JUNIOR

J1. Istanbul by J09

Here we have the Istanbul Blue Mosque, built by team J09 from SENAWAR 5 SK BANDAR PENAWAR
2. The current builders here are from team J27, THE RED HERITAGE BUILDERS TEAM. The
Sultanahmet Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) was built between 1609 and 1617 and is also known as
the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used to decorate the walls of its interior. The construction
was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I. The idea was to build a monument that would not only rival
with the magnificent Hagia Sophia, but also surpass it.

Sultan Ahmet I wasn’t very successful in regard to warfare, to say the least. So he came up with the
idea to build a huge mosque that had to surpass the Hagia Sophia (at that time the most respected
mosque) in size and beauty to placate Allah. He therefore chose to have it built opposite the Hagia
Sophia and next to the Hippodrome, on the exact same spot where the Great Palace of the
Byzantine emperors was standing, using the existing foundations and vaults.

Far more breathtaking are the more than 20.000 handmade Iznik ceramic tiles, in more than 50 tulip
designs, that decorate the interior walls of the mosque. Their color gives the place its popular name,
the Blue Mosque. Light inside the mosque is provided by the more than 200 stained glass windows
and several chandeliers. They put ostrich eggs on the chandeliers to repel spiders, hence avoiding
cobwebs inside the mosque. The floors are covered with carpets, which are donated by faithful
people and are regularly replaced as they get worn out.

J2. Quebec
Québec City sits on the Saint Lawrence River in Canada's mostly French-speaking Québec
province. Dating to 1608, it has a fortified colonial core, Vieux-Québec and Place Royale, with
stone buildings and narrow streets. This area is the site of the towering Château Frontenac Hotel
and imposing Citadelle of Québec. The Petit Champlain district’s cobblestone streets are lined
with bistros and boutiques. The Historic District of Old Québec enjoys strong legal protection and
the support of all levels of government concerned. An intergovernmental committee, called the
Comité de concertation du patrimoine de Québec, was created to coordinate the activities of the
different levels of government

J3. THE MELAKA HERITAGE MUSEUM

STADTHUYS The Stadthuys is a historical structure situated in the heart of Melaka City, the
administrative capital of the state of Melaka, Malaysia in a place known as the Red Square. CHRIST
CHURCH MELAKA Christ Church, Melaka is an 18th-century Anglican church in the city of Melaka
City, Malaysia. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia.

MENARA JAM MELAKA (aka Melaka Clock Tower) Stately Dutch-style clock tower in a quaint
Redstone square inside Stadhuys. A FAMOSA A Famosa was a Portuguese fortress built in Melaka,
Malaysia, in 1512. The oldest part of the fortress was a five-storey keep which gave its name to the
fortress as a whole.

CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL Saint Paul's Church is a historic church building in Melaka City, Malaysia
that was originally built in 1521, making it the oldest church building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER The Church of St. Francis Xavier is a church in Melaka City,
Melaka, Malaysia. Built 1856–1859, this Gothic Revival building with 2 spires was modeled after
Montpellier Cathedral. Jonker Street Jonker Street is the primary road of Melaka Chinatown. Over so
many decades, this street has been famed for its row of antique shops. As the years passed,
however, several restaurants and clothing outlets sprang up in the area. At night, it is a bustling
open-air market on weekend nights with an array of food & souvenirs, plus entertainment.

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA (surrounding the entire build) The Great Wall of China is a series of
fortifications that were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and
Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. We built the
Great Wall of China to protect our Melaka Heritage Museum.

J4. Angkor Wat J04

This is the Angkor Wat, built by J04, Team HK. The builders here are from team Hanshin Tiger, J41.
Angkor Wat known as “City of Temples”. This temple is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Being
largest religious monument in the world, it covers an area of over 1,500 square meters, or 400 acres.
Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was
gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century as such it is also
described as a "Hindu-Buddhist" temple. The temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia and a source
of fierce national pride. Unlike the other Angkor monuments, it was never abandoned to the
elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built.

Angkor Wat's main entrance was to the west (a direction associated with Vishnu) across a stone
causeway, with guardian lions marking the way. Recently, archaeologists found the remains of eight
towers made of sandstone and laterite by the western gateway. These towers may be the remains of
shrines that were in use before Angkor Wat was fully constructed. To the east of the temple was a
second, more modest, entrance.

Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of Khmer architecture—the Angkor Wat style
—to which it has given its name. The outer wall, 1,024 m by 802 m and 4.5 m high, is surrounded by
a 30 m apron of open ground and a moat 190 m wide and over 5 kilometres in perimeter. The
temple stands on a terrace raised higher than the city. It is made of three rectangular galleries rising
to a central tower, each level higher than the last.

