Contest #970 – Herľany Geyser, Slovakia

The Herľany geyser in eastern Slovakia is a rare cold-water geyser whose eruptions are driven not by geothermal heat but by natural carbon dioxide rising from deep geological layers.

Located near the village of Herľany (German: Herlein, Hungarian: Ránkfüred or Herlány) at the foot of the Slanské vrchy, it has been active since the 19th century, when a spa well unexpectedly transformed into a periodic eruptive spring. Its water column can reach 10–15 meters, shooting upward in a powerful jet that lasts roughly 20–30 minutes. The interval between eruptions is long and irregular, typically around 32–36 hours, which gives the site an air of anticipation and makes each eruption a small event for visitors. The water is cool, mineral-rich, and slightly effervescent due to dissolved CO₂, reflecting the volcanic origins of the surrounding landscape.

Historically, the geyser became a scientific curiosity and a regional attraction soon after its discovery, drawing both spa guests and geologists. According to average eruptive activity data, the geyser erupted over 40,000 times in its 120 years of activity. It remains one of the few cold-water geysers in Europe and is protected as a natural monument. The surrounding parkland preserves the atmosphere of the old spa era, with walking paths and remnants of 19th‑century facilities. Today, the geyser stands as a geological rarity that blends natural spectacle with the cultural history of Slovak spa traditions.

Those who found it without a hint:

  • Martin de Bock
  • Garfield
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Phil Ower
  • Lighthouse

And after the hint:

  • Graham Hedley
  • Bernd
  • Zorro the Fox

And this ends the “Unvisited Europe” series.
Maybe some of you have recognised the theme on the way.
Now we have covered all countries of Europe (except for the microstate of Monaco, where I found no image of interest that is not recognised by a reverse image search engine).

Congratulations to the winners of this series for their perfect score of 20/20:

  • Martin de Bock
  • Garfield
  • Phil Ower

Contest #969 – Šeduva Mill, Šeduva, Lithuania

Seduvos Malūnas is a mill in Šeduva built in 1905 that burned during construction, stood ruined for decades, and was repeatedly repurposed before its full restoration in the early 2000s. Construction began in 1905, when a new mill was planned for the growing town, but a fire destroyed the structure before completion.
The building survived the upheavals of the early 20th century yet suffered further wartime damage, after which it remained largely abandoned. In 1967, during the Soviet period, the derelict mill briefly returned to life as an entertainment venue, attracting crowds like a festive fairground. After this short revival, it again fell into neglect and slowly decayed.
A major turning point came in the early 2000s, when a full restoration transformed the ruin into a restaurant, event space, and small hotel, preserving its historic silhouette while giving it a new cultural role. The renewed complex incorporates symbolic design elements—especially motifs built around the number seven, considered a sign of luck—intended to create a harmonious atmosphere. Today Seduvos Malūnas stands as a revived landmark, blending industrial heritage with hospitality and reflecting Šeduva’s resilience in reinventing its historic spaces.

Those who found it without a hint:

  • Martin de Bock
  • Zorro the Fox
  • Phil Ower
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Garfield

And after the hint:

  • Graham Hedley
  • Eloy Cano

Contest #968 – The Jesus Tree of Malta

  • Malta

Yet another famous tree, the Jesus Tree of Malta, also known as the Crucifix Tree, is a once‑famous pine tree that stood at the base of Telgħa tas‑Saqqajja near Mdina. According to local tradition, the tree was struck by lightning decades ago, and the damaged trunk took on a form that many Maltese believed resembled Jesus Christ on the Cross. This resemblance turned the tree into a small pilgrimage site, where people left candles, flowers, and handwritten prayers. It became a well‑known roadside landmark for those heading toward Mdina or Ta’ Qali, frequently appearing in guidebooks and travel blogs.

Over time, the tree’s condition deteriorated, and the original trunk eventually collapsed, but its memory remains deeply rooted in Maltese folklore. Today, the site is still marked and visited, with plaques and small memorial elements preserving the story. The legend continues to fascinate visitors, blending natural curiosity with spiritual symbolism. Although the Catholic Church does not recognize such apparitions as public revelations, the tree remains a cultural icon, illustrating how local belief and landscape intertwine in Malta’s heritage. The spot at Telgħa tas‑Saqqajja thus endures as a quiet reminder of a once‑living symbol that captured the imagination of generations.

Those who found it, all before the hint:

  • Graham Hedley
  • Eloy Cano
  • Martin de Bock
  • Zorro the Fox
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Lighthouse

Contest #967- Old Olive Tree, Mirovica, Montenegro

Stara Maslina

The Stara Maslina (Old Olive Tree) is a European olive tree (Olea europaea) believed to be the oldest tree of its kind in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. It is located in Mirovica (or Tomba) village of the municipality of Stari Bar, Montenegro, and was protected by law and declared a natural monument in 1957. It is one of the most important natural assets in Montenegro.

The tree is estimated to be over 2000 years old. It has been destroyed by fire twice in the past, but has recovered both times and is still producing fruit. The fruit is still harvested and olive oil is made from it, which is sold to visitors to the complex. Interest in the Old Olive Tree is growing and is visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.

Those who found it, all before the hint:

  • Eloy Cano
  • Martin de Bock
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Lighthouse
  • Zorro the Fox
  • Graham Hedley

Contest #966-Luxembourg Solar Circle

The Enscherange Solar Circle, also known as the Kiischpelt Solar Circle, is a unique geographic landmark in northern Luxembourg. It marks the exact point where the full coordinate values of latitude 50.000000° and longitude 6.000000° intersect, making it the only such location in the entire country. This mathematically precise spot lies just outside the small village of Enscherange, within the commune of Kiischpelt.
degrees
The site is set in the quiet, hilly Éislek region and is accessible via a pleasant walking route known as the Sun Trail. Visitors arriving at the Solar Circle find a circular paved platform, a metal marker, and a small sundial, all accompanied by an information plaque explaining the significance of the coordinates. The monument stands in open countryside, surrounded by fields and gentle slopes, giving it a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere.
Luxembourg
Although modest in size, the Solar Circle has become a point of interest for hikers, geography enthusiasts, and travelers who enjoy unusual landmarks. It symbolizes the meeting point of astronomy, cartography, and local heritage, offering a rare chance to stand precisely on a whole-number coordinate intersection. The site is freely accessible throughout the year and provides a quiet, scenic stop for anyone exploring Luxembourg’s northern landscapes.

Those who found it without a hint

  • Eloy Cano
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Martin de Bock
  • Lighthouse

And after the hint:

  • Graham Hedley
  • Zorro the Fox

Contest #965 – Saint Sophia Cathedral, Polock, Belarus

Polock

The Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Polotsk, built between 1044 and 1066 by Prince Vseslav, is considered the oldest surviving church in Belarus. Dedicated to Holy Wisdom, it paralleled the great Saint Sophia cathedrals of Kyiv and Novgorod. Vseslav, an izgoi prince known in legend as a sorcerer and werewolf, enriched his cathedral with loot from his 1067 raid on Novgorod. Although heavily rebuilt over the centuries, parts of the original 11th‑century structure and the burial vaults of Polotsk princes, including Vseslav, remain. The cathedral originally had seven domes, later reduced to five after a 1447 fire. From the late 16th to early 19th century, it served as the main church of the Ruthenian Uniate Archeparchy.
Repeated fires and wars led to major reconstructions, including a Baroque rebuilding from 1738 to 1765, attributed variously to architects such as Glaubitz, Longhi, or Osikiewicz. The cathedral suffered further upheavals during the Livonian War, the Napoleonic invasion, and World War II. Its religious affiliation shifted multiple times, passing between Greek Catholic, Orthodox, and secular control. Under Soviet rule, it housed an archive and was briefly slated to become a museum of atheism.
Today, the cathedral is part of the State Museum‑Preserve of Polotsk and functions primarily as a concert hall with an organ, though discussions continue about returning it to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Those who found it without a hint:

  • Eloy Cano
  • Martin de Bock
  • Graham Hedley
  • Phil Ower
  • Lighthouse
  • Garfield
  • krenek
  • Zorro the Fox

And after the hint:

  • Bas van Limpt

Contest #964 – Pfälzerhütte, Liechtenstein

The Pfälzerhütte is a mountain hut belonging to the Liechtenstein Alpine Club. It is located at the Bettlerjoch pass at 2108 m above sea level in the Rätikon mountain range in Liechtenstein, directly on the Austrian border.

Liechtenstein

In 1925, the Association of Palatinate Sections of the German and Austrian Alpine Club was granted permission to build a managed mountain hut on the Bettlerjoch. From the architectural competition held in the autumn of 1926, which received 37 entries, the design by Ernst Sommerlad was selected. Construction took 113 days and cost 93,000 Swiss francs. The hut was opened on August 5, 1928. The first innkeepers were Ida and Hermann Ospelt from Vaduz, who ran the hut for eleven years. During the Second World War, the hut was looted and damaged several times.

After the end of the Second World War, Switzerland became the owner of the hut, and in 1950 it was acquired by the Liechtenstein Alpine Club, which paid 8400 francs for it (including its inventory). The purchase became legally binding in 1952 after Germany waived all claims arising from previous foreign sales. In 1964, the right of use of the hut was regulated between the Palatinate and Liechtenstein Alpine Clubs, who were now entitled to use the hut on an equal basis.

Those who found shelter, all before the hint:

  • Eloy Cano
  • Graham Hedley
  • krenek
  • Martin de Bock
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Bas van Limpt
  • Lighthouse

Contest #963 – ‘Calidea and the Ice Lady’, Andorra La Vella

‘Calidea and the Ice Lady’ is a collaboration by two artists completed in 2001. The group of sculptures is in a roundabout in the center of the capital city Andorra La Vella. Calidea is a figure inspired on legends and myths related by water, it was made by Ángel Calvente. The Dama de gel (Ice Lady) is a sylph on a horse, and it was made by Philip Lavaill.

Andorra

Those who found it, all before the hint:

  • Martin de Bock
  • Graham Hedley
  • krenek
  • Eloy Cano
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Garfield
  • Phil Ower
  • Lighthouse
  • Zorro the Fox

Contest #962 – Lipica Stud Farm, Slovenia

Lipica

Founded in 1580 by Charles II of Inner Austria, the Lipica Stud Farm is located in the village of Lipica (Italian: Lipizza) in the municipality of Sežana , Slovenia , not far from the Italian border. The now common name “Lipizzaner” originates from this stud farm. Lipica is one of the most popular destinations for excursions in the Karst region.

lipica

The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner horse was developed by the House of Habsburg from Arab, Barb, Spanish and Neapolitan stock. Today these beautiful horses are mostly associated with the nations of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Those who found it without a hint:

  • Lighthouse
  • Zorro the Fox
  • Graham Hedley
  • Eloy Cano
  • Martin de Bock
  • Paul Voestermans
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield

And after the hint:

  • Bas van Limpt
  • krenek

Contest #961 – Former Soviet military town Skrunda 1, Latvia

Skrunda 1
Skrunda‑1 is an abandoned Soviet military town in western Latvia, built in the 1960s to support a secret early‑warning radar complex watching NATO airspace. At its peak, it housed several thousand soldiers, technicians, and families, functioning as a closed city with its own school, shops, and apartment blocks. The site’s two Dnepr radar stations —code named by NATO as Hen House— formed part of the USSR’s ballistic‑missile detection network, and a newer Daryal radar was under construction when the Soviet Union collapsed.

After Latvia regained independence, Russia operated the facility until 1998, when the radars were dismantled and the town was vacated almost overnight. For years, the empty buildings—still filled with Soviet‑era remnants—made Skrunda‑1 a magnet for urban explorers. Although the Latvian government has explored redevelopment, much of the site has deteriorated or been partially demolished, and public access is now restricted.

Skrunda1
Today, Skrunda‑1 stands as a fading Cold War relic slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding forest.

Those who found it without a hint:

  • Zorro the Fox
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Martin de Bock
  • Eloy Cano
  • Lighthouse
  • Paul Voestermans

And after the hint:

  • krenek
  • Graham Hedley