World Heritage Abroad is a creation of man. Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Australia. Objects under threat

Planet Earth is a bottomless treasury that endowed a person with untold riches and made it possible to use its benefits to create comfortable living conditions. Therefore, the formation of society and its evolution has always occurred in interaction with nature. A clear confirmation of this is the cultural, historical and natural monuments included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Madain Salih Complex, Saudi Arabia

In the northern part of Saudi Arabia is a unique complex of Madain Salih. It includes more than 100 graves dating back to the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, amazing hydraulic structures that previously served the inhabitants of Hegr, an ancient city that became the center of caravan trade.

More than 50 inscriptions were found on the rocks of the complex, the appearance of which dates back to the Donabatean period. In 2008, the amazing Madain Salih complex was added to the UNESCO treasury.

Longmen Grottoes, China

"Dragon Gate" or Longmen Grottoes are located in one of the picturesque Chinese provinces, near the city of Luoyang. The amazing ensemble, consisting of beautiful temples and ancient caves, until 494 was the residence of the rulers of China, representing the Wei dynasty.

After the transfer of residence to new town, Buddhist monks settled among the caves and temples. Relief drawings and all kinds of sculptures decorating the stone ensemble are the work of artisans who lived in the vicinity of the grotto.

2,300 amazing caves, about 80 mausoleums, more than 100,000 Buddhist paintings, a huge statue of the majestic Buddha guarding the entrance to the Fengxianse cave, more than 2,500 inscriptions decorating the rocks along the full-flowing Yishui River - these precious monuments of ancient Chinese culture, which make up a single complex, were made to the UNESCO heritage list.

Bayon Temple, Cambodia

Among the picturesque nature of Angor Thom, the amazing Bayon temple complex, built in the 7th century AD in honor of Jayavarman, has been preserved. The ancient architectural structure includes three levels stone buildings surrounded by three monumental walls.
The temple complex is decorated with huge stone faces and drawings depicting the life and way of life of the Khmers.

In addition to the Bayon Temple, over a thousand more unique temples, representing different eras and levels of development of civilization. Every year, millions of inquisitive tourists come here to see with their own eyes the unique monuments of ancient religious architecture.

Many of them have survived to this day in a dilapidated state, some have been restored, and some have remained a pile of stones, silently resting among the endless fields sown with rice.

Stonehend, UK

The overall stone structure - Stonehend is located among the luxurious nature of the Salisbury Plain, in the county of Wilshere in the UK. 150 stones, placed in a certain sequence, are of great interest to scientists and ordinary tourists who come here to look at the amazing creation of man, created in 3000 BC.

Under the influence of time and natural phenomena, the unique monument of antiquity began to collapse, so now it is protected with special care. If half a century ago tourists could even climb huge structures, then since 1977 they can only be looked at. To touch the stones, a special permit is required, which is issued within a year on the basis of a personal request.

Stonehand was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Lonely George, Ecuador

The only giant tortoise representing this species mammals, lives on the territory of the National Park, located in Ecuador. The unique animal was found in 1927 on the island of Pinta, located in the northern part of the archipelago, and named after the famous actor George Gobel.

The most famous bachelor in the world is in the prime of his life, according to scientists, he is now about 90 years old. It's time to breed. George has already found a female who has a genetic resemblance to the progenitors of the "groom", so there is every reason to believe that the genus of giant tortoises will continue.

Summer Palace, China

Among the fabulously beautiful landscapes of the imperial garden in Beijing in 1750, the magnificent Summer Palace was built, which to this day keeps the memory of the royal people who lived within its walls.

In 1860 a unique architectural masterpiece was destroyed, and after more than 20 years - restored.

In 1998, the Summer Palace was added to the list of the UNESCO World Treasury.

Statue of Liberty, America

The symbol of the United States of America, the Statue of Liberty, is located in one of the largest metropolitan areas of the country and the world - New York. This is a symbolic gift given by the French in honor of the centenary of the American Revolution.

"Lady Liberty" personifies the triumph of democracy, freedom of spirit and is a kind of reminder of the difficult period of the struggle of Americans for their rights.

In 1984, "Lady Liberty" added to the list of UNESCO heritage.

Iguazu National Park, Argentina

On the territory of the picturesque province of Misiones is located majestic monument Argentinean nature national park Iguazu, which in 1984 was recognized as a unique heritage by UNESCO.

In addition to the species diversity of birds and the luxury of beautiful exotic vegetation, the park is notable for an incredible number of waterfalls concentrated near the Iguazu River. The number of falling streams (from 150 to 250 waterfalls) depends on the water level in the river from which they originate.

The territory of the park is an oasis in the center of civilization, which has preserved a huge number of endangered representatives of flora and fauna. A paradise corner of the earth, filled with outlandish aromas of flowers, the crystal sound of water and the cheerful singing of colorful birds, annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world, eager to see the riches of the Argentinean region with their own eyes.

Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

On the picturesque banks of the canals, located near Rotterdam, rows of huge windmills, built several decades ago, majestically rise.

More than a thousand historical structures, named in Kinderdijk after the village in which they are located, have added to the bottomless treasury of UNESCO.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

The decoration of the relief landscapes of the Los Glaciares National Park, located in the picturesque province of Santa Cruz, is a huge glacier with the amiable name of Perito Moreno. In size, it is second only to the glaciers of Antarctica and Greenland.

An amazing masterpiece created by nature has become not only an ornament Argentine Patagonia, he replenished the world treasury of UNESCO. The talented creator gave the glacier an amazing architectural form, parts of which are modified under the influence of water flows.

The fact is that from time to time the glacier reaches Lake Argentino and spreads to the opposite shore, thereby forming a massive dam and dividing the water surface into two parts. This leads to a significant rise in the water level in the southern part of the lake.

Cubic meters of icy liquid put pressure on the walls of the glacier, breaking the shackling barrier. Such an action is a bewitching spectacle and takes place sometimes once a year, and sometimes once every ten years.

Bahai Terraced Gardens, Israel

Located in the north of Israel picturesque city OK Haifa, whose territory is lined with unique terraced gardens created many years ago.

In the luxury of amazing vegetation, the beautiful Tomb of Bob, the founder of the Baha'i religious trend that is popular today, is buried.

