Europe
1. Graz (Austria)
Graz Austria pano from Schlossberg [ Photo by Matthew Field / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]
Grazis the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria. It has a population of 291,574 as of 2009 (of which 255,354 have principal residence status). Graz has a long tradition as a student city: its six universities have more than 44,000 students. Graz's "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. Graz was sole Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003. The city is situated on the Mur river, in the southeast of Austria. It is approximately 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Vienna or 2.5 hours by train / 2 hours by car. The nearest larger urban center is Maribor in Slovenia which is about 50 km (31 mi) away. Graz is the capital and largest city in Styria, a green and heavily forested area. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
2. Salzburg (Austria)
A panorama of 4 images stitched together, showing the city of Salzburg from the top of the fortress. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Salzburg (Austro-Bavarian: Såizburg; literally: "Salt Fortress") is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting. It is the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, the city was the setting for parts of the musical and film The Sound of Music, which also features famous landmarks in Austria. With three universities, Salzburg is filled with the liveliness of a large student population. Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
3. Bruges (Belgium)
Bruges, View from the belfry, [ Photo by Donar Reiskoffer / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Brugesis the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time it was the "chief commercial city" of the world. Bruges is also home to the College of Europe. Such wealth gave rise to social upheavals, which were for the most part harshly contained. In 1302, however, after the Bruges Matins (the nocturnal massacre of the French garrison in Bruges by the members of the local Flemish militia on 18 May 1302), the population joined forces with the Count of Flanders against the French, culminating in the victory at the Battle of the Golden Spurs, fought near Kortrijk on July 11. The statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, the leaders of the uprising, can still be seen on the Big Market square. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
4. Dinant (Belgium)
Dinant (Belgium), the citadel, the Notre-Dame collegiate church and the Meuse. [ Photo by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 2.0 ]Dinant is a Walloon city and municipality located on the River Meuse in the Belgian province of Namur, Belgium. The Dinant municipality includes the old communes of Anseremme, Bouvignes-sur-Meuse, Dréhance, Falmagne, Falmignoul, Foy-Notre-Dame, Furfooz, Lisogne, Sorinnes, and Thynes. The Dinant area was already populated in Neolithic, Celtic, and Roman times. The first mention of Dinant as a settlement dates from the 7th century, a time at which Saint Perpete, bishop of Tongeren (with see now at Maastricht), took Dinant as his residence and founded the church of Saint Vincent. In 870, Charles the Bald gave part of Dinant to be administered by the Count of Namur, the other part by the bishop of Tongeren, then Liège. In the 11th century, the emperor Henry IV granted several rights over Dinant to the Prince-Bishop of Liège, including market and justice rights. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
5. Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Mostar Old Town Panorama 2007 [ Photo by Ramirez / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the biggest and the most important city in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after "the bridge keepers" (natively: mostari) who kept the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over Neretva river. During the Ottoman era, the Old Bridge was built and became one of the symbols of Mostar. The names of two towns appear in medieval historical sources, along with their later medieval territories and properties – the towns of Nebojša and Cimski grad. In the early 15th century the late medieval župa (county) of Večenike covered the site of present-day Mostar along the right bank of the Neretva: Zahum, Cim, Ilići, Hraštani and Vojno. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
6. Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria [ Photo by Nikola Gruev / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Велико Търново, sometimes transliterated as Veliko Turnovo) is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria, having a history of more than 5 millennia, as the first traces of human presence dating from the 3rd millennium BC are on Trapezitsa Hill. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
7. Hvar (Croatia)
View of the city of Hvar from the castle [ Photo by Ulrich Prokop Herbst / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Hvar is a city and port on the island of Hvar, part of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The municipality has a population of 4,138 (2001) while the city itself is inhabited by 3,672 people, making it the largest settlement on the island of Hvar. It is situated on a bay in the south coast of the island, opposite from the other nearby towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa. Hvar Town is encircled on its land-side by protective walls, and overlooked by two massive fortresses set on the hills above. The fortifications were commissioned by the Venetians in 1278, to create a safe haven for their fleet, and have been expanded in the centuries since. Within the walls, the public buildings and palaces combine Venetian architectural style, with a distinct local flavour in materials and workmanship. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
8. Poreč (Croatia)
Poreč – panorama from the Euphrasian Basilica, Croatia [ Photo by Sl-Ziga / public domain ]Poreč (Italian: Parenzo; Latin: Parens or Parentium; archaic German: Parenz; Ancient Greek: Pàrenthos, Παρενθος) is a town and municipality on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, in Istria County, Croatia. Its major landmark is the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Poreč is almost 2,000 years old, and is set around a harbor protected from the sea by the small island of Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas). The town's population of approximately 12,000 resides mostly on the outskirts, while the wider Poreč area has a population of approximately 17,000 inhabitants. The municipal area covers 142 km², with the 37 km long shoreline stretching from the Mirna River near Novigrad to Funtana and Vrsar in the south. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
9. Rovinj (Croatia)
View to Rovinj from Campanile of Sv. Eufemija church. (Croatia) [ Photo by László Szalai (Beyond silence) / public domain ]Rovinj (Istriot: Ruvèigno or Ruveîgno; Italian: Rovigno) is a city in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 13,562 (2007). It is located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula and is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port. Istriot, a Romance language once widely spoken in this part of Istria, is still spoken by part of the residents (also called Rovignese by those who speak it here). There is a centre of History Research which is an institution of the Council of Europe. Rovinj is one of nine towns in Istrian County. The climate is Mediterranean. The average temperature is 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) in January and 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) in July. The average annual temperature is 16 °C (60.8 °F). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
