Tower of Hercules, Spain

 Tower of Hercules is an ancient Roman lighthouse on a peninsula about 2.4 kilometers from the centre of Corunna, Galicia, in north-western Spain.

 The Tower of Hercules is an ancient lighthouse that stands at the opening of La Coruña harbor on the northwestern coast of Spain. The lighthouse stands along the sea route from the Mediterranean Sea to northwestern Europe.

The Tower of Hercules is notable for being one of few examples of a surviving Greco-Roman lighthouse, and the oldest of its kind that has remained in use, though it has undergone construction. The lighthouse stands along the coast as a symbol for the lasting power of the Romans and their impressive architectural knowledge. The structure has withstood the wear and tear of the winds and waters of the coast, and even devastating earthquakes couldn’t knock it down.

Many legends have surrounded the Tower of Hercules, claiming mythical origins. The tower’s namesake, Hercules, is said to have won a fight with a giant, and buried its head and weapons at the site. Other mythologies of the structure include a Gaelic Celtic legend, in which King Breogán had the site built to stand as a beacon to his sons. For this legend, a statue of the king continues to guard the lighthouse.

Built in the 1st century AD by the Romans, likely during Trajan’s rule, the tower was known as Farum Brigantium, after the lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt’s island, Pharos. However, the tower has gone through many names over its long history. Roman explorers arrived in La Coruña’s port of Brigantium around 61BC, and began to colonize the area. The port was important for defense and trade, guarding the entrance to the Bay of Biscay. The area had been a dangerous one for ships, dubbed the Coast of Death by the early Roman seamen. Though the presence of lighthouse has helped to increase safety, the orientation of the light house seems to have been constructed to aid travelers coming from the area that is now the United Kingdom, rather than those coming from the mainland of Europe.

The tower has been restored several times over its history, and probably had some reconstructions in around 1684. Later, the tower was again restored during the 18th century by Eustaquio Giannini, a naval engineer, who altered the form of the tower and added 21 meters in height to the once 34-meter tall tower. Construction on the tower was continued by Giannini’s brother, Jose Giannini from 1799 to 1806.

Though it still functions today, the lighthouse was not used continuously throughout history, with a long period of disuse – probably after the Viking invasions. The tower itself may still have been used during this time. The town around the tower thrived during the 11th or 12th century, and the townspeople used the structure as a defensive observation post. The town grew rapidly in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the tower was heralded as an icon of the city.

The site was excavated in the 1990s, and historians were able to discover more information about the tower’s history, particularly regarding its Roman origins.

Fin Garden (Bagh-e Fin)

Fin Garden (Bagh-e Fin) in Kashan, Iran

Fin Garden (Bagh-e Fin) is a historical Persian garden, located in Kashan, Iran. The garden contains Kashan’s Fin Bath, famous for being the site of the murder of Amir Kabir, a Qajarid Prime Minister under Naser al-Din Shah. Kabir was assassinated by someone at Fin bathhouse, who was sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852. The garden was probably first created during the Safavid era, though there were renovations later in history.

Completed in 1590, Fin Garden is the oldest extant garden in the country. Fin Garden features long reflecting pools, cypress trees, and plenty of Safavid era tile work. The garden’s fountains and bathhouses are remarkable for their water features and advanced system that functioned without the construction of mechanical water pumps. The central pavilion is notable for its art and décor that reflects the style of the period. Inside, a museum houses ancient ceramic statues, coins, and Persian rugs. Architectural styles include those from Safavid, Zandiyeh, and Qajar eras.

Mogao Caves

A Statue of Buddha at Mogao Caves (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas) , Dunhuang, China

Mogao Caves, also known as Mogao Grottoes or the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, are a collection of 492 caverns, built into the cliffs along China’s Dachuan River, home to a whole host of artwork from over 1,000 years. Constructed on these caves began around 366 AD, by Buddhist monks from several significant dynasties of China, up into the 14th century.

The location of the caves, right on China’s famous Silk Route, also greatly influenced the lasting cultural significance of the caves and the works of art they hold. The caves were an important location for the exchange of both goods and cultures.