The majestic symbol of the interaction between nature and man in 2008 was included in the list of unique heritage of UNESCO.

Vatican

The Vatican is a tiny state located on the territory of Rome, is world center Christianity. Here is the papal throne and many unique architectural monuments, the main of which is the majestic St. Peter's Square, built in 1667 by architect Bernini.

Two monumental symmetrical hemispheres join near St. Peter's Basilica, forming a large-scale square where the faithful gather to hear and see the pontiff.

Inhabitants small state carefully preserve the historical and cultural heritage previous generations, part of which is the unique architecture of the country, and valuable works of art that are preserved behind the walls of the sacred basilica.

In 1984, the Vatican was included in the UNESCO lists.

Petra, Israel

The ancient city of Petra is located in the Siq canyon leading to the Arava valley. Hollowed out in the sandstones, residential quarters rise at an altitude of about 900 meters above sea level and are small caves connected by narrow paths.

Here, on the territory of modern Jordan, where Petra is located, ancient crypts have been preserved, amazing temples built many centuries ago.

The amazing city of Petra is rightfully included in the UNESCO heritage list, in addition, since 2007 it has been called another "wonder of the world."

Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Australia

Great Barrier Reef - unique system, consisting of 3,000 isolated coral reefs and more than 900 picturesque islands. He lies in the waters coral sea and annually attracts millions of divers, eager to see the amazing masterpiece created by tiny microorganisms.

With over 2,500 kilometers of fabulous flora and amazing underwater fauna, this is the largest coral reef on the planet, which can be seen even from space.

In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was added to the treasury of UNESCO, and earlier it was given the status of "wonder of the world."

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus

Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the most famous reserves Europe and the largest national park in Belarus. In 1993, he received the status of a biosphere reserve, and a year earlier entered the list world heritage UNESCO.

The picturesque nature protection object is located on the territory of the Brest and Grodno regions, the Polish-Belarusian border passes through it.
On the picturesque landscapes of the amazing area, excellent conditions have been created for the habitat of many species of animals, among which are those listed in the "Red Book" of Belarus.

In the dense thickets of relic forests that once covered the entire territory of Europe, you can meet their powerful owner - bison, which tourists from different parts of the globe come to see.

Rock paintings in Alta, Norway

Another cultural and historical heritage of UNESCO is the rock paintings discovered in the north of Norway, in the city of Alta. Thanks to this find, it became known about the settlements of ancient people who hunted here during the Iron and Stone Ages. Rock art reflects the way of life of the people living in coastal areas and on the mainland, their beliefs, traditions and rituals.

Over 5,000 unique images date back to 4200 - 500 BC and prove that northern sections The land was previously inhabited.

For the first time, they started talking about amazing drawings in 1960, it was then that the first petroglyphs were found. In the course of further excavations, one of the largest archaeological sites Jemmelüft was discovered, on the territory of which the Alta Museum, open to tourists, was established.

Urnes Stave Church, Norway

Among the majesty of the silent mountains, on the picturesque Sognefjord, the outlines of the Urnes Stave Church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, loom. Amazing masterpiece wooden architecture was built three times in the same place. A church built in 1150 for one of the revered and very influential families has survived to this day.

The masters who worked on the construction of the temple were able to convey the splendor of the architecture of that time and restore the decorative details present on the previously destroyed church.

Durable wood, harvested for the construction of the temple in 1130, was able to withstand the influence of time and the elements. Therefore, the unique Urnes Church still delights everyone who has been fortunate enough to visit the royal Sognefjord at least once.

Arc Struve

A unique geodetic structure called the Struve Arc is a network with reference points marked on the ground by means of stone cubes, iron crosses, and depressions made in the rocks.

The Struve Arc has been used to determine the size of the Earth and determine its shape. Over the 40 years of its existence, the amazing geodetic structure has undergone changes, and today it passes through the territory of Belarus, Norway, Lithuania, Moldova, Latvia, Ukraine, Finland, Russia, Sweden. The total length of the network, on which the triangulation points are located, is 2820 kilometers.

34 strongholds of the Duga, named after one of its founders, Vasily Yakovlevich Struve, are now included in the UNESCO World Treasury.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a great Christian shrine located on the right bank of the mighty Dnieper. Founded in the 9th century, the monastery has undergone many changes throughout its existence. Today, a unique monument of ancient architecture reverently delights both true believers and ordinary tourists who come from all over the world to admire the golden-domed temple.

The Caves Lavra got its name due to the caves located on its territory, in which the first hermit monks lived.

From the day of its foundation, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the spiritual and cultural stronghold of Kievan Rus, and its fame thundered far beyond the borders of the state.

Basilica of the Nativity and Pilgrims' Trails, Palestine

A few kilometers from Jerusalem is the Church of the Nativity, built in 339 AD. The place for the foundation of the basilica was not chosen by chance, it is believed that it was here that Jesus Christ was born.

In the 6th century AD, the Church survived a fire, after which it was restored. Only mosaic floors remain from the original building.

In 2012, the Basilica of the Nativity, along with pilgrimage trails, bell towers, magnificent terraced gardens, was included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

Kakadu National Park is a unique combination of luxurious plains and picturesque plateaus, swampy terrain covered with emerald thickets of exotic plants, and rivers that cut through the open spaces of the park filled with life.

On the territory of the park you can see hundreds of rare species of plants and animals that are on the verge of extinction. An amazing natural complex is located in the north of Australia, where the tribes of ancient settlers lived 40 thousand years ago. This is evidenced by rock art found during archaeological excavations. The drawings depict the way of life of a prehistoric society, whose members hunted and gathered.

Today, Kakadu Park is an archaeological and natural reserve, in 1981 listed as a UNESCO site.

Rainforests of the east coast of Australia

In the eastern part of Australia, along the dizzying cliffs of the Great Dividing Range, there are mysterious rainforests, which in 1994 became one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This is a unique area that includes several luxury parks and amazing reserves, is of tremendous importance for modern science. Indeed, on its territory there are geologically important objects, such as, for example, craters of extinct volcanoes, and dense thickets of rainforests have become home to endemic species representing the local fauna.

Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia

450 kilometers wet rainforest run along the northeast coast of Australia. Dense, often impenetrable, thickets have become a habitat for funny marsupials, exotic songbirds and the rarest representatives of the richest Australian flora and no less diverse fauna.

