European Culture Appreciation

Burghausen in Oberbayern © @radu.nita (Werbung ➡️ Markierung)

Franz Xaver Winterhalter

German, 1805-1873

Today, the Agnoni crater is covered in forest and is inhabited by a very diverse animal community. There are approximately 130 different species of birds that come to rest or nest during migrations or wintertime, and many of these are protected both nationally and internationally. There are also amphibians, mammals and invertebrates. At the base of the crater are three lakes: Lago Grande, Cofaniello Piccolo and Cofaniello Grande.

This site and the sourrounding areas are also immersed in history and myths.

Near Monte Nuovo is Cumae, an Ancient Greek city, most famous in the ancient world for being the seat of the Cumaen Sybil, an oracle in Ancient Greece. Cumae is also the city visited by the Greek hero Aeneas, an ancestor of the two founders of Rome (see Aeneid).

Close by is Lake Avernus, thought to be the entrance of the underworld by Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans. Lake Avernus is a volcanic crater lake located in the Avernus crater.

Nearly 4kms away from the Astroni Crater is Solfatara, a shallow volcano characterised by hot streams of sulphur. The site was the place where the patron saint of Pozzuoli (Saint Proculus) and the patron saint of Naples (Saint Januarius) were beheaded in 306 A.D.

In Ancient Roman times, the site was used for its thermal baths and hot springs. It was also thought to be the home of the god Vulcanus.

Casa Macaya, Barcelona, Catalonia.

Traditional hairstyles from the Pomak village of Startsevo in the Smolyan region, by Anika and Karolina Romanovi.