Many countries have various outstanding natural and cultural sites with special characteristics. For example, it can be a beautiful unusual lake or a rare architectural building. Such objects, due to their uniqueness, are important for all mankind, including future generations. One of the states that has such valuable objects is Austria.
UNESCO and World Heritage Sites
Unusual and rare objects of the environment and cultural values of civilization, inherited from previous generations and in need of preservation for posterity, are very important as the spiritual and material we alth of all mankind.
The international organization UNESCO deals with the issues of entering into the World Heritage List and the preservation of certain objects.
Most of the monuments are concentrated in Europe, which indicates that European countries have made a significant contribution to the development of world culture. Italy, France and Germany are richest in outstanding objects. Also, many valuable monuments of world significance arose thanks to the ancient Asiancivilizations. A huge number of cultural and natural sites are located in South America and Africa.
Many charming corners of nature, specially modified by man, become valuable culturally and artistically. Such natural areas transformed by people are called cultural landscapes. For example, these are Peterhof and Pavlovsk near St. Petersburg, as well as the imperial residence of Schönbrunn - a world heritage site in Austria. The natural and cultural heritage of the world is constantly in danger of total or partial destruction. A large number of valuable objects were destroyed or partially destroyed during world wars and revolutions. Natural disasters (fires, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes) and environmental degradation, also through the fault of people, pose a significant danger.
Austria
Austria is a relatively small federal state in the heart of Europe, a parliamentary republic. The population is approximately 8.5 million people. The state includes 9 federal lands with an impressive share of autonomous self-government. The nationality of the main population is Austrian Germans.
Architecture and urban planning of the Austrian lands developed under the weighty influence of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, in the formation of these values of civilization, the country and its capital Vienna played a significant role as the political and cultural center of vast lands.
Austria World Heritage List
To objectsTo date, 9 monuments have been listed as World Heritage Sites in Austria by UNESCO. The first to this list were the Historic Center of the City of Salzburg (1996), as well as the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens in Vienna. In 1997, the Hallstatt-Dachstein Cultural Landscape came here, and the following year, the Semmering Railway. Graz Historic Center and Eggenberg Castle (1999, updated 2010), Wachau Cultural Landscapes (2000) and Fertö-Neusiedlersee (2001) followed.
In addition, the Historic Center of Vienna (2001) and Prehistoric Pile Dwellings near the Alps (2011) were added. There is also a Tentative List of Austrian Candidates. To date, it consists of 13 titles.
City of Salzburg
Austria's world heritage is very rich in beautiful architectural buildings, a large number of which are located, for example, in Salzburg. This city is located at the foot of the Alps, relatively close to Vienna. The stunning beauty of Salzburg is the result of a miraculous combination of nature and art: magnificent historical monuments naturally nestle in its mountainous surroundings. The city owes its origin to the construction of a monastery in the 7th century AD. Salzburg gained its popularity also thanks to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the greatest virtuoso musician. For a long time the city was the spiritual capital of the country, having in its arsenal, in addition to art, many beautiful churches.
Hiking in the historic centerthe cities of Salzburg will leave a lot of impressions. Here is the medieval fortress Hohensalzburg, the symbol of the city. Of interest is the old screw organ, called the "Salzburg Bull", as it has been waking up residents in the morning hours for many years.
Mozart was baptized in the monumental Cathedral with luxurious interior decoration. It is impossible to deprive of attention the university church Kollegienkirche, so beloved by the great composer. It was erected in the 17th century by Johann Berhard Fischer von Erpach in the Baroque style in honor of the Virgin Mary. Now it houses a unique church museum. The same architect built the large Franciscan church.
The central square of the city Residenzplatz has not changed much since the 18th century. Around the square are the new and old residences of the bishop and the Sattler Museum, and in the center there is an old fountain. There is a huge variety of architectural styles here. The city enchants with its cozy streets and courtyards, splendor of architectural buildings, squares and beautiful fountains.
Schönbrunn
The grand Schönbrunn Palace as the summer residence of the reigning monarchs was built at the end of the 17th century by Johann von Erlach. Initially, this place was a house at the mill, later there was a hunting estate, destroyed by the Turks. Throughout the history of its existence, the Palace was rebuilt and completed several times. In the middle of the 18th century, the palace became the epicenter of the socio-political events of the country. Schönbrunn was the seat of the rulers of the Habsburg dynasty from the 18th century until 1918, when the monarchy wasabolished and the Republic of Austria arose.
This monumental structure is remarkable for its large number of wonderful pieces of fine art; it has more than one thousand rooms. Baroque Schönbrunn and its park are included in the Austrian World Heritage Site. Luxurious ancient palace park with an outlandish labyrinth, an abundance of beautiful flower plantings, alleys, sculptures and fountains amaze guests with their splendor. Also here is a triumphal arch with a delightful view of the city and specially created Roman ruins. Noteworthy is the world's oldest zoological garden, which contains more than four thousand animals. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens is a magnificent baroque ensemble and a fine example of a complex art object.
Steel highway of the country
The Semmering Railway, over 40 km long, was built in the highlands in the middle of the 19th century. It is an outstanding embodiment of engineering and the world's first highland railway. In the twentieth century, the railway was listed as a World Heritage Site in Austria.
Construction under the most difficult conditions was carried out by 20 thousand people under the leadership of Karl Ritter von Geg. It was for this purpose that locomotives of a fundamentally new device were built, as well as many different bridges. The path is still used today due to the excellent condition of the tunnels and other structures. The road stretched along the most beautiful mountainousthe area where the Austrian resort originated, famous for its excellent ski slopes and clean air.
Capital of Austria
Vienna is the main city of Austria, the cradle of amazing music and talented composers. This cultural, economic and political center of the country, and once the whole of Europe, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an incredibly luxurious cultural and architectural heritage.
The historic center of Vienna has existed for many centuries and abounds in chic architectural ensembles, including beautiful baroque palaces and parks. The old town is relatively small and is surrounded by the Ringstrasse from the end of the 19th century, which still has grandiose buildings, monuments and parks, many museums and the Museum Quarter.
This part of the city belongs to the Austrian World Heritage Site. Its main attractions also include centuries-old cathedrals, monuments and social buildings. The heart of Vienna, Stephanplatz is famous for the 12th century St. Stephen's Cathedral and other interesting things.
The amazing Hofburg is also famous - the imperial residence with 19 palaces built at different times, and with twenty other buildings. It contains the rarest and most valuable relics. There are various museums, the National Library, magnificent imperial apartments, as well as a chapel, where the boys' choir, founded in the 15th century, sings to this day.
