Notre Dame de Montreal: Quebec’s Celestial Cathedral
Friday, August 1st, 2008The Notre Dame de Montreal is less famous than its big sister in Paris, but no less glorious. Canada’s most famous Catholic cathedral was designed by an Irish-American Protestant, James O’Donnell, who converted to Catholicism on his deathbed so he could be buried in his own church.
Carcassonne Castle, France: Fortress Ruined & Reborn
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007Legend tells how Carcassonne got its name: Charlemagne was besieging the city. The citizens were starving and near surrender. Then a clever lady, Madame Carcas, had an idea. The citizens stuffed a fat pig with the last grain and heaved it over the wall. The besieging army, amazed and frustrated, went home. Madame Carcas then rang, or sonned, the bells in celebration. Charlemagne was defeated, the city was saved, and Carcassonne got its name, all at one stroke.