The small building now known as St Rule's Church was once St Andrews' main cathedral. It was probably built in the early twelfth century, perhaps by workmen from northern England. The church is in the Romanesque (or Norman) style that was then popular across much of Europe. Its high tower is visible for many miles, and may have been designed to guide seafarers to St Andrews. In the late twelfth century St Rule's was superseded by the much larger cathedral whose ruins it stands beside. Nevertheless, the old church remained important to the canons of St Andrews Cathedral, and an image of St Rule's was used on the cathedral canons' seal for official documents until after the Reformation.
This is the current South Front. The entrance was originally through the Fore Tower on the right.
St Andrews Castle view N/E from the Sea.
Virtual reconstruction image of St Andrews Castle c 1520
In the past, it is regarded as the headquarters of the medieval Scottish Church, as the largest church to have been built in Scotland. The ruin of St Andrews Cathedral survived today and remained as a prominent, remarkable landmark that is still clearly visible from the sea. Visiting this miracle, you might be brought to 1560 to learn how this cathedral could dominate the Scottish religion and get up close to the imposing stories behind these medieval enclosures, relics, sculptures, and so on. This is a marvel by ancient people that the artifact done by our hand and mind could overcome natural invasion and lasts for hundreds of years and even further.
Drone footage of St Andrews Cathedral on a snow day in 2018 by OVW Team members Dr John McCaffery and Dr Chris Davies. Music credits: St Salvators Choir: Kyrie Chant
St Andrews Cathedral was once the largest and most important church in Scotland. In the late fifteenth century the chronicler Walter Bower described St Andrews Cathedral as ‘the lady and mistress of the whole kingdom’. There has been a religious site in St Andrews since the early Middle Ages. In the 1160s work began on a vast new cathedral, replacing the church now known as St Rule’s. The rebuilt cathedral was eventually consecrated in July 1318 in the presence of King Robert the Bruce. St Andrews Cathedral served as a major religious centre until 1559, when it was ‘reformed’ by Protestant activists who made a bonfire of its religious images. In the years after the Reformation the cathedral gradually fell into ruins. When Dr Samuel Johnson visited in the 1770s he commented on the ‘poor remains’ of a formerly ‘spacious and majestic building’. This reconstruction shows the cathedral in about 1318. It was created by researchers at the University of St Andrews. The cathedral site is now managed by Historic Scotland, and a version of the reconstruction can be seen in their visitor centre.
In 2010, we collaborated on this project with the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. Taking advice and guidance from the pre-eminent architectural historian of medieval Scotland, Professor Richard Fawcett, OBE FSA FRSE HonFSAScot and from the School of Classics Professor Rebecca Sweetman. Using scale floor and elevation plans provided by Historic Scotland of the cathedral and its surrounding ecclesiastical buildings, as well as site visits with our specialists, we gained a clear understanding of the site's layout. St Andrews Cathedral was once the largest and most important church in Scotland. In the late fifteenth century, the chronicler Walter Bower described St Andrews Cathedral as ‘the lady and mistress of the whole kingdom’. There has been a religious site in St Andrews since the early Middle Ages. In the 1160s, work began on a vast new cathedral, replacing the church now known as St Rule’s. The rebuilt cathedral was eventually consecrated in July 1318 in the presence of King Robert the Bruce. St Andrews Cathedral served as a major religious centre until 1559, when it was ‘reformed’ by Protestant activists who made a bonfire of its religious images. In the years after the Reformation, the cathedral gradually fell into ruins. When Dr Samuel Johnson visited in the 1770s, he commented on the ‘poor remains’ of a formerly ‘spacious and majestic building’. This reconstruction represents the cathedral around 1318. It was created by researchers at the University of St Andrews. The cathedral site is currently managed by Historic Scotland, and a video of our reconstruction can be seen in their visitor centre.
