Your current browser isn't compatible with SoundCloud. Michael learns how diplomacy brought Britain and Spain closer together and rides on a hair-raising scenic railway. Season 2. In Avignon, Michael savours the scent of Provence in the region's lavender fields before relaxing with a glass of the city's famous tipple, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. In Palermo, Michael takes in the art and architecture of the futurists. Following in the footsteps of Edwardian railway travellers, Michael discovers a nation already famous for its neutrality when the rest of the continent was on the brink of war. Season 2. He discovers a nation fractured at the time by social tensions and regional loyalties, which today offers a rich diversity of cultures to delight the tourist. Some user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Arriving at the ornately tiled Sao Bento station in Porto, he finds out about the birth of Britain's long alliance with the Portuguese. Moving south to the city of Arles, he learns how its light and the famous mistral drew artists from all over Europe. Michael Portillo travels from the chateaux of the Loire Valley to the heart of the Champagne region at Reims. Great Continental Railway Journeys. At the Bolshoi Theatre, Michael performs an important role in one of Russia's most dramatic operas. He encounters mummified monks in a medieval monastery and works out alongside two of the strongest women in the world. Here he visits the emperor's Austrian summer house at Bad Ischl, where in 1914 European history changed course forever. Michael Portillo continues his railway adventure which takes him across the heart of Europe. Arriving in Utrecht, Michael discovers the main hub of the Dutch railway network and its busiest station. Across the border in San Sebastian, Michael learns how diplomacy brought Britain and Spain closer together and rides on a hair-raising scenic railway. Boarding one of the narrowest gauge railways in the world, the Little Train of Pelion, Michael travels to the village of Milies, where he learns about the place of the Orthodox Church in Greek national life. Relax. In high spirits, with the help of the local liquor, Michael says 'Nosdraviya' to Slovenia and heads south. He visits the Reichstag and the city's Olympic stadium, site of the 1936 Summer Olympics. Great Continental Railway Journeys is a British television documentary series presented by Michael Portillo. In Uppsala, he tours the historic university before boarding an exquisite steam train to Marielund, where he celebrates midsummer in true Abba style. The Flying Scotsman Not so, as culture also has a part to play. After visiting Potsdam, he explores Weimar in central Germany, a city that has twelve buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Riga to Tampere Michael makes a scenic journey from Stockholm to Abisko. Michael Portillo travels by rail throughout Continental Europe. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MOTIVATE :)Support me here : https://www.paypal.me/CSinha7This Will Enable me to Optimize My Creative Production to Showcase Journeys of. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GREAT CONTINENTAL RAILWAY JOURNEYS SERIES 2 dvd REGION 4 michael portillo NEW at the best online prices at eBay! The title Great Continental Railway Journeys has led some to believe that the series is designed solely for train spotters. In the years before the Great War, Barcelona seemed to offer Marxists the best hope of proletarian revolution, due to the huge politicised urban population mainly working in factories. His journey begins in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, and includes stops in the ancient city of Plovdiv, the region of Rumelia, and former capital of the Ottoman Empire Edirne. Jon Wygens is a multi-instrumentalist and award winning composer for film and television. Great Railway Journeys, originally titled Great Railway Journeys of the World, is a recurring series of travel documentaries produced by BBC Television. The latest series of his travelogue sees the politician-turned-presenter delve into his fathers life in Spain. After a 14-year hiatus, a further three series were broadcast between 1994 and 1999, using the shorter series title. Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo makes a grand tour of a favourite Edwardian destination - Italy - where he experiences first hand the nation's need for speed in a state-of-the-art Maserati sports car. Vrai, More Hope, Efficient, Having Doubts (AlbumModern string ensemble). Anzahl der Jahreszeiten: 7 Anzahl der Folgen: 37 berblick: Alle Jahreszeiten auflisten: Looking at history and trying 21st century things that changed since before The Great War. Among the spectacular Renaissance palaces and fortresses of the River Loire, Michael is intrigued to discover a castle much modernized during the 1930s, which became a refuge for a British royal couple embroiled in scandal. Title screen for most episodes from Series 2 onward. Following in the footsteps of Bradshaw's travellers, Michael explores the cradle of the Renaissance through Edwardian eyes. A little over a year ago, confronted by a new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys, I wrote a piece confessing that I couldn't stand its presenter. Michael Portillo uses his 1913 copy of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide to venture beyond Europe as he travels through the Holy Land. In the ancient city of Plovdiv, Michael discovers a Roman amphitheatre built in the 2nd century AD and still in use today. His 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guidebook under his arm, Michael Portillo continues his journey through the borderland where Europe meets Asia and fulfils a personal lifelong ambition to visit the Black Sea port of Odessa. Great Continental Railway Journeys continues on Tuesdays 9pm BBC2. He encounters a bloodsucking vampire in Transylvania and brown bears in the Carpathian forest before visiting a fairy tale castle with modern conveniences in Sinaia, striking oil in Ploesti. Michael Portillo travels to Spain, the country his father fled during the bloody civil war. Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from Athens's port of Piraeus north to the city of Thessaloniki, captured the year before from the Ottoman Turks, who had ruled much of Greece for 400 years. Inspired by the music and story of Poland's national icon Frederic Chopin, Michael takes to the floor to dance the polonaise with high school students rehearsing for their leavers' ball. Steered by his 1913 railway guide, Michael Portillo takes the train from the former political capital of Italy, Turin, to Casanova's capital of romance, Venice. Books have been published to accompany the first three series, with a chapter by each of the presenters on their particular journey: A similar book was also published on Great Little Railways: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Back in the city again, Michael meets former Russia correspondent Martin Sixsmith to discover how the strikes, mutinies and massacres, which took place shortly before Bradshaw's 1913 guidebook was published, were to unfold and the part the railways were to play in those tumultuous events. To think that there is now a generation to whom such a question means nothing more than whether you stayed up to watch that television presenter with the terrible wardrobe take another of his train trips across a miscellany of countries is quite a thing. As he embarks on a new series, Portillo selects some of his favourite trips and cultural highlights, drawn from the five series of railway journeys. At the handsome Palace Square, Michael hears how turbulent events at the time of his guide saw the Portuguese royal family almost wiped out. He begins in Israel, learning about the Baha'i faith and how it spread to Britain in the Edwardian era, hearing the story of the origins of Tel Aviv, and visiting the Christian, Jewish and Muslim quarters of the capital Jerusalem. Michael's journey ends with a spectacular ascent by train to Europe's highest station, perched atop Switzerland's dramatic Jungfraujoch. From the Grand Hotel, Europe, advertised in his Bradshaw's, Michael explores the beauty and history of St Petersburg, from the great Nevsky Prospekt to the magnificent Winter Palace with its Hermitage Museum, then rides the first railway ever built in Russia between the city and the Tsar's village - Tsarskoye Selo. A fishing trip in the bay affords spectacular views of the villages from the water. Described by the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians as "probably the first ever railway song", Glinka's express Travelling Song is a . Other similar series followed: Great Indian Railway Journeys in 2018 and Great Alaskan and Canadian Railroad Journeys and Great Australian Railway Journeys in 2019. Great Continental Railway Journeys. Michael continues his rail journey through Spain with his 1930s Bradshaws guide. Among its cobbled streets and classical buildings Michael discovers the seeds of Ukrainian nationalism in song. In the Romanian capital Bucharest, the nation's leading violinist Alexandre Tomescu introduces Michael to the music of his country's greatest musician and composer, George Enescu, in a private recital with his Stradivarius. [1] In the early series, Portillo explores the railway networks of continental Europe, but in later series he also ventured further afield. But 1936 was a turbulent time in Spain, with political upheaval descending into a brutal civil war. Fingers crossed there will be no more . Unless Big Primary Colour has got something on you? He refers to a 1913 copy of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, as he describes how the places he visits have changed since Edwardian times. Michael ends his journey in Thessaloniki where, in 1913, Greece's King George I was assassinated. 