Crater Lake (Oregon)

Klamath County

Round, beautiful lake in the caldera of Mount Mazuma volcano. The caldera is 655 m deep and formed geologically recently: 7,700 years ago when the volcano collapsed. The lake is 594 m deep – the deepest in the United States.

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah County

Very tall waterfall with three main drops, 194 m tall. A picturesque bridge is below the tallest drop.

Oregon Caves

Josephine County

These beautiful show caves were discovered in 1874. Caves have formed in marble and through the cave system flows a river – River Styx. The total length of passages is around 4,600 m. The cave contains valuable fossils including remnants of a grizzly bear, jaguar, and others.

Smith Rock

Deschutes County

Spectacular, vertical cliffs at Crooked River. A popular site for climbing, the cliffs are up to 180 m high.

Borax Lake

Harney County

A thermal lake that is fed by hot springs. The temperature of the lake’s surface is between 16 and 38 degrees C and also higher. Lake water contains a lot of borax, arsenic, and lead. Nevertheless, here lives a unique fish – Borax Lake chub (Gila boraxobius).

Toketee Falls

Douglas County

Waterfall of unusual beauty. It has two closely located cascades with a total height of 37 meters. The lower plunge falls over a columnar basalt cliff.

Columbia River Gorge

Located in Washington State as well

Gorgeous canyon of Columbia River, up to 1,200 m deep. The canyon is some 130 km long and has numerous very impressive waterfalls. Microhabitats along the canyon contain unique, endemic species of plants.

Thor’s Well

Lincoln County

Hole in the rocks at the sea that looks as if the ocean is drained in it. This is a 6-7 m wide hole, also 6-7 m deep. It is at its most impressive approximately one hour before the high tide. At high waves, it creates some meters-high splashes.

Sea Lion Caves

Lane County

A system of enormous sea caves with up to 38 m tall ceilings. Here lives a group of Steller’s sea lions – during the winter there are hundreds of them. Discovered in 1880.

Tumalo Falls

Deschutes County

Impressive, 27 m tall waterfall. The waterfall is comparatively wide and has a single plunge.

Little Crater Lake

Clackamas County

Impressive, deep blue spring lake. The lake is 14 m deep and could be formed as a maar: due to groundwater explosion caused by the volcanic heat.

Latourell Falls

Multnomah County

Beautiful, 76 m tall waterfall. It falls with a single plunge over a basalt overhang. In the basalt are well-visible columnar formations.

Hole-in-the-Ground

Lake County

Large, circular maar – a volcanic explosion crater. Its diameter is some 1,600 m, the floor is around 150 m below the surroundings but the rim around the crater is 35 to 65 m high. This maar formed some 13.5 – 18 thousand years ago.

Mickey Hot Springs

Harney County

Geothermal field with thermal springs and mud pots. The hottest springs are boiling. Here have existed also intermittent springs.

Painted Hills

Wheeler County

Spectacular outcroppings of colored rocks over a larger area. There are red-colored laterite outcroppings, dark-colored layers of lignite, and grey-colored mudstone, siltstone, and shale layers. Rocks contain many fossils of early horses, camels, and other animals.

Salt Creek Falls

Lane County

Beautiful 87 m tall waterfall. It hits the rock in the upper part but then falls freely through the air over the rock overhang.

Crack in the Ground

Lake County

Unusual volcanic formation – some 3.2 km long and up to 9 m deep crack. It formed by the sinking of an enormous block of the ground after a volcanic eruption. It is possible to walk on the base of this crack.

Elowah Falls

Multnomah County

65 m tall waterfall with a single plunge. It falls over a rock overhang.

Pumice Desert

Klamath County

Here a very thick layer of pumice and ash has created a dry area where the water permeates the ground too fast to sustain the vegetation.

Doerner Fir

Coos County

The tallest coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) in the world. Height 99.8 m, diameter 3.54 m, volume 237 m³. Some time ago was 100.3 m tall.

Astoria – Megler Bridge

Pacific County

The longest continuous truss bridge in the United States. This 6.55 km long bridge was constructed in 1962-1966 across the Columbia River. The longest span is 376 m.

St. Johns Bridge

Multnomah County

This beautiful steel suspension bridge was constructed in 1931. The bridge towers have unusual Neo-Gothic forms. The bridge is 630 m long, the main span is 368 m long.

Elsinore Theatre

Marion County

This theatre was constructed in a mix of Art Deco and Neo-Gothic styles in 1926. After lengthy attempts to save the theater, it was restored in 2004.

Hawthorne Bridge

Multnomah County

Historical truss bridge, constructed in 1910. It has a vertical lift that operates up to this day, rising a section of bridge from 15 m to 48 m above the river. This operation is repeated some 120 times per month.

Little Grand Canyon in Shawnee National Forest

A system of small canyons that have been cut in the sandstone by perennial streams. Here are several perennial waterfalls.

Cave-In-Rock

Enormous, shallow cave in the limestone bluff at Ohio River. For millennia it has served as a shelter for local people. The cave with its 17 meters wide entrance is well visible from the river and has been inhabited also by local gangs – river pirates in the late 18th century and later.

