Soon, iPhone to replace car key

Ever thought about opening the door of your car from your phone just like James Bond does? Well, General Motors, Holden's parent company has now launched a new iPhone app that could replace the car key.

It can already warn of parking officers, order your groceries and boost your share portfolio.

General Motors is working on an app for the iPhone and rival Google phone for some of its cars sold in the United States.

The phone application will allow drivers to activate all of the traditional key fob features, including unlocking the doors and opening the boot.

There will also be a remote start function that could prove handy for warming up the car on those colder mornings (or cooling it down during summer), and if you forget where you parked you can set off your car's horn and lights at the touch of a button so it can alert you to its location.

The app, which is set to be available within a few months, will also display a vehicle "health report", which will include info such as fuel range, oil life, tyre pressures as well as a lifetime breakdown of average fuel economy for the car.
However, the app will only be available in the US, Canada and China, with buyers of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC expected to be able to control their car from their phone within a few months.

The app is run as part of an in-vehicle safety and security system called OnStar.
"Technology empowers drivers to make decisions about their travels well before they enter the vehicle, meaning their full attention can stay where it needs to be - on the road ahead," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted company spokesman Chris Preuss as saying. (ANI)

The new symbol of Indian Rupee

The Indian rupee will soon have a unique symbol — a blend of the Devanagri 'Ra' and Roman 'R' — joining the elite club of the US dollar, the European euro, British pound and Japanese yen in having a distinct identity.

This would distinguish the Indian currency from its neighbouring countries' — Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia — similarly known rupee or rupiah.

While declaring the intention of the government to have a symbol for the Indian rupee, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had stated in his last budget presentation that: “We intend to formalise a symbol for the Indian rupee, which reflects and captures the Indian ethos and culture.

The new symbol, designed by Bombay IIT post-graduate D Udaya Kumar, was approved by the cabinet today — reflecting that the Indian currency, backed by an over-trillion dollar economy, was finally making its presence felt on the international scene.

"It's a big statement on the Indian currency... The symbol would lend a distinctive character and identity to the currency and further highlight the strength and global face of the Indian economy," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Though the symbol will not be printed or embossed on currency notes or coins, it would be included in the 'Unicode Standard' and major scripts of the world to ensure that it is easily displayed and printed in the electronic and print media.

Unicode is an international standard that allows text data to be interchanged globally without conflict. After incorporation in the global and Indian codes, the symbol would be used by all individuals and entities within and outside the country.

The symbol will be adopted in a span of six months in the country, and within 18 to 24 months globally, Soni said, adding that it will feature on computer keyboards and softwares for worldwide use.

Kumar's entry was chosen from 3,000 designs competing for the currency symbol. He will get an award of Rs 2.5 lakh.

"It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters — capital 'R' and Devanagri 'Ra' which represents rupaiah, to appeal to international and Indian audiences... My design is based on the tricolour, with two lines at the top and white space in between," a visibly-happy Kumar said.

The jury, which had sent the five short-listed entries for the cabinet's approval, was headed by a Reserve Bank Deputy Governor.

Happy Solstice!

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most inclined toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun's apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme. The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction.

The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the date (day) when this occurs. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In some cultures they are considered to start or separate the seasons, while in others they fall nearer the middle.

The Summer Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the Summer Solstice is an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used like Midsummer to refer to the day on which it occurs. Except in the Polar Regions (where daylight is continuous for half of the year), the day on which the Summer Solstice occurs is the day of the year with the longest period of daylight. Thus the seasonal significance of the Summer Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual shortening of nights and lengthening of days. The summer solstice occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere, in December in the Southern Hemisphere.
June 20-21 is a very important day for our planet and its relationship with the sun. June 20-21 is one of two solstices, days when the rays of the sun directly strike one of the two tropical latitude lines. June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere. In 2010, the solstice occurs and summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere summer begins early on June 21, 11:28 UTC (16:58 Indian Standard Time).

