The main cultural and historical sights of European countries. Europe is the cradle of Western culture. Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet Mosque in Turkey

The famous American magazine "Travel & Leisure" offered its list of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Statistical data were processed and observations were made, on the basis of which it was possible to identify the most popular European attractions in terms of their attendance by tourists. The rating includes the number of travelers who looked at the attraction in a year.

1. Trafalgar Square, London (15 million people)

Trafalgar Square is located in the historical center of the British capital, in Westminster. This is the most popular object among tourists, which means a lot to the British themselves. This square is suitable for any pastime: some relax here, others get acquainted with modern and classic artworks, others watch movie premieres and sporting events, others hold protests and rallies, and everyone celebrates Christmas together. Getting to Trafalgar Square, tourists will certainly look into at least one of the local attractions: the Admiralty Arch, the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, the National Gallery.

2. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris (13.65 million people)

Notre Dame de Paris is not only the spiritual center of Paris, but also the “zero kilometer” of France, from which all distances are calculated. It was erected in the west of the island of Cite on the Seine River, in the place where in the 1st century there was an ancient Roman altar dedicated to Jupiter. The building of the temple is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, it is like a magnificent decoration carved from stone. The interior of the cathedral impresses with luxurious colored stained-glass windows, and the two-story chapel reveals the skill of masons of the Middle Ages.

3. Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Paris (10.5 million people)

The Catholic temple - the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is an amazing pearl of Paris. Its majestic light building made of white stone seems to soar above the city, as it was built on top of the Montmartre hill. In French, its name means "Holy Heart". A long wide staircase leads up the hillside to the church, along which crowds of tourists and pilgrims climb daily - some to bow to the shrines, others to admire the interior of the temple, listen to mass and enjoy the amazing view of Paris.

The world is full of buildings, the beauty of which is breathtaking. We offer you the top of the most picturesque bridges, which serve not just as a modern crossing,...

4. Louvre, Paris (8.5 million people)

One of the richest museums in the world, the Louvre has collected treasures from ancient times to the middle of the 19th century, which are divided into 7 sections. The museum has more than 300 thousand exhibits, but visitors can see only 35 thousand of them. The exhibits are divided into 8 thematic sections: the antiquities of Egypt, the antiquities of the East, Greece, Rome and the Etruscans, the art of Islam, painting, sculpture, graphic art and objects of art. The most visited part of the museum is the Denon wing, where Italian paintings are exhibited, including da Vinci's Gioconda. Although it is almost impossible to get around the entire Louvre in one day.

5. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican (7 million people)

This basilica is the most precious landmark in all of Rome. It is assumed that the Apostle Peter was buried under this basilica. Inside this grandiose cathedral, other rather big European temples could fit. The dome has a height of 136 meters, which sets a limit above which no other building in Rome can be. The Basilica of St. Peter has 45 altars, 11 chapels, it is decorated with countless statues. The best masters of the Renaissance - Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Bramante - worked on its creation.

6. Colosseum, Rome (6.9 million people)

The majestic arena of the Colosseum, located in the center of Rome, near the Forum, has attracted countless visitors for two millennia. In Latin, its name means "huge". This is one of the oldest structures that have survived to the present. Various amusements for the Romans were held here: fights of gladiators and wild animals, persecution of the first Christians, etc.

7. Eiffel Tower, Paris (6.7 million people)

Caves are called natural voids under the surface of the earth or in the depths of mountains, the study of which is the science of speleology. Many caves look...

It is well known that this building of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel was temporary, but it has only been delayed to this day and has become a symbol of Paris and all of France. At first, many Parisians were skeptical about the steel structure, believing that it would disfigure the face of Paris, or even simply collapse. But time has greatly changed the assessment of this structure by the Parisians. The tower stands on the left bank of the Seine and is visible from everywhere in Paris. Some may choose to climb the 1,800 steps to its observation deck, but most take the elevator. It offers gorgeous views of Paris and the Champs Elysees, which delight romantics.

8. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne (6 million people)

Cologne Cathedral is one of the most outstanding examples of High Gothic architecture in Europe. The height of its spiers is 157 meters, which makes it the second highest Catholic church in Germany and the third in the world. It was a real long-term construction, which was laid down in the 13th century, and completed only in the 19th century. It was seriously damaged again during the Second World War, after which its restoration continues again.

9. Sanctuary, Lourdes (6 million people)

The ancient French city of Lourdes is located in the southwest of the country, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the Gave de Po River. But crowds of tourists come here. Here the phenomenon of the Virgin Mary happened, on the site of which a sanctuary was built - a complex of religious buildings surrounding the grotto of Masabiel. In 1858, it was here that the Virgin Mary herself appeared to the local 14-year-old girl Bernadette Soubirous. Crowds of pilgrims rush here, looking for miraculous healing from all sorts of ailments. According to the church, about 7 thousand such miraculous healings have already happened.

