Thursday, January 29, 2015

Trieste - Italy

Beauties of Italy     -     Ομορφιές της Ιταλίας     -     Τεργέστη
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia.
Η Τεργέστη είναι πόλη και λιμάνι στη βορειοανατολική Ιταλία. Βρίσκεται προς το τέλος μιας στενής λωρίδας του ιταλικού εδάφους, που βρίσκεται ανάμεσα στην Αδριατική Θάλασσα και τη Σλοβενία.


Popi and Phivos Nicolaides at the lower city with the sea in the background.
Η Πόπη και ο Φοίβος Νικολαΐδης στην κάτω πόλη με τη θάλασσα στον ορίζοντα.
Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste and throughout history it has been influenced by its location at the crossroads of Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures.
Η Τεργέστη βρίσκεται στην κορυφή του κόλπου της Τεργέστης και σε όλη την ιστορία της έχει επηρεαστεί από τη θέση της στο σταυροδρόμι της Λατινικής, Σλαβικής και γερμανικής κουλτούρας.
The population is over 205,000 and it is the capital of the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Province of Trieste.
Ο πληθυσμό υπολογίζεται πέραν των 205.000 κατοίκων και είναι η πρωτεύουσα της αυτόνομης περιφέρειας Friuli-Venezia Giulia και η επαρχία της Τεργέστης.
As a prosperous seaport in the Mediterranean region, Trieste became the fourth largest city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (after Vienna, Budapest and Prague).
Ως ένα πλούσιο λιμάνι στην περιοχή της Μεσογείου, η Τεργέστη υπήρξε η τέταρτη μεγαλύτερη πόλη της Αυστρο-Ουγγρικής Αυτοκρατορίας (μετά τη Βιέννη, τη Βουδαπέστη και την Πράγα).
It underwent an economic revival during the 1930s, and Trieste was an important spot in the struggle between the Eastern and Western blocs after the Second World War.
Έζησε μια οικονομική άνθηση τη δεκαετία του 1930. Υπήρξε ένα σημαντικό σημείο στη διαμάχη μεταξύ της Ανατολικής και Δύσης μετά το Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο.
Ready Steady Go! Our group ready to explore the city!
Λάβετε θέσεις έτοιμοι μπρος! Η ομάδα μας έτοιμη για την εξερεύνηση της πόλης!
Today, the city is in one of the riches regions of Italy, and has been a great center for shipping, through its port (Port of Trieste), shipbuilding and financial services.
Σήμερα, η πόλη βρίσκεται σε μια από τις πλούσιες περιοχές της Ιταλίας. Αποτελεί ένα μεγάλο ναυτιλιακό κέντρο, με το λιμάνι, τη ναυπηγική βιομηχανία και τις χρηματοπιστωτικές υπηρεσίες της.
In 2012, LonelyPlanet.com listed the city of Trieste as the world's most underrated travel destination.
Το 2012, η ταξιδιωτική ιστοσελίδα ‘ LonelyPlanet’ κατέταξε την πόλη της Τεργέστης ως τον πιο υποτιμημένο ταξιδιωτικό προορισμό στον κόσμο σε σύγκριση με την αξία του.
Popi Nicolaides looking happy by the first impression of the city beauty.
Η Πόπη Νικολαΐδου χαρούμενη κι ευχαριστημένη από τις πρώτες όμορφες εντυπώσεις.
Trieste, as travel writer Jan Morris once opined, 'offers no unforgettable landmark, no universally familiar melody, no unmistakable cuisine', yet it's a city that enchants many, its 'prickly grace' inspiring a cultlike roll-call of writers, travellers, exiles and misfits.
Η Τεργέστη, όπως είπε κάποτε ο ταξιδιωτικός συγγραφέας Ίαν Μόρις, «δεν προσφέρει αξέχαστα χαρακτηριστικά μνημεία, ούτε γνωστές μελωδίες, ούτε άριστη κουζίνα», αλλά είναι μια πόλη που μαγεύει πολλούς.


