active with numerous water sports and other kind of activities. In the previous pictures you can see the amazing landscapes from the Cable Car in Alanya which is located within the Alanya Fortress and provides an exit to the part known as Ehmedek. The cable car started operating in 2017 and in a short time it has become an unavoidable local attraction for all tourists who come to see the beauty of Alanya! Passing over the famous Damlataş Cave and Cleopatra Beach, the cable car takes you in a short period of time to the historic fortress of Alanya, a place where there is a spectacular and magnificent view with a special opportunity to see one history.

As I just mentioned, Alanya Fortress is a witness to the long and rich history of Alanya and it proudly occupies a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also, the Alanya Fortress has been declared a state-protected area of ​​protected cultural property by the Turkish government. This medieval fortress is located on a peninsula about 250 meters above sea level. The interesting thing about this fortress are the layers within the walls that hide many secrets and traces of numerous cultures and customs that have lined up. There are certain historical writings that prove that the fortress of Alanya has been inhabited since the Hellenistic era, where people lived continuously.

Today’s appearance of the fortress can be attributed to the great reconstruction that was carried out during the 13th century by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Kejkubat. In addition to the great renovation of the Alanya Fortress, buildings of exceptional importance were built during this period, such as the Red Tower (Kizilkule) and the shipyard (Tersane). The walls that surround the peninsula are about 6 kilometers long, and on the walls there are numerous fortifications, towers, as well as 6 gates and there are two inner fortresses.

ALTAV (Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation) really tried to get to know Alanya from different angles through this trip, and even today, while the impressions of this city are slowly fading in my head, I can’t describe the uniqueness and beauty of this Mediterranean Turkish city.

The Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation made an effort to made me feel the cuisine of this area and come back with a few extra pounds, but as people in Alanya like to say: “When you are in Alanya, do not think about kilograms, just enjoy on your vacation, and when you return home, start exercising ”. In collaboration with Mutfak Mirasi Alanya, the ALTAV has organised gastronomy workshop for my colleagues and me.

I have to admit how many countries I have visited and met different world cuisines, Alanya can boast of amazing specialties and the most famous world cuisines. You can start your day in Alanya with a light breakfast with a slice of white cheese, fresh vegetables and whole grain bread, while for lunch you can eat fresh fish just brought by fishermen from the deep waters of the Mediterranean… Dinner can be light with exotic types of “Shish kebabs ” and other traditional dishes of Alanya.

In addition to the opportunity to enjoy the sumptuous dishes of Alanya, ALTAV made an effort to organize for my fellow influencers and me a gastronomy workshop, small cooking school where we had the opportunity to learn to cook some local specialties! Since you all know my great love for Turkish delights, I of course immediately focused on making the famous helva, but according to an old recipe in Alanya, which is significantly different from the classic helva we have the opportunity to see on store shelves.

I have to admit that I enjoyed it and that I had a unique opportunity to learn how to prepare some of the most famous Turkish savory and sweet dishes. I will remember this cooking school, as well as the smiling women who shared with us their precious cooking skills with great patience.

Another activity that was unusual on this trip was a special Jeep Safari experience tour of the Sapadera Canyon with Race Tour Alanya. This charming green paradise of the Mediterranean region, you can complete a visit to Sapadere village, which is located about 40 km from Alanya.

Sapadere is an area where you can see all shades of greenery and is one of the most pristine places with the richest flora and fauna in the region. The area of the Alanya Sapadera Canyon gives great pleasure to the human eye to constantly admire this exceptional green landscape, as well as the Taurus mountain range with snow on the tops that go like steps towards the sky.

Sapadere Canyon is 360 meters long and is located 3 km from the village of Sapadere. Sapadera Canyon was created by erosion of water, ice and wind. Layers of rock have formed for thousands of years. Wooden paths provide easy access to all visitors. Believe me, you will be amazed by the speed of water gushing over a series of rocks, numerous waterfalls, rare plants and different species of animals and birds as you walk through this natural habitat. Clean, fresh air and cascading turquoise water above the rocks are therapeutic and refreshing for the human spirit…

At the end of the trail, 300 meters inside the entrance to the Sapadere canyon, there is a main attraction: an amazing waterfall. This is a popular place for photographing visitors, there is also the possibility of swimming in a natural pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Here, one can really refresh oneself because the water temperature barely reaches 12 degrees Celsius during the hottest summer season.

Sapadere Canyon is a karst canyon located in the village of Sapadere in Alanya County. The length of the canyon that formed Sapadere, after which the village got its name, is 600 m, and its height is 400 m. Chemical wear of limestone blocks was efficient in the formation of this canyon. At the point where the Sapadere emerges from the canyon, the bottom of the canyon is covered by a stream. In order to move inland, a 600 m long wooden bridge with iron bars on the side walls was built.

The waterfall is located at the end of the canyon after crossing the water flowing at the bottom of the canyon. A giant cauldron (natural pool) with very cold water was formed at the place where the waterfall overflowed. During the summer, people can swim in the cold waters of this natural pool.

Until recently, the canyon, which was known only to the locals, began to attract tourists through promotional activities of local governments. At the entrance to the canyon there are places to eat and drink where you can refresh yourself.

During my stay in Alanya, I had the opportunity to stay in one of the best hotels in the city – SunPrime C-lounge Hotel. This modern five-star luxury hotel for adults is housed in a newly built building across the beach from the Mediterranean Sea, just 8 km from Alanya Fortress.