Each of the 492 caves is a sanctuary, adorned with various types of art including statues and frescoes. The art work has been dated, and provides a unique look into the progress of Chinese art over the centuries. The art also gives an inside look into life in the area during those years, depicting varied scenes of the culture and arts, politics, religion, and economics of China throughout the various dynasties. The art also shows influences of the other cultures who came into contact with the Chinese throughout this era, including Indians, Turks, and Tibetans. The people portrayed in the art also show the evolution of dress styles and cultural traditions over time.

The caves are numbered, featuring various scenes of daily life, including scenes of the Silk Route, camels with carts, and trade exchanges, field workers, warriors, and landscapes. One of the caves was found with thousands of historical manuscripts, which has been named the Library Cave. This was an important discovery for the studies of ancient Chinese culture, providing much insight into the history and culture.

Palace of Fontainebleau

Palace of Fontainebleau – The royal residence used by French kings and royal families

The Palace of Fontainebleau, or Chateau de Fontainebleau, is a royal residence used by French kings and royal families. Beginning in the 12th century, the chateau was used as a medieval hunting lodge by King Louis VII. Located in the forests of the Île-de-France, Fontainebleau was the perfect choice for a residence not far from the capital in Paris.

In the 16th century, François I recreated the lodge, transforming it into the Renaissance palace it is today. Beginning in 1528, the project of embellishing the royal residence began with the earliest builder, Gilles le Breton, including his work on the Cour Ovale in the eastern part of the complex.

The architecture and art of the Palace of Fontainebleau inspired artistic evolution. François I brought artists from Italy, who spread the Renaissance to France. Rosso Fiorentino was the artist who created many of the palace’s frescoes and stuccos from 1533 to 1540. Fiorentino worked in the Mannerist style and his work incorporated themes from Greco-Roman mythology. Francesco Primaticcio also created frescoes, along with Romantic bronzes, the Cortile of the Belvedere and the Palazzo della Valle.

After François I, construction on the palace was continued by successors, even through the 19th century. Today, the palace is made up of five courtyards surrounded by buildings and filled with gardens. The grounds feature the Forest of Fontainebleau and many gardens, like the Grand Jardin on the east side. Originally consisting of flower beds and a canal, the gardens later became Parterre du Tibre, and today are primarily lawns with flowers along the borders.

The Palace of Fontainebleau now houses the Ecoles d’Art Americaines, an art school for American students. Tours are available of certain parts of the palace, like the Grands Appartements (including the Papal Apartment), the chapels, museums, and galleries.

La Sagrada Familia

Exemplary Art and Architecture at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

La Sagrada Familia, or its full name Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia in Catalan (in English meaning “Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family”) is an awe-inspiring work of art and architecture located in Barcelona, Catalonia in Spain. The work of the distinct and one-of-a-kind artist and architect, Antoni Gaudi, a native of Catalonia, La Sagrada Familia is one of the city’s major draws, along with other work by Gaudi.

La Sagrada Familia is a Catholic basilica, initially the concept of Josep Maria Bocabella, a Catalan who visited the Vatican and was inspired to bring some of that back home. Construction began on the church’s crypt on March 19, 1882, with architecture designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar, with a plan to become a Gothic revival church. Villar retired from the project a year later on March 18, 1883, and Gaudi took over from there, transforming the church into his own unique style until his death in 1926. When Gaudi died, La Sagrada Familia was less than a quarter of the way completed.

After his death, Domenec Sugranes i Gras continued the work, followed by a series of other architects. Gras worked according to Gaudi’s plans, but during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, many of the plans were destroyed in a fire.

Construction on the basilica continues even today. Currently heading the project is Jordi Bonet i Armengol, who began using modern technology in the design and construction. Stones that had formerly been shaped by hand are now being shaped by machines.

The design of La Sagrada Familia features interpretations of many architectural styles, including Gothic and Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism and Noucentisme, though Gaudi took his architectural design to levels never seen before or after. Gaudi’s design plans for 18 spires – though not all have been built thus far. The 18 spires represent the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ – the tallest spire.

