Europe

Ancient places can be found all over Europe. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on European history. Visiting such ancient places in Europe can be an unforgettable experience.

Science is constantly discovering new archaeological places and uncovering more evidence into what we once thought we knew about our history, therefore offering new pieces to the ever changing puzzle of humanity’s past and altering how we interpret it. This section will present the most interesting archaeological sites all over Europe, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

Aerial image of Bonamargy Friary in Northern Ireland. Source: peter / Adobe Stock

30 September, 2023 - 19:00 Aleksa Vučković

The Haunted History and Resting Heroes of Bonamargy Friary

Old ruins and abandoned places have always tickled the imagination. They’ve also been a primary source for local legends across the centuries. Ireland, thanks to its long and rich history, is full of...

The Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian’s Wall was cut down by vandals. Screenshot from BBC news release. Source: BBC News/Youtube Screenshot

28 September, 2023 - 22:55 Nathan Falde

England’s Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree Destroyed by Act of Vandalism

In a thoughtless and ugly act of desecration, a person or persons cut down one of England’s most celebrated and historically significant trees. Known as Robin Hood’s Tree, a label it picked up after...

Viano Castle opening, viewed at night. Source: Marcello Assandri

27 September, 2023 - 18:52 Gary Manners

Vejano Castle Opened Up For the First Time in 414 Years

Today, after 414 years, the castle of Vejano (once Viano), Italy opened its heavy doors to experts coming from seven countries. Prince Landolfo di Napoli Rampolli, whose family has owned the castle...

Fleas on rats spread the plague. Source: kichigin19 / Adobe Stock.

25 September, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

What Hygiene Was Like During the Black Plague? (Video)

In the 14th century , European hygiene during the Black Plague was far from ideal. Bathing was infrequent, and people resorted to remedies like vinegar and even urine to combat the disease due to a...

All video courtesy of Marcello Assandri.

25 September, 2023 - 18:56 Gary Manners

Huge Lost Medieval and Renaissance Castle Complex Discovered in Italy

A large medieval or Renaissance castle has been discovered amongst the foliage of a hill in Lazio, Italy. The discovery was made after investigations based on satellite imaging, which clearly...

Left; Vejano Castle, Vejano, Italy, street view of tower and entry bridge. Right, the triangular Vejano castle from above. Source: Left; Croberto68/ CC BY-SA 3.0, Right; Google Earth

23 September, 2023 - 18:57 Marcello Assandri

Unearthing Italy's Hidden Castles 3: Rites and Recreation in the Renaissance

How did people unwind in the Renaissance? Well, spa baths were still popular since the days of the Roman Republic, but also competitions, and of course, who doesn’t love a good feast? All of these...

Bracciano Castle, Lazio, Italy. Source: franco lucato/Adobe Stock /Adobe Stock

22 September, 2023 - 18:56 Marcello Assandri

Unearthing Italy's Hidden Renaissance Castles: Bracciano Castle, the Orsini HQ

The current castle at Bracciano - Orsini-Odescalchi Castle - was built by Napoleone Orsini and his son Virginio starting in 1470. It is one the best maintained castles in Italy and host to numerous...

Guédelon Castle, France. Source: Atlantis / Adobe Stock.

22 September, 2023 - 01:53 Robbie Mitchell

Building a Medieval Replica Castle Using Ancient Techniques (Video)

In the realm of modern carpentry , where power tools often reign supreme, Christophe, a skilled French-Canadian Carpenter, embarks on a unique challenge. He's part of a team constructing Guédelon...

Marcello at the site of Alteto Castle, near Vejano, Lazio, Italy. Source: Marcello Assandri

21 September, 2023 - 18:55 Marcello Assandri

Unearthing Italy's Hidden Renaissance Castles: The Borgia and Orsini Affair

Having a home in the fascinating historic town of Vejano, north of Rome, fueled Marcello Assandri’s curiosity about the history of the area. He has scoured the National State Italian Archive, the...

The sunken church known as St Cavan's Church on Inisheer Island. Source: David Matthew Lyons / Adobe Stock

18 September, 2023 - 14:52 Aleksa Vučković

The Sunken Church of Inis Oírr and the Heritage of Saint Cavan

With its long history and even longer memory, Ireland is a nation that offers plenty to historians. From its ancient history and Celtic identity, to the Viking invasions and many wars for...

Saint Ephraim Monastery, Nea Makri, Greece. Photo: Joanna Gillan

17 September, 2023 - 14:59 Joanna Gillan

The Tragic History of Saint Ephraim Monastery in Greece

Situated in Nea Makri, Attica, the Saint Ephraim Monastery stands as a significant landmark showcasing Greece’s historical and spiritual lineage. While originally called the Annunciation of the...

