From the World Heritage inscription for Poblet Monastery: Santa María of Poblet presents a unique blend of architectural forms generally reserved for distinct applications. It has served as one of the largest and most complete of the Cistercian abbeys, as a massive military complex, and as a royal palace, residence, and pantheon. It is a …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Historic City of Ayutthaya: The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site: The Ban Chiang Archaeological Site is a large, prehistoric earthen mound located in an agricultural area in the Ban Chiang Sub-district, Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in northeast Thailand, within the watershed of the Mekong River. It is an oval-shaped mound formed …
From the World Heritage inscription for The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier: Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past. They were built over …
From the World Heritage inscription for the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu: Five hundred years of Ryukyuan history (12th-17th century) are represented by this group of sites and monuments. The ruins of the castles, on imposing elevated sites, are evidence for the social structure over much of that period, while …
From the World Heritage inscription for Dinosaur Provincial Park: In addition to its particularly beautiful scenery, Dinosaur Provincial Park – located at the heart of the province of Alberta’s badlands – contains some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made from the ‘Age of Reptiles’, in particular about 35 species of dinosaur, dating back …
Westminster Abbey is nearly synonymous with London. When you think of London, you think of Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. In addition to the abbey, you can also enter parliament, which is something I did back in 1999 when I visited London. If I had to list one thing everyone should do if they …
From the World Heritage inscription for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: This park, formerly called Uluru (Ayers Rock or Mount Olga) National Park, features spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. Uluru, an immense monolith, and Kata Tjuta, the rock domes located west of Uluru, form part of the traditional …
From the World Heritage inscription for Kakadu National Park: Kakadu National Park is a living cultural landscape with exceptional natural and cultural values. Kakadu has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, and many of the park’s extensive rock art sites date back thousands of years. Kakadu’s rock art provides a window …