The design also features three major façades, representing the Nativity scene facing east, the Passion scene on the west, and the Glory façade will face south when it is completed. The Nativity façade was the first to be constructed from 1894 and 1930. It shows the scene of Jesus’ birth, and faces the rising sun. The Passion façade is much simpler, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, and faces the setting sun. The Glory facade is the largest and newest, only beginning construction in 2002. The Glory façade, while generally outlined by Gaudi, was intended by the architect to evolve and be shaped by later designers long after his death. The final facade will feature the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues, and is dedicated to the Final Judgment and the Celestial Glory of Jesus.

Work on the Sagrada Familia is estimated to finally be complete in 2026 – 100 years after its mastermind, Gaudi’s death. Other estimates place the date of completion in 2028.

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

The Tower of Pisa is a bell tower, famous for its dramatic tilt to one side. The tower has become an icon of Italy, and millions of tourists flock to the lawns around the tower to take the classic photo pretending to hold up (or knock down) the tower. Visitors can also climb the 294 steps to the top inside the tower.

The tower was not originally intended to lean, but because it was built on soft soils the tower gradually tilted to the side. The Tower of Pisa went through restoration to prevent it from toppling, correcting the angle of tilt from 5.5 degrees to 3.99 degrees.

Yosemite National Park in USA

Yosemite National Park in USA

Yosemite was one of the first wilderness parks established in the United States, and today is the third most visited in the country with about 4 million annual visitors. Yosemite offers scenic landscapes, giant sequoias, and outdoor adventures like hiking, climbing, camping, and kayaking. While Yosemite has many waterfalls to check out, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America at 739 meters (2,425 feet). Half Dome is a famous landmark of Yosemite National Park, which visitors can climb the 8.2 miles to the top.

Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon is a system of canyons in northern Mexico, which were formed from several rivers that eventually all flow into the Rio Fuerte. The six canyons in Copper Canyon, when combined, are larger than the Grand Canyon. The Copper Canyon was named for the coppery colored rock from which the canyons are carved.

Aside from the canyons, there are hot springs and a wide variety of wildflowers which decorate the Copper Canyon at times. Hiking, biking, and driving are popular ways to get around Copper Canyon to experience all it has to offer. In addition, the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifica (ChePe for short) is a popular way to view the canyon, as it runs alongside Canyon Urique offering great views along the way.

Visitors to Copper Canyon may also be able to see some people of the Raramuri (or Tarahumara) tribe of native Americans, who are famous for their incredible endurance when running.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

One of the world’s natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geologic landscapes, displaying layers of history from the past 12,000 years. The Grand Canyon is a mile-deep gorge, carved out by the Colorado River over about two billion years.

Visitors to the Grand Canyon hike around and down into the canyon, and stand in awe of its massiveness. The most adventurous and fit hikers can make their way to the bottom of the canyon and stay overnight in Phantom Ranch, before making the return hike the following day. Another way to reach the bottom and to stay in Phantom Ranch is to book the overnight mule ride. Helicopter rides are another fun way to see the Grand Canyon.

Lake Superior (Great Lakes in North America)

Lake Superior (Great Lakes in North America) is the largest freshwater lake in the world

Part of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is the largest of this major group of lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area (but not by volume). The lake is situated along the border between the United States and Canada, with borders in the Canadian province of Ontario and the US states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Lake Superior offers 2,726 miles (4,387 kilometers) of coastline, including the islands, lending it and the rest of the Great Lakes region the nickname “the third coast”.

There are several islands in Lake Superior, the largest of which is Isle Royale, which is part of Michigan. This island has its own lakes and even 400 of its own islands. Isle Royale is part of the National Parks Service. Additional islands in Lake Superior include Madeline Island in Wisconsin, Michipicoten Island in Ontario, and Grand Island in Michigan. Grand Island is home to a national recreation area in the Hiawatha National Forest.

Other popular places to visit around Lake Superior include the Sleeping Giant in Ontario, which are mesas on the Sibley Peninsula formed to look like a sleeping giant, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the first official National Lakeshore in the country, and the forested Pukaskwa National Park in Ontario.