In 1988, tropical rainforests added to the treasury of the world organization UNESCO.

Fraser Island

At over 120 kilometers long, Fraser Island is the largest sand island on the planet. Its relief surface is covered with moist tall forests, and the golden bends of the dunes are cut by blue-eyed "hanging" lakes filled with fresh water.

In 1992, this amazing natural complex was included in the UNESCO Treasury.

Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay and the islands adjacent to it are a fabulously beautiful place, known for the phenomenal gifts presented by nature itself. Firstly, over 10,000 dugong individuals (the largest population of these animals in the world) live in the waters washing the coast.

Secondly, in the coastal waters you can see the huge plantations of algae, covering more than 480 thousand kilometers of the seabed.

Thirdly, the surroundings of the bay are decorated with rounded calcareous formations- stromatolites. They owe their appearance to algae colonies that are active underwater.

Fourthly, several species of rare mammals live in the bay. Together, all factors stopped the bay into the natural treasure, in 1991, which added to the lists of UNESCO.

Macquarie Island

In the boundless subantarctic waters, between the two continents of Antarctica and Australia, the tiny island of Macquarie is lost. A picturesque piece of land with a length of only 34 kilometers appeared after the collision of the Pacific lithospheric plate with the Indo-Australian.

As a result of a strong collision, unique basalt rocks, stored at a depth of more than 6 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, fell on the relief surface. In 1997, Macquarie Island was added to the richest treasury of UNESCO.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

A snow-white structure rises above the azure waters of Sydney Bay, resembling a sailboat filled with winds, ready to set sail - this is the Sydney Opera theatre. In the "shells" located on a solid foundation, a magnificently decorated hall and a fine restaurant were located.

Erected in 1973, the building took its place among the UNESCO sites (in 2007) and became the most grandiose architectural structure of our time.

The talented architect Jorn Utson worked on the implementation of an amazing project. Having changed the traditions of urban planning developed over the years, he created a unique sculptural masterpiece that harmoniously complements the picturesque landscapes of the Pacific coast.

Convict settlements, Australia

Of the thousands of camps set up british empire on the territory of Austria (18-19 century), eleven, located on the island of Norfolk, Tasmania, around Sydney, were listed as UNESCO sites in 2010.

The prisons were designed to hold hundreds of thousands of those convicted by British justice. They were men, women, and even children.
Each penitentiary had its own specifics of work and methods of re-education of criminals.

This unique object is valuable as a reminder of the largest expansion European states implemented through the deportation and placement of convicted criminals on the territory of the colonies.

Leon Cathedral, Nicaragua

The Lena Cathedral, erected at the beginning of the 19th century, personifies the transitional period in architecture, when the baroque traditions were replaced by more progressive neoclassical trends at that time. The design of the exterior and interior clearly shows the features of eclecticism, with a refined luxury characteristic of the style and an abundance of decorative details, harmoniously combined into a single ensemble.

Magnificent stained-glass windows, rich ornaments, the use of works of art (paintings by Antonio Sarria, which depict the difficult path to Golgotha) - all this gives the cathedral a special flavor that conveys the atmosphere of a difficult era.

The monumental construction of the temple was created according to a project developed by the Guatemalan architect Diego José de Porres Esquivel.

Since 2011, Leon Cathedral has been part of the UNESCO Treasury.

Island City Mozambique

The colorful town of Mozambique, founded in the 16th century, is located on the territory of the island of the same name, which once played an important role in the development of trade relations between Portugal and India.

A tiny town surrounded by an endless expanse of emerald water, framed by the edge of a magnificent sandy shore, is immersed in the luxury of exotic plants, many of which are of particular value to science.

But not only the picturesque landscapes of the island are noteworthy; local architecture is of particular interest to tourists and researchers. Built in the same style, the buildings were built of makuchi stone and decorated in accordance with the building traditions laid down in the 16th century.
In 1991, the amazing city-island of Mazambique was added to the list of UNESCO sites.

Prehispanic city of Teotihuacan

Teotiukan - holy city(previously considered the birthplace of the gods), was founded in the 1st century AD, and completed only by the end of the 7th century. Location (50 kilometers from Mexico City) and a high level of cultural development have made it one of the most influential cities in Central America.

Remarkable architecture of Teotiucan, especially large-scale monuments, temples and unique pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, designed according to the principles of geometry.

Since 1987, the pre-Spanish city of Teotiucan has graced the UNESCO Treasury.

Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

The eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is adorned with a picturesque biosphere reserve with the symbolic name of Sian Kaan. This is an amazing natural complex created from tropical forests, mangroves, impenetrable swamps and coral reefs that have become home to the inhabitants of the nearby water area.

The local flora is amazing and diverse, and the fauna of the reserve is no less rich. More than 300 species of strange birds enliven the dense thickets of forests with their singing, and hydrogeological conditions favor the predominance of terrestrial vertebrates typical of this region.

The picturesque biosphere reserve Sian Kaan in 1987 replenished the treasury of UNESCO.

Historic city of Meknes, Morocco

Founded in the 9th century AD, the military settlement flourished over time and turned into the picturesque city of Maknes. Under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail, Maknes became the capital of the Moroccan state, and the architecture of the city acquired a pronounced Spanish-Moorish flavor.

Majestic towers, powerful walls, huge gates have survived to this day, carefully preserving the memory of the past centuries of prosperity of Meknes.
Since 1996 historical city included in the list of UNESCO monuments.

Bikini Atoll

Until 1946, Bikini Atoll could safely be called heaven on earth. Beautiful nature, good-natured people, crystal clear clear waters Pacific Ocean. But the beginning cold war» put an end to a happy existence local residents. In 1946, they were relocated from their native island, and the picturesque landscapes and water area became a test site for American nuclear weapons.

For 12 years, more than 60 nuclear explosions have thundered on the atoll, the first hydrogen bomb was tested here, thereby causing irreparable damage to the geology and nature of the island. The level of radiation in this place is such that nothing living can withstand such exposure.

Silent witnesses of the unfortunate events were the ships that sank during the ongoing tests, as well as the huge crater left after the explosion of a nuclear bomb.