Field Museum of Natural History

One of the world’s largest natural history museums. It was established in 1893 and has a permanent collection of more than 24 million specimens. Museum represents an educational and scientific institution of global importance.

Chicago Loop

The central business district of Chicago with the headquarters of many large companies. Here are located numerous monuments of architecture – some of the earliest skyscrapers in the world, many skyscrapers in several historical styles of the 20th century, opulent movie theatres, and other buildings.

Shedd Aquarium

One of the world’s largest and most exciting aquariums. It was opened in 1930 and hosts some 32 thousand animals of some 1500 species. The façade of aquarium has a Neo-Classicist façade that is characteristic of many American museums.

Marina City

A complex of buildings that is dominated by two round towers – 179 m tall apartment buildings, each with 65 floors. Constructed in 1968. The construction of this “city in the city” started the reversal in the development of American cities from the suburbs back to the center.

Chicago Board of Trade Building

Historical skyscraper in Art Deco style. The massive building is 184 m tall and has 44 floors. It is topped with an enormous statue of Ceres – the goddess of agriculture. The building was constructed in 1930 and has many beautiful architectural details and artworks.

Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet

Gorgeous movie theatre building in Neo-Baroque style, constructed in 1926. Now it is used for musicals and standup comedies. The theatre is considered to be a haunted place.

Uptown Theatre

A beautiful movie theatre that was built in 1925. This ornate structure has been built in a mix of architectural styles and has the largest interior volume of all movie palaces in the United States. The interior of the main hall is breathtaking.

Illinois State Capitol

One of the most prominent state capital buildings in the United States. This ornate house was constructed in 1868 and is 110 m tall – taller than the U.S. Capitol. The building was designed in the French Renaissance style.

Pleasant Home

Large family house in Prairie School style. It was constructed in 1897 and designed by George Washington Maher.

Unity Temple in Oak Park

This church is considered to be the first modern building in the world, with immense influence on the development of architecture in the 20th century. It was built from reinforced concrete in 1908 and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This is the Unitarian Universalist church in the congregation that was attended by Wright.

Rookery Building

One of the oldest early high-rise buildings. This office building was constructed in 1888. This ornate building has numerous technological innovations, has 12 floors, and is 55 m high. The building is designed in an Eclectic style – the specific Chicago style.

Reliance Building

Early skyscraper, constructed in 1890-1895. It was the first highrise whose glass area takes most of its surface. The building is 61 m high and has 15 floors and is an excellent representative of the Chicago School in architecture.

Auditorium Building

A prominent building in Chicago style, designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. This mixed-use building was built in 1890, it is 73 m high and has 17 floors. It was built as the world’s largest theater and now houses a university as well.

Baháʼí House of Worship in Wilmette

Gorgeous structure – the oldest of the existing Baháʼí temples. The enormous, round, white temple was built in 1912 – 1953.

Art Institute of Chicago

This large and important art museum was founded in 1879. The museum has evolved a cutting-edge educational and research program that involves hundreds of thousands of artworks in its collections.

Dana Thomas House

This family house was built in 1904 in the Prairie School style. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The building is inspired by the Japanese aesthetic, searching the harmony between the interior of the building and its surroundings. The interior with its furniture, windows, and door panels is one of the best-preserved of all buildings of Wright.

Carbide & Carbon Building

Historical skyscraper – 153 m tall, dark-colored building in Art Deco style. It was built in 1929. The building has 37 floors and is covered with black granite, adorned with ornamentation in Art Deco style. The building is topped with a gold-covered tower.

Jewelers Building

This gorgeous historical skyscraper was built in 1927. It is 159 m high, has 40 floors, and for some time period was the world’s tallest building outside New York City.

Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District

A residential district where some 25 properties have been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright – the greatest architect of the United States. In total, more than 80 properties here have been designed in the Prairie School style – the first indigenous architectural style of the United States. The largest concentration of early modern architecture in the world. Besides these buildings also many other structures here have architectural and artistic value.

Wrigley Building

This impressive historical skyscraper was constructed in 1924. The building has two towers. The tallest has 30 floors and is 130 m tall, it is topped by an enormous clock and designed to resemble the Giralda tower of Sevilla’s Cathedral in Spain.

Chicago Building

One of the best examples of Chicago School in architecture – an early skyscraper. This office building was constructed in 1905. It is 49.5 m tall and has 14 floors.

Chicago Theatre

One of the unofficial symbols of Chicago City – an ornate theatre building with its flashy outdoor marquee with the name “Chicago”. The theatre was built in 1921 for the demonstration of motion pictures. Currently, this is the oldest of the early grand movie theatres in America and one of the most beautiful ones. The building has been designed in a mix of styles with many features of the Neo-Baroque.

Tribune Tower

Beautiful historical skyscraper. It was constructed in 1925 and its architecture has many features of the Neo-Gothic style. The building was built to house the offices of the media business. The tower is 141 m tall and has 34 floors.

Silver Springs

A picturesque, very powerful spring, with a 91 x 59 meters large pool with a depth of up to 10.1 meters. Its maximum discharge has reached 36,000 liters per second.