The Lake Superior area offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as observing wildlife including bears, moose, lynx, and grey wolves.

Churche of Chiloe in Chile

Churche of Chiloe (UNESCO World Heritage) in Chile

The Churches of Chiloé are a group of churches located in the  Chiloé Archipelago within Chile, constructed from native wood, in a fusion of indigenous and European cultural traditions. The ecclesiastical architecture used in the Churches of Chiloé stems from the tradition from the Jesuit Peripatetic Mission of the 17th and 18th centuries, and later in 19th century carried on by the Franciscans.

The Churches of Chiloé exemplify the blending of nature and architecture, with the use of natural materials to remain in harmony with the natural landscapes. Jesuit missionaries of the Society of Jesus arrived in the Chiloé Archipelago around 1608, sending members to evangelize to the native people and eventually began constructing these churches for its missionaries. The structures the Jesuits built were in the tradition of the indigenous people, using materials and methods found in the region, whose people were farmers and fishermen. The Jesuits were expelled in 1767, and the missionary work was taken over by the Franciscan order, until colonial rule ended.

Over 100 of these churches were constructed, though only 50 to 60 remain today. The churches are built along the shores of Chiloé Archipelago, which stretches from Chacao Canal to the Corcovado Gulf. The architecture is remarkable for the porticos, tower façades, and hints of Classical, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles, incorporating the indigenous traditions as well.

Museum Island at Berlin, Germany

The Bode Museum in Museum Island at Berlin, Germany

The concept of the Museum Island is based on plans from the German architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, and established during the Age of Enlightenment. The 5 major museums are part of Berlin State Museums, and include:

Altes Museum

Neues Museum

Alte Nationalgalerie

Bode Museum

Pergamon Museum

Altes Museum, meaning Old Museum, was built from 1824 to 1828 and is the oldest museum on the island. Altes Museum houses Greek and Roman art, and the top floor holds exhibitions. Neues Museum, meaning New Museum, was built from 1843 to 1847, but was destroyed in WWII, rebuilt and reopened in 2009. Neues Museum houses archaeological artifacts, and Egyptian and Etruscan sculptures – notably a bust of Queen Nefertiti. Alte Nationalgalerie, meaning Old National Gallery, was built beginning in 1866 and houses art from the 19th century. Construction on the Bode Museum began in 1897. It opened in 1904, and had been called Kaiser-Friedrich Museum. Bode Museum exhibits sculptures and late Antique and Byzantine art, with paintings dating up to 1800. The Pergamon Museum is a museum of ancient architecture. It was constructed from 1909 to 1930 and includes reconstructions of the Pergamon Altar (Greek altar) and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. The museums have varying designs, each one’s architecture is designed to reflect the works it houses.

Durmitor National Park

Durmitor National Park in Montenegro, Europe

Durmitor National Park is a natural area of northern Montenegro in Europe. The park’s features include mountains, canyons and gorges, rivers, and underground streams formed by glaciers as they melted during the Quaternary period. Main features of the park include Mount Durmitor plateau and the valleys and canyons of the Tara River, considered one of the last wild rivers in Europe. The Tara River Canyon is home to the deepest gorge in Europe at 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) deep.

The park has a wide altitude range from the mountain peaks to the canyon floors, creating multiple microclimates, like Mediterranean and alpine. There are three major geo-morphological features: canyons, mountains, plateaus.

The area is heavily forested, with pine forests that include the rare black pine, and the 400-year-old trees often reach 50 meters (160 feet) in height. There are 18 glacial lakes, the largest of which is the Black Lake, which feeds both the Tara River and the Komarnica River.  Durmitor National Park is also home to a variety of plant and animal life, such as the brown bear, wolf, wild boar, wild cat, chamois, and various species of eagle.

Cueva de las Manos in Aegentina

Cueva de las Manos or Cave of hands in province of Santa Cruz, Argentina

Cueva de las Manos, meaning “cave of the hands” in Spanish, is a series of famous paintings on the walls of caves. Located in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina, the cave paintings date back to between 9,000 and 13,000 years ago, and were created by the hunter-gatherer people who resided in Patagonia. These communities were some of the earliest in South America, making this site very important. The caves were inhabited by several waves of people, though the most recent of these were probably ancestors of the Tehuelche people around 700 CE.

