Secret Passages

Throughout the history of mankind, we've been fascinated with hidden doors that lead to secret rooms.

Here's my guide to visiting the Palazzo Vecchio, a must visit attraction in Florence Italy. The Palazzo Vecchio is a doughty medieval fortress on the outside and a resplendent Renaissance palace on the inside. It's one of Florence's most historic and important landmarks, designed and decorated by the Medici dynasty.

Awesome entrance to the Man Cave. Man Cave Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodel, and Decor Stairway leading to the man cave.

If there's one dream that unites all bookish folks (aside from, you know, universal literacy) it's the dream of having a secret passageway hidden

Hidden stairwell in library to safe room

Castle Rising Castle is situated in the village of the same name in Norfolk, UK. It was built in about 1138 by William d Albini, 1st Earl of Arundel, who also owned Arundal Castle. Much of its square keep, surrounded by a defensive mound, is intact, and it is now in the care of English heritage. The castle is in remarkably good condition despite being over 850 years old. One of the most striking features is the earthwork surrounding the moat. The built up soil is now covered in grass for…

What would a Gothic Style Library be without a resident ghost? At first glance, Felbrigg Hall, one of the finest country houses in East Anglia, seems like an unlikely candidate for specters or spo…

One of the secret doors of the Stift Admont library, Austria.

Here's another posting for the 'clever things' part of the blog. I've long been interested in the concept of illusion - magic tricks, gimmicked boxes, hidden doorways and the like. I did a lot of research on 18th century liquor smuggling, and in the process came across a few neat things I thought I'd share. The first is an excellent book that is now in the public domain, which means you can read it on line for free. It's called Secret Chambers and Hiding Places and is available at…