J5. Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 163-year-old tropical garden located at the fringe of the Orchard
Road shopping district in Singapore. It is one of three gardens, and the only tropical garden, to be
honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Botanic Gardens has been ranked Asia's top park
attraction since 2013, by TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. It was declared the
inaugural Garden of the Year, International Garden Tourism Awards in 2012. The Botanic Gardens
was founded at its present site in 1859 by the Agri-horticultural Society. It played a pivotal role in the
region's rubber trade boom in the early twentieth century, when its first scientific director Henry
Nicholas Ridley, headed research into the plant's cultivation. By perfecting the technique of rubber
extraction, still in use today, and promoting its economic value to planters in the region, rubber
output expanded rapidly. At its height in the 1920s, the Malayan peninsula cornered half of the
global latex production. The Gardens is opened from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight daily and is free to enter,
[5]
 except for the National Orchid Garden. More than 10,000 species of flora are spread over its 82-
hectares area, which is stretched vertically; the longest distance between the northern and southern
ends is 2.5 km The Botanic Gardens receives about 4.5 million visitors annually.
J6. A’Famosa (J29)

A Famosa, which means “The Famous” in Portuguese, is located in Melaka. The fortress, built in
1511, is one of the oldest surviving remains of European architecture in the Far East and South-
East Asia. But, it was reconstructed and altered by the Dutch into Porta de Santiago gate in 1670. A
Famosa is one of the most valuable ruins built by the Portuguese centuries ago. This place is another
sought after attraction in Melaka that you should not miss if you are visiting Melaka. Known also as
Porta de Santiago, this structure is one of the four main gates of the famous Portuguese fortress.
The fortress was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1512, one year after the Portuguese invaded
Melaka. It was intended to fence off the attack from Sultan Mahmud of the Melaka Sultanate Era
and the continuous attack from Acheh and Johor empires.

The A’ Famosa fortress with 3-meter thick walls and a 40-meter watchtower had played a major role
in protecting the Portuguese from their enemies. It was also the most well-known and symbolic
fortress that the Portuguese had ever built. It was the biggest one ever built and was aptly named A
Famosa, which means famous in Portuguese language.

When British took over Melaka from the hand of the Dutch, Captain William Farquhar of the English
East India Company decided to destroy the fort in 1795. This was because the British had an
intention to invade Melaka after their temporary possession allowed by the Dutch government came
to an end.Fearing that the strong defense of A’ Famosa fortress will make the British invasion to
Melaka more difficult, Captain William decided to demolish it.At first, Captain Farquhar used slaves
and labourers to dig the fortress manually in order to destroy it by using human strength. However,
he later realized that this method was not able to destroy the fortress. Thus, in 1807, he decided to
blast the fortress by using gun powder.There were people who tried to stop this devastation – Sir
Stamford Raffles and Lord Minto interfered in this matter. As a result, A’ Famosa fortress was not
totally destroyed. However, three out of the four main portals were demolished by the blast. The
only one remaining was the portal facing Bukit Cina, and that is the Porta de Santiago that you can
still see with your eyes today.

J7. Durham Cathedral by J21

This is the Durham Cathedral, built by J21, team Junior Convents. The team building here is Senawar
Team 3, J01. The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham,
commonly known as Durham Cathedral is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England. The present
Norman-era cathedral had started to be built in 1093, replacing the city's previous 'White Church'. It
is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The Cathedral lies within the precinct of
Durham Castle, first constructed in the late eleventh century under the orders of William the
Conqueror.

The primary reason that the cathedral was built was to house the bodies of St Bede and St Cuthbert.
According to local legend, the monks carrying Cuthbert's relics followed 2 milk maids who were
searching for a lost dun cow and found themselves on a peninsula formed by a loop in the River
Wear. Cuthbert's coffin mysteriously became immovable, which was taken as a sign that it should
rest there.

An interesting fact here-----Some Harry Potter fans might be familiar with this, and yes, the film
featured this cathedral in two of its films, Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets as part of
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The cathedral cloisters also appeared in a number of
scenes as one of the school's courtyards. Interior views of the cathedral can also be spotted in the
Marvel film Avengers: Endgame, as the indoor location of Asgard.

There are 3 libraries at Durham Cathedral. The one of most interest to the majority of visitors is the
Chapter Library, the remains of the medieval monastic library. There is a rich collection of pre-
Conquest manuscripts as well as 17th and 18th century music. The cathedral tower can be climbed
for wonderful views of the city and surroundings. There are 325 steps up a steep, spiral staircase.
The most photographed knocker in England is housed here, a medieval sanctuary knocker in the
shape of a strange face inside a sunburst. The knocker we see today is an exact replica of the original
medieval one, which is kept in safe storage in the cathedral treasury.

