Monument of the Frashëri Brothers in the Grand Park of Tirana, Albania

June 1, 2024

I travelled to see the Monument of the Frashëri Brothers in the Grand Park of Tirana, Albania. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The Monument of the Frashëri Brothers stands in Tirana’s Grand Park, Albania, commemorating three influential Albanian brothers: Abdyl, Naim, and Sami Frashëri. Erected in 1982, the statue honours their significant contributions to Albanian literature, culture, and national awakening during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Abdyl Frashëri was a statesman, Naim a poet and writer, and Sami a scholar and politician. The monument, designed by sculptor Shaban Haderi, depicts the brothers side by side. It serves as a tribute to their enduring impact on Albania’s intellectual and cultural heritage, revered by generations

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

May 31, 2024

I travelled to see the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The Sacred Heart Cathedral in Sarajevo is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the seat of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna. Located in the Old Town, it was built between 1884 and 1887 in a Neo-Gothic style with Romanesque Revival elements. Designed by Josip Vancaš and modelled after Notre-Dame in Dijon, the cathedral was consecrated in 1889. Damaged during the Siege of Sarajevo, it has since been restored. Notable features include its two 43.2-meter bell towers, a main altar of Grisignano marble, frescoes by Alexander Seitz, and stained-glass windows from Innsbruck and Vienna. By Anthony King

Ljubljana Railway Museum Tour

May 31, 2024

Welcome to art culture and book with me Anthony King. Today we have a raw video. I visited Slovenia and the incredible Ljubljana Railway Museum. I had the whole museum to myself. I did not see a single person there during the couple of hours that I was there, so and I recorded a 15-minute or so unedited video of all the trains. So if you love trains this is for you! A raw video of the Ljubljana Railway Museum. Enjoy. By Anthony King (c)

The Skanderbeg Monument in Tirana, Albania

May 30, 2024

I travelled to see The Skanderbeg Monument in Tirana, Albania. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The Skanderbeg Monument in Tirana, Albania, commemorates national hero Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg. The statue was unveiled in 1968 and marks the 500th anniversary of his death. Skanderbeg led a successful 15th-century rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, becoming a symbol of Albanian resistance and national pride. The monument, located in the central Skanderbeg Square in the centre of the capital city depicts him on horseback wearing his iconic helmet adorned with a goat’s head. Created by prominent Albanian sculptors, the statue is a central landmark in Tirana, representing the enduring legacy and heritage of Skanderbeg’s fight for Albania’s independence.

The spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

May 29, 2024

I travelled to see the spot where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip of the revolutionary group Young Bosnia assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, in Sarajevo. This event, known as the Sarajevo Assassination, directly triggered the onset of World War I, a devastating global conflict. Princip’s act aimed to protest Austro-Hungarian rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assassination set off a chain reaction of alliances entering the war, leading to unprecedented carnage and reshaping world politics. The spot where the assassination occurred remains a significant historical site, marking the moment that irrevocably altered the course

Aberdeen Town House in Scotland

May 29, 2024

I travelled to see the Aberdeen Town House in Scotland. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The Aberdeen Town House is a significant landmark in Aberdeen and Scotland and was built in 1874. The Neo-Gothic Town House now includes a distinctive façade and clock tower. Civic leaders, responding to population growth, demolished the old courthouse and incorporated part of the tolbooth into a new structure. Notable features include its grand assembly hall, used for official ceremonies and events, and its ornate interior detailing, reflecting the period’s architectural style. Renovations in the 19th and 20th centuries have preserved its heritage while accommodating modern administrative needs. Today, it continues to serve as the seat of local council. By

Nude by Nikolaj Omersa at the Podgorica Museum and Gallery in Montenegro

May 28, 2024

I travelled to see Nude by Nikolaj Omersa at the Podgorica Museum and Gallery in Montenegro. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Nikolaj Omersa, a celebrated Slovenian painter and illustrator, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1937. He was born on the 3 December 1911. This oil on canvas was painted in 1958. He faced internment in various German camps, including Dachau, during World War II. Post-war, he began his career in education, teaching initially at grammar schools in Ljubljana and later at the School of Arts and Crafts. Eventually, he became a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana. He liked painting landscapes, expressing a special fondness for depicting

Snowy landscape at Eragny by Camille Pissarro at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

May 28, 2024

I travelled to see Snowy landscape at Eragny by Camille Pissarro at the The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Camille Pissarro, the Danish-French painter, was born on July 10, 1830, in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, and died on November 13, 1903, in Paris, France. Pissarro’s influence on the Impressionist movement was substantial. His dedication to capturing the ever-changing quality of light and the essence of daily life set the standard for Impressionist art. This oil on canvas was painted in 1895. The gallery tells us that: “The orchard and surrounding countryside became the principal motifs in his paintings of the 1890s; this view was painted from the large barn at

Marishall College in Aberdeen, Scotland

May 27, 2024

I travelled to see Marishall College in Aberdeen, Scotland. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Marischal College, founded in 1593, once stood as one of Scotland’s oldest and most distinguished universities. Its majestic granite facade, designed by architect Archibald Simpson in the 19th century, is an iconic symbol of Aberdeen’s rich heritage. Once dedicated solely to education, it now serves as the headquarters for Aberdeen City Council, blending historical significance with modern governance. Marischal College remains a highlight to Aberdeen’s enduring commitment to academia and civic leadership, embodying the city’s vibrant spirit and illustrious history as a centre of learning and culture in Scotland. This is not one of my favourite buildings in Aberdeen but is

Claude Monet’s Canal in Amsterdam

May 27, 2024

Today we’ll be looking at Claude Monet’s Canal in Amsterdam. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. By Anthony King (c)