Bikini Atoll, as a terrifying symbol of the nuclear age, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

Lake Malawi National Park

The southern side of the picturesque Lake Malawi has turned into a unique national park, in the waters of which many interesting representatives of the underwater fauna live.

The deep-water lake with the purest water has sheltered dozens of species of endemic fish, and its ichthyofauna is of great interest to scientists studying evolutionary processes on Earth.

The unique lake in 1984 replenished the treasury of UNESCO.

Old quarters and fortifications of the city of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a fortified city, which at different times was part of the Roman Empire, Prussia, Spain, and France. Passing into possession from one state to another, the city became more and more fortified, eventually turning into the most protected fortress in Europe.

So it was until 1867, after the fortification was destroyed. Today, the dilapidated remains of the fortress and stone buildings remind of the former power of the architecture of the military era.

The ancient city with its quarters and fortifications was included in the lists of UNESCO sites in 1994.

curonian spit

curonian spit represents sandy peninsula 98 kilometers long. The width of the unique strip in different sections ranges from 400 meters to 4 kilometers.

The picturesque landscapes of the peninsula have been actively developed by man since ancient times. Today there is a struggle to preserve a unique natural masterpiece, exposed to the winds and the sea. To negate the negative impact of natural factors, work is underway to strengthen the forest plantation and sand dunes.

In 2000, the Curonian Spit was added to the UNESCO heritage list.

Los Catios National Park, Colombia

On 72,000 hectares of picturesque Colombian land, the Los Catios National Park is spread, which in 1994 replenished the UNESCO treasury.

The relief landscapes of the colorful land are covered with dense forests, wet plains, from time to time turning into low hills.
The territory of the park has become home to a huge number of amazing animals, including rare representatives of the local fauna.

Lake system in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya

Shallow lakes of the Great rift valley(Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria) is a unique nature reserve, on the territory of which an incredible variety of birds lives, among them over 12 endangered species. Birds can only survive if they are within the Great Rift Valley, which is safe for them.

The emerald expanse of lakes is surrounded by luxurious landscapes covered with emerald thickets of forests that have become home to a huge number of animals (black rhinoceros, funny Rothschild giraffe, powerful lion, population of wild dogs and leopards).

The Rift Valley is a place where pelican chicks are born and colorful flocks of beautiful flamingos walk in shallow water. This mesmerizing spectacle annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, eager to see with their own eyes the amazing beauty of the Great Rift Valley and the lake system, in 2011, listed as a UNESCO site.

World Heritage is a variety of natural or man-made objects that need to be preserved for future generations due to their special cultural, historical or environmental significance. As of 2012, there are 962 items on this list, 754 of them are cultural monuments, 188 are natural and 29 are mixed.

UNESCO was established in 1945 and its purpose is to protect and preserve places of special value or physical significance for all mankind. In 1954, during the construction of the Aswan Dam, Abu Simbel, a man-made temple carved into the rock, fell under flooding. The responsible organization allocated money for the structure to be dismantled and moved to a higher place. This unprecedented action took four years, and highly qualified specialists from 54 countries of the world were involved in its implementation in a short time.

Today, on the pages of the Forum-Grad, we will discuss a rather entertaining topic - the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Aldabra atoll

The atoll consists entirely of corals and is a group of four islands separated by narrow straits. It is located north of Madagascar in Indian Ocean. Belongs to the State of the Seychelles.

Aldabra is considered the second largest in the world after Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Kiribati archipelago. Its dimensions are: 34 km in length and 14.5 km in length, height above sea level is up to 8 m. The area of ​​​​the inner lagoon is 224 square meters. km.

Since the 17th century, it has been used by the French to hunt giant sea ​​turtles, as their meat was considered an exquisite delicacy. For a long time, pirates also ruled in these places, because the atoll is far from populated areas.

In 1982, this paradise was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique natural monument. This is one of the few islands on our planet not affected by civilization. Currently, it is home to a huge population of giant sea turtles (more than 152,000) and two completely unique species of bats. Entry into this nature reserve is strictly controlled, and all approaches by sea are guarded.

Giant statue in China

The huge Maitreya Buddha is carved into the rock at the confluence of three rivers - Minjiang, Qingyijiang and Daduhe near the city of Leshan in China. According to ancient legend a famous monk named Haithong of the Tang Dynasty, worried about the frequent shipwrecks and deaths in the whirlpool just opposite this rock, vowed to carve a stone statue of a seated Buddha. He raised funds and began construction, and his followers completed this work. The largest monument in the world was built over 90 years - from 713 to 803.

For the convenience of visiting visitors, a special path "Nine Turns" was built here, consisting of 250 steps. Near the trail there is a pavilion where tourists can relax and admire the face of the giant up close.

Almost until the middle of the 13th century, a huge seven-story wooden structure covered the statue from the weather, but over time it collapsed, and the structure remained defenseless against the elements. Garbage left by tourists began to accumulate at the foot, the waters of three rivers washed away the base in the form of a lotus.

The local department hired 40 workers to restore the unique statue to its former grandeur. Approximately $700,000 was invested in the project and another $730,000 was invested in security improvements.

Every year, more than 2 million travelers from all over the world come to see the sitting Buddha and add about $84 million to the budget of the Leshan City Tourism Department.

Hatra, or El-Khadr

This is an ancient ruined city as part of the Parthian kingdom, the ruins of which are still located on the territory of Northern Iraq in the province of Nineveh to the North-West of the capital of the country, the city of Baghdad. It was founded in the III century, and its heyday fell on the period of the II-I centuries BC.

The total area was about 320 hectares, in shape it resembled an oval, surrounded by a double line of high stone walls with four gates oriented to the cardinal points. The most powerful defensive wall two meters high was made of stone, behind it there was a deep ditch up to 500 meters wide. At a distance of 35 meters from each other there were 163 defensive towers.

The city belonged to the Arab princes, who regularly paid tribute to the warlike Persians, and was located at the crossroads of the main trade routes of that time. In the center there was a palace and temple complex with an area of ​​about 12,000 square meters. meters. Due to its transit location, El-Khadr included religious buildings of different directions, it was even called the "House of God".

Thanks to good defensive structures and vigilant 24-hour security ancient city even withstood the attack of the legionnaires of the Roman Empire in 116 and 198 of the new era, but in 241 Hatra fell during the siege of the Persian ruler Shapur and was soon destroyed and forgotten.

