World Heritage Sites
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Skara Brae
Orkney Islands, Scotland
c. 3000-2500 BCE
Located on a scenic coast in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, Skara Brae is the best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe. Dating from around 3000 BCE (older than Stonehenge), the prehistoric homes even include original stone furniture.
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Chartres Cathedral
Chartres, France
1140-1260
One of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture, Chartres Cathedral (1140-1260) is almost perfectly preserved in its original medieval design, from innovative Gothic architecture to extensive portal sculptures and stained glass.
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Conques Abbey
Conques, France
c. 1030-1120
Nestled in the hills of southwest France, the picturesque village of Conques is home to a magnificent Romanesque abbey church, rich with sculpture. There is also a medieval treasury.
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Porticoes of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
12th-20th cent.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 2021, the beautiful porticoes of Bologna spread throughout the city and across the centuries.
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Amiens Cathedral
Amiens, France
Famed for both its architecture and sculpture, Amiens Cathedral is the largest cathedral in France and a World Heritage Site. With Chartres and Reims, it is one of the three great High Gothic French cathedrals built in the 13th century.
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Maulbronn Monastery
Maulbronn, Germany
1147
A World Heritage Site, Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is the best-preserved medieval monastery north of the Alps. Its architecture, mostly in the Transitional Gothic style, was highly influential in the area.
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Pantheon
Rome, Italy
This magnificent ancient temple was built by Emperor Hadrian in 125 and converted into a church in 609. It is the oldest intact ancient building in Rome.
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Moissac Abbey Cloister
Moissac, France
1100
Completed in 1100, the cloister of Moissac Abbey in southwest France is one of the finest galleries of Romanesque art in the world. It is the oldest and largest cloister with narrative capitals.
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Notre-Dame Cathedral
Paris, France
1296
One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, Notre-Dame Cathedral is an Early Gothic beauty famed for its historical importance, fascinating sculpture, and medieval stained glass.
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City Church (Stadtkirche Sankt Marien)
Wittenberg, Germany
Martin Luther preached the Reformation, got married, and baptized his six children in this twin-towered Gothic church. Inside, Lucas Cranach's huge Reformation Altar includes images of Luther as well as Christ.
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Kinkakuji
Kyoto, Japan
1393
This gold-leaf-covered temple is one of the most beautiful sights in Kyoto, nestled in the woods and reflected in the waters of its garden pond.
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Trier Cathedral
Trier, Germany
1035
Originally built by Emperor Constantine in 326, Trier Cathedral is the oldest church in Germany.