shanomag

Photography

Leaving the busy streets of Barcelona behind, I boarded the train toward Montserrat, a place locals call the “Sacred Mountain.”
The ride lasts only five minutes, but every second is filled with wonder. The cable stretches steeply across the Llobregat River, climbing toward the jagged peaks that gave the mountain its name — Montserrat, meaning “saw-toothed mountain.” As the car rises, the view of the valley, forests, and tiny roads below feels unreal.

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When you step through the monastery gates, the energy shifts. The basilica square is often filled with visitors and pilgrims waiting to see La Moreneta, the Black Madonna of Montserrat. This wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, darkened by centuries of devotion and candle smoke, is Catalonia’s patron saint.

Inside the basilica, gold light dances off the marble, and the echo of choral music fills the air. I stood quietly as the boys’ choir sang — their voices pure and soft, rising toward the high ceilings. It was one of the most moving travel moments I’ve ever experienced.

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Beyond the main plaza, Montserrat’s trails invite exploration. One of the most scenic spots is the Rosa dels Vents viewpoint — a circular compass rose carved into stone near the upper ridge of the mountain.

Standing there, you get a full 360-degree view of Catalonia: the sea to the east, the Pyrenees to the north, and the sprawling plains below. Few tourists make it that far, which makes it feel even more special.

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The combination of nature, faith, and human craftsmanship gives the place a powerful balance. You can feel both very small and very connected here — like the mountain itself is listening.

Read the full article here: https://shanomag.com/2025/11/13/mystical-montserrat-cable-car-abbey-and-hidden-viewpoints/

Day trip from Barcelona done right: Montserrat’s monastery & teleferic ride

Politics_And_Law

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Every year on November 5th, skies across the United Kingdom light up with fireworks, bonfires, and celebrations marking Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night. But behind the sparkling displays lies a centuries-old story of rebellion, faith, and survival that has shaped one of Britain’s most enduring traditions.

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🔥 The Origins: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

The tradition dates back to 1605, when a group of English Catholics plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Their goal was to assassinate King James I and replace him with a Catholic monarch, putting an end to Protestant rule.

The conspirators secretly stored 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the House of Lords. However, their plan was foiled on the night of November 4th, when Guy Fawkes, the man guarding the explosives, was discovered by authorities in the early hours of November 5th.

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Fawkes was arrested, tortured, and eventually executed, along with his fellow conspirators. In the wake of the failed plot, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate the king’s survival — and a national tradition was born.

🎇 From Propaganda to Celebration

Originally, Guy Fawkes Night carried strong anti-Catholic overtones. For centuries, effigies of Fawkes — known as “Guys” — were burned on bonfires while crowds chanted “Remember, remember the fifth of November…”

Over time, the event evolved into a more inclusive community celebration. The political and religious tensions faded, replaced by fireworks, parades, and gatherings that mark the night as a cultural festival rather than a statement of division.

🎭 Modern Celebrations

Today, Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated across the UK and in some parts of the Commonwealth. Towns and cities host fireworks displays, torchlight processions, and funfairs. Children once made “Guys” out of old clothes and asked for “a penny for the Guy,” though that tradition has largely faded.

Many families gather around garden bonfires, roast toffee apples, baked potatoes, and parkin cake, and enjoy the warmth of community on a crisp autumn evening.

Some cities — such as Lewes in Sussex — still hold grand, historical processions, keeping the old rituals alive with elaborate costumes, banners, and burning effigies of political figures.

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🕯️ Remembering and Reflecting

While the night has become a symbol of festivity, it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace, tolerance, and democracy. Guy Fawkes Night reflects how a nation’s history can evolve — from violence and rebellion to reflection and celebration.

🧨 “Remember, Remember…”

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.


Remember, Remember the 5th of November 🔥 Happy Guy Fawkes Night !!!

