Latest news with #mosaics
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
School mosaics to be saved
A series of "incredibly precious" mosaics hidden in a girls' school in Manchester are to be saved after coming minutes away from being "beautifully designed" friezes, crafted from handmade Venetian glass, were hidden behind wooden panels at the former Chorlton Convent High School for Girls. The building was due being pulled down when a group of local residents got involved at the last is thought the Christian mosaics, believed to have been created in the early 1900s, were covered over and forgotten about when the school was taken over by the Manchester Islamic High School for Girls around 1991. Local resident Tracey Cartledge - who works in restoration - flagged the discovery to colleagues in the art world, local councillors and Historic England in an effort to save the mosaics."It's made of absolutely beautiful Venetian handmade glass, gold leaf, and a very rare recycled mosaic glass that was made in London for a limited period," Tracey epxlained."The whole thing is incredibly precious - not just because of the materials used - but because of the high-quality of... the work".Developer Cube Homes, which was in demolishing the school to build new houses, has agreed to partly fund the restoration and it's hoped fundraising will help pay for the this year a separate mural depicting Mary and baby Jesus at the entrance to the school was also saved.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Race to save 'precious' hidden mosaics uncovered on building site
A series of "incredibly precious" mosaics, crafted with handmade Venetian glass, look set to be saved, after coming minutes away from being "beautifully designed" friezes of Catholic iconography were discovered hidden behind wooden panels by builders, midway through work to bulldoze part of the former Chorlton Convent High School for Girls.A group of local residents, including Tracey Cartledge - who works in restoration, spotted the mosaics and intervened at the last moment, and are now fundraising to have them safely removed and Cube Homes, which was in the throes of demolishing the school to develop new homes, has agreed to partially fund the restoration. It is thought the mosaics, estimated to have been created in the early 1900s, were missed by planners having been covered over when the site was taken over by the Manchester Islamic High School for Girls around by Cube Homes for 22 new homes at the site were subsequently approved, and demolition work began earlier this said a friend, who lives opposite the site, spotted the mosaic being uncovered by the demolition team at the end of July and sent her a remembers thinking, 'wow, I had no idea this was there. Is it about to demolished? I better do something right now'. Having flagged the discovery to fellow colleagues in the art world, she and others immediately got in touch with local councillors and Historic England in an effort to save the after, she drove to site to take a look for herself. "It's made of absolutely beautiful Venetian handmade glass, gold leaf, and a very rare recycled mosaic glass that was made in London for a limited period," she explains."The whole thing is incredibly precious - not just because of the materials used - but because of the high-quality of the execution of the work". Tracey, who is from Chorlton, has drawn on her contacts in the world of restoration to put together a team of freelancers to begin the work of carefully stripping off the mosaic once a scaffold has been said they hope to start work next week removing the tiles in "manageable sections", and slowly lowering them into dividing the sections, "we have to ensure we're not going to make a division line through an angel's face", she said, highlighing the meticulous planning the pressures of the demolition schedule mean the restoration team have a deadline of 24 August, meaning there is a possibility not all the mosaics will be Heath, who is the managing director at Cube Homes said the firm were working collaboratively with Tracey and others to "find a solution to the logistical challenges around the mosaic removal".The developer said it had committed "funds and time to remove this mosaic as efficiently and as safely as possible so that the development can proceed". The latest discovery comes after a separate mural depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus at the entrance to the school was saved earlier this mosaic, though to have been made much later, was painstakingly taken down and removed to St Ambrose College in Hale Barns after a successful restoration Douglas, a former pupil at the school in the 1980s, said a group of ex-students on Facebook helped raise thousands to save that mosaic."It's a piece of our history, and obviously from a personal perspective, it's a memory," she said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Fox News
03-08-2025
- General
- Fox News
Ancient Christian church reveals mysterious 1,600-year-old warning to nonbelievers: 'Only the righteous'
