Latest news with #Minoan
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Jordan News
Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday - Jordan News
اضافة اعلان Do you want a different vacation, a journey that goes beyond shopping and relaxation, and takes you to the depths of history, during which you can live moments of true magic? UNESCO recently unveiled the addition of a new collection of unique cultural sites to its World Heritage List, priceless places that store stories of glory, legends, and civilizations that continue to fascinate the world. From the banks of the Seine River in France to the mysterious forests of Jamaica, from the industrial landmarks of Germany to the legendary temples of Cambodia, here are five magical sites that are worth your next trip, because they are unforgettable human experiences, beyond being ordinary tourist destinations. The palaces of King Ludwig II in Bavaria. Germany: Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday If you think German architecture is dry and rigid, the palaces of King Ludwig II will completely change your outlook. The most famous of these is the Neuschwanstein Palace, which resembles fairy tale palaces. Built in the 19th century, the palace reflects the king's lavish taste and love of mythology and opera. The three palaces built by the king: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Hernkemsee, are now World Heritage sites. These palaces are a mixture of history, art, and royal drama, all set amidst stunning Bavarian landscapes, adding to the charm of the experience, and these magnificent buildings attract millions of people, so if you are an architecture lover interested in history and romantics, you are sure to spend a wonderful holiday in Bavaria in these three fictional palaces. The sites of the Minoan civilization in Crete. Greece: Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday Who would have imagined that the myth of the labyrinth and the monster "Minotaur" had real roots? At the Palace of Knossos near Heraklion, traces of the oldest advanced civilization in Europe (Minoan or Minoan) can be seen. Five other archaeological sites, such as Zagros and Malia, received global recognition from UNESCO this year. The maze is worth a visit because it tells the story of a thriving civilization thousands of years ago, master's in architecture and art, and had commercial contact with the cultures of the Mediterranean basin. Minoan art and culture are characterized by a clear love of nature, movement, and bright colors, which is clearly evident in the murals, pottery, and sculptures they are left behind. If you are a fan of murals that tell scenes from everyday life, religious rituals, and landscapes, and you are a fan of a sophisticated artistic sense, you will have an enjoyable journey with the heritage of the Minoan civilization. The huge stones of Karnak. France: Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday Carnac stones in Brittany are among the largest stone formations in Europe. More than 3,000 carved rocks, meticulously placed in place some 5,000 years ago. So why is it worth a visit? It offers a glimpse into a mysterious and well-organized civilization, showing how ancient humans understood nature, stars and terrestrial energy, amidst stunning French rural landscapes. Execution fields. Cambodia: Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday Not every human heritage is beautiful, some document painful chapters of human history. UNESCO has listed sites linked to the Khmer Rouge genocide, such as Tul Sleng Prison and the Choyeong-eek execution site, as a World Heritage Site as a testament to crimes committed against the Cambodian people during the seventies. Why is this visit worth it? Because remembering tragedies is a human and moral imperative. Visiting these sites reminds us of the importance of peace and the need to preserve human dignity. «Port Royal» Jamaica. A city swallowed by the sea: Palaces, legends, and tragedies. These sites are worth your visit on the earliest holiday Port Royal was one of the most corrupt and decaying cities in the world during the 17th century, until an earthquake in 1692 submerged large parts of it under water. Today, what remains of the city, above and below sea level, is part of the UNESCO list. Why is it worth visiting? It gives you a vivid glimpse into early colonial life, piracy, and maritime trade in the Caribbean, all set in a breathtaking tropical setting. Zahrat Al Khaleej - Jordan
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
A fountain of legacies
