Category Archives: story behind the picture

Sienese Flag Throwing: Story Behind The Picture

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Mathew Lodge

Eagle (Aquilla) contrade members and their shadows, Siena, Tuscany You might be forgiven for wondering what is going on in this photograph. It is a vertical view down onto the heads of a bunch of grown men in medieval yellow silk outfits waving large flags. You can only tell they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, history, italy, photography, story behind the picture, travel, tuscany | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Story behind the picture: Tuscan Plain from Volterra

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Mathew Lodge

This photo recently featured as the travel section lead in Links Best Of Golf magazine, and was taken from a ruined monastery on the edge of Volterra, Tuscany. The town itself is at the top of a rocky outcrop west … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, italy, photography, story behind the picture, travel, tuscany | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bastides: Taxes and Real-Estate Speculation in Medieval France

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Mathew Lodge

North-by-North-west of Toulouse, the Lot and Dordogne departmentare a joy to behold: well-preserved medieval towns called Bastides with their neat churches, gridiron layouts and square covered markets cling to the limestone banks of the rivers for which the regions are … Continue reading →

Posted in economics, europe, france, history, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Villa Vignamaggio and the Mona Lisa controversy

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Villa Vignamaggio is a charming restored renaissance villa just outside the town of Greve in Chianti. It’s a beautiful location, is exceptionally photogenic and they make great wine… what more could you ask for? How about also being the birthplace … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, history, italy, story behind the picture, travel, tuscany | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chateau de Biron: Story Behind The Picture

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Chateau de Biron is in the Dordogne region of France, south of Bordeaux in the South-Western corner of the country. Started in the 12th century, the chateau was in the hands of one family for 800 years, the Gontaut-Biron, and enhanced … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, history, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clos de Vougeot: Story Behind The Picture

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

The chateau of Clos de Vougeot is nestled in the vineyards of Burgundy, the area of Eastern France close to Dijon that brings us delightful red wine. Lighter than the more famous Bordeaux, I like Burgundies because of their delicacy … Continue reading →

Posted in da vinci code, europe, france, history, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Royal Salt Works: Story Behind the Picture

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

My sister-in-law lives in The Jura, an area of Eastern France near the Swiss border. It’s not a particularly well-known part of the country and you’ll have to work hard to find it in many guide books (honorable exception: The Rough Guide To … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment