Estonian Maritime Museum

Located right on the harbor, the museum features four warships retired from the naval forces of Estonia. While we waited for the nearby prison to open for the day, we walked around admiring the large and small vessels, waiting forlornly out of the water.

Hospital

The damp and dark cells lapse into silence as the tour group moves off. Joy and I are left alone to explore. Parts of the prison have seen a bit of clean up, but much remains with only sparse bare bulbs, peeling paint, and rusting steel. The emptiness plays with your head. Most room have a narrow window that looks out on the sea or the courtyards. Debris and broken furniture fill some rooms. The relics of the inmates painted on the walls tell stories.

But even more eerie are the scattered furnishings and age-old dust in the hospital section. Some spaces look like they were simply abandoned. It must have once been quite clean, quite alive with people, but one wonders if there were screams here. Perhaps blood does not stain linoleum.

Soviet Era

Estonia suffered under Soviet rule. The walls and wire filling the yards on the prison record this pain. The vast numbers of people arrested by the Soviets forced construction of new cells. These were little more than dog kennels, open to the sky, covered by wire mesh and barbed wire. Beyond lay the sky, and freedom, and guards with guns.

Summer in Germany

August means warm days and lots of sun. It’s also time for school breaks. Lots of people and children were out in the streets and squares of the city while we were visiting. The square in front of the University of Rostock was popular. The fountains in particular received a lot of play.

Medieval Collection

The artwork from the early to late Medieval period on exhibit strongly shows the influence of the Church on the country, and conversely, the particular influence of Northern sensibility on sculpture and iconography in Denmark. Rich dark wood carving and monster motifs speak of dark forests and wild coastlines. I was most fascinated by this carving of St George, and it’s particular location in the museum space.

Living Quarters

The ground floor is filled with the living quarters of the royal family. These are still richly furnished with fine pieces, matching the equally fine architectural detail of the rooms. Touring the rooms requires looking up, left, right, and down to take in all the details.

Round Tower

The view from the top of the Round Tower rivals that of St. Paul’s in London. Built to house an astronomical observatory as part of the new university, it still has a telescope at the top. The coolest feature is the spiral staircase, which winds around the inside of the tower in place of a stairway.

Saint Denis

One of my favorite pieces of Gothic art rests on the façade of Notre Dame. This panel depicts Saint Denis after his martyrdom holding his head in his hands. It represents a darkly humorous miracle.

Gargoyles

We climbed the bell tower to the top to take in the view of Paris. The stone gargoyles in fanciful poses kept watch over the ramparts.

Egyptian Mania

Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt and the discovery of the Rosetta stone fueled the collection activities of museums across Europe and America. The Louvre holds some of the most iconic and remarkable pieces in its collection.

Artwork

As more of the royal court moved to Versailles, the palace grew and more entertainment was needed. A art gallery filled one great hallway, featuring successes of the French state including the surrender at Yorktown of the British.

Opulence

Visiting the palace at Versailles one really gains an appreciation for why the French overthrew the monarchy. Marble on the floors and the walls and gold cornices surrounding the painting on the ceiling are way too much.