Whilst the area in Baku is thought to have been inhabited since the Stone Age, Baku itself rose to prominence as the Shirvani capital in 1191, following an earthquake which destroyed their original capital, Şamaxı.
At Baku, the Shirvani built a walled city including an impressive palace complex which was only completed in the 15th century. Much of this was destroyed over the centuries as it came under ongoing attack including by the Ottomans in 1585 and by the Russians in 1723 when it was razed by fire, after which Baku became part of the Russian empire in 1783.
Nevertheless, Baku’s rich history has endowed the area with a wealth of monuments ranging from 7th century structures to 15th century citadels, earning it a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. In particular, Baku is famed for its 12th century Maiden Tower, which was once a fire temple and for the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, an imposing 15th century royal residence. Also notable are the 11th century Mehmet Masjid and the ancient market.
The İçəri Şəhər (Old City) of Baku remains an exotic labyrinth of narrow streets, ancient buildings and historic sites. It’s divided into several quarters, named after either the mosque in that quarter or the primary occupation of those who lived and worked there. It’s a remarkable trip back in time to Medieval Baku, particularly given the shiny modern glass facades and Soviet-style blocks that litter the rest of the city.
Be sure to visit Baku’s Maiden Tower and the gorgeous Palace of the Shirvanshahs while you’re in town (both require tickets).
Baku is served by the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, with flights arriving regularly from all over Europe. The airport is a 30 minute drive from the centre of Baku. Intercity connections from within Azerbaijan run from Baku’s central station regularly.
]]>While many historical sources date its establishment to the 7th or even 5th century, it is known that Dubrovnik and its ‘old city’ became a powerful merchant town in the 13th century and operated as a free state until the 18th.
Considered to be the cultural centre of Croatia, many of its stunning medieval buildings survive despite a host of challenging events throughout its history. These include in 1667 when the city suffered a devastating earthquake, several attacks including being invaded by the Nazis, and a 7-month siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army in 1991.
Amongst its many draws are its churches, such as the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary with its impressive organ, the Church of St. Ignatius, the Church of St Blaise (patron saint of Dubrovnik) and the Franciscan Monastery which houses the third oldest pharmacy in the world. Many of Dubrovnik’s churches are built in a classic Baroque style.
Dubrovnik’s main street is Stradun, where the Large Onofrio Fountain can be found and in nearby Luza Square one can see the city’s symbol of peace, Orlando Column. Also within the vicinity of the buzzing Luza Square are the 15th-century buildings of Sponza Palace and Ducal Palace, both of which have served important secular roles in Dubrovnik’s history.
Other gems include the Zelenci statues (or at least the new replicas of the originals), located at the top of the Bell Tower near the Polce entrance to Dubrovnik, where a giant bell tolls on the hour.
Fans of Game of Thrones will also be able to trace the steps of some of their favourite characters from the show, as much of Westeros’ infamous capital city of King’s Landing was filmed there!
Dubrovnik is located in southern Croatia, and is accessible from most places via the country’s substantial highway and road network. The closest airport is Tivat in Montenegro, with daily international flights also coming into Zagreb. Many buses connect Dubrovnik to other cities in Croatia, as well as its multiple sea links.
]]>The Falkland Islands, also know as the Malvinas Islands or Spanish Islas Malvinas, are an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic Ocean. The population is around 2,500 people over an area of 4,700 square miles. Around 4/5ths of the population live in the capital, Stanley, with the rest living in small, isolated sheep-farming communities.
From 2 April until 14 June 1982, Argentine troops occupied the Falkland Islands, claiming them as their own territory, Las Malvinas. The British Task Force was sent to recover the Islands from the Argentine troops. Their landing on 21 May 1982 is now commemorated each year as “Landing Day”.
Argentine Forces, after the battles in the lands around Port Stanley, surrendered to Major General Jeremy Moore of the British Forces. The surrender document was signed at the Secretariat Building, in the room now named the “Liberation Room”. Liberation Day is commemorated by a public holiday on 14 June with services in Christchurch Cathedral and at the Liberation Monument.
Other, smaller memorials are situated at locations around the Islands relevant to battles that took place. The site of the major battle, Goose Green is accessible, with its stone memorial to those who died there, and other battlefields can also be visited.
There are memorials to the conflict in Argentina, notably one in Ushaia, which reads: “The people of Ushuaia who, with their blood, irrigated the roots of our sovereignty over the Malvinas (Falklands) … We will return!!!”
