The California Zephyr is one of the most scenic long distance rail routes in the United States, carrying passengers along its 3,924 kilometer journey between Chicago and San Francisco.
The train passes through seven states including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. In winter, the journey becomes a breathtaking immersion in snow and ice. At times, snowdrifts rise higher than the train itself, visible just beyond the glass. Canyons turn into frozen galleries, trees shimmer with icicles, the Colorado River partially freezes, and snow covered cliffs loom overhead.
The route takes more than 50 hours to complete, giving passengers ample time to take in the the scenery. Panoramic windows offer the best vantage point, allowing travellers to fully appreciate the dramatic shifts in landscape along the way.
The modern California Zephyr is a newer version of the original train, which was operated by a private company from the 1940s to the 1970s. That earlier service took an alternate route through Nevada and California.
P.S. Youβll forget your phone exists somewhere around Nebraska.
πππ¬
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
The train passes through seven states including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. In winter, the journey becomes a breathtaking immersion in snow and ice. At times, snowdrifts rise higher than the train itself, visible just beyond the glass. Canyons turn into frozen galleries, trees shimmer with icicles, the Colorado River partially freezes, and snow covered cliffs loom overhead.
The route takes more than 50 hours to complete, giving passengers ample time to take in the the scenery. Panoramic windows offer the best vantage point, allowing travellers to fully appreciate the dramatic shifts in landscape along the way.
The modern California Zephyr is a newer version of the original train, which was operated by a private company from the 1940s to the 1970s. That earlier service took an alternate route through Nevada and California.
P.S. Youβll forget your phone exists somewhere around Nebraska.
πππ¬
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
The study of transportation flows became a real science in the mid-20th century, when cities were paralysed by traffic. After World War Two, governments started to demand solutions to perpetual rush hours from scientists.
One of them was Reuben J. Smeed, a British statistician. He noticed something curious in central London. No matter what, the average speed of cars tended to stay around nine miles per hour, or about 14 kilometres per hour. Go faster and people would stop driving. Go slower and congestion just grew. Smeed later led the Smeed Report, which explored ideas such as charging for road use and traffic management.
Around the same time, economists Downs and Thomson developed what is now known as the Downs-Thomson paradox. In short, car speeds in a city tend to match the average speed of public transport, including the whole door-to-door trip. Add more roads and more drivers appear. Speeds eventually drop back to the same slow pace.
The takeaway is clear. To improve traffic, cities must invest in public transport and manage car use. Bus lanes, metro expansions, and congestion charges are designed to encourage people out of cars and onto more efficient transit. Not everyone is happy with these measures, but they work.
P.S. Itβs not road rage, itβs science.
π < π
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Science #PS_NPS_Transport
One of them was Reuben J. Smeed, a British statistician. He noticed something curious in central London. No matter what, the average speed of cars tended to stay around nine miles per hour, or about 14 kilometres per hour. Go faster and people would stop driving. Go slower and congestion just grew. Smeed later led the Smeed Report, which explored ideas such as charging for road use and traffic management.
Around the same time, economists Downs and Thomson developed what is now known as the Downs-Thomson paradox. In short, car speeds in a city tend to match the average speed of public transport, including the whole door-to-door trip. Add more roads and more drivers appear. Speeds eventually drop back to the same slow pace.
The takeaway is clear. To improve traffic, cities must invest in public transport and manage car use. Bus lanes, metro expansions, and congestion charges are designed to encourage people out of cars and onto more efficient transit. Not everyone is happy with these measures, but they work.
P.S. Itβs not road rage, itβs science.
π < π
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Science #PS_NPS_Transport
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Across Europe, you can find bridges called simply New Bridge. The name usually appeared at the most practical of moments: when an old crossing collapsed, its replacement was, naturally, βnew.β Centuries passed, the bridges endured, and the name stuck. Today, some of the oldest bridges still introduce themselves as New.
π Ronda, Spain
Puente Nuevo was completed in 1798 after the earlier bridge fell into the gorge below. Towering nearly 90 meters above the river, it feels more like a stone fortress than a mere crossing. At one point, a small prison was hidden inside its walls.
π Paris, France
Pont Neuf, finished in 1607, is the oldest surviving bridge in Paris. Constructed under Henry IV, it still carries the quiet weight of the Middle Ages. Along its sides, dozens of carved stone faces quietly watch the Seine.