The spacious and modern rooms have a balcony, sofa, Wi-Fi and flat TVs new generation, as well as a minibar and tea/coffee maker, which I had to try. Many rooms have sea views. The deluxe suits have a separate living room.

Within the hotel there are two restaurants (one is self-service) and bars. Other facilities of this hotel include a gym, spa and two swimming pools (one indoor and one outdoor), a hammam, a hot tub and a pool bar. There is a private area on the beach where guests can sunbathe. During your stay you can enjoy live music. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hotel management for their hospitality and dedication during my visit to Alanya.

In today’s post we are meeting up again with my friends from the FPM Milano brand and I present you a backpack from the Bank on the Road collection, as well as Bank Spinner 53 cabin suitcase from the Bank collection, both collections are made entirely in Italy, ideal for business people world and so for those who want to enjoy their vacation and free time to maximum, made to meet every practical, functional or aesthetic need.

The convenient internal pocket allows you to charge your tablet and smartphone anytime, anywhere. Modern, elegant line of backpacks, made of high quality and waterproof nylon with special attention to leather and metal details. The aluminum personalization is reminiscent of the innovative creativity of the FPM Bank collection.

FPM Milano luggage and accessories offers travelers convenience and style, all in one suitcase and backpack. Designed by Marc Sadler, these lightweight, aluminum-reinforced suitcases are inspired by antique suitcases, specifically designed to give you the endurance you need when traveling. The combination of Avante-Garde materials and motifs of Italian design, give these FPM suitcases a robust and safe look.

If you want to be updated and find out which models of suitcases and travel accessories the FPM Milano brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this special post about the Turkish jewel of the Mediterranean – Alanya, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation – ALTAV in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Turkish culture and traditions. Of course, as always, I tried to share my impressions of this unusual experience from Turkey.

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find partners for my projects that help me discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis COVID-19.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this magical Mediterranean region of Turkey in a completely different way.

How did you like this story of mine about my experience in Alanya? Have you maybe had the opportunity to visit this part of Turkey before? Share with me your experiences, I would be glad to hear!

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write to me below in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you in the same place in a couple of days, with a new story!

Warm greetings from Alanya,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the ALTAV, SunPrime C-lounge Hotel and other local partners. This post presents my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Lithuania: Vilnius, the Pearl of the Baltic you will love!

Adventure Travel 3 Comments

My dear adventurers and lovers of unusual journeys, I sincerely hope you are well and ready for a new adventure on the Mr.M blog. Today we continue our adventure in the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius and discover some new details and beauties of this charming city.

If by any chance you missed the previous story about Vilnius or want to remind yourself of some details, take a few minutes of your time and visit this link.

Before I start today’s post, I would like to thank the Vilnius Tourism Board for this amazing experience and for having the opportunity to visit the pearl of this unusual Baltic country in northern Europe!

In the previous post, I showed you a part of the Castle Complex in Vilnius and we saw what secrets the Grand Duke’s Palace hides. Today we continue our tour of the city and take you to another part of the complex. The Palace of the Grand Duke and the Cathedral in Vilnius formed a complex of castles and have been located next to each other for centuries, but the interesting thing is that these two buildings have completely different history.

Numerous scientists have found some evidence that in pre-Christian times on the site of today’s city of Vilnius, the pagan god Perkunas was worshiped. Numerous historical writings reveal that the King of Lithuania Mindaugas built the original cathedral in 1251 as the place of his baptism in the Christian rite. After Mindaugas’ death in 1263, the cathedral was restored to its original cult of worshiping pagan gods.

At the end of the 14th century, more precisely in 1387, when Lithuania formally accepted Christianity, another Gothic cathedral with five chapels was built. Unfortunately, in 1419, that cathedral was completely destroyed in a fire. In its place, Vytautas The Great built a larger Gothic cathedral. A century later, the cathedral was renovated, and written sources mention the bell tower for the first time. It is believed that the bell tower was built on the site of the defensive tower of the Lower Castle at the beginning of the 15th century. After the great fire in 1530, the cathedral was rebuilt, and from 1534 to 1557 more chapels and crypts were added.

During this period, the cathedral acquired architectural features associated with the Renaissance. After the fire of 1610, it was rebuilt and two front towers were added. It has been renovated and decorated several more times.

The Cathedral of Vilnius is a shorter formal name, while the original name of this sacral building is the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and Ladislaus of Vilnius. This is also the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Lithuania. It is located in the Old Town of Vilnius, not far from the Cathedral Square. Dedicated to Saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus, this church is the heart of Catholic spiritual life in Lithuania.

The coronations of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania took place in this sacral building. Many famous people from Lithuanian and Polish history are buried in the crypts and catacombs, including Vytautas the Great, his wife Anna, his brother Sigismund, his cousin Švitrigaila, St. Casimir, Alexander Jagiellon and two wives of Sigismund II Augustus: Elizabeth of Habsburg and Barbara Radziwill. The buried heart of the Polish king and Grand Duke of Lithuania Wladislaw IV Vasa rests here, although the rest of his body is buried in the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow.

The interior of the cathedral is adorned with more than forty works of art dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, including frescoes and paintings of various sizes. During the restoration of the cathedral, the altars of the presumed pagan temple and the original floor, set during the reign of King Mindaugas, were discovered. In addition, there were the remains of the cathedral built in 1387. A fresco from the end of the 14th century, the oldest known fresco in Lithuania, was found on the wall of one of the underground chapels of the cathedral.

During the Soviet regime, the cathedral was initially turned into a warehouse. Masses have been celebrated again since 1988, although the cathedral at that time was still officially called the “The Gallery of Images”. In 1989, it was restored to the status of a sacred religious building.

