Elaborate fountains of this sort displayed the wealth of aristocratic estates.
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To conserve on heat and maximize efficient use of space, farm families would often sleep close to the stable, to capitalize on their animals' warmth.
Wattle and daub constructions, 17th-century home
Construction based on wattle and daub -- wooden strips filled and covered by a mixture of soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw -- has existed for thousands of years. It is cheap, relatively durable, and even used low-environmental impact housing.
Note the high windows and narrow facades, typical of Dutch urban architecture
Spanning the lower Rhine River, this bridge became the scene of major combat between Allied and German forces in September 1944. Ultimately, British and American forces had to withdraw in the face of strong resistance.
Folk patterns on textiles, plats and wooden boxes
Dutch storage containers meant for display included lively geometric designs.
This simple room in a famrer's cottage includes many agricultural tools.
The Dutch developed making of fine tiles into a major practical craft and art work by the 1600s, as the influence of Chinese pottery spread through Europe.
Along the banks of the Lower Rhine River
Modernized for barge, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the river bank provides a pleasant place for diversion.
Located in the heart of the country, this museum of 'ordinary' structures fascinates visitors. Few mills actually powered by wind can be found in the Netherlands, although over half of lies between sea level. Picturesque and energy-conscious, but not 'modern.'
Built ~186 and 200 CE, this gate marked the entrance to the largest Roman city north of the Alps. "Porta Nigra" literally means "black stone," referring the effect of centuries of weathering. It stands at the city's northern entrance. Trier is also known as birthplace of Karl Marx.
Interior of farm house, Dutch open air huseum
The vibrant, Van Gogh-like colors of this room contrast with the cloudy weather characteristic of this part of the Netherlands.
Side view of Porta Nigra, Trier, Germany
Charlemagne established the seat of Holy Roman Empire here in 768 CE, building a splendid basilica to honor this event. Aachen was known for its hot springs, even in Roman times. Leaders of the Holy Roman Empire continued to be buried here from the time of Charlemagne until 1531.
Grapes and Wine are two of Italy's largest exports, and a source of much cultural heritage, as well. Wherever there is arable, open land, there are rows and rows of grapevines.
Largely untouched by the Napoleonic wars or the two World Wars, Aachen features a lovely vehicle-free city center, locale for major public buildings, outdoors cafes and the like.
In this area of scattered villages, farming dominates, with generous support from the European Union.
Like many other cities, Aachen has established a vehicle-free zone in its central shopping and plaza area. The city itself has a long, rich history, having been the site where Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE.
De prentenliefhebber (Dr. Aegidius Timmerman), 1897-1900 (The print lover (Dr. Aegidius Timmerman)) by Jan Toorop (1858-1928)
Oil on canvas at the Kröller-Müller Museum
These colorful balloons provide a pleasant contrast with the gray stone of St. Peters and the obelisk in the center of the piazza in front of it.
In order to appreciate St. Peter's, visitors find it useful to up a flight or two. This view was taken from a nearby building.
Balloons outside of St. Peter's Basilica
Street vendors of all kinds sell trinkets and toys outside in the Vatican, taking advantage of unsuspecting tourists while earning some extra cash.
This photograph, a Polaroid, shows the daytime skyline of the City of Rome with the Appenines in the background.
To help visitors better understand the vast Roman Forum, the scale moodel in the foreground orients visits. The Arch of Constantine stands in the foreground, the Arch of Titus at the back left.
At all seasons of the year, the Sistine Chapel is filled with visitors come to see Michelangelo's extraordinary frescoes.
Given the age of religious structures in Italy -- many of which were built on shaky foundations in earthquake-prone areas, and others were constructed above earlier buildings -- careful archaeological digging often accompanies restoration. These photographs illustrate change over time.
This vast public space in the heart of Rome serves as the focal point for the world's Roman Catholic population. From the balcony above the entrance, the Pope appears on important occasions.
Priests moving toward the altar for mass
These solemn men of the cross are about to celebrate mass in St. Peter's Cathedral, one of the largest churches in the Christian world and the spiritual center for Roman Catholics.
These priests are moving toward the seat of Peter (the Cathedra Petri), located in St. Peter's church. This church serves as the symbolic center for the world's Roman Catholics.
Bernini's exuberant matserpiece typifies rococco style. Sculpted around 1640, this fountain is located in the Piazza Navona, Rome.
Stones of earlier building incorporated into Pantheon
Worthy of notice here are the stones from another structure used directly for building the Pantheon. Such recycling was common for hundreds of years, given the difficulties in mining, transporting and preparing marble or other fine stones for public buildings.
Artemis in Greek mythology is the twin of Apollo. She had special links to the city of Ephesus. The many sacs on her body represent fertility, whether as breasts, eggs or bulls' testicles. The statue dates from ca. 590 BCE.
The strong classical lines of this entrance area, constructed in 315, illustrate the impact of Greek architectural style on Roman builders.
Keeping this huge basilica in proper shape involves scores of workers on a full-time basis.
This photograph helps us understand better the scale of St. Peter's. It was taken from the roof, looking toward parts of the Apennines.