Archaeologists in Turkey recently excavated the ruins of a millennia-old city, revealing a fifth-century Christian church with a message that hasn't been seen in over 1,000 years. The excavation took place at Olympus, an ancient Lycian port city in Turkey's Antalya province, according to Anadolu Agency (AA), a state-run news outlet in Ankara. The city has been excavated continuously since 2006, but during the recent season, archaeologists uncovered multiple mosaic floors, along with large storage jars called pithoi. Excavator Gokcen Kurtulus Oztaskin, an associate professor at Pamukkale University, told AA that the site "continues to surprise us with its mosaics." The professor noted that "in 2017, 2022 and 2023, we discovered richly decorated mosaic floors at the sites we worked on. This year, we uncovered and restored the floor mosaics of Church No. 1." The most striking discovery was an inscription found at Church No. 1's entrance. Oztaskin translated the message as: "Only those on the righteous path may enter here." Olympus was abandoned by the 12th century — meaning the inscription has not been seen since. The mosaics also featured vegetable motifs, a common artistic element of the era. The names of benefactors were also visible on the mosaics, indicating that an affluent class once flourished in Olympus. Excavators also found a newly uncovered building that resembles a temple, though more work will be done to determine its age and function. Olympus was in use for several centuries. It still bears some remnants of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine architecture. Archaeologists have uncovered multiple churches, a bridge and an entrance complex. They also found the Bishop's Palace, the Antimakhos sarcophagus and the Lycian Marcus Aurelius Archepolis Monumental Tomb. The discoveries come on the heels of several recent breakthroughs in early Christian archaeology. Earlier this spring, an archaeologist uncovered an ancient Christian settlement in Jordan known as Tharais. Last year, historians unveiled the earliest-known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, in the form of a silver inscription.
Times
09-06-2025
- Times
The charming, overlooked Italian city you'll want to keep to yourself
When the King and Queen visited Italy in April, their unexpected day trip to Ravenna turned heads. But they weren't the first Brits charmed by this overlooked little city. Lord Byron spent two eventful years here and his former home is now a museum celebrating his love for Italy. While much of the country was still developing, Ravenna had already been a capital three times: of the Western Roman Empire (402-476), the Ostrogothic Kingdom (493-540) and the Byzantine Exarchate (540-751). This was the original east meets west — Roman, gothic and Byzantine influences merging in temples, tombs and churches adorned with stunning mosaics of gold, stylised figures and Greek iconography unseen elsewhere in western Europe. Since then, elegant, walkable Ravenna has gone a bit quiet, though the food — heavy on the pastas and flatbread, along with meats, cheeses and sangiovese wine — is some of the heartiest in Italy. 'Ravenna retains more of its old Italian style than any other city,' Byron wrote in 1819. 'It remains out of the way of travellers and therefore that style has remained original.' Original indeed. There is simply nowhere like Ravenna. • Morning: Basilica of San Vitale• Eat at: Hostaria Pasolini• Afternoon: Museum hopping • Drink at: Mowgli• Evening: Passeggiata from Piazza del Popolo• Eat at: L'Acciuga Osteria • Morning: Punta Marina beaches • Eat at: La Piadina del Melarancio• Afternoon: Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo• Drink at: Pionia • Evening: Teatro Alighieri • Eat at: Ca' de Ven • Of Ravenna's eight Unesco world heritage sites, the centrally located Basilica di San Vitale best captures the city's golden age. Its 1,400-year-old mosaics are the finest in the ancient world, with the standout being the radiant portraits of Emperor Justinian and his wife, Theodora, who invested their limitless resources in trying to turn Ravenna into the new Rome. A combined ticket will provide access to San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Museo Arcivescovile and is valid for seven days (£9; In 1819 Byron moved into the home of Count Alessandro Guiccioli, who was unaware that the poet was having a steamy affair with his wife. Byron spent two years here writing, romancing and mingling with the local revolutionaries. Now transformed into the Byron Museum, it celebrates the poet, his lover's devotion (she kept locks of his hair, one of a number of intimate items on display) and the enduring cultural ties between Britain and Italy (£9, including access to the Risorgimento Museum, in the same building; Soak up the small-town Italy vibe by joining the locals on their passeggiata, the evening stroll that starts at Piazza del Popolo and fans out into the city's winding streets and cryptic courtyards. Highlights include Dante's tomb, the Duomo's leaning 10th-century bell tower and the contemporary mosaic-inspired street art — a nod to Ravenna's title as the City of Mosaics.