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The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality, even if he didn’t run
The measure, which will come into force from 1 January 2025, will be partial and temporary…for now
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Plus, it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors
Following a successful trial phase, these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country
The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students
After another year of pandemic inertia, maybe it is time to think about venturing outdoors?
With another turbulent year of COVID infections and restrictions almost coming to an end, a lot of our hopes are set for 2022. The word ‘travel’ is on many people’s minds. But where to? It is a big world out there.
Luckily, TheMayor.EU has some pretty good ideas for trips within the European Union, and they are based on a recent ranking by the National Geographic’s ‘Most Exciting Destinations for 2022’. This years’ top picks are arranged around UNESCO’s 50th anniversary in helping safeguard cultural and natural treasures.
The Seine by Bike route passes through the market in Rouen,
Source: La Seine à Vélo on Facebook
Have you ever wanted to bike through an impressionist painting? No? You may want to reconsider.
In October of 2020, France unveiled a 400-kilometre bike trail from Paris to Le Havre and Deauville, going along the Seine River. The cycling path starts in the French capital and makes its way through places like Claude Monet’s house where he painted the famous water lilies.
Further along the track, the route passes near some amazing medieval sites like the Jumièges Abbey, built in 654 and the centuries-old, but still working, Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Wandrille. For admirers of the more contemporary take on the castle genre, there is the Château de Bizy, a 1740 royal residence modelled after the Palace of Versailles.
Finally, near the mouth of the river, cyclists are treated to Normandy’s Grande Noé Bird Reserve, home to over 250 different species of birds and located along a migratory flyway.
Bird's-eye view of the Ruhr Valley near Duisburg
Sustainability has been a focal point of many recent developments in the EU, especially after the bloc started pushing hard to reach the CO2 goals set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. This is why these entries focus on the places that have made the complete 180-degrees turn in their development – ex-industrial centres.
The Ruhr Valley in Germany is one of the few places in the world practically synonymous with heavy industry. Coal mines and steel foundries once dominated the densely populated river valley in North-Rhine Westphalia. Now, the landscape is dominated by nature.
Today, local authorities are repurposing the post-apocalyptic-looking infrastructure into pristine parks and cultural centres. The most famous is the World Heritage site Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, which is now home to an outdoor swimming pool, an ice rink and nature-abundant footpaths.
One of the buildings in Manufaktura
The other entry here is Łódź in Poland – a former textile powerhouse turned UNESCO City of Film in 2017 and home to a nearly 3,000-acre forest. The old factories are being reborn as museums, parks, cultural spaces and retail areas.
A notable example is a massive factory for I.K. Poznański Cotton Products Company which employed 7,000 people in 1913. Now, the space has a new name – Manufaktura and it is home to an arts centre, shopping mall and a museum dedicated to the Poznański family’s cotton empire and the lives of the ordinary factory workers. The whole complex spans 13 historic brick buildings.
No European destinations list would be complete without an entry from Italy. In this case, it is the island town of Procida, located off the coast of Naples. The town was chosen as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022 and local authorities have planned a rich programme there to honour it.
The agenda features contemporary art exhibitions, festivals and performances spread out over the entire year, in order to avoid having a massive influx of tourists only in the summer. A focal point on the island’s agenda is the Palazzo d’Avalos, a Renaissance palace turned into a prison. It was built in 1500 and closed in 1988. Now it will lead a new life as an urban green space and cultural venue.
The Alhambra, overlooking Granada
The opposite of travelling light is travelling with kids and the European Union has some great offers for mixing rich history, culture and learning opportunities for families.
The first entry here is the Alhambra (red fort) in Granada, Spain. The palace was built in the 13th century and is one of the most opulent examples of Moorish architecture in Europe. The World Heritage site sits on top of a hill, looking down at one of the most picturesque cities in Spain.
The Alhambra features an impressive array of architectural and decorative elements intertwined in what can only be described as mathematical wizardry. Intricate mosaics, arabesques (a repetitive, stylized pattern based on a floral or vegetal design), and muqarnas (ornamental vaulting) intertwine with the palace’s other focal point – water surfaces.
Budapest, Hungary's capital
The other entry here is the Danube River, covering quite an expansive territory. The Danube twists and turns, ultimately passing through 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. This year, the WWF named the whole river basin the Amazon of Europe and a boat ride there can take visitors through some of the continents most beautiful cities, like Budapest and Vienna.
At the same time, this is an experience akin to taking the Orient Express of yesteryear, passing through fairytale realms with views of castles, medieval towns, stately places and numerous nature reserves. Close to the source of the river, the Veste Oberhaus offers a pretty vivid representation of the Middle Ages, as it is one of the oldest fully preserved castle complexes in Europe.
Further on, the river snakes through to Vienna, and Budapest, marvels of 18th and 19th-century architecture, both giving a glimpse into the historic development of the area. Further on still, in Croatia, visitors will find the Kopacki Nature Park, where thousands of people have tied their lives and livelihoods to the marshes and floodplains.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital
