At about an hour outside of Vienna, in Herrnbaumgarten, Austria was opened this month The Museum of Nonsense. Fritz Gall is an Austrian inventor who, however, didn’t manage to invent something special. But he obtained some money in order to fund the opening of a museum dedicated to weird, unuseful objects. And it seems the museum is quite a success.

I remember reading a while ago an article on most strange and stupid gadgets ever invented. I admit I laughed at some. So this Museum of Nonsense sounds like a good idea. I am sure there are many inventions that can be catalogued as strange, unnecessary or unuseful.

The museum, as I already mentioned, is localized in Herrnbaumgarten – the hometown of the inventor – and it is only one hour from Vienna.

I didn’t find – unfortunately – an official website of the museum – but I really want to go visit it next time I’ll be in Vienna.

I saw some photos here and below is a video that appears also on an article on Huffington Post dedicated to the museum. I found out about the museum via Slashdot.

How do you find this museum? Would you visit it?

The Romanian Traditional Costume Museum  is a new museum that I’ve discovered in Bucharest, with a rich collection of textiles, especially costumes  belonging to the Romanian peasants.

Located in the House of Parliament via The People’s House – one of the biggest buildings in the world –the museum falls under the patronage of “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum. Its collection includes costumes of the women and men from different Romanian areas as: Muscel, Arges, Dambovita, Valcea and Teleorman, the best represented being Muscel, Arges.

Founded in 2004, the museum shows the evolution of Romanian traditional costumes in the last hundred years. I’ve discovered with pleasure ones sewn with silver and gold thread that belonged to the wealthiest people from the village.

Unfortunately, I’ve found out that the museum is under pressure to be evacuated and the lack of tourists  does not help the situation

Although the pictures speak for themselves, I must emphasize that the museum is very friendly and modern. The ticket price is 6 RON for adults or 3 RON for students. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 - 17.00, but I wanted to visit it in the weekend and it was closed. Perhaps you should call ahead (phone: 021.311.49.90/021.311.49.91. If you call from abroad, please insert the country code).

I simply can’t find a real reason for why you shouldn’t visit this beautiful piece of history if you come to Romania!

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum entrance

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum 01

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum 02

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum 03

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum 04

Romanian Traditional Costume Museum 05

Romanian Traditional Costume for bride and groom

Romanian Traditional Costume for bride - detail

Romanian Traditional Costume painting

Romanian Traditional tablecloth

Patrimony Romanian Carpets Album

I have to tell you that I love a good cop story, a thriller novel and… OK, if I have to tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I have to tell you that I love to read But one of the top novels are the detective ones

Sherlock Holmes is definitely one of the most famous characters from this type of literature. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle imagined an address for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson (his assistant): 221b Baker Street. So here we find today a house that “is protected by the government due to its “special architectural and historical interest”, while the 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street is still faithfully maintained for posterity as it was kept in Victorian Times.” (source: http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/)

Shelock Holmes Museum - logo

They even say that this is The World’s Most Famous Address – the Official Home of Sherlock Holmes!

Open every day of the year (except Christmas Day) from 9.30am – 6pm
Admission: Adult £6 Child £4 (under 16yrs)

My husband – who is now in London (until tonight) – saw this museum. Unfortunately, it was already late in the evening (he is there working) so he was able to take photos only from the outside. But I definitely want to go there and see the museum!

Sherlock Holmes Museum Shop

Sherlock Holmes Museum - from above

Sherlock Holmes Museum - Souvenir Shop

announcement

(yes, I know, you can see Andrei in this photo, but he wasn’t able to take a different photo)

Have you been to see this museum? Did you liked it?

I have to say that I didn’t go (yet!) to those big museums hosting wax figures of famous people or characters exhibitions. So yes, I was delighted to hear that there was a temporary such exhibition in Bucharest with figures from the famous dedicated museum in Sankt Petersburg, and, consequently, I went to see it. I went today – in a very rainy day

The exhibition “Myth, Fiction and Reality” is hosted by the National Geology Museum in Bucharest and it can be visited until February 8th 2012. The ticket price is 15 lei (~4,5 euro) for an adult and 7 lei (a little over 2 euros) for a child.. For photographing there is a supplementary tax  of 10 lei (2,5 euro).The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10.00 – 17.00.

