The Sundial Protecting Prague
Tourists in Prague know of the cable car that takes them up to the top of Petrin Hill. Some also stop in the park which contains the cable car. Few
The Two Suns of Prague
An enigmatic cartouche of two suns watches you as you walk up to Prague’s famous Castle complex. On either end of the suns, two faces in profile look in opposite directions;
The Stone Column House
I’ve written about many alchemists legends and stories in Prague. The city has many other symbols and images on its beautiful facades which you just cannot ignore while walking around the
Astrological Signs in Milan’s Duomo
The Duomo in Milan – the huge marble cathedral that dominates the city – contains many artefacts and works of art. I wasn’t expecting to see the astrological signs on
The Crying Madonna of Malta
In the centre of island of Malta lies a small neighbourhood known as ‘Tal-Mirakli’. (‘The Miraculous [Neighbourhood]’). It nestles between the three residential villages of Attard, Balzan and Lija. There you
The Statue of a Bearded Lady
Once you leave the famous Prague castle complex, most people tend to saunter down the hill back to the city centre. This is a shame as the sheer quantity of
St Valentine’s Shoulder in Prague
I’ve written about saintly relics before. They exist all over the world because there is a belief that proximity to even part of a saint means ‘something’ can rub off.
The Tongue of St John (Of Nepomuk)
I’ve written before about the Czech saint St John of Nepomuk – but I hadn’t visited the main church dedicated to him, right in the middle of Czechia.
Discovering Nazareth in Portugal
Along the Atlantic coast, in Portugal’s central region, lies the town of Nazaré – literally, Nazareth. It sprawls over a clifftop and a beach below the cliffs and is a
The Legend of St John’s 5 Stars
Uniquely amongst Catholic saints, the statue of the Bohemian St John of Nepomuk has 5 stars on its halo. Catholic tradition usually portrays the Virgin Mary with stars (and all