The earth spins around its axis, an imaginary line going right through the planet between the north and south poles. The axis is tilted somewhat off the plane of the earth's revolution around the sun. The tilt of the axis is 23.5 degrees; thanks to this tilt, we enjoy the four seasons. For several months of the year, one half of the earth receives more direct rays of the sun than the other half.

When the axis tilts towards the sun, as it does between June and September, it is summer in the northern hemisphere but winter in the southern hemisphere. Alternatively, when the axis points away from the sun from December to March, the southern hemisphere enjoys the direct rays of the sun during their summer months.
June 21 is called the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Around December 21 the solstices are reversed and winter begins in the northern hemisphere.

On June 21, there are 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° north of the equator) and 24 hours of darkness south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° south of the equator). The sun's rays are directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer (the latitude line at 23.5° north, passing through Mexico, Saharan Africa, and India) on June 21.

Hundreds of years ago on the summer solstice, our ancestors sat in sun-drenched fields or on stones as warm as living flesh, fashioning small round suns from straw or vines, decorating them with sun-colored flowers, honoring the mysterious, fiery light that warmed and brightened their days and made the plants grow that fed them.

The summer solstice is a perfect time to help children make a tangible connection with the earth and to connect with the sun.

No matter where you live, Happy Solstice!

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Commanding a view of the bluish-green Alpsee lake and girded by dark forests, King Ludwig's (sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria) fairy-tale marble castle Neuschwanstein rises from a lofty rock west of Hohenschwangau in Bavaria, Germany. The very image of the castle makes you want to start planning your trip to Germany.
Neuschwanstein Castle also known as New Swan Stone Castle is a 19th century Romanesque Revival palace. The castle was built by Ludwig II, as a retreat and homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. The King was an immense devotee of Richard Wagner, even going as far as naming the castle after a character in one of Wagner's operas--the Swan Knight.

The conception of the palace was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868;
       “ It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles... the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world. ”
Neuschwanstein Castle provides a fascinating glimpse into the king's state of mind. Ludwig aimed to build Neuschwanstein in Bavaria in the authentic style of old German knights' castles and the foundation stone of the castle was laid in Germany in September 5, 1869. Neuschwanstein was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer, rather than an architect, which says much regarding Ludwig's intentions and explains much of the fantastical nature of the resulting building. The architectural expertise, vital to such a perilously-sited building, was provided first by the Munich court architect, Eduard Riedel, and latterly by Georg Dollman and Leo Von Klenze.

Loved by the people but hated by his ministers Ludwig was removed by power due to intrigue within his own cabinet. The King himself was rarely concerned with matters of state and was sometimes thought to suffer from hallucinations. However, what frightened the cabinet were the rumors of their possible removal. Under Bavarian law, a King could be removed from power if he were found unfit to rule. The cabinet produced this report and Dr. von Gudden, Ludwig was declared insane, deposed and interned in Berg Palace, which is not far from Neuschwanstein. On 13th June 1886 he was found drowned in Lake Starnberg along with von Gudden, the psychiatrist who certified him. Was it suicide, accident or murder? The exact circumstances of his and von Gudden's deaths remain unexplained. This bit of mystery makes the atmosphere of Neuschwanstein one of the most intriguing of the castles in Germany.

Ludwig did not allow visitors to his castles, but after his death the castle was opened to the public; in part due to the need to pay off the debts Ludwig incurred financing its construction. Since that time over 50 million people have visited the Neuschwanstein Castle. About 1.3 million people visit annually, with up to 6,000 per day in the summer. The palace has appeared in several movies, and was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at both Disneyland Park and Hong Kong Disneyland.
The castle was given to the state of Bavaria by the Crown Prince Ruppreht in the year 1923, unlike the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, which is owned by the head of the house of Wittelsbach, currently Franz, Duke of Bavaria. Till date more than €14.5 million have been spent by the Free State of Bavaria in the renovation, maintenance as well as visitors service since the year 1990.