There's something about the shimmer, tinkle and graceful arc of water in motion. From ancient Minoan courts and Persian gardens to Roman aqueducts and modern plazas, fountains have been more than just ornamental - they've been sacred, social, symbolic and of late, cooling-off spots in sweltering cities. As per DW, with a history spanning almost five millennia, fountains first served practical needs. Around 2,000 BCE on Minoan Crete, water from springs was channeled through terracotta pipes into stepped basins at palaces like Knossos and Zakros. These weren't just for washing - they were integrated into religious sites for purifying rituals. In ancient Egypt, fountains often featured lion's head spouts, a motif passed down through Greco-Roman and Islamic traditions. For instance, the Court of the Lions in the 14th?century Moorish Alhambra palace in Granada Spain features a fountain consisting of 12 lion figures spouting water. Associated with strength and divine guardianship, lions symbolized protective power. Thus, a lion in mid-roar made an ideal candidate for visually striking spouts, especially at palaces or grand entryways. In traditional Islamic gardens, fountains and water features played a central role, reflecting the Quranic vision of paradise and symbolised purity, life and divine beauty. Influenced by the Moors of the Nasrid dynasty (residents of the aforementioned Alhambra) and the Persians of the Sasanian Empire, these gardens were designed to evoke spiritual bliss and harmony by integrating, among others, fountains into their layout. Symbolism and service In Europe, the Renaissance and Baroque periods transformed fountains into vehicles of spectacle and political symbolism. Leading the pack are Rome's famed fountains: Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona represents the four major rivers known during the Renaissance: the Nile (Africa), the Danube (Europe), the Ganges (Asia) and the Rio de la Plata (Americas). Commissioned by Pope Innocent X and built in 1651, it symbolised the global reach of the Catholic Church and the pope's power. Completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain has since achieved pop icon status and is now an influencer magnet, partly due to the legend that a coin tossed into it would ensure a return to the Eternal City, likely influenced by the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain. In Ottoman Istanbul, public "cesme" or fountains were donated by wealthy families as acts of charity. Often bearing poetic inscriptions, these fountains offered water freely in a hot climate and were meeting spots for the city's residents. Modern spectacles Fast forward to the 20th and 21st centuries, and some fountains have even become iconic "performers." California-based WET Design has created two such examples. The Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, opened in 1998, feature more than 1,000 fountains swaying to music and enhanced by light. The display spans more than 300 meters (around 1,000 feet) with water soaring as high as 138 meters. This audiovisual spectacle reportedly utilises water from an on-site well, and not city water systems. With 6,600 underwater lights that some claim can be seen from the International Space Station, the Dubai Fountain located on the Burj Khalifa Lake is reportedly the world's largest performing fountain. Close to 275 meters wide and shooting water 150 meters high, its waters are choreographed to sway to Arabic classics or K-pop hits. Critics have argued that fountains waste water, especially in drought-prone regions. During drought conditions, some cities turn off their decorative fountains to preserve water resources, as was the case in Milan in 2022. Facing this problem, modern designs often use recirculated water and solar-powered pumps. Research has shown that fountains can have localized cooling effects - especially when they incorporate fine sprays or mist, which increase evaporative contact with air. According to the European Climate-Adapt initiative, released in 2024, "water spray from a fountain has an even greater cooling effect due to the large contact surface between water and air, which stimulates evaporation." Similarly, Urban Green-Blue Grids states that "fountains and misting installations cool the air and skin by means of evaporation." Timeless purpose Thus as Europe - the fastest-warming continent, according to the World Meteorological Organisation - wilts under punishing heat waves, cities have been adapting their existing water features to meet modern needs. In Paris, the 19th-century Wallace fountains, scattered across the city and originally created to dispense free drinking water, were retrofitted in 2021 with misting nozzles that spring into action during strong heat. Vienna has misting arches, interactive fountains and playful water zones for kids and adults looking to cool off. Berlin is expanding its network of touchless drinking fountains, combining hygiene and hydration. In 2022, archaeologists restored a Roman imperial period fountain in Turkey's ancient city of Kibyra using over 150 original marble fragments. Turkiye Today reported in April 2025 that the fountain built in 23 CE "has begun flowing again" making Kibyra the second Turkish ancient city "to feature a restored and functioning Roman fountain." It has to be underscored, though, that fountains alone could not temper city temperatures; that would require a complete overhaul of how cities are planned. Yet the fact that urbanites are often drawn to fountains in their living spaces - whether to immerse themselves in the cool water or quench their thirst at those offering potable water - show that fountains aren't just relics of gilded eras. Their soothing relevance may see a renaissance as we face a hotter future.
