World Heritage Old Town of Corfu. Byzantine-Christian Greece. Austrian Special Heritage Sites

Second large layer cultural heritage in Greece they form monuments of Orthodox (Byzantine-Christian) architecture. During the existence of the Byzantine Empire, its own architectural school gradually formed, moving from Christian basilicas of the late Roman period to exquisite cross-domed ones Orthodox churches late Byzantine period. Monuments of Byzantine architecture ( orthodox churches and monasteries) are scattered throughout Greece, but some places of their concentrations, unique museums under open air, included in the UNESCO list: Thessaloniki, Mystras, Meteora, Holy Mount Athos.

(Western Macedonia) was founded in the 4th century. BC. king of Macedonia and received the name of his wife Thessalonica. The city's heyday came during the Byzantine era, when Thessaloniki became the second Christian center of the empire after Constantinople. It was here that the enlighteners of the Slavs were born - Saints Cyril and Methodius. The masterpieces of medieval architecture include the early Christian and Byzantine churches preserved here from the 4th-14th centuries. with monuments of mosaic art. The White Tower, built in the 15th century, rises above the historical part of the city. on the foundations of ancient structures.

One type of monument of Byzantine architecture includes three monasteries located in different parts of Greece, but built at approximately the same time (the era of the second “Golden Age” of the 11th-12th centuries under Emperor Justinian) and are similar in appearance. This is (Attica, near Athens), Monastery of Ossios Loukas(Phocis, near Delphi) and Nea Moni monastery(Island of Chios in the Aegean Sea). The monastery churches were built according to a cross-domed design. Their large domes rest on octagonal bases. The monasteries are decorated with marble carvings and mosaics on a golden background.

(Laconica, south of the Peloponnese peninsula) was founded in the 13th century. on a fairly steep slope of the mountain, on the top of which there was a fortress. In the 15th century Mystras became a major center of Byzantine culture. Orthodox churches and monasteries were built in the city, connected by steep stairs. In the Cathedral of Mystras in the middle of the 15th century. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine Palaiologos, was crowned. But in the 19th century. the city was captured by the Turks and abandoned by local residents. And so the ruins of the medieval Byzantine city have stood on a mountainous slope to this day.

(Greek “floating in the air”) is an entire “monastic country” in the mountains of Thessaly, in northwestern Greece. Above the green valley rise monolithic rocks over 400 m high, on the tops of which by the 16th century. 24 monasteries were founded (currently only 6 monasteries remain active). In Byzantine times, these inaccessible rocks became a shelter for hermits, and later, thanks to the gifts of the emperor, monastery buildings were rebuilt here. They are made of stone, covered with red tiles and connected by wooden galleries overhanging the precipices. The walls of the temples were covered with frescoes, icons were painted by artists of the Cretan school. If earlier it was possible to get to the monasteries only in special nets lifted by monks, now you can get there along steps carved into the rocks.

(Chalkidiki Peninsula, Western Macedonia) has the status of a theocratic republic, recognized in 1926 and governed by a council of four members and an assembly consisting of representatives of 20 monasteries. Athos became the spiritual center of Orthodoxy immediately after the schism of Christianity in 1054. Orthodox monasteries were founded from the 10th to the 16th centuries. At first they were controlled by the Byzantine emperors, then by the Ottoman Turks. But even during the Ottoman rule, women were not allowed into the monastic republic, and the Sultan had to leave his harem on the border of Athos. Now about 1,400 monks live in the monastic republic of Athos. To get there you need a special pass. The Athonite community has its own police force.

– a small rocky island of the Dodecanese archipelago in the eastern part Aegean Sea. In the Hellenic era, an acropolis was built here, and the Romans used the island as a place of exile. According to legend, at the end of the 1st century. John the Theologian was exiled here, where in one of the caves he received a revelation that formed the content of the Apocalypse and the Gospel. At the end of the 10th century. The largest monastery of St. John the Evangelist in Greece was founded here, outwardly resembling a powerful fortress. The monastery complex rises above the white ecclesiastical and civic buildings that form a small settlement on the mountainside. The cave of the Apocalypse in the rock is also a sacred place. The monastery is a place of pilgrimage and a center of Greek Orthodox education. Atypical for Greek architecture and not fitting into the canons of Byzantine-Christian art, there are two cultural heritage sites in Greece. One of them (Rhodes) is a medieval city with a noticeable Roman Catholic and partly Muslim heritage. The second (Corfu) is a medieval city where, thanks to the Venetians, there was a mixture of a variety of architectural styles.

