Towns album by Nelly Stancheva

A common album to show the history and cultural places of the towns/villages we live in.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Poland

Jasło

Publiczna Szkoła Podstawowa nr 2 im. Marii Konopnickiej w Jaśle

Jasło is a county town in south-eastern Poland with 37,343 inhabitants, as of 2 June 2009. It is situated in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship (since 1999); previously it was in Krosno Voivodeship (1975–1998). It is located in the heartland of the Doły (Pits), and its average altitude is 320 metres above sea level, although there are some hills located within the confines of the city. The Patron Saint of Jasło is Saint Anthony of Padua.

The name derives from Old Polish common word for the "manger" or "trough" which sounded "jasło". Plausibly, it comes from the Slavonic verb "to eat" - "jeść". The Modern Polish equivalent is "żłób" or more seldom "koryto" and the word "jasło" is forgotten in this meaning.

History 18 February 1846 - beginning of the Galician peasant revolt. The massacre, led by Jakub Szela (born in Smarżowa), is also known as the Galician Massacre, and began on 18 February 1846. This led to the "Galician Slaughter," in which many nobles and their families were murdered by peasants. Szela units surrounded and attacked manor houses and settlements located in three counties - Sanok, Jasło and Tarnów. The revolt got out of hand and the Austrians had to put it down. The First World War The outbreak of the First Word War stopped Jaslo’s development but there were no major losses in the structure of the town. In 1915 in the region of Jaslo a bloody battle took place. It was to be called ―Galicyjska Operation‖. During this battle

German forces broke through Russian defenses and separated the Russians from Karpaty line. German soldiers entered Jaslo on 6th May 1915. After the First World War Jaslo started building up its administrative structures. Offices, schools and government institutions were opened. But Jasloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economical situation was not good at that time. It improved in 1937 when a chemical factory called Gamrat was opened.

The Second World War During the Second World War Jaslo was occupied by German forces. Germans used all known forms of terror and oppression. Polish resistance was very active in the region. In 1944 people of Jaslo were displaced, the town was plundered and burnt down. Only 3% of buildings remained standing.

The present After the war the Town was rebuilt but it was not an easy task because at first there were only 365 citizens. Today there are almost 40 000 people living in Jaslo. The town is growing and getting more beautiful. At present in Jaslo there are nine churches, almost thirty schools, a post office, a cinema, a swimming pool, a few factories, supermarkets and lots of shops.

Bulgaria

Stara Zagora

SOU â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Zheleznikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Stara Zagora is the sixth largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the nationally important economic centres. Stara Zagora is known as the city of straight streets, linden trees, and poets. Stara Zagora is the administrative centre of its municipality and the Stara Zagora Province. Stara Zagora is one of the oldest towns on the territory of present-day Bulgaria, famous equally for its rich history and fertile lands. The town lies in the geographical centre of the country.

Regional Museum of History The Stara Zagora Regional Museum of History is one of the richest museums in the Balkans, when it comes to number and significance of its artifacts. The largest and the most preserved Neolithic art collection, the collection of Roman glass, the collection of Thracian chariots, the antique bronze collection and the artifacts of the Roman city of Augusta Trayana give to the museum one of the most significant places among the European museums. With a history of more than eight millenniums, the region of Stara Zagora continues to give to scientists and lovers of history the pleasure of new archaeological and historical finds.

Unearthed almost on a daily basis, these artifacts are making the headlines around the world. Stara Zagora Regional Museum of History continues to be a scientific center for research and preservation of 130,000 precious objects from all periods of the human history in South Eastern Europe. The museum is also a center for enlightenment, entertainment, and enjoyment of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich cultural heritage for more than 100 years.

Antique Forum of Augusta Trayana

Much of the antique city of Augusta Trayana can be seen in the very centre of Stara Zagora including the forum of the antique city with the remains of an amphitheatre, thermal baths, city walls, the western gate and part of the main trading street.

The antique city forum is located in the southwest part of the ancient city, right next to the city fortress walls and the western gate. This unique piece of the antique architecture is believed to have been built no later than the 3rd century. The city baths facade, which had more than ten spacious halls, was uncovered behind it. The Samara flag - Memorial to the Defenders of Stara Zagora The Samara flag is one of the most important military symbols of the Bulgarian Army. Sewed by local nuns and given to the Bulgarian volunteers in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 by the citizens of the Russian city of Samara on 18 May 1877, it became famous when it was heroically prevented from being captured by the Ottoman forces in the Battle of Stara Zagora, with many soldiers perishing while protecting it from the enemy.

