Historic cities of foreign Europe. Old town Dubrovnik in Croatia

There are so many sights in European countries that it is difficult to single out more significant ones. Someone is more interested in ancient monuments. Someone prefers to visit modern attractions. In the cities of Europe, there are several dozen architectural monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most famous and most visited are described in the article.

Coliseum

The construction of this gigantic structure, located in the Italian capital, began in 72, and it lasted eight years. Like other Roman amphitheaters, Collisium is an ellipse, the middle of which is occupied by an arena. This landmark of Europe differs from all similar structures in its size. The walls of the Colosseum are built of large marble. The antique master used tuff as a finishing material.

Today, the Colosseum is under the protection of the Italian government. In the 20th century, excavations were carried out under the arena, during which archaeologists discovered basements.

In the 1930s, not far from the town of Gniezno, archaeologists discovered the remains of a large settlement. Thanks to the preserving effect of the lake silt, not only parts of wooden buildings have been preserved, but also many items. This gave scientists a unique opportunity to restore the ancient settlement in its original form. The find caused a sensation in the scientific world.

An archaeological festival is held annually in the summer and on the territory of the former settlement, which gathers thousands of participants. Today Biskupin is a famous open-air museum and one of the most famous landmarks in Eastern Europe. Thanks to the work of archaeologists, tourists have the opportunity to stroll along the ancient streets and even go to ancient houses.

Leaning tower of pisa

The bell tower was erected in two stages with a break of one hundred years. Construction began in 1173. By that time, the ensemble of the square, Piazza dei Miracoli, had practically taken shape. Almost 100 years later, three more tiers with loggias and galleries appeared, as a result of which the total height of the tower reached 48 meters.

In 2008, experts announced that the fall of the Leaning Tower of Pisa had been stopped. This was preceded by a number of complex events. The state of the famous bell tower is under the control of scientists. Since 1987, the complex has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

St Paul's Cathedral

This is one of the greatest domed structures in Christendom, the seat of the Bishop of London. The Cathedral is located on Ludgate Hill in the heart of the City. One of the main attractions of the temple is the Whispering Gallery, located in the inner part of the dome at a height of 55 meters. Here you can observe a unique acoustic effect: if you say a word while facing the wall at one end of the gallery, it will be heard at the other, but not heard in the center. In addition, from the gallery you can admire eight magnificent frescoes by James Thornhill depicting scenes from the life of St. Paul.

The Charles Bridge

The oldest crossing of the Vltava is recognized worldwide as an engineering and artistic masterpiece of the Gothic style. It is the oldest bridge in the Czech capital. It is adorned with thirty Baroque sculptures.

The first stone in the foundation of the stone structure was laid by Charles IV personally. For almost 5 centuries this bridge remained the only one in Prague. It was only in the thirties of the 19th century that other ferries across the Vltava began to be built.

Thousands of bridges have been built by mankind. However, few of them are significant monuments of their eras, which travelers from all over the world are eager to see. Charles Bridge in Prague is one of such mysterious echoes of the Middle Ages.

Notre dame cathedral

This temple is a masterpiece of early French Gothic, the spiritual heart and the hallmark of Paris. It is located in the historic center of the city on the island of Cite. The construction of the cathedral began in the XII century on the site where the Temple of Saint Etienne was located. The initiator was the Parisian bishop. The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163.

Notre Dame Cathedral symbolizes the zero kilometer, where all the roads converge, scattering rays from Paris.

The tower

Several famous European landmarks are located in London. One of them is a fortress on the north bank of the Thames. At different times, there was a prison, a royal residence, an observatory, a state archive, a menagerie, a mint, and a royal arsenal.

The famous landmark of Europe appeared thanks to King William I the Conqueror. When Norman troops treacherously invaded Britain in 1166 and defeated the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold, their leader began building a fort right outside the city gates of London. Wilhelm wanted to simultaneously control the Thames estuary and intimidate the local residents, who were distinguished by their rebellious and freedom-loving disposition.

Almost from the moment of its foundation, this castle has become a prison for state criminals. Here the prisoners of the Hundred Years War languished - the French king John II and the Duke Charles of Orleans.

In the halls of the fortress museum, today you can see ancient instruments of torture, in the courtyard - the place where the scaffold stood, in the treasury - the crown and scepter of the British Empire.

Cologne Cathedral

This temple is the largest in Germany and one of the medieval monuments in Europe. The attraction belongs to the Roman Catholic Church is the chair of the Archbishop of Cologne. About 20 thousand people visit the temple every day.

