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Ruins and Ancient Remains

Titanic Quarter – Pump House + Dock

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Titanic Quarter includes Alexandra and Thompson graving docks. The pump house was officially opened in 1911. The second ship to use it in 1912 was none other than the infamous voyager the Titanic. Both the docks and pump house are sadly the last original relics from the Titanic era. In Alexandra dock on the other side is HMS Carolina.

Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Hermitage

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Ermita Nuesrta Senora de la Candelaria de la Popa or La Popa Hermitage is probably the oldest religious building in Trinidad. It dates to 1700 although there’s only remains and the façade to be seen. The remains of a Spanish hospital sits next to it. In 1857 French painter Edouard Laplante designed a lithograph from this spot over-looking the town.

Teniente Rey Street

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Teniente Rey was originally called Basurero. The exposed aqueduct known as Zanja Real reveals a part of 16th century history built by Juan de Rojas and Francisco de Calona. The network extended for 11km until the 18th century when new work commenced.

Royal Avenue

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Rare footage of Royal Avenue, Belfast shown alongside its modern day equivalent. Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon shot a film in May 1901 from a tramcar which shows people milling around the street and busy with ‘traffic’. It follows along Royal Avenue – which was also know as Hercules Street and Herison’s Lean – and then onto Castle Place.

Via Marconi

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Recent road works between Via di Reno and Via delle Lame uncovered relics of the ‘Tramvie di Bologna.’ In 1904 trams were busy running along the rail tracks now commissioned for the rubbish tip. An old cobbled stone street was also briefly unearthed before tarmac was rolled over it once again.

Via Del Pratello

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Via Del Pratello is known for its pubs and entertainment but its past was much more blurry. It had the reputation for being a breeding ground of criminality and the rate of robberies here in 1859 revealed a worrying statistic. When the assassins of Bentivoglio escaped through this street the gateway was walled up as a consequence.

Castello Galliera

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Built in 1330 at the behest of the French Cardinal Bertrand du Pouget this fortress was meant to keep the Bolognese under Papal Rule but they destroyed it in 1404. It was later rebuilt twice under Cardinal Baldassarre Cossa, Pope Eugenio IV Condulmer and Pope Giulio II – all ending in disaster as the Bolognese refused to surrender their autonomy.

Porta Galliera

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Rebuilt in a project led by Bartolomeo Provaglia on designs from the original XII century Porta Galliera. Bronze sculptures by Silverio Montaguti from 1910 decorate the front of it. A moat around its perimeter was transformed into an underground canal fed by the Aposa River and Reno Canal. Offices are currently located inside it.

L’ Anfiteatro Romano di Rimini

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

This Roman Amphitheatre date to the II century A.D. and would have accommodated up to 12,000 spectators. The Amphitheatre was also next to the seafront and no doubt provided spectacular views over the area. Centuries of decline were not helped when it was continually robbed for its building materials. It was eventually discovered in 1800.

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Arco D’Augusto

Wednesday, June 7th, 2006

Dated to 27BC to honour the first emperor. It was also an important crossroads for Via Emilia, Via Popilia and Via Flaminia. Sculptured busts of Jupiter and Apollo are on one side and Minerva and Neptune on the other.

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