Geo Milev Drama Theater The Theatre House, built in 1914, has become the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural and educational heart. The first play in Stara Zagora was staged way back in 1870 - the drama "Malakova" by the outstanding Bulgarian poet and playwright Petko Rachev Slaveykov. The theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company became professional in 1919. Today, the Stara Zagora Drama Theatre presents outstanding classical and modern productions. Stara Zagora State Opera The State Opera Stara Zagora, founded in 1925, is the second opera theatre in Bulgaria, after the National Opera and Ballet in Sofia. It has the first purpose-built opera house building in Bulgaria.

Regional library Stara Zagora

Located on the foot of Sredna Gora Mountain, Stara Zagora boasts some beautiful parks, gardens and a lot of green spaces right in the heart of the city. The Ayazmo Park The Ayazmo Park is situated in the northern part of the city. It is a veritable botanic garden. Numerous three species from all over the world were planted in the park to transform it to a magnificent site for walks, sports and recreation. Several sport fields can be found in the park. On the upper hill of the Ayazmo Park visitors can stop by a small zoo with different animal species. Eternally green, the Ayazmoto Park dominates the northern section of the city with 939 acres of exotic trees, an astronomy observatory, a zoo, children's playgrounds, a sports complex and an open-air theater The Zoo Created in 1957, Stara Zagora Zoo is situated in a picturesque site within the Ayazmoto Park, on an area of 240 000 sq. m. The Zoo is the home of more than 450 animals of 80 species - mammals, birds and amphibious. The visitors have the opportunity to see animals from all continents, except the Antarctic. A tradition in Stara Zagora Zoo is the successful breeding of the brown bear. It is not by chance that the statue of the two bear cubs, which meets the visitors at the zoo entrance, has become its symbol.

Fun hall with distorting mirrors

The Fun Hall is located within Ayazmoto park, next to the badminton courts and not far from the zoo. It is a fun and popular place for children.

The City Park (5th October Park) Located in the city centre on an area of 20 decares, the park was created in 1891. This is a favourite place of Stara Zagora citizens, where in nice weather, people like to sit for a chat around the fountain and mothers bring their children to play.

Here is the monument to Stara Zagora Defenders, inaugurated on July 29th, 1902, and the first symbolic foundation stone, laid on October 5th, 1879, to mark the beginning of Stara Zagora's restoration from its destruction after the Liberation War (1877).

Chess fans come to play a game on the checkered board drawn on one of the alleys.

Zhiten Alan Park (Alexander Stamboliyski Park)

This park was established on an area of 15 decares in 1959. There is a monument for the Stara Zagora citizens that perished in all wars of the past century - the Balkan War (1912 - 1913), and the First and Second World Wars.

Bedechka Park

Zagorka Lake Situated in the northeastern part of the city. It was named after the small river, Bedechka that runs through it.

The Zelen Klin Park

Renovated with the support of the â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Beautiful Bugariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2013; Programme, this green triangular park was opened on September 22nd , 2007.

Beroe Stara Zagora

BFC Beroe Stara Zagora or simply Beroe is a Bulgarian football club from Stara Zagora that currently plays in the country's top division, the A PFG. The club was founded on March 19, 1959. The home ground of Beroe is the Beroe Stadium with 25,000 spectators seating capacity. Beroe were the 1986 champions of the top division and they also won the domestic cup in 2010.

Romania

Petresti

Scoala cu clasele I-VIII Petresti

HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITION THE VILLAGE PETRESTI The village Petreşti is situated within the commune with the same name, in the Dambovita county, in the south of Romania. The village Petreşti is attested in documents since the 16th century, but archeological research revealed that the Roman wave ―brazda lui Novac‖ passed through this area. As proof of this there is a roman dwelling (2nd – 3rd century) situated on the outskirts of the village – unfortunately because it isn’t a tourist attraction it isn’t very well preserved. Exact dates from when the village was established don’t exist, the majority of the pieces of information being gathered from the stories of the old people of the village. Looking through the old documents of the region once called Ţara Româneascǎ ( part of which was the village Petreşti), we can find some data from which we can draw the conclusion that the village already existed in the year 1500. The village is first mentioned in documents in the year 1504 when the ruler Radu cel Mare writes a document in which he gives to his sons pieces of land in Petresti: ― I, Radu Voievod Mare ruler of all the Ungrovlahia region, the son of the kind and great Vlad Voievod, order that my will be done and my servants Ioan with his son, Ivan, and his daughter Stana, and his sons, be given in Petresti as much land as Ion, because they are rightful owners.‖ The main lane that goes through the Petresti of today was called ―Ulita Manestilor‖ , after a man named Manea, a soldier of Tudor Vladimirescu, who remained in the village after Tudor was killed and the rest of the soldiers scattered. He married the daughter of a peasant named Nistor. The elders tell the story of times long gone as they heard it from their grandparents. It is said that in the times in which the Turks were still invading this land, the people of Petresti were building homes in the ground with walls and ceilings of twigs. Today, elders say that the villages that now make up the Petresti commune were grouped differently over time and that there were communes where monuments for the heroes of the two world wars were built. Today such monuments stand with pride in the villages Gherghesti, Ionesti, Potlogeni, Greci, Puntea de Greci. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The first school in the village Petreşti was established in 1896 and was led by Ioan R. Popescu, a priest’s son from Ghergheşti. The second school was built in 1905. There began to study the children from the villages Greci and Petreşti. After the census at Petresti school in 1902, the situation was as follows: 25 students in the second division and 14 students in the third division – a very good situation for that period.

