The big Celtic invasion of central Europe
The word Celtic drums up images of Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. Some of us may even know of the Celtic connection with Brittany and northern Spain.
Operation NEPTUNE
You may think 'fake news' is a modern invention, but you'd be wrong. One of Czechoslovakia's most famous disinformation campaigns was Operation NEPTUNE.
This article explains why Czechoslovak spies carried out such a nefarious plot.
The special Barbican of Coimbra
One thing which fascinates me is the amount of human history we've lost. The barbican is one of those historical architectural features we've almost lost. In fact in Coimbra, Portugal, one of the remaining few is often confused with something else.
Why does St Margaret always appear with a dragon?
I’ve have a keen interest in iconography and imagery. Regular readers will know I often write about these things. Sometimes I spot something I haven't before and, curiosity piqued, I look into it. Which is how I got to know about St Margaret and the dragon.
The Schmalkaldic war
The Holy Roman Empire has a lot to answer for. Before it defined modern international relations, the Empire was going through the Reformation. This led to the tongue-twisting Schmalkaldic war.
Father Toufar – tortured by communists
Czechoslovak communists tortured Czech priest Josef Toufar in 1949 for a miracle which may or may not have happened. This article describes the story and the tragic ending of Father Toufar's life.
Learn all about Malta’s lost Orsi Tower
We are so focused on preserving historical buildings that we often don’t realise how many already disappeared for one reason or another.
Orsi tower used to stand guard at the mouth of Valletta's harbour, and is one such lost building.
Prague’s Invalidovna
If you ask many people in Prague about 'Invalidovna' they'd be more likely to direct you to the metro stop of that name. Few know of the magnificent Baroque building which is the real Invalidovna.
The Soviets wanted to ‘protect’ Czechoslovakia
Following the fall of the Iron Curtain Soviet troops started to leave Europe. Czechoslovakia, as it then still was, was happy that the ‘temporary deployment’ of Soviet troops was coming to an end.
This article looks at the intent behind the occupation, and the events leading up to the Soviet's departure.
The results of a nuclear incident in Czechoslovakia
I don't think there's anyone who hasn't heard of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. The recent Sky drama reanimated people's memories of those days. Few are aware there almost was a similar disaster in Bohunice, in what was then Czechoslovakia.