Tumbling down to the Adriatic from a karstic plateau and almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia.
Απλώνεται κάτω στην Αδριατική σε ένα καρστικό οροπέδιο και περιβάλλεται εξ' ολοκλήρου σχεδόν από τη Σλοβενία.
Aydin Alasya with her gorgeous daughter Irmak exited by the first amazing views.
Η Αϊντίν Αλάσια με την όμορφη κορούλα της Ιρμάκ, γοητευμένες από τις πρώτες όμορφες εντυπώσεις της πόλης.
Magnificent views from above of the port and part of the city!
Υπέροχη άποψη από ψηλά του λιμανιού και μέρος της πόλης!
For wonderful sea and city views. - Για την υπέροχη θέα στη θάλασσα και την πόλη.
Between yesterday and today Trieste lives in modern pace without losing its historic character.
Ανάμεσα στο χθες και το σήμερα, η Τεργέστη ζει σε μοντέρνους ρυθμούς χωρίς να χάνει τον ιστορικό του χαρακτήρα.
Variously owned or occupied by the Romans, Habsburgs, Mussolini’s regime, Germans and Allied Forces, only finally returning to Italy in 1954.
Αφού καταλήφθηκε από διαφόρους, όπως τους Ρωμαίους, τους Αψβούργους, το καθεστώς του Μουσολίνι, τους Γερμανούς και τις Συμμαχικές Δυνάμεις, επιστράφηκε τελικά στην Ιταλία μόλις το 1954.
Strolling through the pedestrianized streets of the Borgo Teresiano, a calming symmetrical arrangement of city blocks bequeathed by the Teutonic sensibilities of 18th-century.
Περπατώντας στους πεζόδρομους της Borgo Teresiano, συναντάμε μια συμμετρική διάταξη κτιρίων της πόλης του 18ου αιώνα.
 


Great cultural heritage.   -   Μεγάλη πολιτιστική κληρονομιά.
To get an idea of how wealthy some Triestini became, visit Museo Revoltella, the former 19th-century palazzo of Pasquale Revoltella.
Για να πάρετε μια ιδέα για το πόσο πλούσιοι ήσαν μερικοί κάτοικοι της πόλης, επισκεφθείτε το Μουσείο Revoltella, το πρώην παλάτι του 19ου αιώνα.
A medium-size seaport teetering on the edge of what we recognize as Italy, Trieste is a mysterious and puzzling place.
Ένα μεσαίου μεγέθους λιμάνι στο άκρο χείλος αυτού που αναγνωρίζουμε ως την Ιταλία, η Τεργέστη είναι μια μυστηριώδης και αινιγματική πόλη.

Impressed by the astonishing archaeological ruins.
Η Μαρία Κάκουλλου εντυπωσιασμένη από τα εκπληκτικά αρχαιολογικά ερείπια.
Trieste had been misunderstood and unfairly neglected by guidebooks (perhaps inevitably, with the distraction of glittering Venice just 70 miles.
Η Τεργέστη είχε παρεξηγηθεί και άδικα παραμεληθεί από τους τουριστικούς οδηγούς (ίσως και αναπόφευκτα, με την απόσπαση από τη λαμπερή Βενετία να είναι μόλις 70 μίλια.
Old proud neo-Classical facades, some of them of the 19th century with decorative touches borrowed from the Baroque.
Παλιές, υπερήφανες νεο-κλασικές προσόψεις, μερικές του 19ου αιώνα, με διακοσμητικές πινελιές μπαρόκ.
Elegant and flamboyant architecture, clean, well-planned thoroughfares, the setting combines Italian flair with a Germanic regard for well-ordered urban space.
Κομψή και επιδεικτική αρχιτεκτονική, καθαρές, καλά σχεδιασμένες λεωφόροι, η ρύθμιση συνδυάζει την ιταλική αίσθηση λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη Γερμανική άποψη του καλά οργανωμένου αστικού χώρου.
Its iconic central square, the Piazza dell’ Unità d’ Italia, bounded on three sides by pompous 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
Η κεντρική της πλατεία, Piazza dell' Unità d' Italia, που οριοθετείται από τις τρεις πλευρές από πομπώδη κτίρια, του 18ου και του 19ου αιώνα.
Serbian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and Helvetic Evangelist churches, while the city’s synagogue is one of the largest in Europe. 
Σερβική Ορθόδοξη, Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη και Ελβετική Ευαγγελική εκκλησίες, ενώ η συναγωγή της πόλης είναι μια από τις μεγαλύτερες στην Ευρώπη.
This vast, glorious piazza promises all sorts of civic delights, but in fact it’s one of the few immediately gratifying spots in Trieste.
Αυτή εδώ η τεράστια, λαμπρή πλατεία προσφέρει όλων των ειδών αστικών απολαύσεων, αλλά στην πραγματικότητα είναι ένα από τα λίγα άμεσα σημεία διασκέδασης της πόλης.
Impressive buildings well-kept and maintained.
Εντυπωσιακά κτίρια, καλοδιατηρημένα και συντηρημένα.
Eren Alasya with his wife Aydin and their gorgeous daughter Irmak shopping at the city center for shopping and sightseeing.
Ο Ερέν Αλάσια με τη γυναίκα του Αϊντίν και την ομορφούλα κόρη τους Ιρμάκ, στο κέντρο της πόλης για ψώνια και περίπατο.
Charming, romantic, and adventurous, delicious Trieste.
Ομορφιές, ιστορία, κουλτούρα, τέχνη, πολιτισμός, όλα μαζεμένα.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Schwaebisch Hall - Germany