J8. Babylon by J02

This is the building by Smart Avatar SKBP2, J02, The Babylon. The team is lucky to be able to build
their future city in their own world. Babylon is the most famous city from ancient Mesopotamia
whose ruins lie in modern-day Iraq 94 kilometres southwest of Baghdad. The name is thought to
derive from bav-il or bav-ilim which, in the Akkadian language of the time, meant 'Gate of God' or
'Gate of the Gods' and 'Babylon' coming from Greek.

Babylon became a major military power under Amorite king Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to
1750 B.C. After Hammurabi conquered neighboring city-states, he brought much of southern and
central Mesopotamia under unified Babylonian rule, creating an empire called Babylonia.
Hammurabi turned Babylon into a rich, powerful and influential city. He created one of the world’s
earliest and most complete written legal codes. Known as the Code of Hammurabi, it helped Babylon
surpass other cities in the region. Babylonia, however, was short-lived. The empire fell apart after
Hammurabi’s death and reverted back to a small kingdom for several centuries.

The Neo-Babylonians are most famous for their architecture, notably at their capital city, Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar II largely rebuilt this ancient city including its walls and seven gates. It is also during
this era that Nebuchadnezzar II purportedly built the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” for his wife
because she missed the gardens of her homeland in Media (modern day Iran). Though mentioned by
ancient Greek and Roman writers, the “Hanging Gardens” may, in fact, be legendary.

J9. Prambanan

Prambanan Temple Compounds is the World Heritage designation of a group of Hindu temple

compounds that lie on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia. It
comprises Prambanan, Lumbung, Bubrah and Sewu temple compounds, all are located within
Prambanan Archaeological Park. These temples are known locally
as candi in Indonesian and Javanese languages. The temple compounds are located along Opak
River valley within Prambanan Plain or Kewu Plain, an archaeologically rich area dotted with
numerous Hindu temples dated from the 8th and 9th centuries , historically linked with the Mataram
kingdom. The diversity and sophistication of the temple compounds and archaeological sites in this
area are comparable to Angkor archaeological site in Cambodia. Built on the ninth Century,
Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. The first mention of
Prambanan was in the Syiwagrha Inscription (856AD). With three main temples for the
Trimurti; Shiva the destroyer of the universe, Vishnu the keeper of the universe, and Brahma
the creator of the universe. Back in the glory days of the old Mataram Kingdom, Prambanan is
used as a Candi Agung for various royal and religious ceremonies.The high structures are typical
of Hindu architecture, and the plan of the temple complex is a Mandala, as is Borobudur.  As a
symbol of the Hindu cosmos, the temple is vertically divided into three parts, both vertically
and in plan. The three part is divided into Jaba/Bhurloka, Tengahan/Bhuvarloka, and
Njeron/Svarloka. At the Garbagriha (innermost sanctum) of this temple sits a three meters
statue of Shiva. Prambanan as a Hindu Temple was made High and slim compared to
Borobudur, with the main Shiva shrine stands 47 meters in the middle of the complex
surrounded with smaller temples. Prambanan has a bas-relief on the inner side of the gate
around the three main shrine. The bas-relief tells the story about Ramayana and can be read
from the east gate clockwise around the inner compound.

J10. Horyuji temple by J41

This is the Horyuji Temple built by Team J41, the Hanshin Tiger. The builders here are from J09,
SENAWAR 5 SK BANDAR PENAWAR 2. As the first designated UNESCO site in Japan, the grounds of
Hōryūji (Hōryū Temple) house the world's oldest surviving wooden structures, conveying images of
Japan as it existed more than 1,300 years ago. According to the records, the emperor Yōmei vowed
to build a temple and an image of a Buddha as a form of prayer for his own recovery from illness-a
vow he was never fated to fulfill, for he died shortly thereafter. His wishes were then carried out and
completed by his son and consort.

There are around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture. Several date from
the late 7th or early 8th century, making them some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the
world. The current temple is made up of two areas, the Sai-in in the west and the Tō-in in the east.
Here, the team had built the Sai-in contains the Kondō which is the Sanctuary Hall and the temple's
five-story pagoda.

The Main Hall (Kondo) is a National Treasure and one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
The Kondo contains the main sacred statues of the temple. These priceless Buddhist images include
a bronze Shaka Triad showing the historical Buddha and two bodhisattvas (Yukuo and Yakujo), dating
from 623.

The 32.5m-tall Five-Story Pagoda (Goju-no-to) is the oldest five-storied pagoda in Japan dating from
607. Inside the building is a collection of clay statues from the Nara Period (710-794). The balconies
on each level are not accessible, so the railings are just for show. Similarly, the second story of the
Kondo is not really a separate floor either, but simply a way of expressing height and another roof
system as well as to provide ample space for the roof structure.

