All Historic Sites

The Plaza de la Virgen houses some of the great architectural examples of Valencia, including the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, The Water Court, and Casa Vestuario.

The Lonja is an emblematic building of Valencia, and one of the most famous civil gothic monuments in Europe. It was declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument in July1931 and was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1996. The Lonja is located in the centre of the city – in front of the Central Market and the Temple of Santos Juanes – and occupies a rectangular area of 1.990 square metres. Tickets: €2 or €1 for groups, students, pensioners, large families. Free entry on Sundays and public holidays.

The City Hall of Valencia is made up of two connected blocks: the Casa de la Enseñanza (the old Mayoral School) and the section that was added by the architects Francisco de Mora y Berenguer and Carlos Carbonell Pañella at the beginning of this century. The first block is characterised by its academic design, including baroque features on the front doors, while the newer part combines more traditional and mannerist styles. The City Council has been based there since 1934, and the building also houses the municipal archives, a museum, and various offices of the administration. The construction is modern, with lavish decoration and there is a clock tower in the centre of the building. Inside, the reception area, assembly halls and the formidable marble stairway are worth mentioning, while outside the elliptical domes decorated with glazed tiles and the great balcony covering the main part of the first floor are the most outstanding features.

The Mercat Central de Valencia (Valencia Central Market Hall) has always been known for the quality, variety and freshness of its products as well as the helpful, personalised service provided by its traders. In addition to the market’s main activity, the innovative and business-like character of the traders has made the market grow and improve day by day. Nowadays, it is an important place for the sale of fresh products and a major cultural and tourist attraction not only for foreign visitors but also for the people of Valencia. The Mercat Central de Valencia covers exactly 8,160 square metres divided into two areas or zones. The first one is an irregular shape with a surface area of 6,760 square metres and the other, which is octagonal and covers 1,400 square metres, houses the fish market. The basement, which has 7,690 square metres, was previously a fish auction and is now used as a car park. The Mercat Central brings together almost 400 small traders and 1,500 people are involved in its daily activity. It is the largest centre of its kind in Europe specialising in fresh products and the first market in the world to rise to the challenge of computerising sales and offering home delivery, services which have been available since 2nd October 1996. Nowadays, the Mercat Central is an important economic focal point of Valencia, not only because of the work of its traders but also because of the large number of visits it receives and events it organises.

Batu Caves is a an iconic and popular tourist attraction in Selangor. Site of a Hindu temple and shrine, Batu Caves attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists, especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. A limestone outcrop located just north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves has three main caves featuring temples and Hindu shrines. Its main attraction is the large statue of the Hindu God at the entrance, besides a steep 272 climb up its steps to finally view the stunning skyline of the city centre. Monkeys frolic around the caves, and it is a popular spot for rock climbing enthusiasts. Paintings and scenes of Hindu Gods can also be seen in the Ramayana Cave. Batu Caves is a place where you should not miss on your next visit to Malaysia!

Located in central Copenhagen in picturesque surroundings. All activities within the Nyhavn Bridge belong to Nyhavnsforeningen, Nyhavns Skipperlaug. Inside the bridge area the harbour is in fact a museum and veteran ship harbour where only members of the Association of Wooden Ships are admitted or guests with vessels of special historical interest. Beyond the bridge acitivites are the business of Copenhagen Harbour Ltd.

The Amalienborg complex in Copenhagen was originally four externally identical noblemen’s palaces, symmetrically placed around an octagonal palace yard with the equestrian statue of Frederik V, by the French sculptor J.F.J. Saly, in the centre. The large complex was constructed as the centre of Frederiksstaden, the new upper class quarter of Copenhagen, laid out in 1748 as part of the tribute to the House of Oldenborg on the occasion of its 300th anniversary on the Danish throne. Since then, the four palaces have by turns served as residences for the reigning monarch. Today, one of them (Moltke’s or Christian VII’s Palace) is fitted up as a guest palace and mainly used for ceremonial purposes. The others are the residences of the Queen and her husband (Schack’s or Christian IX’s Palace) and the Crown Prince and his wife (Levetzau’s or Christian VIII’s Palace). Once its refurbishment is completed, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will move to Brockdorff’s Palace (Frederik VIII’s Palace), which was formerly the residence of Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid. With the Yellow Palace, located immediately next to the Amalienborg complex, the palaces also house the various court functions.