The place where the cathedral is located was sacred to local peasants already in the Roman period. Excavations have unearthed the foundations of several early churches.

The foundation stone of the modern building of the cathedral was laid on August 15, 1248 by Bishop Konrad von Hofstaden. However, around 1450, construction was completely stopped. Times have changed: the Reformation was brewing, the economy of fragmented Germany fell into decay, and the Thirty Years' War broke out in the 17th century. The Gothic style went out of fashion, it was supplanted by the Renaissance and Baroque.

During the occupation of the city by the French, Napoleon expelled the clergy from the cathedral and placed there a fodder warehouse for his army. But in the middle of the 19th century, on a wave of patriotic upsurge, construction was finally completed. More than six hundred years have passed since the beginning of the construction.

This landmark of Western Europe is a huge five-day basilica in the shape of a Latin cross with a rounded top. The walls are made of trachyte stone. The outside of the building is replete with pilasters, flying buttresses, decorative carvings, sculpted plastic.

Cathedral of the Intercession

The Intercession Cathedral on the Moat is one of the ancient symbols of the Russian capital, a unique example of Russian architecture. More often this landmark of Eastern Europe is called the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed.

It so happened in Russia that especially significant events were celebrated not by the construction of monuments, but by the erection of temples. In October 1552, Moscow celebrated one of the decisive victories in the hard struggle of Russia against a dangerous enemy, namely the capture of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

The triumphant king ordered to build a temple in honor of each stage of victory, and to associate the dedication with the names of the saints, whose memory falls on the days of victories. This is how several churches appeared in Russia, but only one of them was destined to become a symbol of Belokamennaya, an architectural monument known throughout Europe.

Several legends are associated with the sight of the Kremlin. One of them: in 1812 Napoleon was so impressed by the miracle of the Intercession Cathedral that he wanted to move the building to Paris. Not finding an opportunity for this, he ordered to blow up the building, but the pouring rain extinguished the burned wicks.

Venice

It is in this Italian city that the most romantic sights of Europe are concentrated. Photos and descriptions of the legendary Venetian bridges are presented below.

The city is crossed by about 150 canals, the islands are connected by more than 400 structures. The oldest of them is the wooden Arsenal bridge, which connects two crenellated towers on opposite banks of the channel of the same name.

The most famous bridge in Venice is the Rialto, which links the banks of the great canal. For several centuries it has been made of wood. In the 16th century, the building collapsed, and then the Doge announced a competition for the construction of a stone bridge. Among others, the great architects of the Renaissance Michelangelo and Sansovino presented their projects. For three years, according to his project of the winner, Antonio de Ponte, the stone Rialto bridge with a length of 48 meters was erected.

Another symbol of Venice is the Bridge of Sighs. This is the only path that connects the Doge's Palace with the building of the former city prison. Prisoners walked along it to the cell, and those sentenced to death were led to execution. Through the two barred windows of the bridge, they saw a piece of the sky for the last time and sighing sorrowfully. Many people mistakenly believe that the bridge has nothing to do with lovers.

Palace of Versailles

Versailles is the palaces of the French kings, surrounded by lush gardens and rapid fountains. More than four centuries ago, an architectural and park ensemble was created, which is now included in the list of the most ambitious sights of Europe. Every person has seen a photo of Versailles at least once in his life. This is one of the symbols of France.

The first king to hunt in the game-rich forests of Versailles was Henry IV. His son, Louis XIII, built a modest hunting lodge on these lands in 1623. This moment is considered to be the beginning of the history of Versailles, which, perhaps, can be attributed to the main attractions of Europe.

On the site of the hunting lodge, the next French king decided to build a castle. To implement the grandiose plan, he invited the best masters. Construction began in 1661. It ended in 1682.

The scale of Versailles is still fascinating today. The length of the palace is 500 meters. The total area of ​​the ensemble is about 10 km 2. A modest hunting lodge in the woods near Paris was transformed into a lavish palace, where the luxury of a French royal palace shone.

Dancing House in Prague

Prague is a city where almost every building has become a significant part of history. Including this house located on Resslova Street and the Vltava embankment.

It is popularly called the "Dancing House" or "Ginger and Fred" - in association with Hollywood dancers of the 20th century. Indeed, the two towers, located in close proximity, made in the style of constructivism, very much resemble a pair of giants sliding along the streets of the Czech capital in an elegant dance.

