Marinka

Veljusa monastery

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:32:38 +0100

http://www.mpc.org.mk/english/MPC/Strumica/veljusa.asp

Veljusa is an old monastery near Strumica, Macedonia. You can feel the peace of this place from the begining, it is breath taking. An oasis... of silence. Greenery bordered with flower-beds and roses. Recently planted trees and few ancient. The monastery is from 1080 year probably. Now there are 10 nuns who care for everything there. It looks amazing. They are to kind and good. I had some time with them, we talked and drink coffee. They also are mounting icons, and you are able to buy some.

Photos: http://www.mpc.org.mk/English/sGal.asp?nk=veljusa

Varages

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:11:49 +0100

Varages is a peaceful calm village of the western part of Haut Var. In the old village there are 16th c. houses (place de l'Eglise and place de la Liberation), arcades (place Arlaud), and not less than 13 fountains.

At one time Varages was an important producer of earthenware, now in the month of August you can admire a collection of old earthenware including a few rare pieces. During your visit, take a walk to the park (garden of the Gassendi house, a general of Bonaparte), and go see the ruins of the castle on the edge of the cliff and the medieval section.

Roussillon

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:41:53 +0100

The ocre-red village of Roussillon, one of the , is a tourist destination on the southern edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Roussillon is a beautiful village, with its red rocks, red stone buildings and red tile roofs.

Avignon

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:02:41 +0100

The Palace of the Popes, Avignon , stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century.
Construction was started in 1335 and completed in less than twenty years under the leadership of two builder popes, Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI.
The Popes Palace is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe (15,000 m2 of floor space, which is the equivalent of 4 Gothic cathedrals).
The visitor can see over 20 rooms, scenes of historic events, in particular the popes private chambers and the frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.

The Popes Palace also offers the visitor continuous cultural activities throughout the year.
A major art exhibit is displayed in the Great Chapel during the summer, and the most prestigious performances of the Avignon Theater Festival, created by Jean Vilar in 1947, are given in the Honor Courtyard of the Popes Palace during the month of July.

The Popes Palace has welcomed more than 650,000 visitors. It is one of the most visited monuments in all of France.