Walk Back In Time

12 months ago

Getting some fresh air every single day is crucial. Getting my stepcount to reach the daily target is a dream at this point, but I'm working on it to become reality. It's easy to sink into daily problems and choose the easy way, always finding an excuse why you don't have time to work out or walk, but how about finding the time to do it and enjoy the benefits? I'd say the second is a better option. It takes a bit of planning and organizing your day, maybe making sacrifices as well, cutting down on TV time (not that I have much time for the flat screen), but it's for a good cause, the best I'd say as investing in your health and well being is the best investment you can make long term.

We had a long autumn this year. Long, nice and warm as well, I'd say. It's the end of November and the weather is still lovely. So there's no excuse for not getting out for a nice walk every day. My favorite place is the medieval fortress, as each walk is a walk back in time, to medieval times, far from the noise of the city.

Those who built the fortress centuries ago, did not think about leisure and entertainment, they most likely had no idea what the first term is. I'm not saying was as most likely the term was invented much later than medieval times. These walls were build for defense purposes and it's better not to forget that. You can appreciate your freedom more, knowing there was a time when people were living inside the wall, facing danger every day.

Today there's a stage in front of the wall, a lighting system, to illuminate the stage and you can do yoga, tai chi or whatever you like, when the weather is good. Summer weekends are reserved for concerts and parties. I'm wondering what the fighters of 1500 - 1600 would say if invited to these parties?

Good thing there are no restrictions, the structure is safe to use and if you're not afraid of height, you can climb up to the brattice and have a look around, admire the place, or take photos. That's one of my favorite places as there are so many good angles to explore, try out different filters and so on. As a brick addict, that's heaven for me.

In medieval fortification, a bretèche or brattice is a small balcony with machicolations, usually built over a gate and sometimes in the corners of the fortress' wall, with the purpose of enabling defenders to shoot or throw objects at the attackers huddled under the wall. Depending on whether they have a roof, bretèches are classified in two types: open and closed. The open ones were accessed from the battlement's wall walk, or from a crenel. source

If you like different shapes and forms, geometrical shadows, this is a place for you. You can get lost in time and flooded with opportunities you had no idea that exist. I remember the first time I had the chance to take photos of this arched wooden cover, was like a kid in the candy store. If you have a bit of imagination, you can take hundreds of shots, just walking around and exploring different angles. I wonder what a probability calculation would say about the possible angles.

The fortified church, that stands tall for centuries, offering shelter, or spiritual refuge to so many.

And here's an absolute beauty in my eyes, a spot that always fascinates me, no matter how many times I see it. The door and window addict in me will always be admiring this medieval beauty. Restoration works have been carried out several times over the centuries, but as you can see, the original architectural style has been preserved.

You can sit down and admire the view from here, even do some work if your laptop's battery is healthy enough. Is it comfortable? Not at the slightest, but comfort was non existent in medieval times, so why should you sit comfortable, right? Say thank you for having a place to sit.

This is the most interesting place. Imagine, if you would be a doctor in medieval times, this would be your pharmacy. You would collect these herbs, make tea, tinctures, ointments, syrups and give them to sick people. I know some doctors prefer their modern office and deploy the responsibility to pharmacists, but that's not how it worked back then. It was hardcore DIY 😁

Even if the weather is not favorable, the place is still nice and perfect for a walk. They say there's no bad weather, just badly dressed people and I fully agree with that saying.