When the Pantheon was built ca. 125 of the Common Era, it was not jammed among other structures. The quality of Roman engineering is shown in the fact that the dome remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.
The huge square in front of St. Peter's can be jammed with thousands of visitors. On this less crowded day, a group of nuns wearing traditional garb are taking a tour.
Sculpted by Nicola Pisano ca. 1260, this pulpit is widely regarded as one of his masterpieces. It combines French Gothic style with Roman classical elements.
This arch, dedicated to the Roman Emperor Constantine in 315, was erected to commemorate his decannalia (ten years of reign).
The Medici family became one of the wealthiest in Renaissance northern Italy. These mosaics can be found on a family tomb in Florence.
The central part of the city of Amsterdam is divided by a series of semi-circular canals, crossed by atractive bridges like that shown here.
San Miniato al Monte stands atop one of the highest hills of Florence. The basilica itself is Romanesque in style. Three different orders -- Benedictines, Cluniacs and Olivetans -- have controlled the church.
Millions of tulips are produced annually in the fields around this city, all land reclaimed from the sea by Dutch farmers.
Literally millions of tulip bulbss are produced annually in this town. It drew its name from a herb garden linked to a castle belonging to the Count of Hainault.
Tulip bulb production for much of the world is concentrated in the region around this area. As many as seven million bulbs are planted annually. It is called the world's large flower garden.
This is an example of a traveling straatorgel ("street organ"), which are still used in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Well before the electronic period, merchandisers advertised their products with sound and color. These figures would move on the hour, with music played from the display.
This tower and its chimes have become well-known internationally through the diary of Anne Frank. Her family could hear the church's bells ring in their attic hide-away.
This picture was taken inside the cloister of Pisa's cathedral.
The Dutch love for flowers can be found regularly at this famous market. As the flags suggest, it has become a magnet for visitors from other countries.
For 22 Fridays each year, cheese venders in Alkmaar follow time-honored traditions in displaying and selling their products. The flags indicate the international, touristic nature of the cheese market, with more than 100,000 visitors annually. Those working there are organized in four groups ("vemen") of seven men each. They can be distinguished by the colors they wear. The market itself has been active since ~1593.
This world-famous Florentine artist Fra Angelico ("Angelic Brother") painted this world-famous fresco at San Marco, Florence, ca. 1445. His naturalistic depictions made Fran Angelico one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance.
Mosaic floors and statutes, Chapel of the Medici.
Many works of art adorn Florence's oldest church. These mosaics and statues are in the Chapel of the Medici, a monumental chapel where many of the Medici patriarchs are interred. Needs confirmation
Many works of art adorn Florence's oldest church, including those by the Renaissance master Michelangelo. These statues are in the Chapel of the Medici, a monumental chapel where many of the Medici patriarchs are interred.
Michelangelo's Tomb for Giuliano de Medici
This extraordinary, almost baroque sculpture by Michelangelo honors Giuliano de Medici, 1479-1516. The tomb includes figures of day and night. Giuliono ruled in Florence from 1512 to 1516.
Crucifixion, Fran Angelico, Dominican Monastery, Florence
Fra Angelico painted a wide variety of holy scenes in the San Marco monastery during this residency there (1436-1445). Because of his skill in painting, he soon became known as "The Blessed." Fra Angelico's natural details marked a significant break from earlier, more stylized Christian art.
This baptistery pulpit is widely regarded as a (perhaps the) master work by Nicola Pisano. Pisano, who lived between ~1220 and 1285, demonstrates many classical Roman characteristics in his sculpture. Many see him as the earliest Renaissance sculptor. The pulpit shows the Annunciation to the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi.
Now located in the Museo del Duomo, this Cantoria, or singing tribune, was modeled on ancient sarcophagi and Byzantine ivory chests. Donatello completed this work around 1440, after seven years work.
A tourist at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in front of a wall mosaic, depicting the face of an unknown boy.
A tourist at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo catches sight of Donatello's famous Penitent Magdalene, carved in wood and containing traces of gold leaf. The sculpture is one of Donatello's last works, dating from 1455.
This detail from the world-famous fresco is said to depict Michelangelo, posing as Herodotus. Raphael completed the full work between 1509 and 1511. It is located in the stanza della segnatura, in the Vatican.
Donatello, who lived from ~1386 to 1446, became known as one of the greatest sculptors of the Italian renaissance. This statue shows the prophet Zuconne (Habbakuk). It is noteworthy for its realistic style.
Museo del Duomo (cathedral museum), Florence, Italy
This dramatic crucifixion scene was painted by Fra Angelico, at the Friary of San Marco outside Florence. He lived there from 1436 to 1445, where he was given responsibility for artistic creations. Fra Angelico was noted for his realistic depiction of Biblical figures. Note how people around the feet of the crosses appear like "regular" human beings.
Wealthy Romans decorated their homes with elaborate mosaics. These often depicted natural products, such as those shown here, notably food. Hunting provided a further common basis for mosaics, as did various gods and goddesses. This mosaic dates from the earliest years of the Common Era.
