In which city are the attractions located? Golden Pagodas of Burma. Temple complex Luxor

Places where every cultured person dreams of visiting. Experts from the world's largest travel website have compiled a ranking of 25 cultural sites that were most highly rated by tourists from around the globe. In general, if you have not yet decided on your plans for the next 25 vacations.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city among the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six most large mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Nations United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, as well as a symbol of eternal love.

Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy

The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Cambodian temple Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, the history of which goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of ​​200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.

Temple complex Bayon, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site where an important battle took place in 1863 civil war in the United States.

Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia

In 1979, UNESCO introduced Old city Dubrovnik to the list World Heritage, including a significant part of the ancient walls of the city. They surround the city on all four sides and house a venerable collection historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals : golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. The Shwedagon Pagoda became what it is today in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.

Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC

The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.

Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

In the heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains is located amazing city antiquity of Peter. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.

Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China

On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a real architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu with Chinese language translates as “valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.

Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye

The largest and best preserved ancient city on the shores of the Aegean Sea and the second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus- the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.

Alhambra, Spain

Alhambra (Arabic Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is ancient palace and the fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.

Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many parts of the city.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, ​​Spain

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although Antonio Gaudi initially had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work he headed this project. Gaudi built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction period is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

If you look at the map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden at all, but red) is called a gate. The main local attraction seems to “let you in” Pacific Ocean into San Francisco Bay, connecting the city to Marin County. This grandiose building was built from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions climb to its foot, where a stunning panorama of the city and the bay opens up. picturesque mountain Sugar Loaf, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the huge bowl of the Maracana stadium.

Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico

The name of the ancient settlement of Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of ​​this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. This is one of the oldest and major cities Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.

Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and most revered temples in India and is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gold, which is why it is also known as the “Golden Temple”. The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water of which is considered healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Its architect was the Dane Jorn Utzon. Having designed the original roofs, somewhat reminiscent of shells, he gave Sydney a magnificent gift - a symbol of the city. Today, every tourist planning to visit Australia definitely includes an excursion to the majestic opera house in his travel itinerary.

You can travel to different countries all my life, but never see the main thing. And most importantly, these are the sights that have acquired their own stories and legends, which are symbols of their countries. These are buildings that are simply breathtaking

We have compiled a list of man-made monuments that every travel lover needs to see at least once in their life.

The great Wall of China

It began to be built in the 4th century BC. e. Its length is 8851 kilometers. Its original purpose was to protect China from the attacks of the nomadic Mongols. It was built using stone blocks and rice porridge as glue. Its construction cost the lives of more than a million people. About 40 million tourists visit it annually. Perhaps this is all you need to know about the Great Chinese wall to want to be nearby.

Symbol of Tibet – Potala Palace

The mountains of Tibet are fraught with many secrets. But this palace is not a secret, but, on the contrary, a calling card of the region. Its height is 117 meters, width – 335 meters. It includes 13 floors, and still no one knows exactly how many there are interior spaces. An unimaginable amount of stone, wood, gold and precious stones was spent on the construction of the complex.

Mystery of Asia – Angkor Wat

It is also the largest temple complex in the world: it covers an area of ​​200 square kilometers in the vastness of Cambodia in South-East Asia. The complex stands entirely on the water; no cement or other fastening solutions were used during its construction: all the stones have stood firmly for many centuries simply on top of each other, without any fastening. Angkor Wat is called a symbol of the heyday of the Khmer empire, and it was built only because of the inferiority complex of one of the rulers - King Suryavarman II, who ascended the throne by killing his own uncle and spent the rest of his life trying to prove that as a ruler he was still God's chosen one .

Golden Pagodas of Burma

The most famous of them is the Shwedagon Pagoda. It stands on top of Singuttara Hill, near the ancient capital of the country, Yangon. And the city of Bagan, where entire galaxies of pagodas of the 11th-13th centuries are located, is simply amazing in its scale. Crowds of tourists come here from all over the world to look at the ancient city once devastated by the Mongols. If you visit these attractions, you will definitely be the first among your friends. After all, Ukrainians rarely visit Burma: it is too unusual and, to be honest, a little expensive.

Lion Mountain

Or Sigiriya. The symbol of Sri Lanka (the island of Ceylon), which is now increasingly being discovered by Ukrainian travelers. Around Lion Mountain, tourists are given elephant rides in a pond. Then travelers go upstairs, where a very long staircase leads. Not everyone reaches the end; some fizzle out earlier. The entrance to the rock is made in the form of a lion's paws. This entire structure dates back to the 5th century AD.

Ellora Caves

A man-made monument of India, not very well known in wide circles, which attracted our attention, first of all, because it is an excellent example of cave-temple architecture. This complex in the state of Maharashtra is silent evidence of the coexistence of several religions. The abandoned complex is fraught with many unknown things. It evokes fear, interest and awe at the same time. The complex was built before the 20th century AD: researchers were completely confused in their assumptions on this matter.

Romantic Taj Mahal

But a lot is known about this monument. This is a mausoleum-mosque in Agra (India). It was built by order of Tamerlane’s descendant, the padishah of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to her fourteenth child. Later, Shah Jahan himself will be buried here.

