Dresden Trio

The beautiful architecture of Dresden, as seen from our hotel across the Elbe River. I've added a watercolor texture.

Bridges on the Arno

Photo by Stephen Bohn

A view of the famous Ponte Vecchio and several other Florentine bridges spanning the Arno, as seen from the Vasari Corridor of the Uffizi. This 1 kilometer long "secret passage" was commissioned by the Medici family to connect the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace.

The Riddler

Photo by Stephen Bohn

One of two Sphinx statues guarding the Elbe River entrance to the Pillnitz Castle and Park. In Greek mythology, the Sphinx was part woman, and guarded the entrance to the temple of Thebes by asking a riddle. Those who failed to answer correctly were strangled and devoured by the Sphinx. In late Greek history, the riddle became: Which creature has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed? Oedipus solved the riddle when he answered: Man, because he crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two feet as a adult and uses a cane in old age.

Excursion Boat on the Elbe

Photo by Stephen Bohn

An excursion boat from Dresden sails down the Elbe River in Germany on a beautiful day in May.

Morning on the Rhine

Photo by Stephen Bohn

The Teodor Heuss Bridge over the Rhine River connects portions of the town of Mainz, Germany.

Notre Dame, Across the Seine

Photo by Stephen Bohn

The cathedral of Notre Dame as seen from across the Seine and through the trees of the Left Bank.

Pont Saint-Benezet

This historic bridge is the inspiration for the children's song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" and was originally constructed over the Rhone between 1177 and 1185. According to traditional, a local shepherd boy was commanded by angels to build a bridge across the river between Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon and he miraculously lifted a large block of stone as proof of his divine inspiration. This boy later became Saint Benezet and was interred in a chapel on the bridge after his death. For a long time, the bridge was the only fixed river crossing between Lyon in central France and the Mediterranean Sea.

Tree Along the Seine

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Green leaves frame the Seine river in Paris on an overcast day.

Fort Saint-Andre

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Rising above the town of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the well preserved fort of Saint-Andre was built in 1292 and offers beautiful views across the Rhone to Avignon, but with far fewer tourists than the papal city.

Across the Rhone

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Looking down over the Rhone river and the partial remains of the St. Benezet bridge (Pont d'Avignon) from atop the Rocher des Doms above the Palace of the Popes. The town across the river is Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which was once connected to Avignon by the bridge until its collapse in the mid-1600s.

Tower Views

A part of the Tower Bridge (left) as seen from a wall of the Tower of London (right) along the Thames River.

Thames River Scene

This image was taken along the Thames River in London several years ago. I've added a painterly texture.

View from Warwick Castle

View from atop the upper wall of the medieval castle in Warwick, England on the River Avon. The castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1608 and rebuilt in later centuries. I'm using one of my favorite mask textures from Shadowhouse Creations.

A River Runs Through It

In this case the river is the Pegnitz and the old town of Nuremberg was built along the river in the 11th century. To the left is the former Holy Spirit Hospital, a famous landmark founded in 1332 and one of the largest hospitals in Europe at that time.

Castelvecchio Bridge, Verona

The old castle bridge over the Adige River in Verona, Italy was built around 1355 and featured the world's largest segmented arch span at the time of its construction. It is built of red bricks over white marble.