Thomas Mann was already here
The writer’s 150th birthday is celebrated all over the world. Davos as a source of inspiration for the novel The Magic Mountain joins in
World views
Semana Santa – Easter in Cuenca
The Passion of Christ is depicted in elaborately staged processions against a medieval backdrop with meter-high Passion figures
The dual leadership of San Marino
Resilient democracy. Since the 13th century, two Capitani Regenti have ruled the world’s oldest republic. Their term of office lasts only six months
Pilgrimage to Nevers
Nevers in Burgundy is an insider tip among pilgrims. It was here that St. Bernadette Soubirous was once drawn. The pilgrimage site of Lourdes owes its healing spring to her
Street art on weathered walls
In Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, murals adorn dilapidated facades. They combine historical traces with powerful contemporary art
Parliaments in the open air
Popular gatherings according to Germanic law were called Thing. About Thing sites in Iceland, Sweden, Germany and Georgia
Enlightenment on ailing rails
Using Cologne’s basic law, Japanese author Noriko Hasegawa navigates the European rail system, questioning the necessity of absolute perfection
Malta’s ancient megalithic temples
Malta is home to the oldest free-standing buildings. An opportunity to reflect on the origins of human coexistence in the Stone Age
Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem on Gozo
The live nativity scene on Malta’s sister island of Gozo is a popular Christmas destination. During Advent, an entire village is on its feet to bring the biblical Bethlehem to life
Büyük Han Coffee Club
They drink coffee against the absurdity of their situation. They set gallows humor and tolerance against prejudice and propaganda and sometimes self-deprecatingly call themselves the traitors’ club
Cheating during Lent
Not angels, but monks once sent beer to the Pope in Rome. His blessing for a fasting beer was quickly granted, because it tasted so awful after the long journey that he found it worthy of a fasting drink and granted the monks 5 liters per day. Here now more cheating of the clergy against their own fasting laws.
Mysterious Royston Cave
Five theories still vie for interpretive authority over the Christian and pagan graffiti in a cave under the sidewalk in the village of Royston near Cambridge