Other cultural monuments include the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust, which is dedicated to the history of the islands.
There are three main ways to visit the Islands for a holiday: flying via the United Kingdom, flying via South America, via cruise ship. There is a twice- weekly direct flight to the Falklands through the Royal Air Force and operated by AirTanker.
During the 10th century, the Fatimids conquered Egypt, ending centuries of Abbasid rule over the region. In 970 the city of al-Mu’izziyya al-Qaahirah was founded to serve as the seat of the ruling family and a centre of power. The capital would later be known as al-Qahira, which developed into the modern name Cairo.
In the coming centuries the city would be the base of famed Saladin and later the Mamluk Sultanate. Many of the buildings still visible in the city are from these eras. The original city walls may not be standing anymore, but three gates from the 11th century can still be admired – Bāb al-Futūḥ, Bāb al-Naṣr, and Bāb Zuwaylah.
By 1340, Cairo became the largest city in the Islamic world, with almost half a million people living in it. By the mid 14th century plagues began the gradual decline of the metropolis. European exploration and trade in India undermined Cairo’s role in the lucrative spice trade, adding to its mounting problems. Following the Ottoman conquest in 1517, the city was reduced to the status of provincial capital in the new Turkic empire.
Cairo itself has grown immensely in the past century, again becoming one of the largest cities in the world. The historic district lies on the eastern bank of the Nile and includes over 600 classified monuments and buildings, ranging from the 7th to the 20th centuries.
One of the most imposing structures to survive the centuries is the Citadel of Cairo, constructed by Saladin during the 12th century. It was one of the most impressive fortifications of its time, and was still used by the British centuries later during their occupation of Egypt. These days the citadel is open to the public.
Another popular destination in the old historic town is the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hasan, built between 1356 and 1363. It is considered by many to be one of the most impressive monuments in Cairo, with its enormous entrance portal, beautiful facade and general grand scale dazzling visitors from across the globe.
Historic Cairo also encompasses an area known as Coptic Cairo, with the oldest surviving ruin being the Ancient Roman Babylon Fortress, created around 30 BC. Within the old fortification you can find the Coptic museum and several Christian churches.
The easiest way to reach Historic Cairo is to fly to Cairo International Airport, and take either the bus or a taxi from there. The latter is the fastest way to arrive in the splendid old town, taking only around 26 minutes versus 50 minutes on the bus. The official city taxis are white and can be found just outside of Terminal 1, 2 and 3.
]]>Founded as an Ancient Roman military colony in the 1st century BC, Florence has had a long and proud history. By the 3rd century AD it served as a provincial capital becoming a centre of wealth. The fall of the Western Roman Empire and the subsequent Gothic Wars between Byzantium and the Ostrogoths brought widespread destruction not only to Florence but to the Italian peninsula as a whole.
The High Medieval period would see new growth, ushering in an artistic golden age. By the 13th century Florence had become a formidable economic and political powerhouse, largely brought about by its banking and woollen cloth industries. The period would also see the city becoming a Republic which eventually birthed the Renaissance. The late republican period would see the rise of the Medici family, who seized total control in 1569, becoming dukes of Tuscany.
The following centuries saw Florence’s standing diminished, with its cultural vitality paling in comparison to prior eras. For a while the city fell under foreign influence, through a personal union with Habsburg Austria. Florence would finally become part of a unified Italian state in 1861.
Even though Florence has existed since Roman times, most of the surviving buildings stem from the early modern period.
The most famous landmark of the city is the magnificent Florence Cathedral. It is one of the largest churches in Italy and still to this day has the largest brick dome ever constructed. Building began in 1296, but it would not be until 1436 when the structure was fully completed.
In the heart of the city you can find the Piazza della Signoria, which is surrounded by some of Florence’s main attractions. The Palazzo Vecchio, which overlooks the cities main piazza, has been the town hall of Florence for centuries. It remains a popular tourist attraction thanks to its beautiful interiors. Another standout is Bartolomeo Ammannati’s Fountain of Neptune, which is a marble masterpiece.
The Uffizi Gallery, adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria, is one of the greatest art museums in the world, housing works from artists including Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Titan and many more. Many of the most famous paintings are located in this most magnificent gallery.