Wakulla Spring

One of the most impressive cold water springs in the world, the diameter of this spring pool is 96 meters, and its depth is 56.4 meters. One of the most powerful springs in the world, its discharge has reached up to 54,226 liters per second. The water coming out of it has formed a very extensive freshwater cave system.

Devil’s Den

A karst window: through a narrow opening opens a view of a large subterranean river. Here were found remains of animals and traces of prehistoric human activities.

Homosassa Springs Group

Homosassa Springs Group has some 20 springs. The most impressive is a headspring with an output of 3000 liters of water per second. Habitat of manatees.

Troy Spring

One of the most beautiful great springs in Florida. Troy Spring contains remnants of a steamship that was sunken in 1863, during the Civil War.

Wakulla Cave System

The longest mapped underwater cave system in the United States where one entrance is at Wakulla Springs. The total length of the explored passages is 72,171 m.

Tarpon Hole (King’s Spring)

One of the best places to see manatees in nature is King’s Spring or Tarpon Hole – a subaquatic spring in King’s Bay. The spring has an output of 1,213 l/s.

Warm Mineral Springs

Enormous spring of warm mineral water with healing properties. This is one of the candidates for the legendary "Fountain of Youth" in Florida. The diameter of this spring is approximately 75 m, depth – is 70 m. Discharging 390 l/s. It is considered to be the largest warm mineral spring in the whole world. In the spring have been found well preserved skeletal remains of humans, mastodons, and sabertooth tigers.

Chassahowitzka Springs

Chassahowitzka Springs are powerful springs that have created underwater natural bridges and caves. The discharge of these springs is 4 360 l/s.

Gainer Springs

Some of the most pristine of the large springs of Florida are Gainer Springs. If one wants to admire this wonder of nature: take a canoe and…

Volusia Blue Spring

Volusia Blue Spring is a 1st magnitude spring that beats from a large fissure – a cave that has been dived up to 38 m deep. Habitat of manatees.

Indian Spring, Wakulla

A comparatively weak spring that is discharging 17 l of water per second. Dive in this spring leads into a 3,626 m long cave with a strong current.

De Leon Springs

Large sulfur spring, discharging 880 l/s of water. Surroundings inhabited since 8000 BC.

St Augustine

The oldest European-founded and continuously inhabited city in the continental United States. Established by Spaniards in 1565 at the site of an earlier local settlement. One of the most interesting historical cities in Florida. Spanish colonial architecture and luxurious architecture from the late 19th century.

Fort Jefferson

Large, unfinished sea fortress on a remote island. Construction was started in 1846 and was not finished. The garrison here had more than 1,700 soldiers.

Castillo de San Marco

The oldest masonry fort in the United States. It was constructed in 1672 – 1695 by Spaniards and Brits. A star fort was built to protect St. Augustine city from attacks by pirates.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

An enormous art museum. It was established in 1927 with very rich collections of European and American art. Museum has an extensive collection of Peter Paul Rubens paintings as well as paintings of Lucas Cranach the Elder, Thomas Gainsborough, and many other famous artists. Fine gardens and numerous beautiful buildings.

Villa Zorayda (Zorayda Castle)

Private home of Boston millionaire Franklin W. Smith. It was built in 1883 in resemblance to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. This is one of the first buildings in the world that was built of poured concrete and also one of the first Spanish Neo-Renaissance buildings. Beautiful interiors. Also the first example of fantasy architecture, characteristic of Florida.

Bok Tower and its gardens

This 62 m tall tower was constructed in 1929 in Art Deco and Neo-Gothic styles, with lush ornamentation. Around the tower in the 1920ies has been set a beautiful garden.

Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center

The seventh largest building in the world by volume. It was constructed in 1966 for assembling American manned space vehicles. The building is 160.3 m tall and covers 3 ha.

Fort Zachary Taylor

This massive fort was built at the very south of Florida Keys in 1845 – 1866. Here was discovered the largest collection of cannons from the American Civil War period.

Ponce de Leon Hotel

One of two neighboring hotel buildings, constructed in the Spanish Neo-Renaissance style in 1887. Both buildings represent some of the earliest examples of poured concrete buildings in the world.

Tampa Bay Hotel (Henry B. Plant Museum)

Historical, pompous hotel building. Constructed in Moorish Revival style in 1888 – 1891. This structure marks the beginnings of the tourism industry in this part of Florida.

Tree of Life in Walt Disney World Resort

The centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – animal theme park. A sculpted, 44 m high and 15 m wide tree (artificial structure) with 14 stories. In the bark are carved 325 animals.

Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine

A beautiful bridge in Venetian Neo-Renaissance style, constructed in 1925 – 1927. Rebuilt in an extended version in 2010.

Table Rock SC

970 m tall mountain with a fairly flat surface and steep slopes of monolithic granite. This mountain is a batholith – a fragment of magma that was pressed upwards during the Ordovician period some 430 million years ago.

Raven Cliff Falls SC

The tallest waterfall in South Carolina, some 100-110 m tall. Waterfall has formed on Matthews Creek and has several cascades.

Rainbow Falls SC

Some 30 – 40 meters tall waterfall with a single plunge, one of the most prominent waterfalls in the state.