- the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago, located at the junction of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas near the coast of Asia Minor. In ancient times, Rhodes was home to one of the seven wonders of the world - the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes. In the Middle Ages, the island constantly changed hands, which was reflected in the architecture of the main city of the island. At the beginning of the 13th century. Rhodes was captured by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (the future Order of Malta). The city turned into a powerful citadel with thick fortress walls. The Upper Town, which includes the Grand Master's Palace, the Grand Hospital and the Street of the Knights, is one of the most beautiful medieval Gothic ensembles. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques and other buildings from the Ottoman period. Monuments from the ancient era have also been preserved in Rhodes.

- a city on the island of the same name in the northern part of the Ionian Sea west of mainland Greece. The island has important strategic importance on the trade route connecting West and East across the Adriatic Sea. There were Romans, Goths, and Normans here. The Venetians built three fortresses here, which protected the merchant ships of the Venetian Republic from the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries. For this reason, Corfu is called a fortified city. What makes Corfu so charming is not only its unique mixture of architectural styles, but also its narrow, picturesque streets called “kantunya”, where you can wander for hours.

In order to preserve world values, which are considered world heritage, to protect them from any damage and destruction and to pass them on to future generations, the organization for the protection of monuments, culture, science and education - UNESCO - was created in 1945.

Heritage protection is an important factor in maintaining and strengthening peace, enhancing intercultural dialogue and encouraging mutual respect for different ways of life, while at the same time enriching the knowledge and skills transmitted through culture from one generation to the next.

In order to integrate monuments or natural and cultural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, they must meet many criteria.

17 Greek monuments are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Meteora, Olympia, the Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, the royal tombs of Vergina, etc. Some monuments are candidates for inclusion in the World Heritage List, such as the Palace of Knossos in Crete, the Samaria Gorge, Lavrion, Nikopol and others.

- Temple of Apollo Epicurean (Ναός Επικούριου Απόλλωνα)

Majestic temple, dedicated to God healing and sun - to Apollo, was built in the mid-5th century BC. on the steep mountains between Ilia, Arcadia and Messinia, on the Peloponnese peninsula. The temple combines archaic and Doric styles, with some optical subtleties and architectural features.

- Acropolis in Athens (Ακρόπολη Αθηνών)

Church of the Holy Almighty Savior Christ

Walls of Thessaloniki

Temple of the Prophet Elijah

Byzantine Baths

All the early Christian and Byzantine monuments of the city of Thessaloniki form a typological series that had enormous influence in Byzantium. The city of Thessaloniki itself was founded in 315 BC. uh, it was big and great city, it was one of the main cities of the Byzantine Empire.

- Medieval city of Rhodes

Medieval buildings, fortresses, narrow streets, minarets, old houses with balconies, fountains, all this creates a unique feeling of another era.
The Upper Town of Rhodes is one of the most magnificent urban centers of the Gothic period. In the lower town, Gothic architecture blends harmoniously with mosques, public baths and other Ottoman buildings.

- Archaeological site of Olympia

In the western part of the Peloponnese, in the picturesque valley of the Alpheus River, is the most famous sanctuary of ancient Greece - Olympia, which was dedicated to the father of the gods, Zeus. It was an important religious and sports center of the ancient world. The origin of the cult and the mythical confrontations that took place in Olympia are lost in the mists of time. The Olympics began in 776 BC. e. and continues to the present time.

- Archaeological site of Mystras

Six kilometers northwest of Sparta, Mystras is located, which will take you to another dimension, to the era of the Byzantine Empire. The timeless Byzantine castle of the Peloponnese creates an irresistible atmosphere and a magnificent spectacle.

- Archaeological site of Delos

In ancient times, the legend of the birth of Apollo and Artemis made the island a sanctuary - not a single mortal was allowed to give birth or die here. The entire known ancient world recognized the holiness and uniqueness of the island. From the 3rd century BC. e. and before the beginning of the Christian era, Delos had the richest Trading port.

- Monastery of Daphne, Monastery of Chios and Monastery of Osiou Loukas

The three magnificent monasteries belong to the same typological series, despite the fact that they are located at a considerable distance from each other. The large dome of the monasteries rests on an arch, thereby creating an octagonal space. Inside the monasteries there was rich decoration - mosaics on a golden background, colorful marble decorations, unique frescoes.

- Ireon on the island of Samos

The mythical goddess Hera was born on the island of Samos. Here are the ruins of the Temple of Hera - these are 115 giant columns that have survived to this day. Herodotus considered the Temple of Hera the most significant in Greece. The small port in the village of Pythagorio (the ancient capital of the island) is filled with magnificent Hellenic and Roman monuments.

