Author: Antoine P Borg

A photo of the Barbican - Coimbra, Portugal

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.
A painting of St Margaret

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.
An engraving of twelve members of The Schmalkaldic League.

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.
A picture of Josef Toufar - Credit: Denik.cz

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.
A rendition of Fort Orsi

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.
A photo of the Invalidovna 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.
A photo of Vaclav Havel and Mikhail Gorbachev signing the withdrawal treaty.

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.
A photo of the Jaslovske Bohunice Power Plant - Slovakia

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.
A photo of the plaque commemorating Portuguese help in the liberation of Malta - Valletta, Malta

Learn how Portugal helped Malta in its time of need

If you ask people how Malta fought against French occupation, most will talk about how the British helped the Maltese out. Few know that the Portuguese navy played the decisive part in this battle. This article sets the record straight.