DW
6 days ago
- General
- DW
From myth to mist: Fountains over the ages – DW – 07/25/2025
From historical symbols to heat relief, these charming waterworks are enjoying a renaissance of sorts as cooling-off spots in increasingly hotter cities. There's something about the shimmer, tinkle, and graceful arc of water in motion. From ancient Minoan courts and Persian gardens to Roman aqueducts and modern plazas, fountains have been more than just ornamental — they've been sacred, social, symbolic, and of late, cooling-off spots in sweltering cities. With a history spanning almost five millennia, fountains first served practical needs. Around 2,000 BCE on Minoan Crete, water from springs was channeled through terracotta pipes into stepped basins at palaces like Knossos and Zakros. These weren't just for washing — they were integrated into religious sites for purifying rituals. In ancient Egypt, fountains often featured lion's head spouts, a motif passed down through Greco-Roman and Islamic traditions. For instance, the Court of the Lions in the 14th‑century Moorish Alhambra palace in Granada Spain features a fountain consisting of 12 lion figures spouting water. Associated with strength and divine guardianship, lions symbolized protective power. Thus, a lion in mid-roar made an ideal candidate for visually striking spouts, especially at palaces or grand entryways. In traditional Islamic gardens, fountains and water features played a central role, reflecting the Quranic vision of Paradise and symbolized purity, life and divine beauty. Influenced by the Moors of the Nasrid dynasty (residents of the aforementioned Alhambra) and the Persians of the Sasanian empire, these gardens were designed to evoke spiritual bliss and harmony by integrating, among others, fountains into their layout. In Europe, the Renaissance and Baroque periods transformed fountains into vehicles of spectacle and political symbolism. Leading the pack are Rome's famed fountains: Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona represents the four major rivers known during the Renaissance: the Nile (Africa), the Danube (Europe), the Ganges (Asia) and the Río de la Plata (Americas). Commissioned by Pope Innocent X and built in 1651, it symbolized the global reach of the Catholic Church and the Pope's power. Completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain has since achieved pop icon status and is now an influencer magnet, partly due to the legend that a coin tossed into it would ensure a return to the Eternal City, likely influenced by the 1954 movie "Three Coins in the Fountain." In Ottoman Istanbul, public "cesme" or fountains were donated by wealthy families as acts of charity. Often bearing poetic inscriptions, these fountains offered water freely in a hot climate and were meeting spots for the city's residents. Fast forward to the 20th and 21st centuries, and some fountains have even become iconic "performers." California-based WET Design created two such examples. The Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, opened in 1998, feature more than 1,000 fountains swaying to music and enhanced by light. The display spans more than 300 meters (around 1,000 feet) with water soaring as high as 138 meters. This audiovisual spectacle reportedly utilizes water from an onsite well and not city water systems. With 6,600 underwater lights that some claim can be seen from the International Space Station, the Dubai Fountain located on the Burj Khalifa Lake is reportedly the world's largest performing fountain. Close to 275 meters wide and shooting water 150 meters high, its waters are choreographed to sway to Arabic classics or K-pop hits. Critics have argued that fountains waste water, especially in drought-prone regions. During drought conditions, some cities turn off their decorative fountains to preserve water resources, as was the case in Milan in 2022. Facing this problem, modern designs often use recirculated water and solar-powered pumps. Research has shown that fountains can have localized cooling effects — especially when they incorporate fine sprays or mist, which increase evaporative contact with air. According to the European Climate-Adapt initiative (2024), "water spray from a fountain has an even greater cooling effect due to the large contact surface between water and air, which stimulates evaporation." Similarly, Urban Green-Blue Grids states that "fountains and misting installations cool the air and skin by means of evaporation." Thus as Europe — the fastest-warming continent, according to the World Meteorological Organization — wilts under punishing heatwaves, cities have been adapting their existing water features to meet modern needs. In Paris, the 19th-century Wallace fountains, scattered across the city and originally created for free drinking water, were retrofitted in 2021 with misting nozzles that spring into action during strong heat. Vienna has misting arches, interactive fountains and playful water zones for kids and adults looking to cool off. Berlin is expanding its network of touchless drinking fountains, combining hygiene and hydration. In 2022, archaeologists restored a Roman imperial period fountain in Turkey's ancient city of Kibyra using over 150 original marble fragments. reported in April 2025, that the fountain built in 23 CE, "has begun flowing again" making Kibyra the second Turkish ancient city "to feature a restored and functioning Roman fountain." It has to be underscored though that fountains alone could not temper city temperatures; that would require a complete overhaul of how cities are planned. Yet the fact that urbanites are often drawn to fountains in their living spaces — whether to immerse themselves in the cool water or quench their thirst at those offering potable water — show that fountains aren't just relics of gilded eras. Their soothing relevance may see a renaissance as we are set to face a hotter future.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
These are the 26 new Unesco World Heritage sites for 2025
