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TEACHING SPANISH at Sevastopol high school is Luisa Contelli from Peru who is helping the regular teacher with classes and the students with their accent and pronunciation. She is shown above (on the swing) with Denise and Becky Volkmann. Luisa is a guest at the Lester Volkmann home while here. —Advocate

Sevastopol Spanish students Aided by Peruvian teacher

By FRANCES BADTKE
To paraphrase an old saying, "a long speech begins with a single word." And while we would not accuse Luisa Contelli of being "wordy," her English started not so long ago with a single word and she learned to speak English in just four months before she came to this country.
Luisa is a Spanish aid teacher at Sevastopol high school and is assisting the regular teacher with her Spanish classes and helping the students with their pronunciation and accents.
Her English is fluent with a pleasantly charming accent and a person talking with her would never suspect that she had not been speaking English, or perhaps we should say "American" for such a short time. She took an intensive four month course from the Peruvian North American Institute.
When asked if she had trouble with all our various ways of pronouncing the same letters she said, "to study English for me is very hard, to understand is even worse." And if we were to have to get along with people who spoke only Spanish, we would probably echo her words. So when you talk to her, speak slowly and clearly.
Luisa is staying with the Lester Volkmann family on Route 1, Egg Harbor, and she goes back and forth to Sevastopol on the school bus with the Volkmann children. Denise in the seventh grade and Becky in the eighth are especially thrilled that she is their guest while she is in Door county.
Before coming here she was at Concordia college camp where she taught Spanish. Her stay here will be for a total of six weeks, after which she will go on to Chicago, Arkansas, Washington state and California. She will stay for six weeks in each of six locations while in this country.
She will be showing slides at the PTA meeting at Sevastopol this Thursday evening and speak on her country and her experiences.
She has many slides of Incas, hand made materials, festivals and other familiar scenes from her homeland in South America. She is from Piura, Peru, and has three brothers and three sisters. Her father has a tropical plantation and grows cotton and rice.
Luisa herself worked in a bank before coming here. She had been in this country three times prior to this year, but had only spent about a month each time on a vacation. In 1963 she went to Mexico for two months and then to the U.S. for one month.
It never snows in Peru, except in the mountains, and since it is very warm there, usually she finds our cool days something she will have to get used to.
She plans to return to Peru in June, 1969, although she may stay for another year if she likes. But already she is getting just a little lonesome and is anxious to see her family and friends again. She is grateful and thrilled to be here and says "It has given me an opportunity to learn many things."
She writes out a report every week of what she has done, both in her work as a Spanish aid teacher and in her off hours. She writes her impressions of our country and tells what she has been doing and with whom.
Last weekend she visited another teacher at Sevastopol, Mrs. Mona Orthober, and her family. Mrs. Nicholson, also Spanish speaking, was there from the University at Madison.
She is surprised at the youth of some of our bridegrooms and brides and said that in Peru they are about 24 before they feel they are ready to take on the responsibilities of marriage.
One of Luisa's friends in her home town of Piura is the present Miss World, Madeleine Hartog, a stunning, stately brunette. Luisa attended Madeleine's sister's wedding before she came here and Miss World was one of her sister's bridesmaids. Madeleine's sister was named the best secretary in Peru in 1965.
Miss World is crowned each November in London, England, and in November, 1968, Luisa will be able to watch her friend on television as she crowns the new Miss World and hands over her ermine trimmed cape and golden scepter.
Luisa and Miss World
When Luisa speaks to the PTA Thursday, she will also have some things from her country to show. Among these are lovely filigree jewelry In both silver and gold, intricately worked and beautifully designed.
Special families in Peru make certain types of jewelry only and they pass their skills and patterns on to their children and their children's children, keeping them always in the family.
She is the guest of the Lester Volkmanns who volunteered to have her and the family is taking her places around the county to see the scenery and meet different people. All the five children have enjoyed having her in their home. As Luisa said, "I will take my best 'remembers' from Egg Harbor." We can't ask more than that of any visitor.
https://archive.co.door.wi.us/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00000914&pg_seq=6
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
[There is also a photo titled "Miss World 1967-68, which is omitted due to possible copyright. It is in the Door County Newspaper Archive. Another similar photo of Madeleine Hartog Bell with sash and scepter is included in this article: https://elcomercio.pe/185-aniversario/1967-l-madeleine-hartog-es-elegida-miss-mundo-l-bicentenario-noticia/ ]
Other visitor profiles:
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/visitor-profiles
Articles by Frances Badtke:
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/frances-badtke

15 Things to Do on a New Paltz Family Day Trip Are you looking for a perfect family day trip destination near New York City? Well, you might be surprised to learn that New Paltz, located just 90 miles north of the bustling city, offers a plethora of activities for the whole family to enjoy.From picturesque hiking trails to fascinating museums, this charming town has something for everyone.So, whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking to indulge in delicious food, join us as we uncover the 15 things you can do on a New Paltz family day trip.Trust us, you won't want to miss out on the exciting options that await you!Key TakeawaysOutdoor activities in New Paltz include hiking, rock climbing, biking, and canoeing/kayaking.There are various indoor activities such as visiting museums, attending performances, and playing at indoor parks.Educational activities include visiting art museums, learning about history, and exploring science centers.Families can enjoy dining at family-friendly restaurants, visiting parks and playgrounds, and exploring farms in the area.Outdoor ActivitiesWhen it comes to outdoor activities in New Paltz, there's no shortage of options for adventure and exploration. The town is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, making it the perfect destination for hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts.New Paltz is home to numerous hiking trails that cater to all skill levels, offering breathtaking views and the opportunity to connect with nature. One popular hiking destination is the Mohonk Preserve, which boasts over 8,000 acres of stunning scenery. Here, you can choose from a variety of trails that wind through forests, meadows, and along the Shawangunk Ridge. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, there's a trail for everyone to enjoy.For those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled adventure, rock climbing at The Gunks is a must. The Shawangunk Mountains are renowned for their world-class rock climbing routes, attracting climbers from all over the world. With its challenging cliffs and unique rock formations, The Gunks offer an exhilarating experience for climbers of all levels.Whether you're a nature lover or an adrenaline junkie, New Paltz has something to offer for everyone. The hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities in the area are unparalleled, providing endless possibilities for outdoor exploration. So, grab your hiking boots and harness, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of New Paltz.Indoor ActivitiesIndoor activities in New Paltz offer a diverse range of options for families looking to escape the elements and enjoy some quality time together. Whether you're looking for a little friendly competition or a chance to unleash your creativity, there's something for everyone.For those who love a good challenge, there are plenty of indoor games to keep you entertained. Head to the local arcade and try your hand at classic games like skee-ball and air hockey. Or, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, check out the escape room where you can put your problem-solving skills to the test. With a variety of themes and difficulty levels, it's sure to be a thrilling experience for the whole family.If you're in the mood for something a bit more hands-on, why not try a creative workshop? There are several places in New Paltz where you can learn a new skill or craft. From pottery classes to painting workshops, there's no shortage of opportunities to let your imagination run wild. Not only will you have a blast creating something unique, but you'll also have a special keepsake to take home with you.No matter what your interests may be, New Paltz has plenty of indoor activities to keep you entertained. So, why not gather the family and escape the elements for a day of fun and adventure? Whether you're competing in indoor games or getting creative in a workshop, you're sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.Educational ActivitiesNew Paltz offers a wide range of educational activities that will engage and inspire the whole family. Here are three hands-on workshops and interactive exhibits that are sure to captivate your curiosity and expand your knowledge:The Dorsky Museum of Art: Step into a world of artistic expression as you explore the thought-provoking exhibits at the Dorsky Museum. From contemporary installations to classic masterpieces, this museum showcases a diverse collection that will ignite your imagination. Engage in interactive workshops where you can create your own artwork and experiment with different mediums.The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art: Located on the SUNY New Paltz campus, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of contemporary art. Immerse yourself in thought-provoking exhibits that challenge societal norms and spark conversations. Participate in hands-on workshops led by professional artists, where you can learn new techniques and unleash your creative potential.The Science Discovery Center: Embark on a journey of scientific exploration at the Science Discovery Center. Engage with interactive exhibits that bring the wonders of science to life. From experimenting with electricity to exploring the mysteries of the natural world, this center offers a captivating experience for all ages. Participate in hands-on workshops where you can conduct experiments and discover the scientific principles that shape our world.As you embark on your New Paltz family day trip, these educational activities won't only provide valuable learning experiences but also foster a sense of wonder and curiosity. So, embrace the freedom to explore, discover, and expand your knowledge as you engage with these immersive hands-on workshops and interactive exhibits.Family-Friendly RestaurantsLet's dive into the delicious world of family-friendly restaurants in New Paltz, where you can indulge in mouthwatering meals that cater to all tastes and preferences. New Paltz is home to some of the best family-friendly restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisines that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Whether you're craving Italian, Mexican, or just a good old-fashioned burger, the restaurants in New Paltz have got you covered. Here are some of the top places to eat with kids in New Paltz:RestaurantCuisineHighlightsMain Course Catering & RestaurantAmericanOffers a kids' menu with options for all agesP&G's RestaurantItalianWood-fired pizza that will leave you craving for moreMexicali BlueMexicanColorful and flavorful dishes that kids will loveMoriello's GelatoDessertsHomemade gelato that will satisfy your sweet toothMain Course Catering & Restaurant is a popular choice for families, with its diverse menu that includes everything from burgers and sandwiches to pasta and seafood. They even have a kids' menu with options that will please even the pickiest eaters.If you're in the mood for some authentic Italian cuisine, P&G's Restaurant is the place to be. Their wood-fired pizza is a favorite among locals, and their pasta dishes are cooked to perfection.For a taste of Mexico, head to Mexicali Blue. Their colorful and flavorful dishes will transport you straight to Mexico, and they offer a variety of options for kids.And of course, no family day trip is complete without dessert. Stop by Moriello's Gelato for some homemade gelato that will satisfy your sweet tooth. With a wide range of flavors to choose from, there's something for everyone.These are just a few of the best family-friendly restaurants in New Paltz. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, you're sure to find something that the whole family will enjoy.Parks and PlaygroundsAs we continue our exploration of family-friendly activities in New Paltz, let's venture into the world of outdoor fun and discover the parks and playgrounds that offer endless adventures for kids of all ages. New Paltz is home to some of the best parks for picnics and family-friendly playgrounds. Here are three must-visit outdoor destinations that will provide a sense of freedom and joy for the whole family:Hasbrouck Park: This park is a perfect spot for a family picnic. Spread out your blanket on the lush green grass and enjoy a delicious meal while surrounded by the beauty of nature. The playground in Hasbrouck Park offers a variety of equipment for kids to climb, slide, and swing, ensuring hours of fun and excitement.Sojourner Truth Park: With its basketball court and picnic area, Sojourner Truth Park is a fantastic place for families to gather and enjoy outdoor activities. Let the kids shoot some hoops while you relax and soak up the sun. Pack some snacks and have a delightful picnic in the shaded picnic area, creating lasting memories together.Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary: For a peaceful and serene picnic experience, head to the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary. This hidden gem is a haven for nature lovers and families alike. With its beautiful trails, lush greenery, and abundant wildlife, it offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxing picnic. Let the kids explore the surroundings and discover the wonders of the natural world.New Paltz's parks and playgrounds provide a sense of freedom and adventure for families seeking outdoor fun. Whether you're enjoying a picnic, playing on the playground, or simply exploring the beauty of nature, these destinations offer endless opportunities for family bonding and creating cherished memories. So grab your picnic basket, gather the family, and embark on an exciting day of outdoor exploration in New Paltz.Family-Friendly FarmsFamily-Friendly Farms in New Paltz offer a unique and educational experience for families looking to connect with nature and learn about farm life. These farms provide a variety of family-friendly farm activities that are both fun and educational.One popular activity is visiting farm petting zoos, where children can interact with and learn about different farm animals. At Kelder's Farm, families can enjoy a petting zoo experience like no other. You can pet and feed a wide range of animals, including goats, sheep, pigs, and even llamas. Kids will love getting up close and personal with these friendly animals, and it's a great opportunity for them to learn about animal care and farm life.Saunderskill Farms is another great option for families looking for a farm experience. In addition to their fresh produce and baked goods, they also have a petting zoo where kids can meet and greet farm animals. From chickens and ducks to rabbits and goats, children can learn about different animal species and their roles on the farm.Apple Hill Farm is a must-visit for families interested in learning about farm animals. They offer guided tours where kids can see cows, horses, pigs, and more. The knowledgeable staff will explain the importance of each animal and how they contribute to the farm's operations.Family-friendly farms in New Paltz provide a hands-on experience that allows children to learn about farm life in a fun and engaging way. Whether it's petting and feeding animals at a farm petting zoo or taking a guided tour to learn about different farm animals, these activities are sure to create lasting memories for the whole family.Family-Friendly EventsAfter exploring the family-friendly farms in New Paltz and learning about farm life, it's time to discover the exciting and entertaining world of family-friendly events in this vibrant town. New Paltz offers a variety of events that are perfect for the whole family. Here are three events that are sure to evoke joy and create lasting memories:New Paltz Regatta and Rubber Duck Race: Join in the fun at the annual New Paltz Regatta and Rubber Duck Race. Watch as colorful rubber ducks race down the Wallkill River, and cheer for your favorite as they compete for the finish line. This event is filled with laughter, excitement, and friendly competition.New Paltz Winter Carnival: Embrace the winter season at the New Paltz Winter Carnival. This event features a range of activities for all ages, including ice skating, sledding, snowman building, and even a snowball fight. Warm up with hot cocoa and enjoy the festive atmosphere as you make memories with your loved ones.New Paltz Halloween Parade: Get into the spirit of Halloween at the New Paltz Halloween Parade. Dress up in your favorite costume and join the community in a lively parade filled with music, dancing, and plenty of candy. This event is perfect for families who love the thrill of Halloween and want to celebrate together.These family-friendly events in New Paltz provide an opportunity to bond with loved ones, embrace the joy of community, and create cherished memories. Whether it's cheering on rubber ducks, enjoying winter activities, or celebrating Halloween, these events offer something for everyone.Historical SitesNew Paltz is home to a rich tapestry of historical sites that offer a glimpse into the town's fascinating past. From the Huguenot Street Historic District to the Deyo House Historic Site, there are many places to explore and learn about the town's history. Take a step back in time with historical walking tours and immerse yourself in the past with historical reenactments.Here is a table showcasing some of the historical sites in New Paltz:Historical SitesDescriptionHuguenot Street Historic DistrictA National Historic Landmark that preserves the unique history and culture of the Huguenots who settled in New Paltz in the 17th century.Deyo House Historic SiteExplore this historic house museum that showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century family in New Paltz.Historic Huguenot Street CemeteryDiscover the final resting place of the Huguenot settlers and learn about their lives and contributions.Historical walking tours provide a great opportunity to explore these sites and gain a deeper understanding of New Paltz's history. Knowledgeable guides will lead you through the streets, sharing interesting anecdotes and stories along the way. You'll feel as if you've traveled back in time as you walk in the footsteps of those who came before.For an even more immersive experience, don't miss the chance to witness historical reenactments. These events bring history to life as actors dress in period costumes and recreate significant moments from New Paltz's past. Whether it's a battle reenactment or a colonial market, you'll be transported to a different time and gain a newfound appreciation for the town's history.New Paltz's historical sites offer a window into the past and provide a unique and educational experience for the whole family. So, grab your walking shoes and prepare to be captivated by the rich history that awaits you in this charming town.Nature CentersAs we continue our exploration of New Paltz, let's now turn our attention to the fascinating world of nature centers. These centers offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature, learn about wildlife, and engage in hands-on activities.Here are three exciting nature center activities that are sure to captivate the whole family:Wildlife Education Programs: Immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world through engaging wildlife education programs. From interactive exhibits to live animal presentations, these programs provide a chance to learn about local ecosystems, animal behavior, and conservation efforts. Get up close and personal with fascinating creatures and gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of our planet's biodiversity.Guided Nature Walks: Embark on a guided nature walk led by knowledgeable naturalists who'll introduce you to the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Explore scenic trails while learning about the unique features of the local ecosystem. Observe birds in their natural habitats, identify different plant species, and discover the hidden wonders of the natural world. These walks offer a chance to reconnect with nature and experience the serenity of the great outdoors.Nature-themed Workshops: Participate in nature-themed workshops that foster creativity and appreciation for the environment. From art classes inspired by the beauty of nature to hands-on activities focused on sustainability, these workshops provide an opportunity to learn new skills while deepening your connection with the natural world. Engage in eco-friendly crafts, explore nature-inspired photography, or try your hand at creating nature journals. These workshops are a perfect blend of education and fun.Nature centers offer a wealth of opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with the natural world. Engage in wildlife education programs, join guided nature walks, and participate in nature-themed workshops to create lasting memories and foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for our planet's incredible biodiversity.Water ActivitiesTo make the most of your family trip to New Paltz, immerse yourselves in a world of water activities that offer fun and adventure for everyone.New Paltz is surrounded by beautiful bodies of water, providing plenty of opportunities for water sports and boat tours.If you're looking for some excitement, try your hand at water sports on the Hudson River. You can rent paddleboards or kayaks and explore the scenic river at your own pace. Feel the rush as you paddle through the gentle currents and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.For a more relaxing experience, consider taking a boat tour on the Hudson River. Hop aboard a comfortable vessel and let the knowledgeable guides show you the sights. Cruise along the river while learning about the history and wildlife of the area. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles soaring above and maybe even catch a glimpse of a playful seal.No matter which water activity you choose, be sure to pack sunscreen, towels, and a sense of adventure. Remember to stay hydrated and respect the environment by practicing responsible water sports and leaving no trace behind.Arts and CraftsLooking to unleash your creativity and explore the world of arts and crafts in New Paltz? You're in luck! This vibrant town offers a variety of opportunities for art workshops and handmade crafts that will inspire and delight. Here are three exciting options to consider:Mud and Fire Pottery Studio: Step into the world of pottery and get your hands dirty at Mud and Fire Pottery Studio. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, their pottery classes cater to all skill levels. Learn the art of throwing clay on a wheel, hand-building techniques, or glazing and firing your creations. The studio provides a supportive and encouraging environment where you can let your imagination run wild and create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.Fiber Flame Studio: If textile arts are more your style, then Fiber Flame Studio is the place to be. This cozy and inviting studio offers a wide range of classes and workshops, including fiber arts, mixed media, and collage. Dive into the world of fabric, yarn, and paper as you explore various techniques such as weaving, knitting, and needle felting. Let your creativity flow as you create beautiful and intricate pieces that reflect your personal style.Wallkill River School of Art: Immerse yourself in the world of painting at the Wallkill River School of Art. This art school and gallery offers a variety of painting classes for all ages and skill levels. From acrylics to watercolors, landscapes to portraits, there's something for everyone. Learn from experienced instructors who'll guide you through the process, helping you develop your skills and unleash your artistic potential. Whether you're a seasoned painter or just starting out, the Wallkill River School of Art is the perfect place to express yourself and create masterpieces.With these art workshops and handmade crafts, New Paltz provides the perfect opportunity to explore your creative side. Let your imagination soar as you engage in these artistic endeavors and discover the freedom of self-expression. Whether you choose pottery, textile arts, or painting, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and fulfilled.Sports and RecreationNew Paltz offers a wide range of exciting sports and recreational activities that are sure to keep the whole family entertained and active. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures or indoor fun, there's something for everyone in this vibrant town.For those who enjoy outdoor activities, New Paltz is a paradise. You can explore the numerous hiking trails in Mohonk Preserve, where breathtaking views and serene nature await. If rock climbing is your thing, head to The Gunks, a world-renowned climbing destination. Biking enthusiasts can pedal along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, while water lovers can canoe or kayak on the Hudson River.If you prefer indoor activities, there are plenty of options as well. Visit the Children's Museum of the Hudson Valley, where kids can learn and play at the same time. Explore the Historic Huguenot Street, a living museum that takes you back in time. You can also catch a performance at the McKenna Theatre or bounce around at the indoor trampoline park, Bounce!New Paltz is also home to family-friendly sports facilities. Play a round of mini-golf at the Apple Greens Golf Course or try horseback riding at the Payne Farm Too. The SUNY New Paltz Tennis Courts are perfect for a friendly game of tennis, and the New Paltz Golf Course offers a beautiful setting for a round of golf. If you're visiting during the colder months, don't miss the opportunity to go ice skating at the Kiwanis Ice Arena.No matter what your interests are, New Paltz has something for everyone. So gather your family and get ready for a day filled with excitement and adventure in this charming town.Day TripsEmbark on a day trip from New Paltz and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the surrounding areas. There are plenty of nearby towns to explore, each offering its own unique attractions and landmarks. Here are three options that are sure to evoke a sense of adventure and freedom:Visit the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie: Take a stroll across the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world and soak in breathtaking views of the Hudson River and surrounding landscapes. Feel the wind in your hair as you walk along the expansive bridge, enjoying the freedom of being suspended high above the water.Explore the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz: Step back in time as you explore this historic Victorian castle nestled in the heart of the Shawangunk Mountains. Wander through lush gardens, hike scenic trails, or relax by the lake. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area and revel in the freedom of being surrounded by nature.Discover the Storm King Art Center in New Windsor: Lose yourself in the vast outdoor sculpture park that spans over 500 acres of rolling hills and fields. Marvel at the impressive collection of large-scale sculptures by renowned artists. As you wander through the expansive landscape, you'll feel a sense of freedom and liberation as you explore the intersection of art and nature.These day trips offer the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and indulge in the freedom of exploration. So pack your bags, hit the road, and let the adventure begin!ShoppingWhen it comes to shopping in New Paltz, there's no shortage of unique and charming stores to explore. Whether you're looking for local boutiques or artisan markets, this town has it all.One of the must-visit places for shopping in New Paltz is the Water Street Market. This picturesque market is home to a variety of shops that offer everything from handmade jewelry to vintage clothing. You can spend hours browsing through the quaint stores and discovering one-of-a-kind treasures.Another great shopping destination in New Paltz is the New Paltz Plaza. This shopping center offers a wide range of stores, including popular retail chains and local businesses. You can find everything you need, from clothing and accessories to home decor and electronics. The plaza also has plenty of dining options, so you can grab a bite to eat after a day of shopping.If you're looking for unique and handmade crafts, the Unframed Artists Gallery is the place to go. This gallery features the work of local artists and artisans, offering a wide range of handmade items such as pottery, paintings, and sculptures. It's the perfect place to find a special gift or a piece of artwork to decorate your home.For fresh and local produce, don't miss the New Paltz Farmers Market. This market is held every Sunday and features a variety of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and more. It's a great place to support local farmers and enjoy the flavors of the Hudson Valley.In addition to these shopping destinations, Main Street in New Paltz is lined with charming antique shops. You can browse through a wide selection of vintage furniture, clothing, and collectibles, and maybe even find a hidden gem.With its local boutiques, artisan markets, and charming antique shops, New Paltz is a shopper's paradise. Whether you're searching for unique gifts, handmade crafts, or fresh produce, you're sure to find it in this vibrant town. So grab your wallet and get ready to explore the wonderful world of shopping in New Paltz.Seasonal ActivitiesAs the seasons change in New Paltz, there are a variety of activities that offer something for everyone to enjoy. From winter wonderlands to festive markets, here are three seasonal activities that will ignite your sense of adventure and create lasting memories:Christmas Tree Farms: Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holiday season by visiting one of the charming Christmas tree farms in New Paltz. Bring your family along and wander through rows of beautifully decorated trees, breathing in the crisp winter air as you search for the perfect centerpiece for your home. The joy of finding and cutting down your own Christmas tree is an experience that will bring smiles to faces of all ages.New Paltz Winter Farmers Market: Embrace the cozy atmosphere of the winter season by visiting the New Paltz Winter Farmers Market. This vibrant market showcases an array of local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal goods, and homemade treats. Stroll through the market, savoring the scents of warm apple cider and freshly baked bread. Engage with the friendly vendors, supporting their small businesses and discovering unique treasures that will delight your taste buds and nourish your body.New Paltz Spring Clean-Up Day: As the winter months transition into spring, join the community in a day of rejuvenation and restoration. Participate in the New Paltz Spring Clean-Up Day, where families come together to beautify their town by cleaning up parks, streets, and public spaces. This hands-on activity not only promotes a sense of civic pride and environmental stewardship but also fosters a deeper connection with the community. Pitch in with your loved ones, rolling up your sleeves and making a tangible difference in the place you call home.Celebrate the changing seasons in New Paltz with these engaging and family-friendly activities. Whether you're searching for the perfect Christmas tree, exploring a winter farmers market, or giving back to your community, there's always something special to do in this vibrant town. So, embrace the freedom of the seasons and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.Frequently Asked QuestionsAre There Any Nearby Wineries or Vineyards to Visit During a New Paltz Family Day Trip?Yes, there are nearby wineries and family-friendly vineyards to visit during a New Paltz family day trip. You can explore the Robibero Family Vineyards, where you can enjoy wine tastings and beautiful views of the vineyards.Another option is the Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery, which offers a variety of award-winning wines and a picnic area for families to relax and enjoy.These wineries provide a perfect opportunity to unwind and experience the local wine culture while spending quality time with your loved ones.What Are Some Family-Friendly Hiking Trails in the New Paltz Area?When it comes to family-friendly hiking trails in the New Paltz area, there are plenty of options to choose from.Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Mohonk Preserve, where you can enjoy scenic views and picnic spots along the way.Or, explore the trails at Minnewaska State Park, which offer a mix of easy and moderate hikes suitable for all ages.These local attractions for kids are the perfect way to connect with nature and create lasting memories as a family.Are There Any Family-Friendly Museums or Art Galleries in New Paltz?Yes, there are family-friendly museums and art galleries in New Paltz.The Dorsky Museum of Art is a great place to explore various art exhibits and learn about different artistic styles.The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art is another museum that showcases contemporary art and offers educational programs for families.These museums provide a fun and educational experience for all ages, making them perfect destinations for a family day trip in New Paltz.Where Can Families Go for Swimming or Water Activities in New Paltz?For families looking for swimming spots or water activities in New Paltz, there are some great options to choose from.You can swim in the beautiful Lake Minnewaska, go fishing in the Wallkill River, or even try paddleboarding on the Wallkill River.Additionally, you can enjoy a boat tour on the Hudson River or have a picnic at the scenic Rosendale Trestle, which overlooks the Rondout Creek.There are plenty of opportunities for water fun in New Paltz!What Are Some Options for Family-Friendly Lodging in New Paltz for an Overnight Stay?When it comes to family-friendly lodging in New Paltz for an overnight stay, there are plenty of options to choose from. From cozy bed and breakfasts to spacious vacation rentals, there's something for every family's needs and preferences.These accommodations offer comfortable amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable stay for both parents and kids.With a range of kid-friendly activities in New Paltz, families can explore the outdoors, visit museums, and indulge in delicious meals, creating lasting memories together.ConclusionAs the sun sets on our family day trip to New Paltz, we carry with us memories that sparkle like the stars in the night sky.From soaring high on hiking trails to immersing ourselves in art and history, we discovered the beauty and wonder of this charming town.With bellies full of delicious meals and hearts full of joy, we bid farewell to New Paltz, knowing that our adventure will forever be etched in the tapestry of our family's story.

