Rogue, Dirona Andraste asked:


What company do they get these pickles from? I’m pregnant and need these things!

SETH

Lucie Rusarova asked:


Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. It has been, for more than 1200 years, the political centre of Czech state. But the oldest part of the castle mainly hosts tourists. The true heart of the Czech state and the most sacred place in all of the Czech lands lies in the middle of the third courtyard. This is St. Vitus’ Cathedral, which incorporates St. Wenceslas’ Chapel. Here rests the body of the eternal ruler and protector of Czech land. Above his grave the Crown Jewels have been placed in the crown chambers. The most valuable of which, St. Wenceslas’ Crown, comes from the time of Charles IV.

The history of the castle stretches back to the 9th century (870). It was rebuilt and increased during the centuries. In 1918 the castle became the seat of the president of the new Czechoslovak Republic. The New Royal Palace and the gardens were renovated by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik. Renovations continued in 1936 under Plecnik’s successor Pavel Janak.

The Golden Gate

Between the large southern tower and St. Wenceslas’ Chapel you can find the monumental entrance to the cathedral, called the Golden Gate. It is decorated with a mosaic from the time of Charles IV on which he is portrayed with his fourth wife, Elizabeth of Pommern. This mosaic on the Prague Castle is considered until today to be the largest and oldest outdoor mosaic north of the Alps.

The truth of the legend

During the **** occupation of Czechoslovakia, during World War II, Prague Castle became the headquarters of Reinhard Heydrich, the “Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia”. It is said that he placed the Bohemian crown on his head; old legends say that a usurper who places the crown on his head is doomed to die within a year. Less than a year after assuming power, Heydrich was assassinated.

The beautiful neighbourhood

There are various gardens in the nearby surroundings of Prague castle, which have been growing here since the time of Ferdinand I. (since 1534). They harbour a number of Renaissance and Baroque statues from the premier artists of their time (including M.B. Braun) and no less noteworthy structures. 

After Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the castle became the seat of the Head of State of the new Czech Republic. Similar to what Masaryk did with Plecnik, president Vaclav Havel commissioned Borek Sipek to be the architect of post-communism Prague Castle’s necessary improvements in particular of the facelift of the Castle’s Gallery of paintings.

Prague Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world (according to Guinness Book of Records the biggest ancient castle) at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide.



MORTON

Martin Waters asked:


 

Kid’s parties have come a long way. Before, foods are the main elements of the party. Then there were games and party tokens. Now, themed parties are the hottest events. Children come in full costume to celebrate a friend’s birthday party. Kids like dressing up a lot because they can play make believe in their beautiful gowns. As for parents, they surely love seeing their children have fun.

But the biggest problem with costume parties is that some kids end up wearing a more beautiful gown and a more attractive set of accessories than the main birthday celebrant. And so the birthday girl gets overshadowed. So instead of having fun, she ended up looking like any other guests in her own party.

Do you know what the simple solution to this problem is? Give her a castle that would go with her gown. Surely, even the girl with them most beautiful dress won’t be able to top that. The thing that makes your party princess distinct from all her guests is her castle. It is something that only she can own.

Now where can you find a castle? If you build one in time for the party, you may not make the deadline. Plus, that feat is quite expensive too, especially if it is just a day’s worth of fun. Don’t worry now. There’s a more practical solution. All you need to do is to rent an inflatable castle. Set it up and you’re all set. Your party princess will surely love it.

Inflatable castle rental is becoming a fad business opportunity these days. Party organizers buy an inflatable castle and then rent them out to parents whose kids are celebrating their birthdays. Because themed parties are the newest fad today, a princess birthday party complete with a castle is more like it.

With the entry of inflatable castles in birthday parties, no princess-themed event is ever complete without it. Make your daughter’s birthday the best one thrown this year. Give your guests something that they can remember for the rest of their lives. You never know but the simple inflatable castle they played on during their childhood days could be the only one they were able to keep in their hearts for the years to come.

Try to surprise your birthday princess with an inflatable castle. You can easily sneak the castle your garage without her noticing. If you decide to buy an inflatable set instead of renting one, you will receive a blower and a repair kit along. You can use those to easily setup the castle right in your backyard. If you decide to rent one, the party organizer is most likely to be around to setup it up for you. These castles should be up and ready in just a few minutes.

