While it’s been more than a year since I made it my goal to visit 101 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, things slowed way down in Asia and North America over the winter. Don’t get me wrong — there are sites in Asia and North America, but it’s not as heavy a concentration as in Europe, and thanks to some miscalculations about my time in Bangkok, I ended up missing a few easy sites like Ayutthaya.
But it all changed once I arrived back in Europe — now I’ve been hitting up sites like mad, and I’m planning to visit many more. Honestly, if you’re looking to add more World Heritage Sites to your tally, Europe is where to go!
Here are the most recent 10 sites I’ve visited on my journey to 101:
72. Baroque Churches of the Philippines
UNESCO’s take : “This group of churches established a style of building and design that was adapted to the physical conditions in the Philippines and had an important influence on later church architecture in the region. The four churches are outstanding examples of the Philippine interpretation of the Baroque style, and represent the fusion of European church design and construction with local materials and decorative motifs to form a new church-building tradition.”
My take: I visited one of the churches — San Agustin in Manila — and while it was interesting to see an ornate Baroque church in the middle of Asia, I wasn’t enormously impressed, especially when you consider that most of the decoration was painted, not actually sculpted like most European Baroque churches (as much as I appreciate tromp l’oeuil elsewhere). I did enjoy seeing a giant Filipino wedding party assembling outside the church!
Essential Info: San Agustin Church is in the Intramuros neighborhood of Manila. Entry to the church is free.
73. Historic Center of Macau
UNESCO’s take : “Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it came under Chinese sovereignty. With its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West.”
My take: Macau’s old town stunned me — it was like I had walked from China into the middle of Lisbon! It was colorful and warm and the architecture was crumbling just enough to be beautiful. I highly recommend making the day trip to Macau from Hong Kong. I will say that you will get more out of your visit if you have visited Portugal in the past (and Lisbon in particular), but is by no means a requirement.
Essential Info: Turbojet has constant ferries between Hong Kong and Macau. The journey takes about an hour each way and a round-trip ticket costs about 300 HKD ($39 USD). Tip: Take one of the free Wynn Casino shuttles from the ferry terminal to the Wynn, then walk down to the old town from there!
74. Independence Hall, USA
UNESCO’s take : “The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787) were both signed in this building in Philadelphia. The universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these documents are of fundamental importance to American history and have also had a profound impact on law-makers around the world.”
My take: My favorite thing about Independence Hall was that it had one of George Washington’s original chairs on display. It’s a beautiful building, and definitely worth visiting, but it made me wonder, once again, why the many historic buildings of Boston and the Freedom Trail aren’t World Heritage-listed.
Essential Info: To visit Independence Hall, you must reserve a free timed ticket in the visitors’ center across the street from Independence Hall itself. (Also, you know the training montage in Rocky 2 when Rocky jumps over the bench? That’s Independence Hall!)
75. The Wadden Sea, Germany
UNESCO’s take : “It is a large temperate, relatively flat coastal wetland environment, formed by the intricate interactions between physical and biological factors that have given rise to a multitude of transitional habitats with tidal channels, sandy shoals, sea-grass meadows, mussel beds, sandbars, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches and dunes.”
My take: I had no idea just how ecologically important this little corner of Germany was until arriving. The Wadden Sea is a prominent destination for migrating birds and lots of wildlife that you can’t find elsewhere. I wish I had enough time to see some of the outer islands, but even on a gray and rainy day, it was a beautiful place to visit.
Essential Info: The Wadden Sea is a World Heritage Site in both Germany and the Netherlands (and possibly Denmark in the future), but Wilhelmshaven, Germany, has an excellent UNESCO visitors’ center that’s more like a museum. Admission is 8.50 EUR ($11.50 USD). Many thanks to Germany Tourism for hosting my visit to the Wadden Sea.
76. Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen, Germany
UNESCO’s take : “The Town Hall and the statue of Roland on the marketplace of Bremen in north-west Germany are outstanding representations of civic autonomy and sovereignty, as these developed in the Holy Roman Empire in Europe.”
My take: I was a bit underwhelmed by the town hall and roland, myself, but I was delighted with the small city of Bremen, which happens to be a few of my friends’ favorite city in Germany. I didn’t have a lot of time to explore, but it’s compact, walkable, and mixes pretty architecture and charm with modernity — I’d love to come back and see more!
Essential Info: Bremen is an easy day trip from Hamburg and the Town Hall and Roland is about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
77. Hanseatic City of Lübeck, Germany
UNESCO’s take : “Lübeck – the former capital and Queen City of the Hanseatic League – was founded in the 12th century and prospered until the 16th century as the major trading centre for northern Europe. It has remained a centre for maritime commerce to this day, particularly with the Nordic countries.”
My take: The entrance to Lübeck through this gate is intimidating — but the town itself is probably the most adorable spot I’ve seen in all of Germany. It’s also home to my new favorite place EVER: Springfield Donuts , a Simpsons-themed donut shop! It also can be done as a day trip from Hamburg.