7.673. At the Bolshoi Theatre, Michael performs an important role in one of Russia's most dramatic operas. Great Continental Railway Journeys: Dresden to Kiel: Part Two Great Continental Railway Journeys (2012) . Michael boards an early 20th-century yacht to experience the thrill for himself and learns how British yachtsmen spied on the German navy. Striking north, Michael boards the long-distance train which runs from the Caspian Sea to the capital. Armed with his trusty 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo travels to the Ukrainian capital, Now using a 1936 edition of Bradshaws Continental Handbook, Portillo visits the city of, Portillo begins this journey in the historic city of, In the final episode of the series, Portillo begins his journey in the, This page was last edited on 7 January 2023, at 12:38. Great Asian Railway Journeys. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "El Tren Fantasma: ambient recording of a ghostly train journey", http://www.indiaprofile.com/transportation/railways/greatrailwayjourneys.htm, "Michael Portillo films Great Railway Journeys", "BBC Two - Great Asian Railway Journeys, Series 1, Yogyakarta to Ambarawa", Great Little Railways - "The Good and The Quick", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Railway_Journeys&oldid=1106612062, 1980s British documentary television series, 1990s British documentary television series, Documentary television series about railway transport, Articles needing cleanup from August 2022, Articles with bare URLs for citations from August 2022, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from August 2022, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Articles needing additional references from February 2008, All articles needing additional references, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Introduction (extracts from forthcoming episodes in the series), "Journey to the Land Beyond the Mountains", This page was last edited on 25 August 2022, at 13:55. First is the pull of home "When you're 10,000 miles from Rome you stir extra care into your sauce," as Gianni Pisoni of Greenvale in Melbourne puts it. Following in the footsteps of early 20th-century British tourists, Michael tours this compact country, which boasted a mighty navy and a global empire to rival that of Britain. Read about our approach to external linking. He finds out about the first railway to be built in the country, from Naples to Portici, around the base of Vesuvius and then plucks up his courage to venture into the mighty volcano's crater. Leaving London behind, armed with his 1913 railway guide, Michael Portillo follows the most popular route of the Edwardian traveller through France. Great Continental Railway Journeys is now a firmly established series on BBC2, following in the illustrious tracks of its predecessor - Great British Railway Journeys. His destination lies close to his heart: the ancient kingdom of Spain and land of his father. A performance of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty at Odessa's exquisite opera house rounds off his journey. / Great Continental Railway Journeys. In 1983, the BBC made a further series on rail travel entitled Great Little Railways, this time exclusively featuring narrow gauge railways. When The Rite of Spring premiered, there was pandemonium. In the spa of kings, Marienbad, now known as Marianske Lazne, Michael samples the sulphurous waters and wallows in peat and mud. Beginning in Galicia, Michael discovers the elegant city of La Coruna, a fashionable destination for Edwardian Britons, for whom the principal attraction was the tomb of a British military hero. You need to enable JavaScript to use SoundCloud. Michael Portillo follows in the footsteps of Edwardian travellers to trace a route recommended in his Bradshaw's guide, journeying from the heart of France to the Mediterranean coast. Michael discovers from a British engineer how the leaning tower of Pisa was rescued from near collapse. The daring rail line, built in the late nineteenth century to haul oil across the Caucasus from Baku to Batumi reveals grand views from viaducts and passes through a 4km-long tunnel blasted through mountain rock. At Prague Central Station, Michael meets a woman who, as a young girl, travelled by train to safety in London. . Michael Portillo continues his railway adventure which takes him across the heart of Europe. Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from Athens's port of Piraeus north to the city of Thessaloniki, captured the year before from the Ottoman Turks, who had ruled much of Greece for 400 years. And there was a mercifully brief attempt at learning a few steps from the Aragonese folk dance la jota, but, for the most part, he stuck to limning Spains history and detailing the horrors of the civil war. The Young British Artists who took on the old guard and changed the art world forever, Artist Roxana Halls paints twin sisters who survived a crocodile attack in Mexico, The trailblazing designer who worked with Ye and Louis Vuitton before his 2021 death, Sonia Boyce: Finding Her Voice. He also visits the forest of Compiegne, to hear how, after four years of conflict, the Armistice was finally signed in a railway carriage. Exploring the Acropolis and delighting in the tastes of moussaka and baklava, Michael discovers the many influences at play in the creation of modern Greece - from its classical past to the oriental Ottomans and the Great European Powers of Britain, France and Russia. Michael Portillo sports a strikingly modern edition of his Bradshaws Continental Handbook, dated 1936. (The smartest thing Spain ever did was stay out of the first world war.) There is always the slight impression that the involvement of other people even though they are usually archivists and experts there to unpack a historical moment or explain the significance of an artefact feels like an intrusion on his time. On this leg Michael explores the once-great empire of Austria-Hungary, domain of the famous Habsburg monarchs. Michael Portillo continues his journey through Germany, guided by his 1936 Bradshaws Continental Railway Guide. Immagini degli episodi (Great Continental Railway Journeys - Stagione 6 Episodio 2) Il regista e la squadra dietro Great Continental Railway Journeys Stagione 6 Episodio 2. Production of a second series included filming in Spain and Gibraltar in May and June 2013, following the RondaAlgeciras railway line, built in the 1890s by British interests under the Algeciras Gibraltar Railway Company, for the benefit of British officers stationed in Gibraltar wanting to travel to Spain and the rest of Europe. In one of the areas elegant cafes, Michael learns about dada and the avant garde during the Crazy Years after the First World War. Ever keen to try his hand, Michael takes instruction from a top chef on how to make an omelette, but his efforts fail to impress. In Palermo, Michael takes in the art and architecture of the Futurists and feasts on spaghetti and sardines in the citys Ballaro market. His idiosyncratic style strikes us as boldly modern a century later, but his building is in essence a gothic cathedral stripped of the buttresses. Italy's most famous ingredients, parmesan cheese and parma ham go down well in Parma, as does a trip to the exquisite Teatro Regio opera, where the company is rehearsing work by the hero of Italian unification, Giuseppe Verdi. A humbling masterclass in carving cuckoo clocks shows him how the nation's reputation for quality and reliability in manufacturing was established from the early 18th century. A glass of 1953 port awaits him at the city's Factory House, before he embarks on the Linha da Douro along the spectacular Douro Valley. His unique window on Europe between the world wars takes him through a tumultuous period in German history, when the nations first democracy and its vibrant culture of art, design and decadence were swept away by fascism, nationalism and the increasing likelihood of war. At Goettingen University, Michael discovers two sides of student life at the turn of the 20th century - the duelling fraternities and the groundbreaking scientists, who laid the foundation for Germany's world-class transport technology today. Michael bags a ride in a high performance Porsche to the manufacturers Stuttgart headquarters and discovers that, in the 1930s, the founder designed an affordable car for mass production the Beetle. Starting in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, he travels via Bratislava in Slovakia to the beautiful and elegant city of Vienna, where he immerses himself in pre-war decadence. Jon Wygens is a multi-instrumentalist and award winning composer for film and television. Steered by his 1913 railway guide, on the second part of this journey Michael Portillo continues to explore the once-great empire of Austria-Hungary, domain of the famous Habsburg monarchs. One newspaper commented that only Eric Morecambe was funnier. Michaels final stop is on the border with France, at Canfranc Station. This will follow Michael as he journeys from Berlin to Stuttgart, soaking up all of Germany's history. About sixty singers and dancers gave a magnificent performance in astrakhan hats and colourful waistcoats and bodices. Now he embarks on the sixth series of Great Continental Railway Journeys (BBC Two), beginning in Spain and this time guided by the 1936 edition of Bradshaws Continental Railway Guide, which was a big year in that particular pais and for Portillos pa, a don and leftwing activist at the University of Salamanca, who was three years away from needing