Iceland has exploded onto the travel scene in the past decade. It’s no wonder, thanks to its combination of nearly unbelievable landscapes, Northern Lights-spotting opportunities, and badly-behaved (but great-looking) volcanoes. Although it can feel like every traveler is planning to visit—or has just returned from a trip to—Iceland, there are plenty of cool spots and …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua: The world’s first university botanical garden was created in Padua in 1545, which makes the Botanical Garden of Padua the oldest surviving example of this type of cultural property. Botanical gardens have played a vital role throughout history in the communication and exchange …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Piazza del Duomo, Pisa: Standing in a large green expanse, Piazza del Duomo houses a group of monuments known the world over. These four masterpieces of medieval architecture – the cathedral, the baptistry, the campanile (the ‘Leaning Tower’) and the cemetery – had a great influence on monumental …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Palace and Park of Versailles: The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Embellished by several generations of architects, sculptors, decorators, and landscape architects, it provided Europe with a model of the ideal royal residence …
From the World Heritage inscription for the City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications: The Old City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers, on a very steep rocky outcrop which is somewhat of a natural fortification that only needed to be completed …
From the World Heritage inscription for The D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station: The D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station (Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal) at Lemmer in the province of Fryslân opened in 1920. It is exceptional as the largest and most powerful steam-driven installation for hydraulic purposes ever built, and one that is still successfully carrying out …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta: The Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta – Hotel Tassel (1893), Hotel Solvay (1894), Hotel van Eetvelde (1895) and the House and Workshop of Victor Horta – located in Brussels, are outstanding examples of Art Nouveau. These four …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Mill Network at Kinderdijk: The outstanding contribution made by the people of the Netherlands to the technology of handling water is admirably demonstrated by the installations in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area. Construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of land for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Historic Center of Brugge: The Historic Centre of Brugge is an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble, illustrating significant stages in the commercial and cultural fields in medieval Europe.Brugge in medieval times was known as a commercial metropolis in the heart of Europe.The city reflects a considerable exchange …