Essential Info: Lübeck is an easy day trip from Hamburg. When you leave the station, take a diagonal left and the path will lead you right to the city.
78. Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, Germany
UNESCO’s take : “With 500 hectares of parks and 150 buildings constructed between 1730 and 1916, Potsdam’s complex of palaces and parks forms an artistic whole, whose eclectic nature reinforces its sense of uniqueness.”
My take: Potsdam is right outside Berlin but the perfect foil — while Berlin is sprawling, enormous, rough, and artsy, Potsdam is a throwback with pink palaces, endless parks, and Baroque architecture. It’s such a wonderful day trip from Berlin and I’m sorry I waited this long to visit!
Essential Info: Buy a Berlin metro day pass that includes Zone C (cost: 7.20 EUR, or $9.75 USD) and it will give you unlimited public transportation throughout Potsdam. You can visit some of the palaces, but you can also have a nice day just walking around outside.
79. Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Malta
UNESCO’s take : “The Hypogeum is an enormous subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 B.C., using cyclopean rigging to lift huge blocks of coralline limestone. Perhaps originally a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times.”
My take: Some of the best ruins I’ve ever seen. Malta has a lot of ruins, but the Hypogeum is the most lauded site of all — an underground cavern that was used as a temple. The rooms inside are round, perfectly shaped to catch the light, and have such a sacred feel to them. I was incredibly impressed.
Essential Info: If you want to go to the Hypogeum, book tickets as soon as you book your flight, because they sell out months ahead of time. Tickets cost 20 EUR ($27 USD). If it’s sold out when you want to go, some agencies, tour companies, and hotels are able to secure tickets at a marked up price (I paid 35 EUR, or $47 USD). Tours are small, due to the small size, and photography is not permitted.
80. Skellig Michael, Ireland
UNESCO’s take : “This monastic complex, perched since about the 7th century on the steep sides of the rocky island of Skellig Michael, some 12 km off the coast of south-west Ireland, illustrates the very spartan existence of the first Irish Christians. Since the extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has until recently discouraged visitors, the site is exceptionally well preserved.”
My take: Skellig Michael is one of the most extraordinary places I have ever visited. It’s a rock splaying out of the sea, reaching to the heavens, it’s incredibly difficult to land there safely even with today’s technology, and a climb up 600 stairs helmed from slabs of rock will take you to remarkably preserved beehive-shaped buildings built by monks, who survived in this inhospitable environment from roughly 500-1200 AD.
Essential Info: Tours only go to Skellig Michael if the boats can land safely, which is roughly half the time, so it’s a good idea to base in Portmagee for a few days. Most boat trips to the island, which are very choppy and take 90 minutes each way, cost about 50 euros ($68). I recommend my guide, Eoin Walsh , who took us there and back but left us to explore the island on our own. Many thanks to Ireland Tourism for hosting my visit to Skellig Michael.
81. Bru na Boinne — Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne, Ireland
UNESCO’s take : “The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe’s largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art.”
My take: Of the three sites, I visited the most famous one: Newgrange. Newgrange is a tomb that actually predates the pyramids and sits inside a hill (kind of like Teletubby land!). But the most amazing thing is that on the winter solstice each year, a single beam of light illuminates the tomb for 17 minutes. We got to see the simulated light and it has to be engrossing to witness in real life!
Essential Info: It’s possible to visit Newgrange from Dublin via public transportation, but it involves lots of changes, so I opted to take the famous Mary Gibbons Newgrange tour instead. I don’t usually like big bus tours filled with mostly senior citizens, but I considered this one money well spent for the ease factor, especially because it took in the Hill of Tara on the tour as well. The cost is 35 EUR ($47 USD) and I considered it money well spent. If you go on your own, tickets to see Newgrange and/or Knowth cost 6-11 EUR ($8-15). There is a lottery system for tickets during the winter solstice.
So — which ones were my favorites?
Skellig Michael, far and away. One of the most impressive things I have ever seen, and even better because it’s so difficult to access. Honestly, if you plan a trip to Ireland, you should plan it around Skellig Michael!
Beyond that, I really enjoyed Macau and had such a nice day there. A simulated Lisbon, Portuguese egg tarts and crazily ornate casinos and hotels — there’s nowhere else in Asia quite like Macau!
Coming Up
I’ve already visited #82 — Giant’s Causeway. You’ll hear more about it in the next round-up. Next up I have the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik, Croatia, followed by two sites in Slovenia (including the Skocjan Caves, pictured above), hopefully three sites in Finland, and a few more I need to visit in and around London!
Depending on how much time I spent in World Heritage-rich destinations (and Europe in particular), I think I’ll hit my goal of 101 by 2015. We’ll see!
没有评论:
发表评论