S1. Catedral de Burgos

The Burgos Cathedral, or the Catedral de Burgos, stands in the center of the Plaza de María in
Burgos, Spain. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 1260, the cathedral contributed to the growth of
Gothic art in Spain. Under the direction of the king of Spain, architects first began work on the site in
1221.
Over the next few hundred years, artists traveled to the cathedral's workshop to learn the ornate
characteristics of Gothic art and architecture, which featured beautiful ornamentations. Due to the
influence of the workshop and school created by the presence of the cathedral in Burgos, the Burgos
Cathedral became a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Officially completed in 1567, the cathedral is known as a primary example of the evolution of the
Gothic style due to its Latin cross layout, cross-ribbed vaults, buttresses, pointed arches, and
numerous other ornate designs and features. Because of these elements, it is one of the most
famous cathedrals in Spain.
Architecture of the Burgos Cathedral | Floor plan and structures
The Burgos Cathedral is a classic example of Gothic architecture, which features large buildings with
ornate layouts, vaults, and buttresses with ornamentation. Ornamentations are decorative elements
added simply for the sake of beauty. Throughout the cathedral, each structure is embedded with
figures and designs that add to the beauty of the floor plan.
Latin Cross Layout
The architects of the Burgos Cathedral intentionally created a layout that symbolized the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. They did this by creating a Latin Cross layout, otherwise known as a
cruciform layout. The Latin Cross, or crucifix symbol, features a vertical beam with a shorter
crossbeam. This layout is created by including a transept in the building's design, which creates the
shorter crossbeam that intercepts the main nave or sanctuary.
Although this shape is usually easily recognizable from the outside of the building, the Burgos
Cathedral added two additional chapels, which obscure the interior Latin Cross layout to the outside
observer.
Cross-Ribbed Vaults
In keeping with the Gothic style, the Burgos Cathedral has cross-ribbed vaults. These vaults were
similar to traditional arches, but they were more ornate because they connected diagonally, creating
a cross pattern at each junction. These vaults were not only designed to hold up the weight of the
structure but they were also designed to be a beautiful, ornate design element that added to the
grandeur of the cathedral.
Buttresses
In the Gothic style, buttresses are not only a key structural design element, they are also another
way the architects and artists added ornamentation to their designs. Regarding the structure, the
buttresses help keep the walls from collapsing by distributing the weight of the wall and creating a
tension that helps the wall not collapse. The artists made these structural elements beautiful by
adding pinnacles and trace work to each buttress.
Lantern Tower
Specific to the Latin Cross layout, a lantern tower is a large tower that soars above the intersection
of the vertical beam and the shorter crossbeam. The top of this tower usually had numerous
windows that spread light through the main portion of the cathedral.
Unfortunately, the Burgos Cathedral's original lantern tower collapsed in the 15th century. When it
was rebuilt, architects chose an octagonal shape with a stained glass design that casts a glow over
the cathedral below.

Architecture of the Burgos Cathedral | Façades

The Burgos Cathedral's exterior façade most closely showcases the influences of the Gothic style
through the pointed arches, tympanum, and ornamentation.

Façade of Saint Mary | Pointed Arches

The Portal of Santa Maria is three doorways with pointed arches, which create the main entry for
the cathedral. The main portal, or door, is known as the Royal Door or the Door of Forgiveness. Due
to deterioration, the main portal was redone in the Neoclassical style in the 17th century. Flanking
each side of the main portal are two more doors that represent the Virgin Mary's assumption and
the immaculate conception of Jesus Christ.
Directly above the main portal is a rose window with an inlaid six-pointed star. The facade is
completed by a small gallery above the rose window. This gallery has two large windows with
ornamental spires and delicate tracery, or added design elements.

Sacramental Door | Tympanum

The Sacramental Door is the door on the southern transept side of the Burgos Cathedral. This
specific door is known for its stunning tympanum, which is a semi-circular decorative wall above a
door. This tympanum features Jesus sitting with the Book of Law with the Four Evangelists by his
side. Below this group, there are the 24 apostolates, or elders, of the church. This scene is
surrounded by choirs of angels worshipping God.

S2. Dutch Square, Melaka

I do not remember whether the bell rang or not but the Red Clock Tower caught my attention as I
passed by the Dutch Square. It was already six in the evening, which came as a shock to me. I didn’t
realize that my friends Ces and Astrid and I had been walking around Malacca for several hours now
and the sun, which was still burning oh so brightly that time, left us disoriented about time. (You see,
the sun sets at around 6pm here in Manila.) We decided to cease walking and rest for a few minutes
at the Square.

