Trieste: Elegance and Heritage – A Literary Stroll Through the Former Habsburg Port City

The Palazzo del Municipio (City Hall) of Trieste/foto: Wikipedia/Diego Delso

The city of Trieste has prospered thanks to its geographical location, its port, and the trade relations associated with it. For this reason alone, it was of great importance to the Habsburg Monarchy. To this day, it has lost none of its appeal.

We cross the famous Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia (Square of Italian Unity) and admire both the magnificent buildings surrounding it—the Palazzo del Municipio (City Hall), the Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta, and the historic Café degli Specchi (Mirror Café)—as well as the view of the adjacent harbor. Immediately, we feel a sense of harmony—as if we were right in the heart of the city, yet also out on the open sea, riding the waves of the Adriatic. Continue reading “Trieste: Elegance and Heritage – A Literary Stroll Through the Former Habsburg Port City”

The Kingfisher Feather – A Visit to the Cape Verde Islands

Africa´s islands in the Atlantic/Foto: Doris Minke

 

By Suse Rabel-Harbering

The discovery of the Cape Verde Islands in 1462 is attributed to Henry the Navigator, who was sailing on behalf of the Portuguese crown. Before the discovery, the islands were deserted. Thanks to its favorable location, the archipelago became a center of international trade relations, being situated in the middle of the three continents of Africa, Asia and America. Apart from sugar cane, rum and salt, the main commodities traded were slaves. Since the middle of the 16th century, Portugal had reserved the exclusive right to market slaves on the West African coast.

Pillory, Cidade Velha, Santiago/Photo: Doris Minke

In its heyday, it was called Ribeira Grande and was the capital of the Cape Verde Islands. Already in 1533 it received the city rights. After that, it Continue reading “The Kingfisher Feather – A Visit to the Cape Verde Islands”