10. Trogir (Croatia)
Trogir (Croatia) skyline. [ Photo by SelfQ / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Trogir (Italian & Dalmatian: Traù, Latin: Tragurium, Greek: Τρογκίρ, Trogkir, Hungarian: Trau) is a historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, with a population of 12,995 (2001) and a total municipality population of 13,322 (2001). The historic city of Trogir is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Čiovo. It lies 27 kilometres west of the city of Split. In the 3rd century BC, Tragurion was founded by Greek colonists from the island of Vis, and it developed into a major port until the Roman period. The sudden prosperity of Salona deprived Trogir of its importance. During the migration of Slavs the citizens of the destroyed Salona escaped to Trogir. From the 9th century on, Trogir paid tribute to Croatian rulers. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
11. Zadar (Croatia)
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Zadar faces the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, from which it is separated by the narrow Zadar Strait. The promontory on which the old city stands used to be separated from the mainland by a deep moat which has since become a landfill. The harbor, to the north-east of the town, is safe and spacious. Zadar is the seat of a Catholic archbishop. The people of Zadar, the Iadasinoi were first mentioned in 384 BC as the allies of the Hvar indigenes and the leaders of an eastern Adriatic coast coalition in fight against the Greek colonizers. An expedition of 10.000 men in 300 ships sailed out from Zadar and laid siege of Greek colony Pharos in the island of Hvar, but the Syracusan fleet of Dionysus was informed and attacked the siege fleet. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
12. Český Krumlov (Czech Republic)
Cesky Krumlov [ Photo by Rubel / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Český Krumlov; German: Krummau an der Moldau or Böhmisch Krummau; Krumau variant is used sometimes; Latin: Crumlaw) is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district. The city is named Český Krumlov ("Bohemian Krumlov") to differentiate it from Moravský Krumlov ("Moravian Krumlov") in the southeast of the country. Construction of the town and castle began in the late 13th century at a ford in the Vltava River, which was important in trade routes in Bohemia. In 1302 the town and castle were owned by the House of Rosenberg. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
13. Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
Panoramic photo of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. [ Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Karlovy Vary; German: Karlsbad, also known in English as Carlsbad) is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately 130 km (80.78 miles) west of Prague. It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370. It is historically famous for its hot springs (13 main springs, about 300 smaller springs, and the warm-water Teplá River). In the 19th century, it became a popular tourist destination, especially for international celebrities visiting for spa treatment. The city is also known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the popular Czech liqueur Karlovarská Becherovka. The glass manufacturer Moser Glass is located in Carlsbad. The city has also given its name to the famous delicacy known as "Carlsbad plums". (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
14. Ambleside (England)
The main road (Rydal Rd) through Ambleside in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Ambleside is a town in Cumbria, in North West England. Historically within the county of Westmorland, it is situated at the head of Windermere, England's largest lake. The town is within the Lake District National Park. Steamers (in reality diesel-powered ferries) run to Bowness-on-Windermere and Lakeside offering fine views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Ambleside is a base for hiking, mountaineering and mountain biking. It has a selection of shops, hotels, guest houses, pubs and restaurants. In 1650 the town was granted a charter to hold a market and later, in the reign of James II, another charter was granted for the town to collect tolls. Ambleside is administered by South Lakeland District Council and forms part of the Lakes civil parish but from 1894 to 1935 it was a separate urban district council. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
15. Chipping Campden (England)
Chipping Campden is a small market town within the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 17th century. ("Chipping" is from Old English cēping, "a market, a market-place"; the same element is found in other towns such as Chipping Norton, Chipping Sodbury and Chipping (now High) Wycombe.) A rich wool trading centre in the Middle Ages, Chipping Campden enjoyed the patronage of wealthy wool merchants (see also wool church). Today it is a popular Cotswold tourist destination with old inns, hotels, specialist shops and restaurants. The High Street is lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings, built from the mellow locally quarried oolitic limestone known as Cotswold stone, and boasts a wealth of fine vernacular architecture. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
16. Clovelly (England)
Clovelly is a village on the north Devon coast, England, about twelve miles west of Bideford. It is a major tourist attraction, famous for its history and beauty, its extremely steep car-free cobbled main street, donkeys, and its location looking out over the Bristol Channel. [ Photo by Smtunli / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Clovelly is a village on the North Devon coast, England, about 12 miles west of Bideford. It is a major tourist attraction, famous for its history and beauty, its extremely steep car-free cobbled main street, donkeys, and its location looking out over the Bristol Channel. Thick woods shelter it and render the climate so mild that even tender plants flourish. As of the 2001 Census, Clovelly had a total population of 1,616. The village itself is not accessible by motor vehicle and space at the harbour is extremely limited. Visitors usually park in a municipal car park above the town, at the end of the B3237 road; service buses make calls at the car park also. There is a visitor centre (consisting of a barrier to the village, a cafe and gift and guidebook shop) at the car park and a number of tourist-oriented shop units. Visitors can enter the village through the visitor centre. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
17. Painswick (England)
Painswick, Gloucestershire from Longridge [ Photo by Jongleur100 / public domain ]Painswick is a small town in Gloucestershire, England. Originally the town grew on the wool trade, but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees and the local Rococo Garden. The town is mainly constructed of locally quarried Cotswold stone. Many of the buildings feature south-facing attic rooms once used as weavers' workshops. Geographically Painswick is situated on a hill in the Stroud district, overlooking the Stroud valleys. Its narrow streets and traditional architecture make it the epitome of an English village. There is a golf course near Painswick Beacon. There is evidence of settlement in the area as long ago as the Iron Age. This can be seen in the defensive earthworks atop nearby Painswick Beacon, which has wide views across the Severn Vale. The local monastery, Prinknash Abbey, was established as long ago as the 11th century. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