The Dutch Square is probably the most recognizable landmark in Malacca. It harbors some of the
city’s most popular buildings including Christ Church, the Malacca Art Gallery and Youth Museum,
and the Stadthuys, all surrounding the Queen Victoria Fountain and the Red Clock Tower. Trees rise
from a blanket of red, orange and yellow flowers adding more vibrance to the already colorful plaza.
Throughout the day, dozens of tourists flock around the Dutch Square trying to have photos of
themselves taken at the square.
More commonly known as Red Clock Tower, the Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower stands tall at the
center of the Dutch Square. While it was named after Chinese billionaire Tan Beng Swee, it was
actually his son, Tan Jiak Kim, who had this built in 1886 to fulfill his father’s promise. Tan Beng Swee
was a rich Chinese man who lived in Malacca and was known for his philanthropy. He donated the
land where the city’s Chinese cemetery now lies and the bridge just beside the tower.
S3. A Famosa Fortress Gateway

The fortress was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1512, one year after the Portuguese invaded
Melaka. It was intended to fence off the attack from Sultan Mahmud of the Melaka Sultanate Era
and the continuous attack from Acheh and Johor empires.

The A’ Famosa fortress with 3-meter thick walls and a 40-meter watchtower had played a major role
in protecting the Portuguese from their enemies. It was also the most well-known and symbolic
fortress that the Portuguese had ever built. It was the biggest one ever built and was aptly named A
Famosa, which means famous in Portuguese language.

When British took over Melaka from the hand of the Dutch, Captain William Farquhar of the English
East India Company decided to destroy the fort in 1795. This was because the British had an
intention to invade Melaka after their temporary possession allowed by the Dutch government came
to an end.Fearing that the strong defense of A’ Famosa fortress will make the British invasion to
Melaka more difficult, Captain William decided to demolish it.At first, Captain Farquhar used slaves
and labourers to dig the fortress manually in order to destroy it by using human strength. However,
he later realized that this method was not able to destroy the fortress. Thus, in 1807, he decided to
blast the fortress by using gun powder.There were people who tried to stop this devastation – Sir
Stamford Raffles and Lord Minto interfered in this matter. As a result, A’ Famosa fortress was not
totally destroyed. However, three out of the four main portals were demolished by the blast. The
only one remaining was the portal facing Bukit Cina, and that is the Porta de Santiago that you can
still see with your eyes today.

S4. Himeji-Jo (CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE)

Himeji Castle stands as the best preserved example of Medieval castle architecture in all of Japan. It
stands as a monument not only to the craftsmanship of the builders but also to the Japanese
concept of harmony between man and nature. In fact it derives it name White Egret Castle partly
from the fact that it appear as a bird ready for flight. The craftsmen, particularly those under
Terumasa's reign, were able to transform the basic elements of nature -- stone, wood, and water --
into a refined and elegant structure. The incorporation of a residence and a military compound into
a structure of enduring physical beauty suggests that not only is the integration of man and nature
advantageous, but it can also be a better way of life . Himeji is also known as the “White Heron
Castle” because of its pure white exterior and resemblance to a bird taking flight. The
castle is considered to be a masterpiece of construction in wood. Shoes are not allowed
in the castle and you can carry them with you with plastic bags provided. From the
pictures below, you can see that the interior of the castle is largely made of wood,
including the structural pillars, floors and walls. The white plastered earthen walls are
said to complement this natural approach, exuding a subtle elegance and harmony with
natural elements. According to the UNESCO, another key highlight was the subtlety of the
relationships between the building masses and the multiple roof layers.
S5. Taj Mahal by S08

This building here is the Taj Mahal, built by team S08, Coalition of Reclusive. Right now, we have The
Creative Miners, S41 building their city here. Built in Agra, India in the 17 th century, the Taj Mahal is
the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's
heritage. This breathtaking white-marble mausoleum is commissioned by Mughul emperor Shah
Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River near
Agra, India, the Taj Mahal took 22 years to build and finally reached completion in 1653. Other than
UNESCO site, the fascinating building is also considered as one of the New Wonders of the World.

The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest
house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.Tthe architects and
craftsmen were masters of proportions, they were able to build the monument in such a way that as
soon as you enter the gate, the monument appears close and large. But as you approach it, it shrinks
in size. In order to add a holy aura to the place, the walls of the monument are covered with
beautiful calligraphy and pietra dura which is a method of inlaying marble with precious stones like
amber, coral, jade, and lapis lazuli.

S6. Taj Mahal by S23

Here, in front of us we have the great gate built by S23, the Unstoppable Team. The building team
here is S32, Peanuts. It looks like a defensive fort and is the entrance to the gardens of the Taj
Mahal. Its design is meant to resemble ideas of a gateway to a holy place and its made from a series
of 11 identical domed pavilions called guldastas. The gate is two-toned with the primary material
being red sandstone and white marble inlay.

Here we have the garden of Taj Mahal. Unlike typical Mughal gardens, the Taj Mahal's garden leads
up to the tomb instead of surrounding it. The holy rivers of India are incorporated in the design of
the garden, which is divided into four quarters by four intersecting canals that meet at an elevated,
central lotus pond. The lotus pond serves as a reflecting pool for the mausoleum.

