Heritage Spotlight
For October, we’re spotlighting the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. With Filipino American History Month recognized throughout October, it’s a good opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of the Indigenous Ifugao people.
Carved into steep mountain slopes, the terraces have been shaped and maintained by generations of Ifugao farmers. The UNESC...
For September, we’re spotlighting the Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Mexico. With Hispanic Heritage Month beginning September 15 and Mexican Independence Day on September 16, it’s a great time to explore a place shaped by several periods of Mexican history.
The UNESCO site has two distinct parts. Monte Albán was an important pre-Hispanic city built high above the...
This month, we're spotlighting SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Haida Gwaii, an island archipelago off the west coast of Canada. It's a chance to learn about one of the most important Indigenous cultural sites in North America.
Once a thriving Haida village, SGang Gwaay is known for its remarkable collection of hand-carved totem poles and traditional longhouses. Although the village is no longer inhabited, it remains a place of dee...
For July, we’re spotlighting Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Québec City, Canada. With Canada Day on July 1, it’s a fitting time to look at a place that tells part of the country’s early story.
Old Québec is the only city north of Mexico with its old defensive walls still largely intact. Walk through it and you’ll see stone buildings, narrow streets, churches, public squares, and views over the St. Lawrence River. It fee...
For June, we're spotlighting Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. While the island has served many purposes over the centuries, it is best known as the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity during apartheid.
As we recognize Juneteenth this month, Robben Island offers an opportunity to reflect on freedom, human rights, and the long struggles many communiti...
For May, we’re spotlighting Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Java, Indonesia. It’s the largest Buddhist temple in the world and a key site for Vesak, a holiday that marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
Borobudur was built in the 9th century and is made up of stacked stone platforms that rise into a central dome. As you walk up level by level, the carvings shift from everyday life to spiritual teachings...
For April, we’re spotlighting the Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the coast of Ecuador. With Earth Day, it’s a good time to look at a place that changed how we understand the natural world.
The Galápagos are made up of volcanic islands, each with its own ecosystem. What makes them stand out is how untouched and specific everything feels. You’ll see species here that don’t exist anywhere else: giant tortoises, mari...
For March, we’re spotlighting the Historic City of Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern India. Known as the “Pink City,” Jaipur is especially vibrant during Holi, the Hindu festival of colors that marks the arrival of spring.
Holi is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals. It’s a day when people gather outdoors, throw colored powder, share sweets, and welcome a new season. In Jaipur, the old city streets, palace ...
In February, we’re spotlighting Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Vietnam’s central coast that lights up during Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
Tết is the most important celebration of the year in Vietnam. It’s when families gather, pay respects to their ancestors, clean their homes to sweep out bad luck, and decorate with red and gold for good fortune. In Hoi An, the whole town transforms: lanterns line the st...
For January, we’re spotlighting Rila Monastery in Bulgaria, a peaceful retreat tucked into the mountains, and one of the most important spiritual and cultural sites in Eastern Europe. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for many Bulgarians, a symbol of both national pride and personal reflection.
Why It’s Special
Rila Monastery was founded over 1,000 years ago by St. John of Rila, a hermit whose quiet life of prayer became the foun...
For December, we’re spotlighting the Historic Centre of Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Austria. Known for its old-world charm, baroque architecture, and strong musical roots, it’s also one of the most festive places in Europe this time of year.
Why It’s Special
Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a key stop on the map for classical music, arts, and holiday traditions. Its old town, with winding alleys an...
For November’s Heritage Spotlight, we’re recognizing Native American Heritage Month by highlighting Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, USA. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves the ruins of a once-thriving Indigenous civilization, a place of ceremony, trade, astronomy, and community that was ahead of its time.
Why It’s Special
Between 850 and 1250 CE, Chaco Canyon was one of the most advanced cultural centers in ...
For October’s Heritage Spotlight, we’re heading to Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern India. With Diwali coming up and Hindu Heritage Month being recognized throughout October, it’s the perfect time to explore a place that’s deeply tied to both history and tradition.