A short clip depicting St Andrews Harbour in 1921. A collaborative project with the St Andrews Preservation Trust. Today, the Scottish burgh of St Andrews is best known for its golf courses and ancient university. However, it also has a long maritime history, stretching back into the Middle Ages. For centuries, St Andrews Harbour was a gateway between Fife and the wider world, with ships trading with Scandinavia and Germany, as well as along the east coast of Scotland. By the early twentieth century, ships had grown larger, and the harbour at St Andrews was too small for most trading vessels. However, it remained home to smaller fishing boats. To this day, a limited number of crab and lobster boats still work from the harbour. This short video tour shows how the harbour may have appeared in the 1920s.
Holy Trinity Church was for many years the main place of worship for St Andrews' ordinary residents. It was built in the early fifteenth century, near the residential and trading centre of St Andrews. During the late Middle Ages Holy Trinity was regarded as one of Scotland's leading parish churches and was served by about thirty priests. The interior was richly decorated with stained glass, luxurious fabrics, and statues imported from Flanders. In 1547 Holy Trinity was the scene of the first public sermon of the famous Reformer, John Knox. In 1559, Knox again preached in Holy Trinity, commanding the people of St Andrews to purge the city of "monuments of idolatry". Inspired by Knox's words, the local population rejected Catholicism, tore down statues and altars, and sacked St Andrews Cathedral. At the start of the twentieth century Holy Trinity was extensively remodelled. Today, only the tower and some pillars inside the church survive from the Middle Ages. This project was funded by St Andrews Community Trust.
Digital image of St Andrews Lost Tolbooth.
Location: Middle of Market Street. Date Built: Twelfth to nineteenth centuries. Outlined in the paving on Market Street is the location of St Andrews' former tolbooth (the Scottish equivalent of a town hall). We do not know precisely when St Andrews’ tolbooth was built, but recent archaeological excavation suggests the site has been in use since the twelfth century. The tolbooth underwent several major renovations and was almost completely rebuilt in the sixteenth century. As in other Scottish towns, the tolbooth was a meeting place for the local council and community. It also acted as a prison. St Andrews' tolbooth was eventually demolished in the 1860s as it was regarded as an obstruction to traffic. In front of the tolbooth, stood the tron - a weighing beam with the city's official weights and measures. During the Middle Ages, weights and measures were not standardised across the country. Each town had its own measures. Like most Scottish towns, St Andrews was administered by a committee known as the burgh council. The council was led by the provost (the Scottish equivalent of a mayor). In theory, the provost was elected. However, for most of the sixteenth century, the provost of St Andrews was always a member of the Learmonth family. The Learmonths aggressively dealt with any opposition. They reputedly even resorted to murder to get their way! The burgh court met regularly in the Tolbooth. Many of the issues dealt with by the court concerned property disputes. For example, squabbles about non-payment of rents or disputed boundaries were often resolved by the burgh court. The Tolbooth was extended in the 1560s in order to provide more meeting space for the burgh council. The building work was financed with money previously allocated to the Catholic Church.
Digital Interpretation of St Andrews Tolbooth.
A short video showing the architecture, as we understand it, of St Andrews Tolbooth.