- Archaeological site of Vergina

Necropolis and royal palace, discovered in the 19th century in the village of Egon, near Vergina, belonged to the Macedonian kings. In one of the royal tombs, there were the remains of the father of Alexander the Great - Philip II. The palace is decorated with mosaics and frescoes and dates back to the 11th century BC.

- Archaeological sites in Mycenae and Tiryns

The majestic Tiryns and Mycenae are two large and important cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated and played an important role in the development of classical Hellenic culture in the eastern Mediterranean (15th – 12th centuries BC). Historical events in Tiryns and Mycenae, about the life of the ancient Greeks, were often mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey and Iliad.

- Historical center with the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos ΟΓΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΣΠΗΛΑΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΨΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΤΜΟ)

The Monastery of St. John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos is perhaps the most important monastic complex of the Aegean. Here the saint wrote the Gospel and the Apocalypse. Patmos, with its medieval historical centre, is an excellent example of traditional Greek religious pilgrimage and has significant architectural interest.

- Old Town of Corfu

Strategic and geographical position The island of Corfu, at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, very early determined its special role in the history of the Mediterranean. Therefore, the port of Corfu often played a leading role in all major events political history Europe. In the Old Town of Corfu there are two historical medieval fortresses that have survived to this day.

Tomioka Silk Factory and Related Facilities, Japan

The silk factory was built in 1872 in the picturesque Gunma Prefecture and equipped with imported French equipment. The emergence of this enterprise allowed the Japanese state to enter a new era of industrial development and, over time, to gain the position of a leading exporter of magnificent silk to Europe and the world.

The factory building is a complex that includes four objects, each of which corresponds to a specific production stage. In one of the buildings, silkworms are raised, in another, cooler one, grenades are stored, in the third - after pre-treatment cocoons, silk thread is wound into huge bobbins. The fourth room is a kind of school where they teach the intricacies of sericulture. The Tomioki factory helped revive the forgotten traditions of producing magnificent Japanese silk, which to this day supplies the most famous fashion houses in France and Italy.

The historical factory was included in the list of UNESCO sites in 2014.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), Japan

Immortalized in stone, a terrifying reminder of the events of August 1945 is the Peace Memorial, located in Peace Park on the territory of Hiroshima. A dilapidated building is all that remains after the fall of an American atomic bomb on a peaceful Japanese town.

For the Japanese who survived the terrible tragedy, the only more or less surviving structure became a symbolic personification of an irresistible desire for peace and an expression of grief for the residents of Hiroshima who died from radiation.

The Genbaku Dome, a silent witness to human indiscretion, was added to the list of UNESCO sites in 1996.

Robben Island, South Africa

At different periods of its existence, the picturesque island of Robben Island was used as a powerful military base, a secret prison where political prisoners were sent and as a hospital for homeless and destitute people. In 1999, the island, with its unique architecture reflecting every stage of its formation, was included in the UNESCO list of sites as a symbol of the victory over racism and the personification of the triumph of democracy.

Rapa Nui National Park (Easter Island), Chile

Easter Island or Rapa Nui (as the natives called it) - unique place, which preserved the originality of Polynesian culture and architecture, the ancestors of which were the people living in this territory.

The formation of the current image of the island began in the 4th century. Polynesian communities transformed the land washed by waters Pacific Ocean, into a real sanctuary, the phenomenon of which cannot be solved to this day.

The deserted coast of Rapa Nui is guarded by powerful Moai statues, erected between the 10th and 16th centuries.

The mystery of the appearance of large statues causes a lot of controversy among scientists, and the versions put forward seem implausible and unfounded. Picturesque island, whose territory has turned into National Park, in 1995 it was included in the list of UNESCO sites.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The picturesque archipelago, lost in the endless waters of the Pacific Ocean, consists of 19 the most beautiful islands, which formed the province of Galapogos, which is part of Ecuador.

The Galapagos Islands, together with the coastal waters, are of great interest to scientific researchers as a unique museum of evolution created by nature.

The location of the archipelago is the intersection point of three ocean currents, which cannot but affect the underwater inhabitants living in this region.

The Galapagos Islands are a seismically active zone, on the territory of which there is a large number of volcanoes, many of which erupt from time to time. Thanks to such geological processes, the landscape of the archipelago is constantly changing.

The island's isolation and constant renewal have given rise to unique fauna such as a huge land turtle and a colorful marine iguana.

In 1835, the island was visited by the outstanding biologist Charles Darwin. After extensive observation of local finches, he began work on a legendary evolutionary theory.

In 1978, the Galapagos Islands joined the richest treasury of UNESCO.