During the period 1984 – 1985 a new school was built in the village, a modern building with one floor, a building which has undergone continuous

modernization, today being among the best equipped and welcoming schools in the county. In the summer of 2006 the school benefited from a governmental rehabilitation programme, thus becoming not just a modern building but an institution in which quality is the most important principle.

Targoviste city The Dâmboviţa county has been inhabited ever since the Lower/Inferior Paleolithic (material traces belonging to the gravel culture have been discovered in Petresti, Potlogeni etc.). Vestiges from the era of the Geto – Dacians were found in the region Cătunu (1st century B.C.) and from the Daco-Roman era, in Căprioru,Cojasca etc. The name of the city Târgovişte (municipality residence) was mentioned in a travel story of J. Schittberg in 1396. Mircea cel Bătrân moved the capital from Curtea de Argeş to Târgovişte in the year 1396, and was maintained there ( with slight interruptions) until the middle of the 17t5h century. During almost three centuries the city was the most important economic, political and cultural centre of the region Țara Românească. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Târgovişte was the royal residence for many rulers: Mircea cel Bătrân, Vlad Țepeş, Radu de la Afumaţi, Mihai Viteazul etc. A period of glory of the city was during the rule of Constantin Brancoveanu (1688 – 1714), after which it was abandoned by the Phanariot rulers, which led to the decay and ruin of the monuments. In the 1821, Târgovişte played an important role in the revolution led by Tudor Vladimirescu, who comes here only to find his death.(his body was thrown in an abandoned well on the outskirts of the city). The complexity of the natural landscape, (given by the alpine areas, the attractive Valley of Ialomiţa), the richness of the value of the monuments with historical and spiritual importance, the variety of the fauna and the presence of some natural reservations render a rich content to the patrimony of the county. PLACES OF INTEREST 1. The Royal Court of Târgoviste. The aulic complex was built between the 14th century and the 17th century and it represented the place from where the rulers that lived there led Tara Românească, the centre from which the independence struggle started and a source of culture and civilization. Representative for the Romanian architecture and art, the monuments from the Royal court comprise innovating elements and solutions which have strongly influenced the era. The founders of the museum tried to create an organic bond between the monuments and the exhibition activity.

The exhibition ―Vlad Țepes – Dracula. Legend and Historical Truth‖ was held in the Royal Church. In the basements of the royal house of Petru Cercel there is an interesting lapidary collection and a short history of the Royal Court. Although the main monuments that exist here date from the period after Mircea cel Bătrân, archaeological investigations revealed an interesting fortifications and the house ―Casa parcalabului‖ (parcalab – administrator) other archaeological findings dated in the second half of Mircea cel Bătrân. Within the Royal Court the visitors can distinguish many areas of interest, among which is the residential area, the area of the military fortifications, the domestic area and the royal gardens.

2. The Museum of the Printing Press and the Romanian Books. Found in an imposing building, the architectural monument which the craftsmen of Constantin Brâncoveanu built on pre-existing basements at the beginning of the 17th century, for his daughter, Lady Safta, and in which Constantin Cantacuzino held his library – among the most valuable in the Tara Românească of that time.

The museum, one of the first institutions of culture from the country, was opened to visitors on the 11th of May 1967. It is structured in rooms which represent the printing activity from Târgovişte from the beginnings This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

(the 16th century), but also from the other printing centres that appeared afterwards in Moldavia and Transilvania (17th and 18th century) and peaks with the editing of the first newspapers (that appeared regularly - -the 19th century), when the evolution of the Romanian book ends.

