Unless you have witnessed the Sagrada Familia for yourself, I would bet that you have never seen anything quite like this before. I said this about Park Guell, but the Sagrada Familia in on another (Gaudi) level!
Antoni Gaudi was put in charge of designing this fabulous basilica in 1883 and it’s not finished yet! If you’d like to read the full history, there is an interesting timeline from the 19th century until the present day on the Sagrada Familia’s official website. One of the longest ever architectural commissions, but in Gaudi’s apparent words “My client is not in a hurry!”
My first glimpse of this impressive building as I walked down Carrer de Sardenya.
Before you even enter the basilica, your gaze will immediately be drawn to the wonderful sculptures on the walls – this being part of the Nativity Facade.
Inside, you won’t know where to look first. I was wide-eyed with wonder and excitement and my mouth spilled out a silent “wow!”
The stone columns throughout the interior have been designed in typical Gaudi style – to resemble a forest with its trees and branches reaching up into the vaults. It really is stunning!
With curved lines to mingle man-made structures with natural forms. This design can also be seen at Park Guell.
Once section of the basilica is also known as the temple of light because the beautifully coloured stain-glassed windows allows natural light to flood in at certain times of the day – creating an ethereal atmosphere.
A view along the nave and aisle.
If you include it in your ticket, you can ascend the stairs to the towers.
There are other, smaller features, that can be easily missed, like this emblem of Saint Luke.
And, as part of the stain-glassed designs, the names of places and people that might have some religious significance.
Outside, you can see the Passion Facade which is dedicated to the Passion of Christ with its pediment of bone-shaped columns at the top.
The 4 spires at the top of the Passion Facade represent 4 of the apostles – James, Thomas, Philip and Bartholomew. (Wikipedia)
The exterior of the basilica is carved with beautiful sculptures and features.
Other spires have bunches of fruit and wheat which represent the Holy Communion.
If you look upwards, you can see the construction work taking place at the top of the building. Once the final tower has been built, the basilica will become the tallest church-building in the world! (Wikipedia)
The Sagrada Familia is still a work-in-progress, but it is due to be completed around 2026 – some 143 years after Gaudi started his masterpiece.
It’s a beauty now and it will take your breath away, but just look at what it’s going to look like!
It’s a definite must-see attraction when you visit Barcelona.
If you like architecture, Brussels has plenty of interesting buildings to see. But, it’s easy to miss some of the smaller details – all as stunning as the main counterpart!
See the decorative exterior windows of St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral – built in the Brabantine Gothic style.
Most people flock to see the Manneqin Pis – a statue of a small boy peeing. But, take in the stone niche in a rockery style surrounding the small statue – originally designed by Jerome Duquesnoy the Elder in the 17th century.
Whenever I take photographs, I usually take a lot. And when I mean a lot, it can sometimes be over 100 shots. I just can’t help it, especially when I go somewhere that I find interesting. There’s always some angle or colour, animal or bird, bridge or reflection – anything that catches my eye.
When I am writing posts for Talkingthailand or Morrisophotography, I go through all the photos I have taken from a particular day and group them into “post pics,” “best pics,” “black & white” etc. Apart from the main subject I am writing about, this process gives me ideas and inspiration for other posts.
Photography is a very subjective thing. What I class as “the best of” might be quite different to what you think. That’s what makes it interesting don’t you think?
With that in mind, here is my compilation of the Best of Chulachomklao Fort, in Bangkok.
Do you take a lot of photos when you go somewhere? What do you do with them?
When I lived in Bangkok, I did my fair share of exploring. A colleague told me about Chulachomklao Fort, around 29 km south of Bangkok. It sounded interesting, so I decided to visit.
Getting there was fun, I only knew that I had to take the 145 bus to Pak Nam market, then take a boat across the river. The boat chugged its way around a small island towards the pier in Phra Samut Chedi District. You’ll see lush greenery and birds gathering to grab whatever titbits they can from the local fishermen.
It always seems a bit of an adventure when you don’t really know the way, so I just went with the flow. I had to find a market on the other side which wasn’t too difficult after I’d asked a couple of people. From there, I had to locate a truck which would take me to the fort.
Chulachomklao Fort was built in 1884 during the reign of King Rama V. Its main purpose was to defend Thailand against enemies and those seeking to colonise.
I wandered around the gun park where you can see all the different types of artillery and other weapons that were used when the fort was active.
This proud statue of King Rama V stands at the front of the fort.
You’ll also see the entrance to the bunkers which house the disappearing guns.
Inside the bunker, there is a long open corridor..
with doors leading to low underground tunnels..
and the guns at the end.
The disappearing guns were used only once in 1893 when the fort protected the sovereignty of Thailand from French invasion.
They were designed to be hauled up by their hydro-pneumatic system for firing and lowered again afterwards.
Also at the fort is H.T.M.S Maeklong. She was in service for 60 years and deployed during WWII.
It’s fun to scamper about on her decks!
You get good views across the Gulf of Thailand too!
As you move around the park, you’ll come across this ordinary telegraph pole.