The exhibition will be closed for maintenance between 19th-23rd January. Find the details here.

I “met” some famous people like Shakespeare, but also Gioconda, Zeus, Aphrodite, Shreck and some others Here are photos with almost all of the figures exhibited in the museum.

Leonardo da Vinci

Harry Potter - movie

Shreck

Gioconda

William Shakespeare

Man with biggest foot in the world

smallest twins

John Eckhart

Wolf man

Aristotle

Socrates

Aphrodites

Salomee

Hercules

Zeus

Venus

longest survivor sisters in one body

This soldier was placed at the exit – and you have to admit that it is an inspired place – look at his face!

soldier's face expression

What do you think? Do they look like the real people/characters?

As I was on Saturday with my husband, my son and my dog in my car, I was thinking: are there any museums dedicated to man’s best friend in the world? So, coming back from a short trip (Andrei wanted to fly his RC Acromaster but it was too windy so he didn’t fly, but we got to stay out and get some fresh air – and Maxie to run) I started to search for info on museums of dog.

Maxie

I must admit I was expecting more! I thought that there will be many many results. However, I found but 4 – yes, four relevant museums in the whole wide world (I searched in English). Another important thing: not all of these 4 museums are actually located somewhere – for one museum is actually a virtual one (details to follow).

Maybe the best recommendation of a museum dedicated to dog is The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. It is located at 1721 S. Mason Rd., in Queeny Park, West St. Louis County, Missouri and, as we can read from the official site, “The 14,000 sq. ft. facility, which includes historic Jarville House (1853), displays over 700 original paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, sculptures, bronzes, and porcelain figurines, and a variety of decorative arts objects depicting man’s best friend throughout the ages. On permanent display is Sir Edwin Landseer’s oil on canvas of a Deerhound and Recumbent Foxhound and many Maud Earl portraits of various terrier breeds. The museum is open year-round and available to visitors Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM, and Sundays 1 PM – 5 PM (closed Mondays and holidays).”.

They offer the possibility of subscribing to a mailing list, they have a dedicated section for news and events and other interesting and useful info on website.

The second museum is The National Bird Dog Museum. This museum is “a repository of information, art, photography, and memorabilia reflecting a variety of pointing dog and retriever breeds, hunting, field trial activities, and shooting sports. Here the tangible reminders of more than 100 years of sporting tradition awaits your exploration. Among portraits and exhibits contained in the museum, you will find history’s most famous bird dogs represented. Many works of notable sporting dog artists and sculptors are displayed.“.

The third museum is The Border Collie Museum – but this is an online only museum! It is dedicated to a lovely dog breed:). I must admit it is an interesting museum – with permanent exhibition and also a changing exhibit.

Theoretically there is another museum – (for ALL breeds) – The Dog Museum, in fact a a collection of photos of champions. You can send them photos and info on the prizes won by your dog and they will feature it on site. I must admit though that there aren’t many photos…

A connected museum is The Vintage & Collectible Dog Jewelry Museum that “resulted from thirty-five years of collecting by the “Curator”, Deb Schneider. Having bought the farm and retired, her many canine jewels lay gathering dust. In a fit of industry (or perhaps insanity), she began photographing the collection, ultimately building the Dog Jewelry Museum online to share with other jewelry and dog fanciers. BTW, the other part of the “we” mentioned is Deb’s partner, Rik Simmons, who helps with this project in many special ways.“.

Do you know other museums dedicated to dogs?

How cool is this?

The official opening of the Frietmuseum took place on Saturday 26th of April and this museum is the first and only museum dedicated to potato fries in the world.

I have to admit that when I came across the official website I had no idea that there is such a museum in the world. I mean, who would have guessed?

Buts it does exist and it’s in Bruge, Belgium!

Why in Belgium. Well, we have to remember that the Belgian potato fry is certainly the product that is the most characteristic of Belgian culinary expertise, along with the Belgian chocolate. Actually there was a guest post here on blog on specific Belgian foods – read it here.

