Formation of Alps in Switzerland - Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona 1179; Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps 1363; Avalanche risk management 01380; Alpinism 01471; Alpine pasture season 01966; Yodelling 02287 Piz Sardona What and Why The Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona ( German : Weltnaturerbe TektonikArena Sardona ) is a major mountain thrust fault caused by the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates 100 million years ago! This major shearing action no

A Carthaginian trading post with a syncretic urban structure and culture - Kasbah of Algiers 565; Knowledge, know-how and practices pertaining to the production and consumption of couscous 01602; Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices 01718; Arts, skills and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver and copper) 01951 Kasbah of Algiers What and Why The kasbah or casbah of Algiers ( Tamazight : ⵍⴷⵣⴰⵢⵔ, Ldzayer ) is a chaotically beautiful eclect

The only remaining wonder of the ancient world - Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur 86; Koshary, daily life dish and practices associated with it 02278 Sphinx and the Pyramid of Khafre What and Why There is absolutely no need for any introduction to the pyramids of Egypt ( Arabic : مصر , Miṣr ) . Pyramids are the oldest but the only standing seven wonders of the ancient world , standing on the various sites for more than 4,500 years! Unless

A small Russian former capital with more churches than anyone else - White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal 633 Suzdal What and Why Just 25 km north of Vladimir ( Russian : Владимир ) (see our blogged Vladimir ( Владимир ) sits one small town of with a glory history Suzdal (Суздаль) . The historic town dates back to the late 10th century and it became a principality in Rostov-Suzdal (Ростов-Суздаль) in the early 12th century. Later in the mid-12th century this principal

A world famous abbey with a spectacular library that chronicles European language and culture since the 7th century - Abbey of St Gall 268 Abbey of Saint Gall What and Why During the early 7th century, the Irish monk Saint Gall (Latin: Gallus ) and his disciple Saint Columbanus (Irish : Columbán ) came to the site and established a hermitage and stayed there until his death in the mid-7th century. Saint Gall was much revered in the area and after his death people venerated

4000-year old Neolithic village and culture in a remote island of Scotland - Heart of Neolithic Orkney 514 Skara Brae village What and Why In the islands of Orkney of Scotland stands four main archaeological sites of the Neolithic age of mysterious origin. These four sites have been marked to be founded from 3200 to 2500 BCE and are actually older than the Stonehenge as blogged in Amesbury or the pyramids in Giza (الجيزة) . They also draw comparisons of my visit to the

White-stone architecture along the Golden Ring - White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal 633 Assumption Cathedral (from internet) What and Why Vladimir ( Russian : Владимир) , together with Suzdal (Суздаль) , was one of the major principalities of mediaeval times that succeeded Kievan Rus' (Old East Slavic: Роусь, Rusĭ ) that dates its foundation back to the 10th century. The city prospered when it became the capital of the joint principality of Vladimir-Suzdal (Владимирско-

The picturesque unknown capital of Switzerland retaining a provincial atmosphere - Old City of Berne 267 Marktgasse What and Why With such a picturesque landscape, arcades and water fountains in the Old Town ( German : Altstadt ) , the city of Bern is easily one of Switzerland's ( Schweiz ) most beautiful towns. Ever since its foundation in the early 12th century, the city has always brimmed with a provincial town atmosphere while carrying the important title of the de fac

The fortress of political might and fear continued - Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow 545 Kremlin What and Why Built as early as the mid-12th century, the Kremlin ( Russian : Кремль, Kreml' ) is now home to the president of Russia (Россия, Rossiya ) and the epicentre of post-cold-war Russian politics. The Kremlin has survived almost a millennium of upheavals, change-of-hands, vandalism and reconstruction, the fortress-complex symbolises the political forte Russian leadershi

The world's most famous and politically-charged square - Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow 545 Red Square What and Why The very heart of Russia ( Russian : Россия, Rossiya ) , the Red Square (Красная П лощадь, Krasnaya Ploshchad ) is symbolic of the politics of Russia and the former Soviet Union (Сове́тский Сою́з, Sovetskiy Soyuz ) . This is where the annual Moscow (Москва, Moskva ) Victory Day Parade (Парад Победы, Parad Pobedy ) is held annually, and I remember vividly the

Cradle and tourbillon of Swiss-watchmaking - La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning 1302; Craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics 01560 La Chaux-de-Fonds What and Why When it comes to precision and punctuality, no one can beat the Swiss, just observe the incredibly vast but precise networks of railways in Switzerland ( French : Suisse ) . The term 'Swiss-made' comes up to laud their quality of precision, and this is genuinely no hyperbole.