Left; One of the trenches during the excavation of the medieval palace in Scotland. Right; Previously dug walls at the site. Source: HARP /Ancrum Heritage

15 September, 2023 - 22:58 ashley cowie

Medieval Palace Unearthed: Archaeologists Swarm Scottish Borders

Thirty years ago, a dowser identified lines of stones beneath a harvested field outside the village of Ancrum, in the Scottish Borders. Now, a team of archaeologists and students from around the...

A ‘cataphile’ inside the Paris catacombs. Source: YouTube Screenshot / The New York Times.

14 September, 2023 - 17:00 Joanna Gillan

Party in the Historic Paris Catacombs, But Don't Tell! (Video)

In the heart of Paris lies a subterranean world of catacombs , a network of underground tunnels and rooms that span hundreds of kilometers beneath the city’s streets. These catacombs house the...

Sunset view of the Simonopetra (Greek for "Simon's Rock") Monastery, on the southern coast of the Athos peninsula. Source: Athanasios Serafeim distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu / CC BY 3.0

6 September, 2023 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

This Mountain Has Been Home to Monks for 12 Centuries (Video)

Nestled on a Greek peninsula stands Mount Athos , a venerable sanctuary for Christian Orthodox adherents. For over twelve centuries, this remote haven has hosted monks in a timeless rhythm. Its...

Stone Age scene recreation in Theopetra cave.

6 September, 2023 - 14:55 dhwty

The Theopetra Cave and the Oldest Human Construction in the World

The Theopetra Cave is an archaeological site located in Meteora , in the central Greek region of Thessaly. As a result of archaeological excavations that have been conducted over the years, it has...

Winemaking in Georgia. Source: lobodaphoto / Adobe Stock.

5 September, 2023 - 20:51 Robbie Mitchell

Behind Georgia’s 8,000-Year-Old Winemaking Tradition (Video)

Georgia boasts an unparalleled winemaking legacy, stretching back an astonishing eight millennia . Research reveals that this land birthed the art of winemaking, nurturing over 40 vineyards today...

The Neolithic cursus has been uncovered leading to the Isle of Arran’s complex of stone monuments, including the Machrie Moor standing stones. Source: dropStock / Adobe Stock

5 September, 2023 - 18:51 ashley cowie

Huge Neolithic Cursus Linked with Isle of Arran's Sacred Stones Revealed

In August this year, within the rugged southwest of Scotland's Isle of Arran, researchers began excavating an ancient ceremonial monument dating back to between 4000 and 3000 BC. With its original...

Mynydd Eglwysilan, the hill near the location of the damaged stone. Source: Colin Smith / CC BY-SA 2.0

31 August, 2023 - 22:51 ashley cowie

Attention Seeker Destroys Ancient Monument And Posts Act On Facebook

It is disheartening to read about another Bronze Age cup and ring marked stone being destroyed in Wales. However, this story reaches a new level of repugnancy, because the 52-year-old-vandal filmed...

Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba, Spain. Source: akulamatiau / Adobe Stock.

31 August, 2023 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

The Mezquita: A Spanish Cathedral Within a Mosque (Video)

Nestled in Córdoba, Spain, the Mezquita is a remarkable embodiment of history and diverse faiths . Initially devoted to Janus , the Roman God, this structure underwent a fascinating transformation...

Csikós Hungarian horsemen. Source: Kavita / Adobe Stock.

30 August, 2023 - 01:57 Joanna Gillan

These Hungarian Horsemen Predated the American Cowboy (Video)

Before the iconic cowboys of the Wild West captured imaginations, Hungary's Csikós, the horsemen of the Puszta in Hungary's Great Plain, had already established their profound connection with the...

Traditional sausages. Source: Voyagerix / Adobe Stock.

29 August, 2023 - 01:54 Robbie Mitchell

These Sausages Are Over 500 Years Old (Video)

In the heart of the English countryside, amidst historic landscapes and age-old towns, a remarkable business has flourished for over five centuries. Sausages, the epitome of timelessness and taste ,...

Assumption of Mary Church on Lake Bled Island, Slovenia. Source: zgphotography / Adobe Stock.

25 August, 2023 - 16:55 Robbie Mitchell

The Medieval Church on Slovenia’s Emerald Lake (Video)

Situated approximately 30 miles from Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, a captivating alpine lake graces the landscape. Lake Bled, adorned with a picturesque cliff-side castle , offers a serene ambiance...

British court wig. Source: Anneke / Adobe Stock.

25 August, 2023 - 01:54 Robbie Mitchell

The British Tradition of Wig Wearing in the Courtroom (Video)

The meticulous art of handcrafting legal wigs for British courts weaves a tapestry of tradition that reaches back through the annals of time, tracing its origins to the late 17th century . Entrusted...

Alcazar castle, Segovia, Spain. Source: jon_chica / Adobe Stock.

24 August, 2023 - 20:58 Robbie Mitchell

The Spanish Castle That Inspired Walt Disney (Video)

Nestled within the heart of central Spain lies the Alcázar of Segovia , an architectural marvel that has captured the imagination of generations. This extraordinary castle , perched atop a rocky crag...

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