Monthly Archives: July 2015

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 53

Posted on by
Reply

The 14th-century Bou Inania medersa (or madrasa) and mosque in the heart of the Fez medina is, historically, one of the most important Koranic schools in our mystery country and one of the few religious places open to non-Muslim visitors.The cool, quiet courtyard and interiors feel worlds away from the mad crush of the surrounding city.
The image above can only hint at the incredible aesthetics of Bou Inania, with its intricately carved cedar and plaster and colorful tiles.

Can you name that country? 
See below for answers.

Continue reading →

WOW Places – the theater at Pergamum, Turkey

Posted on by
Reply

The world’s steepest ancient theater appears to be sliding right off the acropolis of Pergamum. Don’t worry, it has been hanging on for 2,000 years. Imagine all the many thousands of performances staged right here, with the sweeping valley view as a backdrop. Just out of the picture, dazzling marble remains are scattered across the mountain top; and the Temple of Dionysus, the foundations of the great Alter of Zeus and the agora are terraced into the slope off to the side.

YIKES!

Pergamum was an important Greco-Roman city, home to 200,000 people at its peak. The 3rd largest library of antiquity was here and people from all across the Roman world came for health and wellness treatments at the Sanctuary of Asclepius. One of the Seven Churches of Revelation was in Pergamum and it’s a common stop on Christian pilgrimage tours of Turkey.

Pergamum is about 15 miles from the Aegean coast, 60 miles from Izmir, the closest airport, and 110 miles from Ephesus. The modern town on the site is Bergama.

Click to read more about Pergamum.

NAME THAT COUNTRY Episode 52

Posted on by
Reply

Regla de Ocha, commonly known as Santeria, is a religion of the West African Yoruba people, who were brought to our mystery country as slaves.They continued to practice their native religion in secret, while also practicing the official religion of the country, Roman Catholicism. To the Yoruba, the two religions were essentially the same, with only superficial differences. Orichas, the deities of Santeria, are often interchangeable with Catholic saints. The center of Regla de Ocha in our mystery country is the town of Regla, just across the harbor from the capital city. There you can visit a Santeria museum and church and maybe witness a religious ceremony. A sculpture garden of Orichas in Regla is pictured above.

Can you name that country? 
See below for answers.

Continue reading →