Top 10 Museums Of The World

There are thousands of museums around the world, many of which are worth visiting. However, you probably don't want to spend your entire vacation looking through endless collections of paintings and sculptures, created by artists you've never even heard of. You want the famous stuff, right?
The following museums are among the most popular and important museums in the world due to the importance of their collections, their famous works of art or their architecture. Even if you're clueless when it comes to art, you will undoubtedly be impressed by these renowned institutions. 

1.The Vatican Museum,  Vatican City, Italy
The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani), in Viale Vaticano in Rome, inside the Vatican City,
are among the greatest museums in the world, since they display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries, including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.
Pope Julius II founded the museums in the early 16th century. The Sistine Chapel and the Stanze della Segnatura decorated by Raphael are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums. They were visited by 4,310,083 people in the year 2007.

2.Le Louvre, Paris, France
Without a doubt the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre was a medieval fortress and the palace of the kings of France before it became a museum two centuries ago. Even the modernization of the plaza with the addition of a glass pyramid in its centre takes nothing away from the historical allure of the Louvre Palace. The museum's collections, which range from the birth of the great antique civilizations to the first half of the 19th century, are among the most important on the planet. You will find pieces by some of the most famous artists in history, such as da Vinci and Rembrandt.

3.The British Museum, London, UK
Founded in 1753, The British Museum is now one of the greatest museums in the world. With its large collection of ancient art from all points of the compass (it houses seven million artifacts, four million of which are on display), it attracts more than six million visitors each year. If you can't make it to the Egyptian Museum, you can view the largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian material outside Cairo, right here.

4.The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York, NY
Created in 1870, the Met now has more than two million works of art from around the world and from ancient through modern times. You will find everything from Islamic art and European paintings to collections of arms and armor. For example, you can find daggers and swords made by Rai Kunitoshi, one of the most famous Japanese swordsmiths. Although there are many great museums in New York, such as the Guggenheim and the MoMA, the Met is the quintessential municipal museum.
Main attraction: Adam and Eve , a well-known engraving by Albrecht Dürer, is only one of the impressive pieces you will discover at the Met. 

5.The Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) estimates that 60% of the world's most popular artworks are in Italy, with over half of them located in Florence. Although the pieces in the streets of Florence are impressive enough (check out Cellini's Perseus and Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines in the Piazza della Signoria as you head to the Uffizi), this museum will blow your mind. It is definitely one of the finest collections of paintings and sculptures on the planet, boasting works by Renaissance masters like da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and many more.
The Main attraction: The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.

6.Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
In 1835, the Egyptian government established the "Service des Antiques de l'Égypte" in an attempt to halt the plundering of archeological sites and to arrange the exhibition of collected artifacts. In 1900, the Egyptian Museum as we know it today was built and now houses over 120,000 objects from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period, including ancient sculptures of the Sphinx. If you're visiting Egypt, you shouldn't miss it.
Main attraction: Artifacts from the tombs of kings and royal families, particularly those belonging to King Tutankhamun.

7.The Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Institute is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of 16 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo, it has over 142 million objects representing the country's most important memories, so you'd better prepare for a long day of walking (wear comfortable shoes). Obviously, it is impossible to see everything in a single visit; the best plan is to select a theme and stick to it; you can choose from the Air and Space Museum, the African Art Museum, the IMAX theatres, and much more.
Main attraction: The National Museum of American History's exhibition commemorating the events of September 11th includes personal stories, photographs and artifacts from the attacks.

8.The Prado, Madrid, Spain
Despite the fact that its collection is relatively less impressive, The Prado is one of the most respected and visited museums in the world. The greatest strength of The Prado is Spanish art; it houses works by Velasquez, Goya, Murillo, El Greco, and many other notables. Although it specializes in paintings, it also exhibits large collections of drawings, coins, medals, and decorative art. The neoclassical façade of the museum is typical of the city's 18th century architecture.
Main attraction: The Three Graces by Rubens, a painting of three naked women dancing in a circle, is instantly recognizable.

9.The State Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
Despite Russia's isolation from the great art centers of Europe, the Hermitage has acquired a stunning collection composed of three million objects over the past three centuries. In fact, it presents the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. In its Western European Art section alone, it covers French, English, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, German, and Flemish art. In particular, the Hermitage possesses two of the ten or twelve original works by Leonardo da Vinci known in the world today ( Madonna with a Flower and Madonna Litta ).
Main attraction: The Golden Rooms, which house an enormous collection of jewelry fashioned from gold, silverware and gems by Russian, European and Oriental craftsmen.

