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February 15, 2019

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Valletta [Repost]

Named for Jean Parisot de la Valetta who led the successful defense of the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565 CE, the official name given by the Hospitaller’s was…..

3416
13 minutes read

January 10, 2019

Ayasofya Muzesi (Hagia Sophia) [Repost]

Constructed between 532 and 537 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the Hagia Sophia – from the Greek meaning “Church of the Holy Wisdom of God” – for over 900…..

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December 26, 2018

History of the Parthenon [Repost]

At the height of its power, the Athenian Empire constructed the Parthenon to replace an older temple destroyed during the Persian invasion of 480 BCE. Built atop the Athenian Acropolis,…..

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December 19, 2018

The Alhambra: Nasrid Dynasty palace [Repost]

While the fortress was originally built in the ninth century by Sawwar ben Hamdun during the fighting between Muslims and the Muladies, the building was in poor repair thanks to…..

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12 minutes read

November 21, 2018

Ephesus sites: Library of Celsus [Repost]

With an estimated excavation of only 15% Ephesus is believed to contain one of the largest collections of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Those ruins that are visible can…..

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October 28, 2018

The founding of Ephesus [Repost]

While Ephesus’ history as a city is usually traced back to its founding as one of the twelve ancient Greek cities which comprised the Ionian League (circa 10th century BCE),…..

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October 21, 2018

Ephesus and the Roman Empire [Repost]

Incorporation of Ephesus into the Roman Republic proved tumultuous as taxes rose and the treasures of the city were systematically plundered – a practice that would contribute to the Vespers…..