In 1578, a network of labyrinthine tombs was discovered lurking
underneath the street of Rome. These tombs had for a long time been home
to decayed skeletons of the early Christian Martyrs, who were believed
to be saints due to their bravery and unwavering support to the
Christian beliefs. Most of these skeletons, named “The Catacomb Saints”,
were distributed across Europe to replace the holy relics that were
stolen, destroyed or smashed during the Protestant Reformation.
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The skeletons were clothed and adorned with precious jewels,
crowns, expensive clothes, wigs and armor on delivery. They were then
displayed inside some churches as a reminder to those who visited, of
the wealth and riches awaiting them after death. This, however, would
only happen if they swore allegiance to the Christian faith.
Paul Koudounaris, a self confessed relic hunter, was so fascinated by
this discovery and travelled all over Europe documenting the status of
each of the Saints. Amazingly, most of the skeletons are yet to be
displayed- they are still stored in their containers waiting to be
dressed. His book is known as Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs. It
takes an in depth look at the origins and history of these Catacomb
Saints. It poses questions like: who were they? How did they die? Who
ordered their placement in the Catacombs? Why did they lay forgotten for
so long? Check out some of these elaborate and forgotten relics form a
by-gone era.
It’s also known as the Saint Maarten International Airport.
Very low-altitude flyover landing approaches are one of its
characteristics. This is because one end of its runway is extremely
close to the shore and Maho Beach. In fact the planes go right above the
people on the beach before they land, it’s scary!
2. Ibrahim Nasir International Airport
It’s commonly known as Male International airport. It’s located near
the capital island of Male on Hulhule Island in the North Male
Atoll. the airport is built on its own island and looks like a gigantic
aircraft carrier from the sky.
3. Tenzing-Hillary Airport
It’s also known as Lukla Airport. It’s rated as the most dangerous
airport in the world, according to a program on the History Channel,
‘Most Extreme Airports’ in 2010. The airport has one of the steepest
runways in the world. Aircrafts have to land uphill and depart downhill.
Chances of a successful aborted takeoff or go-around are literally
impossible. A 2000′ foot drop into the valley is at the Southwest while
the opposite end has a rugged terrain. It’s also famous for being the
starting point for any one climbing Mt. Everest.
4. Paro Airport
Located 6km from Paro, in a deep valley found on the banks of river
Paro Chuu, Paro airport is Bhutan’s only international airport. It’s
considered one of the most challenging airports due to the surrounding
peaks that are as high as 18,000 ft. As of October 2009, landing at the
airport was only certified to eight pilots. Flights are restricted from
sunrise to sunset (daylight hours) and can only be done under visual
meteorological conditions.
5. Kansai International Airport
Found in Osaka Bay, Japan, Kansai International Airport is 1.6 miles
wide and 2.5 miles long. It’s entirely offshore on a manmade island. The
airport is so big that it can be seen from space.
6. Gibraltar International Airport
The airport has very little space that its runway goes through the
busiest road in the district, the Winston Churchill Avenue. The airport
serves only flights to and from the UK. To prevent collisions when
planes are taking off, gates are closed so that cars don’t cross the
runway.
7. Ice Runway, Antarctica
It’s used during the summer Antarctic field season by the US
Antarctic Program. This is due to its closeness to the McMurdo station.
Its runway can handle giant planes. The annual sea-ice runway gets
constructed every start of season and used till the ice begins to break
up in early December. Pilots report that the runway is as stable as
landing on concrete. Image courtesy: Gronset, Jorn, Australian Antartica Division
8. Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport
It’s 3,236m above sea level making it one of the highest airports
worldwide. Flights can only take off and land in the morning due to
mountain winds in the afternoon. Passengers have to be at the airport
two hours before departure to provide adequate time for security.
Security checks are paramount in this airport due to terrorism problems.
9. Courchevel Airport, France
A strip of tarmac, 1,700 ft, that is located 6,000 ft above sea
level, serves as the airport. It’s on a slope on the French Alps in the
town of Courchevel. The runway rises uphill in a bizarre way then dips
dangerously downhill. No instrument approach procedures are available
when landing, which makes it very tricky during low clouds and fog. It
also appeared on ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, the James Bond movie.
10. Agatti Aerodrome, Lakshadweep, India
It’s surrounded by the Indian Ocean and is 4,000 ft long. It’s the
only airport in Lakshadweep, India. The short runway presents a lot of
danger and proposals to extend it have been made.
A young man name Alexey Parshukov
from Omsk, Russia has recently come up with his stunning artwork with
electricity, some even comparing him with nikol tesla by notifying him Russian Nikola Tesla.
He
has a gallery of 644 images on his vKontakte page, most are riddled
with doubt as to their authenticity, Some say that this is real electric
current on his photos. Other say it’s not possible. People keep arguing
trying to prove it’s them who learnt physics better at school.
We
know the world as being full of some cruel evil people that are capable
of unimaginable actions. The evidence is on the news we watch every day
but there is a lot more kindness and goodness on this planet than you
realize. There are people who do incredible things out of the goodness
of their hearts, and they re-establish our faith in humanity.
1. Though it would have been easier to steal this skateboard, these kids left a note for the owner who had forgotten it.