Buda castle is a historic site in Budapest, Hungary. The castle and palace complex is a popular tourist destination, and was home to many Hungarian royal families.

Ljubljana Castle: a mighty medieval fortress, a symbol of the Slovenian capital, an interesting tourist spot, an idyllic footpath only a few minutes away from the vibrant city center, the cultural center of Ljubljana, and much, much more.

Welcome, ladies and gents, to Clarke Quay – a colourful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops in Singapore. The bustling market atmosphere of bygone days comes alive amidst the rows of charming shophouses, pushcarts, and five-foot-way merchants. Today, Clarke Quay is a delightful mix of modern and traditional. A reminder of its rich heritage is reflected in the vibrantly orchestrated concept. Their vision – an innovative approach which boldly reflects the heritage and charm of Clarke Quay.

The centre of the Roman city, today’s Gothic Quarter, was marked by the point where the two main streets, the Cardo and Decumanus, converged. Today the Carrer del Bisbe and Carrer Llibreteria stand on this site. Nearby, we can still see the remains of the Roman temple of Augustus. In fact, the original centre of Roman and medieval Barcelona still forms the core of 21st-century Barcelona. Its maze of narrow streets and squares is steeped in the city’s past and present. Here, in the Gothic Quarter, we find the City Hall and the seat of the Catalan Government, the Palau de la Generalitat, the Cathedral and other Gothic churches, including Santa Maria del Pi and Sants Just i Pastor. Very near the Plaça de Sant Jaume, right in the middle of this Barcelona neighbourhood, is the old Jewish Quarter, the Call Jueu, with its endless narrow streets, where some remains of the ancient synagogue still survive. In the Gothic Quarter, the Plaça del Rei proudly showcases the architectural ensemble made up of the royal residences of the Catalan-Aragonese monarchs. Below the square, you can visit the impressive archaeological remains of Roman Barcino. Behind the Cathedral stands the beautiful Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, with its baroque church. The square is surrounded by narrow streets in a Barcelona neighbourhood suffused with history which comes to life when you go there.

The Basilica of the Sagrada Família is a monumental church devoted to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Construction began in 1882, based on plans drawn up by the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, and Antoni Gaudí was commissioned to continue the project in 1883. Every year, millions of people visit the Basilica, in Barcelona center, whilst many also come here to study its architectural and religious content. The Temple has always been an expiatory church, built only from donations. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the site as a minor basilica.

One of Gràcia’s most important tourist attractions is undoubtedly Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This garden-city project was commissioned by Eusebi Güell but never completed. It eventually became the property of Barcelona City Council. The result is a public park full of imagination and colour where every detail expresses Antoni Gaudí’s desire to integrate architecture into the surrounding natural setting. Visitors may elect to purchase tickets for a guided tour through Park Güell.

This square is so beautiful, it’s no wonder it was named “royal” (reial Catalan for royal). The elegant ambiance of the Plaça Reial is accentuated by the fountain, streetlamps and palm trees, and it is one of Barcelona’s busiest, most vibrant spots, particularly at night. This is Barcelona’s best-loved porticoed square, boasting a busy nightlife hub, and porticoes that conceal restaurants, bars and some of Barcelona’s most popular nightspots.

The Kazan Cathedral also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, probably the most venerated icon in Russia.

Saint Peter’s Basilica is a lavish and actively used church in Vatican City. Mass is held daily, and visitors are able to tour the the building for free with appropriate attire (elbows and knees covered for all attendees). Relief sculptures, paintings, exquisite architecture, stained glass depictions of religious scenes, and more adorn the basilica throughout. To visit other areas of the building, such as Michaelangelo’s dome, maybe involve a separate fee and/or different visitor’s hours. Please check the website for the most current information.