The museum presents a succession of aspects regarding the development of writing and of the printing presses on Romanian territory, starting with the first form of writing ―protoliterata‖ (pictographic / ideographic, similar to the oldest form of writing in the world – the Sumerian one) and followed by the tablets of clay from Tartaria, in the Alba county (4th – 3rd century BC). This support, as well as the clay / earthenware pots, the tree bark or the pergament, were used until paper was discovered. The first paper mills appeared in : Brasov (1563), Sibiu (1573), Câmpulung – Fierbinţi (1768), Batiste – near Snagov – (1755) and the royal paper mill from Ciorogârla (1796). From the sumptuous hall, in which the above mentioned were found, we pass to the 16th century room, where the most important manuscripts and prints were found. From the 1st category we mention : ―The Letter of Neacsu fom Câmpulung‖ addressed to Hans Benker, the judge from Brasov, (1521), which is the first written Romanian text which has been This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

preserved. Another exceptional manuscript is ―The teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his Son Teodosie‖, the most significant work of the Romanian literature in Slavonic language. Besides these there are also texts from Maramures.

In order to consolidate the prestige of the Church as the main support of the state, the ruler Radu cel Mare( Radu the Great) (1495 – 1508) brought in the country the monk Macarie, formed as an expert printer in Venice (where books in Slavonic were printed). He had already printed five books in Cetinje between 1493 and 1495. within the royal printing press centre led by Macarie the first books were printed: ―Liturghierul‖( 1508), ―Ohtoih‖ (1510) and ―Evangheliar‖ (1512), all in Slavonic, language used then in the royal chancery and in religious sermons / services. Among the books printed here we can also mention ―Indreptarea Legii‖ (1652), one of the first secular books from Tara Românească.

Other printing centers presented within this room are: Iasi, where ―Cazania ― of Varlaam war printed (1642 – 1643), and later on, the religious writings of the archbishop Dosoftei, the talented translator and rhymer; Alba- Iulia – ―The New Testament from Bălgrad‖ 1648, printed with the help of the archbishop Simion Stefan; and Bucharest, where in 1688 the monumental ―Bible‖ (called the ―Bible of Stefan‖) was printed – it tries to unify the dialects of the Romanian language, thus creating the premises of the Romanian literary language. The busts, carved in maple and linden wood, of the Moldavian archbishops Varlaam and Dosoftei complete the exhibits of this room.

3. The History Museum. The current History Museum was opened to visitors in September 1986, in the building of the former ―Palace of Justice‖, building which began to be built (as the documents of the time say) on the 23 rd of February 1901. The Neoclassical building was finished one year later. The balance of the building and the simplicity / sobriety of the volumes demanded that, after 1918, demanded a floor to be added. Within this area is the basis of the museum which tells the visitor about the history of the Romanian people from the Paleolithic age until 1918.

Here we can find material and spiritual proof of the existence of the GetoDacians – pottery and Neolithic figurines, the Thassian and Macedonian treasury of silver coins from Căprioru(2nd and 1st century BC), the treasury of Dacians coins from Adanca etc.

The space reserved for the rulers Neagoe Basarab, Petru Cercel, Mihai Viteazul, Mihai Basarab, Constantin Br창ncoveanu, is illustrated through decorative objects of art, the Brancoveanu mural, old books, typography ornaments, wood engravings, the lapidary from Potlogi Castle, which demonstrate the effort of the rulers to develop medieval culture. A room is reserved for the revolution led by Tudor Vladimirescu, where we can se documents, weapons, uniforms, art. The section which talks about the effort of the Romanians to accomplish the unification of the Romanian countries, under the rule of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, offers the visitor not only documents, but also personal belongings of the ruler. Another monument in the history of the Romanian people, the war of independence, is represented through original documents, weapons, uniforms, heraldic signs etc. Regarding the Great Unification, the exhibition offers the visitor, besides the historical evidence, the map of the unified Romania.

4. The Brancoveanu Palace from Potlogi. The palace is a monument of history and of secular architecture. In 1706, Constantin Brancoveanu started the building process for a palace for his son, Mateias. Today, from the old palace, only the inside wall of the court and the foundations of the palace remain.

5. Dealu Monastery. At the end of the 15th century, the ruler Radu cel Mare (Radu the Great) – 1459-1508 – decided to build an ensemble of monasteries from the ground, on the place of an existing one from the 14th century, for various reasons: ―Either this sanctuary had collapsed during its lengthy existence, or the ruler wanted to build an <<edifice>> near the capital, that would surpass in splendour the existing ones, or, in the end, because – as tradition says – he wanted to build a great monastery on the <<beloved bones of his ancestors>>‖.

