The wall that separated people from love, freedom and dignity - Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin 896; Craft techniques and customary practices of cathedral workshops, or Bauhütten, in Europe, know-how, transmission, development of knowledge and innovation 01558 Strip of Berlin Wall in Bernauer Straße and its reconstructed watchtower This is probably the first blog that I have written that the focus is not on a WHS. In fact the historic significance of this wall far outst

Port city, windmills, carnival and a live architecture experiment - Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout 818; Van Nellefabriek 1441; Craft of the miller operating windmills and watermills 01265; Rotterdam Summer Carnival 01870 Windmill arrays in Kinderdijk What and Why The port city of Rotterdam , is in every sense of the word, very un-European. When I landed in Rotterdam from my recent cruise at got into the city, my immediate response was 'Wow, what a sight!'. Unlike most

Origin of industry in China - The Grand Canal 1443; Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures 00223; Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China 01884; Spring festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditionadl new year 02126 Qingming bridge and Jiangnan canal at night Wuxi (Chinese: 无锡) has a special place in my heart as this was my first time travelling abroad (technically duri

A city rebuilt from rubbles - Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret 1181; Gastronomic meal of the French 00437; Artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread 01883 Le Havre at dusk What and Why I have to say that I had no particular expectations of Le Havre. It was a cruise stop, a box to tick, a city I associated vaguely with Claude Monet's famous painting of his hometown 'Impression, Sunrise (French: Impression, Soleil Levant)' and wartime bombing. What I did no

Historic spa town adorned with gorgeous Belle É poque architecture - The Great Spa Towns of Europe 1613; Knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production 01961 Karlovy Vary main square: Market Colonnade What and Why Karlovy Vary is one of the most iconic recreational and spa towns in Europe, renowned for its healing thermal waters, mineral springs, elegant Belle- É poque architecture, rich cultural heritage, and historic ties to the art of Bohemian glassmaking . Ne

Historic and gastronomic centre of France with hidden corridors - Historic Site of Lyon 872; Belfries of Belgium and France 943; Gastronomic meal of the French 00437; Artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread 01883 Restaurants along Rue Saint-Jean What and Why Against common beliefs, the gastronomic centre of France is not Paris , but Lyon . So much that Lyon is inscribed as the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy . The city has apparently more restaurants per capita

The king of all lighthouses - Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France 868; Cordouan Lighthouse 1625; Gastronomic meal of the French 00437; Artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread 01883 Cordouan Lighthouse What and Why The Cordouan Lighthouse ( French : Phare de Cordouan ) , often referred to as the 'king of lighthouses ( roi des phares )' or the ' Versailles of the sea ( Le Versailles de mer ) ' to highlight its grandeur and majesty compared to the rest of boring

Cultural and historic confluence of ancient Egyptian and Nubian civilisations - Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae 88; Handmade weaving in Upper Egypt (Sa'eed) 01605 Philae Temple from river cruise What and Why Aswan ( Arabic : أسوان , ʾAswān ) , located in southern Egypt (مصر , Miṣr ) on the banks of the River Nile (Latin: Nilus ) , is a city of great historical and cultural significance. With a history that stretches back thousands of years, Aswan has been a cultu

The heart of wine-making and Romanesque architectural heritage - Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion 932; Gastronomic meal of the French 00437; Art of dry stone construction, knowledge and techniques 02106 Saint-Émilion vineyards What and Why Nestled in the heart of the Gironde region of France , Saint-Émilion is a name that resonates deeply within the world of wine . This picturesque mediaeval village, surrounded by gently rolling hills and vineyards ( French : vignobles ) , is

A mediaeval monastery with a well-preserved gallery of Carolingian art - Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair 269; Craft techniques and customary practices of cathedral workshops, or Bauhütten, in Europe, know-how, transmission, development of knowledge and innovation 01558 Benedictine Convent of Saint John What and Whyf The Benedictine Convent of Saint John (Romansh: Claustra Benedictina da Son Jon), named after Saint John the Baptist (Hebrew: יוחנן המטביל, Yvhnn Hmtbyl

' Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou-Hangzhou ': for gardens, canals, food, operas, silk and scholastic activities - Classical Gardens of Suzhou 813; The Grand Canal 1443; Kun Qu opera 00004; Sericulture and silk craftsmanship of China 00197 Canal in Suzhou This post marks the 5th anniversary of my blog. What and Why The quote ' Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou-Hangzhou ( Chinese : 上有天堂、下有苏杭 , Shangyou tiantang, Xiayou Su-hang ) ' aptly describes how bea

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

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

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

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

Hanseatic dockyards standing for more than a thousand years - Bryggen 59; Oselvar boat - reframing a traditional learning process of building and use to a modern context 01156; Nordic clinker boat traditions 01686 Bryggen 1 What and Why Bergen , a coastal city in Norway ( Norwegian : Norge ) , was the main commercial hub of the Hanseatic League (German: Hanse ) during the 13th to 17th century The Hanseatic League started as a mediaeval commercial confederation of guilds an

Iconic fjords, massive waterfalls, canyon valleys and impressive railway - West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord 1195; Craft techniques and customary practices of cathedral workshops, or Bauhütten, in Europe, know-how, transmission, development of knowledge and innovation 01558; Nordic clinker boat traditions 01686 Nærøyfjord What and Why The scenic and narrow Nærøyfjord , a branch of the large Sognefjord , is 18-km fjord is often cited as one of the most bea