Craig's Interesting Things

  • Home
  • Craig's Interesting Things

Craig's Interesting Things Personal Blog

23/01/2025

The largest combat two-handed sword or
"Big Pierre's sword"
2.15 meters (7 feet) long; weight 6.6 kg.
It was manufactured in Passau, Germany, in the 15th century and is now kept in the museum of the city of Leeuwarden Frisia, the Netherlands.
The sword's handle is made of oak wood and covered with a single piece of goat skin taken from the foot, so avoiding the necessity for a seam.
The blade is marked "Inri" (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews).
Supposedly this sword belonged to the rebel and pirate Pierre Gerlofs Donia known as "Big Pierre", who, according to legend, could cut off several heads of them at once. He had also bent coins using his thumb, forefinger and middle finger.
According to legend, this sword was brought to Friesland by the German Landsknechts and was used as a banner, and this sword captured by Pierre began to be used as a combat one.

14/01/2025

17 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Germany

1. Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, with over 83 million residents.

2. Berlin, the capital, is nine times larger than Paris and has more bridges than Venice.

3. Germany is home to the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich.

4. The country is renowned for its contributions to classical music, being the birthplace of composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms.

5. Germany is known for its extensive autobahn network, with stretches having no speed limit.

6. The Berlin Wall, which once divided East and West Germany, stood for 28 years and was demolished in 1989.

7. Germany has over 1,500 varieties of sausages, with bratwurst and currywurst being particularly popular.

8. The Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria served as an inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

9. German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe and is known for its long compound words like "Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz."

10. Germany has a rich history of innovation, being the birthplace of the printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century.

11. The country is one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, with brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen.

12. Germany is home to more than 20,000 castles, reflecting its medieval history.

13. The Black Forest in southwestern Germany inspired the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

14. Germans are known for their recycling efforts, with one of the highest recycling rates in the world.

15. The country is a federal republic, consisting of 16 states, known as Bundesländer.

16. Germany has a strong tradition of Christmas markets, with Nuremberg and Dresden hosting some of the oldest and most famous ones.

17. It is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing for borderless travel between many European countries.

29/12/2024
17/12/2024
03/12/2024

THIS IS WHAT THEY HIDE BEHIND THE WALLS OF ANTARCTICA
👉 Read More: https://nam25k.icestech.info/14471/

Antarctica, a vast frozen desert in the far south of the planet, is the most inhospitable and least explored continent on Earth. Beneath its thick layer of ice, which can exceed 4 kilometers in thickness, lie secrets that could change our understanding of the world. From secret bases to clues to lost civilizations, Antarctica is a place where mystery and science intertwine, fueling fascinating theories and research.
**5 Mysteries that could be hidden in Antarctica:**
⚡ **Subglacial lakes and unknown life:** Beneath the ice of Antarctica there are more than 400 subglacial lakes, such as Lake Vostok, which could be home to life forms never seen before, isolated for millions of years. ⚡ **Meteorites and clues about the universe:** Antarctica is a key place to find meteorites, as its ice preserves these space fragments, providing clues about the origin of the solar system.
⚡ **An ancient lost civilization:** Some believe that ancient maps, such as that of Piri Reis, suggest that Antarctica was inhabited or explored before it froze over, possibly by an advanced civilization.
⚡ **Secret bases and conspiracy theories:** There are theories about hidden military and scientific facilities in Antarctica, including alleged N**i bases built during World War II.
⚡ **Restricted access:** Despite being a continent dedicated to peace and science, access to many areas is strictly controlled, fueling theories about discoveries hidden by governments and organizations.
Antarctica, with its vastness and mystery, remains one of the last great enigmas of our planet. What else is hidden beneath the ice? Perhaps a future discovery will reveal it to us...

30/11/2024

Henry Darger lived a quiet, solitary life as a janitor in Chicago, largely unnoticed by those around him. Yet, after his death in 1973, the world discovered that he had spent decades creating one of the most astonishing and enigmatic bodies of work ever known. Hidden in his small apartment was a 15,000-page manuscript titled "The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What Is Known as the Realms of the Unreal", accompanied by hundreds of vivid, surreal paintings. Darger’s secret world revealed a reclusive genius who blended innocence and darkness in equal measure.

Darger’s magnum opus tells the story of the Vivian Girls, child-like heroines who lead a rebellion against an evil empire that enslaves children. The narrative is sprawling and complex, interweaving themes of good versus evil, religion, and innocence lost. His accompanying artwork, often rendered on massive sheets of paper, is hauntingly beautiful. It features colorful depictions of fantastical battles, strange landscapes, and ethereal characters, blending childlike wonder with unsettling undertones.

Much of Darger’s work reflects his troubled life. Orphaned at a young age, he endured a childhood marked by neglect and abuse. These experiences likely influenced the dark and often violent imagery in his art. His obsession with protecting children, evident in the Vivian Girls' relentless fight against oppression, may stem from a deep sense of powerlessness he felt throughout his life.

What makes Darger’s story even more remarkable is that his work was discovered entirely by chance. His landlords, Nathan and Kiyoko Lerner, stumbled upon his treasure trove of art and manuscripts while clearing out his apartment after his death. Recognizing its value, they preserved his creations, introducing the world to a visionary who had spent his life in obscurity.

Today, Henry Darger’s work is celebrated in museums and galleries around the world, including the American Folk Art Museum in New York. His story resonates as a testament to the profound creativity that can flourish in solitude and the universal human need to express and process our experiences, no matter how hidden.

“Great art can emerge from the most unexpected places, and every story deserves to be found.” — Unknown

~ Weird but True

23/11/2024
03/11/2024

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Craig's Interesting Things posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum?

Share