18. Salisbury (England)
Salisbury street, Wiltshire, England [ Photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Salisburyis a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England. It has also been called New Sarum to distinguish it from the original site of settlement to the north of the city at Old Sarum, but this alternative name is not in common use. Similarly, a native of Salisbury may be known as a "Sarumite", but this term is also not commonly used. In 1990 Salisbury was twinned with Saintes in France, in 2006 with Xanten in Germany, and then in 2008 with the American cities of Salisbury, North Carolina and Salisbury, Maryland. The cathedral is built on a gravel bed with unusually shallow foundations of 18 inches (46 cm) upon wooden faggots: the site is supposed to have been selected by shooting an arrow from Old Sarum, although this can only be legend as the distance is over 3 kilometres (1.9 mi). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
19. Winchester (England)
Winchester, Hampshire from St Giles' Hill [ Photo by Christophe.Finot / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Winchester is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. It lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of the River Itchen. At the time of the 2001 Census, Winchester had a population of 41,420. Settlement in the area dates back to pre-Roman times, with an Iron Age enclosure or valley fort, Oram's Arbour, on the western side of the present-day city. After the Roman conquest of Britain the civitas, then named Venta Belgarum or "Market of the Belgae", was of considerable importance. Winchester Cathedral, the longest cathedral in Europe, was originally built in 1079. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
20. York (England)
The Shambles, a street in York, England. [ Photo by Daveahern / public domain ]York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The toponymy of Eboracum is uncertain because the language of the pre-Roman indigenous population of the area was never recorded. These people are thought to have spoken a Celtic language, related to modern Welsh. Therefore, it is thought that Eboracum is derived from the Brythonic word Eborakon meaning either "place of the yew trees" (cf. yew = efrog in Welsh, eabhrac in Irish Gaelic and eabhraig in Scottish Gaelic, by which names the city is known in those languages) or perhaps "field of Eboras". The Emperors Hadrian, Septimius Severus and Constantius I all held court in York during their various campaigns. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
21. Bayeux (France)
Near the Centre Guillaume le Conquérant [ Photo by Michael Shade / public domain ]Bayeux is located seven kilometres from the coast of La Manche (English Channel) and 30 km north-west of Caen. The city, with elevations varying from 32 to 67 meters above sea level – with an average of 46 meters above sea level – is bisected by the river Aure. Bayeux is located at the crossroads of RN 13 and the train route Paris-Caen-Cherbourg. The city is the capital of the Bessin, which extends north-west of Calvados. The city was known as Augustodurum in the Roman Empire. It means the durum (Celtic word duro- 'door', 'gate', Welsh dor, Breton dor 'door', 'gate') dedicated to Augustus, Roman Emperor. The Celtic word duron, latinized in durum was probably used to translate the Latin word forum (Compare Fréjus Forum Julii, dedicated to Julius (Caesar)). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
22. Collioure (France)
Collioure [ Photo by david.nikonvscanon / CC BY 2.0 ]Collioure AOC is also the name of a fine full-bodied red wine made of grenache and mourvedre grapes, produced here in one of the smallest AOC vineyards in France. The ancient terraced vines in the hills behind the town also provide tiny sunbaked grapes for the famous Banyuls (Banyuls AOC) aperitif and desert wine. As the town has a strong Catalan culture, its own motto has been adopted by one of the local Catalan rugby team (USA Perpignan, France): Sempre endavant, mai morirem (Always forward, We'll never die). Under Michel Moly's leadership, the town has an alternative motto, Collioure sera toujours Collioure (Collioure shall always be Collioure) quoting French singer Maurice Chevalier's famous song titled Paris sera toujours Paris. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
23. Colmar (France)
Old houses at the square next to the Koifhus in Colmar. [ Photo by Gryffindor / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]In 2006, the city of Colmar had a population of 65,713 and the metropolitan area of Colmar had a population of 120,367. Colmar is the center of the arrondissement of Colmar, which has 144,700 inhabitants in 2006. Colmar is the home town of the painter and engraver Martin Schongauer and the sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. The city is renowned for its well preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks and its museums, among which the Unterlinden Museum. Colmar was founded in the 9th century. This was the location where Charles the Fat held a diet in 884. Colmar was granted the status of a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1226. During the Thirty Years' War, the city was taken by the armies of Sweden in 1632, who held it for two years. The city was conquered by France under Louis XIV in 1697. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
24. Èze (France)
French village of Eze from the Grand Corniche. [ Photo by Jimi magic / public domain ]The area surrounding Èze was first populated around 2000 BC as a commune situated near Mount Bastide. The earliest occurrence of the name "Èze" can be found in the maritime books of Antonin as a bay called the St. Laurent of Èze. The area was subsequently occupied by not only the Romans but also the Moors who held the area for approximately 80 years until they were driven out by William of Provence in 973. By 1388 Èze fell under the jurisdiction of the House of Savoy, who built up the town as a fortified stronghold because of its proximity to Nice. The history of Èze became turbulant several times in the next few centuries as French and Turkish troops seized the village under orders from Barbarossa in 1543, and Louis the XIV destroyed the walls surrounding the city in 1706 in the war of succession of Spain. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
25. Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany)
Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the mountains Alpspitze, Zugspitze and Daniel in the background [ Photo by PatrickScales / CC BY 3.0 ]Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a resort town in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Oberbayern region, not far from the border with Austria. Partenkirchen originated as the Roman town of Partanum on the trade route from Venice to Augsburg and is first mentioned in the year A.D. 15. Its main street, Ludwigsstrasse, follows the original Roman road. Garmisch is first mentioned some 800 years later as Germaneskau ("German District"), suggesting that at some point a Teutonic tribe took up settlement in the western end of the valley. The valley came under the rule of the Bishop of Freising and was governed by a bishop's representative known as a Pfleger (caretaker or warden) from Werdenfels Castle on a cliff north of Garmisch. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
26. Heidelberg (Germany)
View of Heidelberg with the Heidelberg Castle on hill and the Old Bridge over river Neckar [ Photo by Christian Bienia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Heidelberg is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. As of 2008, over 145,000 people live within the city's 109 square kilometres (42 sq mi) area. Heidelberg is a unitary authority. The Rhein-Neckar-Kreis rural district surrounds and has its seat in the city, but the city is not a part of the district. Heidelberg lies on the river Neckar at the point where it leaves its narrow, steep valley in the Odenwald to flow into the Rhine valley. 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Heidelberg, it joins the river Rhine at Mannheim. Heidelberg is part of a densely populated region known as the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of worship were built on the Heiligenberg, or "Mountain of Saints". Both places can still be identified. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
27. Meissen (Germany)
Meißen: Burgberg mit Albrechtsburg und Dom [ Photo by Leander Wattig / CC BY 2.0 ]Meissen (in German orthography: Meißen; Sorbian: Mišno; Latin: Misena, Misnia, Misnensium) is a town of approximately 30,000 about 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Dresden on both banks of the Elbe river in the Free State of Saxony, in eastern Germany. Meissen is the home of Meissen porcelain, the Albrechtsburg castle, the Gothic Meissen Cathedral and the Meissen Frauenkirche. The Große Kreisstadt is the capital of the Meissen district. Meissen is sometimes known as the "cradle of Saxony". The city grew out of the early Slavic settlement of Misni inhabited by the Glomacze tribe and was founded as a German town by King Henry the Fowler in 929. In 968, the Diocese of Meissen was founded, and Meissen became the episcopal see of a bishop. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
28. Passau (Germany)
Passau, Innpromenade [ Photo by Aconcagua / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Passau (Latin: Batavis or Batavia, also Passavium; Italian: Passavia; Czech: Pasov, Slovene: Pasav ) is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany, known also as the Dreiflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers), because the Danube is joined there by the Inn from the South, and the Ilz coming out of the Bavarian Forest to the North. Its population is 50,415, of whom about 10,000 are students at the local University of Passau. The university, founded in the late 1970s, is the extension of the Institute for Catholic Studies (Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät) founded in 1622. It is renowned in Germany for its institutes of Economics, Law, Theology, Computer Sciences and Cultural Science. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
29. Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Germany)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the place is called Plönlein a former marketplace, on the left side the Siebers-gate on the right the Kobolzeller-gate. [ Photo by Berthold Werner / public domain ]Rothenburg ob der Tauberis a town in the district of Ansbach of Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia), the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany, well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City. A significant fraction of Rothenburg is car-free. The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" means, in German, "Red fortress above the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber river. As to the name "Rothenburg", some say it comes from the German words Rot (Red) and Burg (burg, medieval fortified town), referring to the red colour of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river. The name may also refer to the process of retting ("rotten" in German) flax for linen production. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
30. Zwickau (Germany)
the main market (Hauptmarkt) of Zwickau (Saxony, Germany). [ Photo by André Karwath aka / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Zwickau/Saxonyin Germany, former seat of the government from south-western region at Free State of Saxony, belongs to an industrial and economical core region. Nowadays it is the capital city of country district Zwickau. The city is situated in a valley at the foot of Erzgebirge and also part of the so called Saxon triangle metropolitan area, a network of economical relations with Leipzig-Halle, Dresden. The city counts slightly below 100,000 inhabitants, has a regional catchment for over 480,000 people. Zwickau, also known as city of Automobiles and Robert Schumann, is the cradle of Saxon automotive industry with an over one hundred years old tradition. The city has a long and glorious history in automotive development and in automobile industry along with Auto Union. Well known over Germanys border are trademarks as Horch, Audi, Sachsenring and Volkswagen. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
31. Lindos (Greece)
Lindos in Rhodos. [ Photo by Böhringer Friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Lindos (in Greek: Λίνδος) is a town and an archaeological site on the east coast of the Greek island of Rhodes, in the Dodecanese in southeastern Aegean Sea. It is about 55 km south of the town of Rhodes and its fine beaches make it a popular tourist and holiday destination. Lindos is situated in a large bay and faces the fishing village and small resort of Haraki. Above the modern town rises the acropolis of Lindos, a natural citadel which was fortified successively by the Greeks, by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans. This makes the site difficult to excavate and interpret archaeologically. The acropolis offers spectacular views of the surrounding harbours and coastline. Lindos was founded by the Dorians led by the king Tlepolemus of Rhodes, who arrived in about the 10th century BC. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
32. Mykonos (Greece)
Mykonos, little venice [ Photo by sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Mykonos (Greek: Μύκονος) is a Greek island and a top tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 105.183 km2 (41 sq mi) and rises at an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. The island is composed primarily of granite. It has little natural fresh water and relies on the desalination of sea water in order to meet its needs. There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a common denomination in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town), which lies on the west coast. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
33. Eger (Hungary)
Eger [ Photo by uzo19 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Eger (German: Erlau) is a city in northern Hungary, the county seat of Heves, east of the Mátra Mountains. Eger is best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings (including the northernmost Turkish minaret), and red and white wines. Eger has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Today's Eger was formed in the 10th century by St. Stephen (997–1038), the first Christian king of Hungary, who founded an episcopal see in Eger. The first cathedral of Eger was built on Castle Hill, within the present site of Eger Castle. Eger grew up around its former cathedral and has remained an important religious centre in Hungary since its foundation. The 14th-16th centuries were an age of prosperity for Eger. Winegrowing, for which the town is still famous for, began to be important around that time. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