Quito city, Ecuador

At an altitude of more than 2,800 meters above sea level lies the picturesque capital of Ecuador - the beautiful city of Quito.

Founded in the 16th century, the settlement eventually turned into a distinctive town with unique urban planning traditions and magnificent architecture that synthesized Spanish, Italian and Flemish styles. This is confirmed by the magnificent monasteries, churches and beautiful buildings that form the urban landscapes of the original capital.

Cultural and social life local population is inextricably linked with the historical past of the city, built on the ruins of an ancient Inca settlement.

In 1978, the colorful capital of Ecuador was included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Sangay National Park, Ecuador

Picturesque landscapes National Park Sangay is an active volcanoes towering above the plains, crystal monoliths of glaciers, foothills covered with tropical forests and majestic mountain peaks dormant under the snow sparkling in the sun.

The contrasting landscapes of the isolated area give it a special flavor, and the indigenous species of animals that have survived to this day (the mountain tapir and the Andean condor) form the unique fauna of the National Park.

In 1983, Sangay was listed as a UNESCO site.

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, Armenia

Ancient monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin – architectural monuments medieval Armenia, which experienced a colossal flourishing and rise in cultural, spiritual and social life in the period from the 10th to the 13th centuries.

The monasteries built during the reign of the Kyurikan dynasty immediately became centers of education. In one of them there was a school of calligraphers and miniature painters, and there was also a repository of books and ancient manuscripts.

The architectural style of the original buildings is a synthesis of Byzantine and native Caucasian traditions of urban planning, which is clearly expressed in the layout of buildings and the decorative decoration of facades. In 1996, the magnificent Armenian monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin were added to the list of UNESCO sites.

Cathedral and churches of Etchmiadzin and archaeological site of Zvartnots, Armenia

Founded over 1,500 years ago, the beautiful Cathedral Etchmiadzin with its adjacent churches, as well as the remains of the temple in Zvarnots, built in the 7th century, represent unique monuments of the church architecture of ancient Armenia.

In the style and features of ancient buildings, one can see the evolutionary processes occurring during the formation of the traditions of Armenian urban planning.

In 2000, the cross-domed temple of Etchmiadzin and the archaeological monument of Zvarnots were included in the list of UNESCO sites.

Geghard Monastery and the upper reaches of the Azat River, Armenia

A striking representative of medieval architecture is the Geghard Monastery - a complex with churches carved into the rocks and ancient tombs of saints.
The towers of the monastery, protected by rocks, personify the inviolability of the faith of the Armenian people.

The colorful building harmoniously complements the picturesque landscapes of the upper reaches of the deep Azat River.

The amazing nature of the Azat River and the Geghard monastery located on its bank were added to the UNESCO treasury in 2000.

Bell towers of Belgium and France

In 1999, the list of UNESCO sites was supplemented by the “Bell Towers of Wallonia and Flanders”, built between the 11th and 17th centuries.

The architecture of majestic buildings with pronounced features of pompous Baroque and sophisticated Renaissance reflects the Romanesque style and the main trends of the Gothic. 23 beautiful bell towers decorating the northern part of France and 30 bell towers towering over the urban landscapes of Belgium personify the freedom and independence of a particular commune.

Over the years, the city's bell towers have become a kind of symbol of the wealth of the city and its military force and power.

Old Bridge area in the historical center of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the picturesque valley of the Neretva River lies the historical town of Mostar, which at different periods was in the possession of the Ottoman Empire (15th - 16th centuries) and the Austro-Hungarian state (19th - 20th centuries).

The influence of different cultures was reflected in the principles of urban planning and the architecture of the city. The ornate streets on both sides are framed by Turkish houses, and the main decoration of the urban landscape is the Old Bridge, built according to the design of the outstanding architect Sinanom.

In the nineties historical Center Mostar was destroyed and the bridge was badly damaged. The reconstruction of architectural monuments took place with the direct support of an international committee created under UNESCO. The restored buildings joined the UNESCO treasury in 2005, becoming symbols of reconciliation and mutual understanding between communities representing different nationalities with their own cultural values, religion and traditions.

Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge in Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Above the full-flowing Drina River, crossing the beautiful town of Visegrad, rises a huge bridge, erected during the reign of the vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic (16th century). A monumental masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, designed by Mimar Kosa Sinan, the best architect at the court of the Grand Vizier.

11 arches with a width of 11 to 16 meters each, 4 entrance arches located on the left bank of the river - this is the design of the bridge with a length of more than 179 meters. The unique architectural masterpiece became the best creation of the court master. And the image of the majestic bridge to this day is inextricably linked with the literary traditions of the country, its culture and folklore.

