Byodoin Temple is a striking example of Buddhist Pure Land (Jodo) architecture. Together with its garden, the temple represents the Pure Land Paradise and was influential on later temple construction. Byodoin was initially built in 998 as a countryside retreat villa for the powerful politician Fujiwara no Michinaga, not as a temple. But on 1503, his regents constructed another feature called the Phoenix Hall or Amida Hall which made it turned into... 

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is considered one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Edinburgh is blessed with a stunning landscape that incorporates rocky hills, a shimmering sea, endless cliffs and a glorious skyline made up of buildings from different periods. The population of the city doubles during August, aka festival season! From 500,000 to over a million. The Fringe Festival is just one element of Edinburgh’s tourism trade, and industry... 

The fortress was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 under the name Sankt Olofsborg. The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savo region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and every-day chores inside the security of the castle’s thick walls. After the Finnish War of 1808 – 1809 Finland became an autonomous part...