1508, 2011

Warsaw, Poland

World Cities & Harbors
512

Situated between Germany and Russia, Poland saw more than its share of turmoil and warfare during the 20th century. Warsaw– Poland’s capital and largest city– was especially stricken. During World War II, the German army methodically demolished about 85% of the city in retaliation for a strong-willed resistance to Nazi occupation. After the war, the people of Poland rebuilt Warsaw, even recreating its historic buildings. Warsaw is now experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity. This eScapes scene highlights the city’s nightlife. A prominent landmark featured in this video is the curved Złote Tarasy– a shopping center, entertainment venue, and office building. The high view of the city is taken from the Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science, a

1108, 2011

The Acropolis at Dawn

Settlement and construction on the Acropolis of Athens dates back to thousands of years BC, but most was destroyed by Persians when they invaded Athens in 480 BC. The Greek statesman Pericles led its rebuilding during Athens’ “Golden Age” to create the buildings that stand today, including the Parthenon, the iconic landmark of Greece, and one of the most famous landmarks in Europe. Originally housing a 40-foot-tall statue of the goddess Athena and a treasury, the Parthenon has survived many threats and uses imposed on it over the millennia. It has been a brothel, a Christian church, a mosque, and an armory for the Turks. In 1687, a Turkish gunpowder cache exploded and ruined much of

2107, 2011

Rome

World Cities & Harbors
517

Rome may be the most important city that has ever been built. The capital of an empire that controlled the entire Mediterranean region, most of Europe, and significant parts of Asia, Rome’s influence on the fundamentals of Western civilization is unmatched. Western language, art, religion, government, architecture, medicine, and much more are all rooted in Roman innovation. Many Rome sights featured in this eScapes scene hint at the civilization’s cultural legacy. This eScapes scene features the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minerveo obelisk, an iconic Roman arched bridge, and the ruins of the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman democracy. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly

1207, 2011

London (Palace and Cathedral)

World Cities & Harbors
463

London is an undisputed global city. Its historical significance and broad influence might only be challenged by Rome, and its importance in modern times only rivaled by New York. This eScapes video features London’s most famous landmark– the Palace of Westminster and the iconic “Big Ben” clock tower. Although the Palace in its current form was only constructed in the mid-1800s, its site on the Thames River has been home to the seat of English power since the eleventh century. Also seen is St. Paul’s Cathedral, a 17th-century architectural accomplishment that helped inspire the style of the United States Capitol building. Bob Mamet is an internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist and composer. Incorporating vibrant and diverse styles into