The warm cradle that produces Swiss wines - Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces 1243; The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement 1321; Winegrowers’ Festival in Vevey 01201; Art of dry stone construction, knowledge and techniques 02106 Lavaux vineyard What and Why Along the north bank of Lake Geneva ( French : Le Léman ) lies a 30-km stretch of terraced vineyards that produces the wine appellation of the region. The region, which occupi

Ancient necropoles in the form of tumuli - Dilmun Burial Mounds 1542; Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices 01718 Dilmun Burial Mounds in A'ali After a long break due to my relocation to Scotland , I have finally resumed my blog-writing due to popular demands. I have not given up blogging, just finding the time and space for it. What and Why The Dilmun Burial Mounds ( Arabic : مدافن دلمون, madafin dilmun ) are ancient necropoles in the form of tumulus cluste

Ancient pearling site that started the nation - Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy 1364 ; Fjiri 01747 Oyster beds in Muharraq What and Why For centuries, Muharraq ( Arabic: المحرق, Al-Muḥarraq ) was the Persian Gulf’s pearling epicentre. After all the region produces some of the finest pearls in the world, and this literally gave birth to the regional Bahraini culture and civilisation since the 3rd century BCE. Virtually everyone was involved in the pearling indu

Possibly Japan's most cultural and beautiful city steeped in tradition - Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) 688; Kabuki theatre 00163; Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, notably for the celebration of New Year 00869; Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan 01618 Kinkaku-ji What and Why Kyoto ( Japanese : 京都, Kyōto ) carries the reputation of being the

Imperial citadel of Đại Việt since the 11th century - Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi 1328; Ca trù singing 00309 Hanoi and Thăng Long 1000 years plaque What and Why Hanoi ( Vietnamese : Hà Nội ) is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been there for more than a millennium, starting as the capital of Vietnam ( Việt Nam ) in various form from Đại Cồ Việt during the mid-10th century, to subsequently Đại Việt until the early 19th century

Wading through beautiful limestone caves sitting inland - Trang An Landscape Complex 1438; Quan Họ Bắc Ninh folk songs 00183 Tam Coc What and Why Tr à ng An is a very scenic area located near the city of Ninh Bình which features beautiful limestone mountains and caves along the river. A common tourist activity is to ride a boat and wade through the limestone caves and witness the beautiful sceneries. The river itself nurtures an aquatic ecosystem of various seafood species

City of Bath, city to bath - City of Bath 428; The Great Spa Towns of Europe 1613 Roman Bath What and Why Bath is the only city in the United Kingdom (UK) that has hot springs and as a result the city has become a major spa site since Roman times, when the Romans built various baths and temples. The city carried the Latin name Aquae Sulis , meaning 'the waters of Sulis ' honouring the Roman god. This culture has continued and prospered when during the 16th century Geor

The world's most famous neolithic monument - Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites 373 Stonehenge What and Why Stonehenge , the iconic archaeological sarsen -built monument of the United Kingdom , is known more for its unknown. No one can ascertain what exactly this monument is for. In fact many aspects of Stonehenge, such as how it was built and for what purposes it was used, remain subject to intensive debates. We are however certain it is not a random monument due to

An desert oasis blossoming rich civilisations and cultural heritages - Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) 1343; Majlis, a cultural and social space 01076; Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices 01509; Al Aflaj, traditional irrigation network system in the UAE, oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution 01577; Falconry, a living human heritage 01708; Arabic calligraphy