THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATER IN PULA, CROATIA

 

  

The Pula Arena in Croatia is a spectacular sight--something to remember forever. Passing by it each day during a week-long stay in Pula became a familiar part of each day. There were quiet pauses to look through its massive rectangular windows, catching glimpses of the Adriatic Sea shimmering in the distance. The limestone always carried a bit of surprise, its shades changing with the time of day. 

    This amazing Roman amphitheater, also known as the Arena, was built between 27 BC and 68 AD, about the time the Colosseum was built in Rome. It lies along Via Flavia, the old road leading to Rome. The well-preserved oval-shaped structure is considered Croatia's best-preserved ancient monument. Ranked among the world's six largest surviving Roman arenas, it is the only one to still have all four side towers intact.

    The Arena, with a seating capacity of 23,000, was enlarged to accommodate gladiatorial fights in 79AD. These brutal contests of gladiators (often prisoners) fighting with wild animals continued until they were banned in the 5th century. This was followed by a long period of neglect and devastation

    Later in the Middle Ages, cattle could be seen grazing in the Arena along with occasional tournaments and medieval fairs. Restoration of the amphitheater began in the 19th century, and it was restored to its present state in 1932 with a seating capacity of 7,000

Today, this spectacular setting serves as a venue for numerous concerts, operas, ballets, sporting events, and the Pula Film Festival, one of the oldest film festivals in Europe. In addition, the tradition of gladiator fighting lives on in Pula when the Spectacvia Antiqua comes to town every summer and fall.

 This picturesque setting ranks among the most beautiful and distinctive venues in the world. May the harmony between history and modernity continue to prevail in this charming ancient town by the sea.

ZAGREB BOTANICAL GARDEN – CROATIA

After enjoying the beauty of Croatia and the Adriatic Sea for almost six weeks, we discovered one last enchanting place to savor before heading home.

The Zagreb Botanical Garden has been nestled in this lovely setting in Zagreb (pop. 680,000) for over 130 years and remains one of the most popular tourist sites in this fascinating city. We arrived in May, when the sweet-smelling spring flowers were at their best, and spent a leisurely afternoon meandering along the winding paths that prevail in this 12-acre Garden.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb established the Garden in 1892, and it remains an open-air museum featuring living exhibits for all to enjoy.

It was designed mostly in an English landscape style. The smaller western section is a more formal and French symmetrical style. There are more than 5,000 different plant species from around the world here. The park also boasts a highly respected collection of Croatian Flora, an old exhibition pavilion, and greenhouses.

As we were walking through the gardens, I noticed a bridge in the distance and a pond full of water lilies, a view that immediately brought back fond memories of my time in Monet's Garden at Giverny.

I'm thankful for all the memories, but  nothing can compare to those magical moments when you're fully present and in the "zone."

 

Related Post: The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, October 13,2022

EASTER GREETINGS FROM PERAST, MONTENEGRO

 

I spent Good Friday walking along the waterfront of the tiny town of Perast. This picturesque little place in Montenegro has a population of 269 and sixteen churches. Many of them are in ruin or vacated, however, some are still active. As a celebration of Easter, I decided to share some of these old places of worship, as well as the spectacular waterfront view that many say is the prettiest in Montenegro.

Perast was first founded in 1336 as a fishing village. It flourished for centuries under Venetian rule that ended in 1797. Most of the churches are Catholic and were built in the 18^th century—the golden age of Perast.

It was a lovely day, made even better by the sweet smell of the Japanese Pittosporum (mock orange) that prevails here in the spring. 

Happy Easter to everyone!

ISLAND OF ST GEORGE (OFF THE COAST OF PERAST)
HOME OF SAINT GEORGE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY (12c)

A SPRING WALK IN WISCONSIN

After spending the winter in Florida, Ron and I recently returned to La Crosse, Wisconsin. We returned just in time to experience March winds, balmy 70-degree days, and a snowstorm that left four inches of snow behind.

Living in La Crosse allows us to return to daily walks along the Mississippi River that usually end with a stroll through the International Friendship Gardens. I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed for the first time little dolls standing under some of the benches and a snowman by the pond in the China section of the garden. They made me smile and lifted my spirits, so I'm sharing the photos. Thanks to whoever decided to add these whimsical touches for others to enjoy.

Also, a big thank you to the kind soul who tied my lost and much-loved old beige scarf to a post along the trail. They thought that perhaps the owner would eventually walk by and notice it. That's exactly what happened. I'm once again reminded of the warmth and kindness that connects us all. 