• The coast once came right up to Ravenna; now it's some six miles away, but the city never lost its connection with the sea. Buses 70 and 80 whisk you between the beach and central Ravenna train station every 30 minutes and you can pay by contactless (single tickets £2; or it's a 25-minute bike ride along a segregated cycle road (rent one from outside the station for £3.50 for three hours; While it's not exactly the azure seas of southern Italy, at Punta Marina there's a mix of free and organised beaches with blue flag status, including Chicco beach, which is designed with accessibility in mind to help bathers with mobility issues fully enjoy the sea.• There's something deeply moving about the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, whose mosaics are the best after San Vitale, particularly the lavish 'procession of martyrs', which stretches the length of the church. (Included in the £9 combined ticket to San Vitale; see above.)• Locals are immensely proud of their grand, peach-coloured Teatro Alighieri, just off Piazza del Popolo, which has been the home of opera in the city since 1852. The annual Ravenna Festival, which runs from May to July, with an opera-themed reprisal in November, has an eclectic mix of music, dance and theatre by internationally renowned artists (festival shows from £12, opera from £47; This low-key restaurant in the centro storico is a pastaphile's dream. Simply choose your homemade pasta (local specialities include tagliatelle and the fedora-shaped cappelletti) and your sauce (try the local Mora sausage and kale). This is the kind of stuff Ravenna prides itself on (mains from £8; @hostariapasolini_). • Beat the crowds to this glorious unsung Italian coastal city Stop for a refreshing Hugo (prosecco, elderflower syrup and mint), which is challenging the traditional spritz for popularity, in the atmospheric courtyard of this cool new joint (cocktails from £6; @mowgliravenna). Extend your passeggiata ten minutes further, to L'Acciuga Osteria. The ravennati are just as renowned for their surf as their turf, and a lot of them come here for calamari with black truffle and spaghetti with fried anchovies. The dishes here are more creative than they sound; Michelin was impressed enough to give them a mention in its 2024-25 guide (mains from £17; The people of Ravenna have an almost cult-like devotion to the piadina, a flatbread sandwich traditionally filled with ham, rocket and dribbly squacquerone cheese. Il Melarancio stands out for the quality of its oven-fresh bread and the diversity of its fillings (try some caramelised figs), all washed down with a £2.50 glass of regional sangiovese (piadinas from £3.50; @lapiadinadelmelarancio). This flashy new cocktail bar is a key feature of Piazza John Fitzgerald Kennedy's transformation from a drab car park into a lively pedestrian-friendly hub, where its ensemble of Renaissance palaces once again takes centre stage. The mixologists here love their zany creations; try the 'sbaglio a Kyoto' — a wicked mix of saké, Campari and vermouth (cocktails from £8; @pionia_ravenna). You can feel the history at this Ravenna institution, in a sumptuous 15th-century palazzo complete with frescoed ceilings. The menu is deeply, almost haughtily Romagnol. Treat yourself to a budino (soufflé) filled with squacquerone, ham and wine sauce, or any number of lavish charcuterie boards showing off the region's meats and cheeses (mains from £11; This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Aristocratic appeal in a 15th-century palazzoAccommodation doesn't get more historic than Albergo Cappello, a sumptuous seven-bedroom hotel where every suite evokes the high Renaissance (though mod cons like air conditioning have been sneaked in). Francesca da Rimini, a friend of Dante who features in his Divine Comedy, is said to have been born here. The hotel's restaurant is one of the most highly rated in Ravenna (B&B doubles from £159; A historic, homely hideawayIn an 18th-century palazzo but filled with an eclectic potpourri of art from ancient to contemporary, Casa Masoli is one of Ravenna's quirkier stays. With private parking on site (something not to be taken for granted in central Ravenna), it suits those who are renting a car. Guests looking for a more hands-on experience can book a mosaic course from Barbara Liverani, a friend of the owner. Oh, and don't forget the lavish breakfasts served in a fresco-covered salon (B&B doubles from £117; Affordable, fuss-free staysPleasant, workaday Centrale Byron is a stone's throw from the central Piazza del Popolo. Rooms are old-fashioned but have safes, minibars and air con. The breakfast is good but the main attraction is the location. You really are in the thick of it (B&B doubles from £80; An hour from Ravenna, Rimini airport has direct flights to and from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. From Rimini railway station — connected by frequent buses from the airport (about 25 minutes) — regular trains run to Ravenna (one hour, from £9 return; Once you're in the city you can get everywhere on foot. Extend your stay and head south to explore Rimini, which has a cute old town with Roman, Renaissance and baroque buildings and the newly opened Fellini Museum. Bologna and Modena are both easily accessible from Ravenna. Alex Sakalis was a guest of Emilia-Romagna Turismo (