10. Sanctuary of Padre Pio, San Giovanni Rotondo (6 million people)

This sanctuary includes a temple, an ancient monastery and a new church of God's Grace. San Giovanni Rotondo became famous throughout the world for the fact that the revered miracle-working monk Father Pio from Pietrelcina, who was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2002, carried out his activities in it. It was he who founded the sanctuary at the ancient monastery church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and next to it, according to the project of the architect Renzo Piano, a more spacious temple was later built, opened in 2004. In 1540, a Capuchin monastery was built here, in which Father Pio spent his years, from 1916 until his death. In 1918, in this monastery, he received the stigmata, and miracles began to happen here, thanks to which Padre Pio was declared a saint. Pilgrims visit this monastery and the cell itself with trepidation, where Father Pio spent his life. There they seek to immerse themselves in a deep atmosphere of mysticism and spirituality. However, this place attracts not only believing pilgrims, but also inquisitive tourists.

11. Palace of Versailles, Versailles (5.9 million people)

Not far from Paris, in the suburbs of Versailles, there is a luxurious palace and park ensemble. Built for the "Sun King" Louis XIV, this palace became a wonderful embodiment of the Baroque style, which became the standard for subsequent copying by other European monarchs when building their residences. From the outside, the building does not seem too outstanding, but all the luxury and beauty of it is contained inside. The grandiose park is not inferior to the palace in terms of design and scope.

12. British Museum, London (5.8 million people)

The British Museum has collected over 7 million artifacts of ancient history from different cultures and different eras. Here you can also see masterpieces of art, ancient mummies and sarcophagi. The British Museum can surprise not only with its collection, but also with architecture - it houses the world's largest indoor courtyard. The best part is that admission is free.

The first traces of human presence on the Abkhazian land are more than 300,000 years old. Abkhazia boasts a unique combination of mountainous terrain and close...

13. St. Mark's Basilica, Venice (5.5 million people)

This is the most important and largest Venetian temple. It also has a museum dedicated to St. Mark, but the entrance to it, unlike the temple, is paid.

14. Church of San Francesco, Assisi (5.5 million people)

The impressive basilica, which is the main temple of the Franciscan order, is one of the most significant Catholic churches. When it was erected by brother Ilia Bombardone, the Italian Gothic style was chosen, it became a universally recognized architectural masterpiece. The temple has two levels: the part rising above the hill is only the upper church, while on the mountainside and partially closed by ordinary monastic buildings there is also a lower church, which has one nave (as well as above), as well as many more crypts and chapels . But this is not the very bottom of the building - under the lower church there is another crypt in which the founder of the order, Francis of Assisi, rests. Near the southern facade of the church, a bell tower was added, having a height of 60 meters.

15. Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona (2.26 million people)

Also known as the Sagrada Familia, this basilica is a strikingly beautiful and impressive architectural masterpiece, the main, albeit unfinished, creation of the great Antoni Gaudí. Its huge towers are visible in Barcelona from afar, as they are almost unparalleled in height. Gaudi until the end of his life was engaged in the construction of this temple and its fantastic interiors, and the following architects continued his work according to their projects, which is why the facades of the temple are so different from each other. The terms of construction of the temple are typical for the Middle Ages, they have been going on for more than 100 years, but only donations are spent on it. It is expected that around 2026 the long-term construction will be completed.

1. Moscow Kremlin in Russia

The Kremlin is the "heart" of the great and mighty Russia and the pride of all its citizens. And not only we admire the Kremlin, but also people from all over the world. This fortress is located in the center of Moscow, the largest city in Europe in terms of population, the residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

2. Eiffel Tower in France

What is Paris without the Eiffel Tower? According to many tourists, the Eiffel Tower is the main attraction of Europe. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited and most photographed landmark in the world! From its opening in 1889 until 2008, 236 million people visited it! The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron structure built by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, designed by Émile Nougier and Maurice Koechlin, for the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889. The Eiffel Tower for 41 years, with its 330 meters, was also the highest on the planet. This is a symbol not only of Paris, but of the whole of France.

3. Old Town Square in the Czech Republic

The Old Town Square in Prague is one of the most charming and beautiful squares in Europe. It is home to beautiful monuments such as the Gothic Tyn Church with two towers over 80 meters high, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Town Hall, whose façade is adorned with the most famous and beautiful medieval astronomical clock in the world, built in 1490.

