Latest news with #Moorish
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Ait Ben Haddou Listed Among CNN Travel World's Most Beautiful Castles
Fez – What do castles mean to us today? Once built to protect and project power, these historic fortresses are now windows into the past, blending architecture, politics, and legend. Across continents and centuries, they stand as reminders of how humans sought permanence, whether through military strength, royal extravagance, or sheer visual poetry. And listed among the world's finest – within an exclusive list of 21 places as endorsed by CNN Travel – Morocco's own Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou takes its rightful place. These structures offer more than just imposing walls or romantic silhouettes. They were built to be both homes and strongholds, serving a dual purpose that has long fascinated historians and travelers alike. Marc Morris, a British medievalist, writes in CNN Travel that castles are unique in their combination of comfort and defense, a paradox resolved through ingenious design. And castles are everywhere, not just Europe. Japan, Mexico, India, and Morocco all boast distinctive examples. Some rise from forests, others cling to cliffs. Some are carved from stone; others, like Aït Ben Haddou, from mud and earth, blending seamlessly into their landscape. But all of them tell stories about ambition, survival, betrayal, art, and empire. Consider Japan's Himeji Castle, nicknamed the White Heron. A vision of elegance, it embodies the perfection of feudal Japanese architecture. Or Neuschwanstein in Germany, which looks more like the dream of a poet than the commission of a king, and yet it was King Ludwig II's operatic imagination that birthed its iconic spires. In Portugal, the Pena Palace explodes with color and theatrical flair, mixing Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance influences on a hill above Sintra. Meanwhile, India's Amber Fortress uses light and geometry to dazzle the eye, a stone choreography above Jaipur. Morocco's earthen treasure Let's talk about Aït Ben Haddou. Unlike many European castles, this Moroccan kasbah (fortress) is still alive. Located along the Asif Ounila River at the edge of the Sahara, it's a community of earthen dwellings fortified by high walls and watchtowers. Some families still live there, within its lower town. The hilltop citadel, partially in ruins, once gave strategic control to caravans traveling between Marrakech and Sudan. It's a product of Amazigh ingenuity, designed not for luxury but endurance, though its beauty is undeniable. Aït Ben Haddou's global fame was sealed through film. It's iconic architecture has appeared in productions ranging from 'Gladiator' to 'Game of Thrones.' Yet, the real drama lies in its survival: of time, climate, and now tourism. Unlike many castles turned into museums or relics, it is still partly inhabited, still breathing. Different locations, shared beauty If Morocco offers fortresses made from earth, France delivers grandeur in stone. The Château de Chambord, commissioned by François I in the Loire Valley, boasts 440 rooms and a staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It's a structure that signaled the shift from fortress to palace, a change in how power chose to represent itself. In the same spirit, Istanbul's Topkapi Palace was more than the residence of Ottoman sultans. It was a city within a city: a political center, a religious institution, and now, a museum that houses imperial treasures and whispers of past intrigues. In Puerto Rico, Castillo San Felipe del Morro protected San Juan Bay from pirates and invaders for centuries. Built by the Spanish in the 16th century, it still stands defiantly, now part of a UNESCO site enjoyed by kite-flyers and history buffs alike. Scotland's Edinburgh Castle has endured more than 25 sieges and houses Britain's oldest crown jewels. It remains a symbol of Scottish identity, perched on a volcanic rock, hosting military tattoos, concerts, and state occasions. Back in the Mediterranean, Italy's Castello Aragonese rises from the sea on a volcanic islet near Naples. Its foundations stretch back to Greek antiquity, while its modern revival includes art exhibits and open-air cinemas with views of Mount Vesuvius. Even more dramatic is Slovenia's Predjama Castle, built into the mouth of a cave. Hidden tunnels made it nearly impossible to conquer. Today, it stages jousting tournaments and festivals that bring medieval life vividly back. There's also Kalmar Castle in Sweden, which began as a 12th-century tower and became a Renaissance residence, and the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes, Greece, where Byzantine fortifications were turned into a Gothic sanctuary for knights, and later, a retreat for Mussolini. Across the Atlantic, Mexico's Castillo de Chapultepec is the only royal castle in the Americas. Once the palace of Emperor Maximilian, it's now the National Museum of History. And in the Middle East, Syria's Krak des Chevaliers remains a towering symbol of the Crusades, battered, but not erased by modern conflict. Each of these castles, in their own way, blends artistry with power. Some tell stories of conquest; others of refuge. Some dazzle with gold and glass; others impress through simplicity and endurance. CNN Travel's inclusion of Aït Ben Haddou among them proves something essential: that the idea of a castle transcends stone and steel. It can be built from mud, shaped by hands, and still survive centuries. Its strength lies not only in architecture, but in its connection to the land, to people, and to memory. These fortresses are not just monuments to what once was, they're living archives of how humans dreamt of power, shelter, and beauty. And among them, Morocco's desert stronghold stands firm.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Save the Olympia: Miami's most historic theater is at risk
