What is a photochrome, you may wonder. Photochrom or photochrome prints are a type of color prints that were popular around 1900. The photochrome process was mainly used to print postcards, making these prints an excellent way to discover what Europe looked like more than 100 years ago.
Our trip starts in the heart of Europe: Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Its Grand Place is surrounded by guildhalls, the city’s Town Hall, and the King’s House. Close-by is the city’s most famous statue, which you can discover on the page dedicated to old postcards of Belgium.
A short trip up north brings us to the capital of The Netherlands. Not a hippie to be found in those days.
From the port of Amsterdam, a cruise ship takes us to Norway to visit one of its many fjords.
After all that nature, it’s time for some culture. In 1897 there was a General Art and Industrial Exposition in Stockholm, Sweden. One theme of the exposition was the new media technologies of the day, including film and the phonograph.
On our way south to Germany, let’s do a quick stop in Denmark.
From Copenhagen we continue into Germany, visiting the isle of Sylt and then the capital, Berlin, for a beer (or two).
Vienna is a must-see, so from Munich we continue the trip into Austria.
Austria borders Italy, our next destination. The main city in the north is Milan, with its magnificent cathedral.
We’re not turning south to Rome, instead heading westward towards France. The trip takes us from the Mediterranian to the North Sea.
From Mont Saint-Michel you only need to cross the English Channel to get to Britain. Head over to the page with photochrome postcards from England to continue our trip or visit the photochrome prints page for more information about such prints.