One of Macau’s most iconic landmarks, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, stands as a symbol of the city’s rich blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage. Located at the top of a small hill near Senado Square, the stone façade of the former 17th-century church is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Macau, often regarded as the face of the city.
Tag: World Heritage Sites
The Oldest Stone House in Batanes
The House of Dakay, located in the town of Mahatao, was constructed in 1887 and is considered as the oldest stone house in Batanes. It is included in the list of UNESCO Heritage Building. It was built by Elena Estrella and given to her nephew Jose Dacay, to whom the house was named after.
Half Day in Sydney
I only visited 2 places in Sydney: St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Sydney Opera House. It was enough for my half-day tour and already covered 2 of the most famous tourist spots in Sydney.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape. Within the cave, there are remarkable formations of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as several spacious chambers. In recognition of its exceptional value, UNESCO designated the site as a World Heritage Site in 1999. It was also voted as one of the new seven wonders of nature in 2012.
Das Wunder von Bern
Bern is famous for its quaint old city which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Bern used to be a medieval city center built on a narrow hill surrounded by the river Aare whose compact layout has remained unchanged since its construction during the 12th to the 15th century.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Located 48 km northeast of Mexico City, Teotihuacan was an ancient Mesoamerican city where many architecturally significant pyramids can be found. The Mesoamerican Pyramids are usually step pyramids which served various functions such as astronomical observatories and places of ritual worships and sacrifices.
Paoay Church
Together with the San Agustin Church in Manila, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church in Ilocos Sur and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in Iloilo, the Saint Augustine Church of Ilocos Norte was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. The church more commonly known as Paoay Church was also declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973.
Alameda Central
I continued my tour at the Historic Center of Mexico City, designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987. My last destination on that day was the Alameda Central. Alameda was named after the álamo (poplars) trees surrounding the public municipal park which was created in 1592 through the orders of Viceroy Luis de Velasco.
Templo Mayor
Built on a muddy island on the lake at the Valley of Mexico in 1325, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán was occupied and destroyed by the Spanish forces in 1521 led by Hernán Cortés. The area became the foundation of the modern Mexico City. The site of the Templo Mayor or the Great Temple was discovered in 1978 and has became part of Mexico City’s Historic Center which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
The Historical Zócalo Square
The Historic Center or Centro Histórico lies at the central neighborhood of Mexico City. This includes the Zócalo or the main plaza and extends in all directions covering a total of about 4 hectares. The Historic Center has been both the center of the ancient Aztec Empire known as Tenochtitlan and the seat of power for the Spanish colony of New Spain. Most of the city’s historic sites from both eras can be seen in this part of Mexico City with 1,550 buildings declared as historically important. It was therefore recognized as a World Heritage Site because of the area’s cultural and historical value.
Trajineras Of Xochimilco
Located 28 km south of Mexico City, Xochimilco is a former independent city established during the pre-Hispanic period. These early settlements at the Valley of Mexico were connected by an extensive lake and canal system. The settlers built artificial islands called “chinampas” or floating garden where flowers, fruits and vegetables were being raised. The canals were constructed as a navigation route for the “chinampas” which help feed the Aztec empire. The importance of Xochimilco to the Aztecs has made it worthy of its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Ciudad Universitaria Of Mexico City
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National Autonomous University of Mexico) or UNAM was founded in 1910 and has been recognized as a leading Spanish-speaking university in the world. It also has the most number of Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni and faculty in all the universities in Latin America with Alfonso García Robles for peace, Octavio Paz for literature and Mario Molina for chemistry. Most of the old buildings that the university are using came from its predecessor, the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico which was established in 1551 and closed in 1867.
Amoj In Wanderland 