The Eiffel Tower

In 1884, the French government decided to hold a world exhibition in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. At its entrance, it was planned to erect an extraordinary monument that would amaze the imagination of participants and visitors.

Employees of the Eiffel engineering firm proposed to create a metal tower 300 m high.Construction began in 1887. It provoked protests from many respected cultural figures, including the writers Guy de Maupassant and Alexander Dumas son. However, construction continued. The opening took place in March 1889.

Landmarks in Europe are those cultural heritage sites of the Earth that do not need to be advertised or argued about the importance of visiting them. Europe has always been a dream destination for many tourists. It is part of and washed by the seas of two oceans - the Atlantic and the Arctic. In addition, there are more than 40 states on the territory of Europe, in which about an eighth of the world's population lives. Therefore, various outstanding places abound here. And each of them is a separate story, life, universe. Every inhabitant has heard about these architectural masterpieces, and many of them simply break records in terms of attendance. After all, how can you not want to see the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben or the Roman Colosseum? Therefore, we will not waste time in vain, but we will go to the place where breathing stops, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, and the mind is transferred to the distant, distant past.

Western Europe and the sights of this part of the world

Travel to European capitals

The capitals of Europe are something unique: London, Paris, Stockholm, Kiev, Sofia or Prague leave unforgettable impressions in the memory of tourists. Each of these cities amazes the imagination with its grandeur, here the breath of history is felt at every step. And the sights of the capitals of Europe are unique masterpieces of architecture, rich museums and unsurpassed towers and castles. What is only one Stockholm, which is the capital of Sweden. This city attracts people with a high standard of living, beaches and monuments of history and modernity.

Arriving in Stockholm, you will not immediately understand all the sights. But you can start the tour, for example, from the Kaknastornet TV tower. It was created in 1967 and was designed by Bengt Lindros. The height of the sculpting reaches 155 meters excluding the antenna. With it, this figure will increase to 170 meters.

A visit to the ABBA Museum is also recommended. These are two places that make up the best sights of Europe today. In addition to them, there are many more objects that fall into this category, but we will only remember these. In 1974 she blew up the music world. And in 2013, a museum dedicated to the work of this group was opened on the island of Djurgården. Here are the outfits of the musicians, which visitors have the opportunity to try on themselves.

Belgian Brussels

Another city, which brings together many of the sights of foreign Europe. The heart of the capital, and indeed of the whole country, is the Grand Place. Immortal Victor Hugo called this place the most beautiful square among all European squares. And his words have a right to exist.

Grand Place in translation means "big market". There are two more equally important and remarkable masterpieces here: the King's House and Previously, there were swamps on the territory of the square. And in the XII century, on the site of these dried reservoirs, the Grand Place arose. A little later, in 1402, construction began on it.

Brussels is also famous for its Mini-Europe park, where you can see all the main attractions of Europe in just a few hours. So, on an area of ​​24 thousand meters there are 80 cities and 350 buildings. There is the Eiffel Tower, which reaches the height of a three-story building, a four-meter Big Ben, as well as miniature copies of the most memorable monuments in the European Union.

From west to east

Western Europe is not all of Eurasia yet. The famous places of this part of the European continent are no less amazing than the sights of Eastern Europe. The states of these borders include: Belarus, Moldova, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and other countries. And even if there are not so many architectural masterpieces here, all of them are of great historical value.

Take, for example, Hungary, almost the entire territory of which is saturated with natural, cultural and historical objects of planetary significance. Hungary, or as it is also called - Pannonia, in the old days served as the eastern border of the Roman Empire. The tribes of Slavs, Romans and Germans lived here. Hungarian tribes arrived only in 896. The town of Szekesfehervar is known for a museum called the Ruins of Gorzium, and Szolnok is impossible to imagine without an archaeological museum.

Attractions that everyone has heard of

There are some sights of European countries that every person on Earth knows about. These include the English Stonehenge. This monument was built in prehistoric times, and it is located in Wiltshire. This is one of the most mystical and mysterious structures. Stonehenge dates back to the Bronze Age and the Neolithic, and includes hundreds of mounds.

In Belgium, the most visited attraction is the Atomium. At the end of the 1950s, the World Exhibition took place in the capital of the country. In honor of this event, the Belgians erected a huge monument resembling nine atoms, which are combined into a crystal lattice of iron. It has been magnified 165 billion times.

