Wallonia.be/en’s Post

The spotlight is on the character and heritage of our National Park as we reach day five of our #NewForestChristmasCountdown and explore the area's iconic buildings and features. Schools, post offices, and thatched cottages sit on the #NewForest Local List alongside phone boxes, grave markers, and war memorials. It can be said, however, there isn’t a single “New Forest style”. Rather, the clay tiles common on roofs in one part of the Forest will be contrasted by slate or thatch in another. In fact, architectural traits vary and cob buildings, commoners’ dwellings, and churches can be found minutes away from larger, nationally listed sites like Exbury House and Beaulieu Palace. Do you have a favourite feature or building? Discover the Local List or nominate a heritage asset to be added that helps define the area. https://lnkd.in/eQC6tRRp #BehindTheScenes

Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, Is a city rich in history and culture, with several highlights that make it unique: Reconstruction after the 1963 earthquake: The city suffered a devastating earthquake in 1963 that destroyed much of its infrastructure. Since then, Skopje has risen from its ruins, rebuilding and modernizing, reflecting the resilience and solidarity of its population. “Skopje 2014” Project: In an effort to renew its image, the city undertook this ambitious project that included the construction of numerous neoclassical and baroque buildings and statues. This plan has transformed the center of Skopje, giving it a monumental and sometimes controversial appearance. Matka Canyon: Located just outside the city, this impressive canyon is a popular destination for nature lovers and offers activities such as hiking, kayaking and cave exploration. It is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy natural scenery. Mother Teresa Memorial House: Skopje is the birthplace of Mother Teresa, and a memorial house has been erected in her honour, displaying personal items and photographs, offering an insight into the life and work of this outstanding humanitarian figure. Tetovo Colourful Mosque: Although located in the nearby city of Tetovo, this mosque is known for its vibrant interior and exterior decoration, being one of the most beautiful in the Balkans. It is a prominent example of Ottoman architecture in the region.

Bath is one of Britain's most appealing cities. With its exquisite Roman and Georgian architecture, well-preserved Roman baths and buzzing cosmopolitanism, Bath is an obligatory stop on any UK tourist trail. and swish spas that make it hard to resist. Bath’s namesake is a majestic complex of bathing facilities right in the city centre. The naturally occurring hot waters of the area have been appreciated for at least two millennia – the Romans built the surviving subterranean caverns in the first century CE, and folklore has it that the pagan King Bladud constructed his own baths here even earlier (one version claims that the waters cured Bladud of leprosy!). The well-maintained Roman facilities buried beneath street level are a unique historic treasure trove, visited by over a million tourists every year. No tour of the city is complete without a stop at the Royal Crescent. Occupying a majestic position overlooking the expanses of the Royal Victoria Park, the Crescent is a marvel of Georgian architecture. Of particular interest is No 1, which is maintained by Bath Preservation Trust as a painstaking recreation of the interior of a typical 18th-century upper-class dwelling and can now be entered and explored as a museum. Just a few yards from the Roman baths are another tourist hot spot: Bath Abbey. It was founded in the seventh century BCE by the Anglo-Saxon king of the Hwicce, Osric, then sporadically rebuilt and renovated over the years. The abbey is particularly striking to architectural enthusiasts especially for its gothic features, while its huge stained-glass windows and stone sculptures are engaging to even the most casual of observers. Still functioning both as a place of worship and as a museum of regional heritage. Have you been to Bath? Would you like to? Please post a comment. Contact me for all your holiday / travel requirements. 😎 #travel #bath #roman #history #architecture #foodie

Enhancing Urban Landscapes with Restored Heritage Lampposts At Lamplight Decorative Lighting, we know that lighting plays a crucial role in defining the character of urban landscapes. Restored heritage lampposts bring a unique blend of elegance and history to modern cityscapes, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and functionality. These lampposts not only light up the streets but also provide a timeless charm that connects communities to their architectural roots. Preserving Architectural Heritage in Modern Cities In many cities, heritage lampposts are integral to the identity of historic neighborhoods, public parks, and downtown areas. By restoring these lampposts, we help municipalities and urban planners maintain the architectural integrity of these spaces. Preserving the original designs ensures that the historical value of the lampposts is retained while also allowing them to continue serving their practical purpose. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eieiPPh3

🏰 From Ashes to Experiences: The Reopening of Notre-Dame 🔥 After years of restoration following the devastating 2019 fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral officially reopened its doors on December 8, 2024. This moment isn’t just about rebuilding a structure; it’s about reimagining a visitor experience that honors history while embracing the future. ✨ What’s New at Notre-Dame? • 🗓️ Streamlined Entry: A new free reservation system ensures smoother access and reduces wait times for millions of expected visitors. • 🛡️ Modern Safety Measures: Upgraded fire systems, sprinklers, and protective enhancements blend safety with preservation. • 🌿 Sustainability and Accessibility: Improved green spaces and inclusive design ensure that Notre-Dame is more welcoming than ever. • 🎵 A Living Legacy: Special reopening events, including the grand organ’s “awakening,” reconnect us to the cathedral’s spiritual and cultural significance. This revival is more than a reconstruction; it’s a testament to preserving history while thoughtfully enhancing the visitor experience. Whether you come for its rich past, stunning architecture, or spiritual significance, Notre-Dame is ready to open its doors and inspire the world once again. 💡 The Takeaway: Even the most timeless experiences can evolve. How are you enhancing your “cathedral” for your audience – preserving what matters while creating meaningful, modern connections? https://lnkd.in/g6NRzbik #NotreDame #CX #HeritageReimagined #Sustainability #UserExperience #Culture #Innovation