This side of the island is rock tumbling, the other side is my jewelry-making workbench. I can’t cook so I use the island. The island has a power outlet I use for the tumblers (on a power strip). I lined the cabinet with an old sleeping bag for sound dampening. The tumblers sit on packing foam to absorb vibration. I also tilt the tumblers so the barrel weight is mostly in the idle roller, not the drive roller. That takes some strain off the motor, especially the Nat Geo.

Of the 400 hours I have spent in this game, probably 1/2 of that time has been spent on trying to understand the Divine Towers (DT) and Farum Azula (AZ). What was their history? Who built them? Why is FA crumbling? Why do the DT have meteorite's imbedded in them? And the list goes on and on.
Now I believe I know enough about their history to determine two things: The reason the DT were created and why Farum Azula is crumbling, and subsequently why it is located to the east and only visible by the Isolated Divine Tower.
For those who want the express answer, TL;DR:

• FA is based on Laputa from Castle in the Sky AND Gulliver's travels
• The DT were built likely to protect the inhabitants on the ground from FA, to destroy FA, or both.
• Gullivers travels have a story (that castle in the sky is based on) about a flying kingdom called Laputa. In the story, some of the people rebel and build towers containing magnetic stones that cause mechanics of Laputa to begin to fail to cause the city to crash on the towers so it would break apart.

The details behind these points are listed below.
1. The Ruins of Farum Azula
If you explore Limgrave and Liurnia, you'll notice that both of these regions feature many ruins, but ONLY these regions. That has bothered me for a long time. You won't find the ruins in Caelid, Altus, Gelmir, or the Mountain Top of the Giants. We know these ruins fell from the sky as the Ruin Fragment, which can be found all over these ruins, has a description that says:
"Stone fragment found near places where ruins have fallen from the sky. Can be used for crafting, or simply for throwing at enemies. These shards of stone are believed to have once been part of a temple in the sky. They glow with a faint light from within."
And the Sanctuary Stone description reads:
"A rare piece of stone fragment found near places where ruins have fallen from the sky."
There is a small detail that all of these ruins share that help us identify why FA is called Farum AZULA. Azula is a feminine Spanish word/name for Blue. If you look closely at any of the fallen ruins, you'll see this color barely clinging on:
https://preview.redd.it/yr8b0t9ddjzc1.jpg?width=2671&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9633d3867ddc0395e32d0c5028add5dee8d24d9c
This blue can also be found on beastmen adornments and in their burial statues
This Blue appears to be the remnants of a kind of paint that once coated the ruins. We have real world examples of this from multiple ancient civilizations (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians etc) where over the centuries the original color of statues and buildings has faded. So now we have an idea as to why FA is called "Farum Blue" (Additionally, some of the jewelry worn by the beast-men of FA also have blue ornamentation as well as the corpses held in the structures all over FA and the Bestial Sanctum.)
So what of there structure? Which part of Farum Azula did these ruins make up? Well I tried to get creative and reconstruct them as best I could. There seem to be about two main types of ruins: Circular and Square. The circular ruins look like the once formed a circular wall or tower and the square pieces look like they might have been the tops of the towers. I took a screenshot of one of the ruins and followed the curvature in an attempt to recreate the structure:
https://preview.redd.it/1u0yimwidjzc1.jpg?width=1427&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73d04d13b7b30be1922366ee6ac1746602dca685
You might have to zoom in on this picture to see the ruin's behind the character.
It is possible I am too in the weeds with this, especially since all the ruins are the same: Designs on the top, inside, and outside of the structures with the bottoms and sides indicating they were once connected to other pieces or the ground. That they were all the same height. But there is another option, the structure under the Bestial Sanctum.
https://preview.redd.it/9mt2ggfmdjzc1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3666887f24cee07ed08beafcba7fe8b9960237c8
The structure under the sanctum has an incomplete tower like design but based on how it seems partially buried, might be a completed tower. Additionally, the bestial sanctum structure also features the square shapes that we see scattered around Limgrave and Liurnia.
As I mentioned above, the ruin fragments and sanctuary stones can both be found on this structure as you climb down, but that I'll touch on that later.
Now that we have looked at the ruins themselves in terms of structure, we still need to figure out WHY they are scattered the way they are. Why do they only appear in two regions? The Ruins Greatsword may have the answer:
"Originally rubble from a ruin which fell from the sky, this surviving fragment was honed into a weapon. One of the legendary armaments.
The ruin it came from crumbled when struck by a meteorite, as such this weapon harbors its destructive power."
When something impacted by great force like a bullet, cannon ball, or a meteor, the impact will launch the broken pieces out away from the place of impact. We might be able to use the locations of the ruins to determine where FA was when it was struck:
https://preview.redd.it/hgiwbrgpdjzc1.jpg?width=1524&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9e9ce607926aa65ced637b5e266fde8b97aa086
If you notice where the red arrow points, you might catch onto an idea I am playing with about which meteor struck FA...
The yellow lines above creating the farthest the ruins go in each region, we can roughly figure out FA's location when it was struck. It is also possible that the one meteor broke into multiple pieces (as often happens with meteors; literally a meteor shower) just prior to striking FA as we can find multiple meteors throughout the lands between (every tunnel has a meteor in the boss room).
So now that we have the potential location of FA when it was struck, you may wonder "what does this have to do with the DTs?"
2. The Intended Purpose of the Divine Towers
If you have spent any time researching the inspirations for many of Elden Ring's designs and lore you will have no doubt come across Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky. FA seems to be heavily inspired by Laputa, the literal Castle in the Sky from the movie of the same name.
https://preview.redd.it/oswm6x0sdjzc1.jpg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b9904d5b02d99d2e297032017d713da8c30ad67
We can see several inspirations for FA in the Castle of Laputa from the outer ring walls to the giant tree that houses the powering device of the Castle. The underside of the city, where the dome is, is an ancient technology capable of destruction as serves as a kind of control point for the city. And guess which color it is? That's right, Blue.
But Laputa does not originate in Castle in the Sky. The story of Laputa goes much further back to the original story that inspired Hayao Miyazaki movie, Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. On one of Gulliver's voyages he and his men are attacked by pirates. Gulliver then find himself marooned on an island and while exploring notices a large object in the sky blocks out the sun. The object is the floating city of Laputa. Laputa is a large cicular city with a flat underside. The underside of the city is made of Adamant, which extends up 200 yards from the bottom. Adamant is a blue stone and it covers the entire underside of the city.
https://preview.redd.it/laay4ar1ejzc1.jpg?width=932&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3249f092d0dfaa7b65c57828a639befd16786d36
https://preview.redd.it/ownyxd5vdjzc1.jpg?width=170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aa816102eba2142fda5db23a9574a3d9b345911
Here is the section of the story further describing the construction of the city (fair warning, it's not short) Skip ahead to the next bold text to skip the story:
"The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently contains ten thousand acres. It is three hundred yards thick. The bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it below, is one even regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of about two hundred yards. Above it lie the several minerals in their usual order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or twelve feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from the circumference to the centre, is the natural cause why all the dews and rains, which fall upon the island, are conveyed in small rivulets toward the middle, where they are emptied into four large basins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two hundred yards distant from the centre. From these basins the water is continually exhaled by the sun in the daytime, which effectually prevents their overflowing. Besides, as it is in the power of the monarch to raise the island above the region of clouds and vapours, he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists agree, at least they were never known to do so in that country.
At the centre of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in diameter, whence the astronomers descend into a large dome, which is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the astronomer’s cave, situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper surface of the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, which, from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into every part. The place is stored with great variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical instruments. But the greatest curiosity, upon which the fate of the island depends, is a loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape resembling a weaver’s shuttle. It is in length six yards, and in the thickest part at least three yards over. This magnet is sustained by a very strong axle of adamant passing through its middle, upon which it plays, and is poised so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it. It is hooped round with a hollow cylinder of adamant, four feet deep, as many thick, and twelve yards in diameter, placed horizontally, and supported by eight adamantine feet, each six yards high. In the middle of the concave side, there is a groove twelve inches deep, in which the extremities of the axle are lodged, and turned round as there is occasion.