Being an important royal sanctuary and necropolis, the monastery continued to be well looked after by the leaders that love beauty and their people, who contributed to the rebuilding of the ensemble, making their way among the important founders. For example, Matei Basarab (16321654) is said to have abolished the worship of the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, out of the desire that this sacred place not fall in the hands of foreign monks. Further more, the ruler put on the name of the monastery several properties, giving as a gift some sacred pots made out of gold (that no longer exist today). Among other sacred object that he gave as gifts to churches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which he thought to be of high rank â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we mention a cross made from cypress wood, overlaid with silver, the frames being adorned with ornamental plants. The cross is sculpted on both sides, the scenes being framed with columns and having explanatory Greek inscriptions. The leg of the cross is supported on an elliptical basis, having a the inscription: â&#x20AC;&#x2022;This sacred cross was made by the ruler Matei and his wife Elena and was given to the Dealu Monastery, in the year 1757. The cross can also be found today at the monastery.

Greece

Platykampos

1st primary school of Platykampos

The city of Larissa is situated on both banks of Penaeus River and is located in the eastern plain of Thessaly and which occupied almost entirely by the prefecture of Larissa. The name Larissa has a prehellenic Pelasgian origin and it was most widespread in Greece, meaning hill or strongly fortified citadel, that name had the citadel of Argos. Also according to mythology, Larissa was built in Pelasgian period from Larissa, the son of Pelasgians. According to archaeological evidence, the capital of Thessaly, Larissa, lies atop a site that has been inhabited since the tenth millennium BCE. Larissa has a history going back thousands of years. Discoveries and findings have proven the existence of the area dating back to the Paleolithic period Legend says that Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, died here. Mythology The city is said in Greek mythology to have been founded By Acrisious, who was killed accidentally by his son, Perseus. There lived Peleus, the hero beloved by the gods and his son Achilles. However, the city is not mentioned by Homer, unless it should be identified with Agrissa of the Iliad. In mythology, the nymph Larissa, was a daughter of the primordial man Pelasgus. History Antiquity Traces of Paleolithic human settlement have been recovered from the area, but it was peripheral to areas of advanced culture. The area around Larissa was extremely fruitful. It was agriculturally important and in antiquity was known for its horses. The name Larissa, inherited from the Pelasgian settlersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; an alternative name for the district was Pelasgiotisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; was common to many Pelasgian towns: the ancient Greek word Larissa means "stronghold". The horse was an appropriate symbol of Thessaly, a land of plains, which was well-known for its horses. Hellenistic and Roman period It was in Larissa that Philip V of Macedonia signed in 197 BC a treaty with the Romans after his defeat at Cynoscephalae, and it was there also that Antiochus III, , the Great, won a great victory,192 BC. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

As the chief city of ancient Thessaly, Larissa was directly annexed by Philip II of Macedon in 344, and from then on Larissa was under Macedonian control; in 196 B.C. Larissa became an ally of Rome and was the headquarters of the Thessalian League. Larissa is frequently mentioned in connection with the Roman civil wars which preceded the establishment of the empire and Pompey sought refuge there after the defeat of Pharsalus. Middle Ages and Ottoman period The town was taken from the Byzantine Empire by Bulgaria for a while in the later 10th century and later held by Serbia. It was Frankish until 1400. In the 15th century, it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, who called it ―Yenişehr-i Fenar‖ (new town of the Phanariots). Until 1881, Larissa was the seat of a pasha in the vilayet of Yanya. In the 19th century, there was a small village in the outskirts of town very unusually inhabited Gravure of Larissa in 1820 by Africans from the Sudan a curious remnant of the forces collected by Ali Pasha. In the 19th Century, the town produced leather, cotton, silk and tobacco. Fevers and agues were prevalent River and the death-rate were higher than the birth rate. It was also renowned for the minarets of its mosques (four of which were still in use in the early part of the 20th century) and the Muslims burial grounds. Larissa was the headquarters of Hursid Pasha during the Greek War of Independence. In 1881, the city, along with the rest of Thessaly, was incorporated into the Kingdom of Greece. A considerable portion of the Turkish population emigrated into the Ottoman Empire at that point. During the Greco-Turkish of 1897, the city was the headquarters of Greek Crown Prince Constantine. The flight of the Greek army from here to Farsala took place on April 23, 1897. Turkish troops entered the city two days later. After a treaty for peace was signed, they withdrew and Larissa remained permanently in Greece.

During the Second World War (1941), the city was badly damaged by the bombing of the Italian aircrafts.

