New Inscriptions in 1993

The 1993 WHC Session added 33 Sites bringing the total to 410.

Bamberg

Bamberg
Photo by Solivagant.

The Town of Bamberg represents a medieval town in Central Europe.

Bamberg has kept its early medieval town plan and many buildings from that period have survived. From the 10th century onwards, its layout and architecture have been a great influence in Poland, northern Germany and Hungary.

Community Perspective: Bamberg has a pretty riverine setting, cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and the fine Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). It’s quite a pleasant town that will hold the attention of beer lovers for even longer.

Read on

Banska Stiavnica

Banska Stiavnica
Photo by Els Slots.

The Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity are outstanding examples of a European medieval mining centre.

From the 15th century on the gold and silver mined here brought great wealth. The historic town center, the water management system, and much of the mining infrastructure can be traced back to that period. The city also was the seat of the principal Mining Academy in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Community Perspective: This charming town is filled with numerous beautiful buildings and is worth an overnight stay. Just outside there is an Open-Air Mining Museum as well, but this is not considered a must-see. The Baroque Calvary complex however is worth a detour.

Read on

Baroque Churches

Baroque Churches
Photo by Els Slots.

The Baroque Churches of the Philippines represent a fusion of European church design and local construction techniques adapted to the physical conditions.

Their specific characteristics include a separate bell tower and strong buttresses to withstand the powers of earthquakes that are common in the region, giving them a squat appearance. Their interior designs are partly based on local folk iconography. The four included churches showing this Phillipine-Hispanic style across the country are San Agustin (Manila), La Asuncion (Santa Maria), San Agustin (Paoay), and Santo Tomas (Miag-ao).

Community Perspective: San Agustin in Manila should be visited for its interior (enter via the monastery), while the Miag-ao and Paoay churches show why it is called ‘Earthquake Baroque’. Filipinos Bernard, Anril Tiatco and GabLabCebu all have well-described the features of the four churches in their reviews.

Read on

Birka and Hovgarden

Birka and Hovgarden
Photo by Els Slots.

Birka and Hovgården are archeological sites that are a testimony to the wide-ranging trade network established by the Vikings.

Birka was an important harbour until the 10th century. It also was the site of the first known Christian congregation in Sweden. The site includes remains of a fortress, ramparts of a town wall, traces of harbours and thousands of burial mounds. Hovgården has both Viking and medieval remains, comprising of a church, a brick palace, several burial mounds and a harbour with a runic inscription. Hovgården was the site from where kings and chieftains ruled the area.

Community Perspective: They are located about 30 km west of Stockholm on the small islands of Björkö and Adelsö. Birka can be reached by tourboat from Stockholm (the guided tour is recommended, but the 2h boat journey is long and the tour is overpriced), while Hovgården requires a car ferry and your own transport. At both, “not much is left to see”.

Read on

Brú na Bóinne

Brú na Bóinne
Photo by Els Slots.

Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne comprises the largest collection of remains from the Neolithic era in Europe.

The site was an important ritual centre until the Late Middle Ages. The dozens of megalithic monuments had funerary and ritual use. It is especially valued for its passage graves adorned with petroglyphs, with Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth as the best examples.

Community Perspective: The main site of Newgrange is often included in day tours from Dublin, and can become busy. Knowth is a good (some say: even better) alternative, while at Dowth the interior of the graves cannot be visited but it provides a look at an unreconstructed tomb. The other graves can only be entered with a guide.

Read on

Bukhara

Bukhara
Photo by Els Slots.

The Historic Centre of Bukhara is the most complete and unspoiled example of a medieval Central Asian town, whose urban layout and buildings have greatly influenced town planning in the region.

Bukhara was also the largest center for Muslim theology in the Near East. Most major monuments that have survived are from the 16th century onwards, built during the Sheibanid dynasty when economic and cultural development was stimulated.

Community Perspective: A lively city that is worth multiple days. Solivagant has described how the city transformed between his two visits in 1983 and 2004. Els visited the 16th century hammam and Clyde has pointed out the best panoramic viewpoints.

Read on

Churches of Moldavia

Churches of Moldavia
Photo by Els Slots.

The Churches of Moldavia comprised eight Byzantine churches with painted exterior walls.

These paintings systematically cover all the facades with cycles of Orthodox Christian religious themes. The churches were built between ca. 1487 and 1532, as a protective barrier against the Muslim Ottoman conquerors from the East and during a period of cultural flowering of the newly independent state of Moldavia.