10.Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
With almost one million objects, the Rijksmuseum houses the largest collection of art and history in the Netherlands. It is internationally renowned for its paintings by 17th century Dutch masters, including 20 Rembrandts and many other highlights of this period. Established in 1800, the museum also displays art from the Middle Ages and the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a vast collection of sculptures and applied art. 
Main attraction: The Night Watch by Rembrandt. This famous painting depicts a group of militiamen in action.

Seychelles Beach Nice Pics & Wallpapers


Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands occupying a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 km² in the western Indian Ocean. It represents an archipelago of legendary beauty that extends from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and which lies between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa.  Of these 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands.

The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its satellites Praslin and La Digue.  Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles’ tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.
This section provides comprehensive information about the geography, climate, history, society, government, people, language, religion, culture, cuisine, recipes, arts, architecture, folklore, flora and fauna of Seychelles, and the 6 island groups that, together, make up Seychelles’ Inner and Outer Islands and lastly about investing in Seychelles.

Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach
 Seychelles Beach


top 10 Most Beautiful Mosque Arround The World

I always enjoy visiting Mosques during my travels. The beauty of a Mosque’s architecture is often breathtaking and the design inside it’s walls resonate tranquility.
I’ve dugg up some beautiful Masjids photos from around the world that I hope you will enjoy. I’ve tried my best to also name which country each Masjid is in.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Turkey

Cordoba, Spain

Iran

India


Brunei


Egypt


Istanbul, Turkey


Brunei


Egypt

10 Most Magnificent Trees in the World.

10. Lone Cypress in Monterey
Buffeted by the cold Pacific Ocean wind, the scraggly Lone Cypress [wiki] (Cupressus macrocarpa) in Pebble Beach, Monterey Peninsula, California, isn’t a particularly large tree. It makes up for its small size, however, with its iconic status as a stunningly beautiful tree in splendid isolation, framed by an even more beautiful background of the Pacific Ocean.
Lone Cypress in Monterey
 Lone Cypress in Monterey

9. Circus Trees
As a hobby, bean farmer Axel Erlandson [wiki] shaped trees – he pruned, bent, and grafted trees into fantastic shapes and called them "Circus Trees." For example, to make this "Basket Tree" arborsculpture, Erlandson planted six sycamore trees in a circle and then grafted them together to form the diamond patterns.
Circus Trees

8. Giant Sequoias: General Sherman
Giant Sequoias [wiki] (Sequoiadendron giganteum), which only grow in Sierra Nevada, California, are the world’s biggest trees (in terms of volume). The biggest is General Sherman [wiki] in the Sequoia National Park – one behemoth of a tree at 275 feet (83.8 m), over 52,500 cubic feet of volume (1,486 m³), and over 6000 tons in weight.
General Sherman is approximately 2,200 years old – and each year, the tree adds enough wood to make a regular 60-foot tall tree. It’s no wonder that naturalist John Muir said "The Big Tree is Nature’s forest masterpiece, and so far as I know, the greatest of living things."
For over a century there was a fierce competition for the title of the largest tree: besides General Sherman, there is General Grant [wiki] at King’s Canyon National Park, which actually has a
larger circumference (107.5 feet / 32.77 m vs. Sherman’s 102.6 feet / 31.27 m).
In 1921, a team of surveyors carefully measured the two
giants – with their data, and according to the complex American Forestry Association system of judging a tree, General Grant should have been award the title of largest tree – however, to simplify the matter, it was later determined that in this case, volume, not point system, should be the determining factor.
Giant Sequoias: General Sherman

7. Coast Redwood: Hyperion and Drive-Thru Trees
There is another sequoia species (not to be confused with Giant Sequoia) that is quite remarkable: the Coast Redwood [wiki] (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest trees in the world.
The reigning champion is a tree called Hyperion in the Redwood National Park, identified by researcher Chris Atkins and amateur naturalist Michael Taylor in 2006. Measuring over 379 feet (155.6 115 m) tall, Hyperion beat out the previous record holder Stratosphere Giant [wiki] in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park (at 370 feet / 112.8 m).
The scientists aren’t talking about the exact location of Hyperion: the terrain is difficult, and they don’t want a rush of visitors to come and trample the tree’s root system.
[Image: The Stratosphere Giant - still an impressive specimen, previously the world's tallest tree until dethroned by Hyperion in 2006.]
That’s not all that’s amazing about the Coast Redwood: there are four giant California redwoods big enough that you can drive your car through them!
The most famous of the drive-through trees is the Chandelier Tree [wiki] in Leggett, California. It’s a 315 foot tall redwood tree, with a 6 foot wide by 9 foot tall hole cut through its base in the 1930s.
Coast Redwood: Hyperion and Drive-Thru Trees

6. Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse
The Chêne-Chapelle (Chapel-Oak) of Allouville-Bellefosse is the most famous tree in France – actually, it’s more than just a tree: it’s a building and a religious monument all in one.
In 1669, l’Abbe du Detroit and du Cerceau decided to build a chapel in (at that time) a 500 years old or so oak (Quercus robur) tree made hollow by a lightning bolt. The priests built a small altar to the Virgin Mary. Later on, a second chapel and a staircase were added.
Now, parts of the tree are dead, the crown keeps becoming smaller and smaller every year, and parts of the tree’s bark, which fell off due to old age, are covered by protective oak shingles. Poles and cables support the aging tree, which in fact, may not live much longer. As a symbol, however, it seems that the Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse may live on forever.
Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse
 Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse
 Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefosse

5. Quaking Aspen: Pando (The Trembling Giant)
Pando [wiki] or the Trembling Giant in Utah is actually a colony of a single Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) tree. All of the trees (technically, "stems") in this colony are genetically identical (meaning, they’re exact clones of one another). In fact, they are all a part of a single living organism with an enormous underground root system.
Pando, which is Latin for "I Spread," is composed of about 47,000 stems spread throughout 107 acres of land. It estimated to weigh 6,600 tons, making it the heaviest known organism. Although the average age of the individual stems are 130 years, the entire organism is estimated to be about 80,000 years old!
Quaking Aspen: Pando (The Trembling Giant)
 Quaking Aspen: Pando (The Trembling Giant)
 Quaking Aspen: Pando (The Trembling Giant)

4. Montezuma Cypress: The Tule Tree
El Árbol del Tule [wiki] ("The Tule Tree") is an especially large Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum) near the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. This tree has the largest trunk girth at 190 feet (58 m) and trunk diameter at 37 feet (11.3 m). The Tule tree is so thick that people say you don’t hug this tree, it hugs you instead!
For a while, detractors argued that it was actually three trees masquerading as one – however, careful DNA analysis confirmed that it is indeed one magnificent tree.
In 1994, the tree (and Mexican pride) were in jeopardy: the leaves were sickly yellow and there were dead branches everywhere- the tree appeared to be dying. When tree "doctors" were called in, they diagnosed the problem as dying of thirst. The prescription? Give it water. Sure enough, the tree soon recovered after a careful watering program was followed.
 Montezuma Cypress: The Tule Tree
  Montezuma Cypress: The Tule Tree
  Montezuma Cypress: The Tule Tree

3. Banyan Tree: Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
The Banyan tree is named after "banians" or Hindu traders who carry out their business under the tree. Even if you have never heard of a Banyan tree (it was the tree used by Robinson Crusoe for his treehouse), you’d still recognize it. The shape of the giant tree is unmistakable: it has a majestic canopy with aerial roots running from the branches to the ground.
Banyan Tree: Sri Maha Bodhi Tree


2. Bristlecone Pine: Methuselah and Prometheus, the Oldest Trees in the World.
The oldest living tree in the world is a White Mountains, California, bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) named Methuselah [wiki], after the Biblical figure who lived to 969 years old. The Methuselah tree, found at 11,000 feet above sea level, is 4,838 years old – it is not only the oldest tree but also the oldest living non-clonal organism in the world.
Bristlecone Pine: Methuselah and Prometheus, the Oldest Trees in the World.

1. Baobab
The amazing baobab [wiki] (Adansonia) or monkey bread tree can grow up to nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall and 35 feet (11 m) wide. Their defining characteristic: their swollen trunk are actually water storage – the baobab tree can store as much as 31,700 gallon (120,000 l) of water to endure harsh drought conditions.
Baobab

The Vee Car Park The Vee Nice Pics

The Vee Car Park The Vee
The Vee Car Park The Vee, a very beautiful area straddling the counties of Waterford and Tipperary. This car park is the perfect stopping point to take in some views of this lovely area. It is a good access point to the renowned Knockmealdown mountain range, with hiking options for all levels from kids to grandads! Nearby Bay Lough (10 mins walk) is a nice option for families.

The Vee Car Park The Vee
 The Vee Car Park The Vee
 The Vee Car Park The Vee

The Tadj Mahall Nice Images & Wallpapers



The Tadj Mahall
Country : India
Place : Agra, south-west of Delhi
Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.
Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.
Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks.
The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.

The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall
 The Tadj Mahall


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