The stone cannot be removed from its place by any force, because the hoop and its feet are one continued piece with that body of adamant which constitutes the bottom of the island.
By means of this loadstone, the island is made to rise and fall, and move from one place to another. For, with respect to that part of the earth over which the monarch presides, the stone is endued at one of its sides with an attractive power, and at the other with a repulsive. Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end towards the earth, the island descends; but when the repelling extremity points downwards, the island mounts directly upwards. When the position of the stone is oblique, the motion of the island is so too. For in this magnet, the forces always act in lines parallel to its direction.
By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s dominions. To explain the manner of its progress, let A B represent a line drawn across the dominions of Balnibarbi, let the line c d represent the loadstone, of which let d be the repelling end, and c the attracting end, the island being over C; let the stone be placed in the position c d, with its repelling end downwards; then the island will be driven upwards obliquely towards D. When it is arrived at D, let the stone be turned upon its axle, till its attracting end points towards E, and then the island will be carried obliquely towards E; where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F, where, by directing the attracting end towards G, the island may be carried to G, and from G to H, by turning the stone, so as to make its repelling extremity to point directly downward. And thus, by changing the situation of the stone, as often as there is occasion, the island is made to rise and fall by turns in an oblique direction, and by those alternate risings and fallings (the obliquity being not considerable) is conveyed from one part of the dominions to the other.
But it must be observed, that this island cannot move beyond the extent of the dominions below, nor can it rise above the height of four miles. For which the astronomers (who have written large systems concerning the stone) assign the following reason: that the magnetic virtue does not extend beyond the distance of four miles, and that the mineral, which acts upon the stone in the bowels of the earth, and in the sea about six leagues distant from the shore, is not diffused through the whole globe, but terminated with the limits of the king’s dominions; and it was easy, from the great advantage of such a superior situation, for a prince to bring under his obedience whatever country lay within the attraction of that magnet.
When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the horizon, the island stands still; for in that case the extremities of it, being at equal distance from the earth, act with equal force, the one in drawing downwards, the other in pushing upwards, and consequently no motion can ensue.
This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, give it such positions as the monarch directs. They spend the greatest part of their lives in observing the celestial bodies, which they do by the assistance of glasses, far excelling ours in goodness. For, although their largest telescopes do not exceed three feet, they magnify much more than those of a hundred with us, and show the stars with greater clearness. This advantage has enabled them to extend their discoveries much further than our astronomers in Europe; for they have made a catalogue of ten thousand fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours do not contain above one third part of that number. They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satellites, which revolve about Mars; whereof the innermost is distant from the centre of the primary planet exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost, five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half; so that the squares of their periodical times are very near in the same proportion with the cubes of their distance from the centre of Mars; which evidently shows them to be governed by the same law of gravitation that influences the other heavenly bodies.
They have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with great exactness. If this be true (and they affirm it with great confidence) it is much to be wished, that their observations were made public, whereby the theory of comets, which at present is very lame and defective, might be brought to the same perfection with other arts of astronomy.
The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to join with him; but these having their estates below on the continent, and considering that the office of a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never consent to the enslaving of their country.
If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny, fall into violent factions, or refuse to pay the usual tribute, the king has two methods of reducing them to obedience. The first and the mildest course is, by keeping the island hovering over such a town, and the lands about it, whereby he can deprive them of the benefit of the sun and the rain, and consequently afflict the inhabitants with dearth and diseases. And if the crime deserve it, they are at the same time pelted from above with great stones, against which they have no defence but by creeping into cellars or caves, while the roofs of their houses are beaten to pieces. But if they still continue obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to the last remedy, by letting the island drop directly upon their heads, which makes a universal destruction both of houses and men. However, this is an extremity to which the prince is seldom driven, neither indeed is he willing to put it in execution; nor dare his ministers advise him to an action, which, as it would render them odious to the people, so it would be a great damage to their own estates, which all lie below; for the island is the king’s demesne.
But there is still indeed a more weighty reason, why the kings of this country have been always averse from executing so terrible an action, unless upon the utmost necessity. For, if the town intended to be destroyed should have in it any tall rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger cities, a situation probably chosen at first with a view to prevent such a catastrophe; or if it abound in high spires, or pillars of stone, a sudden fall might endanger the bottom or under surface of the island, which, although it consist, as I have said, of one entire adamant, two hundred yards thick, might happen to crack by too great a shock, or burst by approaching too near the fires from the houses below, as the backs, both of iron and stone, will often do in our chimneys. Of all this the people are well apprised, and understand how far to carry their obstinacy, where their liberty or property is concerned. And the king, when he is highest provoked, and most determined to press a city to rubbish, orders the island to descend with great gentleness, out of a pretence of tenderness to his people, but, indeed, for fear of breaking the adamantine bottom; in which case, it is the opinion of all their philosophers, that the loadstone could no longer hold it up, and the whole mass would fall to the ground.
About three years before my arrival among them, while the king was in his progress over his dominions, there happened an extraordinary accident which had like to have put a period to the fate of that monarchy, at least as it is now instituted. Lindalino, the second city in the kingdom, was the first his majesty visited in his progress. Three days after his departure the inhabitants, who had often complained of great oppressions, shut the town gates, seized on the governor, and with incredible speed and labour erected four large towers, one at every corner of the city (which is an exact square), equal in height to a strong pointed rock that stands directly in the centre of the city. Upon the top of each tower, as well as upon the rock, they fixed a great loadstone, and in case their design should fail, they had provided a vast quantity of the most combustible fuel, hoping to burst therewith the adamantine bottom of the island, if the loadstone project should miscarry.
It was eight months before the king had perfect notice that the Lindalinians were in rebellion. He then commanded that the island should be wafted over the city. The people were unanimous, and had laid in store of provisions, and a great river runs through the middle of the town. The king hovered over them several days to deprive them of the sun and the rain. He ordered many packthreads to be let down, yet not a person offered to send up a petition, but instead thereof very bold demands, the redress of all their grievances, great immunities, the choice of their own governor, and other the like exorbitances. Upon which his majesty commanded all the inhabitants of the island to cast great stones from the lower gallery into the town; but the citizens had provided against this mischief by conveying their persons and effects into the four towers, and other strong buildings, and vaults underground.
The king being now determined to reduce this proud people, ordered that the island should descend gently within forty yards of the top of the towers and rock. This was accordingly done; but the officers employed in that work found the descent much speedier than usual, and by turning the loadstone could not without great difficulty keep it in a firm position, but found the island inclining to fall. They sent the king immediate intelligence of this astonishing event, and begged his majesty’s permission to raise the island higher; the king consented, a general council was called, and the officers of the loadstone ordered to attend. One of the oldest and expertest among them obtained leave to try an experiment, he took a strong line of an hundred yards, and the island being raised over the town above the attracting power they had felt, he fastened a piece of adamant to the end of his line, which had in it a mixture of iron mineral, of the same nature with that whereof the bottom or lower surface of the island is composed, and from the lower gallery let it down slowly towards the top of the towers. The adamant was not descended four yards, before the officer felt it drawn so strongly downwards that he could hardly pull it back, he then threw down several small pieces of adamant, and observed that they were all violently attracted by the top of the tower. The same experiment was made on the other three towers, and on the rock with the same effect.
This incident broke entirely the king’s measures, and (to dwell no longer on other circumstances) he was forced to give the town their own conditions.
I was assured by a great minister that if the island had descended so near the town as not to be able to raise itself, the citizens were determined to fix it for ever, to kill the king and all his servants, and entirely change the government.
By a fundamental law of this realm, neither the king, nor either of his two eldest sons, are permitted to leave the island; nor the queen, till she is past child-bearing."
Stop Here
There are a couple of things to note from Gulliver's account of Laputa:

• The Adamant (which is blue)
• The lodestone that controls Laputa's movement
• The Astronomer's cave (dome) which houses the lodestone and the eight pedestals that hold it up in the cylinder in which it sits.
• The towers that house lodetones of their own to bring down Laputa

You can already see where I am going with the Divine towers. Housed in each tower at the top are multiple meteors and meteors house gravitational power. Additionally, lodestone is a real stone that is magnetized. And this is what the rock looks like:
https://preview.redd.it/pi8xqdi4ejzc1.jpg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ac691893df418414ed4c96bb42eaa43446c3d15
Now compare that to a picture of picture of the rocks that make up the very foundations of FA:
https://preview.redd.it/q5t3yxw6ejzc1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc100b83df5036d28851978205766e78a1405a7f
Ok, so the towers have gravitational power and FA is made of lodestone/is magnetized, how does that relate? Well lets look at the symbol for gravitational magic/power in Elden Ring:
https://preview.redd.it/q3gkjkmbejzc1.png?width=512&format=png&auto=webp&s=13ccd12848e9fef2046d12c4ac533e2ec505890d
This symbol actually represents how Earth's magnetic poles work in real life. Gravity is literally responsible for Earth's magnetic poles and the effects they have on our planet:
https://preview.redd.it/nf2f4m6gejzc1.png?width=700&format=png&auto=webp&s=053bb61f25d0720be0b7027050448e1cc3929da2
All that to say, FA does not have a lodestone to direct it's movements like Laputa does, it IS a lodestone.