This grandiose expression of Roman power commemorates Emperor Constantine's triumph in the Battle of Milvian Bridge, fought in 313 CE. At that time, the central arch spanned the Via Triumphalis, the way taken by the emperors when they entered the city in triumph. Scholars disagree about the meaning of the inscriptions. Constantine convened the first Council of Nicea in 325 CE, which established the foundations of contemporary Christian belief. The Arch itself is located close to the Colosseum. Unlike it, however, the Arch of Constantine stands in a pedestrian-only area. Active archaeological digs surround it.
Due to the large life of wars, particularly World War I, each French municipality has one or more memorials to soldiers killed in action
Rural France, like other parts of modern Europe, was served by a network of trains. Service on this line ceased many years earlier, but the structure remains.
Jura Mountains from Ferme de la Fontaine
As winter draws nearer, the snow line moves down the slope
Scenes of this typify much of Western Europe. The scene here is the hamlet of Chevry, in France near Geneva
Although this village is a suburb of Geneva, the bucolic character is maintained by strict zoning
This one-time barn has been converted into a series of comfortable condos, in easy reach of Geneva
This image was taken from the Saleve, a rocky outcrop of the French Alps just south of Geneva. One can get excellent views on clear days
Chamonix, on the French side of Mont Blanc, is known world-wide as a site for expert skiers and tourists
Bern, capital of Switzerland, may be best known as the city where Albert Einstein wrote three of the the most important papers in 20th-century physics, while working as a patent examiner. Although the Swiss are generally considered to be phlegmatic, even dull, whimsy can be found, as in the mural.
Even in early summer, these peaks retain their snow cover -- although global warming has resulted in considerable shrinkage of Switzerland's glaciers.
West of Zurich, about 18,000 feet in air
As part of its national policy, Switzerland maintains an extensive network of narrow gauge railroad tracks, in addition to its mainline routes. Narrow gauge has the advantage of being less expensive to build, fitting in tight mountain settings, and requiring less maintenance.
Although Switzerland and its tiny neighbor Liechtenstein are blessed with ample natural defenses as a result of terrain, unsettled conditions earlier in its history led to the construction of hill-top forts, many of which were later converted into palatial living quarters. The principality is barely over 60 square miles, and makes its living as a tax haven and through sale of postage stamps.
The flag symbolizes Bern, capital of Switzerland and a small city in its own right. According to legend, Bern was named after the first animal that its original settlers saw in the forests. The creature was a bear -- hence the name and figure on the flag.
To ease the tasks of pickers, increase yields and conform to cultural expectations about what 'neat' orchards should look like, Western European farmers trim the limbs of fruit trees, stabilizing them with frameworks such as those shown.
Swiss/Western Europe agriculture (orchards)
Taken in France close to the Swiss border, this picture shows a small herd heading home to their barn late in the date. French cultureholds close to its soul a mystique of 'La France profounde' -- 'the heart of France.'
Christian cemetery, by Basilica of St. Thomas
These graves are located next to one of the few Catholic basilicas in the world. Those buried here include not only former members of the British community, but also Indians raised as Christians. As a general rule, in this part of India, Christians are drawn from the lowest strata of society.
Flags decorate the front of this building
The staunch citizens of Geneva annually celebrate repelling an attack on the city by soldiers of Catholic Savoy. The title 'Escalade' refers to an unsuccessful attempt by the attackers to scale the city's walls. This entire family has decided to participate.
While working as a patent inspector in Berne, Einstein came up with some of the most concepts in physics. His home has become a museum
The staunchly citizens of Geneva annually celebrate repelling an attack on the city by soldiers of Catholic Savoy. The title 'Escalade' refers to an unsuccessful attempt by the attackers to scale the city's walls
Students at the University of Heidelberg have a reputation for drinking lots of beer. These ruins stand many dozen meters above the city itself
Stein-am-Rhein ('Stone on the Rhine') retains its medieval character in its justly-noted town center
The ruins of Heidelberg's noted castle provide an excellent place from which to see the city
Frescoed exteriors, European town center
The combination of timber frame construction with exterior frescoes makes this town center especially attractive
The Chateau de Nyon has gone through numerous renovations over the centuries. It probably was first constructed in the 13th century.
Given Mont Blanc's altitude, this platform provides an excellent vantage point for much of the Alps
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe, and a popular site for skiiers on either the French or Italian side
The 'Mer de glace' - ice sheet - retreated considerably during the 20th century due to climate change. Even further loss of ice has occurred since this photo was taken.
This 'lake' is in reality a broad part of the Rhone River. The city of Geneva lies at the right. Its airport cuts across French as well as Swiss territory, and has separate enfrances/ exits in both countries
Fresh fruits and vegetables dominate this part of the Saturday morning market. Clothing, meat and other desirables occupy separate parts of the market
This huge pan of fresh paella attracts hundreds of buyers each Saturday morning.
To commemorate their successful defeat of Savoyard invaders in 1602, Geneva holds an annual festival. This victory helped Geneva maintain its Protestant Reform tradition at a time when religious passions ran strong.
This entrepreneur attracts many onlookers, and a few buyers, of his wares.