Architecture
The palace comprises a gatehouse, a Tower, the Knight's House with a square tower, and a Palas, or citadel, with two towers to the Western end. The effect of the whole is highly theatrical, both externally and internally. The king's influence is apparent throughout, and he took a keen personal interest in the design and decoration. An example can be seen in his comments, or commands, regarding a mural depicting Lohengrin in the Palas;
       "His Majesty wishes that … the ship be placed further from the shore, that Lohengrin's neck be less tilted, that the chain from the ship to the swan be of gold and not of roses, and finally that the style of the castle shall be kept medieval."
The suite of rooms within the Palas contains the Throne Room, Ludwig's suite, the Singers' Hall, and the Grotto. Throughout, the design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent much of his youth, had decorations of these sagas. These themes were taken up in the operas of Richard Wagner.
Many rooms bear a border depicting the various operas written by Wagner, including a theater permanently featuring the set of one such play. Many of the interior rooms remain undecorated, with only 14 rooms finished before Ludwig's death. With the palace under construction at the King's death, one of the major features of the palace remained unbuilt. A massive keep was planned for the middle of the upper courtyard but was never built, at the decision of the King's family. The foundation for the keep is visible in the upper courtyard.

The finished rooms include the throne room, which features a glass gem-encrusted chandelier; all Twelve Apostles and six canonised kings are painted on the wall that surrounds the dais for the throne, and Jesus behind the dais - the actual throne was never finished. This reflects Ludwig's view of himself as king, by the grace of God. The King's master suite includes a four-post bed hand carved of wood, the canopy of which is carved as the cathedral towers from every cathedral in Bavaria, a secret flushing toilet and a running sink in the shape of a swan. The hand carved wood was very detailed and adorned the entire room, causing the master suite to take 10 years to complete.

The palace also includes an oratory, accessible from the dressing room and the master suite, which features an ivory crucifix, a room made to look like a cavern, a full kitchen equipped with hot and cold running water and heated cupboards, servants' quarters, a study, a dining room and the Singers' Hall. The Singers' Hall is a venue for performances by musicians and playwrights. The King built it for Wagner as a place to write and perform plays. The King died before watching a performance in the Singers' Hall, but it has been used since the King's death.

The pictures of some of the finished rooms such as Living Room, Study, Dressing Room, Dining Room and Kitchen.



Despite its medieval look, the construction of Neuschwanstein required the modern technology of the day, and the palace is a marvel of technological structural achievements. The structure uses steam engines, electricity, modern venting, a modern water system on all floors, and heating pipes.

It is now almost forgotten that Ludwig II was a patron of modern inventions and that he pioneered the introduction of electricity into public life in Bavaria. His new palaces were the first buildings to use electricity (e.g. the Venus Grotto at Linderhof) and other modern conveniences. Through his building activities, Ludwig kept many particular crafts alive, the knowledge and expertise of which would have died out otherwise, and he provided work and income to artisans, builders, plasterers, and decorators.

Castel Presule, South Tyrol

Castel Presule is a fortied medieval castle, surrounded by lush rolling countryside in South Tirol, Italy, Europe. The current form of Presule Castle dated back to the time of Maximilian (1500 ca.), and is a fine example of Late Gothic architecture.

Due to the German/Italian population of the South Tyrol, the castle is known by multiple names. Schloss Prosels is the German version, Castello di Presule is Italian. The Italians also call it Castel Colonna, reflecting the fact that around the time of Leonhard II, the Völs (Fiè) family started to add the Colonna family name to their own. The reason for this is unclear, although a number of hypotheses have been advanced. According to some the family originated as a branch of the Colonnas who came to Tyrol in the twelfth century; others believe that Leonhard II, fighting alongside Marcantonio Colonna (1535-1584) at the Battle of Lepanto, was affirming his family’s origins in the Colonnas of Tusculum. A third version speculates that Marcantonio adopted Leonhard in order to enable the latter to display his membership of the noble Roman dynasty. Most probably, perhaps, Leonhard II simply requested and obtained the right to add the name Colonna to his own.
The Castle was mentioned for the first time in a document dating back to the year 1279 as “Castrum Presila”. It is believed that the Lords of Völs/Fie, feudatories of the Bishopric of Brixen, had built the castle here by 1200. Today the central palace with a Romanesque archway is the surviving part of this first fortress.

