Homes for Biodiversity: currently, Southern Spain enjoys the highest biodiversity in Europe with 700 million birds crossing between northern Europe to Africa. Birds rest and recuperate here. However, the future looks more bleak. Changes in agriculture and land usage significantly threaten biodiversity – but thousands of rural homes, farms and natural areas could help with ViBio support. Miguel Rio is President of ViBio (Homes for Biodiversity).

In this lecture, local celebrity Giles Brown, in a follow-up to his enormously successful previous talks for U3A International, shares his interest in the historical development of Marbella since the fifties. He provides a fascinating and informative view of the local city as well as entertaining with more humorous and interesting anecdotes covering his broadcasting career.

In Central Europe Renaissance elements were introduced by native architects around 1510 into largely Gothic buildings, while contact with Italian trading centres, particularly Venice, inspired several examples. The Austrian Habsburgs continued the tradition of importing Italian architects as well as craftsmen and as their power increased they produced magnificent examples of the style.

The brain grows exponentially depending on one’s thoughts and activities. Everyone should understand the rapidly growing field of neuroscience and increasingly astonishing knowledge regarding the ability of the brain to change and develop. Recognizing one’s ability to change the brain and its neural pathways makes it possible to also recognize that much of one’s mind and body depend on what an individual does with his/her brain.

The Battle of Trafalgar was the most comprehensive victory in naval history. It was fought between the greatest Admiral that ever lived and a combined Franco-Spanish fleet on 21 October 1805 after a campaign which began in May 1803. Nelson was killed but the enemy fleets were annihilated.

The Civil War broke out on 17th July 1936 when a group of generals attempted a coup d’état against the democratically elected Republican government. This presentation focuses on the period around February 1937 – what happened and why the battle for Málaga was not so much a pitched battle but more a massacre.

The 1600’s architecture in Rome is dominated by two of the greatest architects of the 17th century, and a lifelong rival. The sculptor-architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the architect Francesco Borromini. A detailED description of their architectural projects will be given along the background information about their patrons. In Rome during the Baroque period the Popes were responsible for commissioning major projects, therefore the presentation will also include a timeline of the development of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican.

The speaker will present his views on illness, why it occurs and how it affects the body, exploring the impacts of factors such as nutrition, contamination, lifestyle and emotions. Drawing upon his education, research and experience, Dr Manniello will provide his own explanation of steps required to enhance health, quality of life and longevity.

During the reign of the Bourbon kings, specially Louis the Sun King, Louis XIV, France reaches a period of splendour known as the Classical Period.  His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any monarch of a major country in European history. A detailed explanation of the uniqueness of the French Style will be given with several examples of its development which culminates in the construction of the palace of Versailles . Along with architectural information there will be references to the historical timeline of the House of Bourbon.

The history of Spain under the Habsburg kings culminating in the transition to the House of Bourbon gives Spain the special character of its architecture.  Several examples of the period in Spain and Portugal will be given with detailed explanations of the elements that make the Baroque in the Iberian Peninsula different from the rest of Europe.

The Stuarts were monarchs of the British Isles until the death of Queen Anne in 1714, except for the period of the Commonwealth between 1649 and 1660. During the turbulent years that led to the Restoration of the Monarchy the architectural framework of the British Isles undergoes a gradual transformation towards the Baroque Style and Palladianism.

The architectural character of Central Europe is defined by the many countries that form this vast region and their diverse political structure.  Regional differences affect the development of the Baroque architecture in this area and lead to the adaptation of Italian models to suit the idiosyncrasies of each culture.