Tuesday, August 30, 2005
After leaving London I went under the English Channel into Brugge, Belgium. Europe's best-preserved medieval city and Belgium's most visited town, this 13th-century 'living museum' was suspended in time five centuries ago by the silting of its river. Blessed with two medieval cores, the Markt and the Burg, the town also boasts some of the country's most compelling art collections - including the only piece of Michaelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime.
This is Matthew, a local, travelling through the streets and canals as we stopped frequently tasting the Belgian beers.
This is Matthew, a local, travelling through the streets and canals as we stopped frequently tasting the Belgian beers.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Great Clock of Westminster - Big Ben
This 316ft clock-tower was completed between 1858-59. Big Ben is presumably named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works. It rings every hour and to something in the tune of AC/DC's "Hells Bells". Check out more here.
This 316ft clock-tower was completed between 1858-59. Big Ben is presumably named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works. It rings every hour and to something in the tune of AC/DC's "Hells Bells". Check out more here.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Monument
Sir Christopher Wren (or Wren's close associate, Robert Hooke)1676
This Roman Doric column with a flaming urn at the top was erected by Parliament to commemorate the Great Fire, which began on September 2, 1666 and in four days destroyed more than 80% of the City, including almost a hundred churches, most of the public buildings, and hundreds of streets with thousands of houses.
The Portland stone column is 202 feet tall, the distance east from its base to the spot where the actual fire started in Pudding Lane. The Monument is at the intersection of Monument Street and Fish Street.