Van Gogh’s Olive Trees belongs to a series of paintings, with this piece housed in the National Gallery of Scotland. As a tangible cultural heritage asset, it continues to inspire artists who study Van Gogh’s life, artistic spirit, and techniques to create meaningful works for future generations. As illustrated in the accompanying image, visitors observing the painting up close can see the textured brushstrokes left by the oil paint, still vibrant as if freshly applied. A closer look invites the viewer into Van Gogh’s world, evoking a profound sense of connection across time.
Immovable Culture Heritage,Movable Cultural Heritage
At the junction of the Mekong and Ou rivers in Laos, near the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, lie two cliff caves accessible by boat. Thousands of Buddha statues have been placed in these caves. For centuries, people from local towns deposited their old Buddha statues and other Buddhist relics here, making this place a very important religious site. During Laos’ New Year in April, locals visit these caves to wash in the river water and care for the statues. Most of the statues are wooden, resin, or animal bones decorated in reds, blues, and golds. This is a unique religious site as these are images of the Buddha that were once used but now have been discarded. Still, even in their final place, they create an air of worship and spirituality. The lower cave, Tham Ting, is also a place for burning offerings. The bigger and deeper upper cave, Tham Theung, is accessible from several steps along the cliffside.
The Palace and Park of Versailles is located southwest of Paris and served as the royal residence of the French monarchy from the reign of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Expanded and redesigned in the 17th century, it represents the power and artistic achievement of absolutist France. The architecture by Le Vau and Hardouin-Mansart, and the formal gardens by Le Nôtre, set new standards for palaces and landscaping across Europe. Features such as the Hall of Mirrors, Grand Canal, and geometric garden design became models of Baroque grandeur. Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its artistic mastery, historical influence, and cultural symbolism. Conservation and restoration projects maintain its authenticity and integrity. The official website presents digital exhibitions, interactive stories, high-resolution images, and videos of its galleries and gardens. These digital tools increase access and global awareness of its artistic and historical significance. Versailles contributes to the protection of cultural heritage and supports education and global citizenship by promoting historical understanding. It also encourages sustainable cultural tourism through digital outreach and international engagement.
The panaromic views of the excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro.
Panch Mahal is a palace in Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Panch Mahal meaning 'Five level Palace' was commissioned by Akbar. This structure stands close to the Zenana quarters (Harem) which supports the supposition that it was used for entertainment and relaxation. This is one of the most important buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. This is an extraordinary structure employing the design elements of a Buddhist Temple; entirely columnar, consisting of four stories of decreasing size arranged asymmetrically on the ground floor, which contains 84 columns. These columns, that originally had jaali (screens) between them, support the whole structure. Once these screens provided purdah (cover) to queens and princess on the top terraces enjoying the cool breeze and watching splendid views of Sikri fortifications and the town nestling at the foot of the ridge. The pavilion gives a majestic view of the fort that lies on its left. The pool in front of the Panch Mahal is called the Anoop Talab. It would have been filled with water, save for the bridge, and would have been the setting for musical concerts and other entertainment. The ground floor has 84 columns, the first story has 56 columns and the second and third stories have 20 and 12 columns respectively. The topmost story has 4 columns supporting a chhattri. There are 176 columns in all and each is elegantly carved pillars with unique designs.
Panel with a Phoenix and Birds in a Rock Garden
The eight treasures at the top of this panel, which are auspicious motifs derived from Buddhism, reinforce the meaning of the main image—a phoenix surrounded by smaller birds, symbolizing a virtuous monarch or leader welcomed by followers. This massive panel was hung over a wall to demonstrate the owner’s power and luxury, reflected in the rich colors and extraordinary craftsmanship.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland, covering approximately 17 million hectares across Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is a globally important ecosystem, home to an extraordinary diversity of species, including jaguars, capybaras, caimans, giant otters and the iconic hyacinth macaw. The region is shaped by seasonal flood pulses that sustain complex food webs and support both terrestrial and aquatic life. As one of the most biodiverse habitats in South America, the Pantanal plays a critical role in freshwater regulation, climate stability and carbon storage. Despite its ecological significance, the Pantanal faces growing threats from deforestation, climate change, agriculture and unsustainable development. This digital representation aims to raise awareness of the Pantanal’s unique biodiversity and promote conservation through accessible education and immersive engagement. In doing so, it supports Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, which calls for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. By promoting environmental awareness, this initiative contributes to the preservation of one of the planet’s most vital and fragile natural areas.