The Galleria dell’Accademia houses possibly one of the most famous marble sculptures of the early modern era – Michelangelo‘s David. It is the second most visited museum in Florence, right behind the Uffizi Gallery.
The closest airport is Florence airport, which lies just 3 miles (5 km) outside of the city. You can either take a taxi or the Vola shuttle bus to the historic centre, which shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes.
]]>The Historic Centre of Salvador is a location in the Brazilian city of Salvador that retains impressive Renaissance buildings, brightly coloured houses and sober allusions to the fact that this site was one of the first slave markets in the Americas.
From 1549 to 1763, Salvador was the first capital of Brazil. Located on the northeast coast of the country, the densely populated colonial city is remarkable for the combination of religious, civil and military architecture which dates between the 17th and 19th centuries.
The Historic Centre of Salvador is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO describes it as the “colonial city par excellence of the Brazilian northeast”. It is situated in the older part of the upper city and incorporates the Largo de Pelourinho, a square that was once the location of a whipping post (pelourinho) where slaves were abused.
Salvador was a site of convergence for indigenous South American, European, and African cultures. From 1558 onwards, slaves arrived at Salvador to work on sugar plantations. The 18th century Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black People originated among the mutual aid communities of slaves and freemen in Salvador.
Important sites in Pelourinho include the Cathedral of Salvador, which was consecrated in 1654 and the Church and Convent of São Francisco. Other popular destinations include the Rio Braco Palace and the Lacarda Elevator.
The Historic Centre of Salvador is a destination for dining, music and nightlife. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and has been a national heritage site since 1984. Many of the buildings have been renovated: over 800 buildings have restored facades and interiors.
The development of the area has been controversial. While historical preservation, tourism, safety and economic development have enhanced since the 1990s, they have contributed to the gentrification and depopulation of what remains an Afro-Brazilian cultural hub.
The Historic Centre of Salvador is walkable and accessible by bus and taxi from around the city. Salvador is accessible by airport, 30 minutes from the city centre, and by buses which run daily from other cities in Brazil.
]]>Situated roughly 35 miles (56 km) south of Florence, the town served as an important relay point for pilgrims travelling to or from Rome. San Gimignano derived its name from the Bishop of Modena who saved the settlement from a barbarian invasion in 450 AD. Following the fragmentation of the Italian peninsula during the Middle Ages, the town became an independent republic, dominated by two powerful noble families. The 14th century would see the eventual decline of San Gimigano, brought about by plagues ravaging the local population. The town would eventually find itself under the influence of Florence.
The affluent families of San Gimignano indulged themselves in lavish building projects, which included the building of 72 stone towers, of which 14 remain to this day. The towers signalled the standing and prestige of each family, though most of them have collapsed over the centuries due to poor foundations.
San Gimignano is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy, with many beautiful Gothic and Romanesque buildings surviving in prime condition. Besides the famous towers there is also the Palazzo Comunale, which houses the civic museum and picture gallery of the town.
Another standout is the Romanesque Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, a minor basilica. It houses a stunning collection of Renaissance frescos by artists including Domenico Ghirlandaio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Taddeo di Bartolo, Lippo Memmi and Bartolo di Fredi.
Sam Gimignano is also well known for its stellar white wine, making it a must visit site for wine aficionados.
There are multiple ways to reach the medieval town. You can take the train from Florence Santa Maria Novela train station to Poggibonsi train station. From there you will have to catch the local bus #130, which runs from Siena to San Gimignano. The whole journey should not take more than 80 minutes.
]]>Based on legend, the city was founded by Senius and Aschius, two sons of Remus. Archaeological evidence shows that the site was the home of an Etruscan settlement, before the Roman colony of Sena Julia was established. Siena would prosper during the Lombard rule in the Early Middle Ages, becoming a new trading centre.
The city became a self governing entity by the 12th century, engaging in fierce rivalry with its neighbour Florence. Siena became an important banking centre in the following century, with the oldest continuously operating bank, the Monte dei Paschi bank, located in the city since 1472. The city was not only a financial centre, but also an educational centre too, with the University of Siena founded in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest ones in Europe.
The 14th century would see a period of decline for the Italian city, with plagues, economic downturn and wars destabilising Siena, though this did not stop the construction of new beautiful churches and palaces.
Over the next centuries the city would only play a minor role in geopolitics, becoming a part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
The city is exceptionally well preserved, with most buildings originating during the later Medieval period, built in the then popular Gothic style. The fortified city wall and gates surrounding Siena are standing to this day.
