World Cultural Landmarks By: Ms.Iwasaki 6 th Grade Teacher Landmark Definition of Landmark (noun): a highly recognizable...

Calat Alhambra (27) Calat Alhambra was a 9 th century fortress that became the Moorish king’s palace in the 14 th century. It is located in Granada, Spain. Translated as "the red fortress“. Today it is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions. An interesting historical fact is that Spain was once ruled by Arabs and Muslims.

Moais (12) The ancient volcanic statues surround the perimeter of the Chilean-Polynesian island called Easter Island. These statues represent deceased ancestors in the form of oversized monolithic heads and are believed to protect from destruction and famine. The physical feat of moving the statues weighing hundreds of tons & standing up to 70 feet tall is considered remarkable.

Machu Picchu (17) The 15 th century citadel Machu Picchu is located in Peru, South America and is acknowledged as a unique testimony of the Incan empire. Believed to be sacred, Macchu Picchu means “Old Peak” and sits about 8,000 feet above sea level hidden from Spanish conquer.

Timbuktu (19) Timbuktu is a city located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert in the West African nation of Mali and north of the River Niger. Originally Timbuktu was a seasonal settlement but after a shift in trading routes (salt, gold, ivory, & slaves) it flourished and became a permanent city of Mali in the 12 th century.

Cologne Cathedral (37) The renowned Cologne Cathedral is located in Cologne, Germany has the second largest spires and the largest façade in the world. It is Germany’s most visited monument attracting 20,000 people a day and is a powerful testimony to the strength & persistence of the Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe.

Roman Colosseum (20) The Colosseum was an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of city of Rome, Italy, and considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Built in 70 AD, it was the largest amphitheatre in the world and held 80,000 people for a variety of purposes.

Great Wall of China (21) The Great Wall of China is located on the border between China and Mongolia. It was started in 8 th Century BC & built to protect the Chinese empire against attack. It stretches approx. 13,200 miles and It was proven to be a myth that the Great Wall was visible from space

Neuschwanstein Castle (31) The castle was built during a time when castles no longer had strategical and defensive purposes. So it is perched in the Alps at the top of a hill surrounded by a magnificent landscape. A 19 th century palace in southwest Bavaria, Germany was supposed to be a personal refuge for the reclusive king. The castle for the “fairy tale king” was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty and more then 1.4 million people visit the castle every year.

Harmandir Sahib “Golden Temple” (31) This 16 th century holy golden temple is located in Amritsar, India and was intended as a shrine to worship God with over 100,000 visitors daily. It was considered a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. The four entrances from all four directions signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.