5 Destinations To Spot Unique Architectural Heritage

An architectural heritage can be thought of as a "artefact," with its components serving as witnesses to the cultures, people, and occasions that took place during the existence of these structures.

Here are five destinations that you should bookmark for architectural legacy.

Half-Timbered Road, Germany

It is a route that few outside Germany know about. Dotted with half-timbered houses scattered over 100 medieval towns, it is known as the German Half-Timbered House Road. Although they are all timber-frame constructions, the architectural style (including shapes and colours) is known to differ from one sub-region to another (it covers the federal states of Saxony, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Hesse, Thuringia, Bavaria and Baden Wuerttemberg) and even between villages on the route.  Also known as the German Framework Road, the trail runs for nearly 3,000km, stretching from the river Elbe to the Black Forest.

Art Deco Buildings Of Mumbai

The largest city in India, Mumbai boasts of a rich architectural heritage. From Victorian Gothic to Art Deco, the city is home to different architectural gems. The British era buildings like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Rajabai Clock Tower, the BMC building, the Bombay High Court are prime examples of the famous Victorian Gothic Architectural. With split facades and deep shadings, embellished with intricate carvings with stained glass windows, these marvellous structures were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on June 30, 2018, under 'The Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai'.

Peranakan Houses, Singapore

The Peranakan culture of Singapore is a melting pot born out of the assimilation of migratory traders from China and India, who inter&shymingled with the local Malay and Indonesian inhabit&shyants, when they settled in the Straits of Malacca in the early 1500s. As centuries have passed, the descendants of this foreign and local mix, known as the Peranakans, have carried forward a unique blend of customs and traditions. While there are subtle Indian influences, the term Peranakan is often reserved for the heavier Chinese characteristics in the local culture, fondly known as the Baba-Nyonya culture. There are rows of colurful houses in Singapore with bright exteriors and ornate decorations. For the Peranakans, the exterior of the house was as important as the interior, and bright hues and elaborate designs were often considered as status symbols. These typically multi-sto&shyreyed houses often had well-hidden peepholes built into the floor of the first floor rooms, so that residents could check on guests standing at the entrance, before letting them in.

Rock-Hewn Churches, Ethiopia

The country is on the global tourist map particularly because of the mountain town of Lalibela and its stunning rock-hewn churches. In the heart of this small town in northern Ethiopia are eleven spectacular churches that have been carved out of a single volcanic rock. Now, experts fears that the war in Ethiopia could result in destruction of this ancient holy city, a World Heritage listed site.&nbspThese medieval monolithic cave churches are said to be hewn on the orders of King Lalibela in the 12th century. The King aimed to create a &lsquonew Jerusalem&rsquo for pilgrims and worshippers after Muslim conquests halted Christians from undertaking the holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Some also believe that King Lalibela was assisted by an army of angels to complete the structures.

The Houses Of Havana, Cuba

The tourist in Havana has exhaustingly many places to visit and things to do. It&rsquos probably best to abandon any attempt at thoroughness and wander about desultorily, taking in the dilapidated grandeur of the city. Old Havana &mdash Habana Vieja &mdash is where the five hundred years of the city&rsquos history are crammed. Plazas, churches, houses, bars, caf&eacutes all thrive densely next to each other, and showcase a stunning architectural style.