Schroeder House by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

This house in 1924 was specially built for the 35-year-old widow Truus Schröder-Schrader and her three children in the small Dutch town of Utrecht. The building is distinguished by innovative solutions in the original and unusual exterior design for those times, as well as the view of spacious balconies and huge windows.

The project and the entire interior layout were developed by the novice architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. The widow proposed a number of unusual innovations, which it was also decided to implement. So, in the kitchen on the first floor, an elevator was built, in which ready-made dishes were served upstairs directly to the set table. All interiors of the first level are quite traditional for that time. The walls are made of old bricks.

But on the second floor, the entire space, according to the idea of ​​the hostess of the house, remained completely open, and at any time it can be divided into several rooms using sliding walls. All wardrobes and beds are transformers, assembled during the day and unfolded at night. Instead of the usual curtains, like all the neighbors, multi-colored plywood shields were used.

Currently, the unique house belongs to the Central Museum of the city of Utrecht and it hosts guided tours that take about an hour.

This structure is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List because it had a significant impact on future architectural trends, and also became the first open-plan house in the world history of architecture.

Krak des Chevaliers

Krak des Chevaliers (or Krak de l'Hospital) is a unique building of the crusaders, located in the state of Syria on the top of a cliff 650 meters high. The nearest city of Homs is located 65 km east of the castle.

This is one of the well-preserved fortresses of the Order of Hospitallers in the world. In the 10th century, this castle became his headquarters, where during the crusade a garrison of 2000 soldiers and 60 knights could be accommodated.

In addition to the powerful walls, many buildings in the Gothic style were reconstructed and restored. This is a large conference room, water storage tanks, a chapel, an internal aqueduct, storage rooms and two stables that could contain up to 1000 horses. In the rock mass under the building, underground storage facilities for food and water supplies were made, which could be enough for a long siege for 5 years.

At the end of the XII century during the next crusade impregnable fortress saw King Edward I of England, and soon his castles appeared in Wales and England, very similar in structure to Krak.

Monastery of Alcobaça

The Cistercian monastery "de Santa Maria de Alcobaça", located in the Portuguese city of Alcobaça, was founded by King Afonso Henriques in 1153 and served as a tomb for the rulers of Portugal for two centuries. The cathedral is the first building in the Gothic style, built on the territory of the ancient state.

Historically valuable is the architecture. The two wings of the main facade are made in the Baroque style, and between them there is a church, the facade of which, as it were, connects these two directions. At the top is a balcony supported by four statues - they symbolize the main virtues: justice, fortitude, prudence and sobriety.

In 1755, the whole country was shaken by the great Lisbon Earthquake, which was very destructive, but the temple survived - only the sacristy and part of the service buildings were damaged. However, the original appearance historical place failed to restore. Near the entrance to the church is the Hall of the Kings, where there are statues of all the monarchs of Portugal, and the history of this place is written on the walls with the help of blue and white azuleijos tiles of the 18th century.

After examining this masterpiece of early Gothic, other interiors of the famous cathedrals of Europe seem gloomy and not so aesthetic. These buildings demonstrate the perfect skills and dedication of medieval craftsmen. And the entire ensemble "de Santa Maria de Alcobaça" is one of the most beautiful monuments of Portuguese art.

Monte Alban

According to prominent world-famous scientists, this is quite large settlement ancient people in southeastern Mexico, Oaxaca. Just 9 km from the state capital, on a low crest of a mountain range that runs through the valley, there is a man-made plateau. It was the very first city in the entire historical region, which played a significant role as a socio-political and economic center of the Zapotec civilization.

In the early 30s, the ruins of this ancient settlement were discovered by the Mexican archaeologist Alfonso Caso. Many pundits equate this discovery with the sensational discovery of the true location of the legendary Troy.

"Mexican Troy" turned out to be a city of high culture; as early as 200 BC, local craftsmen could already process rock crystal and make unique gold jewelry.

During the excavations, 150 four-chamber crypts, palaces and pyramids, very similar to those built by the Mayan tribe, an ancient observatory, a giant amphitheater with 120 rows for spectators, powerful stone stairs 40 meters wide, a structure resembling a stadium and much more were discovered.

The walls of the buildings are decorated with frescoes, relief images of human figures and stone mosaics. Peculiar burial ceramic urns in the form of gods and various animals were found.

Impressive center ruins ancient civilization Monte Alban are located in such a way that they are visible from anywhere in the central part of the Oaxaca Valley

Lalibela

This is a small town in northern Ethiopia, located in the Ahmara region at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. It is the center of pilgrimage for the entire population of the country, because almost all the inhabitants of the town are Christians of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Lalibela was built as the New Jerusalem in response to the capture by Muslims of the shrine of Christians in the State of Israel, so many historical buildings have names and types of architecture similar to the ancient buildings of Jerusalem.

According to 2005 data, the population of the city was 15 thousand people, of which most of(about 8,000) - women. This medieval religious center is known for its monolithic, three-aisled churches carved in volcanic tuff, built at the turn of the 11th-13th centuries. The bas-reliefs and wall paintings of these ancient structures mix Christian and pagan symbols and motifs.

Thirteen temples seem to grow out of the ground. "Bete Mariam" is considered the oldest, and "Bete Medhane Aley" - the largest church in the world, carved into the rock. According to legend, in the last of the churches carved into the rocks, "Bete Golgotha", the ashes of King Lalibela rest.

These unique works of architecture by ancient craftsmen are also engineering monuments of medieval Ethiopia - near many of them there are wells that are filled with water using a complex system based on the use of artesian wells.

Eight hundred years ago, people could supply water to a height of 2500 meters!

Ellora

This is a simple village in the state of Maharashtra, India, not far from the city of Aurangabad. It is famous for the fact that cave temples of different religions are carved in the rocks nearby, the creation of which dates back to the 6th - 9th centuries of a new era. Of the 34 caves of Ellora, 12 in the south are Buddhist, 17 in the center are dedicated to Hindu gods, and 5 to the north are Jain.

Most of the ancient shrines have their own names, the most famous being "Kailas". This beautiful, well-preserved example of ancient architecture is considered one of the most precious monuments in India. In the granite canopy above the entrance to this holy place for all Hindus, colossal statues of Shiva, Vishnu and other gods revered in the country are carved.

