Salzburg’s Baroque historical center is one of the best preserved in Europe, as well as one of its loveliest. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Austria’s fourth-largest city owes its present-day beauty to the consistent government policies that have preserved the hist

Brasilia is the most complete example of the form of urban planning prevalent until the 1970s.This city remains the unique case of a total-planning approach, an end-of-spectrum example valuable as a reference.

Salvador de Bahia is located on the southeastern promontory of the bay of Todos os Santos in northeastern Brazil. The city is an eminent example of Renaissance urban planning adapted to a colonial site. It is composed of an upper city with a defensive, administrative and residential character overlooking the lower city with its port, the center of commercial activities.

The Rila Monastery is a characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance and the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation and played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria.

Québec City is the only city in North America to have retained its colonial ramparts, bastions, gates and defence works. The urban combination formed by the Haute-Ville, located at the summit of a cape, with its churches, convents, the Citadel and the famous Château Frontenac, and the Basse-Ville, with its Place-Royale and centuries-old homes, is a splendid example of a fortified colonial town.

The Guanacaste Conservation Area demonstrates significant biological and ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments, as exemplified by the evolution, succession and restoration of Pacific Tropical Dry Forest.

Dubrovnik, the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', is situated on the Dalmatian Coast. One of the most attractive and famous cities of the mediterranean with natural beauties and well preserved cultural and historical heritage

These churches in northern Moldavia are unique in Europe with their painted exterior walls decorated with 15th- and 16th-century frescoes. They are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art with their outstanding composition and elegant outline and harmonious colours.

Compared to other European cities, Berlin, less than 800 years old, is considered a young city, yet without a doubt its fairly short history makes it unique. Berlin is a city of social and architectural experimentation.

The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture.

"Budapest is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian capital. the city has the remains of monuments such as the Roman city of Aquincum and the Gothic castle of Buda, which have had a considerable influence on the architecture of various periods. It is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian capital."

"The history of the Abbey, built on the holy mount of the Roman province of Pannonia, is as old as the history of Hungary itself. Its 1,000-year history can be seen in the succession of architectural styles of the monastic buildings, which still today house a school and the monastic community."

#The paintings and sculptures of the first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a considerable artistic influence.

Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments , monasteries and temples , sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.

The villages of Transylvania with their fortified churches provide a vivid picture of the cultural landscape of the southern part of this region of Romania. They are characterized by the specific land-use system, settlement pattern, and organization of the family farmstead units preserved since the late Middle Ages, dominated by their fortified churches, which illustrate building periods from the 13th to the 16th centuries.Assisi represents a unique example of continuity of a city-sanctuary within its environmental setting.

Ferrara, with its invaluable testimonies from the Renaissance, is one of 50 Italian sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, inserted in 1995. Rich in artworks and medieval architecture, Ferrara became a Renaissance jewel in its own right, thanks to the contributions of some of Italy’s most treasured artists.

Alberobello is situated on a rilief in a hilly land, on the slopes of a subsidence, caused by an old waterway, the shapes of its agricultural landscape represents a syntesis of the historic events which have marked the land.

The rich diversity of activities and cultural opportunities available in the Mexico city are reflected in its bounteous urban edifices which range from the gracious to the spectacular, the majesty of which is conferred upon them both by their centuries-old heritage or by their modern audacity which, without a doubt, will provide endless sources of inspiration.

Ait Benhaddou is a traditional Moroccan village perched on the south foot of the snow-capped Atlas mountain chain The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco.

Fes, the first and queen of the Moroccan Imperial cities, astonishes visitors with its beauty. Fez and the principal monuments in the medina, madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains, date from the 9th century. Fez has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual centre.

Marrakech is a wonderful combination of delightful aromas, bright colourful marketplaces and the contrasting arid desert. . In the red city artisans, painters and sculptors of various eras built magnificent places, mosques, gardens.

The World Heritage Site of Bryggen is all that remains of an ancient wharf on the east side of the Norwegian city of Bergen´s central harbor or Vågen. Bryggen, which means wharf in Norwegian, has been the nerve center of the city for hundreds of years and the silhouette of its ancient gables is perhaps the best known image of all of Norway.The characteristic parallel rows of buildings, with their seaward-facing gables, represent a building tradition dating back almost 900 years. It is the only town in the whole of Scandinavia that has followed a classical European pattern of development.