Archaeologists have found that the cave dwellers used pipes carved from bones to spray paint the cave walls, using their hands as stencils to create hundreds of silhouettes of their hands in varying shades of red, purple, yellow, and brown. Most of the hands are left hands, suggesting that the artists were right handed, and painted their own hands.

There is also art featuring humans and animals in hunting scenes, with the indigenous guanacos and rheas, as well as abstract designs like shapes and zigzags. The hunters are depicted using bolas, their traditional hunting weapons.

Historic Centre of Macau in China

Visitors at the Historic Centre of Macau in China

Macau is a port city with an unique history and modern mix of cultures. Once a Portuguese colony, Macau was under Portuguese administration from the mid-sixteenth century until 1999, when it fell under Chinese rule. Macau had been inhabited by Chinese fishermen and seafaring merchants, who established fishing villages. Portuguese traders arrived and settled in the port as part of its trade route, making Macau a prosperous port town. A population influx in 1949 brought many Chinese refugees, and Macau then became a Chinese territory administered by Portugal. Today, the city of Macau is considered a Special Administrative Region of China, and displays a fusion of cultures coexisting and connecting.

The port of Macau is an important and long-lasting point of international trade – the trade of goods as well as culture. The Macau Historic Centre exhibits the merging of East and West, with architecture, technology, and culture influenced by both the Portuguese and Chinese inhabitants. Its streets are European, yet Asian, a development of something entirely unique to Macau.

Two zones in the Historic Centre, with about 25 historical buildings with architecture influenced by both Portuguese and Chinese styles were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Visitors to the Historic Centre of Macau can take the Macau Heritage Walk circuit to view examples of some of the earliest Western architecture in Asia, including styles from the Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical periods. Though these are in Western style, they incorporate characteristics from Chinese culture, including Chinese murals. Temples and homes in the Chinese style are also found in the historical city center.

The Guia Fortress, which includes a fort, a chapel, and a cemetery, were built around 1622 to 1638. The lighthouse on site is the oldest lighthouse in South China.

Other notable historical sites include several churches, including the ruins of Saint Paul’s church, though the façade is all that remains. The A-Ma Temple, situated in Barra Square, is a Taoist temple that may have contributed to the name of the city Macau. Dom Pedro V Theater was the first Western theater in China, constructed in the neoclassical style. The Moorish Barracks are also neoclassical design, featuring verandas and granite work. Macau Historic Centre includes several town squares, a library, many churches, and historical homes.

Golden Mountains of Altai in Russia

Golden Mountains of Altai at Siberia, Russia

The Altai mountains, located in Russia, contain natural reserves, lakes mountains, and a plateau. The Golden Mountains of Altai UNESCO site includes three general areas: Altaisky Zapovednik, Katunsky Zapovednik, and the Ukok Quiet Zone (Ukok plateau). The site also includes Lake Teletskoye and Belukha Mountain. The regions are located along the borders to China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.

The Golden Mountains of Altai are noted for their high level of biodiversity and a variety of vegetation zones, from steppe and forest-steppe, to mixed forest, subalpine vegetation, and alpine vegetation. The region is a habitat for endangered species including the snow leopard.

Humans have inhabited the region for almost a million years, with Paleolithic settlements found in the Gorno-Altaisk region. The mountains have been the site of tribal unions, khanates, and empires ranging from the Scythians, to the Turks, Uigurs, Yenissey Kirgiz, Kidans, Mongols, and Oitrats. The local people are Russians and the Altaisky, who are Turkish-speaking hunter-gatherer people who continue to live in the natural environment.

Within the site, Katun Nature Reserve which was established in 1991 and joined the Golden Mountains designation in 1998, is home to 700 plant varieties, 51 mammal species, 140 bird species and various reptiles and fish. Ecosystems contained in this portion include glaciers, alpine tundra, meadows, and forests.