π Oxfordshire, England
New Bridge, near the village of Morton, dates back to around 1250 and is often claimed to be the oldest bridge over the Thames. Its supporters note that older contenders were rebuilt so extensively they hardly count. Everyone agrees on one thing: this New Bridge has earned its permanence.
P.S. Age is just a number, for ladies and bridges alike.
βοΈπ¨β¨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
Puente Nuevo was completed in 1798 after the earlier bridge fell into the gorge below. Towering nearly 90 meters above the river, it feels more like a stone fortress than a mere crossing. At one point, a small prison was hidden inside its walls.
Pont Neuf, finished in 1607, is the oldest surviving bridge in Paris. Constructed under Henry IV, it still carries the quiet weight of the Middle Ages. Along its sides, dozens of carved stone faces quietly watch the Seine.
New Bridge, near the village of Morton, dates back to around 1250 and is often claimed to be the oldest bridge over the Thames. Its supporters note that older contenders were rebuilt so extensively they hardly count. Everyone agrees on one thing: this New Bridge has earned its permanence.
P.S. Age is just a number, for ladies and bridges alike.
βοΈπ¨β¨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
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Itβs standard to start your workday with a steaming cup of coffee. But there was a time when this simple ritual could cost you dearly.
Prussia, 1781. King Frederick the Great issues a decree declaring coffee roasting an exclusive royal monopoly. From that moment on, coffee beans could be roasted only at special royal facilities. All private roasting equipment was confiscated, and home roasting was banned under threat of severe fines.
To enforce the law and track down offenders, Frederick recruited citizens who were unfit for military service but possessed an exceptional sense of smell. These agents became known as Kaffee SchnΓΌfflers, or coffee sniffers. They roamed the streets, searching for the unmistakable aroma of freshly roasted beans.
For every successful report, a sniffer received a quarter of the confiscated property. Their appearance on the street meant only one thing. Someone was about to be in serious trouble.
Ironically, Frederick the Great himself was a devoted coffee drinker. He reportedly enjoyed his coffee with champagne and mustard. For ordinary citizens, however, coffee was meant to remain an unattainable luxury. The king believed that soldiers raised on beer were more reliable than coffee drinkers.
The monopoly lasted nearly twenty years. But coffee proved stronger than royal decree, and within just a few years of the ban, the drink quietly made its way back into everyday life.
P.S. Royal taste buds are a law of their own.
ππ΅π»ββοΈβοΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
Prussia, 1781. King Frederick the Great issues a decree declaring coffee roasting an exclusive royal monopoly. From that moment on, coffee beans could be roasted only at special royal facilities. All private roasting equipment was confiscated, and home roasting was banned under threat of severe fines.
To enforce the law and track down offenders, Frederick recruited citizens who were unfit for military service but possessed an exceptional sense of smell. These agents became known as Kaffee SchnΓΌfflers, or coffee sniffers. They roamed the streets, searching for the unmistakable aroma of freshly roasted beans.
For every successful report, a sniffer received a quarter of the confiscated property. Their appearance on the street meant only one thing. Someone was about to be in serious trouble.
Ironically, Frederick the Great himself was a devoted coffee drinker. He reportedly enjoyed his coffee with champagne and mustard. For ordinary citizens, however, coffee was meant to remain an unattainable luxury. The king believed that soldiers raised on beer were more reliable than coffee drinkers.
The monopoly lasted nearly twenty years. But coffee proved stronger than royal decree, and within just a few years of the ban, the drink quietly made its way back into everyday life.
P.S. Royal taste buds are a law of their own.
ππ΅π»ββοΈβοΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
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In the nineteenth century, electric lighting was a luxury few households could afford. Keeping a single incandescent bulb lit was four and a half times more expensive than using kerosene lamps.
Electric light soon became a fashionable novelty in wealthy homes. Hosts were eager to impress, and special βelectricβ balls became the latest trend. Journalist Vladimir Nelidov recalled that one favorite form of entertainment was simply βgoing to turn on the light.β Guests would enter a dark hall, the host would press a switch, and the room would suddenly fill with light. The effect never failed to amaze.
