European History

Dozens of castles in Europe dot the landscape, each with a story carved into stone, wood, and legend. These aren’t just ruins of the past; they’re full-blown time machines, and they sit proudly in cities, on hillsides, and by rivers waiting for curious visitors.

By Lena Thaywick

England’s landscape is dotted with stone towers, curtain walls, and battlements that tell stories of war, royalty, and everyday life in the castles in England. From medieval fortresses to Tudor mansions, these historic sites span the full sweep of English history.

By Lena Thaywick

Scotland is packed with ancient stone towers, royal strongholds and ruins perched on dramatic cliffs. Whether you love medieval history or just want a view worth the hike, these castles in Scotland are must-visits.

By Lena Thaywick

Want to travel back in time without giving up your croissant? France has you covered. It’s home to hundreds of castles in France, each one with its own stories, secrets and sweeping staircases.

By Lena Thaywick

Ireland's landscape is dotted with ancient fortresses, dramatic ruins, and breathtaking towers. From iconic landmarks to quiet countryside gems, the castles in Ireland tell the story of a nation shaped by war, royalty, and resilience.

By Lena Thaywick

If you're planning a trip through Europe and want a dose of real-life medieval fantasy, start with castles in Germany.

By Lena Thaywick

Recent excavations in Pompeii, Italy, in April 2024 uncovered several stunning murals and ancient Roman comic paintings. Although the murals are more appropriate for an academic museum, the "comics" and graffiti offer a raw peek into how ancient Romans lived, fought, loved and died.

By Karina Ryan

Previously divided into West Germany and East Germany until reunification in 1990, Germany — officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany — has 16 federal states. Its federal system allows the individual German states to maintain authority over areas like education, policing and cultural activities, while the federal government oversees issues like defense and economic affairs.

By Yara Simón

The Balkan states (sometimes colloquially referred to as simply "the Balkans") are a diverse and historically rich set of countries that span across southeastern Europe.

By Mack Hayden

Ever wondered how the British royal family finds nannies fit to change royal nappies? The answer is a nanny college called Norland.

By Kate Morgan

CPR Annie has been called "the most-kissed face in the world." But the doll's look was improbably inspired by the famous death mask of a beautiful, unknown drowning victim in Paris.

By Dave Roos

Point d'Alençon Lace is a needlepoint lace that originated in Alençon, France. It's delicate and rare and takes years to master. Why is it so different from other lace?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Hunger stones in European rivers mark periods of drought that lead to famines. They have begun to reappear in 2022, so what does that mean for the near-term health of the European economy?

By Patrick J. Kiger

As King Charles III assumes the throne, he faces numerous challenges both at home and abroad. How he handles them could very well determine the future of the monarchy itself.

By Tobias Harper

Today Paris' best-known attractions are perhaps the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysées. In the 19th-century, it was the morgue.

By Dave Roos

Helmets, battles, Leif Erikson Day - our Viking quiz has it all. Grab some mead and let's get started!

By Mark Mancini

The ghost city of Pripyat in Ukraine is one of the casualties of the Atomic Age and a warning to us all about the dangers of improperly managed nuclear power.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Yeah, yeah, everyone knows that Emily just loves Paris. But what about some of the other 40-plus capital cities in Europe? Take our quiz to find out more.

By Alia Hoyt

Is it the country with the smallest land area? Or the fewest people? Either way, you get the same answer.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus & Sascha Bos

The pronunciation of "Kyiv" goes far beyond personal preference. It actually has geopolitical significance.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

University of Michigan historian Ronald Suny answers some questions and corrects some falsehoods about the Ukrainian and Russian history that helped lead up to the current events.

By Ronald Suny

A roughly crescent-shaped region encompassing modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and parts of Turkey and Iran, the Fertile Crescent was home to the world's first settled agricultural communities.

By Dave Roos

Despite a pending scandalous court case and the loss of all his military titles and royal patronages, Prince Andrew still retains his place in line to the British throne. Here's why.

By Dave Roos

Named the happiest country in the world for the past three years in a row, Finland is considered a Nordic country. But is it part of Scandinavia?

By Mark Mancini

Scattered around Tuscany in Italy, you'll still find beautiful little windows through which wine was passed during the plague - an early social distancing measure that's back in use today.

By Katy Spratte Joyce