Syrian Palmyra

Located in the heart of the Syrian Desert, halfway from Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates Valley. Once upon a time it was great city, later almost completely disappeared from human memory and from the face of the earth: all that remained of it were ruins in the middle of the desert.

Jordan Petra

Many researchers argue about how exactly this complex (the temples and the city) was built, but there is still no consensus. One of the main points of view is that it was carved directly from the rock, moving from top to bottom. Located in Jordan, Petra was once a thriving city where, despite its location in the middle of the desert, they built an uninterrupted water supply system. Petra was also a transit point for traders. But when the Romans discovered sea ​​routes to the East, the land trade in spices came to naught: Petra was deserted, lost in the sands.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

There are many Christian sites in Israel. But the main one is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. According to the Holy Scriptures, it stands on the spot where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected. Every year on Easter, the sacred fire is lit here. This temple is the kingdom of religious tolerance. After all, it is divided between six faiths christian church: Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian.

Temple complex Luxor

In terms of significance for Egypt, it is something like Angkor Wat for Southeast Asia, only smaller area. Luxor is conventionally divided into "City of the Living" and " City of dead". "The City of the Living" is a residential area on the right bank of the Nile. The "City of the Dead" is an area that includes a necropolis with the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Tourists visiting Luxor are certainly delighted with the size of the statues and their number.

Egyptian pyramids

They have already been discussed and talked about, so it’s better to dwell on little known facts. So. The pyramids were not built by slaves, as was previously believed, but by ordinary people as a sign of worship to the pharaoh. The construction of each pyramid fit within the reign of the pharaoh, and if he died earlier, the pyramid was destroyed. Therefore, later, in order to have time to complete construction, they began to design smaller pyramids. The technologies used in construction are only partially known. And all this happened 4000 years ago.

Athens Acropolis

There were temples of deities here. IN Athens Acropolis(and they exist in other parts of the Planet) there were also a lot of sculptures with images of gods. To this day, the Acropolis has been preserved, frankly speaking, not very well.

Roman Coliseum

Being an architectural monument Ancient Rome, The Colosseum was an amphitheater on the site of a pond. The construction of the largest amphitheater of the ancient world did not last long - only eight years: from 72 AD, under Emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum was already consecrated by Emperor Titus.

Piazza San Marco

It is also the main square of Venice and its calling card. The history of the square goes back more than a thousand years. This is a place of stunning beauty and grandeur. But there is one sad truth in it: Venice, together with St. Mark’s Square, is gradually disappearing from the face of the earth. Because the city is slowly but surely going under water. And no modern technology can interfere with this process.

Eiffel Tower

Named after its designer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was originally conceived as a temporary structure 300 meters high. It served only as the entrance arch of the Parisian World's Fair 1889. Later, the tower will be saved by radio antennas installed at the very top. Because of them, the building, which later became a symbol of France, is not dismantled.

Louvre

This palace is the main building of Paris dating back to the 12th century. Once a royal residence, the Louvre is one of the oldest, richest and most extensive museums in the world, as well as a repository of collections of treasures from ancient civilizations.

Druid Stonehenge

The building in Wiltshire (England) is associated with the Druids. But it is still not known for certain how and why this monument appeared. Some researchers believe that the stones were stacked this way for a reason: the creators of Stonehenge may have pursued some kind of energy goals.

Big Ben and Tower Bridge

These are the main symbols of London, which are visited by thousands of tourists every year. Even those who have never been to England know what these sights look like. The Big Ben Tower was built by the English architect Augustus Pugin in 1858. Its height is 96.3 meters. The official name until September 2012 was: Clock Tower Palace of Westminster. Recently, it has been officially called the Elizabeth Tower.

Symbol of the USA - Statue of Liberty

This is a gift from French citizens for the centennial of the American Revolution. Before reaching the top, visitors walk 356 steps to the crown, or 192 steps to the top of the pedestal. There are 25 windows in the crown. The seven rays on the crown of the statue symbolize the seven seas and seven continents. From time to time, the attraction is closed to tourists, so when you fly to New York, it is better to inquire about this nuance in advance if you want to get to the very top of the statue.

Golden Gate Bridge

The most "bridged" bridge in the world and a symbol not only of San Francisco, but also one of business cards all of the United States. This is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. Only the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and the Charles Bridge in the Czech Republic can compete with it in fame. But, of course, both of them will lose in this unequal fight, since marketing and advertising at the Golden Gate turned out to be much more powerful.

Unexplored pyramids of Mexico

The journey to them is expensive and unforgettable. One of the most famous monuments in Mexico is Chichen Itza. Some of its buildings were erected during the heyday of the Mayan civilization, that is, in the VI-VII centuries. n. e., and the researchers dated the buildings themselves to the 10th-11th centuries, when the Toltec tribes settled in this place and captured Chichen Itza. And in the middle of the 16th century, the Spanish conquerors found only ruins in this place.

Another famous landmark of Mexico is Teotihuacan. The pyramids appeared at the same time as the rise of the Roman Empire. The city of the gods Teotihuacan is one of the most mysterious cities ancient world, the center of cultural, commercial and religious life of the Aztecs. Little is known about this city; even its original name is unknown. One suggestion is that Teotihuacan translates as “where men become gods.”