Contributions of the group Interesting History

„Nur wer die Vergangenheit kennt, ..."

nobody@ipernity.com (Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.)) — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:21:23 +0000

Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.) has posted:

Noch besser gefällt mir die Formulierung von August Bebel:
„Nur wer die Vergangenheit kennt, kann die Gegenwart verstehen und die Zukunft gestalten. “
Im Burgmuseum Plau am See kann man viel Interessantes über unsere Vergangenheit anhand von Originalobjekten erfahren.

Great Witcombe Roman Villa

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Wed, 20 May 2026 05:49:00 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

HWW - these walls aren't very impressive today, but around 1700 years ago, they formed one of the largest Roman houses in Britain; part of a cluster of very wealthy villas in the Cotswolds area. It was occupied for around 200 years, until the end ofthe Roman period in Britain.

Fed by a nearby natural spring, the site was sheltered and fertile. The original plan of the main villa was a symmetrical U shape, carefully terraced into the hillside. The west wing consisted almost entirely of two bath-houses, which were both in use at the same time. The east wing comprised kitchens and storerooms. A rectangular dining room projected from the north side of the central range, which was probably open on one side to provide a covered walkway with a view down the hillside. Both wings had an upper floor where the family lived, and there was probably an upper level above the walkway too. The villa’s entrance may have been straight onto the upper storey.

Der Maschinentempel

nobody@ipernity.com (Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.)) — Tue, 19 May 2026 20:04:43 +0000

Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.) has posted:

Als "Maschinentempel" wird, sicher wegen der Formgestaltung, die Hochdruck-Dampfmaschine des mecklenburgischen Erfinders und Industriepioniers Dr. Ernst Alban bezeichnet.
Zu sehen ist sie jetzt im Burgmuseum in Plau am See.
Weitere Informationen im PiP.

A man-made view

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Mon, 18 May 2026 06:09:49 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

HBM! The 20 hectare Horsbere Brook flood storage area was created in 2010 following a series of flash floods that affected more than 300 homes in Gloucester. The £1.5m project involved creating a huge ‘depression’ capable of accommodating the equivalent of 70 Olympic swimming pools full of water. If there’s torrential rain the water is now diverted into the depression, and it is then slowly released later.

As well as reducing the risk of flooding the storage area was also designed to be a natural looking ‘wetland’ landscape, and, over the last few years, it has become a delightful local nature reserve – attracting many rare birds to the area. Otters have also been spotted in the brook.

Tits, kingfishers, egrets, heron, swans and a wide range of both rare and more common birds are now regularly spotted here.

2 Türme in Jena

nobody@ipernity.com (Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.)) — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:30:58 +0000

Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.) has posted:

Der heute Jentower genannte Turm wurde 1972 durch den DDR-Stararchitekten, Herrn Prof. Dr. Henselmann, für die Carl-Zeiss-Werke Jena designt und errichtet, dann aber bis 1995 durch die Jenaer Universität genutzt. Im Jahr 1999 bis zum Jahr 2000 wurde der Turm vollständig entkernt bis auf die Stahlbetongrundkonstruktion, komplett mit einer innovativen Haustechnik versehen und eine ebenfalls innovative Gebäudefassade wurde errichtet. Der gesamte Turm wurde auf den neuesten technischen und architektonischen Stand gebracht. (nach www.jentower.de)

Der Johannistorturm ist das einzig noch weitgehend erhaltene Stadttor der Stadtbefestigung Jena im thüringischen Jena. Erstmals urkundlich erwähnt wurde der westliche Torturm im Jahr 1304. Im 15. Jahrhundert erfolgte ein Umbau nach spätgotischen Vorbild sowie der Anbau eines Erkers. Der Turm hat einen quadratischen Grundriss mit 7,72 m × 7,85 m Kantenlänge. Die Gesamthöhe beträgt 31,70 m. Der einzige Zugang in den Turm erfolgte vom Wehrgang der Stadtmauer über eine schmale Pforte in 7,75 m Höhe über Grund. (nach Wikipedia)

Bench at the Purton Hulks

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:58:16 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

HBM - a photo from the overcast day out at the Purton Hulks ship graveyard on the river Severn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purton_Hulks).

Paul Barnett, a local historian, has documented a lot of research about the hulks, and has campaigned to provide them some form of protection from complete destruction. As a result, the vessel in the background - the Kennet barge Harriet" has been scheduled as an ancient monument, and included in the UK National Register of Historic Vessels". This is why it has a fence around it.

A view along the Purton Hulks

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:11:35 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

On the only gloomy day in April, we visited the largest ship graveyard in mainland Britain. Over several years in the last century, around 86 vessels were deliberately grounded to reinforce the bank of the river Severn at Purton.

Most of the wooden boats have decayed away through natural weathering, though many were partly dismantled shortly after grounding by local people for use as construction materials and firewood. The best preserved are the vessels made of ferroconcrete.

Some other views and detail shots in the PiPs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purton_Hulks

Docent at Maya Ball Court

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:26:38 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Taken at the Mayan ruins we visited from the cruise ship. We had an excellent tour of the ruins area, managed by this local fellow (and his son).

Image processed with GIMP.

Ball Court Long View (HWW)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:46:39 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Taken at the Mayan ruins we visited from the cruise ship. This is the traditional "ball court", used for ceremonial purposes.

Image processed with GIMP.

St. Mary's Street, Gloucester

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:39:15 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

HWW - here's a section of wall that has seen a few uses over the years.

Behind this 18th Century building is the precinct of Gloucester Cathedral; in particular Miller's Green, so it is likely that the bricked up archway used to provide access to the mill and other abbey service buildings.

This old structure is relatively 'modern', as there are records of a mill, bakery and brewery here in 1222.

The access door above the more modern garage doors suggests that the building next to the arch was originally a storehous of some sort.

Riciclo e assemblaggio

nobody@ipernity.com (Nora Caracci) — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:59:04 +0000

Nora Caracci has posted:

Il Punk
opera di Riccardo Accarini, un amico che ha la passione dell'arte moderna.
Un artista che mette a disposizione dell’osservatore un mondo virtuale, geometrico, dai colori acidi e dagli spigoli marcati.
Sgargianti figure antropomorfe prendono forma, comunicano, dialogano: l’opera dell’artista ci racconta del suo vissuto da designer, ma parla anche di contaminazioni etniche e ricerca sui materiali, il tutto abbinato ad una scelta dei colori dal forte impatto cromatico.
Le sue creazioni sono specchio del mondo moderno: caotico, frenetico, ma anche sgargiante, dinamico, vibrante di vita.
IL TUTTO RICICLANDO VECCHIE COSE NORMALMENTE SCARTATE.
Qui sotto e in PiP una sua scultura

Spy Satellite Target

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:32:00 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Taken in the desert near Casa Grande, Arizona. These markers are located close to the RV park where we spent many winters.

The "target" is a group of concrete pads in that shape. There is a benchmark in the exact center. The operators of the spy satellites would take photos of these markers, and then check their locations against the exact positioning of the benchmark.

Image taken with phone and processed with GIMP.

Car "F" Side View (H.A.N.W.E.)

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:55:44 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Side view of a trolley car that used to run in the streets of Los Angeles.

It currently is part of the collection of the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California.

We had nice weather for our visit, seeing blue skies all day. The trolley cars can be run around the museum compound on street tracks, just like they originally ran.

Image processed with GIMP.

The Handle

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:55:45 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

This is taken through the front window. The handle seen here was used by the carman to operate this trolley car that used to run in the streets of Los Angeles. It, and some other units operate regularly on the streets of the museum compound.

It currently is part of the collection of the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California.

Image processed with GIMP.

3rd & Gramercy Only

nobody@ipernity.com (Robert Swanson) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 19:55:39 +0000

Robert Swanson has posted:

Sign on a trolley car that used to run in the streets of Los Angeles.

It currently is part of the collection of the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California.