Museums of the city

Municipal gallery- G. Katsigras Museum This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Historical and Folklore Museum Archeological sites of the city

The ancient theater of Larissa (known as Theater A or first theater )was built in the early of 3rd Century B.C. during the reign of Antigonos Gonatas, King of Macedonia. The concave part of the building (koilon) leant on the foot slops of the Frourio hill (hill of fortress) upon which the Acropolis of ancient Larissa once stood. The monument was atypical Greek theater of Hellenistic times, with This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

three main parts: the rows of seats in a semicircular disposition, a circular stage for choirs and dancers(orchestra) and a backstage building that closed the monument(skene). The main part of the theater was divided into eleven stands of twenty five rows of seats by ten ascending stairs. During the Roman period, in order to turn the theater into an arena for gradiators, the lowest four rows of seats were removed. The spectators used a two meters wide paved with marble passage way into the koilon that divided it in two parts: the main theater and the upper theater. The upper theater was divided into 22 aisles of 15 rows of seats each by 20 stairs. The diameter of the orchestra was 25,5 meters. A marble drain, built around the orchestra and under the stage, collected and lead rain-waters towards the Pinios River. To come inside the monument, the spectators used side-walks (parodoi), bordered on their northern sides by strong white marble sustaining walls. At the western end of west wall, a monumental stair led the spectators directly to the upper theater. The stage, a four rooms backstage building, was 37,7 meters long. In the middle of the second Century B.C., a 20 meters long and 2 meters wide portico, the proskenion, was built in front of the stage. Names of Thessalian cities that were part of the Thessalian League were carved on some of the seats. Later, during Roman times, the named of those who paid for permanent seats were added. The ancient theater of Larissa, in which more than 10.000 people could take place , was used until the end of the 3 rd or the beginning of the 4th century A.D. since then the theater was buried under the earth and buildings were built above. Nowadays the archeologists excavate it and became a very important point of our city.

Coins from ancient Larissa

BEZESTENI- THE FORTRESS HILL

Fortress. This is the area where they found the first evidence of occupation of the city from the Neolithic period still later became the citadel of the ancient city on the south side is the first theater. During the Byzantine period was the religious center, and the Ottoman defense and commercial center. Today the hill is saved Bezesteni or now known as Fort, built by the Ottomans in the late 15th century and was used as a covered market.

Model of Bezesteni Modern times in Larissa

LARISSA is a big city and the capital of the Thessaly periphery of Greece and capital of the Larissa Prefecture. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos and with Thessaloniki and Athens. The population of the greater area is around 250,000, and takes in of Nikea, Terpsithea, Platykampos and other smaller suburban communities.

Great Bath and Bairakli Mosque. The Great Bath (Buyuk Hammam) in the 16th century, although it survives today is used by various shops.

Penaeus river is the famous river, which is inextricably linked with the town of Larissa for centuries and crosses the center of town It lies on the north side of Fort Hill, under St. Achilles, and with the park of Alcazar, which is adjacent to the river, creating an oasis of greenery and calm in the city center just steps from the main square.

Yeni Mosque. This 19th century building, which temporarily housed the Archaeological Museum of Larissa. Information indicates that it was donated by Queen Olga to the remaining Muslims in the city It is located in People's Square The exhibition is housed in the only room of the mosque contains exhibits of the following periods: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman. Platykampos village Our school is located in Platykampos, suburb of Larissa. Platykampos is a village which is 8 km. away from Larissa, with 2.525 inhabitants.

The first village founded on 980 A.C. In this area, as the people agriculture the fields find, even today, prehistoric objects. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job here is cultivation of the fields. They product mostly cotton, wheat and garlic.

In our village are the ruins of a Hamam (bath). Built in the period that Greece was occupied of Ottoman and is a listed monument. It has a peculiar plan and most likely never been to men and when women. When working on a sex, then placed a cloth over the front entrance stating its use and prohibiting the attendance of the other sex. The steam is used by the Muslim inhabitants of the village until 1881 that liberated the area. Used for a short period of Greek villagers

The 1st primary school, our school, founded on 1885, after the liberation of the Ottomans. At first the building was made by wood. On 1919, the new building was made by stones in front of the village square.

PHOTOS OF THE OLD SCHOOL (1944)

On 1934, people of the village decided to build a larger school in a new position, more suitable for the students. So, they made a modern building that exists till today.

