While I was on holiday, something I had been anticipating for years finally happened: the visitor count on the blog surpassed one million views! This is another reason to celebrate, especially since we recently commemorated our 1,000th post. For that reason, this post will be a bit different - we'll catch up.
I promised you several reports from museum visits, but they never happened due to time constraints. It's time to change that. In today's post, I will recommend two museums that are long overdue, along with a report from my recent vacation to Florence, Italy.
The first stop is the Battle of Culloden Museum, located near Inverness, Scotland. This site is significant in British history, as it was here that the last battle on the island was fought, marking the end of the country’s civil wars. The museum is easily accessible from the city of Inverness, with a bus service from the city centre; however, I discovered that the bus does not operate on Sundays, so it's essential to plan accordingly. The museum also has a spacious parking lot, so parking should not be an issue.
The museum is relatively small but features an impressive collection of weapons, uniforms, and equipment from the period. It also showcases the results of archaeological excavations conducted at the battlefield. I was particularly impressed by the virtual presentation of the battle, which effectively illustrates how the events unfolded and the factors that contributed to the Jacobite defeat.
After visiting the museum, it's a good idea to take a walk around the battlefield itself. The first things you notice are the flagpoles—one red, marking the position of the government forces, and the other blue, indicating where the Jacobites were stationed. This battlefield is one of the best-preserved and best-presented sites I've ever encountered.
After visiting the museum, I suggest taking a 20-30 minute walk south of the battlefield to the Clava Cairns, which are well-preserved Neolithic tombs.
You can find my complete gallery at this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329101936/
I recently discovered another museum located on the Spanish island of Mallorca. During my visit there last year, I decided to explore the Museu Històric Militar de Sant Carles. This museum is situated in Fort Saint Carles, at the southern edge of the port in Palma de Mallorca. It is easily accessible by city bus from the city centre, although it's important to note that the ticket price is higher than a regular city bus ticket. At that time, a one-way ticket cost €3 instead of the standard €2. Additionally, cash was required for bus fares, as card payments were not accepted, but this policy may change in the future.
During my visit to the museum, I found that admission was free, although donations were greatly appreciated. The museum features an intriguing collection of artillery spanning from the 19th century to the present day. I was particularly drawn to the coastal artillery from the late 19th century and the pieces from the Spanish Civil War. Inside the fort buildings, there is a substantial collection of small arms from around the world, and I was especially surprised to see one from the Mahdi Rebellion in Sudan. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to take a virtual flight over the fortress, which adds to the experience. I highly recommend the museum as a fascinating and lesser-known escape from the beaches of Mallorca, especially since it tends to be less crowded than other attractions in the island's capital.
Gallery from the museum:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329099100/
My last holiday was in Florence and Pisa, both of which are wonderful destinations. In Florence, you must visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia, which I did, along with many other museums. I also climbed the cathedral's dome and its bell tower, which my fitness level still allows me to do. During my museum visits, I focused primarily on source material for my future projects, specifically the Italian Wars and seventeenth-century conflicts. I encourage you to check out my gallery on Flickr; it might provide you with some inspiration as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329099400/
Florence is a truly beautiful city, but one place stands out as particularly special: the Stibbert Museum. This museum is home to the private collection of Frederick Stibbert, an English art collector and businessman. After his death, his entire collection was opened to the public.
Visiting this museum evoked a feeling in me similar to what I experienced at the Musée de l'Armée in Paris and the Bovington Tank Museum. I haven't felt such excitement in a long time. The museum features impressive collections of Oriental and Japanese weapons, as well as artefacts from the Italian Wars, the 17th-century wars, and the Napoleonic Wars. I highly recommend visiting this collection; it is truly remarkable.
You can reach the museum by bus from the city centre, but be prepared for a 20-minute uphill walk from the bus stop. It's worth the effort! You can find the full gallery from the museum in the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329099830/
Florence has a collection of toy soldiers that I didn’t get a chance to see during my visit. I plan to return to the city because some of the artworks were undergoing conservation at that time, so I was unable to see them. There’s definitely a possibility that I’ll visit again.
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| Dante Alighieri's dagger, used by him during the Battle of Campaldino (11 June 1289). |
Our next stop was Pisa. We only had one day to explore this city, compared to six days in Florence, so we didn’t have time to see everything. However, we did visit the most significant site: the Square of Miracles, which features the famous Leaning Tower. I decided not to climb the tower this time, but the entire complex is definitely worth seeing. It includes the baptistery, cemetery, cathedral, and several additional museums. There are also stunning engravings, paintings, and historic Muslim flags on display. It truly is a marvel! As always, the gallery is below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329130334/
I made sure to set aside time to visit a specific museum in Pisa that I was eager to see: the Museo delle Navi Antiche di Pisa. This museum features the wreck of the Roman ship Alkedo, along with a replica of the ship. Additionally, it showcases Pisa's maritime history, highlighting its past as a bustling centre of maritime trade. The museum is located in converted stables, adding to its unique charm.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720329113052/
I will conclude this report here. Thank you once again for all your visits. Now, I need to catch up on your blogs, as I didn't have time during my holiday; we are back to regular blogging.
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