Shadows of Legacy: The Tale of Constantin Brancoveanu

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Embark on a thrilling journey with me as we step back in time to the era of Constantin Brancoveanu. Picture yourself amidst the grandeur and intrigue of this historical period, where we previously glimpsed the workings of the infamous Black Cancellerie. Despite his remarkable abilities, even the great Brancoveanu met a tragic fate. A similar destiny awaited his contemporary, Constantin Cantacuzino, who would also fall victim to the Ottoman forces just two years later.

Today, we will delve into the harrowing aftermath of Brancoveanu’s demise alongside his sons. After their execution, their bodies were displayed in a grim spectacle for all to witness. Under the cover of night, their remains were secretly transported the following day on a ship to Halki island, where they were buried. Six years later, they found their way back to Romanian Country to rest in an unmarked grave within a church built by Brancoveanu himself, kept nameless to shield it from Ottoman eyes. Only a solitary candle stands as a beacon to commemorate his legacy.

His grieving wife orchestrated this secret burial after enduring the pain of losing her husband and four sons. Today, he rests at the Saint Gheorghe Church, though for over two centuries, his grave lay forgotten. It wasn’t until 1914 that Virgil Draghiceanu stumbled upon this significant site.

Now, as we return to the present, we can pay homage to this great ruler whose legacy endures. Despite his tragic end, Brancoveanu governed for an extraordinary 25 years—a testament to his enduring impact on history. Come, let’s honor the memory of a man who shaped an era, even in death.

The fall of a great ruler!

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Let’s embark on a captivating journey through history! Yesterday, we traveled back to the 17th century, and now we’re heading to a dramatic turning point in that era. It’s still the time of Constantin Brâncoveanu, but friendships once solid have begun to erode. His longtime ally, Constantin Cantacuzino, now harbors secrets and ambitions that threaten Brâncoveanu’s reign over Romania.

As the shadow of war looms between the Ottomans and Russians in 1711, the stakes become even higher. The Russian army, led by Tsar Peter the Great, advances into Moldova, where the local ruler allies himself with the Russians. Brâncoveanu finds himself torn between loyalties, attempting to maintain a neutral stance by establishing his camp at a strategic crossroads.

However, betrayal lurks closer to home. Toma Cantacuzino, Brâncoveanu’s own relative, takes matters into his own hands, siding with the Russian cavalry to seize the city of Brăila, defying Brâncoveanu’s orders. Though the Russians claim victory in this battle, the wider war is far from over. Eventually, a fragile peace is brokered between the Ottomans and Russians, but suspicion begins to swirl around Brâncoveanu. Accusations of treachery surface, fueled by palace intrigues orchestrated by those he once trusted, including Constantin Cantacuzino.

On April 14, 1711, the political clock strikes a dramatic hour. In Bucharest, Brâncoveanu receives a fateful visit from the Sultan’s envoy, Capug-Bașa Mustafa-aga. The moment is ominous; when the black shawl is draped over his shoulders, it symbolizes the end of his rule. Paralyzed by fear of Tatar incursions, none of the noblemen dare to rise against this imposition, and Brâncoveanu is taken to Constantinople, where Serban Cantacuzino is poised to seize the throne.

In Istanbul, Brâncoveanu faces a grim interrogation regarding his vast wealth, known for both its magnificence and his generosity. Although he complies with the demands, the ruthless Grand Vizier, Gin Ali Pasha, decrees a grim fate for him and his four sons. One by one, his trusted advisor is executed, followed by his sons, leaving Brâncoveanu to confront the tragic end of a once-mighty ruler.

I hope you enjoyed unravel this historical tale of power, betrayal, and the harsh realities of fate!

Empire of the dead -Paris catacombs

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ARRETE!

C’EST ICI l’EMPIRE DE LA MORT

Today I shall take you to visit a place full of history and souls. So grab my hand and let’s go. The place where we shall go is an underground tunnel situated in Paris, I think you already guessed the destination. We shall first consider if we enter as here is the empire of the dead ones.

After we crossed into their empire we shall see all of their skulls, their bones all lined on the walls. Imagine how many lives, how many stories are lurking down here. Some are old maybe they saw the French Revolution as the place was redesigned like this around the 18th century. Be careful we are deep underground at 20 m and the road can be a real labyrinth. Their history starts back to the late 18th century. Originally former quarries, these underground tunnels evolved into a unique burial site as a response to overcrowded cemeteries in Paris. In the late 1700s, bones from various graveyards were relocated to the catacombs, creating an ossuary with a display of human remains arranged in decorative patterns.

As you can imagine, during that time, tunels were used for other things like secret meetings. Over the years, secret societies and clandestine gatherings have utilized the catacombs for meetings, rituals or parties. The underground world has become a canvas for cryptic symbols, adding an air of enigma to its already hounting atmosphere.