Angel Oak

Enormous Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) of unusual beauty. The circumference of the trunk is 8.5 m but especially impressive is the enormous crown that covers 1,600 square meters. Stories about ghosts – angels around the tree.

Landsford Canal State Park lilies

One of the few remaining populations of a spider lily Hymenocallis coronaria. This beautiful flower is very rare and here it forms a pure stand in Catawba River – the largest stand of this plant anywhere. The beauty of these fragrant flowers can be admired in May – June.

Fig Island shell rings

A group of shell rings – ring-shaped shell middens that are up to 6 meters high. The largest ring has a diameter of some 40 m. These mounds were made some 4400 – 3600 years ago. This might be the most complex system of shell rings in North America.

Fort Sumter

Sea fort – a fortified island at the entrance in Charleston port. Construction started in 1829 and was left unfinished on April 12, 1861, when the American Civil War started exactly here. A historical monument of major importance.

Dock Street Theatre

Hotel – theatre building in the historical center of Charleston. Constructed in 1809 and adorned with a wrought-iron balcony. This hotel was built on the site where the first theater building in the area of the United States was constructed in 1736. Reportedly a haunted place.

Beaufort Historic District

In this town have been preserved several neighborhoods with numerous magnificent homes and gardens from the 19th century.

French Huguenot Church in Charleston

This small church was built in 1844 in a sophisticated Gothic Revival style. This is the only independent Huguenot church in the United States. Huguenots fled from persecution in France and many came to South Carolina, often becoming rich and influential merchants.

Aiken-Rhett House

Historical city house that was built in 1820 by the merchant John Robinson, one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the United States. It contains also the historical slave quarters. Now here is a museum.

Middleton Place Garden

One of the oldest and most prominent landscaped gardens in the United States. Park was developed around a plantation house in 1741.

Drayton Hall

The oldest unrestored plantation house in the United States. It was built sometime around 1738 in the Palladian style. Now it serves as a museum of plantations.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

Enormous cable-stayed bridge with two towers, each 175 m high, holding a deck with eight traffic lanes and a pedestrian way. Total length – 4 km. Constructed in 2005 and designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and earthquakes.

French Quarter in Charleston

The oldest part of Charleston City has been settled since 1680 and initially was walled. The area has many historical buildings, the oldest could be the Pink House from 1712 (?).

Botany Bay Road Tree Tunnel

Beautiful road through a “tunnel” of moss-covered trees, mainly oak trees.

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall

Outstanding avenue of enormous oaks. Avenue is more than one kilometer long and leads towards one of the oldest plantations in the United States – Boone Hall. The planting of the avenue was completed in 1843.

South Carolina State House

South Carolina’s government house was built in 1855 – 1875. It is shaped in the Greek Revival style. Around the house are located numerous monuments commemorating the history of South Carolina.

Hampton Plantation

Historic plantation house that was built in 1735-1790 (or 1791). This wooden house is designed in the Georgian style.

Auldbrass Plantation

Historical plantation at Combahee River. The main complex of buildings was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright from 1940 to 1951. The original architecture has been well preserved and once per two years can be accessed by the public.

Millford Plantation

Magnificent plantation house in the Greek Revival style. It was constructed in 1839-1841 by the Manning family, one of the largest slaveholders of the period.

Old Slave Mart in Charleston

One of the last slave auction galleries in the United States. This historic building was constructed in 1859 and slaves were sold here until 1863. Now here is the Old Slave Mart Museum.

Brookgreen Gardens

The first formal sculpture garden in the USA. It was developed by the famed sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington in the 1930ies.

Charleston County Courthouse

A historical court building (1790-1792). It has been designed in Neoclassicism style by James Hoban and is a model for his later work – White House in Washington D.C.

Rainbow Row in Charleston

A group of thirteen historical row houses that are colored in diverse bright pastel colors. The longest and most impressive cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States. Houses were built in the time period between 1741 and 1845.

Stonehenge

United Kingdom

One of the most popular archaeological monuments in the world, consists of a group of large standing stones in a circular setting, erected sometime around 2500 BC (?). Located in the middle of a dense complex of archaeological monuments.

Pompeii

Italy

The best-preserved ancient Roman town was eliminated by volcanic pyroclastic flows in 79 AD. The town has been excavated and now represents an amazing display of Roman life.

Venice

Italy

One of the most unusual and most beautiful cities on Earth, containing an unbelievable amount of art and architectural values. Venice was built on 118 small, closely located islands and has been the capital of a powerful state in the 7th – 18th century.

Sagrada Familia

Spain

The largest and by far the most impressive Art Nouveau church in the world, designed by Antoni Gaudi; started in 1882 and is due to be completed in 2026.

Hagia Sophia

Turkey

A former Orthodox basilica built between 532 – 537 AD, it is now a mosque. Possibly the highest achievement of Byzantine architecture, it has been the largest cathedral in the world for nearly 1000 years. Constructed in 532 – 537.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral)

Italy

One of the most impressive churches in the world, the largest building in medieval Europe. Constructed in 1296 – 1469. Designed mostly in Gothic style, but considered to be one of the first Renaissance buildings.

Saint Mark’s Basilica

Italy

A building of unusual beauty and splendor, it is one of the most important Byzantine architectural monuments in the world, constructed in 1094.