While browsing the official site http://www.frietmuseum.be/en/ I noticed that there are a number of interesting things that make this museum worth a visit.

First of all I see that The Frietmuseum is made up of 3 parts: the first section explains the history of the potato, next comes the history of the fries and at the end the possibility to sample them. Each section contains very interesting info on potatoes, fries – evolution, cultivation, dishes, sauces etc.

Moreover there are special activities for kids – I know how kids love to learn in interesting ways so I think this is a good thing.

This educational museum is housed in the Saaihalle, one of the most beautiful buildings in Bruges, thus another reason to visit the museum. As to opening hours and costs, we can find them also from the website:

Opening hours:

Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm
On demand, we can open after hours for groups, specialist visits and team work
Closing dates:
Closed on 24th, 25th and 31st December, 1st January and 10 th to 21 st January 2011.

Rates:
6 €: adults
5 €: groups (of 15 people or more, reservation required), students, 65+
4 €: children from 6 to 12 years.

OK, I’m admitting. I’m curious and I’d like to visit someday this museum. I’ll get back to you then with the details of my experience

photos source

Space has always fascinated people. We have so many books with adventures that take place on other planets, on space ships and so on. Man wanted to travel to the outer space – and he has reached the moon and hopes to visit other planets in the future too.

You can imagine that a museum completely dedicated to space would be interesting for many people. And for the kids too!

The Cosmodôme in Quebec, Canada seems to be a great place to visit. Our friend Dan Mitea and his wife were there and sent us some photos too.

But wait! There’s more!

As we find out from the official site beginning in mid-December, new Cosmodôme will present innovative space missions for young people and families. Sylvain Bélair, executive director, Cosmodôme says that “The layout, decor and interactive narrative will combine to give visitors the experience of a space station.”

“As a result of the $10.5 million investment announced in 2009, a newly revamped Cosmodôme will be launching its brand new interactive audiovisual concept in mid-December. Children and families will be offered a choice of three missions—just like in the movies—that are both educational and stimulating, each lasting 60 minutes. Each mission will present challenges that will require them to make decisions as interplanetary explorers, space engineers and space station researchers. The new Cosmodôme promises to become a world-class scientific tourist destination. For the process of transforming the Cosmodôme, the management is relying on the expertise of GSM Prjct, an internationally recognized firm specializing in the design and production of interactive exhibitions that make use of cutting-edge audiovisual and multimedia technologies.“

I think the kids will really love that. But am I saying. Not only the kids, all the people fascinated by space travel and adventure.

So, keep an eye on the site – and than go have fun!

Until then, some photos to see the Cosmodôme now (Endeavour awaits you!).

The first thing that strikes me when I get off in Barcelona Passeig de Gracia station is a house drawn from a surrealist dream: Casa Batlló or Casa de los osos. It is no wonder that Gaudi’s spectacular art-nouveau impresses with the roots sucking their life nectar from nature, fantasy and religion. Mixing both conscious and unconscious in an erratic vision, Casa Batlló raises the stakes of the Catalan modernism to a level never known before. Let’s take a walk in the lair of the dragon!

Definitely, Casa Batlló’s symbols can be interpreted on different levels. First of all, Gaudi admitted that most of its work has had religious significance. Casa Batlló is not an exception: it brings to life the legend of Saint George (Saint Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia) killing the dragon. It is a symbol of mankind and art defeating the evil by shedding light on it: the house almost breathes; it is like a living beast. The tower plunges the top cross-sword in the flesh of a creature surrounded by stylized skulls. Nevertheless, people call it the house of masks as well, as they say it is similar to a Harlequin’s hat decorated with masks and confetti, or the house of yawns due to the many open mouths-like windows.

However, the real history of the house is not less intriguing. Originally, it was a farm house built in 1877, but the situation quickly changed when Gaudi was commissioned the work in order to make it worthy of a street with architectural jewels, project known as “La Manzana de la Discordia” (referring to the old Greek legend of Paris and the golden apple). Acquired by Josep Batlló y Casanovas in 1903, it was completely refurbished by Gaudi between 1904 and 1906 and it competed with some of the finest artists’ works for the award of Barcelona City Council. It has gone through multiple periods of refurbishments, it received a series of prizes and eventually it was included in the UNESCO World heritage in 2005.