34. Dingle (Ireland)
Dingle Ireland [ Photo by Riss Hamer0 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Dingle (Irish: An Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis, meaning Fort or "O'Cuis' Fort") is a town in County Kerry in Ireland on the Atlantic coast approximately 49 kilometres (30 mi) south-west of Tralee and 71 kilometres (40 mi) north-west of Killarney. The only town on the Dingle Peninsula, it is situated on a natural harbour below Slievanea mountain. Principal industries in the town are tourism, fishing and agriculture: Dingle Mart (livestock market) serves the surrounding countryside. In 2006 Dingle had a population of 1,920. Dingle is situated in a Gaeltacht region. The town was developed as a port following the Norman invasion of Ireland. By the thirteenth century more goods were being exported through Dingle than Limerick, and in 1257 an ordinance of Henry III imposed customs on the port's exports. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
35. Cinque Terre (Italy)
Italy.Cinque.Terre.Manarola [ Photo by Casey Muller / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre is noted for its beauty. Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible "modern" development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside. It is a very popular tourist destination. In 1998 the Italian Ministry for the Environment set up the Protected natural marine area Cinque Terre to protect the natural environment and to promote socio-economical development compatible with the natural landscape of the area. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
36. Lucca (Italy)
panorama of the Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca, Italy. [ Photo by H005 / public domain ]Lucca listen is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plain near (but not on) the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca. Among other reasons, it is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans (there are traces of a pre-existing Ligurian settlement) and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The rectangular grid of its historical centre preserves the Roman street plan, and the Piazza San Michele occupies the site of the ancient forum. Traces of the amphitheatre can still be seen in the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. Lucca was the site of a conference in 56 BC which reaffirmed the superiority of the Roman First Triumvirate. Frediano, an Irish monk, was bishop of Lucca in the early 5th century. At one point, Lucca was plundered by Odoacer, the first Germanic King of Italy. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
37. Portofino (Italy)
Panorama of Portofino [ Photo by Andi Buchner / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Portofino (Ligurian: Portofin) is a small Italian fishing village, comune and tourist resort located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. The town crowded round its small harbour is considered to be among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports. According to Pliny the Elder, Portofino was founded by the Romans and named Portus Delphini, or Port of the Dolphin, because of the large number of dolphins that inhabited the Tigullian Gulf. The village is mentioned in a diploma from 986 by Adelaide of Italy, which assigned it to the nearby Abbey of San Fruttoso di Capodimonte. In 1171, together with the neighbouring Santa Margherita Ligure, it was included in Rapallo's commune jurisdiction. After 1229 it was part of the Republic of Genoa. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
38. Positano (Italy)
View from the roadway that leads down and into the town of Positano in Campania, Italy. [ Photo by Matt c j486 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Positano is a small town and comune on the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), in Campania, Italy. The main part of the city sits in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast. Positano was a port of the Amalfi Republic in medieval times, and prospered in the 16th and 17th centuries. But by the mid-19th century, the town had fallen on hard times. More than half the population emigrated, mostly to Australia. Positano's roads were made also made into a fictional racing track and imported into the driving simulator Forza Motorsport 3 by Turn 10 Positano was a relatively poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century. It began to attract large numbers of tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in May, 1953: "Positano bites deep", Steinbeck wrote. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
39. San Gimignano (Italy)
San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy. Panorama seen eastward, from the top of the tower of the Palazzo del Popolo. [ Photo by Tango7174 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the town. San Gimignano was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. Historical records begin in the 10th century, when it adopted the name of the bishop Saint Geminianus, who had defended it from Attila's Huns. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena. The city's development also was improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills. In 1199, during the period of its highest splendour, the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
40. Siena (Italy)
Piazza del Campo in Siena [ Photo by Massimo Catarinella / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 169,000 international arrivals in 2008. Siena is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the palio. Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900 BC to 400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. The Etruscans were an advanced people who changed the face of central Italy through their use of irrigation to reclaim previously unfarmable land, and their custom of building their settlements in well-defended hill-forts. A Roman town called Saena Julia was founded at the site in the time of the Emperor Augustus. The first document mentioning it dates from AD 70. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
41. Vilnius Old Town (Lithuania)
Panorama of Vilnius (Lithuania). [ Photo by Jan Mehlich / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Old Town of Vilnius (Lithuanian: Vilniaus senamiestis), one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe, has an area of 3.59 square kilometres (887 acres). It encompasses 74 quarters, with 70 streets and lanes numbering 1487 buildings with a total floor area of 1,497,000 square meters. The oldest part of the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, it has developed over the course of many centuries, and has been shaped by the city's history and a constantly changing cultural influence. It is a place where some of Europe's greatest architectural styles – gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical – stand side by side and complement each other. Pilies Street is the Old Town's main artery and the hub of cafe and street market life. The main street of Vilnius, Gediminas Avenue, is partially located in the Old Town. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
