medieval

Destinations

Tallinn and Tartu: Exploring Estonia’s culture-rich cities

It's now easier to get to Tartu, Estonia's second city and the European Capital of Culture

26/10/2024

Culture news

Why did famed actor Damian Lewis herd sheep over a London bridge?

The actor was one of over a thousand people driving sheep along a historical trading route on Sunday – but what is this quirky, centuries-old tradition?

30/09/2024

Art

Take a look at Bulgaria's stunningly preserved Boyana Church frescoes

The magnificent frescoes of Boyana Church in Sofia in Bulgaria are deemed by UNESCO to be one of the most important collections of medieval paintings in the world.

13/08/2024

Culture news

V&A beats the Met to scoop 12th-century ivory carving

The sculpture, which depicts Jesus Christ’s body being lifted from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, is now set to stay in the UK.

17/07/2024

Destinations

From Lisbon to Evora: Getting off the beaten track in Portugal

Amazing food, beautiful sunsets and fascinating lifestyles await.

03/12/2023

Culture news

Donatello Madonna moved from Florence street to museum

A 600-year-old relief of Madonna has been moved from the streets of Florence to the Bargello Museum after it was attributed to the Renaissance sculptor Donatello.

27/11/2023

Art

Stolen artefacts on display after being returned to Italy from UK

Hundreds of stolen artefacts - including an Etruscan three-legged table made of bronze and marble busts of men from the imperial age - have been returned to Italy after they were discovered in the UK.

01/06/2023

Culture news

A 15th century manuscript offers a peek into medieval stand-up comedy

A new study by a Cambridge English professor explores comedic texts believed to have been written by an unknown medieval minstrel.

31/05/2023

Destinations

France's most beautiful villages are all in this one region

The Dordogne is known for its UNESCO-listed cave paintings and traditional villages.

09/04/2023

Culture news

A look inside Sardinia's mysterious medieval carnival

The modern equestrian events of Sa Sartiglia are thought to have originated in 12th-century military tournaments common in the era of Europe’s crusades. Now, ceremonial rituals are combined to create a curious conflation of pagan, Christian and folklore practices.

27/03/2023

Art

Medieval treasures unearthed by amateurs on show at National Museum

Denmark’s National Museum is showing an array of medieval treasures unearthed by hobbyist metal detectors and history buffs.

07/02/2023

Destinations

These Spanish villages have just been named the best in the world

Surprisingly, the most beautiful street in Europe isn’t in a capital city.

30/12/2022

United Kingdom

7th century necklace unearthed at UK building site

Archaeologists say a 1,300-year-old gold and gemstone necklace found during the construction of a housing development marks the grave of a powerful woman who may have been an Anglo-Saxon aristocrat or early Christian religious leader in Britain.

07/12/2022

Culture news

Austrian World Heritage Site Melk Abbey is being restored

Around 100,000 books dating back to the year 900 and the many rooms are being restored at Austria’s historic Melk Abbey’s Library.

28/10/2022

Destinations

Chur: Switzerland’s oldest city boasts aliens, wine and Roman ruins

Chur, a Roman-era Swiss city, is a vibrant Alpine town with an arty edge.

29/08/2022

Culture news

Oldest shipwreck in English waters given government protection

The survival of the 13th-century Mortar Wreck, which was carrying gothic Purbeck stone gravestones, is extremely rare.

22/07/2022

Culture news

What is Buhurt?: The medieval combat sport that's big in Europe

Buhurt is a modern-day full contact combat sport which involves fighters using blunt steel weapons and armour characteristic of the medieval times. But why would anyone wish to compete in this extreme activity?

14/07/2022

Culture news

Find out why a medieval Spanish king was known as 'Alfonso the Wise'

These works gather the ancient knowledge of different cultures which visited the Iberian Peninsula: from texts by Aristotle and Ptolemy to Latin, Arabic and Hebrew works, and of contemporary contributions developed both in the Latin West and the Islamic world

06/12/2021

Stays

This restored Italian palace will be shared by more than 100 owners

Built in 1799, the historic Palazzo Ricci will soon be transformed into 14 luxury residences.

15/10/2021

Destinations

Why Munich is better than Disneyland

A tour of all the castles in the German fairytale city.

02/02/2021