4. St. Basil's Cathedral in Russia

Basil's Cathedral is undoubtedly the most symbolic sight of Russia and one of the most famous in Europe. This Orthodox church is located on Red Square in Moscow. Known worldwide for its colorful onion-shaped domes. Its construction was started by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in honor of the conquest of the Kazan Khanate, and continued between 1555 and 1561. The cathedral consists of nine separate chapels dedicated to each of the saints on whose holidays Ivan the Terrible won battles. Undoubtedly, this cathedral is the main monument and symbol of Russian architecture, attracting millions of foreign tourists.

5. Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Spain

The capital of Spanish Catalonia - Barcelona, ​​in addition to its beautiful beaches, boasts unique architectural objects. Sagrada Familia or Sagrada Familia is a cathedral in Barcelona, ​​the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí, who had a hand in many of the sights of Barcelona. This is the best example of Catalan modernist architecture. The temple began to be built in 1882, and its construction is still underway! And its end is not to be seen even in the next 10 years. The work done by Gaudí, i.e. the façade of the Nativity and the crypt, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Today it is one of the most famous attractions in Spain and Europe.

6. Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a rock in the Bavarian Alps in the Füssen region. It was built by order of the Bavarian King Ludwig II in 1866. Neuschwanstein Castle has been awarded the first place in the ranking of the most impressive castles in the world. It is also one of the most important and visited attractions in Europe and the most photographed building in Germany, which inspired Walt Disney to create the famous Cinderella castle.

7. Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

This is the famous "leaning" tower - the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Italian city of Pisa. Part of the architectural complex of the famous Square of Miracles, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most important and visited attractions in Europe. Due to her attractiveness, she even "starred" in the movie "Superman". It is noteworthy that for several years now, contrary to its name, the tower no longer falls. These are the results of many years of work to strengthen its foundation. If these works had not been carried out, then in a few decades, the tower would finally have really collapsed and the world-famous landmark would have disappeared from the face of the Earth forever.

8. Stonehenge in England

The most famous archaeological site in the world is the mysterious Stonehenge, which, apparently, is over 5,000 years old. It is located 130 km from London. Scientists still cannot come to a consensus about what is the true purpose of this object. Stonehenge is a Late Neolithic (20th century BC) megalithic monument located near the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire. It is not known exactly what it was before - a burial place, an observatory, etc., but we know one thing for sure - Stonehenge is an important attraction in Europe.

9. St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican

The main architectural dominant of the Vatican - the smallest state in the world, located within the city of Rome - is the impressive St. Peter's Basilica. It is the largest historical Christian church in the world. This cathedral is the most important temple of Catholicism and one of the most beautiful in Europe, in the construction of which such famous architects as Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno took part. The sights of the Vatican include the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican, and includes the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library, including the famous Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo.

10. Athens Acropolis in Greece

Athens is an incredible city that is home to history, freedom, rebellion and age-old traditions. The Acropolis in Athens is not only considered an important monument of Europe, it was also one of the main contenders for the title of the new seven wonders of the world. It is located on a hill 156 meters above sea level in Athens. Most of the main temples of the acropolis were built under the direction of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460-430 BC). Inside you can see the Temple of Nike Apteros and the famous Parthenon. At the end of the Acropolis is an outstanding architectural monument Erechtheion. It is simply impossible not to visit the Parthenon, the personification of the Acropolis. This is the most important monument of ancient culture in the Western world, which every traveler should visit at least once in his life. The Parthenon was built in 438 BC. for a great sports and religious celebration. It is dedicated to the goddess Athena, and its name means "the dwelling of the virgin."

11. Hagia Sophia in Turkey

For centuries, Hagia Sophia has been a symbol of the Byzantine Empire. Everyone will remember this building forever, seeing the greatness of its dome and other parts that are visible from all over the Bosphorus. After the Ottoman conquest of the city, the cathedral was turned into a mosque, and then into a museum by the decree of Kemal Ataturk. Today it is the most famous and photographed landmark of the city of Istanbul.

12. Parliament building in Hungary

Budapest is rightfully one of the ten most beautiful cities in Europe, despite its youth. The hallmark of the city is an outstanding architectural structure - the Hungarian Parliament Building, which combines neo-Gothic and Beaux-Arts elements.

13. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

The 900-year-old fortress in the Scottish capital - Edinburgh, is one of the most popular attractions in Europe. It is truly a unique place with a unique atmosphere.

14. Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia

The historical center of Dubrovnik is surrounded by fortress walls. It is located on the steep coast of the Adriatic Sea. According to UNESCO, Dubrovnik, along with Venice and Amsterdam, is one of the three most beautiful cities in Europe.

15. Atomium in Belgium

This building was opened in Brussels in 1958 and is a kind of symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of atomic energy. The height of the Atomium is 102 meters. At first, they talked about the need to demolish this building, since it does not fit into the overall architectural ensemble of the city. However, the Atomium soon became the main symbol of Brussels, eclipsing the most popular Manneken Pis. Undoubtedly, the atomium is a landmark that stands out from the rest with its modern and unusual design.

