It is hard to believe that some thirty years ago it was considered the fourth largest inland water space of our planet, but this is true. The ancient Aral Sea was full of fish, vacationers from all over the Soviet Union came to this seaside resort area. Now it has practically dried up, and only giant rusty ships remind of its past, which now seems so unreal
One winter day in 2008, a hungry stray cat wandered into London's Southwark Cathedral and refused to leave. Soon she chose a cozy place for herself right next to the warm pipe under the altar. She also loves to soak up the pillow in the courtyard of the compound. The cat, named Doorkins Magnificat, won the hearts of both clergy and visitors. She became such an important part of the church community that she even had the honor of hosting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Amazing story
The boys who grew up watching films with Arnold Schwarzenegger are countless. Today we will talk about a heavyweight athlete who, not on the screen, but in life, set world records. Leonid Zhabotinsky became the legend of Soviet sports and the idol of iron Arnie
This story sounds so fantastic that it's hard to believe in its reality. American lightweight champion Sydney Jackson, who was called the nation's hope and one of the most talented and promising boxers, moved to the USSR, took up coaching work and raised dozens of champions. The American Jew became a Soviet citizen and the founder of the Uzbek boxing school, considered one of the strongest in the world. And this was facilitated by a fatal coincidence of circumstances that became fateful for Sydney
There are magnificent ruins that preserve the heritage of the past, probably in every country. Huge buildings are often too expensive to operate or require large investments for repairs, so their owners are sometimes abandoned, and finding a new owner for such real estate is not an easy task. Such ancient castles live out their days, delighting rare tourists and thrill-seekers. An unusual hobby - the study of abandoned objects, is becoming more and more popular today
He was an extremely famous person in Israel. For the most part, the policemen were familiar with him, to whom Moti Ashkenazi gave a lot of trouble. The pickpocket thief hunted all over the country and especially loved the beaches, where it was easy to steal something badly lying. Probably, he was still a good guy at heart, even though he had long and firmly become addicted to drugs. But he would have lived like a tumbleweed, and today, if not for the stolen bag, which completely changed the life of a recidivist thief
A person, in his striving for beauty, often tries to combine the incongruous. Transparent structures floating in the sky give us a unique feeling of freedom, but at the same time no one wants to sacrifice the main thing - safety. A little over 150 years ago, the first large building with transparent walls was built. About 10 years ago, the first glass bridge was created in China, and over the years, in pursuit of tourists in the Middle Kingdom, several thousand such sights have been built. However, in the past
It is not news to anyone that some animals can be highly successful artists. Especially if they are such intelligent and sensitive creatures as rats. In addition to being incredibly smart, these amazing animals are also very similar to humans. The rat's genome is almost identical to that of humans. Let's see how talented these adorable rodents can be if you give them paints and canvas
Surely, many people dream of being at the same table with a real queen. But at the same time, only a few imagine how strict the rules govern even the simplest lunch or dinner in the presence of the queen. For example, in Buckingham Palace, everything is regulated and subject to etiquette, which no one has the right to violate. This applies not only to the rules for using the devices, but even to the time of entering the room where the meal will take place
It is called a little-known wonder of the world, and eastern Chicago, and Manhattan in the desert, but more often it is just an ancient city of skyscrapers. It is surprising, but such an incredible "metropolis" appeared in the poorest province of Yemen many centuries ago. Narrow tall houses look incredible against the backdrop of a laconic desert landscape. This psychedelic picture is simply mesmerizing. But even more striking is the fact that "skyscrapers" were built many centuries ago
The Ottoman Empire, as a rule, is associated primarily with the history of a powerful formidable state, loud victories, the cruelties of the Janissaries and the intrigues of the harems. But to our times, extremely touching and lovely evidence of that era has survived when the skill of Ottoman architects became the service of ordinary birds, of which a great many have always lived in those parts
At the sight of these beautiful "gingerbread" houses with original roofs, it seems that they are all from past centuries or even from some kind of fairy tale. But in fact, such dwellings are a highlight and, one might say, a visiting card of modern Great Britain. In the British provinces, it is still fashionable to cover roofs with thatch - as it was several thousand years ago. It's even surprising how this idea has not yet been picked up by modern Russian summer residents
Their names were well known not only in the USSR, but also abroad, they were called legends of Soviet sports and the pride of the country, they showed brilliant results in competitions and brought home gold medals. And all of this was destroyed overnight. Each had their own reasons - someone was imprisoned, someone was stopped by a severe injury, and someone repeated the fate of the hockey player Gurin from the movie "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" and could not cope with alcohol addiction
New Year's mood, commotion, corporate parties, everyone has time to buy gifts, congratulate all relatives and … of course, decorate the tree! We are so accustomed to this, which has become such an ordinary, invariable attribute of the New Year - a green forest beauty. But what if the beauty is not only not entirely forest, but also not green? And not even an artificial tree, but in general, not quite a tree?