The Olympia Theater is about to be given away by the Miami city commission this Thursday — quietly, with no input from cultural or downtown stakeholders, no public discussion of the options and certainly no transparent, charter-mandated procurement process. Instead of restoring one of Miami's most iconic historic landmarks, the city is preparing to hand it over to a charter school company. This isn't a cultural plan. It's a shortcut. And it risks permanently losing a civic treasure that generations have fought to preserve. I'm a Miami-based Cuban American who has spent my career building ambitious, sustainable arts institutions. I'm a Juilliard-trained pianist and co-founder of Le Poisson Rouge in New York, a venue that helped redefine what a performance space can be. I've launched orchestras, programmed world-class venues and transformed historic properties into financially viable, artistically vibrant centers of culture. Over the past several years, I've turned that focus to the Olympia. I've developed a comprehensive proposal for a full revival of the theater and surrounding property — a plan that includes a boutique hotel, a rooftop jazz venue, a cultural ground-floor bar and a dynamic, year-round performance program in the theater itself. This isn't just conceptual. It has institutional backing. Howard Herring, president of the New World Symphony — one of Miami's most respected cultural leaders — formally endorsed the proposal and offered support to help bring it to life. I've also consulted with leading preservation experts, including architect Richard Heisenbottle, to ensure the plan honors the theater's historic integrity. The Olympia Theater opened in 1926 as a silent movie theater, one of several along East Flagler Street. It is the only one that remains. The theater features famed opera hall architect John Eberson's Moorish/ Mediterranean Revival style. Throughout its long history, where it has also been known as the Gusman Center, the venue has served as a movie theater, concert venue and performing arts center known for its simulated night sky, complete with clouds and twinkling stars. It also achieved fame as the first air-conditioned building in the South. In 2022, when the city finally issued a Request for Proposals, it was structurally designed to fail: no financial incentives, no alignment with historic tax credits, no public-private partnership. A $50 million restoration with zero city support. Not surprisingly, no viable proposals came in. What followed was silence. The city made no effort to revise or reissue the RFP, and no transparent process has followed. Now, without meaningful public engagement or competitive evaluation, the Olympia is on track to be handed off for non-cultural use. Let's be clear: a charter school may be valuable in the right location—but it is not a strategy to preserve a historic theater. The Olympia is not a vacant building in search of purpose. It is an irreplaceable public asset. And bypassing cultural stakeholders to quietly repurpose it is a serious breach of public trust. So I am preparing a new proposal — a bid that meets the legal thresholds but also meets the moment. Because this theater still has a future. But only if we treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Miami deserves better. Cities that preserve their cultural landmarks build civic pride and lasting value. Cities that cast them aside become poorer — for generations. The Olympia can still be saved. But only if the public insists on transparency, vision and a commitment to cultural legacy. I've seen what's possible. And I'm not giving up on what this theater could be for Miami. Orlando Alonso is a concert pianist, conductor, and arts entrepreneur who has led international cultural projects and revitalization efforts in New York and Miami.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
Two U.S. stunners are ranked among the world's most beautiful buildings
From the most beautiful places to visit to the most beautiful theaters in the world, Time Out knows the eye-catching spots that you just have to see for yourself. Just dropped is a list of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and two American venues made the list alongside architectural heavyweights like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Pantheon in Rome and Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. While natural wonders often get the spotlight, these man-made structures prove that human creativity can be just as awe-inspiring. The top three are international stunners including the Taj Mahal in India, Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, but at number four is the homegrown Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s, Fallingwater isn't just a house—it's a masterclass in blending architecture with nature. Built as a weekend retreat, the house is famously perched over a waterfall in the Bear Run Nature Reserve. With stone floors, cantilevered terraces jutting into the forest and a fireplace built around boulders from the site, it doesn't just sit in nature—it becomes part of it. The sound of cascading water echoes through every room, making Fallingwater feel alive. The other American-based destination is Museum at Eldridge Street in New York, clocking in at number 16. Originally the Eldridge Street Synagogue, this 1887 architectural gem located in New York City's Lower East Side is a mix of Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque design, with stained glass windows and a striking star-studded ceiling. But the beauty goes deeper than bricks and arches. It was the first synagogue in the U.S. built by Eastern European immigrants, a bold expression of faith and freedom during a wave of immigration. After decades of decline, a major restoration brought it back to life. Today, it stands as both a museum and a symbol of resilience. These two buildings capture different facets of American history and imagination. One blends with nature; the other rises from a cultural legacy. Both are breathtaking in their own right—and now, officially, among the world's finest. Find the full list here.