42. Luxembourg (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg City straddles several valleys and outcrops, making the city's layout more complicated. [ Photo by Streppel / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The city of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg, German: Luxemburg), also known as Luxembourg City (Luxembourgish: Stad Lëtzebuerg, French: Ville de Luxembourg, German: Luxemburg Stadt), is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg. The city contains the historic Luxembourg Castle, established by the Franks in the Early Middle Ages, around which a settlement developed. Luxembourg City lies at the heart of Western Europe, situated 188 km (117 miles) from Brussels, 289 km (179.58 mi) from Paris, 190 km (118.06 mi) from Cologne. In 987 Egbert, Archbishop of Trier blessed five altars in the Church of the Redemption (today St. Michael's Church). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
43. Kotor (Montenegro)
Kotor, Montenegro [ Photo by Michal Krumnikl / GNU ]Kotor (Montenegrin: Котор / Kotor; Latin: Acruvium; Greek: Ασκρηβιον, Askrèvion; Italian: Cattaro) is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a most secluded part of Gulf of Kotor. The town has a population of 13,510, and is the administrative center of the Kotor municipality. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor, surrounded by an impressive city wall built by Republic of Venice and the Venetian influence remains dominant among the architectural influences. The Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe (though it is actually a submerged river canyon). With the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen one of the great Mediterranean landscapes is created. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
44. Delft (Netherlands)
A typical view from the Centre of Delft, The Netherlands. [ Photo by Jens Buurgaard Nielsen / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Delft) is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland (Zuid-Holland), the Netherlands. It is located in between Rotterdam and The Hague. Delft is primarily known for its typically Dutch town centre (with canals); also for the painter Vermeer, Delft Blue pottery (Delftware), the Delft University of Technology, and its association with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. The city dates from the 13th century. It received its charter in 1246. For its development from a rural village in the early Middle Ages to a city in the 13th century see the article "Gracht", section "Delft as an example". The association of the House of Orange with Delft began when William of Orange (Willem van Oranje), nicknamed William the Silent (Willem de Zwijger), took up residence in 1572. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
45. Haarlem (Netherlands)
View of the Haarlem weigh house on the Spaarne river. Behind it is the white tower of the Bakenesserkerk and to the right of that the dome behind the entrance to the Teylers Museum. [ Photo by Jane023 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Haarlem), in the past usually Harlem in English, is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is also the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic. Haarlem lies in the northern part of the Randstad, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in Europe. Haarlem had a total population of 148,885 in 2009. The municipality of Haarlem also comprises part of the village of Spaarndam, a newer housing estate of this village forms part of the neighbouring municipality of Haarlemmerliede en Spaarnwoude. The city is located on the river Spaarne, about 20 km west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. It has been the historical center of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries and bears the nickname 'Bloemenstad' (flower city), for this reason. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
46. Hindeloopen (Netherlands)
Hindeloopen – Gracht [ Photo by S.Möller / public domain ]Hindeloopen (West Frisian: Hylpen; Hindeloopen Frisian: Hynljippen) is an old city on the North of the Netherlands on the IJsselmeer. It lies within the municipality of Nijefurd. It is famous because of the Hindeloopen art and hindeloopen costume. Hindeloopen received city rights in 1225 and in 1368 it became a member of the Hanseatic-league. Since the 12th and 13th century, shippers of Hindeloopen undertook journeys to the North and Baltic Sea Coasts. The strong overseas connections with foreign countries and infrequent contact with the hinterland were probably the reasons for the developing of the Hindeloopen language; a mixture of West Frisian, English, Danish, and Norwegian. The shipping trade brought the population of Hindeloopen a great prosperity. The 17th and 18th century were especially golden times. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
47. Volendam (Netherlands)
Harbour of Volendam, the Netherlands. [ Photo by Eugene van der Pijll / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Originally, Volendam was the location of the harbor of the nearby Edam, which was situated at the mouth of the river IJ. In 1357, the inhabitants of Edam dug a shorter canal to the Zuiderzee with its own separate harbor. This removed the need for the original harbor, which was then dammed and used for land reclamation. Farmers and local fishermen settled there, forming the new community of Vollendam, which literally meant something like 'Filled dam'. In the early part of the 20th century it became something of an artists' retreat, with both Picasso and Renoir spending time here. The majority of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, which is deeply connected to the village culture. Historically, many missionaries and bishops grew up in Volendam. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
48. Bergen (Norway)
The old Brygge buildings in Bergen, Norway (artificial background) [ Photo by Gerd A.T. Mueller / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Bergen) is the second largest city in Norway and the largest in Western Norway, with a population of 256,580 as of 1 January 2010 (2010 -01-01)[update]. Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, which includes rural areas, has a population of 377,116 as of January 2010. In 1916, parts of the city centre were destroyed by a devastating fire, the last of many such fires throughout the city's history. During World War II, Bergen was occupied on the first day of the German invasion on 9 April 1940, after a brief fight between German ships and the Norwegian coastal artillery. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
49. Kraków Old Town (Poland)
Kraków (Poland), Market square seen from tower of St. Mary church: Cloth Hall, Town Hall tower and St. Adalbert church. [ Photo by Pko / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Kraków Old Town is the central, historic district of Kraków, Poland. It is the most prominent example of an Old Town in the country, because for many centuries, Kraków was the royal capital of Poland, until Sigismund III Vasa relocated the court to Warsaw in 1596. Kraków's historic center was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1978. In the 19th century most of the Old Town fortifications were demolished. The moat encircling the walls was filled in and turned into a green belt known as Planty Park. The first mention of Kraków dates back to the second half of the 9th century. By the end of 10th century the city was incorporated into the Polish state under the rule of Piast dynasty. The episcopal bishopric was awarded to Kraków in 1000 and around that time, it became the residence of Polish kings for centuries to come. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
50. Toruń (Poland)