Do you guys know that Taj Mahal has a mosque? It stands upon the western side of the monument.
The mosque was built because, according to the Muslim law, any mausoleum which is built should
be accompanied by a mosque, which is a must and a requisite element. The mosque built along with
the Taj Mahal also works as the mirror image of the guest house which is built just to its opposite
side across the Taj Mahal, thus completing the bilateral symmetry of the complex.

S7. Llamaland

The Colosseum, also named the Flavian Amphitheater, is a large amphitheater in Rome. It was built
during the reign of the Flavian emperors as a gift to the Roman people.Construction of the
Colosseum began sometime between A.D. 70 and 72 under the emperor Vespasian. It opened nearly
a decade later and was modified several times in the following years. The massive structure
measured approximately 189 by 156 meters (620 by 513 feet), towered four stories high, and
included eighty entrances to the amphitheater—seventy-six for the patrons, two for participants of
events, and two exclusively for the emperor to use. The sheer number of entrances proved to be
necessary: the Colosseum could hold more than 50,000 spectators at its maximum capacity.

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) consist of seventeen
component parts that are situated in Kyoto and Uji Cities in Kyoto Prefecture and Otsu City in Shiga
Prefecture. Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the ancient Chinese capital, Kyoto has acted as the
cultural centre while serving as the imperial capital until the middle of the 19th century.As the
centre of Japanese culture for more than a thousand years, it spans the development of Japanese
wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has
influenced landscape gardening the world over. Most of the one hundred ninety-eight buildings and
twelve gardens that make up the seventeen component parts of the property were built or designed
from the 10th to the 17th centuries.

Chichen Itza was founded by the Maya, an ancient people inhabiting the Yucutan peninsula. Within
the Yucatan Peninsula, Mayan culture and architectural style varied from area to area, with several
groups establishing themselves across the region. Archaeologists are unsure when, exactly, the
building of Chichen Itza began, though historical records suggest that the city was in its early phases
of development around 600-750 A.D.The growth and development of Chichen Itza span several
centuries. Most estimates put the city at well over 1,500 years old. Chichen Itza was a large pre-
Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period. The chichen itza pyramid is a
gigantic structure that was used by the Mayans as calendars, sacred rituals and to track celestial
events. Monuments of Chichen Itza were astronomically aligned. This displayed the extraordinary
knowledge of astronomy and mathematics in the Mayans' construction.

S8. Georgetown (Pearl of the Orient)

George Town is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang. The historical core of George Town
has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. George Town was founded in 1786
as a free port to serve British interest in South-East Asia. The influences of Asia and Europe have
endowed the town with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible.
Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end
of the 18th century. The town constitutes a unique architectural and cultural townscape without
parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. The Historic City of George Town covers an area of
109.38 hectares and the enclave consists of over 1,700 historic buildings, including the important
administrative buildings of Penang Island such as the City Hall and the Town Hall. Queen Victoria
Memorial Clock Tower The Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower is an Moorish-style clock tower
located at the intersection of Light Street and Beach Street in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Built
to commemorate Queen Victoria's 1897 Diamond Jubilee, the tower is sixty feet tall, one foot for
each year of Victoria's reign. A corner of the wall surrounding Fort Cornwallis is situated behind the
tower. The clock tower is slightly tilted, a result of bombing during the Second World War. Fort
Cornwallis Fort Cornwallis is a bastion fort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, built by the British
East India Company in the late 18th century. It is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. The fort never
engaged in combat during its operational history. It was named after the then Lieutenant-General
The 2nd Earl Cornwallis, the Governor-General of Bengal at the time of the fort's construction, who
had also been involved in the American War of Independence, surrendering his army to George
Washington at Yorktown in 1781. The first stage included building defects diagnosis, structural
analysis, application of proven conservation methods and techniques as well as recording and
documentation.

S9. Himeji Castle by S32

Himeji Castle, located in the town of Himeji in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, was built on a natural
hilltop between 1581 and 1609 CE. The complex is composed of a maze-like arrangement of fortified
buildings, walls, and gates, with a six-storey tower keep at its centre. The whole complex is
surrounded by defensive walls and a double moat. The castle is the largest and best-
preserved samurai fortification in the country and is both an official National Treasure of Japan and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hill upon which Himeji Castle was built was first fortified in 1333 CE. The famous castle was
added to the site in 1581 CE by the military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598 CE) who added
the first version of the castle keep (tenshu) which then had only three storeys. This type of castle,
built on a hill and surrounded by a wide plain, is known as hirayamajiro.