Best regards form the teachers and students of the 1st primary school of Platykampos-Larissa- Greece! This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Turkey

Arpaseki

Arpaseki İlköğretim Okulu

İZMİR

KINIK ITS HISTORY First of all, Kınık is one of the districts of İzmir the third densely populated city in Turkey. İzmir is situated in the west part of Turkey by the Aegean Sea. Kınık has a past which extends till one of the first dwellings of the earth. It is thought that Kınık was founded in the place of old Gambreion , which is the center of antiquities. The Temple of Sibel in the Karadere woods that is on the South east of Kınık and some relics are a proof of it.In 1330, Kınık was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and it continued to be a part of the Empire till 1922.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES Kınık has been established in the Northeast part of the Aegean region of Turkey. It is situated by the River of Bakırçay between the two mountains called Mandra and Yunt Mountain. It is 40 metres high from the sea level and it is 120 km far from the city centre of İzmir.

Its population is in total 28.337 that Kınık takes place as 21. District of İzmir. CLIMATICAL FEATURES Kınık has a Mediterranean climate, which is dry and hot in summers, cool but not cold and rainy in autumns and winters. Its plant cover is generally red pines and oak trees with fruitful plains and pastures.

HISTORICAL PLACES TO VISIT In the beginnings of 1900, K覺n覺k was a subdistrict of a place called Pergamon, which is the is home to two of the country's most celebrated archaeological sites: Pergamum's acropolis and Asklepion are both listed among the top 100 historical sites on the Mediterranean. Most of the buildings and monuments in Pergamum date to the time of Eumenes II (197-159 BC), including the famed library, the terrace of the spectacularly sited hillside theater, the main palace, the Altar of Zeus, and the propylaeum of the Temple of Athena. In the early Christian era, Pergamum's church was a major center of Christianity and was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2:12-17). The ancient city is composed of three main parts: the Acropolis, whose main function was social and cultural as much as it was sacred; the Lower City, realm of the lower classes; and the Asklepion, one of the earliest medical centers on record. Asklepion Pergamum's 2nd-century Asklepion was a famed temple and medical center dedicated to Asklepius, the god of healing. Some treatments used a sacred water source that was later discovered to have radioactive properties.

Pergamum Archaeological Museum This museum has several interesting Artifacts from ancient Pergamum that help bring the ruins to life. There is even a faithful replica of the Zeus Altar.

Red Basilica (Temple of Serapis) This huge brick edifice was built in the 2nd century as a Roman temple to the god Serapis and later converted into a Byzantine church.

Zeus Altar The Zeus Altar was constructed by Eumenes II (d.159 BC) as a memorial of his victory against the Galatians. The altar is now in Berlin's Pergamon Museum, but the original site provides a sense of the altar's size and spectacular location.

Portugal

Martinlongo

Escola Bรกsica Integrada de Martinlongo This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Minisipality of Alcoutim Alcoutim, historic old square of the village, also known as Alcoutim and the Romans called Alcoutinium and the Arabs called AlcatiĂŁo, is located on the right bank of the Guadiana river.

History Menhirs and dolmens bear witness to human presence in the late Neolithic and early Chalcolithic (ca. 4000 BC), within the megalith culture that covered the entire Portuguese territory. They do, however, the deposits of copper, iron and manganese that attract men from 2500 BC until the time of Roman occupation, leading to the excavation of several mines and the smelting of local ores, which were transported down to the Guadiana River and the Mediterranean, after, the vast expanse of the empire. Human occupation was maintained during the Visigoth and Muslim domain (SaudaĂ§ĂŁo V-XIII), often in the same locations, giving rise, after the Christian recon quest, to some of the settlements of the county of Alcoutim. The foundation of Alcoutim is presumably linked to the fact that it is located at the place where they feel the tides of the Guadiana, which forced the boats taking part in the traffic of metals and other products to wait for hours the conditions for down-river. Fact that required, necessarily, the existence of support structures and defence. Conquered in the reign of King Sancho II, in 1240, the town of Alcoutim was repopulated by King Dinis, who in 1304 granted him a charter and, given its strategic position in relation to the neighbouring kingdom of Castile, made his donation to the Military Order of Santiago. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