The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. The 15th century decoration of the walls includes: the false drapes, the Stories of Moses (south and entrance walls) and of Christ (north and entrance walls) and the portraits of the Popes (north and south and entrance walls). It was executed by a team of painters made up initially of Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli, assisted by their respective shops and by some closer assistants among whom Biagio di Antonio, Bartolomeo della Gatta and Luca Signorelli stand out. On the Ceiling Pier Matteo d’Amelia painted a starry sky. The work on the frescoes began in 1481 and was concluded in 1482. This is also the date of the following works in marble: the screen, the choir stalls (where the choristers took their places), and the pontifical coat of arms over the entrance door. On 15 August 1483, Sixtus IV consecrated the new chapel dedicating it to Our Lady of the Assumption. Julius II della Rovere (pontiff from 1503 to 1513), nephew of Sixtus IV, decided to partly alter the decoration, entrusting the work in 1508 to Michelangelo Buonarroti, who painted the Ceiling and, on the upper part of the walls, the lunettes. The work was finished in October 1512 and on the Feast of All Saints (1 November), Julius II inaugurated the Sistine Chapel with a solemn Mass. The nine central panels show the Stories of Genesis, from the Creation to the Fall of man, to the Flood and the subsequent rebirth of mankind with the family of Noah.

The Vatican Museums originated as a group of sculptures collected by Pope Julius II (1503-1513) and placed in what today is the “Cortile Ottagono” within the museum complex. The popes were among the first sovereigns who opened the art collections of their palaces to the public thus promoting knowledge of art history and culture. As seen today, the Vatican Museums are a complex of different pontifical museums and galleries that began under the patronage of the popes Clement XIV (1769-1774) and Pius VI (1775-1799). In fact, the Pio-Clementine Museum was named after these two popes, who set up this first major curatorial section. Later, Pius VII (1800-1823) considerably expanded the collections of Classical Antiquities, to which he added the Chiaromonti Museum and the “Braccio Nuovo” gallery. He also enriched the Epigraphic Collection, which was conserved in the Lapidary Gallery. Gregory XVI (1831-1846) founded the Etruscan Museum (1837) with archaeological finds discovered during excavations carried out from 1828 onwards in southern Etruria. Later, he established the Egyptian Museum (1839), which houses ancient artifacts from explorations in Egypt, together with other pieces already conserved in the Vatican and in the Museo Capitolino, and the Lateran Profane Museum (1844), with statues, bas-relief sculptures and mosaics of the Roman era, which could not be adequately placed in the Vatican Palace. The Lateran Profane Museum was expanded in 1854 under Pius IX (1846-1878) with the addition of the Pio Christian Museum. This museum is comprised of ancient sculptures (especially sarcophagi) and inscriptions with ancient Christian content. In 1910, under the pontificate of Saint Pius X (1903-1914), the Hebrew Lapidary was established. This section of the museum contains 137 inscriptions from ancient Hebrew cemeteries in Rome mostly from via Portuense and donated by the Marquisate Pellegrini-Quarantotti. These last collections (Gregorian Profane Museum, Pio Christian Museum and the Hebrew Lapidary) were transferred, under the pontificate of Pope John XXIII (1958-1963), from the Lateran Palace to their present building within the Vatican and inaugurated in 1970. The Museums also include the Gallery of Tapestries, a collection of various 15th and 17th century tapestries; the Gallery of Maps, decorated under the pontificate of Gregory XIII (1572-1585) and restored by Urban VIII (1623-1644); the Sobieski Room and the Room of the Immaculate Conception; the Raphael Stanze and the Loggia, which were decorated by order of Julius II and Leo X (1513-1521); the Chapel of Nicholas V (1447-1455), painted by Fra Angelico; the Sistine Chapel, which takes the name of its founder, Pope Sixtus IV; the Borgia Apartment, where Pope Alexander VI lived until his death (1492-1503); the Vatican Pinacoteca, created under Pius XI (1922-1932) in a special building near the new entrance to the Museums; the Missionary-Ethnological Museum which was founded by Pius XI in 1926, arranged on the upper floors of the Lateran Palace and later transferred, under Pope John XXIII, to the Vatican where it has been opened again to the public in the same building which housed the former Lateran collections. In 1973 the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Religious Art was added and inaugurated by Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) in the Borgia Apartment. The Vatican Historical Museum, founded in 1973 and transferred in 1987 to the Papal Apartment in the Lateran Palace, houses a series of papal portraits along with objects of the past Pontifical Military Corps and of the Pontifical Chapel and Family and historic ceremonial objects no longer in use. The Carriage and Automobile Museum is a section of the Vatican Historical Museum. In the year 2000, the Vatican Museums opened a new large entrance that provides visitor information and other services; on display are many new artworks, two of which were specially created for this grand entrance hall.

