Have any of you gone to a W.H. site, discovered that's what it was and said "of course, it's magnificient!" How about tge complete opposite impression? "Why am I here again?"
As an asside, I own a World Heritage Site Kitchen Sink" which i would put on the "why am I here list".
I don't think they have to be magnificent in the "wow, will you just look at that amazing sight" sense.
For example, Fes. The centre is just a maze of narrow lanes thronged by donkeys, but it's been like that for centuries and that is part of the point. The buildings are pretty impressive, but from a detail point of view.
And that's just one example.
Lin, wow! Is subjective. Fes looks wow! to me, but I don't get out very often.
I put the World Heritage Sites in the same category as stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Getting the honor means getting the forms right and politicking properly. It doesn’t mean it actually has had any effect on human civilization.
Toby this came up cause someone was encouraging a trip someplace because, in part, the some place was listed. Naturally I thought of my sink ... which isn't a joke by the way.
A very interesting topic, because what one person finds uninteresting or even fake, another person finds exciting and important. I'm referring here only to the German World Heritage Sites I've visited in the last few years.
My wow moments were at/in:
- Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau (I'm a huge fan of their furniture specially their chairs)
- Lübeck, Stralsund and Wismar (I like the Hanseatic architecture)
- Zollverein Coal Mine Complex Essen and Völklingen Ironworks (There's nothing that cool in Bavaria and I like industrial culture)
- Warehouse District Hamburg (I have a soft spot for Hamburg anyway)
- Quedlinburg (Amazing little town)
- Regensburg (Always a highlight to walk through this old yet young city)
- Wadden Sea (I have an incredible feeling of freedom there)
I had more of the 'yes, nice, but not particularly special for me' moments at/in:
- Bamberg
- Cologne Cathedral
- Limes
- Church of Wies
- Potsdam Palace and Parc
- Museum Island Berlin
- Rhine Valley
- Water Management System Augsburg
But apart from the Limes, I would still visit everything else again.
I've looked through the German list, but maybe I missed something :-)
Sticking to what I just saw 2 weeks ago; underrated is Strasbourg-especially the cathedral. When it comes to cathedrals we usually visit them wherever we are because as tourists that's what we do and we usually say "yup, it's a cathedral." But this one was completely unexpected in the WOW factor.
Vastly overrated is the Rhine Valley. We did a river cruise on the Rhine, and the Rhine Valley is supposedly why everyone does this cruise. Yawn. Of all the highlights on the trip, this wasn't one of them.
I am an architect so I get the Bauhaus (look towards Dessau) But most arent going to be impressed.
I felt that way about the Fjords of Norway. A yawn for me and my cousin. We kept asking ourselves if we were in the right place and what were we missing.
Would love to see a picture of your sink Mr. E.
Its not a very impressive sink.
But it is in my kitchen
Which is in my flat
Which is in my apartment block
Which is in a World Heritage Site
Ergo, my sink is a world heritage sink.
And yes, the World Heritage folks have control over what I can do with my sink.
But most aren't going to be impressed
Definitely not :-) I'm not an architect, but I love architecture. I find it incredible how modern (from today's perspective) the Bauhaus was. In Germany, it's having a huge influence on the way we build houses, especially today. And the furniture is very fashionable right now. It's a actually a shame :-) because original furniture from that era is far too expensive. Even licensed replicas (such as the chairs Vitra produces today) are incredibly expensive.
But you arent most. This is most: https://assets.vogue.com/photos/6074a28d29d0bb7c9dffeabf/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/002-Druk-Mads-Mikkelsen-Photo-By-Henrik%2520Ohsten.jpg
And Lilly designed a heck of a chair.
How about tge complete opposite impression? "Why am I here again?"
You don't have to visit a UNESCO sight to ask that question. The first and last time I climbed a bunch of stairs of a church to get a view of the rooftops of all the buildings in that town I asked myself, "Why did I climb all the way up here to see the tops of roofs?"
UNESCO sights are to be visited not only for their visible appearance, but mostly, IMO, for their significance to history or cultural contribution to the World and more specifically to that country. Whether man-made or natural, I find the pleasure in its significance to those categories.
Our apt in Rijeka, Croatia is communist era architecture. A nice square block of concrete, 5th floor, no elevator.
But, all the furniture, including the refrigerator, is 1970’s American. A lovely brown side-by-side model. Hey, in the 70’s no one, and I mean no one, had a freezer. My mother-in-law would ‘hold’ meat for neighbors.
Gotta love it. No other choice cause I am not moving that heavy couch anywhere.
communist era architecture
What most people (see photo link above for "most people") dont realize that there was predominately 3 styles/periods of residential soviet commie architecture.
Ergo, my sink is a world heritage sink.
Ergo, Mr. E, so is your toilet. Thus, we know what you do to World Heritage Sites...
