FEATURES:

The Real St. Nick
Didst thou know that the origins of our modern-day Santa Claus come not from a round chubby soul at the North Pole but from St. Nicholas, a fourth-century saint born and bred in faraway Lycian Turkey? We reveal his virtuous life of piety, charity, and compassion that has transcended the centuries to become a worldwide icon.

The Tarot
The next time you have your cards red, ask yourself how this magical practice began. Some say the cards came from ancient Egypt, others claim that they were brought into Europe by Gypsies. Renaissance Magazine digs into the myth-enshrouded origins of the tarot to separate fact from fiction.

Pilgrim Badges
Pilgrimages to Christian holy sites date back to the early Roman Church, and were usually undertaken only by the wealthy. Just as modern tourists on vacation buy t-shirts and coffee mugs in gift shops to remember places they visit, our medieval ancestors wanted tokens to remember their pilgrimage experience. These souvenirs took the form of distinctive pilgrim badges, purchased by the devout by direct sale or through licensed vendors.

The Renaissance Herbalist: Rosemary
There is nothing like the clean scent of fresh rosemary to clear a fogged brain. Today, rosemary is best known as a culinary herb. In the past, it was thought to help colds, dullness of the mind, memory, headaches, gas and indigestion, poor eyesight, and more. We show you how you can make this beautiful herb part of your daily life.

Runkelstein, South Tyrol's Illustrated Castle
In the northern Italy city of Bozen, beautifully situated in the Dolemite Mountains, stands Runkelstein Castle, strategically placed on a rocky outcrop above the tranquil Talfer River. Come with us as we view the extraordinary secular frescoes that adorn this historic castle.

The Peculiar Laws of Olde Englande
England's convoluted and often bizarre laws reflect the changes that were occurrin gin their society during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Many of England's strange laws were not repealed until centuries later, when they had finally become so absurd that they were quietly struck off the books.