In 2007, the magnificent bridge became one of the UNESCO sites.

Rock art in Tsodilo area, Botswana

Tsodilo is one of the most archaeologically interesting areas of Botswana. It is notable for the fact that the largest collection of rock art monuments is collected on a modest territory (10 square meters).

More than 4,000 thousand images adorn the rocks of the endless Kalahari, recreating the chronology of the life of ancient people who once lived on this earth. Rock paintings tell the story of the amazing thousand-year changes taking place in the nature of the desert.

To this day, the natives living in the Tsodilo area consider it sacred, and the world organization UNESCO has included the rock carvings discovered in the surrounding area on the list of protected sites.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a swampy lowland in the north-west of Botswana, located at the intersection of branches and channels of a wayward African river. Picturesque water meadows, systems of impassable swamps that have no access to the sea - this is what the landscapes of a delta-like formation look like.

The biological rhythm of life of local representatives of the animal and flora. It largely depends on annual floods occurring during the dry season.

Influenced climatic conditions, the ongoing hydrological processes and biological factors formed the magnificent flora of the swampy delta and a diverse fauna, many of whose representatives are in danger of extinction (the wild dog, the black rhinoceros and its white relative, the cheetah, the lion).

In 2014, the picturesque Okavango Delta was included in the UNESCO treasury.

Mount Nimba Nature Reserve, Guinea

Above the emerald savannah forests rises the majestic Mount Nimba, on the picturesque slopes of which the Mount Nimba Nature Reserve was formed.

Unique territory The reserve is decorated with colorful vegetation, and representatives of the local fauna amaze with the variety of amazing species, including endemic ones (viviparous toad, subspecies of the western chimpanzee).

The original Mount Nimba reserve, created by nature, was added to the list of UNESCO sites in 1981.

Acropolis of Athens, Greece

In 1987, the UNESCO treasury was replenished with an amazing masterpiece of ancient culture - the Acropolis.

The architectural ensemble includes four unique symbols of the centuries-old formation of ancient Greek civilization: the magnificent Temple of Athena, the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

Delos Island, Greece

Delos is a legendary island; if you believe the ancient Greek myths, it was here that Apollo was born. This fact has turned the small island of the Cyclades archipelago into a thriving trading port, attracting pilgrims from Greece and all over the world.

The territory of Delos is a unique monument to successive Aegean civilizations that existed from the 3rd millennium BC to the early Christian era.

Dilapidated architectural ensembles, the ruins of ancient buildings concentrated on a tiny island form its distinctive Mediterranean image.

In 1990, the island of Delos, now a beautiful resort, was included in the UNESCO list.

Ancient city of Corfu, Greece

The history of the ancient city of Corfu, located on the island of the same name, began in the 8th century BC. Initially, three massive forts were erected on this site, which for 400 years protected the merchant ships of the Venetian Republic from the encroachments of the Ottoman Empire.

Modern Corfu reflects the centuries-old history of its formation. The surviving architectural ensembles are made in the neoclassical style characteristic of the Venetian period. And the luxurious landscapes of the Mediterranean add special charm and attractiveness to the urban pictures of the city.

In 2007 Old City Corfu was included in the list of UNESCO sites.

Mount Athos ("Holy Mountain")

Mount Athos is one of the Christian shrines that influences the formation of Orthodox spirituality in many countries on the planet. Only men have access to it; women and children are prohibited from climbing the mountain.

The mountain, which was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1988, is of great importance, not only from the point of view of religion. The shrine is of great interest as a unique natural site, in the very heart of which several dozen monasteries are located. 20 of them are still home to thousands of monks.

The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. In the course of time, the forts were repaired and partly rebuilt several times, more recently under British rule in the 19th century. The mainly neoclassical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu’s urban and port ensemble is notable for its high level of integrity and authenticity.

Vieille ville de Corfou

La vieille ville située sur l'île de Corfou, au large des côtes occidentales de l'Albanie et de la Grèce, occupe une position stratégique à l'entrée de la mer Adriatique. Le début de his sontoire remonte au VIIIe siècle av. J.-C. Les trois forts de la ville, conçus par des ingénieurs vénitiens renommés, ont servi pendant quatre siècles à défendre les intérêts du commerce maritime de la République de Venise contre l’Empire ottoman. Au fil du temps, ces fortifications durent être réparées et partiellement reconstruites à plusieurs reprises, les travaux les plus récents ayant été réalisés au XIXe siècle sous la domination britannique. Les bâtiments de la vieille ville, pour la plupart de style néoclassique, datent en partie de la période vénitienne et en partie d'époques plus tardives, notamment du XIXe siècle. Corfou, ville portuaire fortifiée de la Méditerranée, est exceptionnelle par son intégrité et son authenticité.