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Toronto's little ethnic enclaves deliver big on food and culture
Almost 47% of Toronto's population is foreign-born — around 3.3 million people. Solmaz Khosrowshahian is one of them. She came from Iran to study here 20 years ago and quickly decided to stick around. Today, she's best known as food blogger the Curious Creature. 'Beyond having a large immigrant population like other major cities, the diversity within our immigrant population is astonishing,' she said. 'Here you'll meet immigrants from a vast range of countries, including some from the most remote parts of the globe.' So next time you're in town, why not see the world? Below we've rounded up Toronto's most intriguing ethnic enclaves. Little Malta Advertisement 4 In Little Malta, Little Dumplings owner Bashir Muyne is showcasing Moorish cuisine. Toronto Star via Getty Images A little speck of land in the middle of the Med, Malta is famed for its alluring mishmash of Arabic, Italian and English. But in the early 20th century, tens of thousands of its citizens escaped to Toronto. They settled around Dundas Street and St. John's Road in the Junction 'hood, creating the tiny town nicknamed Little Malta — as signs now attest. The modernist church there, St. Paul the Apostle, is run by Franciscan fathers from the island, and there's a sports and culture hub, the Melita Soccer Club, named after the same team in St. Julian's back home. Stop by the Malta Bake Shop for a pastizzi — the flaky fist-sized calzone filled with either ricotta or spicy, mushy peas — or ftira, the pizza-like bread topped with sliced potatoes, olives and tomatoes. Advertisement Make an appointment to view a curiosity shop-like collection at the Maltese-Canadian Museum on the same strip. Greektown 4 Over in vibrant Greektown, a monument to Alexander the Great celebrates an ancient culture. Destination Toronto Astoria's got competition. 'The streets here are lined with Greek restaurants, barbers, churches, shops and parks where locals gather daily,' said Solmaz. 'An early morning walk can often feel like a stroll through any Greek city with yayas and papous out for their daily coffee meetups.' This 'hood, also known as the Danforth, is ground zero for Greek goodies: Athens Pastries serves up killer spanakopita and bougatsa, or go to Mezes for the namesake snacks plus a Greek coffee at Phyllo Cafe (come extra hungry between Aug. 11 and 13 for the nabe-wide food fest Taste of the Danforth). Advertisement Catch a show at the Danforth Music Hall, once a Greek-language movie house, and pick up some quirky souvenirs at the La Di Da Boutique. Little Tibet 4 A woman gives thanks an altar before scarfing up some momo dumplings at Loga's Corner. Toronto Star via Getty Images This is one of the newer immigrant nabes to emerge, as thousands of Tibetans fled the oppression in their homeland during the late 1990s. They settled in Parkdale, clustering mostly at the junction of Queen and Jameson. It's now the largest Tibetan community overseas, and you'll likely see saffron-robed monks and women in traditional robes known as chubas. Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Buddhist Temple on Maynard Avenue is a community hub, and you can pick up everything from Tibetan singing bowls to cashmere shawls at Himalayan Creation. Steamed dumplings known as momos are a staple of Tibetan cuisine — try tangy jhol momo from Himalayan Kitchen, or classic steamed and fried momos at Loga's Corner. Advertisement Meanwhile, Tiny Cafe sells nothing but six types of momos, including vegan options. Little Jamaica 4 Heroes from back home are honored with a 1,200-foot-long mural on Reggae Lane in Toronto's Little Jamaica. Destination Toronto Look for the black, green and gold flags and banners on Eglinton Avenue West just past Marlee Avenue, and you'll know you've stumbled upon one of the earliest Black communities in Canada. Jamaicans arrived here in huge numbers in the 1960s and while gentrification has started upending this 'hood, city officially have designated it a cultural district. Snap an Insta-ready shot or two at Reggae Lane, which depicts icons of the genre in a 1,200-foot-long mural or buy classic reggae, ska and Rasta apparel at Treajah Isle Records. 'Ask anyone in the neighborhood which spot serves up the best patties or jerk chicken and you're bound to get into a heated debate,' said Solmaz. Start off at Sheryl's Authentic Caribbean Cuisine, then compare it with Kingston 12. After, pick up a spicy, molasses-spiked bulla cake at Sun-Light Bakery.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
I found cave homes with a Star Wars vibe on my travels