The reaction, however, was not always positive. Some observers noted that the unforgiving brightness of electric light exposed society ladies who were used to applying their makeup by the softer glow of gas lamps. Under the new lighting, they appeared, as one writer put it, like poorly painted dolls.
Power failures caused their own kind of panic. At one ball, the electricity went out just as a high ranking official arrived. The shock was so great that the hostess fainted. Servants had to rush to nearby shops in search of candles.
P.S. When the light switch was more exciting than the dance floor.
π―ππΌπ‘
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
Electric light soon became a fashionable novelty in wealthy homes. Hosts were eager to impress, and special βelectricβ balls became the latest trend. Journalist Vladimir Nelidov recalled that one favorite form of entertainment was simply βgoing to turn on the light.β Guests would enter a dark hall, the host would press a switch, and the room would suddenly fill with light. The effect never failed to amaze.
The reaction, however, was not always positive. Some observers noted that the unforgiving brightness of electric light exposed society ladies who were used to applying their makeup by the softer glow of gas lamps. Under the new lighting, they appeared, as one writer put it, like poorly painted dolls.
Power failures caused their own kind of panic. At one ball, the electricity went out just as a high ranking official arrived. The shock was so great that the hostess fainted. Servants had to rush to nearby shops in search of candles.
P.S. When the light switch was more exciting than the dance floor.
π―ππΌπ‘
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
Across savannas and mountains, from the Indian Ocean to copper mines, the Tanzam Railway is more than just a railway. It is a symbol of independence for two African countries. Locals call it the βGreat Uhuru Railway,β with uhuru meaning freedom.
Construction began in 1970 after Tanzania and Zambia gained independence from Britain. The goal was to create a domestic route for exporting copper. The project took five years and relied on support from China. Conditions for workers were harsh. They had to grow their own food and, according to some accounts, sometimes drink water from elephant footprints. They also faced attacks from lions and hyenas and the constant threat of tropical diseases.
The line connects the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam with Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. It stretches 1,860 kilometers and has a track gauge of 1,067 millimeters. Building the route through mountains and deep swamps required 46 bridges, 18 tunnels, and 36 culverts.
Today, TAZARA attracts tourists with its scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Passenger trains take 36 to 50 hours to travel the full route. The line passes through the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africaβs largest, where elephants, antelopes, giraffes, and zebras can often be seen from the window.
P.S.Survival skills were part of the job description.
πππΎπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
Construction began in 1970 after Tanzania and Zambia gained independence from Britain. The goal was to create a domestic route for exporting copper. The project took five years and relied on support from China. Conditions for workers were harsh. They had to grow their own food and, according to some accounts, sometimes drink water from elephant footprints. They also faced attacks from lions and hyenas and the constant threat of tropical diseases.
The line connects the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam with Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. It stretches 1,860 kilometers and has a track gauge of 1,067 millimeters. Building the route through mountains and deep swamps required 46 bridges, 18 tunnels, and 36 culverts.
Today, TAZARA attracts tourists with its scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Passenger trains take 36 to 50 hours to travel the full route. The line passes through the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africaβs largest, where elephants, antelopes, giraffes, and zebras can often be seen from the window.
P.S.Survival skills were part of the job description.
πππΎπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
Can a tiny country build a record-breaking bridge? At the start of the 20th century, Luxembourg proved it could.
Sitting between Germany, France, and Belgium, Luxembourg had spent centuries focused on defense. By the late 19th century, Europe seemed peaceful, and the hills and valleys that once protected the country had become obstacles for trade. Local engineers turned their attention to railways and bridges.
National pride played a role too. How do you show the world that your small country is independent? Build something unique and record-breaking.
In 1904, the Pont Adolphe was completed in the center of Luxembourg City. Local builders led the work with guidance from French engineer Paul SΓ©journΓ©. He designed a stone arch with a record 86-meter span. For a stone bridge, that was unprecedented. The previous record, Italyβs Ponte di Trezzo from 1377, had held at 72 meters. SΓ©journΓ© added a modern touch. The arch was covered with a thin layer of concrete.
In the 21st century, a lower deck for pedestrians and cyclists was added and steel reinforcements were installed. The record span still stands and for Luxembourgers, the Pont Adolphe remains a source of pride and their beloved world champion.
P.S. The engineering version of a Napoleon complex.