مدينة كورفو القديمة

تقع المدينة التاريخية في جزيرة كورفو، على مسافة من السواحل الغربية الألبانية واليونانية، وتشكل موقعاً استراتيجياً عند مدخل البحر الأدرياتيكي. كما أن جذورها تعود إلى القرن الثامن قبل الميلاد. وقد صمدت الحصون الثلاثة للمدينة، التي صممها مهندسون مشهورون من البندقية، طوال أربعة قرون للدفاع عن المصالح التجارية البحرية لجمهورية البندقية ضد الامبراطورية العثمانية. وأصلحت الحصون على مرّ الزمن وأعيد بناؤها جزئياً عدة مرات، لا سيما إبان الحكم البريطاني في القرن التاسع عشر. وترقى البنى النيوكلاسيكية المنتشرة في المدينة القديمة إلى الحقبة الإيطالية (البندقية) في جزء منها، في حين أن البعض الآخر يعود إلى فترة لاحقة، وتحديداً إلى القرن التاسع عشر. ويُعدّ مرفأ كورفو المحصَّن من أبرز المرافئ المتوسطية لما يتصف به من وحدة في البناء وأصالة رفيعة.

科孚古城

科孚古城起源于公元前8世纪，位于希腊西海岸的科孚岛，与阿尔巴尼亚隔海峡相望，占据了亚得里亚海入海口的战略位置。古城的三座要塞由著名的威尼斯工程师设计， 400多年里被威尼斯共和国用来保护海上贸易利益，抵抗土耳其帝国。时光荏苒，19世纪英The 主要为19世纪建筑。作为地中海的港口要塞，科孚港口建筑群因高度完整、保存良好而闻名于世。

source: UNESCO/ERI
CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ancient city of Corfu

The ancient city on the island of Corfu, located adjacent to the western coasts of Albania and Greece, occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Adriatic. Its history dates back to the 8th century. BC, when the Republic of Venice built three forts here, which for four centuries protected its maritime merchant ships from attacks by the Ottoman Empire. Over time, these fortifications were repeatedly repaired and partially rebuilt. The ancient buildings of the city, mainly of neoclassical style, date back to the Venetian period and to later times, in particular to the 19th century. The Mediterranean fortified city of Corfu is unique for its ensemble and the authenticity of its preserved buildings.

source: UNESCO/ERI
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Ciudad vieja de Corfú

Situada en la isla de su mismo nombre, frente a las costas de Albania y Grecia, la ciudad vieja de Corfú ocupa una posición estratégica a la entrada del Mar Adriático. Posee vestigios arqueológicos que datan del siglo VIII a.C. También cuenta con tres fortificaciones diseñadas por ingenieros venecianos, que durante cuatro siglos sirvieron para defender los intereses del comercio marítimo de la República de Venecia contra el Imperio Otomano. Con el correr del tiempo, las fortificaciones fueron reparadas y parcialmente reconstruidas en varias ocasiones. Las últimas obras fueron realizadas en el siglo XIX, en tiempos de la dominación británica. Los edificios de la ciudad vieja son en su mayoría de estilo neoclásico. Algunos datan de la dominación veneciana y otros de épocas más tardías, en particular del siglo XIX. La integridad y autenticidad de la vieja Corfú hacen de ella un ejemplo excepcional de ciudad portuaria fortificada del Mediterráneo.

source: UNESCO/ERI
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

コルフ旧市街

Oude stad Corfu

De oude stad Corfu, op het eiland Corfu, heeft zijn wortels in de 8e eeuw voor Christus. De stad ligt op een strategische positie bij de ingang van de Adriatische Zee. De drie forten van de stad zijn ontworpen door beroemde Venetiaanse ingenieurs. Vier eeuwen lang deden ze dienst om de maritieme handelsbelangen van de Republiek van Venetië tegen het Ottomaanse Rijk te verdedigen. De forten werden meerdere malen hersteld en deels herbouwd, het meest recent onder Britse heerschappij in de 19e eeuw. De neoklassieke woningen in Corfu dateren deels uit de Venetiaanse periode en deels uit latere periodes, voornamelijk de 19e eeuw.