The Eiffel Tower

Well, how can you describe the sights without mentioning one of the symbols of Paris - the Eiffel Tower? It is simply impossible not to recognize this structure, unless you were frozen several millennia ago, and you just woke up. The author of the object was Gustave Eiffel. He created his masterpiece in honor of the centenary of the Great French Revolution in 1789. It was decided to celebrate this date with the Paris World Exhibition. And the 360-meter metal tower became its main exhibit in the nomination for the latest technical achievements.

There are several curious cases associated with the Eiffel Tower. And here is one of them: Franz Reichel, a tailor, in order to check how his own made parachute raincoat works, jumped from a 60-meter height of the first tier of the tower. Naturally, the unfortunate man crashed to death.

Site selection

Narrow streets of medieval cities, majestic cathedrals and graceful basilicas, luxurious palaces and medieval castles, the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, shopping and beaches - this is what Europe is usually associated with among Russian tourists. But it is worth turning a little to the side, from the well-trodden tourist paths, and you can see a lot of unusual and interesting things. Correspondent website Ekaterina Trofimova chose 10 unusual sights of Europe.

Hundertwasser House. Vein.

The cheerful building with a difficult to pronounce name brings variety to the imperial buildings of the Austrian capital. The residential building, built in 1986, received the name of its creator - the ideological opponent of architectural canons. The author himself considered him his "soul" and refused the fee. Hundertwasser's multi-colored "manifesto" is practically devoid of straight lines (even the floors are hilly!), Generously saturated with decorative baubles and looks at the world with numerous windows, of different styles and sizes, through ivy and shrubs covering the roof and facade.

Karnak. France.

Everyone knows about Stonehenge. About the whole reserve of megaliths in France - very few. Meanwhile, Brittany has more than 3,000 prehistoric monumental stones, and they are much older than their English counterparts - the Karnak megaliths date back to the Neolithic era. It is not known for certain who and why brought all these stones here, but the locals will willingly tell a couple of interesting legends.

Rhonda. Spain

Lost in the mountains, the capital of the white cities of Andalusia and the birthplace of bullfighting primarily attracts tourists with the opportunity to walk along the cyclopean New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) over the deep Tagus gorge. In fact, it was new in the 18th century, connecting the two parts of the city, spread over two picturesque rocky plateaus. And today it is the main (and very photogenic) attraction, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.

Trullo. Italy

The fabulous trick houses in the Puglia region make up the whole settlement of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, these white round houses with a conical gray roof arose thanks to the ingenuity of the locals. Construction in this area was prohibited, therefore, if necessary, the trullo could be destroyed to the ground in the blink of an eye by removing only one "secret" stone. Today most of them are stylization, quite stable, but very cute.

Mont Saint Michel. France

The monastery castle on the top of a rocky island impresses with its medieval monumentality amid idyllic landscapes with sheep and cows grazing in the surrounding meadows. But the main feature lies in its unique location - in the middle of a bay with the most powerful ebb and flow in Europe. Twice a day, the water surrounds the island, leaving only the dam open, and then recedes for many kilometers, exposing the entire space between the castle and the coast.

Faroe islands. Denmark

A small archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between Scotland and Iceland - that rare corner of Europe, where tourists hardly ever set foot. The harsh northern climate is more than compensated for by the unusually beautiful nature, silence, calm and measured rhythm of life. Do not be surprised to see sheep on the roof. Grass-covered roofs are a characteristic feature of the Faroese landscape.

Pena Palace. Sintra.

From a distance, this carved fantasy palace looks like a decorated Moorish castle. In fact, this fantastic multi-colored building on a high hill appeared only in 1840 as a summer royal residence. Inside, by a miracle, the authentic atmosphere of the monarch's life has been preserved. To some, the Pena Palace seems to be the height of grace, to others - the apotheosis of bad taste, but there is definitely no other such in Europe.

Dancing House. Prague.

The most bizarre structure in the Czech capital symbolizes a dancing couple. One part of the building of a standard cylindrical shape depicts a man, to whom, in a passionate impulse, a woman in a "developing" glass dress clung to. Inside the house there are offices, on the roof - a restaurant overlooking Prague.

Minack Theater, Cornwall

The most famous theater in the UK and one of the most spectacular in the world. The main scenery here is the sea, because Minack is located on a steep cliff ledge with a delightful view of the Portcourno Bay. A local resident Rowena Cade literally laid out an amazing open-air theater with her own hands for several decades, from the 1930s until her death.