Dedicated to the worship of every god (Pan-every Theon-divinity), the Pantheon was built by the Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 A.D. over the ruins of another temple dating back to 27 A.D. Statesman and General Marcus Agrippa was responsible for the construction of the original church, to whom a dedicatory inscription is clearly visible over today’s magnificent portico. In 609, it was converted into a Christian Church by Pope Boniface IV and consecrated to Santa Maria of the Martyrs. Turned into a memorial chapel for the kingsof Italy in 1870, the tombs of Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I and Margherita of Savoy are to be found here together with that of the celebrated Renaissance Artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, who is more often referred to as simply Raphael. The Pantheon is free to visit, and though heavy lines will form throughout the day for admittance, they move quickly.

Located in the archaeological heart of the city of Rome, the Flavian Amphitheatre, or, more commonly, the Colosseum, stands for monumentality and receives daily a large number of visitors attracted by the enchantment of its history and its complex architecture. Built in the first century CE at the behest of the emperors of the Flavian dynasty, the Colosseum, named after a colossal statue that stood nearby, until the end of the Ancient Age accommodated games of great popular appeal, such as hunts and gladiatorial fights. The building was, and still is today, a show in itself. In fact, it is the largest amphitheatre not only in the city of Rome but in the world, able to offer stunning sceneries as well as services for spectators. Symbol of the pageantry of the Empire, over the centuries the amphitheatre has changed its face and its function, offering itself as a structured space also open to the Roman community. Today, the Colosseum is a monument unto itself and unto the works of human genius, which survive time; yet it is still comfortable and dynamic, accessible on two levels offering a wide overview onto its interiors, but also short and evocative brief glimpses of the city from its outer arches. It also hosts temporary exhibitions related to the timeless theme of the “Ancient” and its relationship with the “Contemporary”, as well as modern performances. This outcome of events and experiences makes the amphitheatre a new place every day, significant for all and able to tell everybody a story.

Established in 1253 Poznań Old Market Square is a vibrant and historic must-see site when visiting Poland. In terms of size, the square is the third biggest in Poland, losing only to the squares in Krakow and Wrocław. Every June the square is home to a lively street fair (Jarmark Świętojański), and throughout the summer it features many cultural events including some performances of Malta Theatre Festival. In the summer months many bars set up beer gardens in the square, where you can drink as much coffee or beer as you want and make yourself familiar with Polish cuisine! There is never-ending party on the square! Join it!

The Golden Pavillion, or Kinkaku-ji, is one of the most well-known sights in Japan. The building’s first purpose was to serve the retiring Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1409) as a residence. The gold-leaf-adorned building was converted into a Zen temple shortly after his death. In an event that was later fictionalized by the renowned author Yukio Mishima, a 21-year-old monk burned Kinkaku-ji Temple down in 1950. The temple was rebuilt in 1955 and continues to function as a storehouse of sacred relics.

Located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Chion-in is connected to Hōnen (1133-1212), the founder of the Jōdo Shū (Pure Land Sect) of Buddhism. It was here at Chion-in that Hōnen taught chanting the name of Amida (Sanskrit: Amitabha) to attain salvation, and it was here that he spent his final years. Today, with over 7,000 temples, the teachings of Hōnen have spread throughout Japan. Since 1523, Chion-in has been the head temple of the Jōdo Shū. Also, Chion-in is highly appealing from a cultural standpoint, since it received donations from the Tokugawa shogun (supreme military commander) during the early Edo (1600-1867) period, and was built by the master artisans of the day.