16. Palace of Versailles in France

Located in the city of Versailles, this palace is one of the most beautiful in the world. Its construction began on the orders of Louis XIV, and the result is an imposing and majestic building, with the most beautiful gardens in the world, covering an area of ​​over 800 hectares. The Palace of Versailles is of great artistic value. Of particular importance is the "Mirror Gallery" - an impressive hall that is 73 meters long and has 375 mirrors. It is also the place where the First World War ended in 1919 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. This magnificent palace is a World Heritage Site and one of the finest monuments in Europe.

17. Big Ben in England

Big Ben is the famous tower of the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This almost 100-meter tower with a huge clock installed on it - Big Ben - is London's most famous landmark. This peculiar building with a height of 96 meters, built in 1858, has become the main symbol of London, and is considered the third largest clock tower in the world. The hero of countless films, Big Ben is certainly one of the best attractions in England and all of Europe.

18. Colosseum in Italy

Along with the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum is a great symbol of the city of Rome. With a history of 2000 years and measuring 188 meters long, 156 meters wide and 57 meters high, it is the largest and oldest Roman amphitheater, and one of the best preserved. Here, more than 50,000 people could enjoy gladiator fights, executions of prisoners, etc. The theater remained active for over 500 years, until the sixth century, when the last games were held. Considering that the Roman Colosseum is considered one of the seven new wonders of the world, it deservedly takes the first place in our ranking of the best sights in Europe.

19. Brandenburg Gate in Germany

Located in the heart of the city of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of Germany. They were built by the architect Carl Gottgard Langgans in 1788-1791 during the reign of Frederick William II of Prussia, and are modeled after the main entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. During the Second World War, the attraction was badly damaged, and the Chariot was almost completely destroyed. During the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was left in no man's land, with no access to either East or West. Because of its history and beauty, this gate deserves to be among the best attractions in Europe.

20. Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet Mosque in Turkey

Sultanahmet, or the Blue Mosque, is the visiting card of Istanbul. It is considered an outstanding example of Islamic architecture. Every year, it is this attraction that attracts many thousands of tourists of any faith to Istanbul: both Muslims and Christians.

21. Tower Bridge in England

This is another famous attraction in London that can compete for the title of the most popular with Big Ben. It is a drawbridge with two towers, 65 meters high, made in the Gothic style.

22. Alhambra in Spain

Alhambra - a palace complex with beautiful gardens was built by Muslims on the hill of Granada, where the monarch of the Emirate of Granada was located. This is an architectural ensemble that includes luxurious palaces, delightful gardens of the Generalife and a fortress. The beautiful Andalusian interior style and hillside location make the Alhambra one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in Europe and the world.

23. Trullo in Italy

Fabulous fake houses in the region of Puglia make up the whole settlement of Alberobello, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to legend, these white round houses with a conical gray roof arose thanks to the ingenuity of the locals. Construction in this area was prohibited, so if necessary, it was possible to destroy the trullo to the ground in the blink of an eye, taking out just one "secret" stone. Today, most of them are stylization, quite stable, but very pretty.

24.Ronda in Spain

Lost in the mountains, the capital of the white cities of Andalusia and the birthplace of bullfighting, first of all, attracts tourists with the opportunity to walk along the cyclopean New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) over the deep Tagus Gorge. In fact, it was new in the 18th century, connecting two parts of the city, spread over two picturesque rocky plateaus. And today it is the main (and very photogenic) attraction, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

25. Mont Saint-Michel in France

The monastery castle on top of a rocky island impresses with its medieval monumentality against the backdrop of idyllic landscapes with sheep and cows grazing in the surrounding meadows. But the main feature lies in its unique location - in the middle of the bay with the most powerful tides in Europe. Twice a day, the water surrounds the island, leaving only the dam open, and then recedes for many kilometers, exposing the entire space between the castle and the coast.

photo found on the internet

✰ ✰ ✰

Var, Provence (France)

From the greenish-blue waters of the Gorges du Verdon to the endless lilac lavender fields, the Var is considered the most beautiful part of Provence. Stone houses form tiny villages hidden between winding roads. There you will not be annoyed by crowds of tourists. You can stop and have a delicious meal, see the best views of Provence, and feel the very real taste of life in this region, which is described in Peter Meil's book A Year in Provence.

