Boyana Church

Boyana Church at Sofia, Bulgaria

Boyana Church in Sofia, Bulgaria’s Boyana quarter, is a Bulgarian Orthodox church, famous for the frescoes housed within its inconspicuous medieval walls. The majority of these well-preserved frescoes were painted in 1259, with 89 scenes including 240 people, and are fine examples of Eastern European art from the medieval era.The frescoes are painted on top of another layer of paintings from an earlier period.

The church itself was built beginning in the 10^th century, with expansions extending all the way into the middle of the 19^th century. The church is constructed in a medieval style, and includes the oldest wing on the east end, which is a simple one-apse church, the two-story section was then built with a sepulcher and vault, and  the final church was added much later.

Alte Oper in Germany

Alte Oper  in Germany

Alte Oper, or Old Opera, was an opera house and is today a concert venue, home to the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Designed by Richard Lucae in the Renaissance style, the opera house opened in 1880 and is known for its impressive architecture.

During World War II, a bomb was dropped on the city in 1944, destroying the Alte Oper. Years later, there were plans for new construction on the site, but the people of Frankfurt fought to have the Alte Oper reconstructed. The Alte Oper, using parts of its original façade, was rebuilt and opened its doors on August 28, 1981.

Though Frankfurt has a new opera house, the Alte Oper still operates as a venue for concerts, performances, and plays.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Home to one of the  most active volcanoes on Earth, the Kilauea volcano,and one of the world’s most massive volcanic mass, Mauna Loa, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular attractions of the state and a sacred place for the native Hawaiians. The volcanoes are highly active and the volcanic activity is constantly expanding the island. Kilauea is called “the world’s only drive-in volcano”. In its current level of activity it generates 250,000-650,000 cubic yards of lava each day. The natives worship Pele, the volcano goddess, who lives here.

Spanning over 333,000 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea, the park offers visitors about 150 miles of hiking trails. The part showcases extraordinary natural diversity and visitors can find volcanic craters, deserts and rainforests within the park precincts. Apart from the unique experience of watching the lava from Kilauea as it flows into the sea, the Kilauea Visitor Center, the Crater Rim Drive, the Halemaumau Crater, the Thurston Lava Tube, and the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum form the key attractions of the national park.