The castle was remodelled between 1601 and 1609 CE by the daimyo or feudal lord, Ikeda Terumasa
(1564-1613 CE), and the keep was made even taller. This is largely the form we can see today
although some outbuildings were added to the site in 1618 CE. Himeji Castle, like other medieval
castles elsewhere, functioned as a private residence, a garrison for troops, an armoury, an
administrative and political centre, a place where the arts could be created and appreciated, and as
a symbol of power and prestige for its builder and resident lord. The castle not only controlled the
surrounding countryside but also protected the western approach to the then
capital Heiankyo (Kyoto).

S10. Himeji-Jo by S10

Himeji Castle is the largest castle in Japan. It contains many defensive and architectural features
associated with Japanese castles. The main materials used in the structure of the curved walls of
Himeji Castle are stone and wood. The feudal family coat of arms is installed throughout the
architecture of the building to represent the various lords who have resided throughout the history
of the castle. The castle complex consists of 83 buildings. Of these 83 buildings, 74 are designated as
important cultural properties (11 corridors, 16 towers, 15 gates, and 32 earthen walls.) The tallest
city walls in the castle complex have 26 height in m. Inside the castle is a Japanese garden created in
1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Himeji City. The length of the complex is 950 to
1,600 m from east to west and 900 to 1,700 m from north to south. The perimeter of the building is
4,200 m. It covers an area of 233 hectares, which is about 50 times the size of Tokyo Dome or 60
times the size of Koshien Stadium. The main castle tower in the center of the complex, 46.4 m high
and 92 m above sea level. Three smaller annexed Tianshou Pavilions, forming a tower group. There
are six floors and a basement. The basement has an area of 385 square meters and its interior
contains special facilities not found in other castles (bathrooms, drainboards and kitchen corridors,
etc.) The first floor of the main building has an area of 554 square meters, and is often called the
"Thousand-seat Room" due to its more than 330 tatami mats. The walls on the first floor have
weapon racks for arquebuses and spears. The area of the second floor is about 550 square meters.
The area of the third floor is 440 square meters. The area of the fourth floor is 240 square meters.
The third and fourth floors have platforms located in the north and south windows, called "slings",
where defenders can observe or throw objects at attackers. They also have a small enclosed room
called " warrior hiding places " where the defenders can hide themselves and kill attackers suddenly
when they enter the fortress. The last floor, the sixth floor, has an area of only 115 square meters.
The windows on the sixth floor now have iron railings, but in the feudal period, the panoramic views
from the windows were unobstructed.

SUPER SENIOR
Great Barrier Reef SS04
The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east
coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400
types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great
scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the
large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.
As the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef is a
globally outstanding and significant entity. Practically the entire ecosystem was
inscribed as World Heritage in 1981, covering an area of 348,000 square kilometres
and extending across a contiguous latitudinal range of 14 o (10oS to 24oS). The Great
Barrier Reef (hereafter referred to as GBR) includes extensive cross-shelf diversity,
stretching from the low water mark along the mainland coast up to 250 kilometres
offshore. This wide depth range includes vast shallow inshore areas, mid-shelf and
outer reefs, and beyond the continental shelf to oceanic waters over 2,000 metres
deep.

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras SS05

For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the
mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next,
and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have
helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between
humankind and the environment.
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras is an outstanding example of an
evolved, living cultural landscape that can be traced as far back as two millennia ago
in the pre-colonial Philippines. The terraces are located in the remote areas of the
Philippine Cordillera mountain range on the northern island of Luzon, Philippine
archipelago. While the historic terraces cover an extensive area, the inscribed
property consists of five clusters of the most intact and impressive terraces, located
in four municipalities.  They are all the product of the Ifugao ethnic group, a minority
community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years.

George Town, Historic City of the Straits of Malacca SS09

George Town, a historic city of the Straits of Malacca, has developed over 500 years
of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca.
The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific
multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. Featuring residential and
commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the
18th century. The town constitutes a unique architectural and cultural townscape
without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.
George Town, Malaysia, is a remarkable example of historic colonial towns on the
Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences
arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West. This is one
of the most complete surviving historic city centres on the Straits of Malacca with a
multicultural living heritage originating from the trade routes from Great Britain and
Europe through the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and the Malay Archipelago
to China.

Coliseum Theatre SS10

The Coliseum Theatre is a cinema in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One of the oldest
cinemas in the country, it was built in 1920 by the Chua family led by Chua Cheng
Bok. The Art Deco-style building is capable of seating 900 people and also features
a balcony. The famed Coliseum Café and Hotel—a favourite haunt of William
Somerset Maugham during his stay in British Malaya—are located behind the
theatre, just down the road. The oldest and continuously running cinema hall in the
country (save for a break during the Japanese occupation during World War II), most
of the movies premiering in the building are Indian movies. After Chua Cheng Bok's
demise in 1940, his estate continued to administer the Coliseum until its acquisition
in 1973 by a company owned by his nephew Dr Chua Boon Teck and his wife Mdm
Khor Joo Saik.
In 2006, the Malaysian government proposed to close the theatre and turn it into a
cultural heritage centre, but relented when there was a public outcry to the scheme.
The government later decided not to close the cinema. 
 