✰ ✰ ✰

Barcelona, ​​Spain)

You should definitely see the Sagrada Familia Cathedral with your own eyes, the construction of which began at the end of the 19th century and still remains unfinished, but in the scaffolding this grandiose structure seems even more spectacular. The architecture of Antoni Gaudí fills the streets and boulevards of the Catalan capital, his playful and surreal works are recognizable in every corner of the city. Inspired by the tale of Hansel and Gretel, the architect created Park Güell in accordance with the English idea of ​​a "garden city". It is also worth seeing and taking pictures on the famous winding snake bench. Entrance to the park costs €8, but if you want to look at the creations of Gaudí without spending money, wander through the streets of the city and find the houses of La Pedrera, Casa Vicenç and Casa Batllo, you can admire them from the street absolutely free.

✰ ✰ ✰

Sistine Chapel, Italy

The masterpiece of all Michelangelo's masterpieces is in the Apostolic Palace in Rome. The Last Judgment fresco occupies the entire wall behind the altar and part of the ceiling. It is 40 meters long and 13 meters wide and includes nine biblical stories. Take a closer look at the work of the great master, and imagine that you yourself are painting this wall. By the way, keep in mind that it is often closed by forests, so choose the time to visit the chapel carefully.

✰ ✰ ✰

Acropolis, Greece

About three million tourists visit the Acropolis in Athens every year. This is a great reason to join them. These "sacred stones" date back to the 5th century BC, and the Parthenon, the most famous temple of the Acropolis, with 46 Doric columns, is considered the most famous building in classical architecture. It is advised to look at the Acropolis in the night light, you will have a magnificent view of the old temples, bathed in the golden light of searchlights.

✰ ✰ ✰

Pamukkale, Turkey

This petrified cascade of a powerful waterfall is located on the side of a valley in the picturesque southwestern region of Turkey. Surreal travertine steps on the edge of the Anatolian Plateau are next to the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. It is easy to get here, and therefore there are a lot of tourists here every day. Pamukkale is considered the most visited attraction in Turkey and deserves to be seen with your own eyes.

✰ ✰ ✰

Semana Santa, Spain

This is not a place, but a time. On Holy Week - 7 days before Easter - in all cities of Spain, costumed processions begin to move from church to church, reflecting the last days of Christ's life. This is especially impressive in Seville. Spanish pride is considered La Madruga - the early morning of Good Friday, when the two beloved Virgins of Seville, Triana and Macarena, appear.

✰ ✰ ✰

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

This structure was first used as a Byzantine church, then during the Ottoman era as a mosque, and is now a museum (although you can still hear the call to prayer from its minarets several times a day). It is really great. Inside, Byzantine mosaics shimmer, verses of the Koran are written in elegant Arabic calligraphy on special black shields, the minbar and prayer niches, typical places of worship in Islam, have been preserved. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest architectural achievements in world history. Her visit will not leave you indifferent, and at least once in your life it must be done.

✰ ✰ ✰

Matterhorn, Switzerland

We do not offer you to conquer this Alpine mountain peak. It is possible, but only for very experienced climbers. We had in mind that it is worth admiring its view while in the resort of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. The Matterhorn has a special pyramidal shape, its height is 4478 meters. It was first climbed by climbers a little over 150 years ago. It was a group led by Edward Whymper, but due to an accident on the descent, four of this group never made it down the summit.

✰ ✰ ✰

Chenonceau castle, Loire Valley, France

Chenonceau will remind you why you should admire France. Standing on arches on the river Cher, this castle is so devilishly and harmoniously perfect that, looking at it, you involuntarily think about whether the Universe has its own aesthetic laws. Even children will not mind visiting this magnificent palace bought by Henri II for his mistress Diane de Poitiers. In addition to the palace, the nearby garden deserves attention.

✰ ✰ ✰

Atlantic road, Norway

This impressive Norwegian route passes through seven small bridges that link several beautiful rocky islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western fjords. All the crossings are beautiful in their own right, especially the Storsesandet Bridge, but the surrounding scenery will leave you breathless: dramatic mountains, inky water and, if you're lucky, whales and dolphins at play.

✰ ✰ ✰

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Sultanahmed Camii or the Blue Mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century. It has a dome with a diameter of 23.50 m and six minarets 64 m high. More than 20,000 pieces of the famous Iznik tiles were used in the interior, and 200 stained-glass windows are located in the openings of the upper levels. The mosque is operational, and non-Muslims are allowed only in a specially designated part of the building. But even this is enough to appreciate the scale and significance of this magnificent building.

✰ ✰ ✰

Northern lights, Scandinavia or Iceland

It is cold. It can be expensive. But there is no doubt that a trip to the northern regions of Europe in order to see the northern lights with your own eyes is worth it. If possible, choose a deserted, remote location - light noise makes the greens and blues less noticeable - check the forecasts on the Internet for the appearance of the northern lights and, fingers crossed, watch. Even if green streaks don't cut through the sky, take the opportunity to ride a dog sled, go sledding and snowshoeing, or simply savor the deep silence of the icy landscapes.

