Tom Bartel

Praying at the Western Wall, Jerusalem

January 31, 2016February 18, 2015 by Tom Bartel

On our first night in Jerusalem, Kris was ill, so I went out to explore the old city on my own. Jerusalem is an odd place, and probably the most … Read more

Ruins of the Roman Camp Viewed from Masada, Israel

October 20, 2023February 16, 2015 by Tom Bartel

Many have heard the story of the siege of Masada, when Jews who escaped the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD retreated three years later to the stronghold on … Read more

Watchtowers, Golden Bay, Malta

February 14, 2015 by Tom Bartel

In the 16th Century, the Knights of Malta ringed the island of Malta with watchtowers just like this. Each was manned by four soldiers, and they looked out over the … Read more

Pilgrims, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

October 20, 2023January 27, 2015 by Tom Bartel

pilgrims unguent stone church holy sepulchre jerusalem

Just inside the main entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is a large fractured stone, glimmering in the light of several overhead lanterns. When I first … Read more

Two Men Discussing the Quran, Jerusalem

January 26, 2015 by Tom Bartel

old men studying Koran Jerusalem dome rock

The area around the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa mosque was fairly light on tourists. They make it sort of difficult to get up there if you’re … Read more

Tomb of Jesus, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

January 25, 2015 by Tom Bartel

jesus crypt church holy sepulchre jerusalem

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses the purported tomb of Jesus, and the spot of his resurrection. That part of the church is under the control of the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The Bayeux Tapestry, Normandy, France

March 11, 2015January 21, 2015 by Tom Bartel

The Bayeux Tapestry was the medieval equivalent of a newspaper, or at least a speech by a politician. It tells the story in pictures and words of the rationale and the history behind the Norman Conquest of England. In fact, William the Conquerer, the Norman duke who defeated the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and assumed the throne of England, had the thing done only a couple of years later so he could explain to everyone his side of what happened and how a French guy ended up as King of England.