CinX's Travels 2015

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

Rijeka by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Škocjan Caves (pronounced [ˈʃkɔːtsjan]; Slovene: Škocjanske jame, Italian: Grotte di San Canziano) is a cave system in Slovenia. Due to its exceptional significance, Škocjan Caves was entered on UNESCO's list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus acknowledged the importance of the caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth. Ranking among the most important caves in the world, Škocjan Caves represents the most significant underground phenomena in both the Karst region and Slovenia. Following independence from SFR Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia committed itself to actively protecting the Škocjan Caves area and established the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, Slovenia and its Managing Authority, the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service Agency.

- One of the largest known underground canyons in the world
- Examples of natural beauty with great aesthetic value
- Due to particular microclimatic conditions, a special ecosystem has developed
- The area has great cultural and historical significance as it has been inhabited since the prehistoric times
- A typical example of contact karst

[CinX]

Before actually going into the cave, a little stroll outside...

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

The cave is impressive, unfortunately photographing inside was not allowed, just at the exist of the cave.

[CinX]

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

Škocjan Caves by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lichtenstein Castle (German: Schloss Lichtenstein) is a Gothic Revival castle built in the 1840s. It is situated on a cliff located near Honau on the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Historically, there has been a castle on the site located at the Albtrauf (de), above the source of the river Echaz since around 1200. It was twice destroyed, once in the Reichskrieg's War of 1311 and again by the city-state of Reutlingen in 1377. The castle was not reconstructed and subsequently fell to ruin. It is today known as Burg Alt-Lichtenstein (de) ("Old Lichtenstein").[1]

A new castle was built c. 1390 around 500 m away from the ruin, in the location where today's structure stands. After 1567 it lost its role as a lordly seat and fell into disrepair.[1]

In 1802, the land came into the hands of King Frederick I of Württemberg, who dismantled the ruins of the castle and built a hunting lodge there. In 1837, the land was bought from King Wilhelm I of Württemberg by his cousin Duke Wilhelm of Urach, Count of Württemberg, who, inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's novel Lichtenstein,[2] added the current castle in 1840–42. The romantic Gothic Revival design of the castle was created by the architect Carl Alexander Heideloff. In 1842, the castle was inaugurated in the presence of the king.

Today, the castle is still owned by the Dukes of Urach, but is open to visitors. The castle contains a large collection of historic weapons and armour.

[CinX]

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr

Schloss Lichtenstein by cinxxx, on Flickr