Vilnius Cathedral – entrance to the Chapel of St. Casimir

A historical event that marked history is the coronation of the young heir to the throne and future king of Poland, Sigismund II Augustus, who was crowned Grand Duke of Lithuania in the cathedral in 1529. After another fire in 1610, the cathedral was rebuilt, and two front towers were added. The cathedral was damaged again in 1655, when Vilnius fell into the hands of Russian troops in the Russo-Polish war between 1654 and 1667. years. The cathedral has been renovated and redecorated several times.

Chapel of St. Casimir

Between 1623 and 1636, on the initiative of Sigismund III Vasa, and later completed by his son Wladislaw IV Vasa, a baroque chapel of St. Casimir was built from Swedish sandstone, the royal architect Konstantin Tenkal was in charge of its construction. Its interior was reconstructed in 1691–1692 and decorated with frescoes by Michelangelo Palonius, an altar and stucco by Pietro Perti. This chapel contains sculpted statutes of the kings of Jagiellonia and an epitaph with the heart of Wladislaw IV Vasa. More than anything else in the Cathedral, this chapel symbolizes the glory of the Polish-Lithuanian Union and common history.

Between 1786 and 1792, three sculptures of Kazimierz Jelski were placed on the roof of the Cathedral in Vilnius – Saint Casimir on the south side, Saint Stanislaus on the north and Saint Helena in the center. These sculptures were removed in 1950, and restored and returned in 1997. It is assumed that the sculpture of St. Casimir originally symbolized Lithuania, the sculpture of St. Stanislaus Poland, and the sculpture of St. Helena holding a 9 m cross represents the true cross of faith. Later, in 2002, work officially began on the renovation of the Palace of the Grand Duke, which is located behind the cathedral itself. The newly erected palace building significantly changed the appearance of the cathedral.

The Cathedral and Bell Tower were thoroughly renovated in the period from 2006 to 2008. The facades are covered with fresh multicolored paint, which greatly improved the appearance of this sacral building. It was the first renovation since Lithuania’s independence in 1990.

I did not miss the opportunity, regardless of the weather conditions, to capture the moment when I visited such an important building as the Vilnius Cathedral. Now we will see a little what the streets of the capital of Lithuania look like and what you can visit from the museum, if the road leads you to unusual Vilnius!

Pilies Street (literally “Castle Street”) is one of the main streets in the Old Town of Vilnius. It is a rather short street, which stretches from the Cathedral Square to the Town Hall Square. Of the several locations across Vilnius used by market vendors to sell goods by local artists, Pilies Street is the most popular.

It has a natural advantage over the Town Hall Square because the street is very busy and it is less likely to be disturbed by political or cultural events that are usually held in the Town Hall.

Pilies Street

A large number of tourists and locals visit this street to buy gifts for the holidays, such as Christmas or to visit friends before going abroad. The market is also popular among souvenir hunters. Souvenir shops offer amber dishes and jewelry, as well as unique clothes. The street is also known for the “Kaziukas” fair, when folk artists from all four parts of Lithuania gather to exhibit and sell their best products.

Vilnius City Hall

As the capital, Vilnius has been the art center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for centuries and has attracted artists from all over Europe. The oldest works of art that remain from the early Gothic period (14th century) are paintings dedicated to churches and liturgy (eg frescoes in the crypts of the cathedral in Vilnius, decorated books of hymns).

Wall paintings from the 16th century were also discovered in Vilnius (for example, painting the vaults of the Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard or in the Church of St. Nicholas). Gothic wooden, mostly polychrome sculptures were used to decorate the altars of churches in Vilnius. Some Gothic seals from 14-15. centuries have remained to this day (Kestutis, Vytautas the Great, Sigismund II Augustus).

The period of Baroque flourishing that began at the end of the 16th century was exceptional for Vilnius because wall painting flourished in the city. Most palaces and churches were decorated with frescoes that were characterized by bright colors, sophisticated corners and dramatic style. During this period, secular painting also spread – representative, imaginative, epitaph portraits, battle scenes, politically important events.

This type of painting is characterized by a detailed realistic style. Sacral architecture is dominated by sculptures of this period (tombstones with sculptural portraits, exterior and interior decorative sculptures), made of wood, marble and stucco.

The gate of the Basilian monastery where the poet Adam Mickiewicz was imprisoned for fighting against the Russian government

Italian sculptors were extremely important in the development of sculptures of the Grand Duchy in the 17th century and were invited there by the Lithuanian nobility. Their works are characterized by the features of mature baroque: expressiveness of form, sensuality, atectonic composition (eg sculptural decoration of the church of St. Peter and Paul). Domestic Lithuanian sculptors emphasized the decorative features of the Baroque, and the expressiveness and emotionality of the Baroque was less characteristic in their works.

There are many prominent art galleries in Vilnius. The largest art collection in Lithuania is housed in the Lithuanian Art Museum. In one of its branches, the Vilnius Gallery of Paintings in the Old Town of Vilnius, there is a collection of Lithuanian art from the 16th to the beginning of the 20th century. On the other side of Neris, the National Art Gallery has a permanent exhibition on 20th century Lithuanian art, as well as numerous exhibitions on modern art. The Center for Contemporary Art is the largest place for contemporary art in the Baltic States, with an exhibition space of 2400 square meters.

The Center is a non-collectible institution dedicated to developing a wide range of international and Lithuanian exhibition projects, as well as presenting a wide range of public programs including lectures, seminars, performances, film and video screenings and new live music events.