For many people, the New Year is associated exclusively with a family holiday. But for actors and musicians, the winter holidays are the hottest time, when concerts follow one after another, and the fees per hour of work can exceed almost the annual income. However, not all celebrities agree to work on New Year's Eve. Where and how do famous people prefer to celebrate the main holiday of the year?
New Year is not for nothing called one of the most beautiful and fabulous holidays. Adults and children are waiting for him, linking the coming of the new year with hopes for the future, incredible dreams and, of course, gifts. At the same time, you can become a magician yourself for a while, because any gift presented to a friend, loved one or just a friend creates the feeling of a little miracle. And edible gifts are invariably associated with the warmest childhood memories
There are buildings and products that are created by perfect masterpieces. And there are unfinished and incomplete work. And it seems that the latter have just as much chance of becoming a revered landmark as the former. At least the flow of tourists to them does not dry out
The temple in the understanding of most people must necessarily comply with the classical architectural canons corresponding to a particular religion. But this view is most likely associated with our ideas about the conservatism of religion. For Orthodox Christians, this is true. The Russian Orthodox Church is proud of its traditions and the fact that it has not changed them for hundreds of years. However, not all confessions are guided by these dogmas
It would seem that in the 21st century, mankind should have gone far from medieval witch hunts, but the profession of exorcist (exorcism) remains in demand to this day. According to Catholic priest Francesco Bamonte, president of the International Association of Exorcists, interest in driving out the devil has clearly increased in recent years. True, the priests themselves admit that not all people who turn to church with such an unusual need are really possessed, and many just need psychos
Only a year has passed since a fire nearly destroyed the heart of France - the famous Parisian Notre Dame Cathedral. On July 18, a fire broke out in the Nantes Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. All of the city's firefighters were called in to put out the fire that was devouring the French "gothic pearl," as Emmanuel Macron put it. For several endless hours the firefighters fought the greedy flames. According to experts, it was arson. Who and why needed to destroy the medieval religious heritage?
Since ancient times, trees have been the main building material for our ancestors. Huts, churches and palaces are still ancient chopped architectural masterpieces that amaze the imagination. However, today we are increasingly striving to preserve life around us, especially since sometimes we get more benefits from this for ourselves. Therefore, modern scientists and agricultural technicians are developing methods of building structures from … living trees. Surprisingly, examples of the ultra-modern direction of Arboarchitecture can
They disappear one after the other, taking with them the evidence of the past, a part of national history. The temples of the Russian North are gradually being destroyed, unable to cope with the power of the inexorable enemy - time. And as far as possible, volunteers are trying to change the situation, taking part in projects to save the monuments of Russian wooden architecture
In 2017, many of the world's media published data from a very interesting US government program called the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program (AATIP). This program is funded by the government and investigates all data on unidentified flying objects. All credible 21st century UFO sightings recorded on camera have been verified by AATIP for authenticity. All of them have only one thing in common: they defy any reasonable explanation
It is no secret that tolerance has been embracing the cultural sphere for several years now. We are already accustomed to the unusual images of famous movie characters created under her influence. But how to react to the fact that such fashion trends have reached the seemingly inviolable sphere - religion? Religious leaders also want to be in trend: recently the Bishop of Canterbury said that "the whiteness of Jesus needs to be rethought."