✰ ✰ ✰

Sainte Chapelle, Paris, France

Consecrated back in 1248, this Gothic chapel in the heart of Paris was damaged during the French Revolution, but it has some of the finest examples of stained glass. Even those who are not particularly fond of church architecture will not remain indifferent to the contemplation of the kaleidoscopic fragments of purple, pink, emerald green and royal blue, the reflections of which dance along the walls of the Sainte-Chapelle chapel.

✰ ✰ ✰

Red Square, Moscow, Russia

Once it was a place for executions, then Soviet military parades were held here. Two cathedrals were demolished to make way for passing military vehicles. Then, after the collapse of the Union, it was rebuilt, and to this day there is Lenin's mausoleum. Red Square is Moscow's focal point with the bizarre domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM, and further south, the huge Kremlin complex.

✰ ✰ ✰

Ignore the people who are posing for pictures as if they are holding the building from falling. Instead, admire this amazing small free-standing bell tower of the nearby Pisa Cathedral. It leans at an angle of about 3.99 degrees - which is better than it was before the restoration - 5.5 degrees. The building was built of shiny white marble. Be prepared for a confusing ticketing system and a lot of pointless souvenirs - both are worth it to see this tower once with your own eyes.

✰ ✰ ✰

Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Since 1357, this stone bridge over the Vltava River has been perfectly framing the view of the Prague Castle and linking the Mala Strana and Stare Mesto districts. You need to pass these 520 meters under the supervision of 30 medieval sculptures at least once in your life.

✰ ✰ ✰

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

This neoclassical arch was built as a symbol of peace at the end of the 18th century, but it was badly damaged during the Second World War, and also had a gloomy location in close proximity to the Berlin Wall, which then divided the country. In the early 2000s, the gate underwent a major renovation and is now in perfect harmony with the more modern buildings of the German capital. They deserve your look at them!

✰ ✰ ✰

Renaissance art, hilltop towns, graceful lines of manicured pastures and cypresses swaying rhythmically in the wind… there are still reasons for Tuscany's popularity. The landscape of Val d'Orcia has saved thousands of editors who needed bright shots to illustrate European holidays: its hills and villages look completely idyllic.

In Siena, the Palio races are held twice a year, which have been taking place in the central square of Piazza del Campo almost without interruption since 1644. The capital of Tuscany, Florence, the most sophisticated city in Italy, is worth visiting at least once. There are so many attractions here that you will have enough impressions for a very long time.

✰ ✰ ✰

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled is located in the north-west of Slovenia. It and its surroundings are ideal for outdoor activities. Here you can go rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, go skiing or mountain biking. The lake itself is much larger than it appears in popular footage of the chapel in the center of the island.

✰ ✰ ✰

Colosseum, Italy

Be sure to include a visit to the Colosseum in your plans, especially now that visitors can pass through the same passages through which gladiators and wild animals entered the arena. You will see an ancient arena built for 50,000 people, as well as a restored wooden elevator, on which lions and other wild animals were raised to certain death. A wolf is placed there, but instead of a subsequent fight with a gladiator, now he is rewarded with goodies.

✰ ✰ ✰

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, these are the ruins of an ancient city that was built over 2,000 years ago, located in the western part of Turkey. It was once here that one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis, was located here, but, like the city itself, it was destroyed by the Goths during the invasion. Then Ephesus was restored in the Byzantine era, but it became completely abandoned in the 15th century with the advent of Ottoman power to the lands that now belong to Turkey.

✰ ✰ ✰

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

At least once in a lifetime it is worth visiting the famous building of Gustave Eiffel in Paris. Yes, there are always a lot of tourists there, you should always remember about pickpockets hunting here, but the view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world from above is incredible - better from the second level than from the third or last, where the glass screen blocks the panorama.

If you take the stairs instead of the elevator, you can get a close look at the huge web of steel bars that make up the tower. Stop to look down through the glass floor, which was opened in 2014 on the first level.

✰ ✰ ✰

The fortress and palace complex, whose name in Arabic means "red", is a reminder that Islamic dynasties once ruled these lands. Built and reconstructed between the 9th and 11th century in Granada. The Hall of the Abenserrachs, the Royal Complex and the Palace of the Lions are considered some of the finest examples of Moorish architecture, and the interior decoration is so meticulously executed that the seams in the decoration can only be seen through a magnifying glass. The number of visitors is strictly limited, but the most popular halls and palaces are always crowded with tourists.

✰ ✰ ✰

La Serenissima receives tens of thousands of visitors every day, and you will never stay here alone. But even the most hardened haters of hyped and top tourist destinations should spend at least one day of their lives in Venice, a city on the water with a winding network of canals.

Don't try to follow the map: just get lost among the narrow alleyways lined with souvenir shops with masks, Italian leather goods stalls, and crowded houses of locals. So you can accidentally stumble upon the famous Piazza San Marco. Tourists on a modest budget can simply sit around all day dangling their legs by the canal and eating peaches and chocolate gelato.

✰ ✰ ✰

Clear, white, almost arctic waves washing the black basalt beaches of the southern coast of Iceland - you have to see it with your own eyes to believe it. The most famous of the country's black beaches is Vik. Here, pitch-black, unstained volcanic sand goes into the distance, and three basalt columns (according to legend, these are trolls petrified in the rays of the rising sun) rise from the ocean not far from the coast. The best views of this beach are from Dyrholaey cliff.

✰ ✰ ✰

Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Just imagine that 2,000 years ago the Romans were able to build buildings like the Pantheon, a domed masterpiece with a portico of 12 granite Corinthian columns that is still one of the best preserved legacies of the Roman Empire. Looking at its amazing ceiling, the feeling of space is truly breathtaking.

✰ ✰ ✰

A church stood on this site in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba until 784, then it was destroyed and rebuilt by Emir Abd al-Rahman I into a large mosque. The prayer hall, supported by 400 horseshoe-shaped arches in cream and pink, is the main attraction. Additions were made by all the Umayyad rulers, and at the moment there are 856 columns made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite.

The chapel and transept were built in 1523, after the Reconquista converted the mosque into a Christian place of worship. Currently, only Christians can pray in the building. Definitely, even non-religious visitors will admire the architectural intricacies of the various halls, decorative doors, as well as the courtyards and the dome of this structure.

✰ ✰ ✰

Versailles, France

The former residence of the French monarchs, a colossal white and gold palace and park complex surrounded by amazing fountains will make you understand why the peasants who were involved in the construction of Versailles rebelled in the sophisticated suburb of Paris. The main attractions are the Hall of Mirrors, the park designed by André Le Nôtre, and Marie Antoinette's "Hameau de la Reine" farm, where she privately met with friends and rested.

✰ ✰ ✰

Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

Employees of this huge art gallery say it will take 11 years to review every item in the collection. The main value are the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso and Rembrandt. Before or after visiting the Hermitage, take a walk around the Palace Square, located next to the museum complex.

✰ ✰ ✰

Pompeii and Herculaneum, Italy

The remains of these cities, destroyed in 79 AD. the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which is nearby, will help you better imagine the fascinating and complex world that the Romans created. This is the only place in the world where you will come face to face with the life of the Romans in the first century AD: from brothels and toilets to chic dining and bathing establishments (a modern spa, health club and gym all rolled into one). It is believed that Herculaneum is better preserved than Pompeii. Its relatively smaller size makes it more attractive to visit. But still one day you need to visit both ancient cities.

✰ ✰ ✰

Conclusion

This was an article of 30 amazing places in Europe that you must see before you die. Thank you for your attention!

The sights of Europe are those objects of the cultural heritage of the Earth that do not need to be advertised or argued about the importance of visiting them. Europe has always been a place that many tourists dream of visiting. It is part of and washed by the seas of two oceans - the Atlantic and the Arctic. In addition, there are more than 40 states in Europe, in which approximately one eighth of the world's population lives. Therefore, various outstanding places simply abound here. And each of them is a separate story, life, universe. Every resident has heard about these architectural masterpieces, and many of them simply break records in terms of attendance. After all, how can you not want to see the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben or the Roman Colosseum? Therefore, let's not waste time in vain, but let's go to the place where breathing stops, the heartbeat quickens, and the mind is transferred to the distant, distant past.

Western Europe and the sights of this part of the world

Journey through European capitals

The capitals of Europe are something unique: London, Paris, Stockholm, Kyiv, Sofia or Prague leave unforgettable impressions in the memory of tourists. Each of these cities strikes the imagination with its grandeur; here the breath of history is felt at every step. And the sights of the capitals of Europe are unique masterpieces of architecture, rich museums and unsurpassed towers and castles. What only stands one Stockholm, which is the capital of Sweden. This city attracts people with a high standard of living, beaches and monuments of history and modernity.

Arriving in Stockholm, you will not immediately understand all the sights. But you can start the tour, for example, from the Kaknastornet television tower. It was created in 1967 and designed by Bengt Lindros. The height of the sculpture reaches 155 meters without taking into account the antenna. With it, this figure will increase to 170 meters.

It is also recommended to visit the ABBA Museum. These are two places that make up the best attractions in Europe today. In addition to them, there are many more objects included in this category, but we will only remember these. In 1974, she blew up the music world. And in 2013, a museum dedicated to the work of this group was opened on the island of Djurgården. Here are the outfits of musicians that visitors have the opportunity to try on for themselves.

