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GTR-DVD-1165 - The sea has always been of great importance to the city of Siracusa. Greek colonialists first arrived here by boat and settled in Sicily and thus laid the foundations of the region's future prosperity. The attractive historic centre of the old town is located on the island of Ortygia whose buildings contain almost two thousand seven hundred years of history. When under the dictatorship of the tyrant, Dionysios The First, the town had a population of half a million that even surpassed that of Athens. Following a two year siege in 212 B.C. the Romans succeeded in conquering the metropolis. The Teatro Greco is one of the most beautiful amphitheatres of Ancient Greece and at the beginning of the fifth century dramas and comedies were frequently performed there. It once accommodated up to fifteen thousand spectators. Numerous colourful legends abound of the nearby Ear of Dionysios. The grotto is a wonder of acoustics in which even the most gentle whisper can be heard. Legend has it that the tyrant Dionysios used the phenomenon to eavesdrop on his prisoners. Siracusa is a fascinating and atmospheric place, steeped in history, myth and legend. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments
Global Treasures SYRACUSE...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 199 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m48s
Views: 10  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
GTR-DVD-1125 - Around fifty kilometres northwest of Madrid, the austere yet opulent residence of El Escorial extends up the southern slope of the Sierra De Guadarrama. It was built during the rule of King Phillip II after his father Karl V ordered him to build a magnificent church in which he would eventually be buried. The Escorial was to be a pantheon for the Spanish aristocracy and also served as the country's new centre of authority. In rooms such as the Pudridero the significance of El Escorial as a burial place is evident. King Phillip II required that the exterior of the building should be plain and simple in contrast to the interior with its unusual works of art and priceless treasures. The impressive art museum contains an exclusive collection by important artist such as Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Van Dyck, Hieronymus Bosch, Velázquez and El Greco. In the royal pantheon, the Panteón De Reyes, lie the coffins of eleven Spanish monarchs. The splendid marble coffins with their golden inscriptions add both dignity and elegance to this burial place. Philipp II was not only a larger-than-life tyrant, he was also an educated man who supported science and the arts. El Escorial was his most significant bequest to Spain. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.
Global Treasures EL...
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 199 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 0m58s
Views: 15  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
7DY-DVD-136 - Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is the most diverse region in Italy,   a land of gods and natural forces and a place of ancient cultures.  Throughout the history of Sicily there have been many battles, rulers, cultures and religions.  Prior to Roman rule both the Greeks and the Carthagians fought against each other.  Later came the Arabs and the Normans.  Catania is Sicily's second largest city and has been strongly influenced by earthquakes and also the volcanic activity of Mount Etna.  Therefore only a few historical remnants have survived.  However, after each disaster the city was rebuilt and the result is a Baroque city dominated by fascinating sights full of character and charm.  A devastating earthquake in 1693 destroyed the original town of Noto and left it in ruins.  Construction of the new town took almost a hundred years until at end of the eighteenth century most of its buildings had been rebuilt.  In addition to the geometrical design of its streets the remarkable architectural harmony of the town has been created by much use of ochre-coloured sandstone.  The privately-owned train, the Ferrovia Circumetnea, travels around Mount Etna from Catania to Riposto.  A couple of kilometres outside Catania there are vast fertile fields.  In the background is the mighty and over three thousand metre high Mount Etna, one of the most active and famous volcanoes in the world.  Taormina is situated on a rock high above the Ionic Sea.  The Teatro Greco was built out of the stone of Monte Tauro in the third century A.D. and five hundred years later it was enlarged by the Romans for gladiatorial battle.  The old town ended at Porta Messina whose medieval palaces and villas have been preserved right up until the present day.  A few kilometres from Palermo and set within a beautiful bay is Mondello sheltered by the slopes of Monte Pellegrino that contains a grotto, an altar and a pilgrims church, the Santuario Di Santa Rosalia.  Here this fascinating journey comes to an end.  Sicily is exquisite, an ancient island of both discovery and pleasure.
7 Days SICILIA Italy
Categories: Holiday Location and Places 
Added: 199 days ago
By: travel-video
Runtime: 1m41s
Views: 20  | Comments: 0
Rating: Not yet rated
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