Latest news with #St.Catherine
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Searched a Farmer's Field—and Found a 600-Year-Old Depiction of a Martyred Saint
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: A 600-year-old brass seal found in a farmer's field features an image of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The depiction is chock full of symbolism, and includes items that show she was martyred. Archaeologists believe that the 14th-century item was a seal for a church parish. St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of a church in the Braniewo region of Poland, served a key function as a symbolic figure for both the church and a centuries-old cavalry unit. A recent find in a Polish farmer's field—a 600-year-old brass seal depicting St. Catherine—helps highlight that storied importance. The brass piece, which has been identified as a seal for the church in a translated statement from private archaeological firm Pogotowie Archeologiczne, is dated to the 14th century. The surprisingly well-preserved seal is flat on one side, with an image of St. Catherine dominating the center. She's shown holding a sword and circle, which symbolize her death as a martyr. The engraved image is encircled with Gothic writing, and the back side of the seal has a raised edge with a hole, which would have allowed the seal to be tied onto another object. Tomasz Kaluski of the University of Silesia, who has studied the find, said in a statement that is is interesting to locate an artifact of this kind, as parish seals from the Middle Ages are rarely preserved. He noted that the seal would have been used by an entire parish rather than a specific village rector, and considers the find to be one of significant importance. The image of a crowned St. Catherine is the same image depicted in a well-known painting by Jan Matejko titled 'The Battle of Grunwald.' That painting features Polish and Lithuanian soldiers fighting side-by-side against a Middle Eastern religious order known as the Knights of the Teutonic Order, in what has been described by historians as a decisive battle in the order's expansion. Historians believe that the image of St. Catherine found on the seal would also have been used by fighters from the Braniewo region on banners during that battle. 'Imagine life in the Middle Ages, in the 14th century Braniewo, the capital of Warmia at that time,' Adrian Klos, co-founder of Pogotowie Archeologiczne (the firm that recovered the seal), said in a statement. 'The mentioned seal was used by the Bishopric of Braniewo, which in 1410 exhibited its own cavalry at the battle of Grunwald, which is immortalized on the famous painting by Matejka.' How a brass seal from a 14th-century parish ended up in a random field is a complete mystery, however. 'We know that the seal was found in a plough in Iózefów near Braniewo,' archaeologist Robert Wyrostkiewicz said in a statement. 'The seal could have been abandoned, hidden, or lost. Without the archaeological context it is impossible to determine.' The Braniewo Land Museum is already displaying the artifact in its main hall, and is now 'one of the most important artifacts in our museum.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Forbes
Slovenia: Alps, Sea, Vineyards, And Caves With ‘Baby Dragons'
I first visited Slovenia 20 years ago, and felt like I had discovered the perfect destination to drive around for a week; a compact destination, worthy of a detour from nearby Italy and Austria. It was Europe the way it used to be, or at least the way I wanted it to still seem —unspoiled, uncrowded, an amalgam of land and water scapes, where the Alps, Mediterranean, Pannonian Plain and Karst meet in natural harmony. The country has kept its historic charms while moving gently into the new millennium. Slovenia has been settled since prehistoric times and was part of Yugoslavia until its independence in 1991, and what remains is a plethora of charming towns, outdoor adventures, and getaways filled with culture, art and tradition. Wines are good, and farm-to-table local gastronomy is crafted from local, fresh ingredients. (I particularly liked Sausage Kranj-style, dating from the early 19th century during the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.) And there are now an impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants. And with a concern for the future, the country remains deeply committed to sustainability, which pleases me immensely. The pretty capital city, Ljubljana, is known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city's old town from its commercial hub. Ljubljana is home to numerous theaters and galleries, and boasts one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the world. The National Museum of Slovenia displays historic exhibitions, and the Museum of Modern Art is home to 20th-century Slovene paintings and sculptures. Ljubljana. capital of Slovenia getty But there is much more to experience in Slovenia. Here, a few of my favorite suggestions of what not to miss in this lovely little country. Piran: The Most Beautiful Sea Town Just a short distance from Ljubljana, Piran is a coastal town situated on a narrow peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, offering stunning views from the city walls and the bell tower of St. George's Church. Piran on the Slovenian Adriatic coast. getty Tartini Square, in the heart of the city, is an ideal starting point, from which you can stroll narrow cobblestone streets, enjoy al fresco dining, and explore its picturesque squares, and colorful houses and well-preserved medieval architecture with strong Venetian influences, Piran's proximity to attractions like Portorož, Izola, and the Škocjanske Caves National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring nature. Nearby, you can bird watch along the salt flats and ride a traditional Pletna boat to the island of Otak, to visit the tenth-century church of St. Catherine. Ojstrica: Spectacular Viewpoint Capturing Lake Bled's Beauty At Bled, in the foothills of the Alps, you can pedal a boat on a glacial lake and admire the much photographed church on the little island in the lake's center. Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria on the island in Lake Bled. getty Ojstrica, on the southern side of the lake, has a trail winding through a forest. At the summit is a panoramic view of Lake Bled, its iconic island, Bled Castle, and the Karavanke mountains beyond. Jamnik: Stunning Views, Tranquil Countryside Perched on a hill, Jamnik offers spectacular views of the Julian Alps, and surrounding green valleys — particularly mesmerizing at sunrise or sunset. The village, surrounded by forests and meadows, provides a serene setting perfect for hiking, cycling, and nature observation, and offers a glimpse into authentic rural Slovenian life. A church in Jamnik Slovenia. getty The elegant 13th-century Church of St. Primoz and St. Felician has an elevated position offering panoramic views. Its proximity to attractions like Lake Bled and Triglav National Park makes Jamnik a fine spot for combined visits. Slovenia's Caves and a Nearby Castle The Postojna Cave system in southwestern Slovenia is one of the most visited tourist caves in the world, with stunning stalactite and stalagmites, vast tunnels and underground multicolored chambers. An underground train takes you three miles into into the heart of the prehistoric cave, and you can walk a mile along a trail among towering formations. Postojna Cave is a network of passages, galleries and chambers. The cave has a wealth of speleothems: calcite formations, stalactites and stalagmites abounding in a variety of shapes, colours and age. getty Look out for the olm, known as the 'Dragon of the Alps,' a blind, albino salamander found no where else. These translucent creatures engage in mock battles, and although they are blind, move around the dark caves by reading electrical fields. They can survive up to 10 years without eating, and live up to a hundred years. (Maybe they are baby dragons.) Vector olm or proteus - cave quatic salamander getty Just nine kilometers away, Predjama Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff, is a medieval fortress built into the mountainside. There you can sip hot tea on the terrace and reflect on the pleasures of the caves and the wonders of the olm. Predjama Castle built in the cave, Slovenia getty Inspiring Movie Scenes at the Soča River Valley Clear, turquoise waters make the Soča River renowned as one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. The Soča served as a backdrop for several scenes in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." Soca valley getty The Soča River Valley's scenic hiking trails, offer panoramic views and unique natural landscapes, along with kayaking and other water activities. For Wine Lovers: Špičnik and Jerezalem Slovenia's vineyards grow high-quality wines, and you can sip them and savor regional delicacies in cozy, family-run restaurants. Špičnik, with its iconic heart-shaped road winding through the vineyards of Svečinske Gorice, is popular spot with cyclists, and is perfect for a leisurely walk through the heart of wine country. Rows of vineyards near Maribor, on Slovenia's northern border, close to Austria. getty Jeruzalem, a picturesque village in the eastern part of the country, is set within rolling green hills and terraced vineyards. The Jeruzalem Wine Trail provides a scenic walk, among vines and wine cellars. Follow my award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane here – or wherever you listen to podcasts.
New York Times
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Fashion Is a Serious Business. Once a Year, It Makes Time for Ridiculousness.
Of all the unexpected gifts this job has given me, perhaps the greatest one is the opportunity to be a visitor in the worlds of design and fashion. Anyone who has been allowed entree into a realm they never knew well (but were always curious to know better) understands that much of the fun of that introduction is learning about the culture of the place — the rituals and traditions that members of that tribe have long since ceased to find extraordinary. For example: Last year, I was talking to a dear friend, a fashion designer in Paris. 'What are you doing?' I asked. 'I have to finish the hats for the Catherinettes,' he said, so matter-of-factly that, for a moment, I wondered if my inability to decipher what he was saying was actually a sign of my ignorance. 'I have no idea what you're talking about,' I said. It turns out that, every November, most of the French fashion houses participate in the St. Catherine's Day festival. St. Catherine is the patron saint of, among other special interest groups, single women and, back in the 1940s and '50s, the day was celebrated by 25-year-old female couture assistants putting on whimsical or outlandish hats and wandering the streets of Paris, announcing to one and all that they were looking for a husband. Today, some things about that tradition have changed or been updated — men, called Nicholases, are now included; no participant can be older than 25 (men used to become Nicholases only when they turned 30); the Catherinettes and Nicholases can come from any kind of fashion house, not only those that make couture, and don't have to work in the design ateliers — but it endures. There are still extravagant hats, many designed by the maisons' artistic directors, typically in yellow and green, the colors associated with St. Catherine (no one can agree on why). The honorees, usually among the lowest-ranked, newest members of the houses, still get the afternoon off. (Dior even throws their employees a ball.) Of course, being 25 in 2025 isn't the same as being 25 in 1955. Many of these employees aren't looking for spouses — now, or maybe ever. But St. Catherine's Day is a reminder that even the most serious businesses — and fashion is serious, despite some appearances to the contrary; some might even call it self-serious — make time for silliness. And not just silliness but sentiment. The French are rightly proud of the influence and power their fashion still carries on the global stage; this celebration is as much one of the next generation as it is of the industry itself. It's also a reminder that what makes any closed-door artistic community special is the peculiarities that it has cultivated over the decades. 'Oh, how wonderful!' said one New York stage manager I told about the Catherinettes; at the time, we were working on a piece about the traditions of Broadway theaters. 'I never knew that.' She'd just finished telling me about some of her world's rites; she was tickled to hear about someone else's. Who knows? Maybe your business isn't as boring as you think. Maybe it's actually deeply weird — and you're the only one who doesn't know it.
