The town of Trakai has a lot of colourful wooden houses and most belong to the Kairim who practice a branch of Judaism. Their plain temple, called a Kenesa, is on the main street and is open for visitors. The Kairim are thought to be descended from another people called The Khazars, who lived betweenContinue reading “Trakai – 4”
Tag Archives: tourism
Carcassonne
As part of the Treaty of the Pyrenees between France and Spain in 1659, France gained Roussillon and Perpignan, parts of Luxembourg and towns in Flanders such as Arras and Béthune. The treaty set the new border with Spain at the Pyrenees and because of this decision Carcassonne’s importance as a military base dwindled rapidlyContinue reading “Carcassonne”
Montsegur
I visited Montsegur to see the place where the Cathars had made their ‘last stand’ against the besieging forces of the King of France. I was also intrigued about the Cathar treasure many people believe was spirited away during the final days of the siege. By the beginning of 1240 most Cathar leaders, and almostContinue reading “Montsegur”
Toulouse
Toulouse is known as the “Pink City” because of the large number of buildings built from brick. These buildings include The Saint Sernin basilica, the Jacobins church and the modern art museum of Les Abattoirs. Toulouse was also involved in the Albigensian Crusade of the 13th Century and was the place where the leaderContinue reading “Toulouse”
Julian Worker Fiction Writing 