The National
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Postcard from Madaba: Cosy bookshop Kawon is a universe of rare titles, cats and community
The ancient Jordanian town of Madaba − known as the City of Mosaics − is a tourism magnet, with its historic streets, olive trees and hidden gems tucked away in every corner. One of these magical nooks is Kawon, a bookshop in the centre of town on Palestine Street, that is known for its stock of rare editions, quirky interior − and a resident tribe of cats. The bookshop, the town's first, was opened 10 years ago by Ghaith Bahdousheh, who left the corporate world to sell books. Mr Bahdousheh told Jordanian media at its launch that he started Kawon because there were no books accessible to him in his town, forcing him to drive almost an hour to Amman every time he wanted to buy some. He received help from volunteers around the world with funding and books, and also support from Queen Rania of Jordan. A circular black sign etched with the shop's name − which means universe in Arabic − hangs from an archway at the entrance to the 150-year-old building and its garden, which features spaces for browsing, dining or simply relaxing, with cats milling about for company. Going through the front entrance – where a wooden stand displays a colourful assortment of home-made jam and other condiments for sale – and going down the steps into the shop feels like being transported to a different world. Inside is a display of vintage audio cassettes, maps, records and handmade souvenirs. Past the cashier, new and second-hand books, sorted according to genre, are scattered around three rooms; some on shelves other stacked in piles on the floor. Works of art can be found in every section of the shop, including a prominently displayed portrait of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, decorated with coffee pods and the lids of tins. One of the rooms houses an extensive inventory of rare titles, antique books in several languages, and historical Asian artwork. For cat lovers, there is the prospect of occasionally discovering a cardboard box with a litter of kittens safely stowed away here. Besides being a bibliophile's dream, Kawon has an outdoor space that encourages social gatherings, especially among young people, and builds a sense of community. 'Kawon is a unique and special place in Madaba,' says Mera Sayegh, 26, who lived in the town before moving to California. 'Sometimes, I went alone when I needed some quiet time. With friends, it was fun and lively, and alone, it was calm and reflective.' Ms Sayegh says she misses the 'vibe' of the shop − from its coffee to its music, books and people. 'I always enjoyed spending time there. It had a peaceful atmosphere that made me feel comfortable and happy. It always lifted my mood.' Madaba residents are not the only visitors though. Travellers from all over the world have made it a point to come here when visiting Jordan. One tourist on Tripadvisor said the wall murals caught her eye, and she has had the best cup of chai in Kawon. 'So glad we stopped in, wish we had done so sooner and more frequently during our stay in Madaba … a treasure when travelling. Don't miss this place,' she said. Another user recommended Kawon's cafe. 'My favourite part was the cafe. There's a section upstairs, just outside the entrance to the bookstore that offers food, so I ordered from them their dish of the day – which was superb! Seriously, it was probably my favourite meal during my time in Jordan,' she said. A vegetarian kitchen – which serves a new dish daily – and coffee shop sit between the bookstore and garden outdoors, its walls lined with jars of herbs and local spices. As customers wait for their orders, conversations blossom about food, books they are reading, or how their day has been. Madaba being a small town, many of the visitors are likely to know each another, creating a strong local community. People can also be seen stretched out on the Arab floor seating in the large outdoor area, reading and sipping sage tea as soft music plays through the speakers. Tables and chairs are also set up for dining around the garden, each set with its own personality, with some seat cushions upholstered from coffee bags and rugs. When there are no customers, the seats are occupied by sunbathing felines that can also be seen strutting about the place, enjoying the bowls of food and water the owners leave out for them. Over the years, their presence has become a feature of the bookshop, attracting new customers and adding to the ambience.