Toruń, panoramic view from left bank of Vistula. [ Photo by Pko / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Toruń is a city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River, with population over 205,934 as of June 2009, making it the second-largest city of Kujawy-Pomerania Province, after Bydgoszcz. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997 it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site. The first settlement in the vicinity is dated by archaeologists to 1100 BCE (Lusatian culture). During medieval times, in the 7th-13th centuries, it was the location of an old Polish settlement, at a ford in the river. The Teutonic Knights built a castle in the vicinity of the Polish settlement in the years 1230-31. On 28 December 1233, the Teutonic Knights Hermann von Salza and Hermann Balk signed the foundation charters for Thorn and Chełmno. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
51. Zamość (Poland)
Zamość – City Hall and Main Square [ Photo by Maciej Ukleja / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Zamość (Yiddish: זאמאשטש, Zamoshtch) is a town in southeastern Poland with 66,633 inhabitants (2004), situated in the Lublin Voivodeship (since 1999). About 20 kilometres from the town is the Roztocze National Park. Zamość was founded in the year 1580 by the Chancellor and Hetman (head of the army of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) Jan Zamoyski, on the trade route linking western and northern Europe with the Black Sea. Modelled on Italian trading cities, and built during the Baroque period by the architect Bernardo Morando, a native of Padua, Zamość remains a perfect example of a Renaissance town of the late 16th century, which retains its original layout and fortifications (Zamość Fortress), and a large number of buildings blending Italian and central European architectural traditions. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
52. Sighişoara (Romania)
Sighişoara [ Photo by Valimare / public domain ]Sighişoarais a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 32,287 (2002). During the 12th century, German craftsmen and merchants known as the Transylvanian Saxons were invited to Transylvania by the King of Hungary to settle and defend the frontier of his realm. The chronicler Krauss lists a Saxon settlement in the actual Sighiṣoara by 1191. By 1280 it was known by the Latin name of Castrum Sex, and by 1298 by the Saxon name of Schespurch resp. Schaesbrich. By 1337 Sighişoara had become a royal center for the kings, who awarded the settlement urban status in 1367 as the Civitas de Segusvar. The city played an important strategic and commercial role at the edges of Central Europe for several centuries. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
53. North Berwick (Scotland)
North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland [ Photo by Achromatic / CC BY 3.0 ]The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is a seaside town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. North Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the 19th century because of its two sandy bays, the East (or Milsey) Bay and the West Bay, and continues to attract holiday makers to this day. Golf courses at the ends of each bay are open to visitors. The name North Berwick means North 'barley farmstead'. Bere in Old English means 'barley' and wic in Old English is 'farmstead'. The word North was applied to distinguish this Berwick from Berwick-upon-Tweed, which throughout the Middle Ages the Scots called South Berwick. It was recorded as Northberwyk in 1250. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
54. Bled (Slovenia)
Bled island, Slovenia [ Photo by Sl-Ziga / public domain ]A settlement area since Mesolithic times, Bled Castle was first mentioned as Ueldes (Veldes) within the March of Carniola on April 10, 1004, when it was awarded by Emperor Henry II to Bishop Albuin I of Brixen. With Carniola it was ceded to Rudolph of Habsburg after he defeated King Ottokar II of Bohemia at the Battle on the Marchfeld in 1278. From 1364 on Bled was part of the Duchy of Carniola and of the Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces between 1809 and 1816. After the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918 it belonged to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and became a summer domicile of the ruling House of Karađorđević, a tradition that President Josip Broz Tito continued, when he built his residence here in 1947. Bled became an independent municipality in 1996. In 2000, Bled became the home of IEDC-Bled School of Management. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
55. Córdoba (Spain)
Córdoba (also Cordova) is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it was a capital of an Islamic caliphate and one of the largest cities in the world. Its population in 2008 was 325,453. Today a moderately-sized modern city, the old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Qurṭuba (قرطبة), the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba, governed almost all of the Iberian peninsula. It has been estimated that in the latter half of the tenth century Córdoba, with up to 500,000 inhabitants, was then the most populated city in Europe and, perhaps, in the world. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
56. Cuenca (Spain)
Cuenca, Spain [ Photo by Zarateman / public domain ]Cuenca is a city in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. It is the capital of the province of Cuenca (see map), and one of the largest provinces in Spain (17,061 km2), being almost as large as countries like Slovenia or Montenegro. Cuenca is located across a steep spur, whose slopes descend into deep gorges of the Júcar and Huécar rivers. It is divided into two separate settlements: the "new" city is situated south-west to the old one, which is divided by the Huécar course. The latter fell in October, putting an end to the Arab domination in Cuenca. Alfonso VIII granted the city a title, and it was considered to be "Muy noble y muy leal" (Very noble and very loyal). (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
57. Ronda (Spain)
Ronda La Ciudad [ Photo by Manfred Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Ronda is a city in the Spanish province of Málaga. It is located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the city of Málaga, within the autonomous community of Andalusia. Its population is 35,515. Around the city are remains of prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic Age, including the rock paintings of Cueva de la Pileta. Ronda was however first settled by the early Celts, who, in the 6th century BC, called it Arunda. Later Phoenician settlers established themselves nearby to found Acinipo, known locally as Ronda la Vieja, Arunda or Old Ronda. The current Ronda is however of Roman origins, having been founded as a fortified post in the Second Punic War, by Scipio Africanus. Ronda received the title of city at the time of Julius Caesar. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
58. Sitges (Spain)
The beach at Sitges, Spain [ Photo by G.M Kowalewska / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Sitges, Catalonia, Spain is a small city about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona renowned worldwide for its Film Festival and Carnival. Between the hills and the sea, it is known for its much-frequented beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. While the roots of Sitges' artsy reputation date back to the late 19th century, when Catalan painter Santiago Rusiñol took up residence there during the summer, the town really came into its own during the 1960s, when it was the only centre for the counterculture on the mainland of Spain (then still under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco), and became known as a sort of "Ibiza in miniature". For over a century, Sitges has been celebrating nonstop — between the months of February and March, according to the liturgical calendar — Carnestoltes, or Carnival. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