This is followed by the huge goddess Lakshmi - she reclines on lotus flowers, and majestic elephants stand around. From all sides the temple is surrounded by monumental lions and vultures, they are frozen in different poses, and guard the peace of the heavenly kings.

One of the legends says that this paradise was built by one raja - Elichpur Edu - in gratitude for healing with water from a source located on the territory of the temple.

"Vishvakarma" has a multi-storey entrance and a large hall, in which there is a sculpture of Buddha, giving a sermon.

"Indra Sabha" is a two-level monolithic Jain temple.

"Kailasanatha" is central location the entire sacred complex, and during the construction of this miracle in the town of Ellora, more than 200,000 tons of rock were removed.

Ancient Building Complex in Wudang Mountains

The Wudangshan Mountains in China are famous for their ancient monasteries and temples. Once upon a time, a university was founded here to research medicine, pharmacology, nutrition systems, meditation and martial arts.

Even during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the first religious center was opened in this area - the Temple of the Five Dragons. Large construction on the mountain began in the 15th century, when the Yongle Emperor called 300,000 soldiers and built complexes. At that time, 9 monasteries, 36 sketes and 72 shrines, many pavilions, bridges and multi-tiered pagodas were built, forming 33 architectural ensembles. The construction lasted 12 years, and the complex of structures covered the main peak and 72 small peaks - the length was 80 km.

The Golden Hall is one of the most famous, it took 20 thousand tons of copper and about 300 kg of gold to make it. According to scientists, it was forged in the capital of China, Beijing, and then delivered in parts to the Wudang Mountains.

The Purple Cloud Temple consists of several halls - Dragon and Tiger Hall, Purple Sky Hall, East, West and Parent Halls. The shrines of Wu Zhen have been kept here since the day of its foundation.

During the troubled times of the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976), many places of worship were destroyed, but later restored, and now the complex is visited by tourists from all over the world.

Architecture ancient complex Wudang Mountains combines the best achievements of Chinese traditions over the past one and a half thousand years.

"Valley of the Whales" in Egypt

40 million years ago, "Wadi Al-Hitan" was the bottom of the World Ocean, so hundreds of skeletons of ancient mammals have been preserved here. This unique valley is located 150 km southwest of the capital of Egypt - Cairo. Many of the remains of whales belong to the extinct suborder Archaeoceti, representing one of the most important stages of evolution: the rebirth of terrestrial multi-ton monsters into marine mammals.

Fossil skeletons clearly show the appearance and lifestyle of these giants in their transitional period. In addition, they are all located in a convenient for study and, importantly, vigilantly protected area.

In addition, there are the remains of Sirenia sea cows and Moeritherium elephant seals, as well as prehistoric crocodiles, sea snakes and turtles. Some specimens are so well preserved that you can study the contents of their vast stomachs.

All together helps scientists unravel the mystery of the evolution of these largest mammals on the planet that still exists.

The pristine exotics of the rainforests

The Kerchin-Seblat National Park is the largest reserve on the island of Sumatra, its area is about 13.7 thousand square meters. km. Here you can see more than 4,000 species of plants, including the world's largest flower - Rafflesia Arnold, its diameter is 60-100 cm, and its weight reaches up to 8 kg. In addition, about 370 species of birds and rare animals (Sumatra tigers, elephants and rhinoceros, Malayan tapir) live in this area. There are also hot springs, the highest caldera lake and the highest peak on the island. And recently a muntjac deer was seen here, the species of which was considered extinct in the 30s of the last century.

The second largest is Gunung Leuser, with an area of ​​7927 sq. km. It is located in the Aceh region and in the area of ​​​​the town of Bukit Lawang. This small town is considered the best starting point for walking around exotic place. Excursions are allowed only with a trained guide and with special permission.

In this reserve, the most interesting is the large population of great apes - orangutans. Translated from the Malay language, it means "forest man".

The third largest is Bukit-Barisan-Selatan with an area of ​​3568 sq. km, covering the provinces of Lampung, Bengkulu and South Sumatra. Here you can meet very rare animals - the Sumatran elephant and the striped rabbit.

Tourists appreciate Sumatra for its tropical forests with nature preserved in its original form, for outlandish plants and amazing representatives of exotic fauna. In addition, there are many beautiful and still active volcanoes.

"Sistine Chapel of Primitive Painting"

"Lascaux" is located in France, 40 km from the city of Perigueux and is considered one of the most important Paleolithic monuments in terms of the quantity, quality and preservation of the rock art of ancient man. The cave was accidentally discovered in 1940 by four teenagers who noticed a narrow hole in the rock formed by a fallen tree. After examination, scientists determined that the age of the rock paintings is more than 17,300 years.

The cave is quite small in size, the total of all its galleries is about 250 meters, and the average height is 30 meters. Visitors were allowed from 1948 to 1955, but then it was closed, as the ventilation systems could not cope with the carbon dioxide accumulating inside from the breath of numerous tourists, and the cave paintings could be damaged.

Air conditioning systems were changed several times in the last century, but they were all ineffective, and the historical heritage was periodically closed for maintenance work. And only in the 21st century powerful units were installed that successfully coped with the task.

To preserve the wall paintings, they decided to copy all the images and made a concrete copy, where almost all the rock paintings are presented in the same sequence as the original. Called the cave "Lasko II", it is located only 200 meters from the real one and was first opened to travelers in 1983.

Takht-e Jamshid

Takht-e Jamshid in Greek "Persepolis" - the ruins of the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. This place is considered one of the most beautiful monuments of the history of the state of Iran. It is located on the Marvdasht plain at the foot of Mount Ramhat and was founded by the Great Persian King Darius I in 515 BC.

The area of ​​this stone structure is 135 thousand square meters. meters, it includes the "Gate of all nations", "Apadana Palace", "Throne Room", the tomb of the "King of Kings", an unfinished palace and a treasury. The construction lasted about 45 years and was completed under the reign of Xerxes the Great, the eldest son of Darius.

In Persepolis, the remains of the palace complex and places of worship. The most famous of them is "Apadana" with a ceremonial hall and 72 columns. Five kilometers away is the royal tomb of Nakshe-Rustam and the rock reliefs of Nakshe-Rustam and Nakshe-Rajab.

