Curiosities

Pheasant Island, known as Île des Faisans in French and Isla de los Faisanes in Spanish, is a small uninhabited islet located in the Bidasoa River, which forms part of the border between France and Spain. Despite its diminutive size, this tiny island holds immense historical significance as a symbol of peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation. The history of Pheasant Island is deeply intertwined with the complex relations between France and Spain, two European powers that have frequently been at odds throughout history. In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees, negotiated to end the long-running Franco-Spanish War, stipulated that Pheasant Island would serve as a neutral territory, jointly administered by both countries. Since then, Pheasant Island has become a symbol of reconciliation and diplomacy between France and Spain. Every six months, on February 1st and August 1st, representatives from both nations gather on the island to perform a ceremonial handover of sovereignty, symbolizing the shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Campione d’Italia is an outpost of Italy entirely surrounded by Switzerland. The town is a geographic rarity known as an enclave – a territory completely surrounded by another territory. It’s also an exclave, a closely related term describing a portion of a territory separated from its main part by another territory. While it’s less than a mile hike to the Italian border through the wooded hillside above town, it’s a 40-minute drive to Como, the Italian region’s governmental centre. The history of Campione d’Italia dates back centuries, with evidence of human settlement in the area dating to Roman times. Over the centuries, Campione changed hands multiple times between various Italian city-states and foreign powers, including the Duchy of Milan, the Swiss Confederacy, and the Kingdom of Italy. In 1918, following the end of World War I, Campione officially became part of the Italian Republic as an exclave, surrounded entirely by Swiss territory. This unique geopolitical status has contributed to Campione's distinct identity and cultural heritage, blending Italian and Swiss influences in its architecture, cuisine, and way of life. One of Campione's most iconic landmarks is the imposing Casino Municipale di Campione d'Italia, a lavish casino complex that has been a symbol of the town's prosperity and glamour since its opening in 1917. The casino, situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, attracts visitors from across Europe with its opulent décor, world-class gaming facilities, and stunning lake views.

The Tuvan People's Republic issued postage stamps between 1926 and 1936. They were popular with stamp collectors in the Western world in the mid-twentieth century because of the obscurity and exoticism of Tannu Tuva and the stamps' quirky, colorful designs. The validity of many stamps purportedly issued by Tannu Tuva has been questioned by philatelists.

Punxsutawney Phil is a legendary groundhog and the focal point of the annual Groundhog Day celebration held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States. This beloved rodent, whose origins date back to the 19th century, has become an enduring symbol of weather prediction and folklore in American culture. Each year on February 2nd, thousands gather in Punxsutawney to witness Phil's emergence from his burrow. According to tradition, if Phil sees his shadow upon emerging, it is believed that there will be six more weeks of winter weather. Conversely, if he does not see his shadow, it is interpreted as a prediction of an early spring.

The British Premonitions Bureau was formed in 1966 by psychiatrist John Barker after the Aberfan mining disaster in which 144 people, including 116 children, died when 500,000 tons of debris smashed through the Welsh town and buried the primary school. Reports of precognitive dreams foretelling of the catastrophe prompted Barker to form the bureau in the hope of predicting and avoiding future tragedies. In the 18 months the Premonitions Bureau was open, nearly 1000 reports of premonitions were collected, and while a few seemed to foretell disasters, over 90 percent failed to predict future events and none prevented any disasters.

Man, Myth & Magic: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural is an encyclopedia of the supernatural, including magic, mythology and religion. It was edited by Richard Cavendish. The art director was Brian Innes, former percussionist of surrealistic 1960s band The Temperance Seven.

Ferrante Imperato was a Neapolitan apothecary and herbalist with a broad range of interests. His cabinet of curiosities featured animals, stuffed birds, shells, stones, gems, and fossils.