Gediminas Castle, built by Grand Duke Vytautas in the early 15th century, today offers a 360-degree view of Vilnius, and an exhibition tracing the history of the castle across the centuries. Gediminas the Grand Duke of Lithuania had a dream that Vilnius will become a prospering and strong city where tolerant people of all nationalities live in harmony and peace. His dream came true.

Story Development

World Heritage sites overflow with stories from the past, present, and future. Here are some ideas to get you started.

The distinctive Loreley Cliff, the Middle Rhine’s famous landmark, towers 125 meters above the river. According to the legend, Loreley used to sit here, combing her long blonde hair, and sending smitten sailors to their doom. – © Herbert Piel / Piel Media, Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley

Petra tou Romiou is Aphrodite's legendary birthplace in Pafos, Cyprus. – © Maryna Pleshkun / Shutterstock

During certain periods, as much as a third of the king’s earnings derived from the salt industry here. The “white gold” was used to maintain the courts, pay clerks, and build castles and churches. The income was also used to fund the first Polish university in Kraków in the 14th century. – © Kanuman / Shutterstock.com

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: the Monks' covered walk. – © Étienne Revault / Centre des monuments nationaux

The castells are human towers formed by huge groups of people and can reach up to ten levels in height and were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. – © David Oliete

San Gimignano has retained its appearance from medieval times with its architectural integrity and intact urban layout. – © Andrea Migliorini

Winter in Falun. The billygoat Kåre who, according to the legend, discovered the Falun Mine. – © Richard Lindor

The court in the Town Hall is full of history and the symbols from past noble families. – © Duccio Nacci

The one-hour guided Falun Mine tour travels through hundreds of years of history and is an adventure for the whole family. – © Jeanette Hägglund

The distinctive Loreley Cliff, the Middle Rhine’s famous landmark, towers 125 meters above the river. According to the legend, Loreley used to sit here, combing her long blonde hair, and sending smitten sailors to their doom. – © Herbert Piel / Piel Media, Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley

Layers of Stories

The 34 UNESCO sites featured here are on the World Heritage List for good reason. Each site boasts Outstanding Universal Value making it important to all of humanity. The history, significance, and distinctiveness underlying each site inscription, represent layers of fascinating stories, facts, and superlatives.

Overlaying these historic and scholarly tales, are stories of the rich and authentic experiences that visitors can enjoy today—discovering the culture, tasting the cuisine, and hearing the local people share their deep knowledge and the pride they feel being the inheritors and stewards of these treasured places.

The site profiles here tell a bit of the story of each place, its history and significance, its geography, and the top attractions and experiences recommended by locals. The Local Voices and Legends section of each site profile goes a bit deeper, offering stories of local people, places, and legends—both past and the present—that further reveal the character, significance, and experience of the destination.

Stories of Europe

This platform also strives to tell the story of Europe itself. Through the four journeys (or cultural themes) in which the 34 sites have been grouped—**Royal**, Ancient, Romantic, and **Underground**—we've curated a collection of places, experiences, and stories that, woven together, offer a new overview and angle from which to view and experience Europe as a traveller and a citizen of the world.

From the cross-cultivation of Royal families, palaces and gardens; to the conquest of Ancient armies, myths and innovations; to the diffusion of Romantic art, literature and ethos; to the progression of Underground labor, ingenuity and empires—the tales and experiences of Europe are endlessly interwoven and fascinating.

Story Ideas

Royal gardens and their relationship to palaces and rulers
Greek and Roman foundations in architecture, engineering, and medicine
Life underground, in the cellars and mines
Places that inspired and expressed the Romantic Movement
...

Making a story about these featured sites or journeys, and looking for insider knowledge and connections?

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