Community Perspective: these painted churches are in the highest category of WHS in Europe. You can easily spend a day or more driving between them.

Read on

Coro and its Port

Coro and its Port
Photo by Jarek Pokrzywnicki.

Coro and its Port comprise an urban colonial landscape renowned for its earthen architecture that is unique in the Caribbean.

The city of Santa Ana de Coro was founded in 1527 in the early days of Spanish colonization. It has conserved its original layout and early urban landscape very well. The buildings show examples of traditional mud-building techniques, which are still being used. The architecture is a unique fusion of Mudejar, native, Spanish and Dutch influences, the latter through the neighbouring islands of Curaçao and Aruba.

Community Perspective: the only reviewer so far, Joseph, details a visit from 2009.

Read on

Engelsberg Ironworks

Engelsberg Ironworks
Photo by Els Slots.

The Engelsberg Ironworks was one of the most influential industrial complexes in Europe due to its modern machinery and construction.

Sweden was the economic leader in the field of iron from the 17th-19th centuries, and the Engelsberg Ironworks produced a number of technological innovations. Its furnace was powered by waterwheels. After it closed down in 1919, most of the 50 technical and related administrative buildings have been preserved.

Community Perspective: as a very early industrial monument, “they do not give an ‘industrial impression’” – thanks to the idyllic location in the midst of a Swedish forest. The grounds are free to explore; guided tours that let you into the buildings are only available in summer.

Read on

Himeji-jo

Himeji-jo
Photo by Nan.

Himeji-jo is a well-preserved example of Japanese wooden castle architecture, combining both functional use and aesthetic appeal.

This hill-top castle consists of 83 buildings and has a highly developed defence system. The wooden walls are covered with fireproof white plaster. There are openings for firing guns and shooting arrows, and also for pouring boiling water or oil on unwelcome visitors. The multiple roof layers are visible from almost anywhere in the city.

Community Perspective: “You may think of Himeji-jo as that beautiful white tower, but the castle is much bigger than that.” GabLabCebu and Hubert provide the most extensive, recent coverage. The castle is easily accessed by a 1h train ride from Kyoto.

Read on

Horyu-ji Area

Horyu-ji Area
Photo by Els Slots.

The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area, masterpieces of wooden architecture, are the earliest of their kind in Japan

Horyu-ji was founded by Prince Shotoku who was the first patron of Buddhism in Japan. Here elements of Chinese Buddhist architecture were adapted into a distinctly Japanese style, which became influential in the rest of Japan. The 48 monuments are spread across two temple sites, Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji.

Community Perspective: more austere than other temples in the Kyoto-Nara area, but these are superbly constructed, most important due to their age and not as busy with tourists. Horyu-ji is the main location of the two.

Read on

Hué

Hué
Photo by Els Slots.

The Complex of Hué Monuments is a unique example of a planned and fully defended feudal capital city in Southeast Asia.

Hué was the imperial capital of Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. The site consists of the Capital City, a complex enclosed within defensive walls with the Forbidden Purple City at its heart, and associated monuments outside of the city such as imperial tombs, temples, pagodas and other spiritual sites.

Community Perspective: The Hué Citadel stands out for its unique design. The associated sites are also worth visiting, but are scattered across a large area so you’ll need a car/taxi/bike to reach them.

Read on

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb
Photo by Els Slots.

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi is a monumental Mughal garden-tomb complex.

This dynastic mausoleum was built in 1570 for Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor of India, and now contains about 150 graves of ruling family members. It uses mainly red sandstone, with white and black marble inlays. It is a landmark in the development of Mughal architecture, as it introduced a Persian/Central Asian style Charbagh garden with pools joined by channels to the funerary monument.

Community Perspective: “The contrast between the city and the peaceful garden and the monument was truly stunning”. Carlo has also covered two of the 'lesser' tombs at the complex and provides some pointers for a longer visit than the usual 45 minutes.

Read on

Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesus

Jesuit Missions of Trinidad and Jesus
Photo by Els Slots.

The Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue are the remains of small colonies established by the Jesuits in Paraguay throughout the 17th and 18th century.

