Fruits of the Old World. Top 15 Unesco Sites in Europe
Majestic monuments, well-preserved historic districts and unique natural attractions are amazing. Each of the European countries has facilities that deserve special attention. Each of the sites represented in the ranking has its own unique history and special features. In some European cities, travelers can see not just standalone architectural monuments, but entire historical complexes that through the efforts of local residents have managed to survive after a few hundred years. European World Heritage sites are daily visited by thousands of travelers. Everyone should see these sights from around the world at least once in a lifetime.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Italy
The famous Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is situated in Milan. It was built in the second half of the 15th century. That’s the striking architectural monument of the late Gothic. A unique artifact is hidden within the walls of the medieval church. That’s the famous fresco by Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper. This mural decorates the refectory of the church. Many amazing stories relate to it. In 1943, Milan has undergone a heavy bombardment of the Anglo-American air force. As a result, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie was destroyed almost completely. The refectory also laid in ruins, but the fresco did not suffer miraculously.
![Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Italy Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Italy](//www.orangesmile.com/extreme/img/w250/chiesa-di-santa-maria-delle-grazie_2.jpg)
The Church was called a World Heritage Site in 1980. Today, it is of great interest for all those fond of the ancient architecture and paintings. The church features the luxurious interior. It is decorated with priceless frescoes by Serrano and Ferrari dating back to the 17th century. They were created during the regular large-scale reconstruction. One of the most beautiful design elements in Santa Maria delle Grazie is its dome. It impresses with its exquisite fine painting.
Over the past decades, the main church in Milan has remained a popular tourist attraction. The queue of those wishing to see the legendary frescoes doesn’t vanish, so it’s recommended to sign up for a tour several days in advance. Anyone who wishes to see the legendary fresco by Leonardo da Vinci, will have to undergo a special procedure. An outerwear has to be cleaned from the dirt using a dedicated gadget. Only after that, you can take a look at the amazing work of art. However, visitors can not admire it for more than 15 minutes.
Next - City of Verona
City of Verona, Italy
Many travelers associate the charming Italian city of Verona with the romantic love story of Romeo and Juliet. This picturesque place with a rich history is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, it is visited by more than three million tourists. The city is famous not only for its priceless historical and architectural monuments, but also for a rich cultural life. There are joyful festivals and exhibitions all year round.
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Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Spain
The gorgeous palace and park ensemble of the Alhambra is one of the most famous and recognizable sights of Spain. It was included in a World Heritage List along with two unique architectural monuments of Granada - the Generalife Palace and the historic Albayzin district. The Alhambra Castle is located in the eastern part of the city, on the hill of La Sabika. Its construction has began in the 13th century and lasted for several hundred years. The castle occupies quite an impressive area. For hundreds of years, its infrastructure was constantly improving. Today, visitors will have an opportunity to stroll through the historic Armory Square, see the defense towers that were built in the medieval period, as well as admire luxurious decorations of the palace.
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Garajonay National Park, Spain
Travelers who enjoy natural attractions would like to visit the Garajonay National Park in Spain. It is located on La Gomera Island, which is part of the Canary Islands. The park has the same name with the rock that is the highest point of the island. The area of the national park is 40 square km. The significant part of the territory is covered by a laurel subtropical forest.
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The Palace and Park of Versailles, France
A special place among the prominent attractions of France belongs to the Palace of Versailles. Its construction began in the second half of the 17th century by order of Louis XIV. For hundreds of years, graceful Versailles remained the residence of the French kings. The gorgeous palace impresses with its scale and luxurious design. Every detail of its interior is a true work of art.
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Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, France
The palace and park complex of Fontainebleau is the center of the same-name city. It has been a royal residence since the time of Louis VII to Napoleon III era. The first mention of the palace dates back to the mid 12th century. During hundreds of years, the old royal residence has been repeatedly rebuilt and expanded. During the French Revolution, the royal residence was almost completely looted. Many pieces of furniture and works of art were sold at an auction.