In the sixteenth century the Presule Castle was transformed into a more elegant and grand residence by the Count Leonhard von Vols. Leonhard of Völs was born in 1458. He was the administrator of the salt mines of Hall ( near Innsbruck ) and earned quite a lot of money during his time there.

Around 1525 there were peasants´uprisings throughout Tyrol. The farmers occupied the castle and burnt all documents, thus hoping to cancel all their debts. But after two days they were expelled by Leonhard's men and six of these rebellious farmers were sentenced to death.

Leonhard was also involved in the first witchcraft trials of Tyrol when nine women of the surroundings were convicted of witchcraft. At that time there was a high newborn mortality rate, because the farmers were poor and starving. They accused Leonhard of being responsible for this high mortality rate. So Leonhard found the nine women guilty of witchcraft and tortured them. They confessed that, they had stolen the babies and had ridden on their brooms to the Schlern - the highest mountain near Völs - where they had eaten the babies together with the devil. The origins of many legends about witches come from these stories. The Schlern witches ( Schlernhexen ) have even become symbols for this area and are being used as logos to promote tourism.
The castle belonged to the Lords of Völs until its last member, Felix, Freiherr von Völs, died childless in 1810. For the next 50 years the castle stood uninhabited and nearly fell into ruins. Between 1860 and 1978 the castle changed hands no fewer than 14 times, suffering periods of decay followed by attempted restoration before finally being abandoned to its fate. However, in 1981 the Kuratorium Schloss Prösels (Prösels Castle Curatorship) was formed to restore the castle with the financial help of the local government.

In 1982 the castle was made open for public. Along with the guided tours offered, the castle is also the venue for concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances. You can also get married in the castle chapel and celebrate your wedding in the Medieval rooms. Also parts of the “Oswald von Wolkenstein horse tournament” take place in the castle. Every year this Mediaeval festival attracts a large number of visitors to Fiè allo Sciliar.

Manobier Castle, Wales

Surrounded by shrubs, Manorbier Castle fits nicely into the Welsh countryside. Built by Norman conquerors in the 11th century first as a wooden structure and later of stone, this well-preserved castle in Pembrokeshire is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Wales.
Manorbier Castle is a fortified manor overlooking a sheltered beach. The lands on which it is built were granted to the Norman knight, Odo de Barri, at the end of the 11th century. He probably made his home in a wooden hall surrounded by earthwork defences, but no trace of this is left beneath the stone castle that was started by his son, William de Barri, in the first half of the 12th century. William's elder sons took part in the invasion of Ireland, and they used their newly acquired wealth to extend the castle fortifications. William's youngest son was the renowned scholar-priest 'Gerald of Wales'. His books are still essential reading for anyone studying the medieval period in Wales, and in them he shows his fondness for his birthplace, "In all the broad lands of Wales, Manorbier is the most pleasant place by far".
Manorbier was owned by the de Barri family for over 250 years. Their Irish estates provided them with an income that enabled them to develop their home at Manorbier. The first stone building was a hall-keep, built more for defence than comfort. Stone curtain walls were then added, and two towers to guard the approach to the gate. This entrance was further strengthened with the addition of a square gatetower. New domestic buildings were also built including a grand chapel block that was linked to the old hall.