Colosseum SS11
The Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just
east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still
the largest standing amphitheatre in the world today, despite its age. Construction
began under the emperor Vespasian in 72 and was completed in 80 AD under his
successor and heir, Titus.Further modifications were made during the reign of
Domitian. The three emperors that were patrons of the work are known as the
Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre by later
classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced
concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in
its history, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial
] [6]
contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, reenactments of
famous battles, and dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea
battles.  
 
The Great Wall SS13
In c. 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined
together to form a united defence system against invasions from the north.
Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when the Great Wall
became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is
matched only by its architectural significance.
The Great Wall was continuously built from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century
AD on the northern border of the country as the great military defence project of
successive Chinese Empires, with a total length of more than 20,000 kilometres. The
Great Wall begins in the east at Shanhaiguan in Hebei province and ends at
Jiayuguan in Gansu province to the west. Its main body consists of walls, horse
tracks, watch towers, and shelters on the wall, and includes fortresses and passes
along the Wall. The Great Wall reflects collision and exchanges between agricultural
civilizations and nomadic civilizations in ancient China. It provides significant
physical evidence of the far-sighted political strategic thinking and mighty military
and national defence forces of central empires in ancient China.

Penang SS14
Penang is one of the most-visited states in Malaysia. Known also as the Pearl
Of The Orient, this state consists of the island as well as a narrow strip of the
mainland coast known as Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley). The population of
1.3 million people has been enjoying a time of economic growth in the past decades
as many multinational companies have built their factories here.
Many foreigners have chosen this state for their retirement under Malaysia My
Second Home programme as they can find plenty of good food at reasonable price,
beautiful beaches are there for them to unwind, hills to sweat it out and not to
mention the hospitality of the people. The historical city of Georgetown, the capital of
the state was recently inscripted as historical cities under Unesco's World Heritage
Sites (WHS) in July 2008. Many of the residential and commercial buildings that
were built in the 18th century during the British era are still in existence today. 
 
St Basil’s Cathedral SS15
Inextricably linked to all the most important historical and political events in Russia
since the 13th century, the Kremlin (built between the 14th and 17th centuries by
outstanding Russian and foreign architects) was the residence of the Great Prince
and also a religious centre. At the foot of its ramparts, on Red Square, St Basil's
Basilica is one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox monuments. The construction
of the Basilica Saint. Basil the Blessed, Moscow, Russian Federation, took place
between 1552 and 1561 after the capture of Kazan by Tsar Ivan IV, also known as
Ivan the Terrible, to commemorate his victory against the Tatars. He called upon the
architect Postnik Yakovlev who proposed a basilica whose golden domes took the
form of military helmets. In 1583, following a fire, the domes were replaced by onion
domes. However, it was not until 1670, that they were given the colored aspect we
know today. Located on Moscow’s Red Square, it has become the symbol of the city,
but also of the whole country. It is situated in the middle of the Kremlin and Red
Square, Moscow, a property inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990.
St Basil’s Cathedral SS16
Saint Basil's Cathedral, is an Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow, and is one
of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia. The building, now a museum, is
officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on
the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from
[5]

Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the
city's tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. [6]

The original building, known as Trinity Church and later Trinity Cathedral, contained
eight chapels arranged around a ninth, central chapel dedicated to the Intercession;
a tenth chapel was erected in 1588 over the grave of the venerated local saint Vasily
(Basil). In the 16th and 17th centuries, the church, perceived (as with all churches in
Byzantine Christianity) as the earthly symbol of the Heavenly City, was popularly [7]

known as the "Jerusalem" and served as an allegory of the Jerusalem Temple in the
annual Palm Sunday parade attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and the Tsar. [8]

 
Melaka SS17
The Jonker Walk is the Chinatown area in Malacca City in the state of Malacca, Malaysia located along Jonker
Street. It starts from across Malacca River near the Stadthuys, with the street in the area filled with historical
houses along its left and right sides dating back to 17th century, many of which are shops selling antiques,
textiles, foods, handicrafts and souvenirs such as keychains and shirts.
The Church of St. Francis Xavier is a church in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia. The church was built in 1849
on the site of an old Portuguese church by a French priest, Father Farvé. The finishing touches of the building
were completed in 1856 by Father Allard, with the present-day presbytery built in 1874.
The Stadthuys is a historical structure situated in the heart of Malacca City, the administrative capital of the
state of Malacca, Malaysia in a place known as the Red Square.[2] The Stadhuys is known for its red exterior
and nearby red clock tower. It was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy
Governor.