Papyrus manufacturing techniques were lost a long time ago. The earliest use of papyrus dates back to 3000 BC; it was widely used before 8th century. In Europe, papyrus was gradually replaced by more durable kraft and parchment paper. Later, the Arabs spread the techniques of paper making from the East to the Mediterranean, papyrus was thus replaced by papers and its manufacturing method died out. As the climate gradually changed, the wild sedges gradually disappeared in the Nile Valley. It wasn't until 1962 that an Egyptian engineer, Hassan Ragab, restored the technique for making papyrus, using the papyrus that had been brought back to Egypt from France in 1872. Today, papyrus is mostly sold as handicrafts. Papyrus has extraordinary significance in ancient Egyptian culture. The ancient Egyptians believed that after death the souls of those who were judged could reach the heavenly land - Sekhet-Aaru, the "Field of Reeds”. The dead must be buried with the Book of the Dead, which was made of papyrus, as a guide to the afterlife. Today, due to climate change and the completion of the Aswan Dam, it's hard to see papyrus growing all over the Nile Valley again. Papyrus manufacturing techniques and existing papyrus documents are also in urgent need of protection. Several digital museums of papyrus documents have been created, like Turin Papyrus Online Platform (TPOP). In addition, the Egyptian government has taken steps to add papyrus production to the United Nations list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
"Ring of Brodgar, formerly known as the Ring of Brogar, a neolithic stone circle and henge monument, with the Loch of Harray in the background." - Stevekeiretsu
An image showing part of the Ring of Brodgar, taken in 2011.
Peking Opera is a comprehensive art with a 200-year long history. Every part of it has aesthetic value to be appreciated. Many sculpture works are inspired by the masks of Peking Opera, many pop songs have Peking Opera elements, and many film elements also come from Peking Opera and folk art. Compared with other art forms, Peking Opera carries more profound cultural connotations. Peking Opera originates from China and belongs to China alone, so it is also a symbol of China. Besides, Peking Opera is the quintessence of Chinese culture and represents the cultural image of China to a large extent. In the whole Chinese culture, the main body of Peking Opera is more inclined to the folk culture or the bottom culture. Even though it was favored by the Empress of the Qing Dynasty and thus prospered rapidly, we are supposed to be objective enough to find its aesthetic characteristic. From the late Qing Dynasty to the whole 20th century, Peking Opera based on folk interest gained a position that no other folk art had ever possessed before. The impact of Chinese folk culture and aesthetics from the level of art essence is enhanced through Peking Opera and the global position of Chinese cultural and artistic state will be improved by propagandize Peking Opera.
Penghu Basalt Columns are geological formation located in Penghu, a group of islands off the western coast of Taiwan. These columns are formed by the cooling and solidifying of basalt lava due to inconsecutive volcano activities. The lava leaked around 17.4 million years ago. The biggest feature is their symmetric shape and height. The climate threat it faces is the acid rain. The acid rain will corrode their surfaces more severe and leave additional scars.
It is a special form of rocks. It was formed by the leaked lava 17 million years ago due to inconsecutive volcano activities. The feature of the basalt columns is that each piece aligns parallelly to one another. The climate threats the basalt columns encounter are the acid rain and the rising sea level. The acid rain will wash off the surface of the basalt more than usual rain will. This causes the damage to the structure of the stones. Once the structure of them is no longer sound, the columns may fall off someday. On the other hand, if the sea level continues rising, the sea may someday submerge the basalt columns.
Part of the African (or Jackass) Penguin breeding colony at Robben Island, Cape Town South Africa.
A picture of African penguins on a beach on Robben Island
The Peranakans are culturally distinct descendants of immigrants to the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia. A large trading hub since the 15th century, the Straits of Malacca has seen foreign traders to the area, many of which settle down and intermix with the local communities, establishing communities and businesses. Traditionally English-educated and intermixing well across communities – in part due to practicality and business necessity in Singapore’s colonial past – they they evolved to play an influential role in the economic and sociopolitical development of early Singapore. The unique intermarriage of cultures between the root cultures of the immigrants and that of the local Malays gave rise to a distinct hybrid culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with its own language, culture, apparel, and food. Like many smaller cultures of smaller communities, the Peranakans have been at risk of disappearing in today’s modern world. Globalization has reduced the distinctiveness and differences between communities and cultures, and younger descendants may no longer be taught about their roots and cultural practices.
