New bookmarks

It was a while since I posted on new bookmarks. We have been travelling, so I have collected a few bookmarks on the way. 

Croatia

We visited Sokol Grad an old fortress. Situated on a 25m high crag outside of Dubrovnik, it is a magic place. The name means 'Falcon Town'. It was built to guard the historic routes leading through the mountains to Hercegovina. As many of the places in Croatia it has been occupied from prehistoric times by the Romans, the Byzantines and other medieval states before Drubovnik took control. The fortress is restored and partly reconstructed and now houses a museum. Beautiful views as you can see from the photo.   

Tirena Comedia, Marin Drzic (1508-1567) was a writer from the republic of Ragusa, Dubrovnik. He is considered as one of the finest Renaissance writer or plays and prose in Croatian literature. It was a must to visit his house in Dubrovnik. He lived a vagabond life and even tried to over through the government. He wrote in many genres: lyric poetry, pastorals, political letters, pamphlets and comedies. His masterful pastorals are highly regarded although this kind of genre has more or less vanished. His comedies are considered among the best in European Renaissance literature. 

Since its independence Croatia has established the Marin Držić Award for dramatic work, and 2008 was declared as the year of the author, being the 500th anniversary of his birth. In the house is a small museum telling the story of his life. The house is beautiful as everything in Dubrovnik. The small alleys, the houses, the streets, the squares, a wonderful city to visit. 

Eisenstadt, Austria

This city is synonymous with the Esterházy family. The fantastic palace was constructed in the late 13th century and the Hungarian Esterházy family became its owner in 1622. Well worth a visit. The Esterházy family was a patron of Joseph Haydn who lived there, and worked for the family, for most of his life. I visited his house where a museum is now open. 

Stift Melk and Admont, Austria

Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey above the town of Melk in Lower Austria. It contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty. It was founded in 1089. 

Admont Abbey is also a Benedictine monastery located on the Enns River, in the town of Admont. The oldest remaining monastery in Styria, Admont Abbey contains the largest monastic library in the world as well as a long-established scientific collection. It is known for its Baroque architecture, art, and manuscripts. It was founded in 1074. 

Like all these old abbey they are overwhelmingly beautiful and decorated. The latter houses one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. 

Admont Abbey library

Admont Abbey library

Innsbruck, Austria

As we were back in Innsbruck we continued our sightseeing. Discovered an exhibition about Emperor Maximilian I, and his times at the fantastic Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) in the Old Town. It is the most famous symbol of the city and the golden roof was completed in 1500, and decorated with 2,657 file-gilded copper tiles in honour of the wedding between Maximilian I and Bianca Maria Sforza. They used the balcony to observe all the events taking place. Unfortunately, it did nothing to the marriage which was a very unhappy one. But that is another story. Today it is the town hall, and Martin and I were married there in 1994. 

From left to right you see:

Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) with the Golden Fleece. Bernhard Strigel, c. 1510

Bianca Maria Sforza (1472-1510), second wife of Emperor Maximilian I. Bernhard Strigel and 1505/10

Innsbruck - Goldenes Dachl- Matthias Perathoner, 1777

Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) in the imperial ornament and with the chain of orders of golden fleece. Bernhard Strigel 1507/08

Innsbruck - The coat of arms tower. Matthias Perathoner, 1777