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Aachen Cathedral, Germany
In Germany, the city of Aachen is famous because of the Imperial Cathedral, which is also known to most travelers as the Aachen Cathedral. It’s a priceless monument of architecture in the Byzantine style. The story of the cathedral construction is incredibly interesting. The temple was founded in the late 8th century on the order of Charlemagne. The best specialists from Byzantium and Rome were invited to construct the building.
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Giants Causeway Coast, United Kingdom
Northern Ireland has the wonderful natural monument called the Giant's Causeway. It is the plateau consisting of more than 40 000 basalt and andesite columns. The plateau has been formed during an eruption of an ancient volcano, when the flow of lava went into contact with the cool waters of the ocean. When the lava was cooled, cracks appeared on it, but not in a random order.
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Megalithic Monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, United Kingdom
Megalithic Monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, United Kingdom
Description
Some of the most mysterious megalithic monuments of the world are situated in the UK. Those are Stonehenge and Avebury included in the World Heritage List. The world-famous Stonehenge is located on the territory of Wiltshire county. It’s a complex of stone structures of a horseshoe shape, which are arranged in circles. This unusual archaeological monument is considered one of the most famous in the world. A huge number of puzzles is related to it.
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Acropolis of Athens, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens can be called the most famous and recognizable landmark of Greece without a share of doubt. That’s the rocky fort that is 156 meters high. Unique ancient structures are set on the top of a flat hill. The first fortifications were built there during the reign of the first king of Athens, Cecrops, after whom it was named. Later, in the Mycenaean period, the Acropolis became a royal residence. In that time, its scale has been significantly expanded and the construction was fortified as much as possible.
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The Historic Center of Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Austria. Its historical part is a landmark of world importance. Here, an incredible number of attractions dating back to the different periods are concentrated at a relatively small area. The center of the historic district of Salzburg is Residenzplatz built in 17th century. The most important historical sites, including the archbishop's residence, which was built in 1619, are found around it.
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Schokland and Surroundings, Netherlands
In the Netherlands, travelers will have an opportunity to visit the amazing Schokland Island. It is of great interest due to its fantastically picturesque landscapes and historical monuments. Initially, Schokland was a peninsula. However, in the 15th century, due to the onset of the sea, a narrow isthmus connecting the main territory of the mainland, was completely flooded. The island had a strategic importance, but because of the low altitude it was regularly subjected to destructive elements.
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The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments, Russia
The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments, Russia
Description
Speaking of the outstanding attractions in Europe, it’s worth noting the historical center of St. Petersburg. Here are some of the most beautiful in the Russian palaces, architectural ensembles and gardens, as well as the many unique museums attracting travelers from around the world. The historic center was included in the World Heritage List in 1990. The most amazing and most visited area is the Golden Triangle.
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The Historic Centre of Prague, Czech Republic
The Historic Centre of Prague, Czech Republic
Description
Travellers visiting Prague will have an opportunity to see one of the greatest historical and cultural monuments in Europe. Prague's historic district is divided into five distinct areas, each of which has its great features and attractions. Old Town is located on the right bank of the river Vltava. The history of its occurrence is worth knowing. In the 10th century, several tiny settlements were founded on the banks of the river. Later, they merged. The historic district reached its prime in the Middle Ages.
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Royal Domain of Drottningholm, Sweden
There are historical monuments of world importance in Sweden. One of the most prominent is the palace and park ensemble of Drottningholm. It is located on the island of Louvain, among the peaceful waters of Lake Malaren. Since 1981, the palace is the seat of the Swedish kings. The first mansion on the island was built in the 16th century by order of King Johan III, who gave the palace to his wife. However, already in 1662, the majestic building was completely burned down. The palace was restored at the end of the 17th century. It has repeatedly changed owners. The residence was reconstructed in the next two hundred years.
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