BRIDGES OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESEE

 

Four beautiful bridges span the Tennessee River in the center of Chattanooga, Tennessee (pop. 184,000). Walking below these bridges, along the Riverfront trail, is a great way to view them closely and from different and unique perspectives.

  

Built-in 1890, Walnut Street Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges. Converted to a pedestrian bridge in 1991, it offers a delightful one-half-mile walk across the river with views of distant mountains, rocky cliffs, forests, and vibrant autumn leaves. Coolidge Park, on the other side, features a 100-year-old carousel and walking paths.

   In the early years, it was called the “county bridge.” At that time it connected the predominately white city on the south side of the river with the large black workforce on the north side. As you enter the walkway bridge from downtown there is an impressive Memorial that tells the story of Ed Johnson who was tragically lynched on this bridge in 1906.

   

Another bridge in view along the Riverfront walkway is the Olgiati Bridge or “Ol' Johnny.” The steel girder bridge was completed in 1959 and is the newest of the four downtown bridges. The Southern Bell Riverboat floats below the bridge and offers popular sightseeing cruises.

   

A little further along the walk is the Market Street Bridge, officially called the John Ross Bridge. It stands out with a bright blue lifting bridge in the center. Completed in 1917, it was the longest rolling-lift bascule span in the world. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

 

 The Veterans Memorial Bridge is a steel girder bridge built in 1984. I enjoyed viewing it from the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge where you can also see the the Audubon Island directly below. The island is home to the McClellan Animal Sanctuary. The bridge was built to honor American veterans for their time and commitment to the country and continues to honor them with numerous events throughout the year.

Related Posts:  The Bridges of Strasbourg  - September 17, 2022

                          Vintage Bridges of Europe - December 13, 2020

                          Bridges of Ljubljana - January 27, 2015

                                              ********

Ron and I stopped for a few nights in Chattanooga on our drive south from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Tampa, Florida. We are now settled in Florida for the winter which is a first for us. We are excited about getting to know a new area and, of course, delighted to be staying near our daughter Anna and her family.

MARKET STREET BRIDGE - CHATTANOOGA 

                         

MY VINTAGE JOURNEY COFFEE SCENES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

   

MALAGA,  SPAIN

A little bit of Java makes the journey better. Here are some favorite coffee scenes that bring back memories, far beyond the sweet taste of the perfect cappuccino. 

Happy International Coffee Day!

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

PARIS, FRANCE

SEISER ALM, DOLOMITES

SENGLEA, MALTA

LISBON, PORTUGAL

"Don't forget to stop and smell the coffee."    -MVJ

THE WINDING PASSAGEWAYS OF FRIGILIANA, SPAIN

   

 Occasionally, you get a chance to revisit a distant place that you once loved; my recent visit to the charming white village of Frigiliana was one of those places. While visiting my family in La Herradura I decided to take a 45-minute bus ride that brought me back to this ancient Moorish village in the hills of southern Spain.

I allowed myself a full day to enjoy taking photos and peering down the many winding passageways. There were old fountains, flower pots, cats hidden away on the window sills, and beautiful green hills in the distance. I stopped at the small art galleries and shops along the way. I also enjoyed an early lunch at the El Casino Restaurant where I had the balcony to myself and a panoramic view.

Frigiliana sits 320 meters above sea level on the edge of the Almijara-Tejeda mountain range with a view of the larger town of Nerja (pop. 19,000) below. It is considered one of the best preserved of the many “pueblo blancos” (white villages) that are interspersed throughout the Spanish countryside and was voted the most beautiful village in Spain in 1982. The deep Muslim roots of this area date back almost 3,000 years and the village offers some of the most authentic Arab architecture in Spain.

   Frigiliana (pop.3,000) is a place where three diverse cultures: Islamic, Christian, and Hebrew, live together peacefully. In celebration, the popular Festival of Three Cultures takes place every year in August. The event is filled with lively dancing, music, local artisans, and traditional food—a good reason to return someday.

   

Sometimes after departing a place, I think about something that I wish I had taken more time to enjoy. In Frigiliana, that would have been the “Mosaics of the Twelve Panels.” These detailed mosaics were done by local artists in the 1960s and are now placed on walls throughout the village. Each mosaic depicts an important event that led up to the Battle of Peňon in 1567 and the end of Moorish rule. Maps and stories about the mosaics are available online.