Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 11/10/2026Now prowling Risorgimento Genoa. Left in disgust a vastly grandiose café which blithely informed me they were cash only (weird behaviour I more associate with Germany, and not with a place selling €30 cakes in Italy). Instead in a back street bar that takes payment in any reasonable form. Good. 0160
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/10/2026More of the sixteenth-century Villa del Principe, Genoa - epitome of shabby chic, and now beleaguered between the main station and the elevated section of the autostrada. Genoa needs its own Big Dig. 0132
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Despite all the baroque swagger, Genoa not wholly without some medieval swagger. 0515
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Animals in Genoese palaces today. If I were a faun I would, I’m sure, need to get my hooves gilded. 0101
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Genoese naval tapestries. In the sixteenth-century Villa del Principe, for the Doria family, and quite astonishing. 27015
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/10/2026The Palazzo Reale in Genoa, earlier today, and very wonderful. 1316
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 09/10/2026In the Grand Hotel Bristol in Genoa. Most satisfactory. 1242
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 04/10/2026This afternoon in Lichfield. A fine city. 3373
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Today for one of my regular Sunday walks around the Fitzwilliam. These three caught my eye today 1154
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 13/09/2026This weekend in Shoreham. Spectacular Romanesque church. 0161
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Today at Houghton - looking splendid in the autumn sunshine. Sir Robert Walpole’s library. 0256
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Planning New Year travel. Anyone know where? 5151
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026I think the last time I saw this wonderful picture - Jan Steen’s Burgomeister of Delft - it was still in Wales, at Penrhyn Castle (sold to the Rjiksmuseum for $11.9m in 2004). 1272
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Always good to pass through a library when on my travels. 2636
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Yesterday to the chained library at Zutphen. 2425
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Reading, with pleasure and profit, Deborah Clarke’s book on the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh - the first on this very remarkable building. 193
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Back on the Gulf of Kotor, a fortnight on. 080
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Today to the monastery at Ostrog, Montenegro. Perched in an unbelievably vertiginous location hundreds of meters up a cliff, with long lines of pilgrims waiting to venerate the relics of St Basil. 1406
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Today at Morača, founded in 1252. Montenegro, and spectacular. 0233
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Now in Kotor. A new country (at least for me). 2101
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Received in audience by the Rector. Don’t tell the Ragusans but it’s a bit Toytown Venice. I think me may be bored as he’s locked in the Palace for the duration of his month in office. 071
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Looking out for Uskok raiders from the walls of Ragusa. All quiet so far. 1130
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 25/07/2026A demanding afternoon, but someone has to do it … 1203
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Galleys sighted off Ragusa. Could this be a preliminary to a Venetian attack? 0171
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Ok the south of Antwerp on a Sunday morning. 0366
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 21/06/2026At the Ferens Gallery in Hull. Good pictures. 1131
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Sitting in the Society of Antiquaries in London, enjoying ice-cold aircon on a sticky evening and reflecting that I must be unusual in having a close association with with two organisations with a charter from and commemorating with gratitude poor old Queen Mary (plus the Ants, with her portrait). 0222
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Yesterday at Melford Hall. Fine library interior by Thomas Hopper. 1184
Dr Mark Purcell @camlibresearch.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Quite like my little corner of Cambridge. Stormy, though. 0142