5 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

Green Stone of Hattusha, Turkey

The 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

Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, Sicily

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.

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.

THE MESMERISING FLOATING MARKETS OF LOK BAINTAN, BORNEO, INDONESIA

Lok Baintan Markets, Borneo, Indonesia

The phenomenon of the floating market is engrained in the cultural heritage of the Banjar people. Their home of Banjarmasin is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Rivers’, and their watery marketplaces have prevailed here for hundreds of years since the days of the Banjar Sultanate.

One of the most colourful markets is that of Lok Baintan in Sungai Pinang village and it remains little changed from the early 18th century. Late risers take note, the markets take place every day from 6.00 until around 9.30am.

THE MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES OF PERU

Nazca Lines, Peru

More than 2000 years ago, the ancient people of Peru carved hundreds of giant designs of humans, animals, plants, and geometric patterns into the high desert plains of Nazca. Although first recorded by Spanish conquistador and chronicler Pedro Cieza de León in 1553, the first detailed reports were made only during the mid-20th century when Peruvian military and civilian pilots saw them from the air for the first time. Despite being studied by scientists for more than 80 years, their true function remains a mystery.

THE MOERAKI BOULDERS, KOEKOHE BEACH, NEW ZEALAND

Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

These large spherical rocks stretch out along Koekohe Beach on the wave-cut Otago coast of New Zealand’s South Island, a stunning area now protected in a scientific reserve.

Found either as isolated individuals or in groups or clusters it is believed the mysterious boulders were formed about 65 million years ago. According to Maori legend, they are gourds washed ashore from the shipwreck of the canoe that brought their ancestors to the shores of New Zealand.

For more details of the great work which The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage do, please visit www.wtach.org and consider joining today.