Siena Cathedral, created between 1215 and 1263, is one of the most famous sites of the old town. Some of Italy’s finest artists worked on the structure, including Donatello, Bernini, Giovanni Pisano and Pinturicchio. The cathedral facade is incredibly ornate, considered by many to be one the most impressive in all of Italy.
The Piazza del Campo is the main square of the city, surrounded by some truly magnificent medieval buildings. The most striking is the Palazzo Pubblico with its tall Torre del Mangia. The palazzo was the seat of Siena’s government, with its adjacent bell tower being the second tallest in Italy.
Twice a year the old town becomes the site of the famous Palio di Siena, a horse race held on 2 July and 16 August each year. The race is preceded by the Corteo Storico, which is a historical costume parade.
The closest airport is Florence airport, which has good bus and train connections to Siena. From Florence, take the shuttle bus from the airport to the Santa Maria Novella station from where the trains to Siena leave.
The Siena train station is located at the bottom of a hill, outside of the historic centre. From the station, take the bus to Piazza del Sale/Viale Garibaldi or Viale Tozzi/Piazza Gramsci. The bus station in Florence can be found near the SMN train station, with two different buses departing to Siena – Rapida (the fast bus) and Ordinaria (ordinary or slower bus).
]]>The first written records of the town of Corsignano came from the 9th century, remaining a small settlement throughout the medieval period. In 1405 Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, the renaissance humanist and later Pope Pius II was born in the small town. During his time as the head of the Catholic Church, he transformed the settlement becoming the city of Pienza, meaning city of Pius, in the process.
Pienza represents the first urban centre in the world that was created based on humanist principles, becoming the blueprint for many other European cities in the coming decades. The main architect of the project was Bernardo Gambarelli.
The pedestrianised renaissance town is perfect for those looking for a relaxing stroll through beautifully preserved streets. On the Piazza Pio II, the main square of the city, the beautiful Pienza Cathedral can be found. The building combines elements from Renaissance and Gothic architecture, while also housing some truly impressive 15th century paintings.
The Palazzo Piccolomini can be found standing right next to the cathedral. It was created as the summer home for Pope Pius II and its back garden represents the first example of a ‘roofed garden’ in the renaissance.
Pienza is the home of numerous great restaurants and cafe’s, which will delight any culinary tourists. The town is also famous for producing the famous pecorino cheese, which is often served within food and on cheese platter’s.
The easiest way to reach Pienza is by renting a car and driving from either Florence or Siena to the beautifully preserved renaissance town. There are bus services that go from the aforementioned cities, though they usually take up to four hours with at least one change on the way.
]]>Of particular significance is the way in which the city was integrated within its natural surroundings.
Nguyen Anh ascended the throne of a newly unified Vietnam in 1789 and immediately proclaimed himself Emperor Gia Long with Hue. The new ruler consulted divination to decide where a new city should be built, and in 1804 construction began on the Imperial City of Hue with thousands of workers ordered to build the citadel and moat.
The city suffered in 1947 when the Viet Minh seized the citadel. A French counter attack besieged the city and a 6-week battle destroyed many major buildings and the Imperial Palace was burned. Later, during the Battle of Hue in 1968, US troops were ordered to hold shelling on the city because of its heritage. However, these restrictions were gradually lifted.
Listed as a World Heritage Site since 1993, the site of the Imperial City of Hue is actually a vast complex of monuments spread over 4 kilometres and encompassing some 140 constructions of varying sizes including temples, pavilions, a library and even a theatre. This was all protected by three circles of impressive ramparts reinforced by 24 bastions and pierced by 10 intricately decorated gates.
Many sources refer to the city as the citadel, but the Hue Citadel is just one aspect of its remains, within which are set the Imperial Residence, the Imperial City or Hoang Thanh and the Forbidden Purple City or Tu Cam Thanh as well as administrative and military structures.
Beyond its Citadel, the Imperial City of Hue has an array of sites, including fortresses such as Tran Hai Thanh and Tran Binh Dai. Further out, one can find its spiritual quarter with its temples and tombs.
Located in Thanh pho, Hue, the Imperial City sits opposite the river from the new buildings and accommodation and therefore is an easy walk away. Otherwise you can use the Grab app to hop into a taxi there.
]]>