The Stanza Journal

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curious.

Remarkable places. Unexpected stories. A little inspiration to see the world differently.

Red reconstructed columns and a bull fresco at the North Portico of Knossos in Crete — Bernard Gagnon CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cropped

Crete, Greece

Editor’s pick/Travel tips

Knossos, Phaistos or Spinalonga? Plan your Crete visits

Three very different histories. A practical guide to choosing your visits, planning around your base, and leaving time for the stories.

Oct 17, 20268 min read

Step into the story

Follow your curiosity

More to discover.

Good stories. A fresh perspective. Something to take on your next trip.

The latest from the journal

Melk Abbey above the town, seen from the west

Travel tips

Oct 21, 20264 min read

Melk Abbey: church, library and museum—what does your visit include?

The library is part of a larger sequence of rooms. Choose your date and visit format first, then leave time for the church and seasonal grounds.

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Thomas Ledl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

The Lion Gate framed by the massive stone walls of Mycenae

Venue spotlights

Oct 19, 20265 min read

Mycenae: the Lion Gate, museum and Treasury of Atreus explained

A monumental gateway, an on-site museum and a tomb outside the citadel tell different stories. Give each a place in your Mycenae visit.

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Andreas Trepte, www.avi-fauna.info · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Cropped

The seating and stage ruins of Taormina’s ancient theatre

Travel tips

Oct 19, 20265 min read

Taormina’s ancient theatre: sightseeing visit or evening performance?

Walking around the theatre and sitting down for a show are different experiences. Choose by what you want to do, then check the right ticket and calendar.

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Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cropped

The curved stone seating and circular orchestra of the theatre at Epidaurus

Venue spotlights

Oct 19, 20265 min read

Epidaurus beyond the theatre: understanding the ancient healing sanctuary

The theatre is one part of a much larger place. Follow the spaces for worship, sleep, hospitality and public life to understand why people came to Epidaurus.

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Fingalo · CC BY-SA 2.0 de · Cropped

The Hall of Supreme Harmony above its white stone terraces in the Forbidden City

Travel tips

Oct 19, 20264 min read

The Forbidden City’s side galleries: choose what to see beyond the main axis

One well-chosen gallery can make the palace’s vast courtyards feel more human. Here is how to choose it without overloading your day.

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N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

Panoramic view across the archaeological buildings of Uxmal

Travel tips

Oct 19, 20264 min read

Uxmal or Chichén Itzá? Choose for your interests and your itinerary

Choose the question you want to explore, then the journey you can comfortably make. Neither Maya city needs to be the consolation prize.

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Adrian Hernandez · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

Panoramic view across Uxmal, with the Pyramid of the Magician beyond the courtyards

Stories & history

Oct 19, 20264 min read

Uxmal’s Puuc architecture: five details you can actually recognise

Five ways to turn a decorated wall into something you can read, with careful distinctions between visible forms and their interpretation.

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Adrian Hernandez · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

Façade of Alcobaça Monastery in Portugal

Travel tips

Oct 19, 20265 min read

Batalha and Alcobaça in one day: a practical plan and honest budget

Two monasteries make a good comparison when you give each time to be different. Start with transport, then decide how much of each you want to see.

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Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

The church façade and monastery wings at Alcobaça

Stories & history

Oct 19, 20265 min read

Alcobaça’s royal tombs: Pedro and Inês beyond the legend

The love story draws attention. The carved stone rewards it. Look closely at how two medieval tombs present royalty, death and the hope of resurrection.

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Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped

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