Let’s get closer to the monster and admire the façade. The oval-shaped feature windows are either masks or mouths of a dragon, the stone columns have the shape of bones, the roof seems a dragon’s back and the tower ends with a cross with four arms showing the cardinal points. The facade is tiled with ceramic and glass mosaic creating the illusion of an undulating surface, transporting one’s imagination to a picture similar to Monet’s Water Lilies. “The final result is there for all to see: an overwhelming, evocative and suggestive masterpiece which has been known and admired for over a century.” (Casa Batlló website)

Now, I will be swallowed by the interior of the beast for an initiation ritual of sorcery and dream. Entering through the cellar, used as venue for many corporate events, I get to the 700 square meter noble floor, which is the former residence of the Batlló family. The entrance hall transports me in Captain Nemo’s underwater caves, with tortoise shells skylights, walls in curving shapes and the animal spine-like carved banister. The court-yard is also decorated with mosaics and tiles and it is intended to be one of the most intimate places of the house, serving as dining room.

I have a marvelous view of Passeig de Gracia and move to Mr. Batlló’s former study, with its romantic mushroom-shaped fireplace, flanked by a bench on both sides. The main room with its stained glass effects, its huge oak wavy doors and undulating ceiling makes me feel the magic of the sea. The amazing blue light stair-case leads to the loft, a combination of the aesthetic and the functional which used to be the service area for tenants and utility rooms. Simple, white Mediterranean with 60 arches, it suffocates me like in an animal’s ribcage. On the roof terrace, I breathe again and see Barcelona in its entire splendor, like flying on a dragons’ back (could it be the Never-ending Story dragon, Falkor?) with tiles of different colours and trencadís mosaic and with four sinuous, stylized and polychromatic chimney stacks (also functional in times of draught).

Coming back from the  realm of illusions, I can say that I agree with the way Casa Batlló website describes it: “a universe of symbolism, a canvas of marine inspiration, a dream world, which evokes nature with its organic elements and is suggestive of fantasy.”

This article is part of a series on Barcelona. You can also read a presentation of La Sagrada Familia and of Barcelona Nocturna.

For all those who fell in love with Tristan and Isolde or with King Arthur, for those who fantasize wandering through time, up to the Dark Middle Ages, there is no better place to be in than the Castle of Warwick in England. I invite all dreaming ladies and brave knights of the 21^st century to join me in a tremendous adventure in Warwick, known as the ultimate Britain’s Castle.

Seated on the river Avon, and easy to reach from Birmingham International Airport, Warwick Castle is perfectly preserved and to visit it you need a full day. Just make sure that you check the weather forecast as sunny time is mandatory for a complete experience (many activities take place outside). I get to Warwick train-station and wonder a little bit through the city, visit the main church and watch groups of people performing traditional dances in the street. It is an amazing show that has the role to immerse you in the medieval world even before entering the Castle’s gates.

Continuing my way, I spot quickly the route to the Castle and in a quarter of an hour by foot I am already in. Built in the 11^th century, the castle has a tumultuous history, its architecture has suffered several changes and it served many years as a prison and even King Edward IV was held prisoner there. Since 1978 it has been open to the public as a touristic site.

The Castle proposes several attractions and, if you are cold blooded, the first one is the horrifying Dungeon, leading you back in 1345, the times of the plague. You can almost experiment here a wide range of medieval torture methods, punishments, and a mirror maze of lost souls and see bloodshed, dead bodies, playing “trick or treat, fear or defeat” games once you descend. The dungeon is particularly interesting as the castle has been known as the prison of the kings. Brrrr, this is scary!