The defensive properties of the castle were never really put to the test. The only violent incident that took place during the de Barri family ownership was a family feud in which the nephew of the recently deceased John de Barri occupied the castle and refused to leave. His uncle Richard removed him by force in order to claim his inheritance. The Barri line died out in 1392, after which the castle passed through the ownership of absentee landlords who benefited from the manor revenues but lived elsewhere, while the castle became little more than a farm. The only military action the castle saw was during the Civil War when the castle was prepared for defence against the Parliamentarians. However, General Laugharne easily captured the castle and it appears to have survived relatively undamaged.

In the 1880's the castle was partially restored by J.R.Cobb, who, as well as carrying out repairs to the decaying buildings and walls, also built himself a new house at the end of the Tudor barn.
Manorbier Castle is now privately owned by Lady Dunsany (a Philipps descendant) and is open to the public, standard hours. A fine gift shop is located on the site, inside the renovated guardroom adjacent to the great gatehouse. Manorbier is a wonderful place to get away from the stresses of our modern world, to gain an appreciation of life in the Middle Ages as well as the spiritual beauty of the region. Indeed, there is much to do at Manorbier, for the Pembrokeshire Coast Path crosses its shores and hillsides, and is well worth exploration. It even takes you past a Neolithic burial chamber, not too far from the Norman church, and intimately guides you through Gerald's most pleasant part of Wales!

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Floodlights wash over Prague Castle and reflect in a glassy Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. The Prague Castle complex is the largest of its kind in the world, housing everything from the nation's crown jewels to the offices of the president to Prague's largest church. It also offers the best views of the city.

Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. Prague Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide.
A castle was established on this site in the 9th century, and a Romanesque palace was erected in the 12th. In the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The final reconstruction of the Royal palace took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century, and at that time the builder Benedikt Rejt added the now-famous Vladislav Hall, also in Gothic style. The castle was enlarged in the 16th century, especially after a big fire in 1541. The Spanish Hall, in a new part of the castle, was added in the reign of Rudolf II, and it took its final form in the time of Empress Maria Theresa, under the direction of the architect M. Pacassi. After World War I the interior and gardens of the castle were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik.

From it’s humble beginnings in the 9th century, it has grown to be the largest royal palace complex in Europe with about 2000 rooms. It houses a permanent picture gallery, timed exhibitions, several churches, the office of the president of the Czech Republic. The royal chambers are accessible only to special visitors, one day a year for everyone and visitors that pay a very large fee for the privilege. These rooms contain period furnishings and are considered special due to some prominent guests that have visited or even stayed here as state visitors to our country.

The most visited sites are the St. Vitus Cathedral (the most important church in Prague), St. George Basilica (the oldest remaining church here - a Romanesque masterpiece), the Royal Palace (the former seat of the kings), the Golden Lane (some of the smallest houses in Prague) and the Lobkowicz Palace (the home of the Princely Art Collection).

St. Vitus Cathedral - To many people, St. Vitus Cathedral is Prague Castle. While the enormous Prague Castle complex includes many fine buildings, St. Vitus is the one that dominates the city skyline and is visible from far and wide.
St. Vitus is the spiritual symbol of the Czech state. A Gothic masterpiece, work on the cathedral was commissioned by Charles IV and began in 1344 upon the site of an earlier 10th century rotunda. In all, it took nearly six centuries to complete.

Its first builders, Matthias of Arras and later Peter Parler, built the chancel with a ring of chapels, St. Wenceslas Chapel, the Golden Portal and the lower part of the main steeple. The final phase of construction only ended during the period 1873-1929.
As well as being the largest and most important temple in Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral also oversaw the coronations of Czech kings and queens.

In the chancel of the cathedral, in front of the high alter, is the royal mausoleum. Below this, in the crypt, there are the royal tombs. Czech kings and queens and patron saints are interred here.

