History

Maria Adelaide de Bragança van Uden, a Heroic Portuguese Princess in World War II

Her code name in the O5 Austrian resistance group in World War II was “Mafalda”, but in reality she was Her Serene Highness, the Portuguese Princess, Maria Adelaide de Bragança. During the war she escaped two death sentences by the Gestapo and being sent to Siberia by the Soviets.

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The Bouquinistes-Book Sellers along the Seine River

Bouquinistes, a trade that goes back to the Middle-Ages and is unique to Paris

The story has it that a boat transporting loads of books sunk near Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The sailors swam ashore taking with them as many books as they could and sold them to the passersby to make up for the wages they had lost. They certainly found the sale lucrative enough to start making a regular living from it.

Since then, we are used to seeing the booksellers along the Seine and they have become one of the many iconic symbols of Paris.

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Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)

Pastéis de Nata are one of the most famous Portuguese pastries. Once you put your feet for the first time in Lisbon, you know you will end up at Pastéis de Belém, enjoying this egg tart pastry, sprinkled, comme il faut, with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

You also know that you should be patient because many people will be there on the waiting line. However, you know it will be worth it, not only because of the quality of the pastry, but also because you are in the place where the first globalization of the world has begun, Belém.

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Art and history at Recoleta Cemetery

A cemetery is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when one is planning a visit to a new city, especially if that person is interested in local art and history. Oddly enough, Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires attracts many visitors a day for exactly those reasons.

The cemetery was opened in November, 1822 – making it the oldest in the city – on land that belonged to the Augustine monks. The monks, known as recoletos, had been expelled after some changes were made to their Order. Although the monks left, their name stayed: the whole area of Recoleta is named after them. Only Christians could be interred there until 1863, when President Mitre decreed the cemetery open to people of all religions.

Recoleta Cemetery covers an area of 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres) right in  the middle of one of the most upscale neighbourhoods. Real estate, both inside and around the cemetery, is very pricey.

The cemetery is like an open-air museum or a Who is Who of Argentinean society. Its residents include members of the richest families, former presidents, military heroes, politicians, artists, sportsmen and even Antarctic explorer!

The mausoleums are works of art that reflect the fashion and beliefs of the period in which they were built, like Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Neo Gothic. Some of those mausoleums have been declared Patrimonio Histórico Nacional (Historic Heritage)

Ironically, people who were sworn enemies in life ended up sharing their eternal resting place. For example, Evita Perón, whose mausoleum is one of the most sought-after, is not far from her husband’s nemesis, General Eduardo Lonardi (who led the revolution that ousted Perón in 1955)

There are free guided tours every day in Spanish and English. The guides will surely mention some of the most famous urban legends that arose from the cemetery. Take Salvador Maria del Carril and his wife Tiburcia. Rumour has it she was a strong-willed woman who liked to spend her husband’s money. One day he decided not to honour her debts, they had a colossal row and never talked to each other again. Mrs del Carril decided that they would not talk to the rest of eternity either and designed their mausoleum in such a way that their statues would turn their back on one another. Only they know what really happened.

 

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Gustave Eiffel

When you visit the Eiffel Tower, do not forget to look for the life-size bust statue of Gustave Eiffel.

You will find it next to the ticketing office but it is easy to miss it.

Eiffel was one of the world specialists in metal construction. He has left his name to the most famous tower in the world, but be aware that his workshops have produced other metal bridges and viaducts.

Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) was born in Dijon in the département of Côtes-d’Or in Eastern France. His father, who came from Westphalia in Western Germany, changed his surname Bönickhausen (unpronounceable to the French!) in Eiffel, the name of his native village. (more…)

The Remembrance Poppy

It is the time of year in which everyone, young and old, is wearing a poppy over their heart. As observed in many countries, November 11th is day of honouring those whom have died for their country.  It was originally chosen to commemorate the end of the first World War. Here, in Canada, we call it Remembrance Day, and at 11:00am, we take a minute to remember. As years pass we remember loved ones who fought in the war, grandparents whose youth was lost in battle, soldiers who died for our rights, and, unfortunately, the continued loss of life in present day fights. (more…)