Užupis Republic near the Old Town, once one of the most neglected districts of Vilnius during the Soviet era, is home to a movement of bohemian artists, who run numerous art galleries and workshops. Užupis declared itself an independent republic on April 1, 1997. In the main square, a statue of an angel blowing a trumpet stands as a symbol of artistic freedom.

Užupis Republic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Užupis means “behind the river” or “other side of the river” in Lithuanian and refers to the river Vilnia, the name Vilnius is derived from the name of the river Vilnia. The district has been popular with artists for some time and many cities compare it to Montmartre in Paris and Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen, precisely because of its bohemian and laissez-faire atmosphere. On April 1, 1997, this district declared itself an independent republic (Republic of Užupis), with its own constitution.

The most interesting thing is that in 2015, a project was realized – Vilnius Talking Statues. Eighteen statues across Vilnius communicate with visitors in multiple languages via a phone call to new smartphones.

If you want to learn something new about the incredible capital of Lithuania, the best address to start your journey is the Vilnius Museum. This is a new space for locals and tourists to learn more about the capital of this unusual Baltic country. Opening its doors for the first time in the spring of 2021, the Museum presents unique, and unknown, but still current, views of the city and the stories it tells.

This museum is dynamic in itself, with constantly changing exhibitions, like Vilnius itself, the Museum plans to set up two or three exhibitions each year, based on original studies of urban life. This museum is dedicated exclusively to Vilnius and invites visitors to take a closer look at the city and discover something unexpected in its premises.

Another museum you can visit is the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. This museum includes the former office of the Deputy Chief of the KGB Internal Prison on the first floor of the museum includes an exhibition of documents, photographs, maps and other objects depicting the Sovietization of the region in 1940-1941. years, as well as prison cells.

Exhibition dedicated to the guerrilla war of 1944-1953. years where you can get to know the territorial structure and military organization of guerrilla units, the aspirations of freedom fighters, their daily activities and daily life. The fight of the NKVD-NKGB against the armed resistance was revealed at the exhibition Unfair Fights.

On the second floor of the museum, there is an exhibition dedicated to the imprisonment of Lithuanians in gulags from 1944 to 1956, deportations from 1944 to 1953 and KGB activities from 1954 to 1991.

My dear travelers and adventurers, we have come to the end of this special second post about Vilnius, today you saw the most famous symbol of Lithuania and Vilnius – Vilnius Cathedral, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Vilnius Tourism Board in cooperation with local partners. Of course, as always, I tried to share my impressions of this unusual experience from Lithuania.

If you are planning a visit to the capital of Lithuania, try to get a Vilnius Pass, with which you can explore this magical city for less money. Even if you decide to visit Vilnius for only a day, two or three days, Vilnius Pass will help you make the most of your trip.

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find partners for my projects that help me discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Baltic country in North Europe in a completely different way.

How did you like this story of mine about my experience in Vilnius? Have you maybe had the opportunity to visit Lithuania before? Share with me your experiences, I would be glad to hear!

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write to me below in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you in the same place in a couple of days, with a new story!

Warm greetings from Lithuania,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Vilnius Tourism Board. This post presents my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Lithuania: Vilnius, a City of Rich History and Fairy-tale Architecture…

Adventure Travel 5 Comments

My dear travelers, welcome to the new adventure on the Mr.M blog. Today we start a series of new posts about the largest Baltic state in northern Europe – the Republic of Lithuania. I must admit that I felt great pleasure and happiness when I published the first Instagram story from the airport when I asked you to guess where I was going with one small hint that I would complete my adventure in that region with this trip.

Many of you have listed Latvia and Estonia with the assumption that I went to Lithuania this time. I am glad to have such a wonderful community that has been building an online travel diary with me, such as Mr.M.

Before I start with a travelogue about the capital of Lithuania, I would like to introduce you to an interesting brand of luggage and travel accessories with which you will feel the comfort and beauty of travel! I believe that you remember this navy backpack from one of the previous fashion stories and I believe that the FPM Milano brand is not unknown to you, but let’s remind ourselves of some details for people who did not manage to read my one of my previous fashion stories.

This exclusive Italian brand of leather goods and luggage was founded in 1946. This brand is an artistic expression of the best Italian talent and aesthetics, as well as excellent expertise. Traditional handmade with the use of top materials, today is combined with innovations of avant-garde metals and modern design.

FPM Milano luggage and accessories offers travelers convenience and style, all in one suitcase and backpack. Designed by Marc Sadler, these lightweight, aluminum-reinforced suitcases are inspired by antique suitcases, specifically designed to give you the endurance you need when traveling. The combination of Avante-Garde materials and motifs of Italian design, give these FPM suitcases a robust and safe look.

In today’s post I present you a backpack from the Bank on the Road collection, as well as Bank Spinner 53 cabin suitcase from the Bank collection, both collections are made entirely in Italy, ideal for people from the business world and for those who want to enjoy maximum in their leisure and leisure time, designed to satisfy every practical, functional or aesthetic need. The convenient internal pocket allows you to charge your tablet and smartphone anytime, anywhere. Modern, elegant line of ranches, made of high quality and waterproof nylon with special attention to leather and metal details. The aluminum personalization is reminiscent of the innovative creativity of the FPM Bank collection.

If you want to be updated and find out which models of suitcases and travel accessories the FPM Milano brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

It is time to start this first travelogue about the capital of Lithuania, so let’s see what is hidden in the heart of this unusual northern European country. Lithuania is a country in the Baltic region of Europe, which consists of 3 countries: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This country lies on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, geographically Lithuania borders Latvia in the north, Belarus in the east and south, Poland in the south and the Kaliningrad region of Russia in the southwest.