They were built as miniature city-states that integrated the indigenous Guarani populations with the Christian faith. The mission of Trinidad was originally constructed in 1706, the intended self-sufficient city came complete with a central meeting plaza, a large church meetinghouse, a school, several workshops, a museum and housing for the local Indian population. The nearby mission of Jesus de Tavarangue was created in 1685.

Community Perspective:  Well-preserved, with stunning carvings done by the Indian craftsmen, and “no tour groups, no guides, no information signs, and no sound”. Trinidad is easily accessible by bus from the nearby city of Encarnacion, while Jesus de Tavarangue requires an additional taxi ride. It can also be done on a half-day trip from the Argentinian town of Posadas. See the reviews of Nan and Shandos for public transport logistics in this border region.

Read on

Joya de Ceren

Joya de Ceren
Photo by Els Slots.

The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site is a pre-Columbian Maya farming village that has been preserved after it was destroyed by volcanic ash around 600 CE.

It provides an excellent testimony of the daily lives of ordinary people, as they left behind utensils, ceramics, furniture, and even half-eaten food in their haste to escape the eruption of the Loma Caldera volcano. The remains of the earthen architecture have also been preserved.

Community Perspective: the site is easily reached by public bus, either from Santa Ana or San Salvador. Visiting the on-site museum with original excavated items is recommended to do first. The earthen buildings are very much intact, but do not expect grand stone buildings like in other Maya sites.

Read on

Matera

Matera
Photo by Els Slots.

The Sassi and the park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera are the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlements in the Mediterranean region.

The caves in this belt of soft tufa have been used since prehistoric times. At first, people lived in bare caves, later these developed into house-like structures and the settlements were enriched with workshops, churches, monasteries and hermitages.

Community Perspective: Matera has been featured in many books and films for its remarkable scenery and poor living conditions. Clyde has summarized nicely what to see and do here nowadays.

Read on

Maulbronn Monastery

Maulbronn Monastery
Photo by Els Slots.

Maulbronn Monastery Complex is the most complete surviving Cistercian monastic structure in Northern and Central Europe.

The main church was built in a transitional style from Romanesque to Gothic. The complex also includes an extensive water-management system, consisting of a network of natural and artificial lakes and ponds over several terraces that interconnected by trenches and canals. After the Reformation in the 16th century, it was converted into a Protestant seminary.

Community Perspective: The whole ensemble including administrative and farm buildings has been preserved, so “it still looks today like a small medieval village grouped around its church”. Hubert also recognized the standardized Cistercian architectural concept that was used.

Read on

Mérida

Mérida
Photo by Els Slots.

The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida holds the remains of many public buildings that were the trademarks of a major Roman provincial capital.

The city was built as Emerita Augusta in 25 BCE, adhering to a strict Roman urban plan. Mérida preserves both public and private buildings from Antiquity, such as the theatre, amphitheatre and engineering works. The Ensemble also includes a few later monuments like the Moorish Alcazabar and two early Christian churches.

Community Perspective: The quality lies in the ensemble of the various components, as together they show every aspect of life in a Roman city. There’s a combined ticket that gives you access to all. The National Museum of Roman Art is also worth visiting.

Read on

Monastery of Horezu

Monastery of Horezu
Photo by Els Slots.

The Monastery of Horezu is considered the masterpiece of the Brancovan style that influenced art across the region in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The monastery was founded in 1690 by Prince Constantin Brancovan, who let it be adorned with wall paintings and other rich decorations. The Brancovan style that developed under these circumstances is a synthesis of Byzantine and Northern Italian Renaissance architecture.

Community Perspective: it nowadays is in use as a nunnery, but can be visited freely. Behind the main church, through the gate and up the hill, there's another small chapel covered in paintings that should not be missed.

Read on

Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar
Photo by Els Slots.

Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi comprises a group of religious and funerary buildings that display the architectural and artistic achievements of early Islamic India.

The 13th-century complex includes the Quwwatu'l-Islam mosque, the earliest extant mosque in northern India, and the 72m high minaret Qutb Minar. The site also holds the Iron Pillar, built during the Gupta Empire in the 4th century CE - a standing testimony to the metallurgical skill of ancient Indians.

Community Perspective: a serene, smallish site to visit in Delhi. Besides the main structures, the Tomb of Iltutmish is also recommended for its fine carvings.

Read on

Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco

Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco
Photo by Michael Novins.

The Rock Paintings of Sierra de San Francisco comprises prehistoric rock art found in the harsh climate of Baja California, Mexico.

