Weekend Reading Extravaganza: from Da Vinci to Venice; from maps to world wonders; from bridges to train stations; from rock history to Canadian history

Over the last few weeks I have seen some interesting posts about art, culture, etc. that didn't seem to fit into a daily post. So I have gathered them all together here. Enjoy! 

First, a fascinating assembly here -- did you know that Leonardo Da Vinci only did 20 paintings in his lifetime, some never finished?

And here's another fascinating DaVinci art story, about the Last Supper:

Many aren't aware it's a mural, painted on the wall of a church refectory in Milan.

It's survival today is a miracle — it came inches from destruction in WW2, and has faded so much that monks once felt happy to knock through Christ's feet for a new doorway. pic.twitter.com/AQEwurO2Jr

— Culture Critic (@Culture_Crit) July 30, 2024

Next, here are two interesting posts that explain Venice:

Do you ever wonder how Venice seems to float on the Adriatic Sea?

Well, the entire city was built on a forest of 10 million tree trunks — over a thousand years ago... (thread) 🧵 pic.twitter.com/b2jZvgKym9

— Culture Critic (@Culture_Crit) August 6, 2024

The story of how Venice was builtpic.twitter.com/Mnn8q5MnWo

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 7, 2024

How about some cool maps:

2. An image of GPS tracking of multiple wolves in six different packs around Voyageurs National Park shows how much the wolf packs avoid each other's range. pic.twitter.com/iDRNhoNwH7

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) August 6, 2024

And one more:

Clans of Scotland pic.twitter.com/mbP9APj4o4

— Amazing Maps (@amazingmap) July 24, 2024

And in honor of the Paris Olympics, this funny one: 

 Here's a thread about wonders under the sea:

2. This fisherman with a deep sea Wolf Eel pic.twitter.com/WW2dIRkl7N

— Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) August 12, 2024

Look up, look way up:

2. Eruption on Mount Etna gives the illusion of a Phoenix in the sky pic.twitter.com/0NNuHsNsZy

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) July 30, 2024

And here are some immense wonders:

2. Giant Groundsels, prehistoric plants found on Mt Kilimanjaro pic.twitter.com/z9jQg2Dc1G

— Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) July 22, 2024

2. Not the beautiful Florida view anyone imagined! Courtesy of hurricane lan in 2022 pic.twitter.com/KzyFa34y8b

— Wolf of X (@tradingMaxiSL) August 13, 2024

1. Great Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq (2100 BC)

A massive Sumerian stepped pyramid built by King Ur-Nammu, during the most prosperous time of the Empire.

The whole structure was made from mud bricks, each individually molded and dried in the sun before construction. pic.twitter.com/MdeOF1tz2W

— World View (@XWorldView) July 30, 2024

Most beautiful bridges:

2. Millau Viaduct, France

As the tallest bridge in the world, it offers the unique experience of driving above the clouds. pic.twitter.com/mokochS58m

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) August 4, 2024

Most beautiful train stations:

2. The 30th Street Station, Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/I6L69mUaYM

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) July 28, 2024

Incredible guitar riffs:

2. Money for Nothing - Dire Straits pic.twitter.com/rRx8F8I6a0

— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) August 8, 2024

And speaking of making history:

Three Indigenous premiers together at the national conference in Halifax. What a moment in history! @WabKinew @RJSimpson_NWT

ᐱᖓᓱᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᓯᕗᓕᖅᑏᑦ ᑲᑎᖦᖢᑎᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑲᑎᒪᕕᒃᔪᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ Hᐊᓕᕚᒃᔅᒥ. ᐅᐊᑲᓪᓚᐅᓚᐅᕐᐳᖅ ᐊᑐᕐᑕᕗᑦ! pic.twitter.com/FXBituDlOf

— Premier P.J. Akeeagok (@j_akeeagok) July 18, 2024

A Saskatchewan woman is making history in the NHL.

Jessica Campbell, who is originally from Moosomin, has been named an assistant coach by the league’s Seattle Kraken.https://t.co/ppNW1HOaGD

— 980 CJME (@CJMENews) July 3, 2024