Getting out, there are other milder attractions for everybody. Girls are definitely queuing at the princess Tower to see how to become a real princess. Ladies and gentlemen of all ages are invited to the grand interior: the Hall, the Chapel and the state rooms where noblemen have been entertained for 500 years, and then to the 1898 lavish party, hiding secrets and scandals of high society. Nevertheless, an interesting experience is the Kingmaker, where Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick will show you the preparations for Battle of Barnet in 1471, including weapons’ craft. Apart from the main building, I visit the Museum of the Mill and Engine Houses showing how hydroelectricity has been used to light the castle. As for the out-side landscape and views, I loved the Mound, comprising the oldest parts of the castle, where falcons are tamed, the Victorian style Conservatory and the Peacock and the Rose Gardens.

What I enjoy most is the tournament on the island. Just in front of the castle, brave knights prepare a tournament that makes me keep my breath. Two honorable lords, very handsome men, by the way, fight with swords and spares while riding wild stallions for the hands of the graceful ladies. But just when the competition is getting tighter, all of a sudden, barbarians attack. A true war is taking place just in front of me! Will the knights of Warwick succeed? I will let you discover by yourselves. At sunset, the show ends when the mighty trebuchet (the world’s largest siege machine) is being launched throwing a bowl of fire! Amazing! This year the castle offers a brand new experience where magic and reality come together: the Tower of Merlin. I am looking forward to seeing it!

At the end of my visit, after countless battles, climbing on the walls, descending in the dungeon and participating in so many parties, I just feel hungry. And there is no better place to have an excellent dinner in than one of the many cafes and restaurants that you can find there. Enjoy!

A full gallery of useful information, pictures and the possibility to book tickets is available on the Warwick Castle website: www.warwick-castle.com



Please read also Part I of this article.

Next, the Covent Garden is definitely the place to be in if you want to combine the pleasure of shopping, having a stroll and watching live performances of amateur artists. Associated with The Royal Opera House, the former fruit and vegetable market hosts nowadays beautiful buildings such as Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and the London Transport Museum. On a sunny day, just hang around and visit the cafes, pubs, small shops, and a craft market known as the Apple Market.

Wandering on the most famous streets of the city, Old Bond Street, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, one can see double-deckers, red telephone booths, out of which I expect Harry Potter to pop up, old mailboxes that mock at the new means of communication, black and red cabs which I feel a little bit reluctant to get in, fearing I might repeat the history of If Only, and policemen on horseback. Aceil turns my feet on the ground: “These streets are the best places to put on your Sunday best and strut around like a star. It’s a great way to see how the other half lives; this is window shopping at its best: Dior, Cartier and DeBeers eat your heart out!”.

British Museum

After leaving the world of luxurious consumerists, make a stop in time, at the British Museum. Opened in the late 1700, it shelters a huge collection of artefacts and arts masterpieces, from all around the world, starting with pre-history and leading one through Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and Middle East, Asia, Africa or Oceania. There are also several numismatic collections, mosaics, prints, drawings or manuscripts. Highly controversial, the British Museum holds an unimaginable treasure of human history and development from all continents. Just for the sake of putting you in the picture, there are over 6 million pieces coming only from Egypt and Sudan!

Then, we reach the top of the Tate Gallery, about which Aceil warns me: “At Sunset, this is the place to be! The Tate Modern is a great place to fall in love, whether you’re a fan of Man Ray, Matisse or Bacon the concluding part of your tour must be the 7th floor. A bottle of wine and the London skyline is to die for”. And she’s right; just take a breath of the city landscape, dominated by Big Ben, the magnificent Thames, Tower Bridge and London Eye, the youngest London’s attraction and the tallest Ferries in the world.

Tower Bridge

From the Tate, I cross the Thames over the Millennium Bridge built together with the London Eye and being used as movie-scene for Harry Potter. Nevertheless, one should not mistake it for other famous bridges that appeared in various films: London Bridge (made of stone, so strong will last so long) and Tower Bridge, another UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the iconic images of London.

Aceil gets me to the metro, in a hurried Big Crunch in order not to lose my Eurostar for Brussels. Just in time, I reach London Saint Pancras International, a Victorian style train station, I board in the train, pass though the English Tunnel (La Manche) and leave behind the beautiful rustic landscapes, with wavy hills and meadows where lazy giant horses graze… We are now stopping. Please mind the gap when stepping onto the real world’s platform!