π¨ππͺ¨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture
Sitting between Germany, France, and Belgium, Luxembourg had spent centuries focused on defense. By the late 19th century, Europe seemed peaceful, and the hills and valleys that once protected the country had become obstacles for trade. Local engineers turned their attention to railways and bridges.
National pride played a role too. How do you show the world that your small country is independent? Build something unique and record-breaking.
In 1904, the Pont Adolphe was completed in the center of Luxembourg City. Local builders led the work with guidance from French engineer Paul SΓ©journΓ©. He designed a stone arch with a record 86-meter span. For a stone bridge, that was unprecedented. The previous record, Italyβs Ponte di Trezzo from 1377, had held at 72 meters. SΓ©journΓ© added a modern touch. The arch was covered with a thin layer of concrete.
In the 21st century, a lower deck for pedestrians and cyclists was added and steel reinforcements were installed. The record span still stands and for Luxembourgers, the Pont Adolphe remains a source of pride and their beloved world champion.
P.S. The engineering version of a Napoleon complex.
π¨ππͺ¨
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Architecture
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Tired of constant scrolling? Has your attention span taken a serious hit? Then you might be ready for something else entirely. Slow TV. Hours of unedited footage, no cuts, no tricks, no rush.
The genre was pioneered by the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. In 2009, it aired a seven hour program following a train journey from Bergen to Oslo.
The film was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bergen Line, the highest mainline railway in Northern Europe. A camera was placed at the front of the train, showing the track exactly as the driver sees it. Interviews with crew members, conductors, historians, and passengers were recorded. Whenever the train entered a tunnel, archival footage appeared on screen. In the end, the broadcast lasted exactly as long as the real journey.
The result was unexpected. The film quickly became a cult favorite. On average, 176,000 people watched, compared with the usual 33,000. In total, 1,246,000 Norwegians, nearly 20 percent of the population, tuned in at least once.
P.S. Looks like we know how to spend a Friday evening.
π°π’πΊ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
The genre was pioneered by the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. In 2009, it aired a seven hour program following a train journey from Bergen to Oslo.
The film was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bergen Line, the highest mainline railway in Northern Europe. A camera was placed at the front of the train, showing the track exactly as the driver sees it. Interviews with crew members, conductors, historians, and passengers were recorded. Whenever the train entered a tunnel, archival footage appeared on screen. In the end, the broadcast lasted exactly as long as the real journey.
The result was unexpected. The film quickly became a cult favorite. On average, 176,000 people watched, compared with the usual 33,000. In total, 1,246,000 Norwegians, nearly 20 percent of the population, tuned in at least once.
P.S. Looks like we know how to spend a Friday evening.
π°π’πΊ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
GC NPS makes its debut in Riyadh, presenting advanced Russian railway automation solutions at INNOPROM Saudi Arabia.
One of the featured solutions is RAIL TMS, an intelligent rail traffic management system. Its built-in smart module can automatically generate an optimal train schedule in seconds without operator involvement. The system evaluates dozens of operational parameters, including train speed, track occupancy, and rolling stock availability.
RAIL TMS can also anticipate potential operational issues across the rail network and offer dispatchers practical response options. The system is already in operation in Kazakhstan on the Zhetygen-Altynkol rail corridor, which spans 293 km.
GC NPS experts are also taking part in the INNOPROM business program, sharing hands-on experience in transportation infrastructure development and exploring opportunities for international cooperation.
The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. It brings together companies from 10 countries, including more than 250 exhibitors from Russia.
See the exhibition come to life, click here to watch.
P.S. Trains running like clockwork, with less work.
πΈπ¦β±οΈπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_News #PS_NPS_Projects
One of the featured solutions is RAIL TMS, an intelligent rail traffic management system. Its built-in smart module can automatically generate an optimal train schedule in seconds without operator involvement. The system evaluates dozens of operational parameters, including train speed, track occupancy, and rolling stock availability.
RAIL TMS can also anticipate potential operational issues across the rail network and offer dispatchers practical response options. The system is already in operation in Kazakhstan on the Zhetygen-Altynkol rail corridor, which spans 293 km.
GC NPS experts are also taking part in the INNOPROM business program, sharing hands-on experience in transportation infrastructure development and exploring opportunities for international cooperation.