(Everyone, I enjoy Mr E's participation on this board, so please take this in the playful spirit in which this post is intended.)
More seriously, this is definately an eye of the beholder perspective. I seek-out Roman historical sites while traveling in Europe and the UK. The Limes are a great example of sites I value and find interesting. And, I can see how others visiting some of those same sites can be totally underwhelmed.
Im laughing. Don't worry about thr others. Yes I hsve a world heritage throne.
More seriously, the designation isn't 100% a good thing. In my case makes housing in the area more expensive and hinders regular repairs and modernization.
Whether man-made or natural, I find the pleasure in its significance
to those categories.
That's a really good point. I often need stories to appreciate what I'm seeing. An example is the Vatican Museum, all of that Renaissance art is lost on me in terms of its so called beauty. But the story behind the art, the how, the why, how it contributed to the start of the reformation, that made the Vatican memorable for me.
I can't believe that anyone could ever go to Ephesus and not think, "of course, it's magnificient."
How to create disappointment? Imagine an artificial expectation by "of course, it's magnificient!" which is not a qualifying criteria for being selected as world heritage site and then justify on own experience of one visit that it is not.
In my opinion this is a topic worth closing. And this is the CG filtered version to what I really think.
Not on topic. LOL!!!
Some times we just chat about travel life and enjoy the company.
While in Stockholm last month, I visited the Skogskyrkogården cemetery and, while a beautiful cemetery with rolling hills, towering trees, wildflowers, and interesting architecture, I did not quite understand what made it so special as to "make the cut" for this highly selective list.
Conversely, while in Mexico in 2018 or 19, I was absolutely blown away by the Xochicalco archeological site in Morelos state. It was a reasonably easy day trip from CDMX - bus to a small town 90 minutes away, then a 10 min taxi ride, yet I had the entire site and museum entirely to myself until the very end of my visit 2 hours later.
I even took a nap in the grass next to the feathered serpent pyramid, it was eerie.
And we're not talking about a small site: there were multiple levels, ball courts, former residential quarters, etc.
balso, I will give away my age. I still call it D.F.
I still call it D.F.
Me too in conversation, so much easier to pronounce De-Efe than, erm... Cedemequis ?
All impressive: Hagia Sophia, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Everglades, Notre Dame ( before the fire), Stonehenge 30 years ago, The Giants Causeway, Newgrange, Chaco Canyon, Grand Canyon and Mammoth Cave.
Rumor had it that the entire state of Texas, with special emphasis on the Fighting Texas Aggies, will soon be a World Heritage Site and the first recognized Galactic Heritage Site.
Rumor had it that the entire state of Texas, with special emphasis on the Fighting Texas Aggies, will soon be a World Heritage Site and the first recognized Galactic Heritage Site.
Here marks the spot where a pre-1972 Aggie first spoke to a member of an opposite sex that didn't respond in bleats.
Mr. E, Bless your heart-Although we are going to have a house guest who graduated from your school.
Good one, Estimated Prophet. But I think these last few posts belong in the Beyond Europe Forum.
cala - I don't expect my witticism to last very long. But thank you!
The OP appreciates the posts.
I think there are so many "World Heritage Sites" that it loses meaning for me. I've seen a lot of them. And there are so many more. I used to think it was a big deal, but there seem to be so many, basically all over Europe, wherever you go. It seems like every European travel video I look at has the words "It's been named a Unesco World Heritage Site." Why don't they just name all of Europe a World Heritage Site?
To answer the question, have I seen one that I think is overrated? Yes. The Archive of the Indies in Seville. At least from the perspective of a tourist, there's not much to see there.
Most of them that I see are pretty fantastic and worth the time to see them, though.
The Archive of the Indies in Seville. At least from the perspective of a tourist, there's not much to see there..
I can understand how the Indian Archives wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea, but I was fascinated. I didn't realize it was a UNESCO world heritage site.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Budapest are just these three: (1) The “Banks of the Danube” including the site of ancient Roman city of Aquincum, Gellert Hill, the House of Parliament;
(2) The Buda Castle quarter; (3) Andrassy Avenue.
Mr E, your apartment is not part of any World Heritage Site. Although it may not be practical— for various reasons— replacing your sink or your throne with a low-flush model won’t cause any problems with UNESCO.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Budapest are just these three: (1)
The “Banks of the Danube” including the site of ancient Roman city of
Aquincum, Gellert Hill, the House of Parliament; (2) The Buda Castle
quarter; (3) Andrassy Avenue.Mr E, your apartment is not part of any World Heritage Site. Although
it may not be practical— for various reasons— replacing your sink or
your throne with a low-flush model won’t cause any problems with
UNESCO.
Au contraire mon bon ami, as you will find my humble working-class abode lies within the UNESCO description and within the colors of the UNESCO map: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/400/ and more detailed pdf: https://whc.unesco.org/document/101218. The sheer size of the World Heritage Zones in Budapest are testament to how architecturally and culturally interesting the city is; but a pain in daily life. Here is the take of one gentleman on the subject of what there is when looking out the window: https://youtu.be/0nd9DuDGCz0?si=aa0c19KaJHEtabkX
While we are on the subject of Hungary, here are the sites to be found: https://diasporascholarship.hu/en/news/discover-the-8-world-heritage-sites-in-hungary/ Some "interesting" some serve the purpose of historical and/or cultural record.
Are you saying your apartment’s address includes the words “Andrassy ut?” You have never claimed that before.
If it does not include the words “Andrassy ut” —it’s not within the borders of the core World Heritage Site. Instead, it’s in the buffer zone—which isn’t part of the officially designated site.
If it does not include the words “Andrassy Avenue,” it’s not within
the borders of the core UNESCO Site. Rather, it’s in the buffer zone
which isn’t part of the officially designated site.
EDIT: i see you corrected your post. A further note on that is that "accents" are critical here as they can change the meaning of a word. For instance, “út” is generally recognized as a large or major road while “ut” is … well, I don’t believe there is a word “ut” in the Hungarian language. On the other hand, “üt” is “beat” as in “beat your dog”. The best translation for Andrássy út is Andrássy Road as there are specific words in Hungarian for Avenue and for Boulevard.
Kenko, to yout comment, there are more than a dozen other streets with buildings addressed on those streets within the Core of the Andrássy út World Heritage site. I woud direct your attention to one called Jókai tér. Regardless of that, no one in Budapest has an address with the words “Andrassy Avenue”. EDIT: Or "Andrassy ut"
The core and the buffer are officially designated in the UNESCO agreement with the local government. The requirements for maintaining the core site and the buffer zone are both dictated by the UNESCO agreement with the local government. Failure to meet the terms of the agreement in either the core or the buffer can result in the loss of the designation.
Mr. E., Could you charge an admission free into your apartment to see that "World Heritage Kitchen Sink"? Could help pay the rent. Maybe RS would put it on the tour guide list. You could was some dishes while the tour group is in your apartment. :)
Couldn't resist. Its LOL Friday.
Threadware, you are a good individual.
Besides the sink, and probably much more interesting I own a cold war era bomb shelter (I am picturing one of our RS members going crazy on AI right now). When I bought one of my flats I noticed in the fine print that I got the basement too. What could be wrong with that so I signed the paperwork. Well, it's titled as bomb shelter and that can't be changed and I have to pay the common cost on it every month (condo fee). I asked why the building had such a thing and I was told for when the Americans attack. They weren't prepared for the attack to come on RS tour busses.
As the shelter is in the same building as my kitchen sink, I guess it's a .... you know ....
If you want to see behind the door $$$$ https://1drv.ms/i/c/c9f4c533eb93d92e/ES7Zk-szxfQggMkbIQIAAAABBXrXrjLFoqlwsnhZqXLyKA?e=nDr96u. (Before I get reported ... it's a joke ... I don't charge)
Kitchen sink, bomb shelter in a UNESCO sight? You throw in a bowl of goulash and you can get your UNESCO tour up on Viator and maybe a Viking river cruise excursion deal! The opportunities are endless. I can see the advertisement now.
Embark on a unique journey through history with an exclusive tour of a UNESCO site in Budapest. Step into a war preparation room designed to endure aerial attacks, offering a rare glimpse into wartime resilience. Experience the current post-war era’s living conditions, showcasing an extraordinary contrast between survival and today’s living. The owner will enthrall you with tales of the this site and explain the historical significance of such wartime precautions.
As part of the tour, you will savor a delicious homemade iconic dish, Hungarian goulash, prepared by the owner. All this for just $35 per person—a truly unforgettable experience in the heart of Budapest.
LOL
Threadware, if I ever go back into business, you are doing my marketing. I just sent myself $70 for two tickets. And I just amended the title of the thread to keep you on topic.
My sides hurt from laughing.
Throw in a very decent beer and I'm in for those tickets, Mr. E.
Well Kathy, in keeping with the theme it will have to be Soviet beer. Among the most popular are 3, 7 and 9. Yes, being commie beer they just gave the rot gut numbers. Still made, my favorite is 3, but I dated a young lady before the fall and she would drink nothing but 9. It was a female ruskie macho thing which you would understand if you ever tried 9.
Iguazu Falls was a wow as was the Serengeti. Nature rules
Stonehenge was underwhelming as was the historic plaza of Lima Peru
I imagine Mr. E’s throne falls in the underwhelming category of buffer zones.
Oaxaca is a UNESCO site and it's everything I'd hoped it'd be. Monte Alban is especially fascinating if you're into archeology.
Well worth the visit.
-- Mike Beebe
Kenko, here you go: https://i.pinimg.com/236x/4c/c5/6f/4cc56fd858778001742dff8660e86f86.jpg
