Splendid Mosaic Illustrations

Greek visual designer based in Cyprus, Charis Tsevis created this magnificent series of digital illustrations entitled “African Bricks”. Inspired by Mandela’s house in Soweto, he designed mosaic artworks with colorful bricks.

The Thornbury Castle

Living like a king is usually just an expression. At Thornbury Castle, it’s reality. King Henry VIII and his new wife Anne Boleyn stayed in the castle during their honeymoon tour in 1535.

Citadelle Laferrière Fortress of Haiti

The Citadelle Laferrière, located on top of a mountain in northern Haiti, is one of the largest fortresses in the Americas. The Citadel was built by Henri Christophe, who played a key role in the Haitian Revolution that eventually led to the country gaining independence from France in 1804.

The Superb Bird-of-Paradise’s Courtship Dance

Photo credit: www.birdsofparadiseproject.org 

The aptly named “superb bird-of-paradise” is fascinating to behold, especially when it’s performing its courtship dance. In fact, once the male bird opens its plumage, it doesn’t look like a bird at all.

The Decorative Chimneys of Hampton Court Palace

Back in the middle ages, a heated home was a luxury that the majority did not have. Most people huddled around an open hearth in the center of the room for warmth, over which they also cooked their meals, while smoke filled their houses and their lungs. Chimneys were a new thing then, and belonged only to the most princely of dwellings.

Before Photoshop: 14 Historic Photos That Have Been Manipulated

1. Abraham Lincoln’s Head on John Calhoun’s Body, circa 1860

One of the most famous pictures of President Abraham Lincoln is as fact-based as the upcoming movie Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Lincoln’s head was placed atop South Carolina politician John Calhoun’s body in this 1860 photo.

Trajan’s Column: An Emperor’s War Diary Carved in Stone

In the beginning of the 2nd century, the Roman Emperor Trajan led two very successful war campaigns against the powerful Dacia kingdom by the river Danube in what is now Romania. The Dacians were a constant threat to the Roman Empire since the days of Caesar.

King Penguins and Elephant Seals

Giant petrels patrol the beach at St. Andrews Bay, thronged by king penguins and elephant seals. During the breeding season South Georgia hosts the densest mass of marine mammals on Earth.