to flee Franco. With his 1913 Bradshaw's in hand, Michael Portillo ventures deep into the Black Forest on a quest to discover the essence of Germany and discovers how Hansel and Gretel helped to unify the nation. In Austria's second city, Graz, Michael ventures underground at the Lurgrotte Caves to find out about a famous turn-of-the-century rescue operation. I was at university and in bed, but heard the cheers going up from streets around. At the Museum of Modern Art in Berlins Kreuzberg, Michael sees how a leading artist of the era, Georg Grosz, warned of the rise of fascism in a haunting self-portrait. From Naples, pausing only to pick up a pizza, Michael boards a ferry to travel to the beautiful island of Capri, a magnet for the writers and artists of Europe at the time of his guidebook. He discovers in Montreux how a ballet caused a riot and how a prisoner became immortalised in verse. Michael Portillo takes the train down the spine of Italy from Rome to Sicily. Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from Athens's port of Piraeus north to the city of Thessaloniki, captured the year before from the Ottoman Turks, who had ruled much of Greece for 400 years. The first series was originally broadcast on BBC Two in 2012. Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide Michael Portillo resumes his rail journey through the former Russian empire from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, taking in present-day Georgia and Azerbaijan. He savours the soul of Georgia in its wine and discovers a surprise 19th-century tea plantation in the West Georgian countryside. Michael Portillo braves the freezing temperatures of the Baltic Sea and finds peace paddling a canoe on the Lakes of Finland. Honestly yellow jacket, purple shirt and tomato trousers comprised his opening outfit. :https://www.buymeacoffee.com/journeysPlease Subscribe to Motivate:)This Will Enable me to Optimize my Creative Production to Showcase Journeys of Various . He discovers the magnificent art and architecture of the Dutch Golden Age and marvels at the engineering ingenuity of this fiercely independent nation. At the birthplace of Germanys first democracy, Weimar, Michael investigates the beginning of Bauhaus design and visits the movements first building, a family house encapsulating a vision of how people might live in the 20th century. But the interwar guide book also tells Michael that the head of government in Italy is the fascist leader Signor Benito Mussolini. Armed with his 1913 railway guide, Michael Portillo travels the Habsburg imperial line from Vienna across the awe-inspiring Semmering Pass, a handmade railway line blasted through the Alps. Leaving London behind, Michael follows the most popular route of the Edwardian traveller through France. Michael uncovers the Celtic roots of the Galician people and tries to master the bagpipes but finds himself upstaged by a six-year-old. At Martigny, Michael puts his faith in St Bernard after he is buried in snow. Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo ventures deep into the Black Forest on a quest to discover the essence of Germany and discovers how Hansel and Gretel helped to unify the nation. Emperor Franz Josef ordered the building of the impressive Ringstrasse along the lines of the old city walls. Along the way, he marvels at the Matterhorn and is rescued from an 'avalanche' by a St Bernard puppy. With his Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo ventures east to a land which a century ago was part of the Russian Empire and today is the independent state of Ukraine. A fifth series following in January 2014 with 20 episodes, making a total airing of 115 episodes across the five series. English musician and sound artist Chris Watson worked as an audio recorder for the fourth episode "Los Mochis to Veracruz" of the fourth season. Michael Portillo sports a modern edition of his Bradshaws Continental Handbook, dated 1936. On the winding roads at Rovereto, he discovers how one of the world's best known carmakers sealed its international reputation by winning the 1913 Alpine Trial in a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. For the younglings among you, this was the question that burst exuberantly from leftist lips in the days and weeks after Labours landslide electoral victory. Great Continental Railway Journeys is a British television documentary series presented by Michael Portillo. . Among the golden onion domes and icons of Tula, Michael is moved by the sound of a Russian Orthodox choir. But that is what Portillo now is (and wears and does). Braving the force of the Goettingen wind tunnel, Michael investigates the track where model trains are fired at up to 360km per hour. Presenter: Michael Portillo, Executive Producer: John Comerford, Series Producer: Alison Kreps, Production Company: Boundless Productions. Michael Portillo embarks on a rail journey through Germany. Striking south to historic Cordoba, Michael dances with an unusual partner and enjoys all the fun of the feria. Braving the force of the Goettingen wind tunnel, Michael investigates the track where model trains are fired at up to 360km per hour. Great Continental Railway Journeys (2016) Episodes: - Zermatt to Geneva - Transylvania to the Black Sea - The Flying Scotsman - Rotterdam to Utrecht - Riga to Tampere - Sofia to Istanbul - Athens to Thessaloniki tracks: - Vrai, More Hope, Efficient, Having Doubts (Album Modern string ensemble) - Neutrality (Album Cycle of Life) Is your network connection unstable or browser outdated? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Great Continental Railway Journeys, Portillo, Michael, Used; Good Book at the best online prices at eBay! Steered by his 1913 railway guide, Michael journeys through a prosperous pre-war Europe of emperors, kings, pomp and elegance. [4] In Nuremberg, Portillo travels to the Zeppelin Field and learns more of the city's WW2 connection with Hitler and the Nazis. A century ago, Michael's journey would have been interrupted by hostilities - the Balkan Wars - on account of which, train services were suspended. Michael's journey takes him through a patchwork of nations which a century ago formed part of the Austro Hungarian empire. The night soil man told me as I emptied my chamberpot, I seem to recall. Great Continental Railway Journeys Der britische Journalist und Ex-Minister Michael Portillo reist mit der Eisenbahn quer durch Europa. On a railway journey from the capital, Palermo, through the ancient town of Agrigento and the port of Siracusa, to Europes largest volcano, Mount Etna, Michael explores Sicilian life under the dictatorship. Steered by his 1913 Bradshaw railway guide, Michael Portillo takes the train down the spine of Italy as he travels from Rome to Sicily. On the pilgrims' trail to Santiago de Compostela, Michael meets walkers from all over the world heading for the cathedral, and he is led into the archive to see one of the world's first guidebooks, dating from the 12th century. Michael hears how new rail lines transported spectators to the Nazi Olympic Games of 1936. Travelling through what was, at the turn of the 20th century, one of Europe's youngest nations, Michael sinks his teeth into a Victorian gothic best seller and uncovers an unlikely fellow fan of his Bradshaw's. At Goettingen University, Michael discovers two sides of student life at the turn of the 20th century - the duelling fraternities and the groundbreaking scientists who laid the foundation for Germany's world class transport technology today. Michael is ambushed by singers of the city's legendary trallalero and learns to whip up a mean pesto Genovese. Outside the city he crosses swords with Cossack warriors and gains an insight into Ukrainians' national identity. On the shores of the Black Sea at Constanta, once the scene of intense pre-First World War diplomacy between Romanian and Russian royalty, Michael explores what is now emerging as Europe's largest grain port. At a private museum dedicated to the life of the most infamous Georgian, Joseph Stalin, Michael asks how Georgians today feel about the former dictator of the Soviet Union. Plucking up Dutch courage Michael takes to two wheels in Amsterdam's fast moving cycle lane and heads for the Indies district, where he samples a delicious "rijstafel" of dishes from the Dutch empire. He starts in the industrial city of Tula, before visiting Leo Tolstoy's former home of Yasnaya Polyana and learning how the author's life and works were intertwined with the railways. Start the wiki. Along the way, Michael discovers the parlous state of Greek finances at the time of his guidebook. The first series, which used the longer title, was broadcast on BBC2 in 1980. He hitches a ride in a 1913 carriage to discover one of the secrets of its restoration. Following in the footsteps of early 20th century travellers, on the second part of this journey Michael Portillo uses his 1913 railway guide to explore Switzerland, whose remarkable railways helped make it a favourite with Edwardian tourists. Michael meets her modern-day incarnation. Steered by his 1913 railway guide, on this journey Michael Portillo explores the once-great empire of Austria-Hungary, domain of the famous Habsburg monarchs. Great Continental Railway Journeysis now a firmly established series on BBC2, following in the illustrious tracks of its predecessor - Great British Railway Journeys. Arriving in Munich, he finds a blue horse created at the time of his guidebook and discovers an early 20th-century pioneer who laid the foundations for the city's pre-eminence in science and technology today. In Delphi, he discovers how at the turn of the 20th century an entire village was removed in order to excavate the site of the oracle.