Tuesday 31 May 2011

Brandenburger Tor


The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important monuments – a landmark and symbol all in one with over two hundred years of history. A former symbol of the divided city, it drew visitors who used to climb an observation platform in order to get a glimpse of the world behind the Iron Curtain, on the other side of the barren “death-strip” which separated east from west Berlin, geographically and politically. It was here that on June 12, 1987, Ronald Regan issued his stern command to his cold war adversary admonishing him with the words: “Mr. Gorbachov – tear down this wall!”. The speech delivered to West Berliners was also audible on the east side of the Gate and echoed President von Weizsacker’s words which translate as: “The German question is open as long as the Brandenburg Gate is closed.”




When Germany was reunified following the fall of the Berlin in November 1989 the Brandenburg Gate quickly reinvented itself into the New Berlin’s symbol of unity. It was officially opened to traffic on December 22, 1989 and 100,000 people came to celebrate the occasion. Unfortunately this also resulted in severe damage to the monument which needed to be restored and was only officially reopened on October 3, 2002.

Font:www.berlin.de/orte/sehenswuerdigkeiten/brandenburger-tor/index.en.php

Innsbruck


Goldenes Dachl






Situated in between the German and the Italian border, on the western side of Austria, Innsbruck is Europe’s oldest and beautiful city in the state of Tyrol. Capital of its state, the city has got its own beauty with a true Alpine landscape and snowcapped mountains.
Innsbruck twice became the home for the Winter Olympics and is also famous for its winter sports. Additionally, with its historic churches, monuments, museums, galleries and scenic atmosphere, Innsbruck has gained the reputation as being an impressive Austrian holiday destination.

Font:www.innsbruck.com/v/city_info/

Sunday 29 May 2011

Monumento aos Pracinhas





The monument, inaugurated in 1960, is dedicated to the dead Brazilian combatants of World War II . The set, composed by three pieces, was chosen in a national competition, won by the architects Marcos Konder Netto and Hélio Ribas Marinho. It is located in Aterro do Flamengo, near to the city’s downtown and the Santos Dumont Airport.

Font: www.riofilmcommission.rj.gov.br/location/pracinhas-monument

Friday 27 May 2011

Forte de Copacabana







The Forte de Copacabana was inaugurated in 1914, after six years of construction. In the beginning it served to protect the cariocan coast, but in 1987 the fortress became a cultural place. On of the atractions are the pieces of the artillery of the XIX and XX centuries, which are exposed on the outside of the fortress, the Museu Histórico do Exército, which shows military artifacts of colonial, imperial and republican time, a library and a Confeitaria Colombo branch, the Café do Forte. There is also an auditorium, Santa Bárbara, a showroom temporary and a souvenier shop. 

Learn more:

- Its total area is 114.169 square meters big;
- About 2.000 workers were needed to build the fortress;
- the artillary has canons mad by the german company Krupp;
- It became national heritage in 1990 by the Inepac (Instituto Estadual de Patrimônio Cultural).

Font:www.riofilmcommission.rj.gov.br/location/copacabana-fortress

Monday 23 May 2011

Arcos da Lapa




The Carioca Aqueduct (PortugueseAqueduto da Carioca)was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water from the Carioca river to the population of the city. It is an impressive example of colonial architecture and engineering.
The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the centre of the city, in the Lapa neighbourhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches) by Brazilian people. Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city centre with the Santa Teresa neighbourhood uphill.

Font: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carioca_Aqueduct

Praça Paris



Praça Paris (Paris Square) is located in the neighborhood of Glória, in front of Eduardo Gomes park (Aterro do Flamengo) and to Marina da Gloria, and had its design inspired by the plazas and gardens of the belle époque from Paris. Praça Paris was designed by French urban planner Alfred Agache and its inauguration took place in 1929. The public square is well forested and has, in particular, several large almond trees. The plaza features sculptures and statues in marble and bronze, a reflecting pool, and a fountain that projects its waters to 20 meters tall. Well located, Praça Paris is located a few meters from the subway station and less than five kilometers from Santos Dumont airport.

Font:www.riofilmcommission.rj.gov.br/location/paris-square