This reconstruction was created as part of the Tayside Landscape Partnership in collaboration with Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. It was part of a project to enable people to discover medieval Perth in the year 1440 through 360° virtual images and fascinating facts. Using leaflets, interpretation panels and QR codes to discover more online about Perth's story. All are located within easy walking distance of each other in the city centre. Perth was one of Scotland's most important medieval royal burghs. Many trade routes met here, and ships arrived on high tides from England and the continent. Perth's craftsmen were rich, skilled and influential, and the markets flourished. While little of medieval Perth survives above ground, there is still evidence of this important past throughout the city centre.
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust ( Tay Landscape Partnership)
Established in 1988, Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust was founded to protect, enhance and promote our Historic Environment. Our remit encompasses Historic Building Conservation, Archaeology, Interpretation and Training. We also manage the Perth City Heritage Fund, which aims to encourage sustainable economic and social recovery within Perth by conserving and restoring Historic Buildings.
Illustration depicting the back streets of Preth by Roger Dennis 1978.
Archaeological research on Perth pottery.
The Petäjävesi Old Church as seen on a sunny fall day.
The Petäjävesi Old Church is a Lutheran log church built between 1763 and 1765. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 for exemplifying traditional wooden church architecture of the Nordic countries. The church is located on a peninsula at Lake Solikkojärvi in central Finland. According to UNESCO, the construction of the church was led by local master builder Jaakko Leppänen, after which it was taken care of and improved by relatives such as the grandson Erkki Leppänen in 1821. About the church’s characteristics UNESCO writes that it is “representative of the architectural tradition of wooden churches in northern Europe”. What adds to the uniqueness of the church is the masterful appliance of traditional log construction techniques of the local peasantry. Today the church is a popular tourist destination as well as a functional Lutheran church in the summer.
The Jordan City was an important crossroads between Syria-Phoenicia, Arabia and Egypt. Being settled since prehistoric times, the archaeological site locates in a mountain-surrounded basin between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. It was built by Nabataean caravans in approximately 5th century BC, which shows a magnificent fusion of ancient Eastern traditions and architecture of Hellenistic. The city is half exposed, half covered by rosy-coloured rock, and it is one of the most popular signature tourist attractions of Jordan. However, the collapse of old structures as well as erosion from water bring challenge to its conservation.
Petra ancient-civilization-exploration-background
Unearthed from Jordan's rose-red sandstone cliffs, Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whispers the tales of a lost civilization. This ancient Nabataean city, flourishing over 2,000 years ago, boasts unique architecture carved directly into the rock face. Nicknamed the "Rose City" for its natural hues, Petra is a testament to the Nabataeans' remarkable engineering and artistry. Beyond the iconic Treasury, with its intricate facade seemingly rising magically from the mountain, lies a network of passageways, tombs, temples, and an amphitheater. Here, the ingenuity of the Nabataeans is evident in their complex water management system, allowing this desert city to thrive for centuries. Digital interpretation in Petra Archaeological Park to be addressed is SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly by protecting cultural heritage (Target 11.4) through reduced wear and tear from virtual tours, and by promoting sustainable tourism practices (Target 11.b) through enhanced visitor flow management, improved accessibility with VR/AR for all, and increased visitor awareness and education about the site's significance.
The Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve is located in the central western Maldives in the Indian Ocean, north of the Kashidhoo Kandhoo channel. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011, it encompasses 1,200 square kilometers of coral reefs, islands, seagrass meadows, and mangroves. The atoll supports one of the largest and most diverse reef systems in the Indian Ocean, functioning as a vital ecological bridge for marine species between the eastern and western Indian Ocean. Home to over 250 species of coral and 1,200 reef and pelagic fish species, the reserve is particularly renowned for its seasonal aggregations of plankton-feeding manta rays and whale sharks. The area demonstrates a long history of sustainable human interaction with the environment through traditional fishing practices. Today, it faces significant threats from climate change, including coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and increasing water temperatures.
The Byodoin Temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto in 1994. Being one of the World Heritage sites, the Byodoin Temple buildings and Buddha statues have a long history of about 1000 years. Phoenix Hall is the most famous building of this cultural heritage. It is a combination of paintings, architecture, artifacts, and sculpture that covers the arts and history, the design style still remains the beauty of Mogao Cave to exhibit an art style that originated in Tang Dynasty. Also, in order to commemorate the cultural significance behind this heritage, Japan displays its image on its 10 yen coin, and the 10,000 yen note also features the phoenix image.
