While touring the Grand Palace there was a breathtaking display of tulips - in all colors in a vast, swirling design. Apparently, Prague's castle was the first European city to use tulips extensively. Tulips first appeared In the world in Turkey and were brought to Prague. From there they went to Holland where, of course, the world came to know them. Tulips from Turkey, who knew?!
We are hearing a lot more about the Maria Theres, she was part of the Hapsburg "dynasty" that lasted in Austria/Germany/Hungary region for over 700 years. When she came into power she fought many wars. One was against the Turks who came up to what is now Austria. They were held off there by a small army who were under siege. The small army was about to be overwhelmed but the bakers in the town sent word to Poland asking for help. The Polish rode in like the cavalry and saved the small army and drove the Turks back. In celebration the bakers made a special pastry in honor of defeating the Turks. The pastry was in the shape of a crescent which was the symbol of the Turks. One of Maria Theres's children was Marie Antoinette who was married off to the French King. She loved the crescent shaped pastry and brought them to France where they became known as the CROISSANT! Croissants are from Austria, who knew?!
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