Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great and is hugely popular among pilgrims who travel, often by foot, from all over Europe and beyond. Many of the pilgrims then continues the journey to Finisterre, the place in Roman time considered to be the end of the world.

The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Burgos Cathedral, Spain

Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa María in Burgos, Spain, are maybe one of the most astonishing cathedrals you’ve never heard about. Details upon details wherever you turn your head, being high up on the facade, or tucked away in a corner inside. Had a huge challenge this time to choose the more interesting photos, and there are still so many more. If you like us to make a part II of this amazing cathedral so we can show you more of our photos, please tell us in the comments below.

Burgos Cathedral is the only independent cathedral in Spain (that is not a part of a larger historical center) on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The Roman Wall of Lugo, Spain

The only remaining roman wall that completely surrounds a city in the world is in Lugo, Galicia – Spain. Protected by UNESCO World Heritage Site, the wall is more than 2000 meters long, up to 15 meters tall, has more than 70 towers and ten gates. Constructed in the 3rd century, the wall nowadays is mostly a tourist attraction and a way for locals to get around the city on the wide walkway on top of the wall.

Tower of Hercules, Spain

Torre de Hércules is an ancient Roman lighthouse just outside the city of La Coruña in the north west tip of Spain. The lighthouse is overlooking a part of the Death Coast (Costa da Morte). The structure dates back to the 2nd century and is the oldest roman lighthouse still in use.

The lighthouse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Church of São Francisco, Porto – Portugal

Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) is located in the historic center of Porto and was built in gothic style about 600 years ago. in the first half of the 18th century the interior was decorated into a more baroque style.

The church is located not far from the river Douro and its a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seville Cathedral, Spain

Catedral de Santa María de la Sede de Sevilla (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) in Seville, Andalusia, Spain, is the third largest church in the world and the largest Gothic church. (See photos of the second largest church HERE).

We visited this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the winter of 2017.

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain

As with most very old buildings, they have changed during the years mostly because of the rulers that would like to have their personal touch on it. “Mezquita de Córdoba” has expanded four times until it reached 24 000 m² and in the 1600th century they inserted a Renaissance Cathedral in the middle.

Even though the building is huge, it’s not easy to spot from a distance as only the bell tower and the Cathedral is quickly recognized over the surrounding buildings, which can make you believe it’s just another church.

Urnes Stavkirke (Stave Church), Norway

The access to Urnes Stave Church is a bit more difficult than any of the others. You can take the very narrow road on the south side of Lustrafjorden, or maybe better, take the ferry across the fjord and walk the few hundred meters up to the church. Urnes Stave Church, built about 1140, is the only Stave Church on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

This is the second post about Norwegian Stave Churches.

Alhambra, Granada – Spain (Part III)

Here is the final set of photos from Alhambra.

Alhambra, Granada – Spain (Part II)

We don’t like too many photos in one post, so here are some more from Alhambra.

Alhambra, Granada – Spain

Alhambra was a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visited the site in February and even it was off season, the place was crowded with people making it a challenge to take good overview photos. Even so it’s hard to choose between those we think look cool, and feel the need to divide them into three parts (not including the Generalife area, which will have its own post later).

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

What an amazing place! We’ve been wanting to make this post for a long time, but for different reasons its been put on hold. Iguazu Falls in the Parana state of Brazil is a well kept secret, at least for us in Norway. At the time we went there, I’ve never heard anybody talk about it. Now, more than 10 years later, I’ve only talked to a couple that mention something like, isn’t there a waterfall on the border between Brazil and Argentina? Sure thing it is! And here are our photos of this natural marvel!

The Iguazu National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.