Side note: Since electromagnetism is essentially why lightning exists (a negative charge being attracted to a positive one) I am playing with the idea that dragons can control lightning themselves because the are living lodestones. Additionally, we know that gravity affects time dilation in the real world. It's possible that the dragon's bodies allows them to lightly twist time as well as control lightning. If you examine the bodies, the bodies of the dead ones in the walls of FA and even the damaged body of Placidusax, you'll notice the same rock and mineral vein patterns on them all, that again, look like lodestones from real life:
https://preview.redd.it/dvdh6zwkejzc1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0722807afe3a6f1c81bdd1d8b8b22e93e45ce81
This would be similar to how the onyx and alabasters lords are living stones and who also have mineral veins on their bodies:
https://preview.redd.it/tki6eprnejzc1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=735afd4702e46ae566b43fddda1b0359928126b0
The difference being that one harnesses more of the gravitational aspect and the other lightning or electromagnetism. But I've only just thought of all of this so back to the main subject.
FA may have come from the surface of the lands between, but that was "time immemorial". So long ago that the lands likely look nothing like they used to, with only the DT and FA (and a few other ruins) left to indicate the world as they knew it.
So the question is, if the towers were meant to pull FA down in hopes of destroying or crippling it, was it a wasted effort? Well, maybe not. The two unique features to the isolated DT is that you can actually FA from the top of the tower and the tower itself is damaged on top. No other tower has these details. I don't think that is a coincidence.
https://preview.redd.it/5lbv21jqejzc1.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8100e78481e56972dcf6e9498c31eda168fb4f24
Despite the Bestial Sanctum being a few hundred yards away at most and sharing the same architecture, FA is still not visible from that location.
Tarnished Archeologist, in his video where he discusses the making of the towers, points out (and I agree) that what may rest underneath the two fingers atop each tower (or Ranni's body), or at least once did, was a central meteor. This would fit with what we see around the rest of the tower. He also posits that it was the giants who built these towers (as the eye of the fell god matches the 8 points, which are meteors, around the center point, which would be another meteor).
I speculate that after being damaged, FA was in retreat and proceeded east passing over the Isolated Divine Tower and struck it due to the gravitational force that pulled it down and reducing it to what it is now by essentially shredding what survived. I also speculate that this contact with the DT allows us to see FA from the tower itself when it's not visible from anywhere else.
3. Additional Thoughts/Speculations
These speculations don't quite address a few other questions that aren't necessarily related, like why the storm? I have also considered that this storm may have been an attack by the Storm King to attack or confine Placidusax in an act of Rebellion.
In Gulliver's Travels the town that built the towers are essentially rebelling against Laputa. This act of defiance and rebellion would line up with the Storm King description:
"Ashes of a hawk revered by all others as sovereign back in the days when Stormveil's winds still raged like no other.
This ancient monarch is proud however, refusing to answer anyone's summons."
In addition to this, we find storm hawks in FA. We also find banished knights in FA and the other place we find both together is Stormveil Castle. It would almost seem like both were part of a rebellious war against the inhabitants of FA.
I also think its possible the original inhabitants of FA were the humans we see depicted in the architecture and that the dragons took over. Thus the act of rebellion was a means to fight against the dragons tyrannical rule. After all we know the dragons are not against going to war against the human races of the Lands Between.
We know the final resting place of the Great Alexander is FA after we defeat him. Alexandria Egypt is the resting place of Alexander the Great from history. The Pharos of Alexndria is also in this location. Pharos = Farum. Further, Egypt was the only ancient civilization to use heavily use the color blue. The ancient Egyptians held the color blue in very high regard and were eager to present it on many media and in a variety of forms. They also desired to imitate the semiprecious stones turquoise and lapis lazuli which were valued for their rarity and stark blue color. Apart from Egypt, ancient civilizations had no word for the color blue. It was the last color to appear in many languages, including Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew.
It would seem that in addition to being inspired by Miyazaki and Swift's Laputa, FA was also the Land's Between version of ancient Egypt.
Another interesting feature in FA is the boss area where you fight Maliketh. In the boss around, which sits in the massive dome, there are 8 pillars. These are the pillars that Maliketh will jump off of when he attacks you in phase 2. The pillars are in two rows of 4. Now look at the throne room in Laputa from Castle in the Sky:
https://preview.redd.it/cz0j8qwvejzc1.jpg?width=3579&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cc4a0522d2f7bbedf7b8018ff1497b450a3b275
There are 8 circles on the floor as if 8 cylindrical objects were positioned there. This throne room in Laputa sits above the core of the castle/city where the lodestone controls the movement.

Of the 400 hours I have spent in this game, probably 1/2 of that time has been spent on trying to understand the Divine Towers (DT) and Farum Azula (AZ). What was their history? Who built them? Why is FA crumbling? Why do the DT have meteorite's imbedded in them? And the list goes on and on.
Now I believe I know enough about their history to determine two things: The reason the DT were created and why Farum Azula is crumbling, and subsequently why it is located to the east and only visible by the Isolated Divine Tower.
For those who want the express answer, TL;DR:

• >! FA is based on Laputa from Castle in the Sky AND Gulliver's travels!<
• >! The DT were built likely to protect the inhabitants on the ground from FA, to destroy FA, or both.!<
• Gullivers travels have a story (that castle in the sky is based on) about a flying kingdom called Laputa. In the story, some of the people rebel and build towers containing magnetic stones that cause mechanics of Laputa to begin to fail to cause the city to crash on the towers so it would break apart.

The details behind these points are listed below.
1. The Ruins of Farum Azula
If you explore Limgrave and Liurnia, you'll notice that both of these regions feature many ruins, but ONLY these regions. That has bothered me for a long time. You won't find the ruins in Caelid, Altus, Gelmir, or the Mountain Top of the Giants. We know these ruins fell from the sky as the Ruin Fragment, which can be found all over these ruins, has a description that says:
"Stone fragment found near places where ruins have fallen from the sky. Can be used for crafting, or simply for throwing at enemies. These shards of stone are believed to have once been part of a temple in the sky. They glow with a faint light from within."
And the Sanctuary Stone description reads:
"A rare piece of stone fragment found near places where ruins have fallen from the sky."
There is a small detail that all of these ruins share that help us identify why FA is called Farum AZULA. Azula is a feminine Spanish word/name for Blue. If you look closely at any of the fallen ruins, you'll see this color barely clinging on:
This blue can also be found on beastmen adornments and in their burial statues
This Blue appears to be the remnants of a kind of paint that once coated the ruins. We have real world examples of this from multiple ancient civilizations (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians etc) where over the centuries the original color of statues and buildings has faded. So now we have an idea as to why FA is called "Farum Blue" (Additionally, some of the jewelry worn by the beast-men of FA also have blue ornamentation as well as the corpses held in the structures all over FA and the Bestial Sanctum.)
So what of there structure? Which part of Farum Azula did these ruins make up? Well I tried to get creative and reconstruct them as best I could. There seem to be about two main types of ruins: Circular and Square. The circular ruins look like the once formed a circular wall or tower and the square pieces look like they might have been the tops of the towers. I took a screenshot of one of the ruins and followed the curvature in an attempt to recreate the structure:
You might have to zoom in on this picture to see the ruin's behind the character.
It is possible I am too in the weeds with this, especially since all the ruins are the same: Designs on the top, inside, and outside of the structures with the bottoms and sides indicating they were once connected to other pieces or the ground. That they were all the same height. But there is another option, the structure under the Bestial Sanctum.
https://preview.redd.it/vis72frizizc1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdd4e73eed283facab6fb579fd32f14bbcf1f86a
The structure under the sanctum has an incomplete tower like design but based on how it seems partially buried, might be a completed tower. Additionally, the bestial sanctum structure also features the square shapes that we see scattered around Limgrave and Liurnia.
https://preview.redd.it/dbc1u4rlzizc1.png?width=784&format=png&auto=webp&s=c99c94440e982faa28b05c5ed11298c042152ba5
As I mentioned above, the ruin fragments and sanctuary stones can both be found on this structure as you climb down, but that I'll touch on that later.
Now that we have looked at the ruins themselves in terms of structure, we still need to figure out WHY they are scattered the way they are. Why do they only appear in two regions? The Ruins Greatsword may have the answer:
https://preview.redd.it/yji645nzzizc1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3185cdad2b00dafe834c174981e1321366a0cabc
"Originally rubble from a ruin which fell from the sky, this surviving fragment was honed into a weapon. One of the legendary armaments.