It was constructed in 1869 as the first telegraph cable between Bangkok and Paknam. Unfortunately, the service was unsuccessful. 6 years later, the Thai Department of Defence constructed an underwater telegraph line for messages concerning sea traffic to be transmitted.
There is also a lovely mangrove walk you can take.
With some Macaques for company.
If you ignore them, which you should, they won’t take a blind bit of notice of you.
There is more nature to be seen if you’re lucky.
After I’d seen everything, I made my way back to the pier and across the Chao Praya River towards home.
If you’re ever in Bangkok and want to see something just a bit different, Chulachomklao Fort is a fabulous place to visit for the day.
For more places to go in Bangkok, check out the following posts.
While I was in Valencia last year, I was on my way to meet my friend and I came across the Serranos Gate or Torres dels Serrans (in Valencian). I had some time to kill, so I went to explore.
Torres dels Serrans
The Serranos Gate was 1 of 12 gates that made up the city walls of Valencia. It was built in the 14th century and used to defend the city from attacks.
Source: United States public domain
It is still seen as the main entrance to the city and, today, if you climb up to the top of this Gothic-style monument, you will get some amazing views over the city and beyond.
Main entrance to the city
Even though it was January and not that warm, the climb upwards still made me sweat!
Over the tree tops
But, it was great to see how well-preserved this lovely old gate still is.
Tower ceiling
Finally, one more flight of stairs to climb and you are at the very top.
Up to the highest level
If you go to Valencia, make sure you take the time to climb the Serranos Tower!
Most people come to Bangkok for its food, its temples, its vibrant nightlife, and its general laid back attitude to life. And why not? It’s a fabulous place for first-time visitors to be introduced to Thailand. But, before long, the chaos, the traffic, and the constant battering of your senses starts to get to you and it’s time to move on.
If you dare to stay a little longer, you realise there’s a whole lot more to the capital than meets the eye. You really have just scratched the surface of what there is to see here. If you’re interested in more sedate activities and getting off the beaten track, delve a little deeper and go in search of these 4 heritage homes in Bangkok.
M.R Kukrit’s Heritage Home
Hidden in the back streets of Sathorn is the former home of M.R Kukrit, or Mom Rajawongse Kukrit (1911-1995), Thailand’s 13th Prime Minister. Not only was he involved with politics, but he was also a prolific writer and artist and his home pays tribute to his passions. You can still see many of his personal artefacts, including books and paintings. The Department of Fine Arts decided this house should give the impression that it’s still lived in, with everything laid out as it was when Mr Kukrit was alive. As well as 5 beautiful teak buildings, which are of traditional Thai design, there’s a lily pond, a garden with lots of green shrubs and colourful flowers, a lawn and pavilion at the back. It’s a little slice of peaceful heaven.
The Bangkok Folk or Bangkokian Museum is another little gem, concealed from view in Bang Rak. It was the home of the Suravadees, a middle-class family, who lived there in the early twentieth century. The house was inherited by Varaporn Suravadee who, before she died, intervened with building work that was planned next door and raised money to stop it in the hope that she could preserve her museum for people to continue to learn about her family’s past. The folk museum is full of relics – old photographs, medical equipment, magazines, even a couple of things that date back to King Rama V’s time. It really is a treasure trove of wonders.
Bangkok Folk Museum, Bangkok
Address: 273 Charoen Krung Road, Soi 43, Bangrak, Bangkok,10500
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Kamthieng House Museum
This museum was built in 1848 in Chiang Mai by Mae Saed, great-granddaughter of one of the rulers of the Lanna Kingdom. The structure was taken to Bangkok and reassembled and it’s now located in the gardens of the Siam Society. It was opened in 1966 by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Kamthieng House is a traditional Lanna house – raised on stilts and made of wood – with tools and items that were used in the Lanna way of life. There are also videos throughout the house telling the story of how day-to-day life played out in a Lanna village. Be warned though! It’s believed that the ghosts of the past still roam the house.
Kamthieng House, Bangkok/Source: Wikipedia
Address: 131 Asoke Montrii Road, Bangkok, 10110
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Jim Thompson’s House
More centrally located, is Jim Thompson’s house, a series of beautiful wooden structures which are full of his possessions. Jim Thompson was an American businessman and architect who came to Bangkok in the 1940s. He established the Thai Silk Company and, as a keen art enthusiast, he made many trips around South East Asia to collect an abundance of art pieces. He travelled far and wide, and in 1959 he built this house to live in and to show off his collection. Unfortunately, Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1967. His body has never been found, but with all the wall hangings, statues, and antiques inside, you can get a feel for what kind of man he was.
Jim Thompson’s House, Bangkok/Source Wikipedia
Address: 6 Soi Kaseman 2, Rama I Road, Bangkok, 10330
Hours: Daily, 9.00am to 6.00pm
It really is fun to explore Bangkok! There are so many fascinating things to see, but it’s the less well-known attractions that are really worth hunting out. If you would like help finding them let me know 🙂
When in Rome, one of the best places to get an idea of what an ancient Roman stadium looked like in its hey-day is the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo.) Today, it’s a recreational park used for concerts, performances, and celebrations. It sits in the shadows of the Palatine Hill, holding onto a thousand secrets of the past. The history of the Circus Maximus is an interesting one to say the least.