Sistine Chapel

Vatican

In this chapel, the new pope is selected. Constructed in 1473 – 1481 and world-famous due to the frescoes made by such Renaissance artists as Sandro Botticelli, and Michelangelo. These frescoes are among the world’s highest achievements in art.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican

The most important church in Christian history, with the largest interior of any church. The present basilica was built in 1506 – 1626 and represents one of the most important pieces of Renaissance architecture. Contains the purported grave of Saint Peter.

Notre Dame de Paris

France

Constructed in 1163 – the late 14th century. One of the most significant Gothic cathedrals and one of the world’s best-known monuments of architecture. One of the first buildings where flying buttresses were used.

Palace of Versailles

France

The best known and possibly the most magnificent palace in the world with 700 rooms. Constructed starting from 1661 and served as a royal palace until 1789. This palace brought a new style to many areas of life – architecture, planning, arts, governance, and etiquette – thus the palace represents one of the most important monuments of culture in Europe.

Eiffel Tower

France

One of the best-known landmarks in the world, a symbol of Paris and to some extent – the whole of France. This 324 m tall iron lattice tower was built in 1889 and was the tallest man-made structure on Earth until 1930.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Russia

This group of nine churches was constructed in 1555 – 1561 to commemorate the victories of Ivan the Terrible. This building has left much influence on Russian and world architecture.

Milan Cathedral

Italy

One of the most impressive Gothic buildings in the world, constructed in 1386 – 1965.

Westminster Abbey

United Kingdom

Royal Church of the United Kingdom with numerous art values. Constructed in 1245 – roughly 1745, mainly in the Gothic style. One of the earliest representatives of Gothic architecture in England.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Italy

An impressive monument of European medieval Romanesque architecture, construction started in 1173-1372. Due to weak ground, it started to tilt and the significant tilting has made this structure famous worldwide.

Musée du Louvre

France

One of the largest museums in the world with more than 35,000 objects exhibited. Many works are among the most important artworks in the world. Located in a palace that was started as a castle in the late 12th century. Gradually extended and now it is one of the largest palaces in the world.

Colosseum

Italy

The largest Roman amphitheater ever built, 70 – 80 AD.

Centre of Florence

Italy

One of the most important centers in history for the development of art with numerous unique and beautiful monuments. This birthplace of the Renaissance contains such monuments of world importance as Florence Cathedral, Campanile and Baptistery, Ponte Vecchio, and many others.

Mont Saint-Michel

France

Unique monument of urban planning – a fortified monastery with a surrounding small town, built on a rocky tidal island. This monastery was established there in the early 8th century. Its buildings were constructed in a Romanesque style, mainly in the 10th – 11th century AD. The island is topped with the massive, Romanesque Mont-Saint-Michel church (11th century).

Córdoba

Spain

One of the major centers of ancient and medieval Europe, the intellectual center of Europe in the 10th – 12th centuries. The second-largest historic city in Europe, with a huge amount of very valuable buildings. Some of the most impressive ones are the Great Mosque of Córdoba, the Roman bridge, the Roman Temple, and many others. The old city is surrounded by Roman walls.

Windsor Castle

United Kingdom

One of the major castles and palaces of the world. This castle was built by William the Conqueror and has since then been used as a royal palace. Longest occupied palace in Europe, and the largest inhabited palace in the world. Throughout the centuries the castle was largely extended, always trying to imitate early medieval designs. Beautiful interiors. Site of many important historical events.

Alhambra

Spain

Huge palace and fortress with major cultural importance. The fortress was first constructed here in 889 AD, and the royal palace for the Sultan of Granada was built in 1333. A major achievement of Muslim architecture and art. Palace and its gardens were supposed to represent Paradise.

Château de Chambord

France

One of the most iconic Renaissance buildings in the world, melting in its design the French medieval architecture and Italian classical architecture. Constructed in 1519 – 1547. This castle still has fortifications, including a keep and a moat, but it primarily functions as a luxuriant residence. Palace has 440 rooms.

Aachen Cathedral

Germany

The oldest cathedral in Northern Europe. Historically very important church, the residence of Charlemagne, place of coronation of 42 kings and queens. Constructed in 792 – 805, rebuilt numerous times adding new values.

Lonar crater

A meteorite crater filled with a saltwater lake. The bolide hit the basaltic rock approximately 570,000 years ago. The diameter of the crater is 1.8 km, with a 1.2 km wide lake in it, depth of the crater is around 150 m. Lonar Lake contains rare and unusual microorganisms.

Konkan Kada

More than 900 m tall cliff. A beloved place for hiking, there can be observed vertical movements of clouds and other phenomena.

Kaas plateau

This plateau has an area of 1,000 ha area and is covered with millions of wildflowers from August to September. More than 850 species of plants grow here, some are endemic – met only here.

Ellora Caves, Kailasanatha Temple

One of the highest achievements not only in Hindu architecture but in ancient structural engineering of the world. A group of 34 rock-cut temples, including the glorious Kailasanatha Temple, are cut out from a whole rock. Built around 550 – 1000 AD.

