Italica (Spanish: Itálica) was an ancient Roman city in Hispania; its site is close to the town of Santiponce in the province of Seville, Spain. It was founded in 206 BC by Roman general Scipio as a colonia for his Italic veterans and named after them. Italica later grew attracting new migrants from the Italian peninsula and also with the children of Roman soldiers and native women.
Italica was the first Roman settlement in Spain. It was founded in 206 BC by Publius Cornelius Scipio during the Second Punic War close to a native Iberian town of the Turdetani (dating back at least to the 4th c. BC) as a settlement for his Italic veterans, a mixture of socii and Roman citizens, and therefore named Italica after its inhabitants.
As no modern city covered many of Italica's buildings of the nova urbs, the result is an unusually well-preserved Roman city with cobbled Roman streets and mosaic floors still in situ. Many rich finds can also be seen in the Seville Archaeological Museum, with its ...
Prasat Ban Prasat, an 11th-century Khmer hospital temple (arokayasala) in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, stands as a rare surviving example of King Jayavarman VII’s compassionate infrastructure.
Built around 1186–1200 in classic Bayon style, the laterite complex features a single eastward-facing tower of pink sandstone on a raised platform, accompanied by a rectangular library to the southeast and enclosed by a moat, standard layout for the 102 chapels of healing the king established across his empire.
Dedicated to the Bodhisattva Lokesvara, the sanctuary originally housed a radiant Buddha image sheltered by the naga Mucalinda, symbolizing enlightenment and protection. A nearby reservoir (baray) supplied water for medicinal use, while the site served as both clinic and rest house for pilgrims traveling the ancient road from Angkor to Phimai. Inscriptions, though lost, likely mirrored those at other arokayasalas, invoking healing and royal merit.
Abandoned after the Khmer Empire’s ...
Sing Buri Province, along the fertile banks of the Chao Phraya River in central Thailand, traces its origins to the ancient Mon-Khmer settlements that flourished during the Dvaravati period, later flourishing under the Ayutthaya Kingdom as a strategic riverine outpost.
The name “Sing Buri” itself derives from local folklore: a mythical lion (singha) spirit is said to have guarded the area, mating with a human woman and fathering a child named Singhapahu, whose lineage symbolically founded the city. This blend of myth and history infuses the region with pride.
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan, a third-class royal temple perched along the ancient Chakra Sri River (now Khlong Bang Ton Pho) in central Sing Buri, embodies the province’s deep pre-Ayutthaya roots, predating the kingdom’s founding in 1351 CE and tying into legends of the lost city of Singh Puri, established around 1107 during the Dvaravati era (7th–11th centuries).
Originally known simply as Wat Phra Non, it was renamed to ...
Discover Bangkok: From Suvarnabhumi Airport to the City
Join us on an epic arrival adventure in the Land of Smiles! 🌴✈ Touch down at Bangkok’s bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and let this video be your ultimate guide to conquering the chaos and diving straight into the city.
Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned nomad, we’ll walk you through every step—from the moment your wheels hit the tarmac to cruising into downtown Bangkok in under 30 minutes.
First Up: A Whirlwind Tour of Suvarnabhumi Airport
Step off your flight and into this architectural marvel—a single, soaring terminal that’s one of Asia’s largest, blending futuristic design with Thai artistry.
We’ll start with a full walkthrough:
The Iconic Kin Dee Statue: Marvel at the 40-foot golden guardian spirit at the terminal’s heart, warding off evil and welcoming good vibes.
Next: All Your Transportation Options Unveiled
No more guesswork! We break down every way to zip the 35km from BKK to Bangkok’s city center (think ...