"Cusco is a magical city filled with rich history and magnificent natural beauty located in the Huatanay River Valley, in Peru’s southeastern Andes. Cusco is a mestizo and colonial city, with splendid churches and palaces built upon foundations of elaborately carved stone."

Built along the banks of the Rimac River, Lima is both Peru's largest city and its capital. Although many streets are narrow and preserve a colonial atmosphere, spacious boulevards traverse much of the metropolitan area, and much of the city is characterized by modern steel and concrete buildings"

The city’s architecture harmonizes with spacious squares, parks and gardens, monuments. Warsaw, as a metropolis pulsing with life, rivals other European cities.

Situated on the north banks of the River Tagus, the charm of Lisbon exists in its strong links to the past; renovated palaces, magnificent churches and an impressive castle mirror the city's rich cultural heritage.

These churches in northern Moldavia are unique in Europe with their painted exterior walls decorated with 15th- and 16th-century frescoes. They are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art with their outstanding composition and elegant outline and harmonious colours.

Built on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville is heir to a rich Arab legacy, and to the condition of being a prosperous trading port with the Americas. This area has an interesting collection of historic buildings, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites, and also contains colourful districts with great popular flavour.

Toledo has preserved a series of outstanding examples of monuments from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, each of which is a perfect example of a particular type of architecture from the Spanish golden age, whether religious, hospital or military.

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the heart of the Iberian peninsula and in the center of the Castillian plain, more than 600 meters above sea level. A splendid and monumental city, Madrid today is a combination of modern infrastructure and historic squares, churches, palaces and city gates.

Santiago de Compostela is a World Heritage City, pilgrimage destination, cultural capital and example of historical, urban and environmental regeneration, which attracts thousands of visitors due to its singularity."

The Royal Domain of Drottningholm is located on Queen's Island in Lake Malar, outside Stockholm. The island's name acknowledges the closely interwoven history of the castle with the different queens of Sweden. The ensemble of Drottningholm, castle, theater, Chinese pavilion and gardens, is a magnificent example of a royal residence built in 18th-century Sweden. The complex represents the typical architecture of that period, heir to influences exerted by the Chateau de Versailles on the construction of royal residences in western, central and northwestern Europe.

The history of the impressive sites of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, which reflect multiple and rich cultural identities, is largely unknown to the people of Tanzania. The islands are two archeological sites of prime importance to the understanding of the Swahili culture, the Islamization of the east coast of Africa, and the extensive commerce of the medieval period and modern era.

Stone Town, as the historical center of the capital of Zanzibar is known, evolved through several millennia of maritime mercantile interaction. The surviving town is a physical reflection of testimony to this long-term interchange of human values within the coastal region of East Africa. It gives an authentic impression of the living Swahili culture and remains the best-preserved example of its kind.

Canterbury’s historic district is significant for its historical associations with institutions and people important in the development of the area.

The North-East is unique in England for its Christian heritage. The history of its places and people testifies to the power of Christianity in the Saxon era to shape the character and destiny of an entire people. Sites such as Durham and artifacts such as Cuthbert's cross are potent reminders of the spiritual, cultural and artistic achievements of an age of magnificence.

Hadrian's Wall is an outstanding example of a fortified limes. No other ensemble from the Roman Empire illustrates as ambitious and coherent a system of defensive constructions perfected by engineers over the course of several generations.

Known as 'the city in the countryside', the magnificent medieval town of Salisbury has an incredible history. Originally built on an Iron Age hill fort at Old Sarum, it was moved in its entirety nearly two miles in the 1200s. A fine example of a planned medieval town, Salisbury has largely preserved its original layout. Historic streets and alleyways, charming half-timbered buildings, traditional English houses and picturesque shopping streets characterize the city of Salisbury.

Edinburgh's unique coupling of medieval Old Town and classical new town, each of enormous distinction in its own right, has created a city of extraordinary richness and diversity, without parallel anywhere else in the world. Its architecture and historical importance set Edinburgh apart, and give it a uniqueness that is a consequence of its historic existence as a significant European capital from the Renaissance period. The Old Town of Edinburgh is of substantial interest in its own right. It contains two planned 12th century burgs, two early royal palaces, a medieval abbey, and a wealth of ancient buildings. The national tradition of building tall reached its climax in Edinburgh with tenements that must have been the world's tallest buildings of their age, some of which have been preserved to this day.

Perhaps the most recognizable woman in the world, the Statue of Liberty is more than just an enduring symbol of New York City: it has come to symbolize America itself. Millions of urban dwellers have their roots here while thousands of others come from around the world to seek a better life and realize their dreams.

Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe and is a major historical, cultural, educational and scientific centre. Its official history dates back to the 5th century and throughout the centuries Kiev has played an important role in establishing European civilization in Eastern Europe.

This is undoubtedly the most beautiful and most attractive Macedonian town, with a pearl of old architecture and a treasure of valuable cultural and historical monuments. This city and its historic- cultural region are located in a natural setting of exceptional beauty.

Lying isolated in the East Pacific, in an extreme windward position, Rapa Nui is the easternmost Polynesian island.Rapa nui National park contains archaeological evidence, consisting mainly of Ahu (ceremonial structures), houses and ceremonial villages and Moai (megalithic statues). they constitute an outstanding and unique cultural heritage.

Founded when the silver mines opened, Guanajuato had a symbiotic relationship with them up to the 19th century. Its growth, the layout of its streets, including the picturesque "subterranean" streets, its plazas, and the construction of hospitals, churches, convents and palaces are all inextricably linked with the industrial history of the region which, with the decline of the Potosi mines in the 18th century, became the world's leading silver extraction centre.

Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins.

As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. Among its 220 historic monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral motifs. It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's tomb.

In the middle of the Syrian Desert is without doubt the most beautiful and magnificent of the Syrian historic sites, Palmyra. Once dubbed the "Pride of the Desert," Palmyra was a vital stop for caravans crossing the Syrian desert. Palmyra was mentioned in the Old Testament as being fortified by Solomon and it flourished in Roman times.

The old city of Damascus is considered to be among the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Syria’s capital is wild and exotic, still teeming with the kind of raw and primordial vibrancy that has disappeared from so many cities throughout the passage of time.

Sukhothai is generally recognised as a place of historical significance. The ancient cities of Ayuthahya and Sukhothai, former capitals of the Thai kings who held sway during the 13th and 14th centuries, are well worth a visit. They bear testimony to the ancient glory of the Thai nation and eloquently demonstrate the skills and heritage of the Siamese people.

Thingvellir is the most important cultural heritage site in Iceland, a national treasure and at the same time a major cultural resource at the global level. Its dramatic history from the establishment around the year 930 of the Althing, Iceland’s parliament, affords a unique insight into how a pioneer community during the Viking Age first began to organize its society and took its first steps towards becoming a modern nation. Thingvellir also combines in just one place an assortment of natural phenomena which only a handful of places on earth can boast. To Icelanders, Thingvellir is a symbol of national unity where the main strands of its history have been woven from its earliest settlement in the ninth century to the present day.

Los Glaciares National Park is a federal protected area in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The park is the second largest national park in the country. In 1980 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy is a group of structures in Turin and its province, in Piedmont (northern Italy).

Pompeii has been a tourist destination for over 250 years. Today it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors every year.

The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal. From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading centre on the African coast. Ruled in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French, its architecture is characterized by the contrast between the grim slave-quarters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. Today it continues to serve as a reminder of human exploitation and as a sanctuary for reconciliation.

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe – the capital of the Queen of Sheba, according to an age-old legend – are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. The city, which covers an area of nearly 80 ha, was an important trading centre and was renowned from the Middle Ages onwards.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of Champaner, a city which was built by Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat. The heritage site is studded with forts with bastions starting from the hills of Pavagadh, and extending into the city of Champaner. The park's landscape includes archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat.

The Cape Floristic Region is a floristic region located near the southern tip of South Africa. It is an area of extraordinarily high diversity and endemism, and is home to more than 9 000 vascular plant species, of which 69 percent are endemic.

Illustrating the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished in Greece over a period of more than 1,000 years, the Acropolis, the site of four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art‚ the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike‚ in some sense epitomize the idea of world heritage.

The Monumental Zones represent the highly developed architectural expression of religious, political and cultural life of Kathmandu Valley, with a concentration of monuments unique and unparalleled in the world. It is the principal centre of settlement in the hill area of Nepal and one of the prime cultural nucleuses of the Himalayas. Pashupatinath is also Nepal's most renowned Hindu creation site.

Few cities in the world have been considered worthy of being inhabited by Gods, who are accustomed to occupying loftier realms than those peopled by mere mortals. Teot ihuacan is such a city, and a thousand years of civilization, which today can still be felt along its wide avenues projecting out towards the cardinal points of the universe, had to pass before this place could be elevated to the ranks of a mythical city.