Ajanta Caves

One of the most beautiful rock-cut temple complexes in the world. It was developed in the 2nd century BC – 480 AD. In total there are 28 – 30 rock-cut structures, containing murals and sculptures of high importance to the culture of mankind.

Elephanta Caves

Group of beautiful, five Hindu and two Buddhist rock-cut temples, built around the 5th – 8th century AD. Great Cave includes the famous sculpture of Trimurthi.

Sindhudurg Fort

An amazing fortress that was built along a complex perimeter of an island in the Arabian Sea. Fort was built in the 17th century, with 42 bastions. Interesting Neolithic petroglyphs.

Daulatabad Fort

One of the best-fortified forts – a conical, 200 m tall hill. Lower slopes of the hill have been cut away, leaving 50 m tall, nearly vertical walls around the whole hill. Contains rock-cut Buddhist cave temples.

Mangi Tungi

Very impressive cliffs with two peaks, with numerous historical and art values. Contain forts and numerous Jain temples.

Karla Caves

This beautiful rock-cut temple complex includes the most beautiful prayer hall – chaitya – of Indian cave temples. Developed in 120 BC – the 10th century AD.

Bhaja Caves

One of the oldest Buddhist rock-cut structures in the world. 22 caves, created approximately in the 2nd century BC. Beautiful stone-carved facades, and other values of art and history.

Lohagad Fort

Amazing hill fortress, with a part of it built on a narrow cliff summit. The impressive access to the fortress is called Vinchukata. Developed since the Middle Ages.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Gorgeous burial monument, constructed in the late 17th century as a tribute to Rabia Durrani, wife of the Mughal Emperor. Intended as a rival to the Taj Mahal, but built on a smaller scale.

Suvarnadurg Fort

Island fortress at the coast of the Arabian Sea. There is another fortress on the mainland and both parts of the fortress in the past were united with a submarine tunnel that was approximately 600 m long. Constructed in the 15th – 17th century AD.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum)

The main museum in this part of India with very rich collections telling about the history and nature of India. Located in a gorgeous Indo-Saracenic building that was constructed in 1915.

Murud-Janjira Fort

A very impressive marine fort on an island with 19 intact bastions. originally built in the 15th century, and fortified afterward.

Bahrot Caves

The only Zoroastrian cave temple in India. It was established in 1351 AD when Parsi were hiding here from Muslim invasion. The holy fire still is burning here.

Jejuri Khandoba temple

Beautiful Hindu temple on the hill that is reached after almost 200 steps. The main temple of Khandoba – a local deity in Maharashtra, initially for the Dhangar caste (herders).

Bedse Caves

Two legendary Buddhist rock-cut cave temples. One cave is a chaitya – prayer hall, and another – vihara – monastery, created sometime around 60 BC.

Kedareshwar Cave

Large cave with a Hindu temple in it. In the flooded hall from the water rises Shivlinga that once was surrounded by four pillars. Now only one remains and, according to legends, when the fourth will break, the world will come to an end.

Ratangad

Cliff – peak at the summit, with a "needle hole" (Ratangad Nedhe) – natural hole through it. The hole is some 3 m high and 10 m wide. A very old fortress has been built here – with the oldest structures up to 2,000 years old.

Kanheri Caves

Group of 109 Buddhist rock-cut cave temples in the outskirts of Mumbai, developed in the 1st century BC – 9th century AD.

Aurangabad Caves

12 rock-cut Buddhist temples from the 2nd – 7th century AD with some of the best sculptures of the classical Indian period.

Pitalkhora Caves

14 ancient rock-cut Buddhist sanctuaries from around 250 BC. In the 4th century AD, it was revived and murals were added.

Tulja Lena, Junnar

A group of 11 rock-cut Buddhist temples. One of them was turned into a Hindu shrine. Made in the 1st – 3rd c. AD, one shrine contains paintings.

Radavc Cave

Prizren

An enormous cave with impressive cave formations including rimstone pools (gours). Cave contains traces of prehistoric humans, possibly from the Paleolithic era.

Rugova Canyon

Peja

25 km long and up to 1000 m deep canyon, one of the greatest in Europe. In the canyon are hundreds of caves and many waterfalls.

Gryka e Madhe Cave

Peja

Large cave in Rugova Canyon. Total explored length of its passages is 13.2 km.

White Drin waterfall

Peja

Powerful spring that comes out from the cave with approximately 25 m high waterfall. This is the source of the White Drin river.

Mirusha Waterfalls

Prizren

Group of 13 lakes with waterfalls between them, all shaped in the picturesque canyon of Mirusha. The tallest waterfall is 21 – 22 m high.

Zveçan Fortress

Mitrovica

An antique fort on the top of an extinct volcano. It was built to protect nearby mines in the 4th century AD. Inside the fortress are located remnants of a Paleochristian church.

Ulpiana

Pristina

Site of an ancient Roman town with remnants of diverse buildings spread over an area of 100 ha. Among these buildings was also a Christian basilica that was built around the 4th century AD.

Gračanica monastery

Pristina

This monastery was founded in 1321 and its buildings represent one of the highest achievements of the Serbian Byzantine style. Inside the monastery church are valuable frescoes.

