January 17: Saint Anthony the Abbot, The Great, or The Father of Monks
According to traditions, Saint Anthony the Abbot, celebrated on this day, is Patron Saint of Amputees, animals, basket makers, brush makers, butchers, cemetery workers, domestic animals, epileptics, gravediggers, hermits, skin […]
Zombie Hunters, a local singer or photoshop? The true story of loneliest house in the world
For years, a variety of photos of a mysterious solitary white house on the side of a green hill, on a small, deserted island surrounded by ocean as far as […]
Stargazy Pie, an English pastry dish with fish heads sticking out of it
When it comes to unusual and unappetizing-looking holiday dishes, there are few treats out there that can compete with the Stargazy Pie, a pie with fish heads protruding through its […]
Squire’s Castle: the only structure from a huge mansion that was never built
The so-called Squire’s Castle sits upon a slight hilltop right off of Chagrin River Road just north of Route 6 in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. Its massive stone walls, arched doorways […]
The “curse” of the Wooden Man of Egeskov Castle
We are on the Danish island of Funen (Fyn), near Odense. Hidden among the dusty rafters beneath Egeskov Castle spire is a curious wooden doll. No one knows to whom […]
Voergaard Castle: a Danish castle supposedly haunted by a woman too independent to not be a witch….
In short, it is said that the lady of this Renaissance castle had the architect thrown into the moat and left to drown, so that he could never build another […]
The Carmentalia
The name “Carmentalia” indicates the festivals in honor of Carmenta and her nymphs, the Camene, called Antevorta and Postvorta, in reference to their ability to see the past and the […]
January 12th: the feast day of Saint Benedict Biscop
January 12th marks the feast day of Saint Benedict Biscop (born about 628, Northumbria, died on Jan 12th 689/690). He was the founder and first abbot of the monasteries of […]
Okuda San Miguel, the spanish artist that turned an old lighthouse into a vibrantly colored work of art
Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel turned a regular lighthouse in northern Spain’s Cantabria region into an eye-catching work of art. Literally inspired by the “natural wealth of the region by […]
January 11: Iuturnalia in honor of Juturna, goddess of the springs
The 11th January is the day in honor of Juturna, born as a nymph of the sources and later became a true goddess of the springs, ponds and streams. On […]
Monumental Cemetery of Lecco – Italy
Inaugurated on August 6, 1882 and designed by the engineer Enrico Gattinoni, the Monumental Cemetery of Lecco represents a real open-air museum. It contains works in marble and bronze by […]
January 9 | The Agonalia or Festival to Janus
An Agonalia was an obscure archaic religious observance celebrated in ancient Rome several times a year, in honor of various divinities. Its institution, like that of other religious rites and […]
Gleann Cholm Cille and St. Columba’s trail
We are in Ireland. The remote valley of Gleann Cholm Cille, in western Donegal, was already a holy site when Stonehenge was but a vision taking shape. Named after Columba, […]
That day when New York forbade lovers
New York, the Big Apple, is known as one of the fun capitals of the world where almost anything goes. It’s a good job, then, that the city authorities turn […]
Hillandale Bridge: the abandoned bridge to nowhere that stands secluded in the woods of a Cleveland suburb
Many people have had conversations about the “abandoned Hillandale bridge to nowhere” and some even have reach it, either with or without spray paint in hand. This 1920s construction that […]
The curious background of Tombland Alley
Once known as the central marketplace of Norwich, England, the name of this historic alley, Tombland, is a bit misleading, as it has nothing to do with the burying of […]
Larnach Castle: a haunted castle high on a hill
Larnach Castle, one of only two castles in all of New Zealand, has a rich history, spotted with family drama, death, and a variety of ghost stories and, given the […]
4th January: Fufluns Festival
Fufluns (or Puphluns) was the Etruscan was a god of plant life, grape harvest, happiness, wine, health, and growth in all things, equivalent to the Greek Dionysus and the Roman […]
Reasons why you should visit the Camposanto of Pisa
Despite the Camposanto, a monumental cemetery, is just right next to one of the most recognized buildings in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy, it does not see […]
Gummatapura: the Indian village that ends Diwali with massive cow dung battle
The small Indian village of Gummatapura is famous all over the world for its unique way of ending the annual Diwali celebrations: a massive cow dung battle called “Gorehabba”. If […]
January 2: Berchtoldstag
In some areas of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Berchtold Day, or locally Berchtoldstag, is celebrated on this day, January 2. The name of the Alemannic tradition does not refer to a […]
Corenno Plinio: enchanting medieval hamlet on the eastern branch of Como Lake
Corenno Plinio is a small and charming medieval settlement just few minutes far from Dervio, on the eastern branch of Como Lake, Italy. It is an enchanted place that few […]
Celebrate the New Year with a Good Luck Pig!
Around the world, lucky foods for the new year range from collard greens (representing green cash) to long noodles (representing a lengthy lifespan), or lentils (representing money and luck). However, […]
Why do Japanese slurp Toshikoshi Soba 年越し蕎麦 on New Year’s Eve 大晦日?
Toshikoshi soba (年越し蕎麦), delicious buckwheat noodles, is one of Japan’s unique New Year’s customs. The history of this curious tradition dates back around 800 years, to the Kamakura period, and […]
Twelve Grapes: a New Year’s Eve tradition of scarfing down 12 grapes for good luck
When clocks strike midnight on New Year’s Eve many revelers are engaged to pop champagne, set off fireworks, or kiss their partner. Others, instead, in Spain and parts of Latin […]
Greece’s New Year tradition: Vasilopita and the Golden Coin
We are in Greece where, on New Year’s Day, a centuries-old tradition is observed in almost every household, that of Vasilopita (meaning St. Basil’s Cake), a sweet-tasting lucky treat. Across […]
Moose Milk: the Winter Cocktail of the Canadian military
On chilly nights during World War II, there was a potent elixir known as Moose Milk that filled the stomachs (and soothed the souls) of Canadian soldiers. This rich cocktail […]
Centuries of history and miracles: the beautiful Laorca Cemetery
The Laorca cemetery is located in the Laorca district north of Lecco, region of Lombardy, in Northern Italy, and has developed around the caves and the ancient church of St […]
Rakfisk: Norway’s notorious fermented trout is a tangy Christmas tradition.
The Rakfisk dates back to the ancient Scandinavian culturem when peoples needed to store food over a considerable period of time. The first record of rakfisk probably dates back to […]