The Circus Maximus today – overlooked by Domitian’s palace
The Circus Maximus today
Situated at the south-west end of the Palatine Hill, the Circus Maximus was not only the first stadium ever built, but it was also the largest of its kind in ancient Rome and the Roman Empire.
Circus Maximus – model of how it looked back then/Photo credit: Wikipedia
It was built during the Etruscan era in the 6th century BC and was used for ludi Romani – Roman games, such as religious festivals, feasts, gladiator fights, and plays, which took place for the benefit of the people and to honour the Gods. Although many of these occasions took place annually, eventually, when Rome got bigger during the late republic era, these events were held at least once a week at the circus. When there were no such occasions, the Circus Maximus was used as a practise ground for chariot riders or became a bustling market area for Rome’s residents.
Circus Maximus – Oil on canvas by Viviano Codazzi and Domenico Gargiulo c.1638/Photo credit: Wikipedia
The Circus Maximus was the most important venue for all of these occasions, but over time more and more venues were built, such as the Colosseum and the Stadium of Domitian, and these took over as the place to see gladiator fights and athletics. Even so, by the late 1st century AD, the Circus Maximus continued to be the setting for chariot races.
These chariot races were thrilling, albeit highly dangerous, events and the crowds came from far and wide to witness these spectacles – and to place bets on their favourite charioteer to win. The chariots could be identified by colours and they were pulled by teams of horses –sometimes up to 12 abreast.
The charioteers, some of them slaves, became rich and famous – victories rewarded with gold or money and the continuous adoration of the crowd – even the winning horses were lauded. One such man was Gaius Appuleius Diocles. With over 1,462 victories, he became known as the best paid athlete of all time, allegedly winning 35,863,120 sesterces (a whopping $15 billion in today’s money). He became renowned for his chariot-racing skills where he would thunder past the leading chariot at the very last minute – whipping the crowds up into a frenzy.
The highest paid athlete of all time – Gaius Appuleius Diocles/Photo credit: Wikipedia
Another celebrated charioteer went by the name of Scorpus or Scorpius. A slave when he first started out, he went on to be awarded the laurel wreath – the symbol of victory – countless times. He was victorious in over 2,000 races and won so much money that he was able to buy his freedom.
Another famed charioteer – Scorpus/Photo credit: Wikipedia
At first, the Circus Maximus was 540 m long and 80 m wide and it was on an area of land near the Tiber River, with nothing more than grass banks for spectators and turning posts at either end of the makeshift track. Later, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, the 5th king of the Etruscans, added wooden seating for Rome’s elite. His grandson, Tarquinius Superbus, then added additional seating for the common people.
The Circus Maximus today
The Circus Maximus today
The Circus Maximus today
By the time of Julius Caesar, in 50 BC, there was room for 150,000 spectators and the Circus Maximus was now 621 m long and 150 m wide. The arena’s seating was divided into caveas (enclosures). There were usually 3 caveas for each social class. Ima Cavea was for the upper class; media cavea for men; and summa cavea for women and children.
Modern spectators!
The Circus Maximus was further developed by Augustus and, following a fire in 31 BC, he erected Rome’s first ever obelisk on the central barrier – later this barrier was filled with temples, shrines and other structures, as well as being a safe place for fallen charioteers to recover while the race was still in progress. This Egyptian obelisk can now be seen in Piazza del Popolo.  Further fires in 36 AD and 64 AD destroyed the arena, but the games continued because the circus was rebuilt in the same design.
Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palace
Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palace
During the early 2nd century AD, stone seating was built around the track and it was there that Rome’s senators were able to get as close to the action as possible. In 81 AD, Domitian built his sumptuous palace on the Palatine Hill and he relished in being able to watch the games from his vantage point without being seen by the ever-expanding crowds.
The Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palace of Domitian
Following the reign of Domitian, Emperor Trajan made the decision to rebuild the Circus Maximus in stone to prevent further fire damage and from this point on, save a few additions and alterations, the Circus Maximus was at its greatest and remained unchanged for many years to come.
The Eastern End of the Circus Maximus
By the 6th century AD, the Circus Maximus had seen out its glory days and was no longer used. The stone was used for other buildings throughout Rome. The lower levels of the arena and the original track were now buried underground. Houses were built on the site in the 11th century and throughout the 16th century the Circus Maximus was used as to grow crops that could be sold in the local markets. A world away from its previous role in Roman society.
Standing on a hidden past!
The early 20th century saw excavations of the site begin in earnest and parts of the original central barrier and seating were uncovered. Sadly, some of these findings have since been buried again up to 9 m underground. However, more recent excavations have started to uncover a second Arch of Titus – the first one is near the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Built by Emperor Domitian, it would have been a grand entrance to the Circus Maximus.
Circus Maximus – the uncovering of the second Arch of Titus
As these excavations continue, the more we can learn about the history of the Circus Maximus and all the secrets of the past.