New additions to Unesco 's World Heritage Sites have been announced for 2025 – with 26 properties, including Bavarian palaces in Germany and a Brazilian river canyon, now featured on the list. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, better known as Unesco, inscribes world heritage properties it considers as having "outstanding universal value'. Unesco's World Heritage Committee met for its 47th meeting from 6 to 16 July 2025 in Paris, France. Of 32 nominations this year, 21 cultural, four natural and one mixed property were granted World Heritage status. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria – Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee – built between 1864 and 1886 were added to the list as they 'reflect the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era'. Unesco said that the palaces, open to the public since Ludwig died in 1886, 'showcase historicist styles and advanced 19th-century techniques' and remain 'major cultural landmarks'. Elsewhere in Europe, the Minoan Palatial Centres in Greece, Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, France, the Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia and Denmark 's Møns Klint also made the list of newcomers. The Minoan archaeological sites on Crete were found to highlight 'the complexity of the Minoans' social structure' while the Danish chalk cliffs host 'diverse flora and fauna', including the almost-threatened Large Blue butterfly. As for the rest of the world, twelve major fortifications– the Maratha Military Landscapes of India – have been granted world heritage status for their 'key role in the Marathas's rise as a major political and military force'. China's Xixia Imperial Tombs similarly featured. The nine imperial mausoleums, 271 subordinate tombs and 32 flood control structures became a 'multicultural civilisation modelled on Chinese imperial traditions' Unesco said that this property reflects the Xixia dynasty's religious and socio-political legacy. Murujuga, a landscape of ancient rocks in northwest Australia, has also been added to the list for 2025. The property holds 'profound cultural and spiritual significance, reflecting over 50,000 years of continuous care and use', according to Unesco. Newly inscribed natural properties include a series of coastal and marine ecosystems in the Bijagós Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, home to endangered Green and Leatherback turtles, and Brazil's Peruaçu River Canyon that supports over 2,000 plant and animal species. Mount Kumgang in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the only newly inscribed mixed property – cultural and natural – this year, with granite peaks and three active Buddhist temples creating a 'intangible heritage deeply intertwined with the landscape'. The 26 new sites bring the list up to 1,248 locations worldwide. Unesco's new World Heritage Sites for 2025 Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection, Cambodia Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô, Guinea-Bissau Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal, Tajikistan Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains, Cameroon Faya Palaeolandscape, United Arab Emirates Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor, Malaysia Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas, Italy Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone Maratha Military Landscapes of India, India Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, France Minoan Palatial Centres, Greece Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape, Malawi Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Australia Møns Klint, Denmark Peruaçu River Canyon, Brazil Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream, Republic of Korea Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, Iran Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave, Russian Federation Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, Türkiye The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, Jamaica The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá, Panama The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee, Germany Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé), Mexico Xixia Imperial Tombs, China
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-mon-klint-denmark-NEWUNESCO0725-f254428f4d81417baf96493f4a377305.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
15-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
UNESCO Just Added New Destinations to Its World Heritage Sites—See the Full List
There are more global wonders to explore. From Denmark to Mozambique, UNESCO recently inscribed several new global heritage sites and extended the status for two more current sites. The group detailed the news in a series of Facebook posts. The latest additions to the popular tourist list including unique sites that may be unfamiliar to even the most frequent of travelers, like Møns Klint in Denmark, which features white chalk cliffs spilling into the Baltic Sea dating back 70 million years. Travelers can explore the site's natural beauty from both land and sea, enjoying the clear water or combing the beach for ancient fossils. 'Hike along the cliffs, spot peregrine falcons, or simply take in the spectacular views," VisitDenmark's tourism website wrote about the newly-recognized World Heritage site. "It's the kind of place that Danes move to and never leave.' Another new update to the World Heritage list was the Peruaçu River Canyon in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a stunning canyon with natural flora as well as impressive rock formations. The canyon is also popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and was recognized as one of the best trails in the region by AllTrails. UNESCO also designated the Minoan Palatial Centres in Crete as a World Heritage site. The famed ruins date as far back as 1900 BC, according to the group. In the Caribbean, Jamaica's Port Royal town—a historical district dating back to the 17th century—was also added to the list. The port was home to many famous pirates back in the day, and faced a series of extreme weather and other natural disasters. "Much of the old city, described in the 17th century as the 'wickedest city in the west', lies underwater beside the town," Jamaica's tourism website shared. Sierra Leone received its first World Heritage site recognition thanks to the forests of the Gola-Tiwai Complex, which are home to "more than 1,000 plant species (113 endemic), 55 mammals (19 globally threatened), and key species like the African Forest Elephant and Pygmy Hippopotamus," according to UNESCO. The final additions included the coastal region of Guinea-Bissau—also in West Africa—and Mount Kumgang in North Korea. UNESCO's goal is to promote "quality education and lifelong learning for all to build a better future." The group regularly updates and maintains its World Heritage list. Beyond the new additions, popular locations on the list include the Taj Mahal, Yosemite National Park, and the Pyramid Fields in Egypt. In total, there are 1,248 designated World Heritage sites.