Here in those distant times there was already a water supply and sewage system, and the labor of slaves was not used in the construction. The walls of this unique complex were more than five meters thick and up to 150 centimeters high. The city could be reached by the main staircase, consisting of two flights of 111 white limestone steps each. Then it was necessary to pass the "Gate of all nations".

But the powerful walls did not help, and in 330 the great conqueror Alexander the Great stormed the fortified complex and burned the capital of the Persian kingdom to the ground during a feast in honor of the victory, possibly in retaliation for the Acropolis destroyed by the Persians in Athens.

Cradle of mankind

The historical monument is located 50 km northwest of Johanensburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa in the south of the African continent. Its area is 474 sq. km, the complex includes limestone caves, including a group called Sterkfontein, where in 1947 Robert Bloom and John Robinson discovered the fossil remains of an ancient man - Australopithecus africanus, 2.3 million years old.

"Taung Rock Fossil Site" - it was here in 1924 that the famous skull of Taung, belonging to ancient man. The Macapan valley is known for the abundance of archaeological traces found in the local caves, confirming the existence of people about 3.3 million years ago.

Fossils found here have helped scientists identify ancient hominin specimens dating back to between 4.5 and 2.5 million years ago. The same finds fully confirm the theory that our distant ancestors began to use fire already in the period about a million years ago.

It may seem to some of the readers that there are a lot of figures in our topic, but this is the history, and not of any single person, but of our entire civilization.

Machu Picchu, which is translated from the Inca language as "Old Peak" is legendary city erected by the Incas in a lush highlands, on the peak of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu is recognized as one of the new wonders of the world, it is one of the most stunning places in the world. Dthe ancient city of the Incas cascades down the steep slopes on each side of the mountain, in separate terraces. HThe incredible ruins of Machu Picchu have been partially restored and are well maintained, giving visitors a good idea of ​​what the city might have looked like in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Thousands of ancient temples, stupas and monasteries stretch endlessly in Pagan, the ancient capital of the kingdom of the same name. Here, the silhouettes of the temple spiers against the backdrop of sunrise or sunset are a magical sight worth a trip to this still unexplored country. The area is known for having the highest concentration Buddhist temples in the world, many of which were built in 1000 and 1100, when Bagan was the capital of a pagan kingdom, the first kingdom to unite the regions that later became modern Myanmar. According to the Burmese chronicles, Pagan was founded in the second century AD, and in 849 became the capital of the kingdom under King Pingbya, the 34th successor of the founder of early Pagan. Some temples and stupas have been restored, while others are just ruins. They vary in size and levels of architectural complexity, creating an intriguing mix of structures that compel travelers to scrutinize every temple they see.

In a unique jungle setting, not far from the city of Siem Reap, there is another historical object UNESCO world heritage site - Angkor Wat, which is known as the largest religious monument in the world. angkor watwas built by the Khmers in the 12th century and its architecture is stunning.Huge stone carved faces peer in all directions.Extensive and intricate bas-reliefs line the walls and doorways.Destructive passages and steep stone stairs require scouting before traversing them.Until its fall in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the most big city in the world.

Stretching for a fantastic 8,800 kilometers that pass through the thickets of forests and steep mountain slopes, through rivers and lakes northern China- This is the Great Wall of China, deservedly included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Great Wall of China is one of those undeniable sights that has been inspiring great adventures for travelers from all over the world for centuries. The construction of the wall began in the 3rd century BC, and the most popular section of the Great Chinese wall, is Badaling, it is only 75 kilometers from Beijing.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, the Roman Colosseum is the largest building left from Roman times.Its imposing presence in the heart of the modern cityRomeis evidence incredible story cities and achievements of the Roman Empire. Travelers who saw the Colosseum for the first time are amazed at the huge size of this structure, given that they began to build itin 72 AD Today, the Roman Colosseum is still one of the largest and most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Rising aboveAthenson top of a hill, the Acropolis stands like a proud monument Ancient Greece. StructuresThe 5th and 4th centuries BC dominate the Acropolis, but the most famous is the Parthenon, the largest and most recognizable monument ancient culture, it symbolizes amazing story this country.Steps away from modern Athens, the Acropolis is a powerful sight, sparkling under the Mediterranean sun during the day and spectacularly lit at night.

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This incredible prehistoric monument is one of the most visited attractions in England and is definitely a unique place that attracts visitors every year. a large number of tourists from all over the world. This huge prehistoric megalithic structure is located 130 kilometers northwest of London.It is assumed that this monument was erected between 3000-1500 BC, but there is no information about its origin or purpose of construction, which leads to various speculations and myths, some of which indicate religious or astronomical significance.As a result, a ring of Bronze Age stones has an almost mystical charm, especially during the summer and winter solstices when the light from sunrise and sunset is aligned with the stones. stonehenge, located near the citySalisbury.

A dramatic, narrow mountain gorge allows access to the ancient city of Petra, a stone city with residential buildings and temples carved into the sandy rocks.This ancient capital The Nabataeans have roots that can be traced back to the 5th century BC.Discovered at the beginning of the 18th century, it was called the "pink city" because of the color of the rocks and for obvious reasons, the "carved city".Located in a mountainous area with limited access, it occupied a strategic position on an important trade route in the region.Today, Petra is the main attraction of Jordan.

Borobudur is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world and by far the most famous landmark in Indonesia.Nestled in lush tropical surroundings, with mountains and volcanoes, Borobudur looks stunning and calming.This massive temple complex, located on the island of Java, near the city of Yogyakarta, was built in the 700s, but after 200 years abandoned and forgotten for many centuries due to volcanic eruptions in the area, it remained relatively serene for centuries . Borobudurwas discovered in the 18th century by the British and later restored.

10. Tikal, Guatemala

The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.Central America. Located in the northernGuatemala, insurrounded by impenetrable jungle, this ancient city consists of over 3,000 buildings. The Maya inhabited Tikal between 600 B.C. and up to 900 AD. Ancient pyramids, temples, plazas and foundations of all kinds of buildings show a complex society that once had hundreds of thousands of people. Tikalwas reopened in the middle of the 18th century and opened to tourists in the 1950s.Part of the city has been restored, but work continues, and some areas are still in the impenetrable jungle and are waiting in the wings.The ruins are located in the Tikal National Park, a biosphere reserve protecting the forest and wildlife in the area.