Belgian Brussels

Another city in which many sights of foreign Europe have gathered. The heart of the capital, and of the whole country, is the Grand Place. Immortal Victor Hugo called this place the most beautiful square among all European squares. And his words have a right to exist.

Grand Place in translation means "big market". There are two more equally important and wonderful masterpieces here: the King's House and Previously, there were swamps on the territory of the square. And in the XII century, on the site of these dried-up reservoirs, the Grand Place arose. A little later, in 1402, its construction began.

Brussels is also famous for the Mini-Europe park, where in just a few hours you can see all the main sights of Europe. So, on an area of ​​24 thousand meters there are 80 cities and 350 buildings. There is the Eiffel Tower, reaching the height of a three-story building, a four-meter Big Ben, as well as smaller copies of the most memorable monuments of the European Union.

West to East

Western Europe is not the whole of Eurasia. The famous places of this part of the European continent are no less amazing than the sights of Eastern Europe. The states of these borders include: Belarus, Moldova, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and other countries. And even though there are not so many architectural masterpieces here, they are all of great historical value.

Take, for example, Hungary, almost the entire territory of which is saturated with natural, cultural and historical objects of planetary significance. Hungary, or as it is also called - Pannonia, in the old days served as the eastern border of the Roman Empire. The tribes of Slavs, Romans and Germans lived here. The Hungarian tribes arrived only in 896. The city of Szekesfehervar is famous for its museum called the Ruins of Gorzium, and Szolnok is unimaginable without an archaeological museum.

Landmarks that everyone has heard of

There are some sights of European countries, which are known to every person on Earth. These include the English Stonehenge. This monument was built in prehistoric times, and it is located in Wiltshire. This is one of the most mystical and mysterious structures. Stonehenge belongs to the Bronze and Neolithic eras, it includes hundreds of burial mounds.

In Belgium, the most visited attraction is the Atomium. At the end of 1950, the World Exhibition took place in the capital of the country. The Belgians, in honor of this event, built a huge monument resembling nine atoms, which are combined into a crystal lattice of iron. It is magnified 165 billion times.

Eiffel Tower

Well, how can you describe the sights without mentioning one of the symbols of Paris - the Eiffel Tower? It is simply impossible not to recognize this design, unless you were frozen several millennia ago, and you just woke up. The author of the object was Gustav Eiffel. He created his masterpiece in honor of the centenary of the French Revolution of 1789. It was decided to celebrate this date with the World Exhibition in Paris. And the 360-meter metal tower became its main exhibit in the nomination of the newest technical achievements.

There are several curious cases associated with the Eiffel Tower. And here is one of them: Franz Reichel, a tailor, in order to check how his own made parachute cloak works, jumped from a 60-meter height of the first tier of the tower. Naturally, the unfortunate fell to death.

Holidays in Europe have long established themselves on the positive side and are associated with an excellent interesting holiday and high tourist service. And millions of tourists from all over the world strive to visit many sights of Europe, which have become famous throughout the world for their unique beauty and chic.

Sights of Europe that everyone wants to see

For centuries, European countries have been in close contact with each other, thus becoming closely linked economically and historically. However, each state cherishes its traditions and peculiarities. Considering and comparing sights of Europe, you can easily catch the differences in the culture of these countries.

At the same time, some sights of foreign Europe turned into legends that many travelers dream about. Such famous places include the Colosseum and the Pantheon of Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London's Big Ben, the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Each European capital has its own unique and historically significant places.

Architectural monuments of Europe

As you know, European countries are famous for their luxurious palaces. The walls of many of them remember the times of real kings and knights who lived there. And today, visiting these places is a great way to plunge into the atmosphere of that distant time. Looking at these sights of Europe, willy-nilly, you will believe in fairy tales about dragons and brave princes.

To do this, it is worth going to the south of Germany to visit the Hohenschwangau castle, where the German king used to live. This majestic castle stands on the border with Austria, where another crown of German architecture, Neuschwanstein, is located nearby. French palaces also look very impressive, and Brissac Castle is a vivid example of this. And when visiting Rome, do not forget to admire the Castel Sant'Angelo, which has collected a large collection of paintings.

As you know, the most interesting places in Europe are the most visited among tourists. One of these places is the Ferris wheel, which is installed in London on the banks of the Thames. From the top, you'll be able to see classic London at its best with a bird's eye view of all the sights. Having been in Venice, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of swimming on gondolas through the narrow streets.

Fans of mysticism will love a trip to Romania, because it was here that the famous Dracula lived. Writer Brem Stoker settled his character in Bran Castle, which is now the main vampire stronghold. In general, Europe is a single territory with the most interesting features, the study of which will take a huge amount of time and give strong unforgettable emotions.