Listen folks, nobody knows hardscaping better than me, believe me. I've built the most beautiful, most luxurious outdoor spaces you've ever seen. Tremendous spaces. And when people ask me, they say "Sir, how do you make these spaces so incredible?" And I tell them, you have to think big, really big. Like my properties - Mar-a-Lago, beautiful place, absolutely beautiful - we have the best hardscaping, maybe ever in history. And let me tell you about the materials we use, they're fantastic, absolutely fantastic. We use great concrete, amazing concrete, not like the cheap stuff from Chyna, no no. We get the best stones, American stones, and we put them together in these patterns - nobody's ever seen patterns like these before, they're revolutionary. And the walls, folks, I know about walls, nobody knows more about walls than me. These retaining walls, they're strong, they're powerful, and they're going to make your yard great again. And here's the thing, nobody's talking about this, but the finishing touches - so important, so so important. We put in these fire features, beautiful features, the best features. And water features? Forget about it. We have the best water features, better than Sleepy Joe's water features, I can tell you that. And when we're done, it's like nothing you've ever seen before. People come up to me with tears in their eyes, tough guys, and they say "Sir, this is the most beautiful hardscaping we've ever seen." It's true, they really do. And that's what we're doing - we're making outdoor spaces great again, and we're doing it better than anybody else, believe me. #centralflorida #ocala #orlando #jacksonville

Beauty matters, restoration matters. We are spotlighting the NYT Article "Restoring Historic Lobbies in Luxury Buildings" by By Michelle Higgins, 2015. https://lnkd.in/gi_uVhSJ #spotlight #restoration #architecturalarts #luxuryinteriors #historicpreservation

Nice Thursday morning reading: "Bird palaces, built on the walls of some mosques, madrasahs and mausoleums since the 16th century in the Ottoman Empire, serve as nests for birds and are still home to many bird species today. The structures, which were put forward as a work of aesthetic thought in both architectural and humanitarian terms, are also seen as a symbol of the compassion shown to living creatures in Ottoman civilization." https://lnkd.in/d5pXUXEY

#HydeParkHistories – #3: A Hidden Gem Often described as one of #London’s hidden gems, the Hyde Park Estate enjoys a reputation as a place of urban tranquillity away from the city’s major throughfares. Some of its historic routes, greens and open spaces include: 🌳 Sussex Gardens: This tree-lined avenue forms one of the boundaries of the Hyde Park Estate. With its mixture of Georgian terraces and 1960s complexes, it showcases the Estate’s two most distinctive architectural styles. In the early 2010s, railings lost to the war effort for their rationed metal were reinstated after nearly 70 years, alongside new landscaping for its garden areas. 🐎 The mews: Though some of the Estate’s mews were lost to 1960s redevelopment, two can still be found behind Sussex Gardens. Radnor and Bathurst Mews feature cobbled streets and retain many of their original carriage houses. Home to the Hyde Park Stables, Bathurst Mews is one of London’s last remaining mews with horses. The Stables provide horseback tours through Hyde Park along routes believed to be over 300 years old. 🐝 The garden squares: Carefully managed by dedicated garden square committees, all eight of the Hyde Park Estate's original 19th century squares remain today. The Church Commissioners for England continue to introduce new green spaces to the Estate, like the recently installed Reflection Garden adjacent to 25 Porchester Place. These are accompanied by #biodiversity projects including bird boxes, bee hotels and log stacks. The picture below was taken at the corner of two of the Estate’s lost mews, Titchborne and Burwood Mews, circa the late 1940s. #LondonRealEstate #HydeParkEstate #LondonHistory

December was a great month at Alba as we wrapped up 2024! The tower where a majority of the units will live began to rise. Levels 7, 8 and 9 were poured before the holidays and gave a great look of the accelerated pace that is to come in the next few months. The lower levels also have started to see great progress and the shoring supports begin to come out and we get to experience the expansive view of each level. Masonry work now begins on the lower levels to build out the exterior facade of the building. #albapalmbeach #palmbeach #onesir #onesothebys #onesirdevelopments #westpalmbeach #waterfrontrealestate #waterfrontliving #newconstruction #luxurydevelopment #luxurywaterfront #waterfront #southfloridarealestate #realestate #luxury #investment #privateresidences #limitedcollection⁠