SECO is the specialized agency of the United Nations for education, science and culture. The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites includes the most valuable objects (both natural and man-made) in terms of their cultural, historical or environmental significance. Here are twenty unique UNESCO sites located in Europe.

20 PHOTOS

1 Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

Forest reserve in Central Croatia, famous for its cascading lakes, waterfalls, caves and limestone gorges.

The most famous square in Russia, located to the east of the Kremlin - the official residence of the president. On Red Square are St. Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum.

Perfectly preserved ethnographic village, which is included in the list of museums of folk architecture in Slovakia. The settlement reflects the traditional features of the Central European village: log buildings, stables with haylofts and a wooden bell tower.

The largest and most famous Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the mid-1800s.

A fortified island Gothic abbey built between the 11th and 16th centuries in northwestern France.

Roman Catholic church located north of Lisbon. It was built by the Portuguese king Alfonso I in the 12th century.

The central part of the Hungarian capital boasts such stunning masterpieces of architecture as the Parliament building, the opera house, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Market Hall.

The largest wooden sacred buildings in Europe, built in the second half of the 17th century after the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War.

wooden church, located in western Norway, is an excellent example of traditional Scandinavian architecture.

A monument of nature, consisting of approximately 40,000 interconnected basalt columns, formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

The highest surviving ancient Roman aqueduct. It is 275 meters long and 47 meters high.

Rococo Bavarian church located in a beautiful alpine valley southwest of Munich.

Geirangerfjord and Nordfjord, located in the southwest of Norway, are among the longest and deepest fjords in the world.

The center of Catholic Christianity, and the residence of the Pope. Also in the Vatican Museums are stored many of the world's artistic masterpieces.

The monastic community and one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary was founded in 996.

National park with an area of ​​403 sq. km, located on three belts of vegetation: mountain-forest, subalpine and alpine.

old bridge, built in the 16th century during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, is one of the most significant architectural monuments in the Balkans.

A fjord located in western Greenland, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle. It includes the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier moving at 19 meters per day, one of the fastest glaciers in the world.

Famous concert hall, which is one of the best examples of Catalan Art Nouveau. It is also the only concert hall in Europe with natural light.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has added 19 new sites to its list of World Heritage Sites.
New features include a mountain range in Mexico, mountains in France, a cathedral in Germany and a forest in Canada.
These places are listed as protected areas for future generations.
The World Heritage Committee announced this last week after a meeting in Bahrain.
The committee selects sites around the world that need to maintain their cultural, historical or scientific significance. The list already includes the Indian Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu in Peru and many more
Once a location is specified, it receives legal protection under international treaties.

Check out the amazing places around the world that have been added to the list.

1. Colombia's Chiribiquete National Park is a new entrant. The park has a huge variety of plants found in the Amazon Valley.

Chiribiquete has been a national park since 1989. Only a small part of the park has been studied, as it is difficult to access, but it is known that there is also a diverse wildlife from jaguars to hummingbirds.

The park contains rock art in 60 caves, approximate age which is 20,000 years old.

2. Chinese mountain Fangjingsan has been added to the list due to its beauty and biodiversity. A mountain up to 2570 meters above sea level, which is home to a number of endangered species.

Fangjingsan is home to plant species that originated 65 million years ago, as well as waterfalls.

3. Buddhist mountain monasteries in Shanghai consist of seven temples created from the 7th to the 9th centuries.

These sacred monasteries have survived for centuries.

4. The Spanish Caliphate city of Medina Azahara, an architectural site dating back to the 11th century, was once the site of the Caliphate of Cordoba.

The city has been open to tourists since the beginning of the 20th century.

5. Aasivissuit-Nipisat hunting ground in Greenland The area "contains evidence of 4,200 years of human history."

The Arctic territories contain archaeological sites.

6. Germany's Naumburg Cathedral is "an outstanding testament to medieval art and architecture," according to UNESCO. Part of the cathedral dates back to the 13th century.

7. The island of Kyushu in Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture contains a settlement built by the first Christian settlers in Japan between the 16th and 19th centuries.

8. Göbekli Tepe in Turkey contains ancient sites established by hunting tribes between 9,600 and 8,200 BC.

9. The Tehuacan-Cuicatlán Valley in Mexico has the richest biodiversity in all North America and a large number of endangered cacti, as well as archaeological sites.

10. Chaine des Puys - 80 dormant volcanoes in the center of France stretch for 40 kilometers. Visitors can take a train to the highest peak.

11. The South African Barberton Mahonwa Mountains "represent the best preserved remains of volcanic and sedimentary rocks from 3.6 to 3.25 billion years ago, when the first continents began to form on primitive Earth."

12. The archaeological site of Hedeby in Germany has the remains of a trading town with traces of roads, buildings, cemeteries and a harbor.

13. Pimahiowin Aki Forest in China has rivers, lakes, wetlands and forest. It is part of the ancestral home of Anishinabeg, an indigenous people.

14. The Italian city of Ivrea is an industrial city designed by leading Italian urban planners and architects, mainly from the 1930s to the 1960s. UNESCO believes that the city "expresses a modern vision of the relationship between industrial production and architecture."

15. UNESCO has recognized a series of eight archaeological sites in Iran for the way they show the influence that Achaemenid, Parthian and Roman traditions had in the Islamic era.

16. Mumbai's Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architecture. Row of Art Deco apartment buildings along the shore Arabian Sea can be seen in the figure below.

17. According to UNESCO, in the 16th century, it was probably built archaeological site Kenya in Thimliha Ohing. The settlements appear to have served as a fort for communities and livestock. The place, the organization says, is "the largest and finest of these traditional buildings."

18. On the east coast of Oman, the ancient city of Qalhat was a major port city between the 11th and 15th centuries AD. “Today it has unique archaeological evidence of trade links between the eastern coast of Arabia, East Africa, India, China and South-East Asia", the UNESCO said in a statement.

Al Ahsa from Saudi Arabia is the largest oasis in the world. With 2.5 million date palms, the area has been home to people from the Neolithic era to the present day.