The Phoenix Islands,or Rawaki, are a group of eight atolls and two submerged coral reefs that lie east of the Gilbert Islands and west of the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, north of Samoa. They are part of the Republic of Kiribati. Their combined land area is 28 square kilometres (11 sq mi). The only island of any commercial importance is Canton Island (also called Abariringa). The other islands are Enderbury, Rawaki (formerly Phoenix), Manra (formerly Sydney), Birnie, McKean, Nikumaroro (formerly Gardner), and Orona (formerly Hull). The Phoenix Islands Protected Area, established in 2008, is one of the World's largest protected areas, and is home to about 120 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish. All of the Phoenix Islands are uninhabited, except for a few families who live on Canton Island.
Photograph of two Peranakan ladies. Photo from Wereldmuseum Amsterdam
Photograph of Yinxu taken in Anyang, Henan in 2004, September 17.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism
The Phuktal Monastery is built around a natural cave, which is believed to have been visited by numerous sages, scholars, translators, and monks around 2,550 years ago. The remote location of the monastery was ideal for monks looking for peace and solitude to meditate. The present Phuktal Gompa, of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, was established in the early 15th century by Jangsem Sherap Zangpo, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa. Tsongkhapa was the founder of Gelug, which is one of the newest schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Phulkari word consists of 2 words “Phul” and “Kari” which means flower and works respectively in the region of Punjab, India. It started in the 15th century by the women of Punjab and is known as the folk embroidery of rural Punjab. The embroidery is generally very bright and colorful which brings colors to the lives of people. Even though phulkari means flower work, the embroidery doesn't only limit to flowers but also includes geometric shapes and motifs. Earlier this type of embroidery is only restricted to shawls and odhani but nowadays this is done on large-scale canvases such as sarees and churidar kameez. In preventing the Phulkari embroidery, digital media plays a crucial role as one can learn how to do such embroidery from different tutorials online posted on platforms like Youtube and Facebook. Also, by making Instagram and TikTok reels on such a beautiful handicraft, content creators can educate their audience about the culture and the beauty that resides in this handmade embroidery culture. Also, there are some websites that offer online courses to learn such embroidery techniques. One can read articles and books on the internet. For people who want to buy such stuff, many retailers are now selling it on online platforms either by making their own website or on some other’s portal.
A picture of a mountain goat at Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park(US)
This is a picture of Jade Dragon(Yu-Long) Snow Mountain.
Notre Dame de Paris is a famous tourist attraction in France and a milestone in the history of European architecture. This is a typical Gothic church building located on the Seine River in the center of Paris. It was started in 1163 and completed in 1345. It is one of the most representative monuments in France. Notre Dame de Paris is a representative of early European Gothic architecture and sculpture art. In recent years, approximately 12 million tourists have visited Notre Dame every year, making it the most visited attraction in France.Notre Dame de Paris is located in a temperate maritime climate. The average temperature in summer is between 15 and 25 degrees. In winter, it rains a lot and is often foggy. Restoring Notre Dame will require consideration of climate change and its impacts, as well as the use of sustainable building materials and technologies. This can contribute to SDG 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Restoring Notre Dame will provide the public with research and learning opportunities that advance SDG 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Picture of St Mary Lake in Glacier National Park
A picture of St. Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island, Glacier National Park
Picture of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This picture is from https://www.pexels.com
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The stone slab house is a traditional house type of some Taiwanese Indigenous tribes, such as Rukai, Paiwan, Bunun, and Atayal. The house is built on rocks that were handy to them. One layer by a layer, the layers of stone slab are able to prevent rain from dripping into the interior. The climate threat that this kind of house faces is the acid rain. Acid rain has very strong ability of corrosion. If the stone slabs have long-term contact with it, their surfaces may start to be corroded and thus the stone slabs will be greatly damaged.
Pingyao Ancient City, located in Shanxi Province, China, is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in the country. Originally built during the Western Zhou Dynasty, it flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as a major financial and trade center. The city is renowned for its well-preserved city walls, traditional courtyards, and ancient banking institutions. In 1997, Pingyao was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its authentic architectural style and historical significance. However, the city faces challenges such as urbanization and tourism pressure. Digital preservation methods, including 3D scanning and virtual tours are being used to document and protect the site while enhancing public engagement. These efforts contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by ensuring the conservation of this invaluable cultural heritage for future generations.
Plank Figurine. Anthropomorphic design with a halo. Terracotta red painted geometric design which is well preserved. Plank figurines were commonly found in grave contexts in Cyprus. Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age.