Cultural heritage
under-the-radar cultural heritage icons You might’ve elbowed your way through the crowds at the colosseum in Rome or marvelled at the scaffolding that is forever outside Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, but have you experienced the epic Nazca lines in Peru or gawked at the Green Stone of Hattusa in Central Turkey?! We’ve teamed up with World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) Executive Chairman Chris Flynn, who has shared a selection of his favourite cultural heritage artefacts, traditions and landmarks to add to your next itinerary! THE SACRED GREEN STONE OF HATTUSHA, CENTRAL TURKEY
TThe mystery of a giant green rock in the capital of the Hittite Empire has baffled archaeologists and visitors alike ever since it was discovered in what was originally an ancient storeroom. Known to locals as the “wish stone”, the huge jade cube stands almost a staggering metre high. Hattusha at its peak homed a 50,000 strong population and is famed for the Kadesh Peace Treaty, the world’s first such agreement of concord, signed between the Hittites and Egyptians in 1280BC. Theories suggest that the stone was a gift from Egypt to mark this historic occasion, or it could be an icon thought to hold religious significance. Come and see the beautiful piece, and put forward your own alternative. Hattusha was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986.
CAPUCHIN CATACOMBS OF PALERMO, SICILY
The macabre remains, which are on display deep below the ground, have become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Palermo. This is due not least to ‘Rosalia Lombardo’, the most famous of the child corpses, who died of pneumonia at the age of two. Due to her remarkable preservation, she is now cherished to as the “world’s most beautiful mummy.” The child mummies form part of a wider group of thousands of dehydrated bodies which date from the 16th century.
Low Season Traveller
An exciting research project is about to shed new light on the mummified bodies of the 160 children entombed in the eerie Capuchin crypts of Palermo, Sicily.
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