During the war, in the century XIV Portugal and Castile, was celebrated in the middle of the river, opposite Alcoutim, a peace treaty between the kings D. Ferdinand I and D. Henry. Following centuries of quiet, interrupted only by the War of Restoration (1640/1668) and in the first half of the century. The struggles between liberals and defenders of absolute monarchy, which highlights the fearless guerrilla Shake, who had concealed their forces in the mountains of Alcoutim and other counties. The drop in mining, agriculture made difficult by poor soils, distance from the coast and the loss of importance of the Guadiana River as a means of transport and its county Alcoutim led to a long period of economic stagnation, gradually changed in recent decades. Rural and remote Alcoutim is a vast county situated relatively close to Spain - only 40 miles away by the river Guadiana - has an area of 576.57 km ² and 3,770 inhabitants. It is the least populated county in the Algarve. It is subdivided into five parishes: Alcoutim, Pereiro, Giões, Martinlongo and Vaqueiros, which consist entirely of 106 settlements, called ―mountains‖. One of the most recent aspects of interest in Alcoutim is the fact that the starting point for the Via Algarviana. A pedestrian route, across the Algarve to the Leeward Windward, covering an area of 244 km and ending at Cape St. Vincent in Sagres. Monuments Alcoutim Castle Alcoutim being a border town, the castle was built for defensive purposes, in the fourteenth century and has changed in the seventeenth century, when it was introduced artillery. The walls are wide, offering excellent and varied points viewpoints over the surrounding areas. On one hand, the green hills, speckled with white flowers of roses, so typical of the Algarve Mountains, on the other hand, the flow of the river, a refreshing landscape marked by a blazing sun

Matriz Church of Alcoutim The primitive Church of the Savior of Alcoutim is a nave and was built in the first half of the century. XIV. At the end of the century XV and XVI, principles more specifically in 1538, because it was in bad condition, the alcoutenejos asked alms to the Master of the Order of St. James to build up another, closer to the river Guadiana and a patron who gave THE SAVIOR. Work began shortly thereafter and was completed in 1554. As one of the best examples of the first Renaissance in the Algarve and the only manifestation of architectural renaissance of the county is likely that its author is AndrĂŠ Pilarte, master of the Algarve best workshop that adopted the standards "in Romanâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;.

Chapel of Santo Ant贸nio

The Chapel of St. Anthony, also known as the Chapel of St. Anthony. Located in the Lower Town, near the Guadiana River, it is unknown if the date of its foundation, but has the flat elevations, with a gable roof and a pumpkin cot gives you seniority. The altar is a painting of masonry and marble and is the patron Saint Anthony. Documentation of the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries was not indicated as a church and a chapel. Believed to have been the chapel of the Counts of Alcoutim but coincidence or not, the title of Earl of Alcoutim was granted June 13, the day of St. Anthony and Chapel is located just opposite the former residence condal. In 2008, came to house the Museum of Sacred Art Center.

Martinlongo It is unknown if its foundation, although it was already inhabited during the Roman occupation. It expanded rapidly in centuries XVI and XVIII, and outgrew the village of Alcoutim. The development of this domain is not unrelated to the presence of a wool industry and the fact that many of its inhabitants dedicated themselves to the lucrative profession of mule driver. Since that time there was a small community of African origin.

Matriz Church It originated in ancient mosque in which the minaret, now turned into a bell tower. They are also probably the Muslims cylindrical buttresses. Gothic doors simple. Aisled nave, separated by pointed arches. Columns with capitals inverted truncated-pyramidal, the Byzantine influence, rare in Portugal. The main altar and side altars with panels in the Renaissance style, rebuilt in the century. XVII. Interesting set of images, with emphasis on Our Lady of Conception (XVIII). On the walls, pictures of painted decoration in the century. XVI. A curious capital with gargoyles serves as a baptismal font. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Valuable church treasures, vestments consisting of centuries. XVI to XVIII and objects in silver. Between cultural values Martinlongo, there are the chapels of the Holy Spirit and St. Sebastian, with its origin in the century XVI, and the chapel of Santa Justa, about five kilometers from martinlongo.

Museum Centre of Martinlongo Situated in the town of Barred and with the theme "Mirror of Us," this center aims to gather some information about the county of Alcoutim. The cartography, land surveying, iconography and objects (almost) contemporary lead us to the agrarian structure and forms of social organization that characterize the county. Vaqueiros Roman archaeological remains prove the presence of people in the parish. Some streets still keep the testimonies picturesque folk architecture, which seamlessly fits into the small white church.

Matriz Church Elegant ensemble with origins in the century XVI, remodeled in the century XVIII, where prevails the Rococo style, and in architectural terms the most significant example of the county. In the bell tower, stands out the cover with a pinwheel-shaped cock. Altar has a piece with the paintings and souls on board (XVI). Interesting set of religious imagery. Next, in the town of Alcaria - Queimada, the Chapel of S. Benedict dating century XVII.

Museum Centre of Vaqueiros This museum which is located in the village of Vaqueiros has the theme "Life in the Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;. Here, we try to give clues about the rural organization, showing visitors what life is like for people living in the countryside.