They are representations of what was once the life of the Cochimi or Guachimis, who lived relatively isolated and developed their own rock art tradition. The paintings were made on the roofs of rock shelters and on the walls of the Sierra de San Francisco mountain range. Around 250 rock art sites have been discovered, including huge panels, the so-called Great Murals.

Community Perspective: this large site is rarely visited. Els has described what a one-day visit involves and enjoyed the scenery the most.

Read on

Route of Santiago de Compostela

Route of Santiago de Compostela
Photo by Els Slots.

Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain comprise four historic Christian pilgrimage routes originating in the Middle Ages.

The routes drew pilgrims from the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. They start from the French-Spanish border and end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the apostle Saint James the Great are said to be buried. Along the route, there are over 1800 associated historic buildings, including cathedrals, churches, monasteries, hospitals, inns and public works.

Community Perspective: This is best experienced on foot of course, and Clyde has completed the full Camino. Others like Jay (six days), Ian (120km) and Frederik (7km) did parts of it. 

Read on

Santa Maria de Guadalupe

Santa Maria de Guadalupe
Photo by Els Slots.

The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe has played a leading role in the history of medieval and modern Spain and continues to be a site of pilgrimage.

It has especially high symbolic value, linked to both the Conquest of Granada and the discovery and subsequent evangelization of the New World. The monastery had its origins in the late 13th century when a shepherd discovered a statue of the Madonna on the bank of the Guadalupe River. On the site of this discovery, first, a chapel was built and in 1389 this monastery. Its architecture shows a variety of differing architectural styles, such as Mudéjar, Gothic and Baroque.

Community Perspective: It’s a massive construction right in the middle of a tiny town. The place seems to be perpetually crowded with large, mostly Spanish, tour groups. Clyde quite enjoyed it and found the Mudejar Cloister of Miracles its highlight, while Hubert has summarized seven points as to why he disliked his visit.

Read on

Shirakami-Sanchi

Shirakami-Sanchi
Photo by Els Slots.

Shirakami-Sanchi is a mountain range covered with a virgin forest of Siebold's beech trees.

It is the remaining stand of a kind of forest that once covered all of North Japan; furthermore, it is a rare undisturbed wilderness in Japan. The landscape features deep valleys with steep slopes and sees heavy snow during the winter months, something against which the beech trees are extremely resistant. The rare Japanese black bear can be found in the forest, as well as the Japanese serow and many species of birds and insects.

Community Perspective: glimpses of this mighty forest can be had from the train that runs along the narrow coastal strip from Fukaura south to Noshiro. There are ample visitor centers in the buffer zone, and most people will make do with a ‘from-the-outside-looking-in’ visit as the core zone requires a permit. Popular places in the buffer zone include Anmon-no-taki Falls and certain trails starting from Juniko.

Read on

Spissky Hrad and Levoca

Spissky Hrad and Levoca
Photo by Els Slots.

Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments comprise a group of religious, military and civil buildings that have integrally survived from a medieval settlement in Eastern Europe,

Spissky Hrad (Spis Castle) dates from the early 13th century. In later centuries it has seen many additions and alterations, having both Romanesque and Gothic elements. The town of Levoca is particularly known for the polychromatic wooden masterpieces of Master Paul, which are characteristic of the Late Gothic.

Community Perspective: Spissky Hrad’s ruin can be seen from afar and is a landmark sight of Slovakia. Be aware that its interior closes between November and April. The lively town of Levoča is the other must-visit component with its 'Cage of Shame' and altar by Master Paul. Clyde also recommends the Spis Chapter House and the walking route that is part of the Slovak route to Santiago de Compostela.

Read on

Trinity Sergius Lavra

Trinity Sergius Lavra
Photo by Els Slots.

The Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad holds the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The monastery was founded in 1345 by one of the most venerated Russian saints, Sergius of Radonezh, who built a wooden church in honour of the Holy Trinity at Makovets Hill. Over the centuries, an ensemble of over 50 buildings was added and the wooden buildings did not survive a great fire in 1746. The monastery also became more embedded within the town of Sergiev Posad. The active monastery is now a popular pilgrimage site.

Community Perspective: Another easy day trip from Moscow. Expect to encounter long queues of pilgrims and tourists (foreigners are automatically assumed to be the latter kind of visitors and have to pay an entrance fee). The interior of the small golden and colorful Trinity Cathedral is memorable.