Visoki Decani Monastery

Gjakova

Large Serbian monastery containing the largest medieval church in the Balkans and the biggest collection of medieval Serbian frescoes. Founded in 1327.

Terzijski Bridge

Gjakova

Bridge in Ottoman style, built in the 15th century. The 190 m long bridge has 11 arches.

Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć

Peja

A monastery with a unique dense cluster of four churches that were built in the 13th and 14th centuries. The interior of these churches is adorned with Byzantine frescoes.

Hadum Mosque

Gjakova

This ornate mosque was built in 1594/1595. The interior is adorned with arabesques.

Vojinoviča Bridge

Mitrovica

The oldest bridge in Kosovo, built in the late 13th – early 14th century. The bridge is 135 m long and has 9 arches. Now it does not have any river under it – the river has changed its course.

Hermitage of St. Peter of Koriša

Prizren

Hermitage and monastery that were cut in cliffs in the 11th – 14th century. Abandoned since the Turkish invasion in 1453.

National Library of Kosovo

Pristina

Library building with very unusual architecture. It was constructed in 1982 and has 99 domes and is covered with a metal net.

Tara River Canyon

Pljevlja

The most impressive river canyon in Europe, up to 1,100 m deep. Canyon is 82 km long. Along it have been found more than 80 caves.

Pecina nad Vrazjim Firovima

Bijelo Polje

The longest known cave in Montenegro, with the explored length of passages exceeding 11 km. Cave contains interesting cave formations including a system of gours (rimstone dams).

Ledena Pecina (Ice Cave)

Žabljak

Large cave with massive ice formations inside it, near the entrance. Known length of the cave – 231 m.

Komarnica Canyon (Piva Canyon)

Plužine

33 km long and up to 800 m deep canyon – a spectacular natural landmark shaped in limestone.

Sopot Spring

Kotor

Very powerful, intermittent spring that at times can reach a yield of 120 000 liters per second. Spring originates in a cave and flows with a waterfall into the sea.

Lipa Cave

Cetinje

An enormous cave with some 3.5 km long passages that are adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations.

Raduš Spring

Bar

The most powerful spring that discharges under the water of Skadar Lake. The spring lake has been dived up to 76 m deep.

Krnjice Spring

Bar

Powerful spring that discharges under the water of Skadar Lake at the depth of approximately 20 m. The output of this spring may exceed 30,000 l/s.

Duklja (Doclea)

Podgorica

Remnants of a Roman town that was founded in the 1st century AD and declined in the 4th century AD. Here are remnants of a forum, a Christian basilica, temples of Diana and Roma, and other structures. Near the town is located a necropolis with more than 300 explored tombs.

Kotor

Kotor

A beautiful historical town in a deep bay that is surrounded by tall mountains. This port city has Venetian built ˜ 4.5 km long fortification walls including a fortified port. Medieval street networks and buildings have been very well preserved and renovated.

Ostrog Monastery

Danilovgrad

This impressive monastery has been built on an almost vertical cliff and is the most popular pilgrimage site in the country. It was founded in the 17th century. Most of the current structures were created in 1923 – 1926.

Ulcinj Old Town (Ulcinj Castle)

Ulcinj

A fortified medieval town at the Adriatic Sea. The fortifications in some places are very old, from the Illyrian times (some 2000 years).

St. George Monastery on Sveti Đorđe

Kotor

An old monastery that was founded in the 12th century and takes almost the whole island of Sveti Đorđe in Kotor Bay.

Budva Old Town

Budva

Fortified citadel of the ancient city of Budva with well rebuilt (after an earthquake) historical buildings inside the fortifications. The old city is located on a peninsula and its fortifications are well preserved.

Morača Monastery

Kolašin

This medieval monastery was founded in 1252. The church has been preserved and has been constructed in the Rascian style. Church has important frescoes – the oldest ones have been painted in the 13th century.

Perast

Kotor

In the town is located a multitude of valuable buildings in Venetian style including 16 palaces, 9 defensive towers, and numerous churches.

Old City of Bar

Bar

An abandoned medieval part of Bar city. This citadel is enclosed in fortification walls and has ruins of many valuable buildings from the 11th to the 19th century.

Kotor Cathedral

Kotor

Medieval cathedral in Romanesque style, consecrated in 1166. The church contains important values of culture including frescoes from the 14th century.

Mala Rijeka Viaduct

Podgorica

Very tall railway viaduct that was constructed in 1969 – 1973. It is 200 m above the river and was the world’s tallest railway bridge from 1973 to 2001.

Church of Our Lady of the Rocks

Kotor

Church in a Baroque style, constructed in 1632. Church is located on a small, artificial island in Kotor Bay.

Moračnik Monastery

Bar

A small, fortified monastery on an island in the Skadar Lake. It was built after 1400.

Đurđevića Tara Bridge

Žabljak

Impressive arched bridge across Tara River valley. The bridge was built in 1940 and has five arches, it is 365 m long and up to 172 m high above the river.

Bar Aqueduct

Bar

3 km long aqueduct that was constructed in the 16th century to supply water to Stari Bar town. Especially impressive is a bridge across the valley with 17 large arches.

Sveti Stefan

Budva

Small, densely build medieval town on the peninsula – earlier it was an island.