The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. It brings together companies from 10 countries, including more than 250 exhibitors from Russia.
See the exhibition come to life, click here to watch.
P.S. Trains running like clockwork, with less work.
πΈπ¦β±οΈπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_News #PS_NPS_Projects
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key area of interest for Russian companies in terms of infrastructure project implementation.
This was stated by Dmitry Bolotsky, Deputy CEO for Commercial Affairs at GC NPS, during the INNOPROM business program in Riyadh.
According to him, GC NPS is currently exploring opportunities for joint projects in the Kingdom.
P.S. Infrastructure doesnβt build itself.
π€ π£οΈποΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Projects
This was stated by Dmitry Bolotsky, Deputy CEO for Commercial Affairs at GC NPS, during the INNOPROM business program in Riyadh.
According to him, GC NPS is currently exploring opportunities for joint projects in the Kingdom.
βAs Russiaβs leading infrastructure holding, we can offer innovative solutions and advanced technologies for the construction of highways and railways, bridges, and other infrastructure facilities in Saudi Arabia. GC NPS has extensive experience in delivering large-scale projects,β Dmitry Bolotsky noted.
P.S. Infrastructure doesnβt build itself.
π€ π£οΈποΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Projects
A railway bridge cuts across Dudhsagar Falls, the βSea of Milk,β in South Goa, right at the edge of the Western Ghats.
Built in the 19th century, the arched structure looks almost unreal against the jungle, with sun-darkened concrete, a sheer drop below, and thick tropical forest pressing in from every side.
Trains crawl across this stretch for a reason. The air is heavy with moisture, fog rolls in without warning, and the terrain is unforgiving. Dudhsagar, one of Indiaβs tallest waterfalls at roughly 310 meters, throws up walls of mist during the monsoon that can completely hide the bridge.
The falls are meant to be experienced in motion, not on foot. The railway cuts through protected jungle, and walking to the waterfall without an authorized guide is prohibited and fined.
P.S. Make a wish while crossing! Locals say itβs sure to come true.
π π₯π
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
Built in the 19th century, the arched structure looks almost unreal against the jungle, with sun-darkened concrete, a sheer drop below, and thick tropical forest pressing in from every side.
Trains crawl across this stretch for a reason. The air is heavy with moisture, fog rolls in without warning, and the terrain is unforgiving. Dudhsagar, one of Indiaβs tallest waterfalls at roughly 310 meters, throws up walls of mist during the monsoon that can completely hide the bridge.
The falls are meant to be experienced in motion, not on foot. The railway cuts through protected jungle, and walking to the waterfall without an authorized guide is prohibited and fined.
P.S. Make a wish while crossing! Locals say itβs sure to come true.
π π₯π
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
January hit central Russia hard with snow, up to half a meter in just twelve days. Clearing it fell to the road crews of MTTS, a GC NPS subsidiary, working across the Central and Southern Federal Districts.
Over 2 million square meters of highways were cleared, which meant moving more than 700,000 cubic meters of snow, or roughly 0.7 quadrillion snowflakes. On some stretches, crews treated the roads with anti-icing materials up to six times a day.
It was a massive operation: more than 2,000 people were involved, including 1,062 drivers of heavy machinery and 943 road workers.
More snowstorms are expected, but the worst of winter is behind us. Spring is on the horizon, and the dedication of GC NPS road crews remains the best guarantee for safe roads.
P.S. Let it snow, let it snowβ¦
πͺ π¨οΈ π»
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Projects
Over 2 million square meters of highways were cleared, which meant moving more than 700,000 cubic meters of snow, or roughly 0.7 quadrillion snowflakes. On some stretches, crews treated the roads with anti-icing materials up to six times a day.
It was a massive operation: more than 2,000 people were involved, including 1,062 drivers of heavy machinery and 943 road workers.
More snowstorms are expected, but the worst of winter is behind us. Spring is on the horizon, and the dedication of GC NPS road crews remains the best guarantee for safe roads.
P.S. Let it snow, let it snowβ¦
πͺ π¨οΈ π»
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Projects
The West Highland Line is widely regarded as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the UK.
Stretching around 330 kilometers, the route winds past shimmering lochs, cuts through dramatic mountain landscapes, and crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. From Glasgow to Crianlarich, all trains follow the same track before the line divides.