Outstanding Universal Value

The ensemble of the fortifications and the Old Town of Corfu is located in a strategic location at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. Historically, its roots go back to the 8th century BC and to the Byzantine period. It has thus been subject to various influences and a mix of different peoples. From the 15th century, Corfu was under Venetian rule for some four centuries, then passing to French, British and Greek governments. At various occasions, it had to defend the Venetian maritime empire against the Ottoman army. Corfu was a well thought of example of fortification engineering, designed by the architect Sanmicheli, and it proved its worth through practical warfare. Corfu has its specific identity, which is reflected in the design of its system of fortification and in its neo-classical building stock. As such, it can be placed alongside other major Mediterranean fortified port cities.

Criterion (iv): The urban and port ensemble of Corfu, dominated by its fortresses of Venetian origin, constitutes an architectural example of outstanding universal value in both its authenticity and its integrity.

The overall form of the fortifications has been retained and displays traces of Venetian occupation, including the Old Citadel and the New Fort, but primarily interventions from the British period. The present form of the ensemble results from the works in the 19th and 20th centuries. The authenticity and integrity of the urban fabric are primarily those of a neo-classical town.

The responsibility for protection is shared by several institutions and relevant decrees. These include the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (ministerial decision of 1980), the Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works (Presidential decree of 1980) and the Municipality of Corfu (Presidential decree of 1981). Also relevant are: the Greek law on the shoreline of towns and of islands in general; the law on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage in general (n° 3028/2002) and the establishment of a new independent Superintendence for Byzantine and post-Byzantine antiquities, in 2006. A buffer zone has been established. The proactive policies of restoration and enhancement of the fortifications and of the citadel have resulted in a generally acceptable state of conservation. Many works however have still to be completed or started. A management plan has been prepared. An urban action plan, which is in line with the management plan of the nominated property, has just been adopted (2005) for the period 2006-2012.

As of 2017, more than a thousand man-made and natural sites around the world are included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. The organization is dedicated to preserving these unique, one-of-a-kind places and promoting their cultural, historical or environmental significance. Located in Hungary, Austria, Greece, Argentina and 161 other countries that have ratified the Convention for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage.

World Heritage Convention

The fundamental document, which currently regulates the issues of preservation, restoration, protection and popularization of unique historical and cultural monuments, began to take shape after the First World War and was finally formed in the second half of the twentieth century. The World Heritage Convention in Hungary, Austria, Greece and other countries gives the following benefits to properties that have received special status:

• additionally guarantees the integrity and safety of unique monuments;
• promotes the popularization of objects and increases the prestige of the institutions that manage them;
• ensures priority in the distribution of funds from the World Heritage Fund to support unique monuments;
• promotes the development of eco-tourism;
• improves monitoring of the condition of natural and cultural heritage sites.

Evaluation criteria

There are several criteria according to which a certain monument can be assigned a special status. Among them, for example, are the following:

1. The object is unique of its kind, exceptional for a civilization that has ever existed and still exists.
2. It is a masterpiece of human genius.
3. It is of exceptional importance; the object is directly related to traditions, rituals, beliefs, artistic or literary works.
4. Is an outstanding example of architecture, design, technology, or landscape illustrating a significant period in history.
5. It is a natural phenomenon, exceptionally beautiful and of aesthetic importance.
6. The object includes important natural environment necessary for the conservation of biological diversity.
7. It is a monument of the past, reflecting important geological processes and physical and geographical features.

If a monument of nature, architecture or art meets at least one of the criteria, then it can be classified as a World Heritage Site.

World Heritage Lists by country

The most outstanding monuments (53) as of 2017 are located in Italy. This is the historical center of Florence and San Gimignano and Siena, the castle of Castel del Monte, traditional dwellings in the town of Alberobello, several archaeological zones, and so on. China is in second place (52), followed by Spain (46), France (43), and Germany (42). World Heritage sites are also located in Austria, Greece, Argentina, and Hungary.

In Russia there are 28 (or 29 taking into account the monuments located on the territory Crimean peninsula) heritage sites, including the historical center Northern capital, Kremlin and Red Square, historical sites of Novgorod, Solovetsky Islands, monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, Komi forests, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka natural volcanoes, Western Caucasus, Altai Mountains, Wrangel Island and so on.

Outstanding Heritage Sites in Greece

In Greece - one of the cradles of human civilization - one and a half percent of the total number of world heritage sites, namely 18 sites. Most of them are included in the list solely according to cultural criteria, two monuments are included according to mixed criteria.