Look! There! It is a heart made of skulls. I wonder if they would ever imagine, that their remains can decorate in such a way, a wall ? Probably not!
But, hey, it is something to be part of the bigest underground ossuary from the whole world.

You may wonder why they created such a place and why they are not in a normal graveyard as they should. History says that in the late 18 century there was a major health issue, related to the cemeteries. The city authorities decided to transfer the dead ones to un underground site, when the decision had been made, tunels were not in the city. First bones came from the largest cemetery in Paris, the Saint-Innocents cemetery. Transfers were made, from 1785 to 1787. Since 1809, Catacombs were open to the public. The name ” Catacombs” was given, as a reference to the Roman catacombs. Unfortunately, we can visit just 1500m of a total area of 11000m2.

Even so we have enough to enjoy beside the bones. We can see the Samaritan Fountain or the Sepulchral Lamp and imagine how many stories are hidding here. How many secret gatherings happen here. How many plans were made down here in time of danger. I hope you enjoyed!

Here you can visit it online: https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en

Lilith- first woman

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Today I shall take you on a trip in time. We will go back in history at the start of times. In biblical times when God created the world and first people. So grab my hand, and let’s go in time. We are in the Eden garden. There is God, the creator of everything. He created many beautiful things, but his garden doesn’t have someone to keep it beautiful. Is too quiet. He needs to create something more. He looks at dust measuring, touching. He gets in his hands two parts of dust. He looks at them and blows on them, saying some incantations. From each hand starts to grow two humans.
One female and another male. God talks to them, telling them to inhabit the beautiful garden called Eden or earth. They look at each other they enjoy the beauty they see around. Everything is so beautiful, so perfect. These two creatures, called Adam and Lilith, grew closer to each other each day. They are the only humans in this beautiful place. They enjoy themself making love, but Adam is the one that likes to be more dominant and the one who wants to decide. Lilith doesn’t like that. She knows that she is made out of the same dust with the same divine blow, so Lilith tells Adam that she wants to decide things to be equal to enjoy both. But Adam, like a nasty child, doesn’t like that he says God blew and created him first and that God prefers him. Lilith doesn’t believe that, so she goes away to find her own path. Lilith grows wings. She becomes something different than Adam. More powerful and not easy to control. When God sees his creation has grown stronger to strong for Adam. He gave him another female who could be more like him and won’t want to grow wings and fly.
God can’t make this one from dust again as he is afraid it will grow wings and fly again, so he is choosing another material this time. He asks Adam to give one of his ribs to make a female feel more attached to Adam and won’t want to leave him. He obeys as he is all alone, so Eve is created. God makes angels flying creatures to keep the link between Eden’s garden and God’s home. In this time, Lilith is experimenting with her powers and her freedom. But God sees that she grows stronger and enjoys too much of the power taste. Lilith can create children like her, powerful to powerful. She starts to obey less God… why should she. She has enough power, but God doesn’t like that, so he sends some angels to kill her children so her army won’t get big. He says to his angels that this is a punishment for not living where he put her. She still finds a way to have more children. She goes to Adam and finds him with another female more obeying from his flesh. Lilith decides to steal some seeds from Adam while he is asleep so she can make more children. And so she does.
Eden garden changed as time passed, and Adam and Eve had children. But for the significant change of Eden, everyone blames Eve for that because they say she gave in to temptation and did the forbidden thing. The only one God said to not do, and Eve did, even more; she corrupted Adam. But Adam was easy to convince even if he knew he shouldn’t. That he should obey God. After tasting the knowledge, both Adam and Eve felt naked, both physical and mental. So many things this garden cold hold that they didn’t see before. After conceived children, their children tasted the power and the possession. So one chooses to send into dust his brother. So humankind knew the first crime.
Lilith, like any mother, would do decided to avenge because God chose to kill her children, so she decided to kill some of God’s creations. So she kills at times newborn. God decided to stop her, so he told Adam and Eve that all the kids they make won’t die if they wear an amulet. Lilith will know God doesn’t let her approach them. She is always flying, trying to get more children to replace hers that angels are killing every day. She is a mother and a powerful creature. A creature that brought many times fear. But also a creature that chose freedom even if for that freedom she had to leave that beautiful place. So God’s creation does have their own mind and their own way to decide even if at times they suffer consequences. Lilith decided to follow her path, got power but suffered because of her children, but she still found a way. Adam and Eve disobeyed and created the world as we know it. Where people decide what to do and what to not do. But also to endure the consequences. So whatever you choose, choose wisely and be always ready to pay the price. But sometimes the price to pay is good to enjoy the freedom, the knowledge, the power… so choose wisely.

Balea lake

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This time I will take you on a bit of a hiking trip. We will go to a beautiful lake as you can see from the pics. It is in the heart of the Fagaras Mountains at 2040 m altitude. I hope you can enjoy the view.

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