Lake Reschensee. Italy

An artificial reservoir in South Tyrol became famous for its bell tower "growing" out of the water. This is all that remains of the 14th century church, which was flooded as a result of human activity. The phenomenon is not unique, but it is remarkable for its amazing preservation, exceptional harmony with the surrounding landscapes and accessibility - in winter, the lake freezes over, and you can walk to the bell tower on the ice.

The British edition of The Telegraph was list of prominent sights of Europe that you should definitely visit at least once in your life - admire nature, touch history or just relax and change the scenery. The list also includes the tourist centers of Russia - Red Square was in 14th place, and the Hermitage - in 29th. And this is how the top 10 main European attractions look like according to The Telegraph.

Part of the national tourist road 64 connects a series of rocky islands off the coast of Norway. Already the bridges themselves are an interesting sight from an architectural point of view (especially the so-called "drunken" bridge). But the surrounding views amaze with the harsh northern beauty - the dark sea, dazzling snowy peaks, and if you're lucky, you can see whales swimming by.

9. Chenonceau Castle, Loire Department, France

The beautiful castle, located on a bridge over the river Cher, was once built by King Henry II for his favorite, Diana de Poitiers. He seemed to have left the pages of a fairy tale, and even children (it's no secret that children rarely have respect for architectural monuments) will be happy to look inside. Going to, be sure to visit France.

8. Matterhorn, Switzerland

The journey to the top of the Matterhorn is only recommended for the most experienced climbers. Therefore, it is better to enjoy the views of the majestic snowy peak from Zermatt, one of the most famous resorts in Switzerland. A pyramidal mountain with a height of 4,478 meters was subdued to man only 150 years ago and cost the pioneers four human lives.

7. Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Once Hagia Sophia was a Christian church, then, after the conquest of Constantinople, it became a mosque, and now it is a museum (although calls to prayer are still heard from the minarets several times a day). Inside the huge building, you can see the remains of glittering Byzantine mosaics and masterpieces of Arabic calligraphy.

6. Semana Santa, Spain

Semana Santa is Holy Week, the week preceding Easter. During this time, many religious processions take place in Catholic Spain. As if figures in pointed hoods that have come down to us from the depths of the Middle Ages carry platforms with figures depicting scenes from biblical history from church to church.

5. Pamukkale, Turkey

This quaint natural monument resembles a series of giant steps - stone pools filled with bright blue water. The ancient city of Hierapolis is nearby. True, admiring the miracle of nature can spoil the endless crowds of tourists: Pamukkale is one of the most visited attractions in Turkey.

4. Acropolis, Greece

Nearly three million people visit this historic site of antiquity dating back to 26 centuries every year. It is worth looking there at night when the Parthenon is bathed in golden light against the dark southern sky.

3. Sistine Chapel, Italy

Michelangelo's masterpiece of masterpieces is housed in the Apostolic Palace in Rome. The fresco depicting the Last Judgment occupies the entire wall behind the altar, and the ceiling measuring 40 by 13 meters is covered with paintings on biblical themes.

2. Cathedral of the Holy Family, Barcelona, ​​Spain

Although the construction of the cathedral, designed by Gaudí back in the late 19th century, has not yet been completed, it is a magnificent sight. And on the surrounding streets there are houses built by the same architect with candy windows, as if straight from a fairy tale.

1. Var, France

And the leader in the rating of attractions that are recommended to be seen at least once in a lifetime is a place called Var - one of the administrative units of the Provence region, France. Var is considered one of the most beautiful places in France, and there is something to see in this country. The greenish-blue waters of the Gorges du Veron, luxurious lavender fields, tiny stone houses hiding in the folds of the hilly countryside, winding roads ... And, of course, hotels and guesthouses where you can have a great lunch, admire the views, take a break from the city crowds and taste the real Provence ...

Europe is undoubtedly the continent that has the largest number of the most popular and most visited monuments in the world. In this regard, we present to your attention the best sights of Europe.

Part of the architectural complex of the famous Square of Miracles, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most important and visited attractions in Europe. Due to her attractiveness, she even "starred" in the movie "Superman". If you visit this Italian landmark, be sure to take a typical photo against its background.

Located in the city of Versailles (France), this palace is one of the most beautiful in the world. Its construction began by order of Louis XIV, and the result was an imposing and stately building, with over 800 hectares of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

The Palace of Versailles is of great artistic value. Of particular importance is the Mirror Gallery, an impressive hall that is 73 meters long and 375 mirrors. It is also the place where the First World War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. This magnificent palace is a World Heritage Site and one of the finest monuments in Europe.

Medieval Neuschwanstein Castle has been awarded the first place in the ranking of the most impressive castles in the world. In addition, it is one of the the most important and visited sights of Europe and the most photographed building in Germany, which inspired Walt Disney to create the famous Cinderella Castle.

The Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a rock in the Bavarian Alps in the Füssen region. It was built by order of the Bavarian King Ludwig II in 1866.

The Sagrada Familia is a cathedral in Barcelona, ​​a Gaudi masterpiece and the finest example of Catalan modernist architecture. Its construction began in 1882 and is still not completed today. The work done by Gaudí, i.e. the Nativity façade and crypt, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Today it is one of the most famous landmarks in Spain and Europe.

Stonehenge is a megalithic monument from the late Neolithic period (XX century BC). Located near the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire, England. It is not known for sure what it was earlier - a burial place, an observatory, etc., but one thing is for sure - Stonehenge is important landmark of Europe.

Here we want to note not only the impressive Cathedral of St. Peter - the most important temple of Catholicism and one of the most beautiful in Europe, in the construction of which such famous architects as Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno took part. But also the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican, and includes the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library, including the famous Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo.

Located in the heart of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of Germany. They were built by the architect Karl Gottgard Langgans between 1788 and 1791 during the reign of King Frederick William II of Prussia, and are modeled after the main entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. During World War II, the site was badly damaged, and the Chariot was almost completely destroyed. During the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was left in no man's land, with no East or West access. Because of its history and beauty, this gate deserves to be among the top attractions in Europe.

8. Old Town Square in Prague

The Old Town Square in Prague is one of the most charming and beautiful squares in Europe. This is the location of beautiful monuments, such as the Gothic Tyn Church with two towers over 80 meters high, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Town Hall, the façade of which is decorated with the world's most famous and beautiful medieval astronomical clock, built in 1490.

St. Basil's Cathedral is undoubtedly the most emblematic landmark in Russia and one of the most famous in Europe. This Orthodox church is located on Red Square in Moscow. Known worldwide for its colorful onion-shaped domes. Its construction was started by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in honor of the conquest of the Kazan Khanate, and lasted between 1555 and 1561. The cathedral consists of nine separate chapels dedicated to each of the saints on whose holidays Ivan the Terrible won battles.

Big Ben is the famous tower of Westminster Palace, the seat of the United Kingdom Parliament. This distinctive building, 96 meters high, built in 1858, has become the main symbol of London, and is considered the third largest clock tower in the world. The hero of countless films, Big Ben is undoubtedly one of the best in all of Europe.

For centuries, Hagia Sophia has been a symbol of the Byzantine Empire. Any traveler will remember this building forever, seeing the greatness of its dome and other parts that are visible from all over the Bosphorus. After the Ottoman conquest of the city, the cathedral turned into a mosque, and then into a museum by order of Kemal Ataturk. Today it is the most famous and photographed landmark of the city of Istanbul.

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron structure designed by Émile Nougier and Maurice Koehlen by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel for the Paris World Exhibition in 1889. The Eiffel Tower is most visited attraction in the world, and for 41 years, with its 330 meters, it was also the tallest on the planet. This is a symbol not only of Paris, but of the whole of France.

Alhambra - a palace complex with beautiful gardens built by Muslims on the hill of Granada, where the monarch of the Emirate of Granada was located. It is an architectural ensemble that includes magnificent palaces, the delightful Generalife gardens and the fortress. The beautiful Andalusian style of the interior and the location on the hill make the Alhambra one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in Europe and the world.

2. Athenian Acropolis

The Acropolis is not only considered an important monument in Europe, it was also one of the main contenders for the title of the seven new wonders of the world. It is located on a hill 156 meters above sea level in Athens. Most of the main temples of the acropolis were built under the leadership of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460-430 BC). Inside you can see the Temple of Niki Apteros and the famous Parthenon. At the end of the Acropolis there is an outstanding architectural monument, the Erechtheion.

Along with the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum is a great symbol of the city of Rome. With a history of 2,000 years and measuring 188 meters long, 156 meters wide and 57 meters high, it is the largest and oldest Roman amphitheater, and one of the best preserved. Here more than 50,000 people could enjoy gladiator fights, executions of prisoners, etc ... The theater remained active for over 500 years, until the sixth century, when the last games were held. Considering that the Roman Colosseum is considered one of the seven new wonders of the world, it deservedly takes first place in our ranking. the best sights of Europe.