The ruin it came from crumbled when struck by a meteorite, as such this weapon harbors its destructive power."
When something impacted by great force like a bullet, cannon ball, or a meteor, the impact will launch the broken pieces out away from the place of impact. We might be able to use the locations of the ruins to determine where FA was when it was struck:
If you notice where the red arrow points, you might catch onto an idea I am playing with about which meteor struck FA...
The yellow lines above creating the farthest the ruins go in each region, we can roughly figure out FA's location when it was struck. It is also possible that the one meteor broke into multiple pieces (as often happens with meteors; literally a meteor shower) just prior to striking FA as we can find multiple meteors throughout the lands between (every tunnel has a meteor in the boss room).
So now that we have the potential location of FA when it was struck, you may wonder "what does this have to do with the DTs?"
2. The Intended Purpose of the Divine Towers
If you have spent any time researching the inspirations for many of Elden Ring's designs and lore you will have no doubt come across Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky. FA seems to be heavily inspired by Laputa, the literal Castle in the Sky from the movie of the same name.
https://preview.redd.it/0isjx1bv0jzc1.jpg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67cb7111c2072aea6cd634b6e086ea0adbd36d32
We can see several inspirations for FA in the Castle of Laputa from the outer ring walls to the giant tree that houses the powering device of the Castle. The underside of the city, where the dome is, is an ancient technology capable of destruction as serves as a kind of control point for the city. And guess which color it is? That's right, Blue.
But Laputa does not originate in Castle in the Sky. The story of Laputa goes much further back to the original story that inspired Hayao Miyazaki movie, Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. On one of Gulliver's voyages he and his men are attacked by pirates. Gulliver then find himself marooned on an island and while exploring notices a large object in the sky blocks out the sun. The object is the floating city of Laputa. Laputa is a large cicular city with a flat underside. The underside of the city is made of Adamant, which extends up 200 yards from the bottom. Adamant is a blue stone and it covers the entire underside of the city.
https://preview.redd.it/klrjpzv11jzc1.jpg?width=932&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb03e0d373b51999c676e98e4685de9ea577e7e6
Here is the section of the story further describing the construction of the city (fair warning, it's not short) Skip ahead to the next bold text to skip the story:
"The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently contains ten thousand acres. It is three hundred yards thick. The bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it below, is one even regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of about two hundred yards. Above it lie the several minerals in their usual order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or twelve feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from the circumference to the centre, is the natural cause why all the dews and rains, which fall upon the island, are conveyed in small rivulets toward the middle, where they are emptied into four large basins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two hundred yards distant from the centre. From these basins the water is continually exhaled by the sun in the daytime, which effectually prevents their overflowing. Besides, as it is in the power of the monarch to raise the island above the region of clouds and vapours, he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists agree, at least they were never known to do so in that country.
At the centre of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in diameter, whence the astronomers descend into a large dome, which is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the astronomer’s cave, situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper surface of the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, which, from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into every part. The place is stored with great variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical instruments. But the greatest curiosity, upon which the fate of the island depends, is a loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape resembling a weaver’s shuttle. It is in length six yards, and in the thickest part at least three yards over. This magnet is sustained by a very strong axle of adamant passing through its middle, upon which it plays, and is poised so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it. It is hooped round with a hollow cylinder of adamant, four feet deep, as many thick, and twelve yards in diameter, placed horizontally, and supported by eight adamantine feet, each six yards high. In the middle of the concave side, there is a groove twelve inches deep, in which the extremities of the axle are lodged, and turned round as there is occasion.
The stone cannot be removed from its place by any force, because the hoop and its feet are one continued piece with that body of adamant which constitutes the bottom of the island.
https://preview.redd.it/16d4or7c1jzc1.jpg?width=170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f1105b00655b605a005f49338140f9358038c241
By means of this loadstone, the island is made to rise and fall, and move from one place to another. For, with respect to that part of the earth over which the monarch presides, the stone is endued at one of its sides with an attractive power, and at the other with a repulsive. Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end towards the earth, the island descends; but when the repelling extremity points downwards, the island mounts directly upwards. When the position of the stone is oblique, the motion of the island is so too. For in this magnet, the forces always act in lines parallel to its direction.
By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s dominions. To explain the manner of its progress, let A B represent a line drawn across the dominions of Balnibarbi, let the line c d represent the loadstone, of which let d be the repelling end, and c the attracting end, the island being over C; let the stone be placed in the position c d, with its repelling end downwards; then the island will be driven upwards obliquely towards D. When it is arrived at D, let the stone be turned upon its axle, till its attracting end points towards E, and then the island will be carried obliquely towards E; where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F, where, by directing the attracting end towards G, the island may be carried to G, and from G to H, by turning the stone, so as to make its repelling extremity to point directly downward. And thus, by changing the situation of the stone, as often as there is occasion, the island is made to rise and fall by turns in an oblique direction, and by those alternate risings and fallings (the obliquity being not considerable) is conveyed from one part of the dominions to the other.
But it must be observed, that this island cannot move beyond the extent of the dominions below, nor can it rise above the height of four miles. For which the astronomers (who have written large systems concerning the stone) assign the following reason: that the magnetic virtue does not extend beyond the distance of four miles, and that the mineral, which acts upon the stone in the bowels of the earth, and in the sea about six leagues distant from the shore, is not diffused through the whole globe, but terminated with the limits of the king’s dominions; and it was easy, from the great advantage of such a superior situation, for a prince to bring under his obedience whatever country lay within the attraction of that magnet.
When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the horizon, the island stands still; for in that case the extremities of it, being at equal distance from the earth, act with equal force, the one in drawing downwards, the other in pushing upwards, and consequently no motion can ensue.
This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, give it such positions as the monarch directs. They spend the greatest part of their lives in observing the celestial bodies, which they do by the assistance of glasses, far excelling ours in goodness. For, although their largest telescopes do not exceed three feet, they magnify much more than those of a hundred with us, and show the stars with greater clearness. This advantage has enabled them to extend their discoveries much further than our astronomers in Europe; for they have made a catalogue of ten thousand fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours do not contain above one third part of that number. They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satellites, which revolve about Mars; whereof the innermost is distant from the centre of the primary planet exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost, five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half; so that the squares of their periodical times are very near in the same proportion with the cubes of their distance from the centre of Mars; which evidently shows them to be governed by the same law of gravitation that influences the other heavenly bodies.
They have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with great exactness. If this be true (and they affirm it with great confidence) it is much to be wished, that their observations were made public, whereby the theory of comets, which at present is very lame and defective, might be brought to the same perfection with other arts of astronomy.
The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to join with him; but these having their estates below on the continent, and considering that the office of a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never consent to the enslaving of their country.
If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny, fall into violent factions, or refuse to pay the usual tribute, the king has two methods of reducing them to obedience. The first and the mildest course is, by keeping the island hovering over such a town, and the lands about it, whereby he can deprive them of the benefit of the sun and the rain, and consequently afflict the inhabitants with dearth and diseases. And if the crime deserve it, they are at the same time pelted from above with great stones, against which they have no defence but by creeping into cellars or caves, while the roofs of their houses are beaten to pieces. But if they still continue obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to the last remedy, by letting the island drop directly upon their heads, which makes a universal destruction both of houses and men. However, this is an extremity to which the prince is seldom driven, neither indeed is he willing to put it in execution; nor dare his ministers advise him to an action, which, as it would render them odious to the people, so it would be a great damage to their own estates, which all lie below; for the island is the king’s demesne.
But there is still indeed a more weighty reason, why the kings of this country have been always averse from executing so terrible an action, unless upon the utmost necessity. For, if the town intended to be destroyed should have in it any tall rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger cities, a situation probably chosen at first with a view to prevent such a catastrophe; or if it abound in high spires, or pillars of stone, a sudden fall might endanger the bottom or under surface of the island, which, although it consist, as I have said, of one entire adamant, two hundred yards thick, might happen to crack by too great a shock, or burst by approaching too near the fires from the houses below, as the backs, both of iron and stone, will often do in our chimneys. Of all this the people are well apprised, and understand how far to carry their obstinacy, where their liberty or property is concerned. And the king, when he is highest provoked, and most determined to press a city to rubbish, orders the island to descend with great gentleness, out of a pretence of tenderness to his people, but, indeed, for fear of breaking the adamantine bottom; in which case, it is the opinion of all their philosophers, that the loadstone could no longer hold it up, and the whole mass would fall to the ground.
