Traveling through History
Traveling makes history come alive...and knowing some history helps you appreciate the places you've traveled so far to see. We can't image anybody fully enjoying one without the other.
We've put together slideshows (linked by headings, below) to give you a quick overview of four historical periods that shaped the world we live in today, and examples of different places in Europe where you can see vivid illustrations through art and architecture.
If this approach makes history seem 'almost' interesting, be sure to read Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw's Europe 101: History & Art for the Traveler (the source of much of this month's Travel News content) before your next trip!
The Middle Ages
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What happened: The thousand "middle" years — between the Fall of Rome and the Renaissance — were a time of poverty, plagues, ignorance, and crude art. The flickering torch of ancient Roman learning was carried through this dark time by Christian monks, Venetian merchants, and the enlightened Muslim civilization situated on Europe's fringes. Fueled by their Christian faith, Europeans erected soaring cathedrals and launched vicious Crusades. After the year 1000, Europe's economy began to rebound, led by a handful of prosperous Italian cities.
Where to see it: Book of Kells in Dublin, Ireland; Alhambra in Granada, Spain; Carcassonne, France; Notre-Dame in Paris, France; Venice, Italy; Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy; Plague Monument in Olomouc, Czech Republic; Siena, Italy.
The Renaissance
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What happened: The "rebirth" of the knowledge and art of the ancient world began in Florence, spread to Rome, and eventually moved north like a warm front across all of Europe. Architects built ingenious domes and painters discovered how to paint realistic works with the illusion of 3-D. Sculptors revived the pagan gods, creating realistic, heroic statues in the Greek style. Some of Europe's most iconic images — David, Mona Lisa, Botticelli's Venus — are products of this 150-year-long cultural boom.
Where to see it: Cathedral in Florence, Italy; Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy; Louvre Museum in Paris, France; Vatican Museum in Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy; National Gallery in London, England.
The Reformation and Age of Discovery
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What happened: The Renaissance had sparked the exploration of new lands and of new ideas. Spanish and Portuguese sailors brought home the riches of Asia, Africa, and the newly-discovered Americas. At home, Martin Luther challenged the authority of the popes in Rome, creating the Protestant faith and igniting wars that rippled across Europe. As religious authority waned, modern secular nation-states were born, ruled by powerful kings.
Where to see it: Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy; Church of our Lord in the Attic in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tower of London, England; Grote Kerk in Haarlem, Netherlands; El Escorial, Spain; Monument of Discoveries in Lisbon, Portugal; Monastery of Jeronimos in Lisbon, Portugal; Globe Theatre in London, England.
Absolutism and Europe's Divine Monarchs
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What happened: Strong kings and bishops kept their subjects in line, wowing them with lavish palaces and churches decorated in the flamboyant art style called Baroque. Louis XIV's palace at Versailles set the standard that was mimicked by lesser nobles across Europe. They hired artists like Bernini and Rubens to create statues and paintings that were big, colorful, dynamic, and charged with extreme emotions. But while nobles in palaces sipped their tea with pinkies raised, trouble was brewing among the masses...
Where to see it: National Gallery in London, England; Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome, Italy; Borghese Museum in Rome, Italy; Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain; Hofkirche Chapel in Wurzburg, Germany; Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria; Versailles, France; Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain; Wies Church in Bavaria, Germany.