St. Wenceslas Chapel is decorated with frescoes and semi-precious stones. A door in the south-western corner of the chapel leads to the Crown Chamber in which the Bohemian Coronation Jewels are stored.
St. George Basilica - St. George's Basilica is the oldest church building within Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic. It is also the best-preserved Romanesque church in Prague. The basilica was founded by Vratislaus I of Bohemia in 920. It is dedicated to Saint George.
The interior of the basilica is Romanesque, austere and monumental. The tombs of members of the Premyslid dynasty of princes are situated in the main nave. The southern side of the chancel is adjoined by St. Ludmila's Chapel. The convent has a simple and soberly decorated Early Baroque facade. From the eastern branch of the cloister access can be gained to St. Anne's Chapel in the convent. The most beautiful works of Bohemian Gothic art and art of the Rudolphian and Baroque period are exhibited in the interiors of the convent.

In 1142 it was rebuilt following a major fire, however the Baroque facade that we see today dates from 1671-1691. The altar painting and frescos in the dome are the work of V.V. Reiner.
St. George's Basilica now serves as a concert hall, a delightful and popular setting for early evening classical concerts.

During the winter the interior of the church is heated, but it is advisable to wear warm clothing for the concerts.

The Royal Palace - The Old Royal Palace at the Prague Castle used to be the seat of Czech rulers for centuries. Originally from the 12th century, it was rebuilt several times through the years, so it is an amazing mix of several architectural styles, mostly Gothic and Renaissance.
The Old Royal Palace was founded around 1135 by Sobeslav I., the Duke of the Premyslid dynasty. It was a luxury Romanesque palace at the time, inspired by German residences. The original All Saints Chapel was consecrated in 1185.

The Old Royal Palace served as the residence of Bohemian princes and kings until the 16th century. It was built upon the relics of a Romanesque palace of Prince Sobeslav. Additional reconstructions in the Gothic and Renaissance styles were initiated by famous Czech kings Premysl Otakar II, Charles IV, Wenceslas IV and Vladislav Jagello. Its most noteworthy part is the Gothic Vladislav Hall - the largest profane hall of medieval Prague (1487 - 1500, Benedikt Rejt) with a remarkable rounded rib vault, today the venue of presidential elections and ceremonial events.

A large fire in 1541 destroyed large parts of the castle. Under the Habsburgs some new buildings in renaissance style appeared here. Ferdinand I built Belvedere, summer palace for his wife Anne. Rudolph II used Prague Castle as his main residence. He founded the northern wing of the palace, with the Spanish Hall, where his precious artistic collections were exhibited.

The Second Prague defenestration in 1618 began the Bohemian Revolt. During the subsequent wars the Castle was damaged and dilapidated. Many works from the collection of Rudolph II were looted by Swedes in 1648, in the course of the Thirty Years' War. The last major rebuilding of the castle was carried out by Queen Maria Theresa in the second half of the 18th century. Ferdinand V, after abdication in 1848, chose Prague Castle as his home. In 1918 the castle became the seat of the president of the new Czechoslovak Republic. The New Royal Palace and the gardens were renovated by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik. Renovations continued in 1936 under Plečnik's successor Pavel Janák.

After 1989, many areas of the Castle were made accessible to the public for the first time in history. Today, Prague Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic and serves as the most important historical and political centre for both city and state.
Golden Lane - Dating from the 15th Century, this small street is lined by 11 historic houses, which exhibit medieval armoury and textiles, as well as selling tourist souvenirs.
The Golden Lane originated after the construction of the northern wall of the Castle. The area of the northern bailey was used for the building of modest dwellings, which are now the last remainder of the small-scale architecture of Prague Castle. They were inhabited by the castle servants, perhaps goldsmiths (the name "Golden Lane" is documented from the 16th century) and the castle marksmen. The tiny houses were occupied until World War II, but already during the period of the First Republic care was taken to ensure that the picturesque character of the lane was not changed in the course of modifications. From 1916 to 1917 house No. 22 was inhabited by the writer Franz Kafka.
Visitors need to purchase a combined ticket for the whole Prague Castle complex in order to gain entrance to Golden Lane.

Swallow’s Nest Castle

“Swallow’s Nest” is a castle, built in the late XIX century near Yalta, in the South of Crimea. Situated on the steep cliff right over the sea, it has become the symbol of the South coast of Crimea and one of the most exciting tourist’s destination.
The first building on the Aurora Cliff was constructed for a Russian general circa 1895. The first structure he built was a wooden cottage romantically named the "Love Castle”. Later on, the ownership of the cottage passed to A. K. Tobin, a court doctor to the Russian Tsar.
How did a wooden summer residence turn into a beautiful castle? The new owner of the rock, oil magnate baron von Steingel decided to build a more refined structure. In 1910 architect Vsevolod Sherwood came to Crimea on his honeymoon. The baron, who dreamed about a nook of the Rhine by the Black Sea, asked the architect for a concept suitable for a romantic castle. Sherwood was captivated by this work and, as soon as 1912, the castle was ready and waiting for baron von Steingel.

The architect managed the impossible: Swallow’s Nest is monumental and at the same time elegant, majestic and weightless. It is beloved by tourists, enjoys an incredible “stardom” and has even achieved the status of icon of Crimean peninsula.
Having reached the castle, you realise that it is actually very small as palaces go: it is 12 metres high, the base is 10 by 20 metres, there are only two floors, just a few rooms (hall, living-room, two bedrooms, now converted into an Italian restaurant). It is hard to believe that the palace once was surrounded by a garden: during the great earthquake of 1927, the part of the rock where trees were planted fell into the sea. Since this disaster 80 years ago, part of the balustrade of Swallow’s Nest has been hanging over the sea without a foundation. It is both a scary and exciting sight!
Though the palace itself was damaged very little, it became necessary to save it from sliding into the sea. There were several rescue projects. One of them would have had the castle dismantled and all its stones numbered and then re-assembled again as far as possible from cliffs and abysses. Fortunately, this idea was not implemented. Renovation and restoration on the building was started in 1968 by the employees of a construction company from Yalta. The project involved the restoration of a small portion of the castle and the addition of a monolithic console concrete plate to strengthen the cliff. Since 1975, an Italian restaurant has operated within the building.

Zoo Zoo Wallpapers

"Zoo Zoo" - creativity at its Best!!

Check out these coolest and cutest Wallpapers of Vodafone's IPL special mascot...

Ferrari 599 Hybrid Eco-friendly Supercar

The current trend of motor vehicles today is “green”, the only problem is creating an eco-friendly hybrid car that can actually deliver high levels of performance while still being fuel efficient.

Ferrari is the latest manufacturer to enter into the ring by showcasing its first eco-friendly supercar at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.

Powering the Ferrari 599 hybrid is a 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine that produces 463 kW, the petrol engine is joined by Ferrari's newly developed electric motor which features a super slim 20 mm lithum-ion battery pack and is good for around 75 kW this boosts the total power output figure to 538 kW.

As seen in most hybrid cars of late is the use of brake force regeneration, the Ferrari 599 hybrid is said to use its own KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) from Ferrari's Formula One cars. Under braking the vehicle uses the kinetic energy produced to recharge the batteries.

To help keep fuel economy in check and CO2 emissions low, the Ferrari 599 hybrid makes use of a new start-stop system which works with the hybrid powertrain. This combination is said to reduce CO2 emissions from 415g/km to around 250g/km, while fuel economy improves from 14.8-litres per 100km to 10.6-litres per 100km, making the 599 hybrid more efficient than the standard car.

The Ferrari 599 hybrid's Formula One roots are apparent in that the electric motor automatically kicks in during acceleration, providing instantaneous torque when moving away from a standstill and during overtaking manoeuvres.

Ferrari says drivers will be given the option of a steering wheel-mounted button to boost performance when required, similar to Porsche's E-Boost which is used in their 918 Spyder Concept.

But, eager customers will have to wait, as a production version of the 599 Hybrid is not likely to hit the streets before 2015.