The Arc de Triomf was built in 1888 as the main gate for the Barcelona Universal Exposition. Instead of celebrating military victory, it celebrated Barcelona opening itself to the world. The architect, Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas, designed it in a Neo-Mudéjar style (a Moorish-inspired decorative style popular in Spain at that time), built of reddish brickwork.

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The arch stands at the border between the old city (Ciutat Vella) and the newer Eixample district, symbolising Barcelona’s jump into the modern age. Look closely and you’ll see some interesting details: the front frieze shows “Barcelona welcomes the nations,” and the other side has a frieze of “Recompense”, showing awards for participants of the fair. Above the arch are the coats of arms of all 49 Spanish provinces of the time, with Barcelona’s crest at the top.

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Unlike many triumphal arches built to commemorate battles or kings, Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf is civil: built to welcome nations, not conquer them.

The arch was part of the 1888 World Fair, which brought 2.3 million visitors and helped modernize Barcelona.

The bat symbols carved into the arch’s pillars are tied to King Jaume I — a small detail many miss.

The broad promenade in front of the arch is often used today for rollerbladers, street performers, festivals, and relaxing strolls.

Read More here: https://shanomag.com/2025/11/04/why-the-arc-de-triomf-should-be-on-your-barcelona-bucket-list/


Why the Arc de Triomf Should Be on Your Barcelona Bucket List

The Viking Ships of Bygdøy in Oslo are among Norway’s most treasured archaeological finds, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship from over a thousand years ago. Housed in the Viking Ship Museum, these vessels were excavated from royal burial mounds in Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune. 

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The Oseberg Ship, richly decorated and well-preserved, is considered one of the finest artistic achievements of the Viking Age. The sturdier Gokstad Ship demonstrates the Vikings’ advanced seafaring skills and ability to build ocean-going vessels. Alongside the ships, the museum displays artifacts such as tools, textiles, sleds, and household items that reveal daily life and burial customs. These exhibits provide deep insight into Viking culture, social structure, and beliefs about the afterlife. Located on the Bygdøy Peninsula, the museum is a major cultural attraction for both locals and international visitors. It offers a fascinating journey into Norway’s maritime heritage and the legacy of the Viking Age.

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The Viking Ships of Bygdøy, Oslo

Travel

Vigeland Park, sometimes also called Frogner Park, is not just a green space. It is the largest sculpture park in the world created by a single artist. That artist was Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943), who devoted the last two decades of his life to this project. He was not only responsible for the sculptures but also for the design of the park itself, including its layout, the bridges, fountains, and gardens.

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The city of Oslo made a special deal with Vigeland. He would donate all his work to the city, and in return, the city promised to build a permanent exhibition space for his art. It was an ambitious agreement, but the result is one of Norway’s greatest cultural treasures.

Vigeland himself never saw the park completely finished, as he died before its full completion. Yet his detailed plans allowed others to carry out his vision. Today, the park is home to over 200 sculptures, all made in bronze, granite, or wrought iron, and it is open every day of the year, free for everyone.



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My Travel Blog Article for this visit is here:
Vigeland’s Park of Human Stories and My Oslo Finale
https://shanomag.com/2025/09/24/vigelands-park-of-human-stories-and-my-oslo-finale/

Walking Through Life in Vigeland's Statues Park in Oslo

alter_native

NearToilets - Find Clean Public Toilets Near You

Scoresby

If you are using FDroid on Android you can download LavSeeker. It shows toilets globally. No login or shared data. 

Gothenburg at night breathes a quiet, brooding poetry.

The cobbled streets glisten under the dim orange glow of streetlamps, their reflections trembling in rain-slicked tram tracks.

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Gothenburg Nights

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This is the Atomium—equal parts architectural marvel, historical relic, and cultural symbol. It’s not just a building; it’s a story told in stainless steel, one that bridges science fiction dreams with post-war optimism.

The Atomium: Born from a Bold Vision

The Atomium wasn’t meant to be permanent. In fact, it was originally built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (Expo 58)—the first World Expo held after World War II and a landmark event for Europe. 

