People like Einstein, Shakespeare and Freud have made a profound mark in history due to their dedication and by the product; they delivered on to the future generation. Not only these imminent personalities shaped the way of the world we see today but also passed on a legacy that can never be forgotten. From potent political initiatives to huge landmarks in science, these people gave their lives for their work. Although there is no way we could return the favour, we can certainly give them the acknowledgement they deserve. Taking a trip to their dwellings or to the places which were close to them can give us an idea of how they use to live. In this way, we can also share a small part of their lives with us. The list of such great personalities is certainly exhaustive but we have discussed the homes and workplaces of some of our favourite personalities to give you some inspiration.
Freud’s house, London, UK
Frued HouseSigmund Freud, the second father of psychology, was actually an Austrian and there is a huge museum in Vienna dedicated to the mastermind of psychoanalysis. However, if you want to delve into the mind of this genius than head to London. Situated on a peaceful Hampstead Street, a lovely Victorian mansion is dedicated as a museum for this revolutionary psychoanalyst. This museum houses a wide range of Egyptian ornaments, his original couch used for the therapies and his bookshelves all preserved by his daughter Anna Freud, who later on lived in the house for around 45 years. Although, the house remained under his occupation for a just a year but his belongings were preserved here.
Einstein’s apartment, Bern, Switzerland:
Albert Einstein was a great philosopher and a physicist of the past but an inspiration for the times to come. He was an asset to the world for his extraordinary intellect. Apart from his works, his iconic appearance with crazy grey hair makes him quite an interesting personality. He was born in Germany but lived the most important time of his life in Bern, Switzerland from 1902 to 1909. He declared this time to be the happiest time of his life. In 1905 during the same period, he wrote his masterpiece the famous four articles that changed the whole scenario of physics and the perception of the world about space, time and matter. These works were engineered in a quaint apartment in Kramgasse, which is now renovated into a new house with his belongings like his personal typewriter, his telephone and passports etc., on display.
Gandhi’s Ashram, Gujarat, India:
Mohandas K Gandhi, the person who defeated the great British Empire with his philosophy and ideas of free subcontinent, was not a scientific genius but a man of Great soul. He was rightly known as Mahatma Gandhi because he insisted his followers to choose the non-violent way to achieve their goal of freedom rather than shedding blood. He was a true revolutionist and his teachings are taught around India and other parts of the world as well. The Sabarmati Ashram where Gandhi lived was later on transformed into a museum to tell the tale of this great man. It houses “My Life Is My Message” photo gallery, his belongings, letters and his iconic charkha wheel.
Da Vinci’s villa, Tuscany, Italy:
The works of Leonardo Da Vinci are not limited to his birthplace, in fact, his famous work Mona Lisa is set in Paris and The Last Supper is in Milan. However, to acquire a chance to be acquainted with the real Da Vinci you have to pay a visit to the Anchiano, a quaint village in the suburbs of Tuscany. This place is a heavenly abode amidst lush green rolling hills and thriving vineyards. It was here, that this master of art was born and brought up. He was not only a genius painter but also an innovator and an architect. His work is a great inspiration for everyone. He was born in a country villa, which is now renovated and turned into a museum. Moreover just down the road lies the Church of Santa Croce, where he was baptized. Take flights to Italy and wander along the cobbled streets, where once Da Vinci used to play.
Marx’s pub, Brussels, Belgium:
Marx was not only a revolutionist but also a person with great insight and intellect. He changed the thinking of the society with the communist manifesto, which is his life’s greatest achievement. This document does not only become the most important political manuscript but also gave birth to the idea of class struggle. He along with his friend and main collaborator Friedrich Engels penned down this manifesto, which elaborated the nature of society and politics. He was born German and died in England but the most productive time of his life was spent in Belgium. He lived in Brussels for two years, 1845 to 1848 and worked on his masterpiece in the backroom Le Cygne also known as “the swan”, a petit pub. Here he used to educate the workers about their rights and exploitation by the ruling capitalist. However, Maison du Cygne which once was a humble bar for the lower class was remodeled later on and now there stands an opulent brasserie restaurant.
Shakespeare’s Globe, London, UK:
2016 is an important year in the history for Shakespeare’s fan, so there is a fair chance that you might want to visit one of his dwellings if you are one of his admirers. This year is marking his 400th-death anniversary so the Theatre in London’s South Bank is organizing some exotic performances and exhibitions of his legendary writings. William Shakespeare was not only a novelist and an actor but was an inspiration for many. Even today his work is been given great importance and taught in educational institutions. So the best way to celebrate the death anniversary of this iconic figure in to pay a visit to the undisputed home of Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Globe in London. This Elizabethan playhouse has now been transformed into a theatre, a museum, and a school for those who want to learn about his work. Moreover, there also lies a shop on the site from where you can buy a souvenir to pay a tribute to the great artist.
Dali’s house, Port Ligate, Spain
Salvador Dali was a Spanish painter and a true master of his skills. His work shows how dedicated he was to the concept of art and he displayed it in his masterpieces, especially while designing his home. Deli’s home, Casa Museu Dali, itself is a masterwork. His level of genius can be easily seen from his attention to detail of his bizarre abode. He used to live in Port Lligat just outside Gerona in the proximity of the French border. Once a small fishing hut in 1930, was later on transformed by him into a real biological structure as he added the rooms in it. The house is full of crazy things like a life-size polar bear, tapered corridors, swimming pool, egg-shaped towers and a lovely peaceful courtyard. He continued to live in this house till 1982 until his wife Gala died. His house dedicated as a museum and art lovers love to visit their celebrated genius.
