Thanks to a recent discussion I took a part of, I found out that I had a visit a few UNESCO sites without even knowing. Their list is really long and new sites are added every year. The idea of this post is not argue if a place is worth listing, but, as a list lover to show you mine and who knows, maybe you’ll find some of your own 🙂
I’ll write them in countries in an alphabetic order, because I’m too lazy and I copy them from the official site 🙂
Belgium
Belgium Belfries – of course, I haven’t visited all of them, they are over 20. Here are mine:
Belfry of Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp – the building of the cathedral ended in 1521 and started in 1352. The original plan was that the cathedral would be the tallest Gothic church in the Netherlands and it was supposed to have two towers, but the second one was never built. The only belfry is 123 meters tall, and emperor Charles V kept saying that it is so tall that it has to be kept under a glass. Napoleon used to compare it with lace. 16 people were needed to ring the biggest bell.
The Belfry of the Old Town Hall in Antwerp – there is nothing particular to be said about this building, except that it became an example for a Renaissance building in all the region. The Belfry was completed in 1564, but totally renovated in 1882 – 1891.
The Belfry in Bruges -it was built around 1240 and used except for its purpose to keep the time, also to alert the citizens for danger and to praise holidays. Also as a town’s treasury and archives. Nowadays it’s a museum and if you like, you can climb all the 366 steps to the top and enjoy Bruges from bird’s eye. The view deserves it,but keep in mind that the stairs are quite narrow and the last few floors are really steep.
The Belfry in Ghent – it is 91 meters tall, which makes it the tallest belfry in Belgium. It was used as a watchtower and as a vault for all the important and valuable town documents.
2.Bruges Old Town – I’ve already wrote about this town, so here’s a link for my travel diary – A day in Bruge.
3. The Grand Place in Brussels – one of the first things I saw in Belgium (not counting the train stations) and I was amazed. The square is surrounded by the gorgeous buildings of the City Hall and the seats of different guilds. I hope that one day I’ll visit it in the summer and see the beautiful flower festival held there.
Bulgaria
I’m sure that here almost everyone will find something 🙂 We have nine sites listed by UNESCO, but I have visited only five. Shame on me…
1.Boyana Church – I dont remember the exact year of my visit, but I was a student at the National Academy of Arts and we just had to see it. I don’t rememmber anything in particular, I recall just the murals on the walls. If you want to visit it keep in mind that the entry is free every last Monday of the month.
2. The Madara Horseman – again visit from the Academy, another site that every Bulgarian should see. I won’t get in mush detail, everyone has learned or at least heard about it, I’ll only say that it is even more impressive on site.
3.The Thracian Tomb in Kazanluk – this was my first stamp in from the 100 National Sites in Bulgaria, also a journey that held a lot personal and sentimental memories. The tomb is a lot smaller than expected and only the copy of the original one is opened for public.
4. Old Town in Nessebar – I will only say, that it’s a good thing that I’ve seen this town a few years back, when I was just a girl, otherwise I wouldn’t know what it so special about it. I suppose that in every other season but the Summer it is still rather lovely, but during it it’s just a nightmare of stalls selling all king of garbage and there are people everywhere. My last visit was few years ago and I wouldn’t do it again, at least in the near future. I prefer to keep my memories from the narrow cobblestone street, the wooden houses and the church ruins alive.
5. The Rila Monastery – this site I’ve visited many times, the most memorable time was through the mountain and the almost five hours hike through the Maliovitsa peak – amazing experience, despite my aching feet. This is, in my opinion, is the most beautiful monastery on Bulgaria ans is an unique experience. It is just a must see site, at least once and don’t forget to eat some mekitsa.
Croatia
1.Old town in Dubrovnik – as Bernard Shaw says „those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.“ Although my reason to visit this town was my fan love for the Game of Thrones show, despite the fact that the town has a lot more to offer. Lovely atmosphere, old fortresses and a sea that, even in October, was warm enough for swimming.
Czech Republic
1.The Historic Center of Prague – beauty, history and spirit. These are the best words to describe Prague and how much I’ve enjoyed it. It also has one of the most interesting histories of all the Europe’s towns. Ever since the Middle Ages, the settlement on the Valtava River was the most important Jewish center on the Old continent, outside the Perinea Peninsula. Also it is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world and was twice the capital oh the Holy Roman Empire and the seat of its emperor. Here, for the first time abroad, I felt just like home. No matter if you wander around the narrow streets or you marvel at the Royal palace, Prague is a unique place. The only bad luck we had was the river had overflowed and we couldn’t do the planed river tour, I expect that it would’ve been an impressive memory.