Also, this country has a maritime border with Sweden in the west on the Baltic Sea. Lithuania covers an area of about 65,000 km2, with a current population of almost 3 million. The main and largest city is Vilnius, while the other major cities are Kaunas and Klaipeda. Lithuanians belong to the Baltic ethno-linguistic group and speak Lithuanian, one of only a few living Baltic languages.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Vilnius Tourism Board for the wonderful welcome, as well as the content program that helped me get to know this exceptional city in a completely different way.

How will “Letters from Lithuania” be organized? Due to a better understanding of Lithuanian culture and history, I decided to dedicate the first post to the first part of the Castle Complex in Vilnius – the Palace of the Grand Duke. This complex is extremely important for the history of this largest Baltic state, which was created with a rich history, and that is why I thought it best to introduce you to the Palace of the Grand Duke first.

The castle complex in Vilnius is a group of cultural and historical buildings on the left bank of the Neris River, near its confluence with the Vilnius River. The buildings, which were built and constantly modernized between the 10th and 18th centuries, were one of the main defense structures of Lithuania.

The complex consisted of three castles: Upper, Lower and Crooked Castle. The crooked castle was burned by the Teutonic Knights in 1390 and was never rebuilt. The castles of Vilnius were attacked several times by the Teutonic Order after 1390, but they failed to occupy the entire complex. His complete capture took place for the first time during the Battle of Vilnius in 1655. Soon after, heavily damaged castles lost their significance, and many buildings were abandoned. During the Imperial Annexation, several historic buildings were demolished; many more were damaged during the construction of the fortress in the 19th century.

Today, the remaining Gediminas (Crooked Tower) is the main symbol of the city of Vilnius and the nation itself. Every year, on January 1, the Lithuanian tricolor is raised on Gediminas’ Crooked Tower in memory of Flag Day. The complex is part of the National Museum of Lithuania, one of the largest museums in the country.

The Palace of the Grand Duke in the Lower Castle has evolved over the years and architecturally advanced during the 16th and mid-17th centuries. The palace has been the political, administrative and cultural center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for more than four centuries. In the 13th and 14th centuries, there were stone constructions inside the palace, and a large number of archaeologists believe that there was also a wooden palace. The stone Royal Palace was built in the 15th century, apparently after the great fire of 1419.

The existing stone buildings and defensive structures of the Lower Castle that blocked the construction were demolished. The royal palace was built in the Gothic style. The flag of the Upper Castle, as well as the Royal Palace, was to host the coronation of Vytautas the Great. The Gothic palace had three wings, some archaeological research suggests that it was a two-story building with a basement.

The Grand Duke of Lithuania, Alexander, who later became King of Poland, moved his residence to the Royal Palace, where he met with the ambassadors. He ordered the restoration of the palace. After his marriage to the daughter of Moscow’s Grand Duke Ivan III, the royal couple lived and died in the palace.

Sigismund I the Old, after his ascension to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, conducted his affairs in the Royal Court as well as in the Vilnius Cathedral. During the reign of Sigismund, the palace was significantly expanded in order to meet the new needs of the Grand Duke – another wing was added, as well as the third floor, and new gardens were added. The plan for the reconstruction of the palace was probably made by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Berrecci da Pontassieve, who also designed several other projects in the Kingdom of Poland. In this palace, Sigismund the Old welcomed the envoy of the Holy Roman Empire, who in 1517 introduced Sigismund to his second wife, Bona Sforza.

Sigismund’s son Sigismund II Augustus was crowned Grand Duke of Lithuania at the Royal Court. Augustus continued to develop the palace and lived there with his first wife Elizabeth of Austria, the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, who now rests in Vilnius Cathedral. Sigismund II’s second wife, Barbara Radziwill, also lived in the palace. According to modern reports from the Holy See’s envoys, the Royal Court at the time contained more treasures than the Vatican. Sigismund II also compiled one of the largest collections of books in Europe.

The palace was remodeled in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. The plan was prepared by several Italian architects, including Giovanni Cini da Siena, Bernardino de Gianotis Zanobi and others. The palace was visited by Ipolito Aldobrandini, who later became Pope Clement VIII. Another great development took place during the reign of the Vasa family. The royal court was renovated in the early Baroque style during the reign of Sigismund III Vasa. Mateo Castello, Jacopo Tencala and other artists took part in the 17th century renovation.

During the reign of the Vasa family, several important ceremonies were held in the palace, including the wedding of Duke John, who later became King John III of Sweden, as well as the sister of Sigismund Augustus – Catherine. The first opera in Lithuania was set up in the palace in 1634. Marco Sccachi and Virgilio Puciteli were an opera impresario.

After the Russian invasion in 1655, the state began to weaken, which negatively affected the Royal Court. The palace was badly damaged by the war, and its treasure was looted. After the recapture of the city of Vilnius in 1660-1661, the palace was no longer a suitable state residence and was abandoned for almost 150 years.

At the end of the 18th century, after the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian community, several families lived in parts of the ruined palace. Shortly after the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was incorporated into the Russian Empire, tsarist officials ordered the demolition of the remaining parts of the Royal Court. The palace was almost completely demolished at the beginning of the 19th century. The bricks of the former palace were sold in 1799 to a merchant from Kremenchug.

In 2000, the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) passed a law deciding to renovate the Royal Palace for the Millennium Ceremony since the first mention of the name of the Republic of Lithuania in 2009.