One branch, opened in 1894, continues north to Fort William and on to Mallaig. This is the route the Hogwarts Express took in the Harry Potter movies.
The second branch, completed in 1901, heads west to the port town of Oban. Along the way, it passes charming villages and the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, a 15th century stronghold set against a breathtaking Highland backdrop.
P.S. No magic required. Just a window seat and good weather.
ππͺβ°οΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
Stretching around 330 kilometers, the route winds past shimmering lochs, cuts through dramatic mountain landscapes, and crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. From Glasgow to Crianlarich, all trains follow the same track before the line divides.
One branch, opened in 1894, continues north to Fort William and on to Mallaig. This is the route the Hogwarts Express took in the Harry Potter movies.
The second branch, completed in 1901, heads west to the port town of Oban. Along the way, it passes charming villages and the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, a 15th century stronghold set against a breathtaking Highland backdrop.
P.S. No magic required. Just a window seat and good weather.
ππͺβ°οΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
Mentioned by ancient writers and travelers, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, also called the Pharos, was one of the tallest structures of the ancient world and one of the Seven Wonders. Today, its remains rest on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea.
The city, founded by Alexander the Great, was linked to the island of Pharos by a long mole, turning the harbor into a major trading hub. Built in the 3rd century BCE, the lighthouse worked as a navigation beacon, lookout point, and defensive structure.
Rising roughly 120 to 150 meters, it combined a square base, an octagonal tower, and a round upper level topped with a dome. A spiral ramp ran inside, while a great flame reflected by bronze mirrors guided ships from over 50 kilometers away.
The lighthouse stood for nearly 1,500 years before earthquakes brought it down. In 1480, its stones were reused to build the Citadel of Qaitbay. Its name lives on in many languages, where the word for lighthouse traces back to βPharos.β
P.S. Historyβs first βturn left at the light.β
π―οΈπβοΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
The city, founded by Alexander the Great, was linked to the island of Pharos by a long mole, turning the harbor into a major trading hub. Built in the 3rd century BCE, the lighthouse worked as a navigation beacon, lookout point, and defensive structure.
Rising roughly 120 to 150 meters, it combined a square base, an octagonal tower, and a round upper level topped with a dome. A spiral ramp ran inside, while a great flame reflected by bronze mirrors guided ships from over 50 kilometers away.
The lighthouse stood for nearly 1,500 years before earthquakes brought it down. In 1480, its stones were reused to build the Citadel of Qaitbay. Its name lives on in many languages, where the word for lighthouse traces back to βPharos.β
P.S. Historyβs first βturn left at the light.β
π―οΈπβοΈ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_History
The Museum Station in Toronto opened in 1963 and looked quite ordinary for many years. Simple tiles, almost no decoration, and nothing that really matched its ambitious name.
That changed decades later, when the station was completely reimagined. The redesign took inspiration from the nearby Royal Ontario Museum, turning the space into something closer to a living exhibition.
Today, the platforms feature elements from different cultures and time periods. You can spot Egyptian figures, classical Greek columns, references to Chinaβs Forbidden City, and motifs drawn from Indigenous Canadian heritage. Designers worked with historians and curators to make sure each detail was accurate.
The stationβs name carries a hidden detail. Inside the letters is a hieroglyphic inscription taken from the tomb of an Egyptian official who lived around 2300 BCE, adding another quiet layer of meaning to an everyday commute.
P.S. Next stop: ancient history.
ππΏπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport
That changed decades later, when the station was completely reimagined. The redesign took inspiration from the nearby Royal Ontario Museum, turning the space into something closer to a living exhibition.
Today, the platforms feature elements from different cultures and time periods. You can spot Egyptian figures, classical Greek columns, references to Chinaβs Forbidden City, and motifs drawn from Indigenous Canadian heritage. Designers worked with historians and curators to make sure each detail was accurate.
The stationβs name carries a hidden detail. Inside the letters is a hieroglyphic inscription taken from the tomb of an Egyptian official who lived around 2300 BCE, adding another quiet layer of meaning to an everyday commute.
P.S. Next stop: ancient history.
ππΏπ
#PS_NPS #NationalProjectConstruction #PS_NPS_Explained #PS_NPS_Transport