About three years before my arrival among them, while the king was in his progress over his dominions, there happened an extraordinary accident which had like to have put a period to the fate of that monarchy, at least as it is now instituted. Lindalino, the second city in the kingdom, was the first his majesty visited in his progress. Three days after his departure the inhabitants, who had often complained of great oppressions, shut the town gates, seized on the governor, and with incredible speed and labour erected four large towers, one at every corner of the city (which is an exact square), equal in height to a strong pointed rock that stands directly in the centre of the city. Upon the top of each tower, as well as upon the rock, they fixed a great loadstone, and in case their design should fail, they had provided a vast quantity of the most combustible fuel, hoping to burst therewith the adamantine bottom of the island, if the loadstone project should miscarry.
It was eight months before the king had perfect notice that the Lindalinians were in rebellion. He then commanded that the island should be wafted over the city. The people were unanimous, and had laid in store of provisions, and a great river runs through the middle of the town. The king hovered over them several days to deprive them of the sun and the rain. He ordered many packthreads to be let down, yet not a person offered to send up a petition, but instead thereof very bold demands, the redress of all their grievances, great immunities, the choice of their own governor, and other the like exorbitances. Upon which his majesty commanded all the inhabitants of the island to cast great stones from the lower gallery into the town; but the citizens had provided against this mischief by conveying their persons and effects into the four towers, and other strong buildings, and vaults underground.
The king being now determined to reduce this proud people, ordered that the island should descend gently within forty yards of the top of the towers and rock. This was accordingly done; but the officers employed in that work found the descent much speedier than usual, and by turning the loadstone could not without great difficulty keep it in a firm position, but found the island inclining to fall. They sent the king immediate intelligence of this astonishing event, and begged his majesty’s permission to raise the island higher; the king consented, a general council was called, and the officers of the loadstone ordered to attend. One of the oldest and expertest among them obtained leave to try an experiment, he took a strong line of an hundred yards, and the island being raised over the town above the attracting power they had felt, he fastened a piece of adamant to the end of his line, which had in it a mixture of iron mineral, of the same nature with that whereof the bottom or lower surface of the island is composed, and from the lower gallery let it down slowly towards the top of the towers. The adamant was not descended four yards, before the officer felt it drawn so strongly downwards that he could hardly pull it back, he then threw down several small pieces of adamant, and observed that they were all violently attracted by the top of the tower. The same experiment was made on the other three towers, and on the rock with the same effect.
This incident broke entirely the king’s measures, and (to dwell no longer on other circumstances) he was forced to give the town their own conditions.
I was assured by a great minister that if the island had descended so near the town as not to be able to raise itself, the citizens were determined to fix it for ever, to kill the king and all his servants, and entirely change the government.
By a fundamental law of this realm, neither the king, nor either of his two eldest sons, are permitted to leave the island; nor the queen, till she is past child-bearing."
Stop Here
There are a couple of things to note from Gulliver's account of Laputa:

• The Adamant (which is blue)
• The lodestone that controls Laputa's movement
• The Astronomer's cave (dome) which houses the lodestone and the eight pedestals that hold it up in the cylinder in which it sits.
• The towers that house lodetones of their own to bring down Laputa

You can already see where I am going with the Divine towers. Housed in each tower at the top are multiple meteors and meteors house gravitational power. Additionally, lodestone is a real stone that is magnetized. And this is what the rock looks like:
https://preview.redd.it/v7saibo81jzc1.jpg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c29f73ba72afb8fbc22a3c13057d80c281f0c156
Now compare that to a picture of picture of the rocks that make up the very foundations of FA:
https://preview.redd.it/xu36fzkb2jzc1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a9375b6a6043d7d2874bdea55e5d5e01bb2d6e1f
Ok, so the towers have gravitational power and FA is made of lodestone/is magnetized, how does that relate? Well lets look at the symbol for gravitational magic/power in Elden Ring:
https://preview.redd.it/bprvtm0h2jzc1.png?width=512&format=png&auto=webp&s=3a8925dcc82e02fc23b4d5f6307513c4db45c1d3
This symbol actually represents how Earth's magnetic poles work in real life. Gravity is literally responsible for Earth's magnetic poles and the effects they have on our planet:
https://preview.redd.it/h33knhii2jzc1.png?width=260&format=png&auto=webp&s=62f14c03a97587e937af0d52443fa3715835fa40
All that to say, FA does not have a lodestone to direct it's movements like Laputa does, it IS a lodestone.
Side note: Since electromagnetism is essentially why lightning exists (a negative charge being attracted to a positive one) I am playing with the idea that dragons can control lightning themselves because the are living lodestones. Additionally, we know that gravity affects time dilation in the real world. It's possible that the dragon's bodies allows them to lightly twist time as well as control lightning. If you examine the bodies, the bodies of the dead ones in the walls of FA and even the damaged body of Placidusax, you'll notice the same rock and mineral vein patterns on them all, that again, look like lodestones from real life:
https://preview.redd.it/jrjvl97l3jzc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=a8b6f09020225179634d705873b3305d28190349
https://preview.redd.it/08fum3zq3jzc1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=f62ab190f409c2cc6131715c887b3811158eb251
https://preview.redd.it/0hrittet3jzc1.png?width=1800&format=png&auto=webp&s=d2e4562db933f43b2e75a6941b8e1d926e3291c9
This would be similar to how the onyx and alabasters lords are living stones and who also have mineral veins on their bodies:
https://preview.redd.it/1w29jo224jzc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=b21fe99cafdb471aa04e127da153ec23777d7fde
https://preview.redd.it/aldl83x44jzc1.png?width=461&format=png&auto=webp&s=a826973001b20327fd9912814e1f3eeb3f07e02f
The difference being that one harnesses more of the gravitational aspect and the other lightning or electromagnetism. But I've only just thought of all of this so back to the main subject.
FA may have come from the surface of the lands between, but that was "time immemorial". So long ago that the lands likely look nothing like they used to, with only the DT and FA (and a few other ruins) left to indicate the world as they knew it.
So the question is, if the towers were meant to pull FA down in hopes of destroying or crippling it, was it a wasted effort? Well, maybe not. The two unique features to the isolated DT is that you can actually FA from the top of the tower and the tower itself is damaged on top. No other tower has these details. I don't think that is a coincidence.
Despite the Bestial Sanctum being a few hundred yards away at most and sharing the same architecture, FA is still not visible from that location.
Tarnished Archeologist, in his video where he discusses the making of the towers, points out (and I agree) that what may rest underneath the two fingers atop each tower (or Ranni's body), or at least once did, was a central meteor. This would fit with what we see around the rest of the tower. He also posits that it was the giants who built these towers (as the eye of the fell god matches the 8 points, which are meteors, around the center point, which would be another meteor).
I speculate that after being damaged, FA was in retreat and proceeded east passing over the Isolated Divine Tower and struck it due to the gravitational force that pulled it down and reducing it to what it is now by essentially shredding what survived. I also speculate that this contact with the DT allows us to see FA from the tower itself when it's not visible from anywhere else.
3. Additional Thoughts/Speculations
These speculations don't quite address a few other questions that aren't necessarily related, like why the storm? I have also considered that this storm may have been an attack by the Storm King to attack or confine Placidusax in an act of Rebellion.
In Gulliver's Travels the town that built the towers are essentially rebelling against Laputa. This act of defiance and rebellion would line up with the Storm King description:
"Ashes of a hawk revered by all others as sovereign back in the days when Stormveil's winds still raged like no other.
This ancient monarch is proud however, refusing to answer anyone's summons."
In addition to this, we find storm hawks in FA. We also find banished knights in FA and the other place we find both together is Stormveil Castle. It would almost seem like both were part of a rebellious war against the inhabitants of FA.
I also think its possible the original inhabitants of FA were the humans we see depicted in the architecture and that the dragons took over. Thus the act of rebellion was a means to fight against the dragons tyrannical rule. After all we know the dragons are not against going to war against the human races of the Lands Between.
We know the final resting place of the Great Alexander is FA after we defeat him. Alexandria Egypt is the resting place of Alexander the Great from history. The Pharos of Alexndria is also in this location. Pharos = Farum. Further, Egypt was the only ancient civilization to use heavily use the color blue. The ancient Egyptians held the color blue in very high regard and were eager to present it on many media and in a variety of forms. They also desired to imitate the semiprecious stones turquoise and lapis lazuli which were valued for their rarity and stark blue color. Apart from Egypt, ancient civilizations had no word for the color blue. It was the last color to appear in many languages, including Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew.
It would seem that in addition to being inspired by Miyazaki and Swift's Laputa, FA was also the Land's Between version of ancient Egypt.
Another interesting feature in FA is the boss area where you fight Maliketh. In the boss around, which sits in the massive dome, there are 8 pillars. These are the pillars that Maliketh will jump off of when he attacks you in phase 2. The pillars are in two rows of 4. Now look at the throne room in Laputa from Castle in the Sky:
https://preview.redd.it/4lduboubcjzc1.jpg?width=3579&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=834ef1d1c9d40d17a43efb7a44d5d1e58c5ec411
There are 8 circles on the floor as if 8 cylindrical objects were positioned there. This throne room in Laputa sits above the core of the castle/city where the lodestone controls the movement.