Your party princess and all her guests will surely enjoy playing in it. Your daughter might even ask for this toy every year during her birthday. If you have more two or more kids, it is best that you buy a set for them instead of renting all the time. Besides, this is the best playground you can ever give to your children. It’s safe, bouncy, and fun.



GREGG

Will Kalif asked:


During a period of time from the late 18th century to the early 20th century much of the world went through a period of time, in terms of architecture, called the Gothic Revival. This revival was a renewed interest in the architecture and styling of buildings during the Middle Ages. The focus was on the late period castles that were more of a manor home than a fortress.

This period of time also matched a period of very high prosperity in the United States and there were many wealthy individuals and organizations that built castles fashioned in this Gothic Revival style. Technically, very few of these buildings can be called true castles because they weren’t built with defense and armament in mind; They were more designed as manor houses but they still incorporated all of the wonderful and impressive architectural style that we come to associate with true castles. Many of them remain to this day and have found unique ways to continue to flourish. Some are museums, some are bed and breakfasts, some are wineries, and others are still living quarters. Here is a short list of some of these beautiful structures.

New England, being the oldest part of the country, was also one of the richest during the gothic revival and there are many impressive castles peppered throughout the New England states. The most famous of all of the locations is Newport Rhode Island where Belcourt Castle, The Breakers, and Ochre Court can be found. Belcourt Castle is a legitimate castle and The Breakers and Ochre Court are mansions. These buildings are a testament to the wealth generated by early 20th century manufacturing. Nearby Massachusetts also has its share and one of the most notable is Herreshoff Castle in Marblehead. It was built in the early 20th century and is fashioned after a castle built by the famous Viking Lief Erickson and it is now a bed and breakfast. Also of note in Massachusetts is Hammond Castle, which is located in Gloucester. The inventor John Hammond built it in the early 20th century and it is now a museum.

As we move away from New England and west across the country we find many more castles that were built near large industrial cities where their builders usually made their riches. One of the most remarkable of these is Boldt Castle located on Heart Island in New York. The builder was the proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Another noted castle is one in Michigan called Curwood Castle. James Oliver Curwood who was a very famous writer of adventure stories built it. Grey Towers Castle was built by two brothers in the sugar refinery business and is located in a suburb of Philadelphia. It is a National historic Landmark and is currently open to tours and is quite a large and magnificent structure. Henderson Castle located in Kalamazoo Michigan is another spectacular structure that is also now a bed and breakfast.

As we travel across the continent we come finally to California which was a mecca for money, power, and castle building. There are many structures that are still being used today and notable of these is Castello Di Amorosa, which is a working winery.

We end our look at some of the castles in America at one of the most famous, and most opulent. This is Hearst Castle located in San Simeon California. It was built by the media mogul William Randolph Hearst and epitomized the power and money of early Twentieth century politics and Hollywood. It is open to the public and is something that every medieval enthusiast should see.

When we think of medieval castles images of mountain top structures in England and Germany come to mind but America has also built its share of these magnificent structures. There are literally hundreds, and many of them are still in use today as bed and breakfasts or museums. So if you want to see a medieval castle but don’t have the money to travel to Europe there are probably some beautiful options right in your home state.



DAVID

Thomas Pretty asked:


Tours of England are becoming an increasingly popular form of travel for many who decide to vacation in this magical and historical isle. With a large amount of quality accommodation those on tours of England are spoilt for choice when deciding where to rest their weary travel legs. Majestic castles tours can include the very best that England has to offer, showing the unbelievable history of this fiercely independent island.

Most people with a passing interest in history will know that England is a country full of castles, a fact that stands testament to the troubled and often violent history of the island. Thankfully the castles now have a more sedate purpose, that of accommodating the many travellers who choose to spend time on tours of this brilliant nation. For travellers who want luxury, the chance to stay in a castle complete with four poster bed and stone walls should not be missed. Here are some of the best castles to include on your tour, in locations all over the country.

Long’s Park Castle in Wiltshire is a great inclusion of tours around the south of England that transports the visitor back hundreds of years. A Grade II listed building it sits within sumptuous grounds containing trees that are over half a millennia old. Inside the rooms are fantastic beamed ceilings and welcoming open fires. The castle combines the old with the new; with technology such as keyless room entry and automatic lighting. Long’s Park is not just about the rooms however, present is a banqueting hall that regularly hosts medieval events as well as a lounge with comfortable arm chairs and a games room with pool, darts and air hockey. For a weekend escape, or even a stay to break up tours, it is ideal.

Nearby is the Bath Lodge Hotel, a historic castle just seven miles away from Bath city centre. The hotel is ideally placed for tours to Longleat Wildlife Park and Stonehenge and offers timeless charm and elegance. The site has been converted into a tastefully decorated hotel with romantic rooms and cosy lounge areas. Once again beamed ceilings are prominent, as are four poster beds and open fires. With attractions such as a waterfall, or simply watching the sunset from the battlements, for a romantic stay it is unrivalled.

With a range of luxurious apartments Watermouth Castle is a hotel that combines historical style with an unbelievable setting. The castle overlooks beautiful cliffs and a quaint bay in a Devonshire inlet. The castle itself has an indoor swimming pool and its own museum meaning that the chance to relax and learn is prevalent. While the castle is not medieval, instead being constructed in the Victorian era as a folly, it still offers visitors the chance for that fairytale setting, in one of the most stunning regions of the country.

Naturally a stay in a castle without ghosts would be a crime. Thankfully the rich history of Chillingham Castle in Northumberland has led to a number of spectres inhabit the walls. The castle’s history can be traced back to the twelfth century when it was a military stronghold; in fact the dungeons and torture chamber still remain and certainly add to the ghostly appeal of the site. In terms of haunting, one of the most commonly seen spooks is the ‘blue boy’, who moans from midnight onwards near a walled hallway. Most travellers who stay see this ghost, so much so that it led the owners to excavate the wall. A gruesome discovery awaited them; they found skeletal remains of an adolescent with shards of blue clothing, definitely a spooky place to stay.

No matter what your reasons for tours of England, the castles of this country can offer you an original accommodation choice that is guaranteed to enthral and amaze. These examples are just a snapshot of the wondrous castles present in England, with a little research it is assured that tourists will be able to find their fairytale paradise.



JERALD

Margaret MacGillivray asked:


A guide book in 1894 described a modern Gothic castle belonging to the Marquis of Ailsa - Culzean Castle. Overlooking the Ayrshire coast, Culzean was built in 1777 by David, 10th Earl of Cassilis and designed by renowned architect Robert Adam. At the time the book was written, Culzean Castle was not open to visitors and could only be viewed from the sea. “At the foot of the rock on which the castle stands are the coves of Culzean, three caves hewin in the rock, which were used as hiding-places during the civil wars, and afforded refuge to Sir Archibald Kennedy after the Revolution. Here, according to Burns, the fairies gather on Halloween.”

Culzean was in the hands of the Kennedys, Earls of Cassilis from the 15th Century until 1945 -when the Kennedy family formally handed over Culzean Castle, its policies, gardens and Home Farm into the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

The history of Culzean Castle is inextricably linked to the Kennedy family. Their act of generosity has ensured that this remarkable property will be cared for and appreciated by generations to come.

Culzean Castle, under the stewardship of the National Trust for Scotland, is open to visitors from the end of March until the end of October. More importantly, however, it can be hired for private functions, including weddings - 70 guests can be seated in the beautiful Circular Saloon which has stunning views towards the Isle of Arran; dinner is served in the magnificent State Dining Room. For larger functions, the Home Farm Restaurant caters for up to 100 guests for a banquet and ceilidh. More intimate surroundings are available in the six-bedroomed Eisenhower Apartment on the top of the Castle, which, with roaring log fires, can accommodate up to twelve guests - and is the perfect location for a honeymoon or luxury retreat.



WILLIS

mattrunltd asked:


Or harolds fried chicken…? The 24 hour place.
What about the one on 63rd and cicero…. Is that 24 hour?

JOAN

okay2003 asked:


I know churches and cathedrals did but did castles??

ADAM

BookMartian asked:


I need the number for a project I’m doing but I can’t find how many castles are there actually.

STEVIE

G-Unit asked:


I am a senior in high school and i need to do this research for english so i can graduate. 5 page essay too.

MARVIN