During my visit to the Palace of the Grand Duke, there was a special exhibition that is of great importance for Lithuania – the Children’s Armor of Sigismund Augustus.

The coronation was performed “vivente rege”, during the life of the reigning King Sigismund the Old, with the aim of ensuring a possible unhindered takeover of power, but the young prince did not have to immediately assume all the obligations of governing and governing the country. The ceremonial armor for the 13-year-old, preserved to this day, has been used in tournaments and testifies to the skill of the gunsmiths and proof of how tall Sigismund Augustus was as a teenager.

He met the taste of true power and all the troubles closely connected with it after the death of his father, Sigismund I the Elder, in 1548. Another thing is that a few years before the death of the aged king, most decisions were made by his wife or young Sigismund Augustus, who tried to expand his autonomy, especially in the hereditary Grand Duchy, where he initially sought an agreement with magnate families. He also tried to reform the management of the estates that were in the royal domain of the so-called There, the king married for the second time, and the conflict between affection and duty was, fortunately, Shakespearean, not Harlequin.

The view from the safety tower that is part of the Palace of the Grand Duke is amazing, you just have the opportunity to see Vilnius in the palm of your hand. Unfortunately, during my visit to this city, the weather forecast was not quite favorable, but it did not spoil my overall impression of this charming and unusual city.

The Palace of the Grand Duke as a museum is divided into 3 parts where you can see how the Palace has modernized over time and what it looked like during its golden age. In addition to the amazing furniture, you can also see exceptional examples of royal jewelry and take a peek at a piece of valuables that they owned in these noble families. You are probably wondering how long it takes to visit this museum, I think it takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on your interests, physical condition and speed, to visit this Palace.

My dear travelers and adventurers, we have come to the end of this special post about the most famous symbol of Lithuania and Vilnius – the Palace of the Grand Duke, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Vilnius Tourism Board in cooperation with local partners. traditions. Of course, as always, I tried to share my impressions of this unusual experience from Lithuania.

If you are planning a visit to the capital of Lithuania, try to get a Vilnius Pass, with which you can explore this magical city for less money. Even if you decide to visit Vilnius for only a day, two or three days, Vilnius Pass will help you make the most of your trip.

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find partners for my projects that help me discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis COVID-19.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Baltic country in North Europe in a completely different way.

How did you like this story of mine about my experience in Vilnius? Have you maybe had the opportunity to visit Lithuania before? Share with me your experiences, I would be glad to hear!

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write to me below in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you in the same place in a couple of days, with a new story!

Warm greetings from Lithuania,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Vilnius Tourism Board. This post presents my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Northern Macedonia: Skopje, the capital of warm southern spirit, tradition and good wine

Adventure Travel 4 Comments

My dear travelers, welcome to the Mr.M blog! Today, as the first post in February, I prepared a special gift for all of you – a travelogue about the capital of the Republic of Northern Macedonia – Skopje. Make some of your favorite drinks and treats, settle down comfortably and our adventure can begin!

The Republic of Northern Macedonia is a country located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. Northern Macedonia is a landlocked country bordering Serbia in the north, Bulgaria in the east, Greece in the south, Kosovo in the northwest and Albania in the west.

“Warrior on a Horse” Monument on the main square in Skopje

An interesting fact is that a quarter of the country’s 2.06 million population lives in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Northern Macedonia and also it is the largest city in the country. The majority of the inhabitants are ethnic Macedonians, a South Slavic people. Albanians make up a significant minority followed by Turks, Roma, Serbs, Bosniaks and Aromanians.

As you are used to, this time I will tell you something more about the history of this interesting country in the Balkans. The history of the region begins with the kingdom of Paeonia, a mixed Thracian-Illyrian. At the end of the sixth century BC, this area was subjugated by the Persian Achaemenid Empire, which was then incorporated into the Kingdom of Macedonia in the fourth century BC.

The Romans conquered the region in the second century BC and made it part of a larger province of Macedonia. The area remained part of the Byzantine Empire, but Slavic tribes often raided and inhabited it in the sixth century AD.

After centuries of quarrels between the Bulgarian, Byzantine and Serbian empires, it was part of Ottoman rule from the mid-14th to the beginning of the 20th century, when the modern territory of Northern Macedonia came under Serbian rule after the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913.

During the First World War, the area of today’s Republic of Northern Macedonia was ruled by Bulgaria, but after the end of the war it returned to Serbian rule as part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. During the Second World War, it was ruled again by Bulgaria, and in 1945 it was established as a constituent state of communist Yugoslavia, which remained until its peaceful secession in 1991.

The Vardar River and extraordinary Restaurant – Hotel Senigallia (right)

The country became a member of the United Nations in April 1993 as a result of a dispute with Greece over the name “Macedonia”, accepted under the provisional description “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (abbreviated “FYR Macedonia” or “FYROM”).

In June 2018, Macedonia and Greece resolved the dispute with an agreement that the country should be renamed the Republic of Northern Macedonia. This renaming came into force in February 2019.

Skopje is the political, cultural, economic and academic center of the Republic of Northern Macedonia. There is evidence that the territory of the city of Skopje was first inhabited at least 4000 years before the new era.

Remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old fortress which overlooks the modern city center. Originally a Paeonian city, Skopje became the capital of Dardania in the second century BC. On the eve of the 1st century AD, the settlement was occupied by the Romans and became a military camp.

Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River and at the same time on the main north-south route of the Balkans between two capitals – Belgrade and Athens. This unusual city is a center for metal processing, chemical, wood, textile, leather and printing industries. The industrial development of the city is accompanied by the development of the trade, logistics and banking sectors, as well as the emphasis on the areas of transport, culture and sports.

According to the latest official census, the city of Skopje had about 450,000 inhabitants in its metropolitan area and over 500,000 inhabitants in the ten municipalities that make up the city and include many other less urbanized and rural settlements besides Skopje.

Macedonian Archaeological Museum in Skopje

The city has several theaters and concert halls. Univerzal hall, used for concerts, fashion shows and congresses. The Metropolis Arena, which was made specifically for big concerts, is one of the largest concert halls.

Other large halls include the Macedonian Opera and Ballet, the National Theater and the Drama Theater. There are other smaller concert halls, such as the Albanian Theater and the Theater of the Youth.

The largest museum in Skopje is the Museum of Macedonia, which describes the history of the country in detail. The Macedonian Archaeological Museum, opened in 2014, houses some of the best archaeological discoveries in Northern Macedonia, dating from prehistory to the Ottoman period.

The National Gallery of Macedonia exhibits paintings from the 14th to the 20th century in two former Turkish baths of the Old Bazaar. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Macedonia was built after the 1963 earthquake thanks to international aid. The rich collection of this museum includes works by Macedonian and foreign artists, such as Fernando Legera, Andrea Masson, Pablo Picasso, Hans Hartung, Victor Vasareli, Alexander Calder, Pierre Soulages, Alberto Burri and Christo.

Mother Teresa Memorial House in the heart of the city in Macedonia Street

The Museum of the City of Skopje is located inside the remains of the old railway station, destroyed by the 1963 earthquake. It is dedicated to local history and has four part of exhibitions: archeology, ethnology, history and art history.

The memorial home of Mother Teresa was built in 2009 on the occasion of the centenary of her birth on the original site of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is dedicated to modern national history and the struggle of Macedonians for their independence. Nearby is the Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia.

About 4,000 items are on display at the Natural History Museum of Macedonia, while 300 animals have found their home in the Skopje 12-hectare zoo.

Stone Bridge (Dusan’s Bridge) and Museum of Macedonian Struggle (on the left)

One of the most visited and main sights in the capital of Northern Macedonia is the famous Dusan’s Bridge (Stone Bridge), a bridge that connects the old part of Skopje with the new part of the city via Vardar river. There are many unconfirmed legends about the construction of this bridge, but some historians believe that this bridge was built in the IV. century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I.

A monument founded in honor of the educators Cyril and Methodius

When you reach the Gate of Macedonia, you know that you have reached the central square where you have the opportunity to see the monument “Warrior on a Horse“, a monument dedicated to Alexander the Great. Another of the most important attractions of the city of Skopje is the mountain Vodno, which is located near the city.

Gate of Macedonia

You can reach its top by a special cable car, and on it is the Millennium Cross. The nature at the top of the Vodno mountain leaves all visitors breathless, and the view of Skopje city is just wonderful.

If you want to visit Skopje during a pandemic, take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of culture and art at significantly lower prices than usual. The hotels are reopened and disinfected, the legal regulations are strictly followed and you can stay in hotels in Skopje without any kind of fear.

Whether you decide to go on a trip and visit Skopje with your own car, bus or plane, I am sure that you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and that this trip will remain in your best travel memories.

View from the Stone Bridge to the top of the mountain Vodno, the place where the Millennium Cross is located

I advise you that due to the difficult current health situation in the country and the European region, if you want to travel and enjoy the charms of travel and discover new beauties, clear your mind a little, feel free to do so, but be responsible to yourself and others and do not visit places where the huge crowds gathers.

Travel within Europe is currently stable, but I sincerely hope that with the start of vaccination of the population in Europe and the world, the measures will be relaxed.

I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the care and protection of yourself and your loved ones. Let’s prevent the spread of the Corona virus and try to make this one day just one bad dream that we have successfully forgotten!

My dear travelers, we have reached the end of this special post from Northern Macedonia, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, an institution that allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of the south. I share with you my impressions of this unusual country on the Balkan Peninsula.

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find partners for my projects that help me discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global COVID-19 health crisis.

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the very top in the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty, warm southern spirit and hospitality of the Republic of Northern Macedonia in a completely different way. .

How did you like this story of mine about Skopje? Have you had the opportunity to visit this city in Northern Macedonia so far?

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me, you can write me down in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via mail or social media, which you can find on the CONTACT page.

With love from Skopje,
Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism of the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

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Letters from Germany: Hanover, a Green City in the Heart of Lower Saxony

Adventure Travel 6 Comments

My dear travelers, welcome to the Mr.M blog! At the very beginning, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas holidays and wish you a lot of health, happiness and love. I hope that the New Year will bring us only beautiful moments and that the old year will take all the negative things with it tomorrow, and tomorrow at midnight you will wish yourself and your loved ones a lot of beautiful moments and give each other the most precious thing – your time.

In the previous months, I received your messages saying that you miss my “letters”, so I decided to give you something nice for the end of this year and take you for a walk through the green city in the heart of Lower Saxony. Welcome to Hanover!

Hanover is the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony. The city is located in the southern part of the northern German lowlands on Leine and Ihme and was first mentioned in written documents in 1150, and the status of the city was officially announced in 1241.

At the beginning of 1636, Hanover became the royal city of Welf, from 1692 the residence of Kurhannovers, and in 1814 it became the capital of the Kingdom of Hanover, after the annexation of Prussia in 1866, the provincial capital of Hanover and after the breakup of Prussia in August 1946. is the capital of the state of Hanover.