Note that the sign can be replaced or removed entirely, depending on the status of the trolley car.

Image processed with GIMP.

Blick zum Schloss Ludwigslust

nobody@ipernity.com (Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.)) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:09:07 +0000

Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.) has posted:

"Das Schloss war von 1763 bis 1837 Hauptresidenz der Herzöge und Großherzöge von Mecklenburg-Schwerin. ... Das Schloss in seiner aktuellen Gestalt wurde ab 1772 im Auftrag Herzog Friedrichs nach Plänen des Hofbaumeisters Busch errichtet. ... Mit der Ludwigsluster Residenz entstand eine der letzten Schlossanlagen im Sinne des Absolutismus im deutschen Sprachraum. Im Äußeren weist das Gebäude mit seinem reichen Figurenschmuck, der Inszenierung von Kirche und Schloss sowie dem vielgestaltigen Baukörper noch einige Reminiszenzen an die Epoche des Barock auf, ist jedoch insgesamt, besonders mit der breiten, wenig schwungvollen Hoffassade, bereits deutlich vom Klassizismus geprägt." (Wikipedia)

Happy Wall Wednesday!

nobody@ipernity.com (Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.)) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:52:40 +0000

Mecklenburg-Foto (Reinhard L.) has posted:

Diese Mauer gehört zu einer künstlichen Ruine im Ludwigsluster Schlosspark, die aus Raseneisenstein errichtet wurde. Raseneisenstein ist ein poröses Eisenerz, das früher in der Nähe von Ludwigslust abgebaut wurde. Es wurde als billiges Baumaterial verwendet und als Zuschlagstoff in der Hüttenindustrie. Bereits ab etwa 300 v. Chr. und bis in die Mitte des 18. Jahrhunderts wurde hier aus Raseneisenstein in primitiven Öfen Eisen gewonnen. In dem Dorf Göhlen wurde dies experimentell nachgestaltet (-->PiP).

Tudor gate at Fulham Palace Gardens

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:49:37 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

HWW! This gate leads from the grounds of Fulham Palace in London to its huge walled garden.

Situated alongside the river Thames, the site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since AD 704, when Bishop Waldhere aquired the Manor of Fulham, which was a vast estate covering most of Hammersmith, Fulham, Acton, Ealing and Finchley.

The current manor house was built in the mid-13th century, and this wall dates back to the end of the 14th, so it's looking in pretty good shape, all things considered!

Neptune's Fountain, Cheltenham, over the years

nobody@ipernity.com (Gavin Johnson) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:59:32 +0000

Gavin Johnson has posted:

A composite image of the same area through time - Cheltenham, England.

At the top, a photo taken today, of “Neptune’s Fountain” in front of commercial offices at the end of the block of Municipal Offices in the town centre.

In the middle picture from the 1950s, the same fountain, but behind it used to be the Regal Cinema, opened in 1939, renamed as the “ABC Cinema” in 1962, closed in 1981 and demolished in 1986.

At the bottom, a restored and colourised photograph originally from around 1880, showing the Imperial Rooms at the same site. The building pictured used to be the Imperial Spa, and was originally located about 250m away from the fountain. The Imperial Spa was demolished in 1837 to make way for the construction of the Queen’s Hotel (which is still in operation) and the building was reconstructed brick by brick at the site shown.

Thörl-Brunnen in Harburg (8 PiP)

nobody@ipernity.com (volker_hmbg) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:10:34 +0000

volker_hmbg has posted:

HBM vom Museumsplatz in Harburg

Der Thörl-Brunnen von 1914 - gestiftet vom Harburger Kommerzienrat Friedrich Thörl - wurde erschaffen von August Vogel (1858-1932). Die Säule aus Sandstein mit einer Knabenfigur war ursprünglich von einem polygonalen Pfeilerkranz umgeben und befand sich wenige Meter weiter vor der ehemaligen Handwerkskammer.
Im modernen Bau gleich nebenan sind das Archäologische Museum Hamburg (Helmsmuseum) und das Harburger Theater untergebracht (siehe PiP 1),