The picturesque Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland has been relatively quiet for the past 800 years. But a little over a year ago, a local volcano awakened. The beginning did not bode well, but suddenly a dramatic denouement came. This culminated in more than 17,000 earthquakes in the past week alone. Such a seismic environment in Iceland could signal the beginning of a new period of increased geological activity, which could last 100 liters
The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral, built in the 11th century, is one of the most beautiful and oldest buildings in England. It is revered both as an architectural masterpiece and as a shrine, but for Harry Potter fans this place has a completely different meaning - it was within its walls that many episodes of the film about a wizard boy were filmed
There are a huge number of not only ancient underground cities in the world, but also quite modern ones, which are hidden in the bowels of the earth and at the same time are part of megacities. From ancient dungeons and bunkers of the Cold War to real cities of the future - the most amazing underground cities of our Earth, further in the review
What could be simpler than a chicken and what do we imagine when we say "chicken coop"? Something awkward and ugly, most likely. As it turned out, the reality is not the same at all. Some chickens have such amazing and creative owners that their living conditions are envious! About which chickens are very important birds and in which castles, as if descended from the pages of children's fairy tales, live, further in the review
Japanese culture has given the world the perfect recipe for getting away from everyday worries and finding a sense of peace and harmony with the world. A complex tea ceremony full of symbols is subordinated to rather simple principles, they connect naturalness and sophistication, simplicity and beauty. The "Way of Tea" - not eating, not sitting with friends - is a form of Buddhist meditation that arose about four centuries ago
25 years ago, on June 15, 1992, Lev Gumilyov, a prominent scientist-orientalist, historian-ethnographer, poet and translator, whose merits remained underestimated for a long time, passed away. His entire life path was a refutation of the fact that "a son is not responsible for his father." He inherited from his parents not fame and recognition, but years of repression and persecution: his father Nikolai Gumilyov was shot in 1921, and his mother, Anna Akhmatova, became a disgraced poet. Despair after 13 years in camps and constant obstacles
An Internet user from America with the nickname Chonky_lizard proved that Lego parts are ideal for … chameleons. And it all started with the fact that his cousin came to visit him along with his reptile pet. This is how a regular visit from a relative can turn the life of an ordinary lizard and make it famous throughout the Internet. And, I must say, this funny creature is very suitable for the image of a superhero
In years past, people had to work hard and hard to achieve fame. Today, with a fortunate combination of circumstances, it is enough to be in the right place at the right time or to shoot a short video and post it on the Internet. Modern "heroes" sometimes become famous quickly and do not make much effort for this
Uni is a nine month old Shiba Inu based in Tokyo. He is still a puppy, but already an Internet star. Seeing in the photo his "smiling" (even, rather, "laughing") face, almost none of the people around him can not help smiling. And they say that such emotions are not available to dogs! However, this adorable pet smiles for a reason. The fact is that there is one thing in the world that he cannot resist and which causes such a "smiling" expression on his face
Mark Brian is the most ordinary man who has a wife and three wonderful children: a son and two daughters. He is 61 years old and American, living in Germany, working as a robotics engineer and coaching a football team in a small town near Schwäbisch Hall. The only thing that sets him apart from other men is his clothes. Mark Brian wears stiletto heels and loves tight skirts, it is in this form that he goes to work and workouts and assures: clothes and shoes allow him to feel
Since last spring, mask manufacturers all over the world have begun to look for more and more new ways to make this item original. One of the options is an individual design, when the buyer is invited to choose the appearance for his mask himself. For example, some firms offer the customer to print the lower part of their face on a mask. And, unfortunately, the result does not always live up to expectations. However, why "unfortunately"? This is very funny
Migingo is a tiny African island located in the waters of Lake Victoria. Its modest area is equal to half of a football field, and its population does not exceed one and a half hundred people. The island is a disputed territory, which allows it to be proudly called autonomy. Only now the payment for such seeming independence is prohibitively high for the islanders
The youngest son of the Queen of Great Britain, Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson officially divorced almost a quarter of a century ago, in 1996. Their divorce was called no less scandalous than the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. But, unlike the latter, the Dukes of York did not seem unhappy at the moment of parting. They call themselves the happiest divorced couple in the world, and at the same time they are least like their former spouses
Every person has their own idea of happiness. Someone needs an expensive villa on the ocean shore, and someone dreams of an ordinary … smile. Alas, nowadays, having healthy teeth is an expensive pleasure. Many people in need around the world cannot afford dentistry treatment, much less prosthetics. And it was they who decided to give a gift to the young Brazilian dentist Felipe Rossi. With a team of volunteers, he travels the world and returns their smiles to the poor for free
Jealous, straightforward, conflicted - such a portrait of the world famous scientist emerges from his letters to his wife, Martha Bernays. Despite Sigmund Freud's “non-family” nature, their marriage will last 53 years. But what concessions did Martha have to make in order to maintain a relationship that many contemporaries considered harmonious?
The talent of established writers is undeniable. Many generations have admired their perfect syllable or profundity. But genius often hides some oddities. Some authors loved to work, fanned by the smell of rotten apples, others drank coffee in horse doses, and still others stripped naked. This review will talk about the strangest antics and addictions of famous writers