I could spend my life gazing at the wonders in this treasure house: the wild works of Hieronymous Bosch, Bruegel the Elder, Goya and El Greco. But Andalusia was calling. We were adventuring with Rabbie's Tours - the gem of Scotland's travel industry. Rabbie's sets you up with a personal driver and guide. Read More: It's a unique experience, providing all the coolness and off-the-beaten-track surprise of independent travel, whilst making sure that you don't do any of the hard work. Our guide Violetta was like a charming Google, a personal storyteller dispensing info about local history or where to get the best lunch. Our driver Paolo made sure we were always where we needed to be without even having to think about it. By the end of a Rabbie's tour, your driver and guide feel like old friends and you'll be sad to say goodbye. This Andalusian adventure focused on food, culture and history, taking us from Roman ruins to Moorish monuments via the windmills of Don Quixote and bars and restaurants serving some of the best produce and wine you'll find in Spain. We began by travelling to the magnificent medieval city of Toledo. Set on a stunning hilltop, Toledo commands majestic views of the Tajo River. In the distance, the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada sparkle. One of the great joys of this holiday was staying in Cordoba, full of winding back streets amid whitewashed houses with pretty painted doors. It's home to La Mezquita, a grand and stately mosque, built when Spain was ruled by the Moors. In Andalusia the past constantly crashes up against the present, as Moorish and Christian influences weave together in architecture, music and cuisine. Andalusia (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) From Cordoba you can venture to the mountain fortress of La Mota, like a set from the movie El Cid. It was commanded by Christian forces during the long series of religious wars with Muslim Arabs, known as the Reconquista or the Reconquest. On your travels through Andalusia, make sure to visit the windmills of La Mancha, where Cervantes wrote of Don Quixote battling against modernity. The windmills sit on vertiginous hills overlooking the sprawling Spanish plain, stretching to horizon's end. Granada was the pearl of this tour. We stayed in a stunning hotel, right beside the famed Alhambra Palace. It was like living in a scene lifted from the pages of the Arabian Nights. Read More: It's a place of romance. At night, my wife and I sat on our balcony carved into the mountainside, surrounded by pines as the moon shone through the leaves. Make sure to take a whole day for the Alhambra. You won't be disappointed. It's a Xanadu. In Granada check out Telefonica, near the city's main square, for hip new twists on classic Andalusian food. From Granada we explored the strange little town of Guadix, comprised of caves, dug into the hills, and still inhabited. I spent a curious morning in the home of one elderly resident who saw me marvelling at his cave and invited me inside. The cave homes - which date back to Roman times but have a very Star Wars vibe - maintain a constant cool temperature in summer or winter. Next we ventured to the mountaintop town of Ronda, a place beloved by the likes of Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway. You can see its appeal to Hemingway. At the heart of the town, sits an iconic bullring. I had some of the best food of my holiday here and will be back. I could spend a week in this gorgeous, romantic and historic little town. On our way to Seville, we took a detour to Almazara olive oil farm built by the designer Philippe Starck. The factory is shaped like a Picasso bull. It's an extraordinary place where olive oil is treated with the same reverence as the finest bottle of champagne. I brought a few litres back and it's damn good. Our hotel in Seville overlooked the city's Parliament in the funky Macarena district. This city throbs with life, and the highlight for me was a visit to an authentic back-street flamenco bar. It wasn't some phoney tourist spot, but where folk from Seville go for a night time fix of sexy, sweaty, visceral music and dance. After two nights in Madrid and six spent travelling Andalusia, our adventure was to end in Portugal. We crossed the border and travelled to Tavira on the Algarve. With ceramics so integral to Portuguese culture, you can pick up some gorgeous bargains here. Then it was on to Lisbon, our final destination. I love this gutsy and very real city. It's earthy and honest and as friendly as Glasgow at its best. In Lisbon, please do not leave without trying the food at a little restaurant called Sto. This place has turned food into story-telling. Your Portuguese tasting menu is like an historic and cultural tour of the country. The sardines were stunning. The Vinho Verde the best I've ever drank, and the service impeccable. Like many folk, I've been to Spain a lot, though always as an independent traveller and usually to the big cities like Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. Andalusia (Image: PA) I thought I knew Spain. I didn't. This tour took me into the real heart of Spain. I met real people in real towns where tourists seldom tread and fell in love with places I'd never heard of but will return to often. My only concern is that I'm becoming somewhat addicted to Rabbie's tours. I want adventure and experience, and I don't want to be near those crowds of tourists all doing the same thing with an iPhone stuck to their face. But here's a confession: I'm now of an age where organising and executing that kind of holiday simply takes too much time. So I just let my mates at Rabbie's do all that for me, while I sit back in the lap of luxury and do what's good for the soul: make wonderful new memories that will last me a lifetime. Neil travelled with Rabbie's Tours. For more information and details of prices go to