St Andrews, St Salvator's College - 1559
St Salvator's Quad is one of the best known landmarks in St Andrews. For more than five centuries the tall tower of St Salvator's has dominated the local skyline. Yet much of the rest of the design of St Salvator's Quad has been completely transformed in the years since Bishop James Kennedy established a College dedicated to Christ the Saviour in 1450. Now researchers from the University of St Andrews and Smart History take a first look at creating a new 3D digital reconstruction of St Salvator's College as it may have appeared in its medieval heyday. This reconstruction of St Salvator's is the first phase in a wider project to digitally reconstruct the appearance of the whole burgh of St Andrews just before the upheavals of the Protestant Reformation permanently changed the townscape of Scotland's religious capital. Digital Reconstruction and video - Sarah Kennedy - Head of Virtual Visualisations - Smart History Historical Research - Dr Bess Rhodes - - Head of Historical Research - Smart History This phase of the project has been funded by St Andrews University Research Impact. impact.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/
One of the stone walls of a church first built in 500-790 remains along with a well and foundations. This site is at very high risk of deterioration. Climate Impact: Slope Instability
St Giles’ was the most important church in the burgh of Edinburgh (although it was not a cathedral until the 1630s). In 1544 St Giles’ was still a Catholic Church. It was lavishly decorated with statues and stained glass, and housed the altars of the local craft guilds. The feast day of St Giles (on 1st September) was marked by a religious procession along the Royal Mile. In 1558 Protestant Reformers disrupted the religious festivities, throwing a statue of St Giles to the ground, and smashing it upon the paving stones. Two years later Scotland officially rejected Catholicism, and St Giles’ became a Protestant place of worship. Music by the Edinburgh Renaissance Band - Ane Lessone upone the first psalme. Digital Reconstruction and video - Sarah Kennedy - Head of Virtual Visualisations - Smart History Historical Research - Dr Bess Rhodes - - Head of Historical Research - Smart History
St. Kilda is a volcanic archipelago to the west of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides islands and is a prime example of natural heritage. During the height of the breeding season the archipelago is home to nearly one million seabirds. The size and diversity of the birds, including the high volume of gannets and the unique presence of the St. Kilda Wren – native to the archipelago – makes it a seabird sanctuary of global importance and one without parallel in Europe. The islands also contain tangible cultural heritage – remnants of the previous inhabitants - such as unique storage huts known as “Cleits”. Climate change is a significant threat to the biodiversity of the archipelago with rising sea surface temperatures having a negative impact on its marine ecosystem and the colonies of birds that breed there. This may be observed through the migratory Kittiwake seabird of which there has been an 89% decline in population over the period 1999-2015 - reflective of the wider fall in seabird populations on the archipelago. Climate change is likely to magnify the impact of storms and droughts which will have substantial adverse effects on the natural and cultural heritage of the islands.
St Kilda, a remote volcanic archipelago, lies approximately 100 miles off the west coast of Scotland. It is made up of islands such as Soay, Boreray, Hirta, Dun, and Levenish. The archipelago boasts breathtaking sceneries and Europe's highest sea cliffs. These cliffs serve as vital nesting grounds for numerous seabirds, including puffins and gannets, endowing St Kilda with significant avian biodiversity. With over 2,000 years of human habitation in harsh conditions, the islands retain remnants like architectural structures, field systems, cleits (stone storage rooms), and traditional Highland stone houses. In 1930, the last inhabitants left. Recognizing its unique natural and cultural values, UNESCO listed St Kilda as a World Heritage Site in 1986, and added its marine environment and cultural landscape in 2004 and 2005. To preserve it digitally, initiatives like the Scottish Ten Project have employed 3D laser scanning. This creates digital models of structures and archaeological features, allowing virtual tours. Such efforts, in line with UN SDG 11, boost sustainable tourism and education while safeguarding the world's cultural and natural heritage.
We created the very successful 'Virtual St Kilda' exhibit for Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum, North Uist in 2014 and again as an updated exhibit with improved technologies and graphics 10 years later in 2024. St Kilda was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986 for its natural heritage, and extended in 2004 to include its surrounding marine environment and in 2005 to recognise its importance as a cultural landscape. St Kilda is one of the few World Heritage Sites to hold mixed status for its natural and cultural qualities. St Kilda is of Outstanding Universal Value for its exceptional natural beauty and significant habitats. It is unique in the very high bird densities that occur in a relatively small area, linked to its range of complex and varied ecological niches. The complex ecological dynamic in the marine zones is essential to the maintenance of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The cultural landscape is an outstanding example of land use resulting from a type of subsistence economy based on the products of birds, agriculture and sheep farming and reflecting age-old traditions. The built structures and field systems, the cleits and the traditional stone houses bear testimony to over two millennia of human occupation in extreme conditions. The National Trust for Scotland owns the archipelago of St Kilda and manages it, in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), Ministry of Defense and its agents QinetiQ.
Culture,Movable Cultural Heritage,Tourism
A magnificent piece of early medieval sculpture, the Pictish St Madoes cross-slab, dates to the eighth century AD. Its imagery powerfully symbolises the authority of the Christian church. The whole is dominated by the ring-headed cross that fills what we can accept as the front of the slab. It is surrounded by biting dogs and with two lion-like creatures facing each other across the top of the stone. The back of the slab shows three cloaked and hooded riders, probably churchmen (possibly a reference to the road and its users between St Andrews and Scone), and below them three Pictish symbols: a crescent and v-rod, a double-disc and z-rod and a Pictish beast. The symbols are much worn due to exposure to the elements when it stood in St Madoes churchyard. In 1991, the stone was conserved and moved to what is now the Perth Art Gallery. In the first thousand years AD, the country we now call Scotland was dominated by changing groups of Celtic peoples, most notably the Picts. From AD 250-900, they controlled most of Scotland north of the River Forth. We do not know what they called themselves. The Picts – meaning “the painted ones” – is the name the Romans gave them. Their language has disappeared, and no Pictish manuscripts are known to have survived. But their art survives on over 300 pieces of carved stonework and a much smaller number of portable objects such as jewellery. - Perth Museum
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, England. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London, it is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. Its massive dome—one of the largest in the world—dominates the city skyline and serves as a symbol of resilience, spiritual devotion, and national identity. The cathedral has hosted numerous historic events, including the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Beyond its religious significance, the cathedral embodies exceptional craftsmanship, including intricate stone carvings, mosaics, and a grand organ. Digital heritage technologies such as 3D photogrammetry, immersive virtual tours, and AR overlays can offer global audiences access to its interior and history while preserving the physical structure from overexposure. This project contributes to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting the preservation of historical architecture and public access through responsible cultural tourism.
The Chapel was founded by Bishop James Kennedy in 1450, and consecrated in October 1460. After this time the Chapel has evolved and been altered into the building as it stands today.
St Salvator's Quad is one of the best known landmarks in St Andrews. For more than five centuries the tall tower of St Salvator's has dominated the local skyline. Yet much of the rest of the design of St Salvator's Quad has been completely transformed in the years since Bishop James Kennedy established a College dedicated to Christ the Saviour in 1450.
St Salvator's Quadrangle, St Andrews University
historic site, educational facility, university, St Andrews
VR view from within the cloister corridors looking from north to south out to the garden and tower.
Image of Virtual reconstruction created in Unreal Engine by Sarah Kennedy, OVW Team. 2018
Built in 1158 St Andrews Cathedral sits on the grounds of the oldest University in Scotland. Its value lies not only in tourism, but in the very foundation of the University. The cathedral has suffered from time and wear and was largely ignored in reconstruction and preservation efforts. Its proximity to the sea and coastal erosion caused by climate change are cause for concern without a plan for action and historical preservation. Students often wonder what the great cathedral might have looked like for the students who walked those same roads in the 1200s, the 1500s, the 1900s, and so on. Using drones, AI, and a bit of historical magic, the digital reconstruction of the cathedral can be imagined on the building itself, with a full audience of both cemetery bodies and the student body. In fact, this will be a unique opportunity for students, historians, and residents of St. Andrews, as the cathedral has been closed for a couple of years, given concerns for falling masonry. Ultimately, the cathedral may have to face demolition due to its dangerous state. The town of St. Andrews and the university itself would not retain its symbolic status without the cathedral. Historians and history enthusiasts would be able to have a physical reconstruction from the medieval period to today, aiding in research, education, and perhaps increasing visitations. According to the historicenvironment.scot website, the cathedral is one of “well-loved local landmarks... which add to [the Scottish] national identity” [3].
Built in 1158 St Andrews Cathedral sits on the grounds of the oldest University in Scotland. Its value lies not only in tourism, but in the very foundation of the University. The cathedral has suffered from time and wear and was largely ignored in reconstruction and preservation efforts. With its proximity to the sea, coastal erosion caused by climate change poses a risk to this cathedral, thus the need for climate action and historical preservation. Students often wonder what the great cathedral might have looked like for the students who walked those same roads in the 1200s, the 1500s, the 1900s, and so on. Using drones, AI, and a bit of historical magic, the digital reconstruction of the cathedral can be imagined on the building itself, with a full audience of both cemetery bodies and the student body. In fact, this will be a unique opportunity for students, historians, and residents of St. Andrews, as the cathedral has been closed for a couple of years, given concerns for falling masonry. Ultimately, the cathedral may have to face demolition due to its dangerous state. The town of St. Andrews and the university itself would not retain its symbolic status without the cathedral. Historians and history enthusiasts would be able to have a physical reconstruction from the medieval period to today, aiding in research, education, and perhaps increasing visitations. According to the historicenvironment.scot website, the cathedral is one of “well-loved local landmarks... which add to [the Scottish] national identity” [3].
St Kilda is a world heritage site which is the only one in the UK which holds dual status for being both a natural and cultural heritage site. It is an isolated Scottish archipelago situated far to the west of the Isle of Benbecula (an island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides). St Kilda consists of four islands (Hirta, Dùn, Soay and Boreray) and some of the UK’s highest sea stacks Stac Lee (172m) and Stac an Armin (196m). The nature of St Kilda is incredible as it is home to rare animals such as the wren and almost one million seabirds and houses the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffins. Additionally, the world’s largest colony of gannets nests on Boreray and the sea stacks. St Kilda has a rich cultural history which should be preserved. As St Kilda is incredibly isolated, it is impressive that a community existed and thrived here for at least 4,000 years. Locals had to climb and hunt on the high sea stacks to procure gannets, fulmars and puffins for food. Eventually, much of the population started to leave the island, perhaps because life was easier on mainland. In 1930, the remaining 36 islanders were evacuated as they had requested the government to evacuate them as their way of life on St Kilda was no longer sustainable.
St. Kildans sitting on the village street, 1886.
There is no information on the exact location of this image, but wikipedia states that it depicts St. Kildans sitting on the village street and that the image was taken in 1886.
St. Peter's Basilica is a magnificent Christian church located in Vatican City and is also one of the major cathedrals of the Catholic Church. Named after Saint Peter the Apostle, it is one of the most important holy sites in the Catholic faith. The architectural style of St. Peter's Basilica belongs to the Renaissance period, with contributions from many renowned architects, sculptors, and artists. The main dome of the church reaches a height of 136 meters, and the interior is adorned with luxurious decorations, including numerous precious artworks and sculptures. St. Peter's Basilica attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually, making it one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Vatican. SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities: As part of Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is a significant urban landmark and cultural heritage site. Its preservation and management are crucial for promoting the sustainable development of the city.
"Stac an Armin The northern end and steep western side of Stac an Armin with Boreray in the background." - Richard Webb Stac an Armin is a sea stack within St Kilda. At 196m tall, it is the highest sea stack in Scotland and the British Isles.
Image taken in 2014 of the Standing Stones of Stenness, showing three out of four of the remaining stones.
It is thought that the Standing Stones of Stenness were built over 5000 years ago in 3100 - 2900 BC and is therefore considered one of the earliest henges in Britain. The Standing Stones of Stenness are part of a world heritage site called “The Heart of Neolithic Orkney”, which also includes Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and other nearby sites. The Stones of Stenness look very different today than they would have looked thousands of years ago when they were first built. Only four of the stones in the ring remain today, the tallest is 5.7m high. Originally, there were thought to be twelve tall standing stones laid out in an ellipse which were surrounded by an estimated 2.3m deep and 4m long ditch. The ditch can no longer be seen. There is also a large stone hearth in the centre of the platform. Additionally, there are now two angular slabs close to the hearth, but it is not understood if they were part of the original henge. Look at the 3D model to get an idea of how the stones currently look and where the missing stones would have been originally placed. There is also an interesting sketch from (estimated) 1818 which shows what the stones looked like then. There are many standing stones in Orkney and legends associated with them. Some legends talk of how the stones used to be giants, trolls or witches which were transformed to stone by the strong rays of the Orkney sun. One of the most popular legends concerns Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve), where it believed that some of the standing stones come to life and walk to a nearby body of water to drink and dip their heads in. Other traditions are more morbid, such as the belief that the central stone slab within the ring was most likely used as an alter where human sacrifices were made. This was considered by Sir Walter Scott (a Scottish novelist, poet, historian and biographer) who visited the Standing Stones of Stenness in August 1814. Explore the nearby stones "Odin Stone" and "Ring of Brodgar" on the map to learn of other interesting legends.
The Statue of Liberty, is a symbol of the United States, and it was created by a partnership between the United States and France. It is one of the major landmarks in New York.And when people enter the United States from New York Harbour, they could see the Statue of Liberty who holds a torch high to welcome them. The Statue of Liberty has not only of high historical value, but also has a lot of artistic value because it is a magnificent sculpture. It has traversed nearly two hundred years of time so it has witnessed a long period of history.
The Statue of Liberty, is a symbol of the United States, and it was created by a partnership between the United States and France. It is one of the major landmarks of New York.And when people enter the United States from New York Harbour, they could see the Statue of Liberty who holds a torch high to welcome them. The Statue of Liberty has not only of high historical value, but also has a lot of high artistic value because it is a magnificent sculpture. It has traversed nearly two hundred years of time when it has witnessed a long history.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the United States, and it was created by a partnership between the United States and France. It is one of the major landmarks of New York. And when people enter the United States from New York Harbour, they could see the Statue of Liberty who holds a torch high to welcome them. The Statue of Liberty has not only of high historical value, but also has a lot of high artistic value because it is a magnificent sculpture. It has traversed nearly two hundred years of time when it has witnessed a long history.
Following emancipation in 1834, former slaves were allowed to participate in the Trinidad Carnival, however African-descended percussive performance was heavily targeted by restrictive government bills which banned many common percussive instruments (Google 2022). Having used improvisational instruments for years, by the 1930s Trinidadians experimented with a new improvisational instrument as they began to adapt oil drums to create the first steel pans. Trinidadians realised that the convex dent at the bottom of the oil drums would cause a sustained resonance when struck with a wooden “stick” or “beater”. They then experimented to tune these resonances to distinct musical pitches and could then produce recognisable melodies. The process is laborious but tedious, as the metal is heated and hammered into place, but also tuned with more precise, delicate hammering. Google 2022. The Origins of Steel Pan Notting Hill Carnival. Accessed 2022. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-origins-of-steel-pan-notting-hill-carnival/AAWBxQd4TKb21w?hl=en.
Stirling Castle, perched atop a volcanic crag in the heart of Stirling, Scotland, stands as a testament to the nation's rich history and resilience. Once the royal residence of Scottish monarchs, its imposing presence has witnessed pivotal moments in Scotland's past. During the Scottish War of Independence, it emerged as a strategic stronghold, playing a crucial role in battles like the iconic Stirling Bridge encounter of 1297, led by William Wallace, and the decisive Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where Robert the Bruce secured Scotland's sovereignty. Over the centuries, the castle evolved, reflecting architectural styles from various epochs, from its medieval origins to Renaissance influences. Today, it stands not only as a majestic architectural marvel but also as a living museum, preserving the legacy of Scotland's storied past. Stirling Castle symbolizes the endurance of Scottish heritage, embodying the nation's spirit and serving as a beacon of its cultural identity for generations to come.
Stoic Philosophy & Mental Well-being (Marcus Aurelius)
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and philosopher, left behind writings that remain profoundly relevant today. His reflections in Meditations are core texts of Stoicism, a philosophy focused on resilience, self-discipline, and virtue. This project proposes a digital heritage experience where users can interact with an AI-generated Marcus Aurelius, exploring topics like grief, anxiety, self-control, and purpose. The goal is to make ancient wisdom accessible to a broader audience and demonstrate how Stoic thought can support modern mental well-being. This concept contributes to SDG 3.4 by exploring philosophy as a reflective tool for emotional resilience, while also preserving intangible heritage in innovative ways.
Culture,Immovable Culture Heritage,Tourism
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument constructed from around 3000 BC to 2000 BC and located in Wiltshire, England. Stonehenge is composed of a circle of giant standing stones each around 4 meters high and 2.1 meters wide and with a weight of more than 25 tons and topped by connected horizontal lintel stones. What makes Stonehenge distinctive from other monuments is that the purpose of this monument remains a mystery, although many theories suggest it was a religious site, a burial ground, or an astronomical observatory. Stonehenge is a unique and important part of Britain's cultural heritage and a symbol of ancient Britain, attracting over 800,000 visitors per year.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, two miles (3 km) west of Amesbury. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around 13 feet (4.0 m) high, seven feet (2.1 m) wide, and weighing around 25 tons, topped by connecting horizontal lintel stones. Inside is a ring of smaller bluestones. Inside these are free-standing trilithons, two bulkier vertical sarsens joined by one lintel.
"Stones of Stenness and Stenness Loch The three remaining large stones all have the distinctive "hipped" shape of Orcadian prehistoric standing stones. In the far distance are the hills of Hoy." - Colin Smith
360 tour of Virtual Downpatrick Head, telling the story of this site at different times.
Subak, Ancient Water Irrigation System, Bali
The cultural landscape of Bali consists of lowland rice terraces and their temples, covering a 19,500-hectare area. The temples act as focal points within this cooperative water management system of canals and weirs, known as Subak. Although the exact date of its origin is unknown, evidence suggests the system has existed since 800 of the Saka Calendar, or 882 AD. Learning from the Subak system reflects the philosophical principle of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasises the balance between spirituality, the human world, and mother nature.
Chengdu sugar painting is a unique traditional handicraft that integrates folk arts and crafts with cuisine. It is mainly popular in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and its surrounding areas. In the past, it was also called inverted sugar cake, sugar baba and sugar lantern shadow in Sichuan. Painting with melted sugar juice was widely popular in Chengdu, Sichuan Province and the surrounding cities and villages. Sugar painting originated around the 16th century. In the court custom of the Ming Dynasty, when offering sacrifices to ancestors in the New Year, the families of senior officials often used molds to print sugar lions, sugar tigers and famous scholars and warriors as sacrifices. Later, this skill was introduced to the people and gradually evolved into sugar painting. During the creation process, the artist sits in front of a sugar painting, holding a spoon in his hand. After a short thought, the artist quickly sprinkles the liquid sugar in the spoon onto the marble slab, which is as smooth as a mirror. The coagulated liquid sugar forms magical pictures of animals, flowers, insects, dramatic characters... When the fresh sugar paintings solidified, the artist used a bamboo skewer to glue each piece of work and pick it up to complete a piece of work. It is both ornamental and edible, integrated material and spiritual culture enjoyment into one.
The Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandara Mountains of northeastern Nigeria. This landscape encompasses the Sukur settlement, which is notable for its unique architecture, agricultural terraces, and cultural traditions. The Sukur Cultural Landscape features a well-preserved hilltop settlement that is surrounded by a series of terraces, which were constructed for agricultural purposes. The terraces demonstrate the innovative farming techniques employed by the Sukur people to cultivate crops such as millet, sorghum, and vegetables in a challenging mountainous environment. The architecture of the Sukur settlement is characterized by stone houses with thatched roofs, arranged in a compact manner around a central area known as the Hidi's compound. The Hidi is the traditional ruler of the Sukur people, and the compound serves as the administrative and ceremonial center of the community.
The Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandara Mountains of north-eastern Nigeria. This landscape encompasses the Sukur settlement, which is notable for its unique architecture, agricultural terraces, and cultural traditions. The Sukur Cultural Landscape features a well-preserved hilltop settlement that is surrounded by a series of terraces, which were constructed for agricultural purposes. The architecture of the Sukur settlement is characterized by stone houses with thatched roofs, arranged in a compact manner around a central area known as the Hidi's compound. The Hidi is the traditional ruler of the Sukur people, and the compound serves as the administrative and ceremonial center of the community. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Sukur Cultural Landscape is recognised for its outstanding universal value and serves as a testament to the harmonious relationship between humans and their natural environment. Efforts to preserve and protect the Sukur Cultural Landscape are essential for safeguarding this unique cultural heritage for future generations. Digital interpretation efforts play a crucial role in addressing the notable threats faced by the Sukur Cultural Landscape while aligning with SDG 11.4, which aims to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage. These threats include environmental degradation, cultural erosion, tourism pressure, and conflict and instability. By leveraging digital platforms such as virtual tours, interactive websites, and educational apps, efforts can raise awareness about the impact of these threats on the landscape's ecological balance and cultural integrity.
"The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing." From Wikipedia
SUNDARBAN Tour - The Natural Shield on Earth | Sundarban National Park Delta - Sundarban Documentary
Sundarban Tour in Sundarban National Park, Sundarban tour inside largest mangrove forest on earth and Sundarban Delta. But Sundarbans in West Bengal is now in high alert due to the rise of Sea water level. This is a long term effect of Global Warming. This Video is an inspirational film to motivate people to save nature, save Sundarban from being destroyed. Watch some epic Sundarban drone view here.
English: A Bengal Tiger checks out the conditions before getting into the canal at Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India.
Sundarbans National Park is a natural park, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is in the three river deltas of the Bay of Bengal: the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is a world’s largest mangrove forest spanning at over 10,000 square kilometres, more than half of it is in India and the rest in Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is home to a wide variety of animals, which are all endangered species, these include many types of birds, Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, and Indian pythons. In addition to serving as a natural barrier to prevent floods, it is a rich source of natural resources and wood [1]. This is a perfect destination for nature lovers
Sundarbans National Park, located at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and unique ecosystem. This extensive network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests is home to a wide variety of species, including the iconic Bengal tiger, which is specially adapted to the aquatic and challenging environment of the mangroves. The park plays a crucial role in protecting the region from natural disasters such as cyclones and tsunamis, showcasing its significant ecological services. However, it faces serious challenges from climate change, including rising sea levels and increased salinity, which threaten its delicate ecosystems and the species that depend on them. The conservation strategies implemented in Sundarbans are in alignment with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 13 (Climate Action) by addressing the impacts of climate change, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by preserving its rich biodiversity, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cooperative international efforts for sustainable management.
Sunne is a cultural hub with its regional Västanå Teater, culture heritage foundation of Selma Lagerlöf, garden & sculpture park Rottneros and its experimental museum Alma Löv. Sunne is a wintersport resort for nordic and down hill skiing and in summer good for forest excursions, walking, mountain biking, fishing and swimming. A culture summer week gathers famous artist and authors for seminars and events. Students from the graphical vocational school are drivers in culture activities.
Sunset over the River of Grass, NPSphoto, G.Gardner
Suomenlinna is a sea fortress off the coast of Helsinki, Finland. Building of the fortress first began in 1748 when Finland was under Swedish rule. Its purpose was to strengthen Sweden’s defences in the Baltic Sea after Sweden had suffered areal losses to the Russian Empire in years prior. The long history of Suomenlinna can be divided into three distinct eras. Between 1748 and 1808 both Finland and the fortress were under Swedish rule. In 1808, however, Sweden lost the fortress to the Russian Empire in the Russo-Swedish war. Between 1808 and 1918 Finland and the fortress were therefore occupied and ruled by the Russian Imperial Government. During the Russian era Suomenlinna was poorly taken care of due to lack of funding but the fortress continued to serve as a strategic location in the defence of its new masters. With the Russian Revolution and Finland’s independence efforts taking place in 1917, Suomenlinna entered its third era to date as the newly founded Finnish Government took over Suomenlinna in 1918. Today, Suomenlinna is an important historical site, popular tourist destination, and has been on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1991. Modern Suomenlinna is also the home to around 800 permanent residents.