The picturesque town of Schwaebisch Hall in Southern Germany
My favourite spot in Central Europe is the enchanting, fairy tale town of Schwaebisch Hall in the state of Baden Wurttemberg in Southern Germany. I have first visited this town back in 1977, when I was still a student and since then I have remained mesmerised by its beauty and ambience created by its old timber-framed houses built on top of the fortified banks of the river Kocher.
Schwaebisch Hall is located at latitude 49 degrees 6 minutes North and 9 degrees 44 minutes East at a mean elevation of 304 metres, at a distance (by road) of about 72 km northwest of the city of Stuttgart, 197 km south of Frankfurt and 206 km northwest of Munich. It is well connected both by road and rail to the rest of Germany. By road it can be reached from the north from an exit on the A6 Heilbronn-Nuremberg Autobahn while by rail it is directly connected to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (central station) from Hessental Bahnhof. 
It is an administrative centre of its region with a population of about 37.000 (2011) and very cosmopolitan in its composition with residents from more than 100 countries! Since Reformation the town maintains a majority Protestant Lutheran community with a sizeable Catholic community. After World War II and the arrival of the Gastarbeitern (Guest workers) in Germany, a growing Muslim community also developed composed mainly of migrants from Turkey.

The town enjoys a temperate climate affected by the moderating influences of Atlantic winds with moderately cold winters and comfortably warm summers. Mean annual temperature is around 10.5 ᴼC ranging from mean monthly temperatures of 2ᴼC in January to 19ᴼC in July. The equitable climate is indicated by the limited number of cold winter nights below -15ᴼC and the equally limited hot summer days above 35ᴼC. Rainfall is around 650mm per year and is distributed rather evenly throughout the year with a summer maximum.

Schwaebisch Hall, often referred to as “Hall”, name derived from its salt mines, is a notable stop on Germany’s Castle Road, which stretches from Mannheim to the west to Rothenburg and Bayreuth (Bavaria) to the east. The town was founded in the 11t century and received the status of a city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1280. As a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars in 1802 it was ceded to the Principality of Wurttemberg. Since 1960 the town has the status of a “Grosse Kreisstadt” for its district.

The town flourished during the Middle Ages thanks to the production of salt and coins. Emperor Frederik I Barbarosa established the Imperial Mint in Hall in the 12th century and silver coins got the name Haeller or Heller, a term later used for German coins valued at half a pfennig in the 19th century and until the demise of the Second Reich in 1918. The town’s salt mines gradually declined in importance and finally closed down in 1925.

Today Hall is an important economic hub between Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Nuremberg and a developing regional tourist resort for German and foreign visitors (over 200,000 overnight stays in 2011). The town’s thriving economy is shaped by a group of medium-sized companies focusing on the trade and service sectors. A number of businesses dealing in property, finance, solar energy and telecommunications sectors have also their headquarters here. The town is famous nationwide by its emblematic “clever red fox”, the Bausparkasse Schwaebisch Hall AG, a housing credit company founded in 1944.



