The Heartwarming Secrets of the Alpine Passes

 The Alpine passes, magnificent gateways through the towering ranges of the European Alps, have been pivotal for trade, migration, and cultural exchange for centuries. Read some heartwarming stories

A Historical Perspective of The Role of the Moat in Castle Defense

This article explores the vital role of moats in castle defense, illustrating their significance through the story of brothers Oleg and Yaropolk and the dry moat of Villa Castle in Valle D'Aosta

The Chilling True Story of a Royal Scandal and a Love Erased

Amalfi’s Darkest Legend: The Duchess, Her Lover, and Her Brother. Could This Love Story Be More Tragic Than Romeo and Juliet?

Today, we return once again to the Amalfi Coast, and I will tell you about the terrible fate of a real, beautiful princess. I don’t know; maybe she wasn’t that beautiful, honestly. History has left us no portrait of her, but it doesn’t matter. It’s just the genre that obliges. Her name was Joanna.

Joanna was the niece of King Ferrante I of Naples. She was born and raised in the splendor and scandalous freedoms of the Neapolitan court. In 1497, she had to marry Don Alfonso Todeschini Piccolomini, the second Duke of Amalfi.

Wings of Love: The Timeless Romance of Falconry

A Historical Overview of The Ancient Art of Falconry

During carnivals and other celebrations in Italy, reenactors with hunting birds often participate. It was so interesting, and I wanted to learn more about this art.

A hawk flies between two strings of children

Here are some examples of photos I took.
I have had several close encounters with these birds. Once, while walking down to the city, I saw a common buzzard falling from the rock. It was not well. I managed to catch it and bring it home, where people from WWF came to catch it. I remember how it grabbed my arm with its claws. They seemed more significant than themselves.

A bird of prey used to come to us here at night (many times) — probably a large one. It was definitely after Timur, my Maine Coon cat. The bird came many times and cried near the terrace. Maybe Timur was occupying his territory — a competing carnivore. But the terrace is covered with netting. Timur probably wanted to catch it: I felt something was happening that night, but I only saw a shadow of wings when I arrived. I think they were about a meter large. The fight was serious: Timur had a scratch on his nose. Did that bird put his paw in the hole in the netting? I don't know.
Once, driving through the woods on a cold but sunny morning after a snowy night, I saw 5 (FIVE!) different birds of prey hunting mice in a sunny patch of ground. One of them was very big!

Continue reading this story here https://exegi.substack.com/p/wings-of-love-the-timeless-romance