Ottoman-era bridge in Eastern Europe - Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad 1260 Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge What and Why The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge ( Serbo-Croatian : Most Mehmed-paše Sokolovića ) is a historic arch-bridge in Višegrad , over the Drina River in Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Bosna i Hercegovina ) . It was completed during the mid-16th century. The bridge is considered the representation of the apex of Ottoman architecture . Moreover since it crosses

Fusion of Spanish, Oriental and local architecture in churches - Baroque Churches in the Philippines 677; The School of Living Traditions (SLT) 01739 Paoay Church What and Why During the Spanish Colonial Period from the 16th to 19th century, the Spanish missionaries arrived at the Philippines ( Tagalog : Pilipinas ) , spread Christianity and built churches in their new land. The Spanish would like to build new and long-lasting churches to create a proper place to worship an

Asian Spanish colonial city with an old-world charm - Historic City of Vigan 502 Calle Crisologo at night What and Why Vigan is one of the few Spanish East Indies (Spanish: Indias orientales españolas ) colonial towns left in the Philippines ( Tagalog : Pilipinas ) whose old structures have mostly remained intact. The tiny town is well known for its sett and cobblestone pavements, derived from the Spanish Philippines colonial e ra which fuses native Philippine and or

Resort island formed by molten lava - Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes 1264; Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) 01068 Ilchulbong (from internet) What and Why Jeju City ( Korean : 제주시, Jejusi ) is located on the island province Jeju ( 제주 ) , which the island was formed as a result of massive volcano eruptions. The island is famous for its various geological and volcanic formations, mainly responsible by the main volcano Hallasan ( 한라산 ) . Jeju is scientifically valua

Capital of ancient Silla - Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple 736; Gyeongju Historic Areas 976; Daemokjang, traditional wooden architecture 00461; Knowledge, beliefs and practices related to jang making in the Republic of Korea 01975 Jahamun of Bulguksa What and Why Gyeongju ( Korean : 경주) , formerly Seorabeol ( 서라벌), was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla ( 신라 ) from 57 BCE to 935 CE and hence this city is a definite must-visit if one is interested in Korean Pe

Indentured labour gateway - Aapravasi Ghat 1227; Bhojpuri folk songs in Mauritius, Geet-Gawai 01178 Aapravasi Ghat What and Why The Aapravasi Ghat is another iconic representation of forced labour and slavery in Africa during the colonial times. During the period from mid-19th to early 20th century, Mauritius was a centre for i ndentured , or contracted, labour workforce from many countries due to its extensive requirement for labours in the sugar-cane plantations, manage

A rock that has become a testimony to resistance to slavery - Le Morne Cultural Landscape 1259; Traditional Mauritian Sega 01003 Le Morne Brabant viewed from the sea What and Why Le Morne is the peninsular area at the Southwestern tip of Mauritius , highlighted by a huge and steep 556-m basaltic monolith called Le Morne Brabant . The peninsula is a representation of the history of slavery and its ultimate resistance. The peninsula was a major refuge or hiding place for Mar

Rock-hewn caves in an island honouring Shiva - Elephanta Caves 244 Elephanta caves - Cave 1 What and Why The Elephanta Caves ( Hindi : घारापुरी गुफाएँ, Gharapuri guphā'ēm̐ ) are a series of rock-hewn cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva (Sanskrit : शिव, Śiva ) . These caves are located a 16 km² island off Mumbai (मुम्बई) , as blogged in Mumbai (मुम्बई) | South . While most of the caves are Hindu, there are a number of Buddhist stupas and temples aroun

A city of contrasting unequals: Bollywood against traditional culture, mega-rich against slum; Victorian architectures against Hindu buildings - Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) 945; Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai 1480; Yoga 01163 Taj Hotel and Gate of India What and Why As in the subtitle, Mumbai ( Hindi : मुम्बई) is really a city of contrasting paradoxes: It is the epicentre of Bollywood movies featuring all sorts of fantasies,

Ancient town with 2,000 temples, pagodas and stupas - Bagan 1588 Bagan in evening haze What and Why Bagan ( Burmese : ပုဂံ) is famous for the being the land of thousand temples, and the famous picture of all these temples seemingly floating in a reddish haze can be taken easily, as above. All one needs to do is to go atop one of these temples at dawn, or sometimes dusk and with a simple digital camera or smartphone, voilà! These temples were mostly built during the area's

Largest icefield in North America - Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks 304 Columbia Icefield What and Why The largest of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks , Jasper National Park is famous for its spectacular ice fields scattered around spectacularly scenic mountains, gorges, waterfalls and lakes. Jasper’s landscapes emphasise scale and remoteness. Massive mountain ranges, extensive forests, and large river systems create habitats for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor expl

The ultimate photospot of the Rockies - Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks 340 Lake Louise What and Why Banff National Park , is one of the six national parks around the Canadian Rockies that form the UNESCO WHS Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks . Banff National Park is actually the first national park of Canada , established since the late 19th century, and is famous for its exceptionally picturesque landscape, especially the glaciers, glacial lakes, snow mountains and alpine fores

A high cliff to kill buffaloes and bisons to feed the tribes - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump 158 What and Why It is not an...

Dawn of textile industry during the Industrial Revolution - Derwent Valley Mills 1030 What and Why In the 1770s CE, Richard Arkwright...

World most beautiful town square - La Grand-Place, Brussels 857; Ommegang of Brussels, an annual historical procession and popular...

Centre of Art Nouveau and a showcase of architectural innovation - Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta (Brussels) 1005;...

Once the world's largest commercial canal-based city with a picturesque mediaeval urbanscape - Flemish Béguinages 855; Belfries of Belgium and France 943; Historic Centre of Brugge 996; Safeguarding the carillon culture: preservation, transmission, exchange and awareness-raising 01017; Beer culture in Belgium 01062 Boatrip at Rozenhoedkaai What and Why Bruges ( Dutch : Brugge ) was at one point the commercial heart of the world, due its port and rivers. The city connects wi

Former papal residence before Vatican - Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge 1995; Gastronomic...

Mini Rome - Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the "Triumphal Arch" of Orange 163 What and Why The Roman city of Orange was...

Highest three-tier Roman aqueduct - Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) 344 What and Why Pont du Gard is the world's most famous aqueduct built...