Why It’s Special
Hampi was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, a powerful South Indian kingdom known for its architecture, trade, and culture. Tod...
For September’s Heritage Spotlight, we visit Quito, the capital of Ecuador and one of the first cities ever designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, Quito offers a powerful reflection of both Spanish colonial influence and enduring Indigenous traditions, side by side in one of Latin America’s most vibrant historic centers.
Why It’s Special
Nestled high in the Andes, Quito was built ato...
For this month's Heritage Spotlight, we’re highlighting Kakadu National Park in Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its incredible biodiversity, ancient rock art, and deep cultural connection to the Bininj/Mungguy people, the land’s traditional custodians.
Why It’s Special
Kakadu has been home to Indigenous Australians for more than 65,000 years. The park is rich with sacred sites, rock shelters, and paintings that record st...
In July, as the U.S. celebrates Independence Day, we’re spotlighting Independence Hall in Philadelphia: the site where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important landmarks in American history.
Why It’s Special
Independence Hall represents the bold beginnings of a new kind of government, one based on freedom, rights, and representation. But ...
For June’s Heritage Spotlight, we travel to the Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Salvador is a vibrant fusion of Portuguese colonial influence and Afro-Caribbean heritage, making it a perfect site to honor both Portuguese Heritage Month and Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
Why It’s Special
Founded in 1549, Salvador was the first capital of colonial Brazil and one of the oldest cities in the Ameri...
For May’s Heritage Spotlight, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we turn to Nan Madol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Federated States of Micronesia. Often called the “Venice of the Pacific,” this mysterious site is made up of nearly 100 small artificial islets built atop coral reefs, connected by canals, and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the most unique archaeological sites in the world - ...
For April’s Heritage Spotlight, we visit Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island, Chile. Known around the world for its giant stone statues called moai, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a powerful glimpse into a unique and resilient culture. With Easter falling in April, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the island’s name, spiritual traditions, and deep cultural roots.
Why It’s Special
Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) is o...
For March’s Heritage Spotlight, we explore The Temple of Karnak, one of the most magnificent temple complexes in ancient Egypt. Located in Luxor, Karnak is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a lasting symbol of the power, innovation, and influence of Egyptian civilization. As we observe Women’s History Month, this site is especially significant because of its ties to Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaohs, who played a major...
For February’s Heritage Spotlight, we recognize Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the coast of Dakar, Senegal. This small island holds deep historical significance as one of the most well-known sites of the transatlantic slave trade. As we observe Black History Month, Gorée Island serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and enduring cultural contributions of African people across the world.
Why It’s Special
...
For January’s Heritage Spotlight, we travel to Beijing, China, to explore the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese culture. This palace complex served as the political and ceremonial center of China for nearly 500 years, housing 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
With Lunar New Year falling in January this year, the Forbidden City becomes even more meaningful. During this festive...
For December’s Heritage Spotlight, we celebrate St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. One of the most famous churches in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this architectural marvel is central to Christmas traditions for millions of people. It’s also a symbol of religious, cultural, and artistic history.
Why It’s Special
St. Peter’s Basilica, completed in the 16th century, is considered one of the greatest examples of Renais...
Nestled at the base of New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains stands a remarkable testament to Indigenous resilience and culture: Taos Pueblo. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a window into one of America's oldest continuously inhabited communities – a place where ancient traditions have thrived for over 1,000 years.
The Wonder of Adobe
The pueblo's architecture stops visito...
For October's Heritage Spotlight, we’re exploring Amer Fort in Jaipur, India. Also known as Amber Palace, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched on a hilltop, is one of India’s most iconic forts. Built in the 16th century, Amer Fort reflects a unique mix of Hindu and Mughal architecture, featuring stunning carvings, grand courtyards, and dazzling mirror work.
Why It’s Special
Amer Fort was once the royal residence of the Rajput rulers a...
on the right side of the address bar
button in the toolbar