The Imperial Palace, where their Majesties the Emperor and Empress reside, is situated in the center of Tokyo. The palace is surrounded by a water-filled moat and tree-covered grounds – a precious taste of nature within the bustling metropolitan city. Kokyo Gaien (Imperial Palace Outer Garden), Kokyo Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden) and Kita-no-maru-koen Park are all open to the public free of charge. If you wish to visit the area around the palace itself, you need to make reservations in advance. Reservations may be made over the Internet. A popular photo spot is located in front of the beautiful Niju-bashi Bridge that stretches over the moat in the outer gardens near Tokyo Station. In the vast Imperial Palace East Garden stands a stone wall that has been there since the time when the Imperial Palace was known as Edo Castle, a place where samurai warriors lived from the 17th to 19th centuries. A great favorite among tourists is the viewing of the garden’s seasonal flowers, such as azaleas and hydrangeas. In the Sannomaru-Shozo-kan (Museum of the Imperial Collections) where Emperor Hirohito’s art collection is exhibited, you will see beautiful kimonos and Japanese paintings. In Kita-no-maru-koen Park, on the north side, is the Nippon Budo-kan, famous for concerts by foreign artists, the Science Museum and the National Museum of Modern Art. The moat situated near this park is called Chidori-ga-fuchi, and it is a classic spot for viewing the glorious cherry blossoms. This is the area in Tokyo that boasts of having the largest number of people coming to view the cherry blossoms during the beginning of April. The National Theater, which presents Japanese classical performing arts such as Kabuki and Noh plays, and Kyogen (traditional short comedies), is within easy walking distance from Chidori-ga-fuchi.

– Ruins of Castle Where Maeda Family of Kaga Clan Resided In 1583, Lord Maeda Toshiie, who was Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first retainer, moved to Kanazawa. The Maeda family resided in Kanazawa Castle and governed the Kaga Clan (the present Ishikawa and Toyama areas) for more than 280 years henceforth. The castle tower was burned down by a fire in the past and has not been rebuilt, but other fortress buildings were reconstructed repeatedly. The Ishikawamon Gate, which was rebuilt in 1788, and the Sanjikken Nagaya (50-yard-long warehouse), which was rebuilt in 1858, still remain. Both of them have been designated as Japan’s important cultural assets. The place was used as a base of the Japanese army. Later, Kanazawa University used it as a campus. The place was repaired in 1996, and the Hishiyagura (diamond-shaped turret), Gojikken Nagaya (90-yard-long warehouse), and Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura (turret protecting the nearby gate) were restored and the park opened. In the time of the Maeda family, moats surrounded Kanazawa Castle. The castle had a fort function with loopholes for matchlocks on the outer wall to defend the castle from enemies. The beautiful white tiles that grace the roof are weathered lead and the wall is made of white mortar with flat tiles attached to it. The stone walls vary in type with each place, and it is apparent that the stonewalls were built in separate periods. The stone walls include those built more than 400 years ago.

Higashiyama Ginkaku-ji is one of the Tatchu temples of Shokoku. Ginkakuji in the name derived from the Edo era, and it was built with Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Palace, in mind. Ginkaku-ji is called the Silver Pavillion, because like the Golden Palace, the intention was to coat the temple in silver. Howerver, that never came to be, but the name remains. The mountain villa Higashiyama hall that was built by Yoshimasa Ashikaga of Muromachi shogunate Yashiro Shogun and origin, after the death of Yoshimasa, was named Ginkaku-ji after the Hogo慈照Institute of Yoshimasa become a temple of the Rinzai sect.

From humble storefront beginnings in 1971 on a derelict corner of northwest Portland, Oregon, Powell’s Books has grown into one of the world’s great bookstores. Powell’s distinctive synergy today underpins four full-service bookstores (Powell’s City of Books, Powell’s at Cedar Hills Crossing, Powell’s on Hawthorne, and Powell’s at PDX), two specialty stores (Powell’s Technical Books and Powell’s Books for Home and Garden), and Powells.com.

Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto was first built in 778. Since then, it has been supported by huge public devotion as one of the biggest religious symbols. In other words, it has been a spiritual hometown for all Japanese people, which is really unique unlike most other temples in Japan. The name of Kiyomizu means clear and holy water which has never stoped in the waterfall named Otowa. Fortunately, the temple is now such a famous tourist spot that there are many visitors not only from Japan but also from all over the world. Hopefully, they have a moment to feel peaceful in their minds and hearts.