Read on

Tubbataha Reefs

Tubbataha Reefs
Photo by Zoe Sheng.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park covers a pristine atoll reef ecosystem with a very high diversity of marine life.

The park, comprising the Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley Reefs, lies in the remote and undisturbed Sulu Sea. It protects over 360 species of coral. Animal species that inhabit the reefs include whales, manta rays, lionfish, turtle, clownfish, spotted dolphin and sharks. It also holds important nesting sites for seabirds.

Community Perspective: this is the territory of the liveaboard dive ships; Zoë describes such an experience.

Read on

Villages with Fortified Churches

Villages with Fortified Churches
Photo by Els Slots.

The Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania are examples of defensive vernacular architecture made by Saxons and Szeklers.

Southern Transylvanian villages were often organised around a fortified church, to protect them from invading Mongols and Turks. This type of village was introduced by Saxon settlers and later spread to neighbouring Szekler communities. The homogenous settlements date from the 13th to the 16th century and have preserved their original layout.

Community Perspective: the Churches are the main attraction, and the ones in Viscri and Biertan are the most rewarding to visit.

Read on

Vlkolinec

Vlkolinec
Photo by Els Slots.

Vlkolinéc is a rural settlement containing a group of vernacular timber-built constructions.

The current ca. 50 buildings in the still inhabited village date mainly from the 19th century, but the origins of their architectural type go back several centuries earlier. The log constructions (all homesteads plus a school and a church) have stone footings with log walls on top. Their walls are coated with clay and usually painted.

Community Perspective: The village has a stunning setting amidst the green meadows. Payment of an entrance fee is required to enter it, but not a lot of contextual interpretation comes with it. It’s so small it can all be seen in half an hour.

Read on

Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino

Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino
Photo by Els Slots.

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino comprises the breeding grounds for the North Pacific Grey Whale and also protects other important species.

The Grey Whale yearly travels in small groups between feeding and breeding grounds over a distance of 16,000-22,000 km. They use the shallow, well-protected lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio to mate, breed and calve. The area also is productive for fish and sees an abundance of wintering bird species.

Community Perspective: The season lasts from January to mid-March. You can choose between Guerrero Negro (for Ojo de Liebre) or San Ignacio (for San Ignacio Lagoon) to use as a base: from there, trips on small boats will be on offer to view the whales.

Read on

Yakushima

Yakushima
Photo by Els Slots.

Yakushima contains the remains of a warm-temperate ancient rainforest and it is the last ecosystem dominated by the Japanese cedar.

This small and very wet island has high peaks up to 2,000m, all covered in dense forest. It includes a primeval forest of the Japanese cedar or Yakusugi, an evergreen tree that can grow very large in height and diameter. Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old.

Community Perspective: this lovely island can be reached by ferry from Kagoshima, but be aware that the core zone only covers the higher altitude central part, with arms stretching south, east and west to the coast. The hardcore option is to do the hike to Jomon Sugi (8-10hrs; Aovana, Randi & Svein and Zoë did so); an alternative, easier way is to take the Seibu Rindon Forest Path near the coast.

Read on

Zabid

Zabid
Photo by Watkinstravel.

The Historic Town of Zabid is renowned for its domestic and military architecture, and its Islamic university that attracted students from far.

The urban plan of this town shows the characteristics of the early years of Islam, centered around the ancient Alash'ar Mosque. It further developed with fortifications, the Great Mosque, courtyard houses and a network of canals. It became a significant centre for spreading Islamic knowledge from its mosques and madrasas.

Community Perspective: located in a hot coastal area, this feels very different from the rest of Yemen. The interior of the townhouses comes recommended by Solivagant, while Watkinstravel found it in a terrible state of decay in 2007.

Read on

Zacatecas

Zacatecas
Photo by Els Slots.

The Historic Centre of Zacatecas comprises a well-preserved Spanish colonial mining town.

Silver was discovered here in the mid-16th century and the city soon became one of the chief mining centres of Mexico. Its original urban design has been preserved, with many of its streets being steep or at different levels due to the mountainous setting. Its notable religious and secular buildings mostly date from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Community Perspective: The pink Cathedral with its Churrigueresque façade is the highlight. You can get good views of the city from the Teleferico to El Eden mine, which can be visited underground as well. Jay’s review has more tips on what to see and do.

Read on