Santa Barbara is a Christian martyr whose feast day is the 4th of December. Barbara, of oriental origin, was martyred either during the reign of Maximin (235/238) or Maximian (286/305.)
The Church of Santa Barbara dei Librari in Rome is dedicated to her.
According to tradition, Barbara was young and especially attractive. She was persecuted by her father on account of her Christian faith. As part of the persecution by her father she was confined to a tower from which she managed to escape frequently.
Barbara was pulled up in front of a magistrate and then beheded by her father who was immeaditely struck by a bolt of lightening.
Barbara is the patron saint ofartillery men, bomb disposal experts, miners, firemen, The Italian Navy and in general all this who risk sudden death.
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
Europe - Travel information from around Europe
Zähringen - Brief history of the Noble family of Zähringen
Berne - Information on and about Berne
Total Solar Eclipse 2006 - Travelogues from a trip to Libya to see the Total Solar Eclipse in 2006
Taranaki pictures - A gallery of pictures from my travels in Taranaki
Eclipse chasing - Essential total eclipse trip planning information from 2010 to 2019
New Zealand - A personal guide to things to do, see, eat and drink in New Zealand
The Life of St Susanna - Notes from the life of St Susanna
Marlborough Sounds - sunset seen from the Interislander - Sunset over the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand seen from the Interislander ferry
2011 travel pictures - Pictures and images from my 2011 travels in Switzerland, Antwerp and London
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook