Heritage with Related Tags
Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro
The five Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda were built in the final stages of the conversion of the Mexican interior to Christianity in the mid-18th century and became an important reference for the continued evangelization of California, Arizona, and Texas. The ornately decorated facades of the churches are of particular significance because they are examples of the creative efforts of missionaries and Indians. The rural settlements that developed around the missions have retained their vernacular character.
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn
Tallinn's history dates back to the 13th century, when crusading knights of the Teutonic Order built a castle on the site. Tallinn grew into a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth is evident in its magnificent public buildings (especially its churches) and its civil architecture of merchant houses, which have survived remarkably well despite damage from fire and war over the centuries.
Stari Ras and Sopoćani
On the outskirts of Stari Ras, the first capital of Serbia, there is an impressive group of medieval monuments, including fortresses, churches and monasteries. Sopoćani Monastery is a witness to the contact of Western civilization with the Byzantine world.
Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay
This modest Burgundian monastery was founded by Saint Bernard in 1119. With its church, cloisters, refectory, dormitories, bakery and ironworks, it epitomizes the ideal of self-sufficiency practised by the earliest order of Cistercian monks.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the Canary Islands has two cores: the original, unplanned Upper Town, and the Lower Town, the first planned according to philosophical principles of an ideal "urban territory". Its wide streets and open spaces are dotted with fine churches and public and private buildings from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika
The provincial capital and seaport of Thessaloniki, founded in 315 BC, was one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity. Among its Christian monuments are fine churches, some in the form of a Greek cross, others in the form of a three-nave basilica. Built over a long period from the 4th to the 15th century, these churches constitute a diachronic typological series that had a considerable influence on the Byzantine world. The Rotunda and the mosaics of St. Demetrius and St. David are among the great masterpieces of early Christian art.
Abu Mena
The churches, baptistery, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops of this early Christian holy city were built over the tomb of Menas, an Alexandrian martyr who died in 296 AD.
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
The Jelling tombs and one of the runic stelae are typical representatives of Nordic pagan culture, while the other runic stelae and the church reflect the Christianization of the Danish people in the mid-10th century.
Churches of Moldavia
These eight churches in northern Moldavia were built between the late 15th and 16th centuries and their facades are covered with frescoes, masterpieces of Byzantine art. The frescoes are authentic and exceptionally well preserved. Far from being mere wall decorations, the frescoes systematically covered all facades and represented a complete cycle of religious themes. Their unique compositions, elegant figures and harmonious colors blend perfectly with the surrounding countryside. The Sucevita Monastery Church, whose interior and exterior walls are entirely decorated with 16th-century frescoes, is the only church to feature the Staircase of St. John Climacus.
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
The Geghard Monastery contains several churches and mausoleums, most of which are carved into the rock, and is the pinnacle of Armenian medieval architecture. The medieval complex is located in a scenic natural landscape, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley.
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
Lübeck, the former capital and queen city of the Hanseatic League, was founded in the 12th century and flourished as a major trading center in Northern Europe until the 16th century. It remains a center of maritime trade, especially with the Nordic countries. Despite damage during World War II, the basic structure of the old town remains intact, consisting mainly of 15th- and 16th-century noble residences, public monuments (the famous Holstentor brick gate), churches, and salt warehouses.
Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)
This archaeological site, which began as a Roman military camp and developed into a town from the 5th century onwards, remains largely unexcavated. It contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods (late 3rd to 9th century AD), as well as a Roman military camp. The site also has 16 churches, some of which have well-preserved mosaic floors. Of particular note is the mosaic floor of the Church of St. Stephen, which depicts towns in the area. Two square towers are probably the only remains of the area's famous ascetics (ascetics who spent time in solitude atop a pillar or tower). Scattered around Um er-Rasas are remains of ancient agricultural practices in arid regions.
Churches and Convents of Goa
Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, has churches and monasteries—particularly the Church of Bom Jesus, where St. Francis Xavier is buried—that epitomize the evangelization of Asia. These monuments had a profound influence on the spread of Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms in all the countries in Asia where missions were established.
Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba
The Jesuit Quarter of Córdoba is the heart of the former Jesuit Province of Paraguay and contains the core buildings of the Jesuit system: the University, the Jesuit Church and Residence, and the College. In addition to five haciendas, or agricultural estates, there are religious and secular buildings that illustrate a religious, social and economic experiment that was unique in the world for more than 150 years in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem
This listed site, 10 km south of Jerusalem, has been identified by Christian tradition since the 2nd century AD as the birthplace of Jesus. A church was first built on the site in 339 AD, and after a fire in the 6th century AD, it was replaced by a building that retains the original building's exquisite floor mosaics. The site also includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian monasteries and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and pilgrimage routes.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always had great symbolic significance. Among its 220 historical monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral patterns. All three religions recognize it as the holy place where Abraham made sacrifices. The Wailing Wall divides the living quarters of different religious groups, while the Resurrection Rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses the tomb of Christ.
Churches and Convents of Goa
Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, has churches and monasteries—particularly the Church of Bom Jesus, where St. Francis Xavier is buried—that epitomize the evangelization of Asia. These monuments had a profound influence on the spread of Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms in all the countries in Asia where missions were established.
Painted Churches in the Troodos Region
The area features one of the largest complexes of churches and monasteries in the pre-Byzantine Empire. The complex consists of 10 World Heritage-listed monuments, all richly decorated with frescoes that showcase Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting in Cyprus. The complex includes small churches, whose rustic architecture contrasts with their elaborate decoration, and monasteries such as the Monastery of St. John Lampadistis.
Studenica Monastery
Studenica Monastery was founded in the late 12th century by Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the medieval Serbian state, shortly after his abdication. It is the largest and richest Orthodox monastery in Serbia. The two main buildings of the monastery, the Church of Our Lady and the Church of the King, are both made of white marble and house a valuable collection of Byzantine paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier
Located on the Moselle River, Trier has been a Roman colony since the 1st century AD and an important trade center since the 20th century. At the end of the 3rd century, Trier became one of the capitals of the Tetrarchy and was known as the "Second Rome". The number and quality of the existing monuments are outstanding testimonies of Roman civilization.