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Its unique shape is no accident. The Atomium is a representation of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, a tribute to the atomic age and the scientific optimism of the 1950s. This was an era when atoms weren’t associated with bombs and fear, but with boundless potential. The idea was simple yet powerful: to turn science into spectacle, and to make the invisible—atomic structure—visible on a monumental scale.

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At 102 meters tall, with nine interconnected spheres (each 18 meters in diameter) linked by tubes and escalators, the Atomium defied both architectural norms and engineering limitations of its time. Waterkeyn’s original concept was for a structure of tubes only, but the Polaks insisted on adding spheres, which ultimately gave the Atomium its now-iconic look.

Between 2004 and 2006, the Atomium underwent a €26 million makeover. The dull aluminum cladding was replaced with gleaming stainless steel, internal infrastructure was upgraded, and new exhibition spaces were added. Today, it’s not just a historical remnant—it’s a fully functioning museum and cultural venue.

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shanomag article at : https://shanomag.com/2025/09/06/from-atom-to-icon-the-surreal-legacy-of-brussels-atomium/#more-1467

From Atom to Icon: The Surreal Legacy of Brussels’ Atomium

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Drinking sidra in Gijón is a full cultural experience. It’s not just about the taste — it’s about the ritual, the sound, the tradition. 

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You watch as the bottle is lifted high above the head and the cider is poured into the glass from a distance, in a move called escanciar. The pour aerates the drink, waking it up with a bit of sparkle. You only drink a small amount at a time — a culín — and you never let it sit too long. 

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Locals toss the last sip on the ground as part of the custom. The taste is sharp, fresh, and slightly funky — a true expression of Asturias. In Gijón, sidra isn’t just a drink; it’s part of the rhythm of daily life.

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Sippin’ sidra in Gijón like a true Asturian

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Kopachi is a former village near Chernobyl, Ukraine, just south-west of the Pripyat River Basin. After the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, the village was contaminated by fallout and subsequently evacuated and is now within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone; and thus has been abandoned since 1986.

Kopachi Village - Chernobyl Region

In Spain, the Bulls are everywhere.

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The palace was built for entrepreneur Ermengildo Castiglioni, who chose architect Giuseppe Sommaruga because of his anticonventional solutions.

During WW2 the furniture was destroyed by the US army that occupied it in 1945-46 and used it as wood for heating. Only decorations, facades, iron work and lamps were saved. 

Main Entrance Decorations of Palazzo Castiglioni in Milano

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Street Art from Barcelona

Memento mori Barcelona

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Street Art from Barcelona

Proof of details

Not anymore. Now, we are living in cheap and ugly time.

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Cathedral of Barcelona

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Castellfollit de la Roca is one of Spain's most stunning villages, perched dramatically atop a 50-meter-high basalt cliff formed by ancient volcanic lava flows.

The village, located in Catalonia, spans less than 1 square kilometer, making it one of the smallest municipalities in the region.

Its historic center is characterized by narrow, cobblestone streets and charming medieval buildings constructed with volcanic rock, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape.

From the viewpoint at the Sant Salvador Church, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the confluence of the Fluvià and Toronell rivers below.

The basalt cliff that Castellfollit de la Roca sits on is a geological marvel, created by overlapping lava flows from two different volcanic eruptions over thousands of years.

Travel while you stack

Castellfollit de la Roca - Livin' on the Edge

Design

Moroccan Zellij Mosaics

It was a great journey through Casablanca, Fez, Rabat and Tangier. I will definitely return one day. Amazing place. 

No, I'm not. I just visited Morocco a month ago and sharing some photos from there. 

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The pieces were typically of different colours and fitted together to form various patterns on the basis of tessellations, most notably elaborate Islamic geometric motifs such as radiating star patterns composed of various polygons.

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Casablanca's gates designs 