The World Heritage of Greece is represented by the following monuments (in order of addition to the list):

1. Temple of Apollo.
2. Ruins of Delphi.
3. Acropolis in Athens.
4. Mount Athos is the spiritual center of Orthodoxy.
5. Monasteries of Meteora.
6. Monuments of Christianity in Thessaloniki.
7. Epidaurus - ancient city, famous for its architectural monuments.
8. City of Rhodes.
9. Ancient town of Mystras.
10. Monuments of Olympia.
11. Delos Island.
12. Byzantine monasteries.
13. Archaeological excavations and the temple of Hera on
14. Archaeological excavations of Vergina.
15. Monuments of Mycenae and Tiryns.
16. Historical center and monuments of the island of Patmos.
17. Old town of Corfu.
18. Ruins of Philip.

Archaeological sites

In the territory Ancient Greece the first settlements appeared 5 thousand years ago. Archaeological excavations are so ancient culture Today they are listed among the names of the World Heritage Sites of Greece. These are the excavations of Epidaurus, Vergina, Mycenae and Tiryns, the ruins of Philip, Delphi, the ancient city of Mystras and medieval Rhodes. These places became World Heritage Sites in Greece due to their significance in the early period of human history - they were cultural and historical centers, capitals, and burial places of kings.

Early Christian and Byzantine monuments

Another important period in history - the development of Christianity - also took place in the territory modern Greece. World Heritage Sites include such monuments of early Christianity and Byzantium as the monastery of Patmos (in this place, according to legend, John the Theologian preached), the monasteries of Daphne, Nea Moni, Hosios Loukas, the Church of Hagia Sophia, the Basilica of St. Demetrius, the Church of St. Nicholas, Prophet Elijah, Mount Athos and so on.

All these monuments have special religious, cultural and historical significance for the whole world. World Heritage Sites in Greece are a must-see. So significant places will not leave anyone indifferent.

Austrian Special Heritage Sites

There are world heritage sites in Greece, Argentina, and Austria is not far behind - one of the richest countries in the world. The list of outstanding monuments of the Republic of Austria includes nine items:

1. Salzburg city center.
2. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens.
3. Dachstein mountain range in Hallstatt.
4. Semmering railway.
5. and the historic center of Graz.
6. Danube Valley Wachau.
7. Landscape of Lake Neusiedlersee.
8. The historical city center of Vienna.
9. Traditional pile huts in the vicinity of the Alpine mountains.

Five facilities are located in the eastern part of the country, three more in the northwest.

World Heritage in the Republic of Hungary

The Republic of Hungary is home to eight World Heritage Sites. Hungary, Austria, Greece, Argentina - these countries are on a par in terms of the importance of the cultural and historical monuments. Notable objects include:

1. Budapest. Of particular importance is the historical center of the Hungarian capital, the banks of the Danube, Fortress Hill, Heroes' Square, State Opera theatre and other buildings.
2. Ethnographic Museum in the village of Holloko. The village in northern Hungary, whose name translates as "Raven's Stone", is not just another open-air museum. There is a flow in a small settlement measured life, the same as in past centuries.
3. Caves of the Slovak Karst and Aggtelek. The mountain range in which the caves are located is protected because it is a unique form of relief.
4. at Pannonhalma Abbey. It is the oldest monastery in Hungary and the second largest Catholic abbey in the world.
5. Necropolis of the city of Pecs.
6. National natural Park Hortobágy. The largest and oldest protected area in all of Hungary.
7. Landscape of the Förte Nature Reserve. The biosphere reserve is classified as a protected site due to the fact that it is different unique landscape and biodiversity. Natural object is the westernmost flat brackish lake in Europe.
8. Tokaj wine region. White wines are produced there; the earliest evidence of Tokaj winemaking dates back to the mid-sixteenth century.

Eleven heritage sites in Argentina

If almost all World Heritage sites in Greece are included in the list precisely according to cultural significance, in Argentina the monuments are distributed more proportionally: three are included in the list according to cultural criteria, two - according to natural ones, and one more - according to mixed ones. Outstanding monuments in Argentina are:

1. Los Glaciares Protected Area.
2. Jesuit missions in Indian lands.
3. Protected area, Iguazu Park.
4. Cave Cueva de las Manos.
5. Peninsula Valdez.
6. Natural parks of Talampaya and Ischigualasto.
7. Jesuit quarter and missions of Cordoba.
8. An ancient path to the Uauumaka gorge.
9. A unique road system in the Andes.
10. House of Doctor Kuruchet.
11. Los Alerces Natural Reserve.

World Heritage Sites (in Hungary, Austria, Greece, Argentina and other countries) are places that are distinguished by their outstanding natural, cultural, historical significance for all humanity. The stunning landscapes and centuries-old stories behind these wonders are definitely worth the trip and experience for yourself. World Heritage sites Hungary, Greece, Argentina and other countries around the world are open to visitors, so you can buy tickets to one of the countries right now.