By merging with the Free States of Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe in 1946, Hanover gained the status of the capital of the German province of Lower Saxony. Today, Hanover is one of the 15 most populous cities in Germany.

Opera House in Hanover

Hanover is a major European traffic “crossroads”, as it crosses important road and rail routes north-south and east-west. Hanover was a Hanseatic city in the period from the 13th century to the middle of the 17th century and is a member of the Hanseatic League, which was symbolically re-established in the 1980s until the end of June 2019.

A monument in honor of the famous German surgeon George Friedrich Luis Stomeyer

There are eleven universities and several libraries in Hanover. The letters of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and the document Golden Letter are documents kept in the library of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hanover is an important economic and business in Lower Saxony. The cultural scene is considered diverse, with numerous, and in some cases internationally renowned theaters and museums. Numerous international theater, music and dance festivals are held every year in this city of music and art.

Hanover has been a city of music on the UNESCO list since 2014. The city plan of urbanism is characterized by numerous public green areas, high density of street art and numerous architectural monuments, including representative buildings of various styles such as: North German brick Gothic, Hanoverian school of architecture, expressionism brick, Art Nouveau and classical buildings Georg Ludwig Friedrich Laves.

Holocaust Remembrance: A Monument to the Jewish Victims in Hanover

While post-war buildings dominate the interior of the city, many parts of this city still possess a significant number of old buildings and maintain the identity of the city of Hanover.

The Hanover Adventure Zoo, Maschsee and Herrenhausen Gardens are famous throughout Germany. An unusual curiosity is the arched elevator in the New Town Hall, which I must admit is a real world rarity. With the world’s largest exhibition center and numerous leading international fairs, Hanover is one of the leading congress and fair centers in Europe.

Memorial sacral monument: Tower of the Aegidienkirche church in Hanover

The cultural content in Hanover is diverse. To understand the richness and development of culture and art, I would like to mention that there are about 40 museums and galleries in Hanover, of which eight are the main city museums:

The State Museum of Lower Saxony has three sections: the art section on one side shows the state gallery with European art from the 11th to the 20th century, including a collection of German and French Impressionism, and on the other a rich collection of coins of former kings of Great Britain. A natural section showing zoology, botany, geology and a vivarium with 2000 species of fish, insects, amphibians, spiders and lizards.

The section on the history of mankind shows the prehistory and early history of Lower Saxony, as well as cultures from all over the world, including Japanese culture. The origins of the museum date back to 1856, while the building of today’s museum was built in 1902.

Kröpcke-Uhr

The Historical Museum is a “witness” who can tell us more about Hanover from the medieval settlement of Hanover to the royal seat and the current location of the fair. One of the focuses is the time between 1714 and 1837, when the electorate of Hanover ruled in close communion with the British Kingdom.

The neighboring Begin Tower is connected to the museum and is accessible. The museum was opened elsewhere in 1903 as the “Patriotic Museum” and moved to the current building in 1966.

History of the Kröpcke clock in the heart of Hanover

The Herrenhausen Palace Museum opened to the public in 2013 and is part of the History Museum. In this palace you can see settings where people from the Welfenhaus and various garden architectures are presented, and it illuminates the connection between the social and intellectual preconditions of the Baroque and the villa garden design. The third part of the palace shows the development of the Herrenhausen gardens from the Enlightenment to the present day.

The August Kestner Museum, opened in 1889, displays 6,000 years of applied art in four eras of art collection: ancient culture, Egyptian culture, the largest collection of coins in northern Germany with about 1,000 pieces, and applied art.

One of the central streets in Hanover

The Sprengel Museum was opened in 1979 and represents modern art of the 20th century. The focus is on classical modernism with the collection of Kurt Schwitters, works of German Expressionism and French Cubism, the Cabinet of Abstracts, Graphics and the Department of Photography and Media. The museum also displays special examples of abstract, conceptual and minimal art,

The Wilhelm Bush Museum, the German Museum of Caricature and Drawing Art in Herrenhausen, displays permanent collections about Wilhelm Busch and caricature and critical graphics. In addition, exhibitions (cartoons, comics and caricatures) of contemporary artists from the country and abroad are constantly changing. The museum was founded in 1937.

The Kestnergesellschaft was founded in 1916 and displays exhibitions of classical modernism and contemporary art. The focus is on film, video, contemporary music and architecture, and extensive installations and comprehensive presentations of contemporary painting, sculpture and video art are on display.

Kunstverein Hannover, founded in 1832 as one of the first art associations in Germany, is based in the Kunstlerhaus Hannover. Six to eight internationally oriented monographic and thematic exhibitions are presented each year.

Hanover has long been considered a mediocre and boring destination. The prevailing opinion was that the city center was impersonal and soulless, while the inhabitants of the surrounding municipalities of the city, some of which were large old buildings, developed some of their way of life. The city has a relatively large amount of open space and green areas, which is why some tourists attribute its small “stress due to density” and relaxation in everyday life.

In 2018, the accommodation booking portal Booking.com listed Hanover as one of the ten new tourist destinations in development due to the “large number of museums, parks and cultural events”.

The Leine-Heide-Radweg long cycle path, the Kulturroute cycle path, the Gruner Ring cycle cycle and hiking trail, Lower Saxony Muhlenstrasse, the Via Scandinavica pilgrimage route and the European History Gardens route, the Council of Europe’s cultural route, escape routes of the greatest tourist importance. city of Hanover.