Tara River Canyon

Republika Srbska

The most impressive river canyon in Europe, up to 1,100 m deep. Canyon is 82 km long. Along it have been found more than 80 caves.

Kravica

West Herzegovina

This impressive waterfall falls over a natural travertine barrage. The waterfall is some 120 m wide and 28 m high.

Vrelo Bune

Herzegovina-Neretva

One of the most powerful springs in the world, its average water discharge is roughly 30,000 l/s and sometimes reaches up to 43,000 l/s. There is a beautiful historical town beside it.

Vjetrenica

West Herzegovina

At least 6,700 m long cave – impressive karst feature. Most likely the cave is a lot longer and might stretch into neighboring Croatia. In summer a blast of cold air blows from the cave. The cave contains one of the richest cave ecosystems in the world with more than 100 species of cave animals including some 37 species that were first discovered here.

Rakitnica Canyon

Herzegovina-Neretva

Beautiful river canyon that is up to 800 m deep and 26 km long. According to local legends, this was the birthplace of a dragon.

Hajdučka Vrata

Herzegovina-Neretva

An amazing natural arch that resembles a standing ring. The diameter of the hole is approximately 5 m.

Štrbački buk

Una-Sana

Group of large waterfalls that have formed on natural travertine barrages.

Pliva Waterfall

Central Bosnia

This 22 m high and approximately 50 m wide waterfall is located in an impressive natural setting – at the confluence of Pliva river and Vrbas.

Mokranjska Miljacka cave

Republika Srpska

The longest known cave in the country explored length – 7,200 m. Miljacka river starts from this cave. Here have been made paleontological finds, here live unique species of spider (Nemanela lade) and are found traces of prehistoric human activity.

Perucica virgin forest

Republika Srpska

Unique forest with very tall trees. Several species of trees (Picea abies, Abies alba) here exceed the height of 50 m and the tallest tree in the recent past was 63 m tall. Currently, the tallest one is Vlado – 57.8 m high Norway spruce.

Daorson

Herzegovina-Neretva

Remnants of an ancient city that was built by Hellenised Illyrian tribe – Daorsi. In the time period between 300 and 50 BC, they built here an acropolis. It is surrounded by cyclopean walls that have been built from enormous stones.

Badanj Cave

Herzegovina-Neretva

Grotto with prehistoric petroglyphs that have been made in the time period between 16,000 and 12,000 BC. Here has existed Upper Palaeolithic settlement.

Blagaj

Herzegovina-Neretva

Beautiful village – town in an impressive natural setting at the powerful Vrelo Bune spring. At the spring around 1520 was built Blagaj Tekija – a monastery for the Dervish cults.

Mostar Old City

Herzegovina-Neretva

The unofficial capital of Herzegovina, a beautiful city in the valley of Neretva. The city contains many valuable buildings in diverse historical styles of architecture, for the most part – in Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Classical styles.

Podbrdo in Medjugorje

Herzegovina-Neretva

A site where, reportedly, apparitions of the Virgin Mary started in 1981 and continue up to this day. Since then Medjugorje has been turned into an important site for pilgrims.

Radimlja

Herzegovina-Neretva

The largest necropolis with stečaks – characteristic tombstones from the medieval age, mostly the 15th and 16th centuries. 63 of these tombstones are decorated with interesting and often enigmatic reliefs – spirals, rosettes, etc.

Stari Most (Mostar)

Herzegovina-Neretva

A magnificent bridge that is spanning the Neretva River with a single arch. Initially, it was constructed in 1557 and rebuilt in 2004. The bridge is protected by two fortified towers. The bridge is 29 m long and is an important element of the urban landscape in this charming city.

Bobovac

Zenica Doboj

Remains of a hilltop fortress – town. This town was built in the early 14th century and served as a seat for the rulers of Bosnia. The fortified town was taken by the Ottomans in 1463. Here were buried several kings of Bosnia.

Ostrožac Castle

Una-Sana

Impressive castle on the top of a mountain, built in the 16th century.

Visoki

Zenica Doboj

Royal medieval castle town that was built during the 14th century. This town – fortress was quite small, 60 by 25 m large.

Atomska Ratna Komanda (ARK)

Herzegovina-Neretva

The largest nuclear bunker in the area of former Yugoslavia. This secret structure was built in 1953 – 1979 spending 29 billion USD (by present-day value). The shelter is 280 m deep and could sustain up to 350 people for up to 6 months. Now it serves as a meeting site for artists.

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge

Republika Srpska

A beautiful bridge that was built in medieval times, in 1577. The total length of the bridge is 179.5 meters, it has 11 arches.

Lukomir

Herzegovina-Neretva

The most remote village in the country, a semi-nomadic mountain village. Traditional houses are built from stone and have cherry-wood roofs. Next to the village is a cemetery with stečaks – traditional tombstones.

Počitelj

Herzegovina-Neretva

This walled town is located in a karst amphitheater. The town was built mainly in the 16th – 18th centuries.

Dugo Polje

Herzegovina-Neretva

Picturesque field with a medieval cemetery. Here are located some 150 stečaks – characteristic tombstones. 32 tombstones are decorated with different symbols, most of them – rosettes and crosses.