59. Toledo (Spain)
panorama of the Toledo Skyline in Spain at sunrise. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Toledo (Latin: Toletum, Arabic 'طليطلة Ṭulayṭulah)) is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo. It is also the capital of autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures. Many famous people and artists were born or lived in Toledo, including Al-Zarqali, Garcilaso de la Vega, Eleanor of Toledo, Alfonso X and El Greco. It was also the place of important historic events such as the Visigothic Councils of Toledo. As of 2007[update], the city has a population of 78,618 and an area of 232.1 km2 (89.59 square miles). (based on a wikipedia article /cc by-sa)
60. Gamla stan [Stockholm Old Town] (Sweden)
Gamla Stan as seen from the top of Rådhusets tower. [ Photo by Benoît / CC BY-SA 2.0 ]Gamla stan (The Old City), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna (The Town between the Bridges), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. The surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen, and Strömsborg are officially part of, but not colloquially included in, Gamla stan. The word "stan" is simply a contraction of the word "staden" ("sta'n"), meaning "the city." The town dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. North German architecture has had a strong influence in the Old Town's construction. Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the center of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants' houses including the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building. (based on a wikipedia article /cc by-sa)
61. Bern (Switzerland)
View from the Nydegg bridge on the river Aaare in Bern, Switzerland. [ Photo by Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The city of Bern or Berne; French: Berne ; Italian: Berna ; Romansh: Berna ; Bernese German: Bärn ) is the Bundesstadt (federal city, de facto capital) of Switzerland, and, with about 130,000 people, the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000. Bern is also the capital of the Canton of Bern, the second most populous of Switzerland's cantons. The official language of Bern is German, but the main spoken language is the Alemannic dialect called Bernese German; most residents of the city speak both. Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen founded the city on the River Aare in 1191 and allegedly named it after a bear (Bär in German) he had killed. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
62. Fribourg (Switzerland)
Fribourg, Switzerland [ Photo by Norbert Aepli / CC BY 2.5 ]Fribourg (French), (German: Freiburg or Freiburg im Üechtland, often Fribourg) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland (Romandy). Its Old City, one of the best maintained in Switzerland, sits on a small rocky hill above the valley of the Sarine. The area of the municipality, which, at 9.3 square kilometres (3.6 sq mi), is relatively small for a city, covers an area of Molasse in the central part of Canton Fribourg. The area is cut through from south to north by the tightly wound Saane/Sarine River, which has eroded a valley, in some places, to a depth of 100 metres (330 ft) below the surrounding Plateau. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
63. Mürren (Switzerland)
Mürren [ Photo by Roland Zumbühl / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Mürren is a traditional Walser mountain village in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, at an elevation of 1,650 m (5,413 ft.) above sea level and unreachable by public road. Tourism is popular through the summer and winter; the village features a view of the three towering mountains: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Mürren has a population of just 450, but has 2,000 hotel beds. A series of four cable cars, known as the Luftseilbahn Stechelberg-Mürren-Schilthorn (LSMS), provides transportation from Mürren downhill to Gimmelwald and Stechelberg, and uphill to the summit of the Schilthorn and the revolving restaurant Piz Gloria. This was a principal filming location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, released in 1969. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
64. Conwy (Wales)
Conwy Castle and Bridges [ Photo by Tilman2007 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Conwy (formerly known in English as Conway) is a walled market town and community in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales. The town, which faces Deganwy across the River Conwy, formerly lay in Gwynedd and prior to that in Caernarfonshire. Conwy has a population of 14,208 and is a popular tourist destination on the north Wales coast. Conwy Castle and the town walls were built, on the instruction of Edward I of England, between 1283 and 1289, as part of his conquest of the principality of Wales. Conwy was the original site of Aberconwy Abbey, founded by Llywelyn the Great. Edward and his troops took over the abbey site and moved the monks down the Conwy valley to a new site at Maenan. The parish church still retains some parts of the original abbey church in the east and west walls. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
65. Criccieth (Wales)
Min-y-Mor, Criccieth [ Photo by Skinsmoke / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Criccieth (Welsh Cricieth) is a town and community on Cardigan Bay, in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd in Wales. The town lies 5 miles (8 km) west of Porthmadog, 9 miles (14 km) east of Pwllheli and 17 miles (27 km) south of Caernarfon. It has a population of 1,826. Criccieth hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1975 and in 2003 was granted Fairtrade Town status. It won the Wales in Bloom competition each year from 1999 to 2004. The area around Criccieth was settled during the Bronze Age, and a chambered tomb, Cae Dyni, survives on the coast to the east of the town; it consists of seven upright stones, and there are 13 cup marks, arranged in several groups. Evidence from other sites on the Llŷn Peninsula suggests that the area was colonised by a wave of Celtic settlers, who explored the Irish Sea, probably around the 4th century BC. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
66. Llangollen (Wales)
Village of Llangollen in North Wales/UK, view over the town [ Photo by Manfred Heyde / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Llangollenis a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412. Llangollen takes its name from Saint Collen (from the Welsh llan meaning 'church' and gollen meaning Collen), a 6th century monk who founded a church beside the river there. St Collen is said to have arrived in Llangollen by coracle. As there are no other churches in Wales dedicated to St. Collen, it is possible that this St. Collen may also have connections in both Colan, Cornwall and Langolen, Brittany. On the outskirts of the town is Plas Newydd ("New Place" or "New Hall"), where The Honourable Sarah Ponsonby and Lady Eleanor Butler (the Ladies of Llangollen) lived. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário