Kildalton Old Church, or Chapel, dates from around 1425, but the church building may be older still, possibly late 12th or early 13th century. Kildalton Church is situated in the southeast corner of Islay. The earliest documented record of a church on the site is from 1425, however features such as the eighth-century Kildalton Cross as well as broader twelfth- and thirteenth-century architectural characteristics indicate that the site was important to the presence of Celtic Christianity on the island far earlier. The principal aim of this virtual tour is this to ensure that the history of the remote Kildalton Church is as accessible to as many historians and prospective visitors as possible.
A collaborative project with the West Highland Museum, one of the oldest museums in the Highlands. Fort William is a town in the western Scottish Highlands, on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Despite the Jacobites outnumbering the Fort Garrison, the siege on the Fort during the Jacobite rising of 1745 was unsuccessful. Later, the Fort served as a disembarkation point for those travelling to America as a result of the Highland Clearances. The fort was sold by the War Office in 1864, and the barracks within the fort were converted into tenant houses. This was later followed by compulsory purchase by the North Railway Company in the late 19th century. Gradually, the fort was demolished in the early to mid-20th century, with the remaining walls being knocked down in 1975.
Medieval parish churches were hubs of activity within their communities. All adults were supposed to attend mass each Sunday and on feast days (although, of course, not everyone did!), and the major events of most people’s lives, from christening to funeral, were marked within the church. Socialising, business deals, and even disputes all regularly took place around – or in the middle of – weekly religious observances. The church was not empty on weekdays, either: the parish clergy said, or sang, multiple religious services each day, in a cycle known as the Divine Office. These services were often performed privately by the clergy at the altar, but members of the community who wished to spend time in personal devotion, along with pilgrims who were passing through on their way to St Andrews, would have been welcome here in the nave.
A reconstruction of part of antarctica in the future to show climate change.
A reconstruction of part of Antarctica in the future to show climate change.
The Roman Baths in south-west England is a site of great cultural heritage. With the site's first being built on by the Romans in the 1st century to capture the natural hot springs of Bath, the landscape provides historical evidence of advanced engineering, public health practices, and community life in ancient times. It is a recognised part of the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is known to have religious, social, and architectural significance (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1987). Today, it is run by the local council as a tourist museum, and receives over a million visitors a year.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Robben Island
A key, yet often forgotten part of Robben Island's history is its use as a general infirmary for the severely ill, primarily people suffering from leprosy and insanity (as it was referred to at the time). Numerous churches of different denominations were constructed during this time, including this one built by patients of the island, as designed by architect Sir Herbert Baker. Leprosy was deemed to be a 'black disease', and while both black and white patients were admitted on the island, they were segregated by race - even when not being used as a political prison, racism was still prevelant on the island. In the 1930s, after all leprosy patients had been removed from the island back to the mainland, all the wards were burnt down and destroyed over concerns that the disease remained in the buildings and would spread. This means that this church, and the graveyard surrounding it containing the graves of leprosy patients who died, are the main remains marking this era of the island.
The origins of the quarry link back to the early Dutch occupation of the island, where limestone from the quarry was used to build the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, using prison labour to mine the stone. Throughout the Apartheid-era use of the site, prisoners were forced to work at the quarry. The rock was sometimes used for the island's roads, but was primarily used as a tool to occupy the prisoners' time. This was hard, manual labour in the heat and blinding conditions. Nelson Mandela was one of the prisoners who worked in this quarry, and his eyesight was permenantly damaged due to the blinding conditions of bright sun and white limestone. Today, the Stones of Rememberance mark the site as a symbol of what the prisoners experienced. The cairn was started by Nelson Mandela and fellow ex-prisoners during a reunion on the island after the end of Apartheid, in 1995.
The Maximum Security Prison was built in the 1960s by prisoners on the island, with stone coming from quarries on the island (again, worked in by the prisoners). There were blocks where prisoners were housed together, as well as cells for those in solitary confinement, and for different categories of political prisoners. The cell where Nelson Mandela spent much of his time on the island is a key point on the tour.
Imagery ©2025 Airbus, Imagery ©2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Map data ©2025 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd
Kramat of Sheik Sayed Abduraghman Motura
In the 1600s, the Dutch started used the Cape area as an exile location for political prisoners from Malaysia and Indonesia, often wealthy, powerful Muslim men. During the 18th century, a political prisoner from Batavia (modern day Jakarta) named Sayed Abdurahman Motura was imprisoned on the island. He was a very devout religious man who brought comfort to other prisoners, and was said to help cure them when they were ill, as well as spreading Islam. He died on the island and his grave became a shrine. Kramats are a type of shrine, honouring the death of a holy person in Islam. They are particularly associated in South Africa with the early Muslims in the Cape due to them being brought there by the Dutch - kramat is a Malay word referring to a shrine to a sacred person. In the late 1960s, the Apartheid-era prison authorities built the Kramat there today. This was due to an attempt to appease the Cape Muslim population after the imprisonmennt and death in custody of Imam Abdullah Haron. He was a Muslim cleric and anti-Apartheid activist, and in 1969, became the first Muslim to be honoured in St Paul's Cathedral.
In the 1600s, large fires were set at the top of Minto Hill by the Dutch colonial settlers, to warn passing ships to keep away from the rocks surrounding the island. Eventually, a full lighthouse was built, completed in the 1860s.
Robben Island is an important site for the African Penguin, and is home to the third largest breeding colony of the species. In the 1600s, Dutch colonial settlers released rabbits on the island for food for any passing sailors. Unfortunately, the rabbit population destroyed the island's vegetation and so destroying the penguin breeding locations. This led to the complete decimation of the penguin population with none left by the 1800s. Today, there are thousands of penguins back on the island and the site is managed to ensure their continued existence.
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
Sign warning to proceed past beyond this point to protect the African Penguin colony on the island, and to report any sightings of injured birds.
Murray's Bay Harbour was built during World War 2, to enable transport of defence weapons to the island as part of its status as a millitary station for the Union of South Africa after they declared war on Germany in 1939. Just off the coast, off the tip of Africa, protecting water around this area was important due to its importance to shipping lanes, especially given the turmoil around the Suez Canal. During the war, a degaussing station was also built adjacent to the harbour. This was built because the Germans were using magnetic mines, and ships needed to have the magnetic fields induced on them neutralised. Reportedly, they dealt with thousands of ships during the war. The harbour was expanded in the 1950s, and a high wall was built block the view of Table Bay by prisoners. Today, the harbour is used by ferrys bringing tourists over from the mainland for tours with the Robben Island Museum, the current stewards of the island.
Imagery ©2025 Airbus, Imagery ©2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Map data ©2025 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd A satellite view of Murray's Bay Harbour
Tourists returning to the ferries back to Cape Town after their visit to Robben Island
A view of the breakwater out of Murray's Bay Harbour
The exhibition is to introduce the Longmen Grottoes. The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, is one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. The site comprises the West Hill Grottoes, the East Hill Grottoes, Baiyuan Garden, and Xiangshan Temple. Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site features over 2,300 caves and niches filled with thousands of Buddha statues, inscriptions, and steles dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Recognized by UNESCO as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art, the grottoes reflect artistic, spiritual, and cultural achievements spanning centuries.
The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is the largest in the world.
The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, are one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. The site comprises the West Hill Grottoes, the East Hill Grottoes, the Bai Garden, and the Xiangshan Temple. Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site features over 2,300 caves and niches filled with thousands of Buddha statues, inscriptions, and steles dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Recognized by UNESCO as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art, the grottoes reflect artistic, spiritual, and cultural achievements spanning centuries. Today, they face growing threats from climate change and environmental erosion. They are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage), calling for proactive measures to protect our shared cultural treasures in the face of climate change.
The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, are one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. The site comprises the Xishan Grottoes, Dongshan Grottoes, Baiyuan Garden, and Xiangshan Temple. Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site features over 2,300 caves and niches filled with thousands of Buddha statues, inscriptions, and steles dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Recognized by UNESCO as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art, the grottoes reflect artistic, spiritual, and cultural achievements spanning centuries. Today, they face growing threats from climate change and environmental erosion. They are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage), calling for proactive measures to protect our shared cultural treasures in the face of climate change.
The Longmen Grottoes, located in Luoyang, Henan Province, China, are one of the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art. The site comprises the Xishan Grottoes, Dongshan Grottoes, Baiyuan Garden, and Xiangshan Temple. Carved into limestone cliffs along the Yi River, the site features over 2,300 caves and niches filled with thousands of Buddha statues, inscriptions, and steles dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Recognized by UNESCO as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art, the grottoes reflect artistic, spiritual, and cultural achievements spanning centuries. Today, they face growing threats from climate change and environmental erosion.
Located in the Highland Region of Scotland, the flow country is considered the most outstanding example of an actively accumulating blanket bog landscape. Has been accumulating for the past 9,000 years, this peatland ecosystem provides a diversity of habitats home to a distinct combination of bird species. Also, it displays a remarkable diversity of features which are not found anywhere else on Earth. Apart from this, it plays an crucial role in storing carbon. The Flow Country has an extensive record of peatland accumulation, with peat thicknesses which reach over eight metres. Ongoing peat-forming ecological processes continue to sequester carbon on a very large scale. Regarded as the type-locality for description of blanket bog, it represents a significant research and educational resource. In 2015, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and its partners created a 3D model for Flow Country's blanket bog to help people better understand Europe's biggest blanket bog. Plus, the Flow Country Organisation releases a game called Carbon Capture so as to let the public understand how to manage a peatland site for its natural properties to help reduce global warming, while causing minimal disturbance to the wildlife. Both actions contribute to the SDG 13 Climate Action. One of the targets of this goal is to improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. Through this digitalisation of the flow country, it could raise public awareness of climate change.
The Grand Canal is a vast waterway system in China, running from Beijing to Zhejiang province. Constructed in sections from the 5th century BC onwards, it was conceived as a unified means of communication for the Empire in the 7th century AD. In the 13th century AD, it could provide a unified inland navigation network consisting of more than 2,000 km of artificial waterways. In terms of dealing with difficult natural conditions, it is reflected in many constructions that are fully adapted to the diversity and complexity of circumstances, which is a remarkable and early development of hydraulic engineering and an essential technological achievement before the Industrial Revolution. Besides, the Grand Canal formed the unique cultural tradition of canal management via the Caoyun system, which contributed to the peasant economy and transport of food and troops. Correspondingly, the development of waterway networks also plays an decisive role in the economic and urban development in Ancient China. In order to propel digital protection of the Grand Canal, a project including digital archiving, virtual reconstruction and dynamic monitoring, was conducted in Beijing. Based on historical datasets, the research team completed the 3D models of 23 heritage sites and 3D virtual reconstruction of 15 ancient canal scenes. This effort contributes to the SDG 11 Sustainable Cities And Communities, which strengthens efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Plus, the project utilises remote sensing to evaluate the ecological landscape, water quality and micro-deformation so that it could monitor the ecological enhancement of the Grand Canal Beijing section and thus secure the sustainable development. This part contributes to the SDG 6 Clean Water And Sanitation and SDG 15 Life On Land.
The old town of Edinburgh was dominated by a medieval fortress, while the new town, constructed between 1767 and 1890, exerted a far-reaching influence on European urban planning.The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting historic areas clearly articulated urban planning phenomena. Furthermore, the contrast between the organic medieval Old Town and the planned Georgian New Town of Edinburgh, provides a clarity of urban structure unrivalled in Europe. Correspondingly, these phenomena shape the uniqueness of Edinburgh. In 2017, researchers at the University of St Andrews conducted the new digital reconstruction of the lost townscape of sixteenth-century Edinburgh. It gave an overview of the townscape of the entire sixteenth-century city, with a particular focus on the Royal Mile – the historic spine of Edinburgh. In addition, the virtual time travel technology provided a unique window into the capital around the time of the birth of Mary Queen of Scots. Users could download the virtual reality app for mobiles and enjoy a top-down view of reconstructions of landmark present day sites such as St Giles’ Kirk, as well as long-lost landmarks such as the Nether Bow Port. This research project aligns with SDG 11 Sustainable Cities And Communities, strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Basque is hypothesized to be a very ancient European language [A]. This is because it does not appear to have linguistic links to other languages of Indo-European heritage or any in the world for that matter [A-B]. It faced major suppression during the Spanish dictatorship in the 20th century [C]. Thankfully, today the Spanish government acknowledges Basque as an official language of the country [D]. It is important to note that Basque is also spoken in a neighboring region in France [E]. Basque has been shown to be a source of discrimination in the past, therefore protecting this heritage is important for the goal of reduced inequalities, sustainable development goal number 10 [F].
Often called the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu is a magnificent archaeological site tucked away in Peru's Andes Mountains. Emperor Pachacuti constructed this castle in the fifteenth century as a royal residence and place of worship. The site features a complex water distribution system, agricultural terraces, and finely built stone structures. Its cultural significance was preserved because of its distant position, which allowed it to stay hidden from Spanish colonists. Through virtual reality and digital interpretation, visitors from all over the world may explore Machu Picchu without increasing foot traffic, which lessens the impact on the environment while fostering accessibility and education. Goal 15: Life on Land (Target 15.1): By reducing foot traffic, digital preservation minimizes erosion and safeguards the biodiversity of the nearby cloud forest.
Qinghai Hoh Xil, situated in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is one of the world’s largest, highest, and youngest plateaus. Covering an area of 3,735,632 hectares with a 2,290,904-hectare buffer zone, it consists of vast alpine mountains and steppe landscapes at elevations exceeding 4,500 meters. Often referred to as the "Third Pole," Hoh Xil experiences a harsh, frigid plateau climate that shapes its unique ecosystems. The region is home to remarkable biodiversity, with its extreme environment supporting a range of specialized species. It plays a crucial role in the survival of the Tibetan antelope, providing key calving grounds and migration routes for nearly 40% of the global population. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoh Xil holds outstanding ecological and scientific value. Its well-preserved natural environment makes it essential for biodiversity conservation and an important site for climate research.
The Colosseum is one of Rome's most recognizable structures and a testament to the Roman Empire's engineering brilliance. The Colosseum, which was finished in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, could accommodate up to 50,000 people who came to see a variety of public performances, such as fake naval battles, gladiatorial fights, and animal hunts. The amphitheater was one of the most cutting-edge entertainment venues of its era because of its elliptical shape, which provides outstanding visibility from every seat. The Colosseum has experienced earthquakes and other natural disasters over the ages. It continues to stand as a tribute to Roman architecture and culture despite the effects of time. The Colosseum, a well-liked tourist destination, offers a direct link to ancient history and a window into the intricate social and cultural customs of the Roman Empire. Beyond just its outward appearance, it also symbolizes themes of amusement, dominance, and power in ancient communities. The Colosseum continues to inspire both tourists and academics as a symbol of tenacity and preservation today. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Target 11.4): Preservation of digital heritage enhances worldwide education about past civilizations and lessens the physical strain of mass tourism.
Leonardo da Vinci created the Mona Lisa, one of the most well-known and mysterious pieces of art in history, between 1503 and 1519. Known for its exquisite use of sfumato, a technique that produces subtle color and tone changes that give her expression an almost lifelike appearance. Viewers have been captivated by the painting's enigmatic smile and direct gaze for decades, leading to several speculations regarding the subject's identity, feelings, and hidden meanings. The Mona Lisa is more than just a portrait thanks to Leonardo's painstaking attention to anatomical detail and light manipulation; it is a representation of the Italian Renaissance's creative inventiveness. The Mona Lisa, which is currently on display at the Louvre Museum, is a timeless cultural symbol that welcomes millions of tourists each year. Its significance goes beyond art; it is a symbol of inventiveness, scientific inquiry, and the enduring strength of human imagination. High-resolution photography and digital preservation initiatives enable both the public and scholars to study the masterpiece in previously unheard-of detail, guaranteeing that its legacy will live on for many more centuries. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Target 9.5): AI-driven restoration methods and digital preservation help preserve cultural items by fostering innovation.
Nvshu, literally “women’s writing,” is an intangible unique syllabic script derived from Chinese characters. It originated in Jiangyong County, Hunan Province in China, during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Created and used exclusively by women, this script is characterized by its rhomboid shape and delicate, thread-like strokes. The way of writing Nüshu is usually vertically from right to left. This writing style is in contrast to that of Chinese characters, aligns with women’s spiritual needs and seems to be the resistance against traditional norms and the patriarchal system. Nüshu served as a medium for women to express emotions and fold raditions, share personal narratives, build female solidarity, particularly through letters and ongs. Some are inscribed on fans, handkerchiefs, and cloth. This world’s only gender-exclusive writing system represents a form of intangible cultural heritage. It holds immense linguistic, anthropological, and feminist significance, offering insights into marginalized women’s resilience and creativity
Nvshu is a women's-only script that was passed down from mothers to their daughters in feudal-society China
Nvshu: China’s secret female-only language
Leonardo da Vinci created the Mona Lisa, one of the most well-known and mysterious pieces of art in history, between 1503 and 1519. Known for its exquisite use of sfumato, a technique that produces subtle color and tone changes that give her expression an almost lifelike appearance. Viewers have been captivated by the painting's enigmatic smile and direct gaze for decades, leading to several speculations regarding the subject's identity, feelings, and hidden meanings. The Mona Lisa is more than just a portrait thanks to Leonardo's painstaking attention to anatomical detail and light manipulation; it is a representation of the Italian Renaissance's creative inventiveness. The Mona Lisa, which is currently on display at the Louvre Museum, is a timeless cultural symbol that welcomes millions of tourists each year. Its significance goes beyond art; it is a symbol of inventiveness, scientific inquiry, and the enduring strength of human imagination. High-resolution photography and digital preservation initiatives enable both the public and scholars to study the masterpiece in previously unheard-of detail, guaranteeing that its legacy will live on for many more centuries.
The Loulan Kingdom was an ancient oasis city along the Silk Road in northwest China, thriving from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Its remains, including Buddhist stupas and wooden tablets, bear witness to the cultural interactions between Han China, Central Asia, and Persia. Recognized as a cultural heritage site, Loulan provides valuable archaeological evidence of early trade and urban development. Its decline, attributed to environmental shifts and mismanagement of water resources, serves as a reminder of the long-standing challenges of sustainable development.