Eastern Europe: Budapest, Rila Mountains & Kyiv | World’s Most Beautiful Sites
[Music] Intersected by the Danube, the beautiful city of Budapest extends from the plane of pest to the heights of Buddha. The historic center of Budapest is located in the castle district. The royal palace has seen many conflicts and has been rebuilt several times in the 18th century and after 1945. Along the river’s edge, iron shoes form a memorial to the tragic fate of the Jews during the Second World War. On the opposite bank is an unusual structure built in the early 20th century in neo- romanesque style, the fisherman’s bastion. [Music] It is located on the site of the ancient city walls and bears the name of the fisherman’s guild assigned to defend this section of the ramparts. [Music] It affords a spectacular view of pest, the modern half of the city. [Applause] On the hills of Buddha, the bastion leads to the majestic Matias church. [Applause] Built in 1255 and later rebuilt, its baroque interior hosted the royal coronations. The church is still one of the most beautiful symbols of Hungary. In the 19th century, the imperial dynasty of the Hapsburgs turned Budapest into a modern capital. A monumental Gothic Parliament modeled on the Palace of Westminster in London was erected. At 879 ft long with nearly 700 rooms, it is the largest building in Hungary. On the recommendation of Count Andrasi, a broad avenue was also built. [Music] At number 22, the National Opera officially opened in 1884. In this sumptuous concert hall, Puchini conducted at the opening night of two of his operas. Gustav Mer was the first director of the opera house. Lined with palaces and museums. Imposing Andressi Avenue, nicknamed Cultural Avenue leads to the Hero Square. A monument erected in 1896 celebrates the millennium of Hungary. It represents the founders of the nation and major historical figures. This beautiful urban landscape was listed as world heritage by UNESCO in 1987. [Music] In the Ria Mountains of southwestern Bulgaria stands a striking monastery nestled in forest. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by St. John of Ria, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. It is considered one of the major centers of Bulgarian religious and cultural life. With its large inner courtyard, the Tower of Cario is a reminder of troubled times. Founded in 1335, it served as a refuge for monks during Ottoman attacks. The wooden balconies lead to the cells of the 300 monks who once lived here. In the early 19th century, a fire destroyed the building. Craftsmen came from all over the country to offer their skills. From 1396 to 1878, under the Ottoman yoke, the monks chose the path of resistance, nurturing Bulgarian culture. The reconstruction of the monastery became the symbol of a national revival. The Church of the Assumption was covered with a gospel in pictures not unlike modern comics. [Applause] Painted by the greatest artists of the time, the colorful fresco envelop the coupas and the walls. [Music] Inside the building stands a monumental iconistasis carved in walnut. [Music] In Orthodox churches, this partition separates the altar from the nave where the congregation stands. [Music] [Applause] The many icons are intended to instruct the faithful. [Music] The magnificent site of the Rio Monastery was declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1983. [Music] On the hills overlooking the Neper River stands the famous city of Kiev. In the 11th century, Yaruslav the Wise, a prince who converted to Bisantine Christianity, covered the city with Orthodox splenders. In 1037, he built St. Sophia Cathedral graced with a golden dome Belelfrey and 13 couplers representing Christ and the apostles. Designed to rival the Hagya Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, the magnificent interior is directly inspired by Bisantine art. In the middle of the apps, a monumental mosaic of the Virgin floats above the congregation. In total, 2800 square ft of mosaics and 32,300 ft of frescos cover the interior walls, pillars, and vaults. St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is one of the most revered sanctuaries of the Slavic world. The monastery of Kiev Peturk was built next to the city. It greatly contributed to the spread of the Orthodox faith. The Cathedral of the Dormission was built in 1073. [Applause] Although it has undergone several reconstructions, the cathedral was the centerpiece of the Lavra, a Russian term given to particularly important and revered monasteries. Over nine centuries, buildings proliferated like the refactory church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius. On its walls, a huge fresco surrounds the monks in their monastic life. [Music] The lower part of the monastery houses the origins of the site. Underground caves where parishioners and monks came to prey. [Music] In these dim labyrinths lie mummified remains of dozens of monks. Their perfect state of conservation without embombing has often been interpreted as evidence of the sanctity of these holy men. The jewels of glorious Kiev, the lavra of Kiev Petersk and St. Sophia Cathedral were classified as world heritage by UNESCO in 1990. [Music]
Through the most spectacular aerial shots and CGI, this series takes you on a fabulous journey through the world history of civilizations. This episode takes us to various sites in Eastern Europe.
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Chapters
▷ 00:00 – Intro
▷ 00:22 – Budapest & the Banks of the Danube – Hungary
▷ 02:57 – Rila Monastery – Bulgaria
▷ 05:34 – Kyiv: Sainte-Sophia Cathedral – Ukraine
▷ 08:12 – Credits
#documentary #kyiv #ukraine #easterneurope #europe #hungary #budapest #bulgaria #rila #history #building #architecture #travel #unesco
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Through the most spectacular aerial shots and CGI, this series takes you on a fabulous journey through the world history of civilizations.
A series celebrating the extraordinary preservation of human heritage. Discover the world’s most beautiful sites in an exceptional series of short programs. Through te most spectacular aerial shots, the most recent archaeological discoveries, breathtaking fictional re-enactments and CGI, this series invites us along on a fabulous journey through the history of civilizations. We penetrate into the rich architecture of historical hotbeds of power and spirituality, in paying tribute to the genius of man, art and culture. From the legendary pre-colombian pyramids of Palenke to the splendor of the Egyptian pyramids, from the beauty of medieval Mount Saint Michel and its abbaye to the sanctuary of Olympia, this series will attest ot the splendor of civilizations that have dispappeared today.
Original Title: World’s Most Beautiful Sites – Eastern Europe
2008, © Licensed by Terranoa
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