Photo: The Bausparkasse Schwaebisch Hall AG building (left), the company’s logo (right) Hall has a long tradition as a university town, hosting, inter alia, the University of Applied Sciences. It also provides education through vocational and technical schools. The town also hosts a Goethe-Institut, which attracts up to 2,000 students from countries around the world every year to study the German language.
Photo: The Goethe Institut in Schwaebisch Hall
This picturesque town offers a lot to both locals and visitors as regards leisure activities. Whether by land, water or air Hall offers a wealth of leisure time activities, ranging from sports flying (gliding) to swimming, hiking and cycling. The visitor can enjoy the local, traditional Swabian cuisine with dishes such as Sauerkraut (Sour cabbage) and Schweinebauch (Stuffed bacon) and cakes such as Zwetschgenkuchen (Plum cake). The local inhabitants have initially the reserved Swabian character but after you get to know them you will discover that they can be very friendly, warm-hearted and hospitable.


Photo: Zwetsgenkuchen (left), Scweinebauch (right)
The town hosts more traditional festivals and markets than there are months in a year, with diverse events ranging from the Summer Nights Festival and the Festival of Light to the historical Kuchen- and Brunnenfest, which commemorates the annual cleaning of the salt springs at a time when salt was the town’s economic bloodline. Other highlights include the Bakers’ Oven Festival at the Open Air Museum and the Christmas Market, which features traditional handicrafts.

Hall is well-known for its outdoor summer theatre performances on the open-air staircase of St. Michael’s church and at Globe Theatre.

The town’s great attraction has always been its fairy tale atmosphere created by the well-preserved central district with the renovated buildings with Romanesque and Baroque style features. The older buildings are supplemented both at the centre and in residential areas by slick modern buildings.
Tourist attractions include the following buildings and sites –
a. The Town Hall (Rathaus) is an elegant building in late Baroque style,

b. The Henkersbruecke is a bridge over the river Kocher, which affords an attractive view of the half-timbered houses of the “lige” quarter and the east end of St.John’s church,
c. The Hall Fountain dating back to 1509 stands against a decorative wall adorned with statues of Sampson, St. Michael and St. George. The rectangular design, unusual in a Gothic fountain, includes the old pillory part,
d. The Market square (Marktplatz) or central town square is dominated by the monumental steps leading to the church of St. Michael
e. St. Michael’s church, with its famous staircase constructed in 1510, towers majestically over the town’s market square. It was consecrated in 1156 by the Bishop of Wuerzburg. From this period only the four bottom storeys of the Romanesque west tower have survived along with the porch. Outstanding works of the late Gothic art in the church interior include the large Dutch Passion Affair in the choir (c. 1460) and the Holy Sepulchre with its impressive mourners (1455/56).
f. The Regional Museum houses mementoes of Schwaebisch Hall, a centre of the salt industry and an imperial mint in the Middle Ages. Several rooms are devoted to regional Wuerttemberg-Franconian art,
g. The Wuerth Gallery, established in 2001, has been housed in an exhibition area and contains the magnificent modern art collection of industrialist Reinholt Wuerth,
h. Hohenhohe Open-air Museum comprises 30 reconstructed renovated buildings from the mid-16th century to the end of the 19th century faithfully capturing the rural life of north Wuerttemberg. There is also an exhibition of furniture and agriculture implements,
i. Gross Comburg This old fortified abbey, which is located at a distance of 3km from the town centre encompasses a church which still retains its Romanesque towers. The rest of the abbey building was reconstructed in 1715 in the form of a Baroque “hall”. It is famous for its Romanesque chandelier in the form of a crown dates back to 1130.
In addition to the old buildings and structures Hall’s architecture is complemented by high-quality modern architecture such as the District Office, the Blendstadthall, the Glashaus at Milchmarkt square, the Stadtgrabenring thoroughfare and the Kunsthalle Wuerth Gallery. The highly regarded Globe Theatre was designed by a group of architects from Hall.
Photo: The Glashaus on Milchmarkt strasse

Photo: The Globe Theatre on the banks of the river Kocher

Finally Hall has been twinned with the towns of Epinal (France), Loughborough (England), Lappeenranta (Finland), Neustrelitz (Germany- in former DDR), Zamosc (Poland) and Baliksehir (Turkey).
In this feature I have attempted to paint with a broad brush the main features and characteristics of this wonderful town in Germany. The truth is words - no matter how well uttered or written - are too poor to give a true picture of reality and this dictum is especially valid for Schwaebisch Hall. In case I have inspired you even just a little the best way to discover this reality is to visit this little earthly paradise…
Useful websites

Municipal website


Goethe Institut
Tourist Information Youtube videos
Andreas Christodoulou
Journalist-Travel Writer
Media / Communications Expert
January 2015