Monuments and Landmarks in Europe

The "We Are Our Mountains" statue is Nagorno-Karabakh's biggest icon - ok, maybe only icon. You will see this national symbol on postcards and fridge magnets in Armenia way before you even come to Nagorno-Karabakh. It stands on a hill a short drive (or long walk) outside Stepanakert and was built in 1967.

If you should mention one national icon for Belarus, the Brest Fortress should be it. The grey concrete main entrance with the star-shaped opening is on the 50 BYR note, while the other side of the bill has the south entrance depicted. The fortress was originally built in the 19th century in what was then part of the Russian Empire. It was one of largest of the Russian fortresses, but became even bigger with every modernizing and upgrade it went through. During WWII, the Soviet soldiers defended the fortress so hard against the Nazis that Brest became one of the 11 "Hero Cities" in the Soviet Union along with Leningrad and Stalingrad. Today there isn't much left of the fortress besides the outer wall, which is riddled with bullet holes, and some buildings including a gorgeous Byzantine church. But, considering how heavily it was bombarded, it's impressive that there is anything left at all. The main sights are a towering obelisk and a giant stone face. The internal fame at the base is occasionally guarded by teenage soldiers with guns, who put on a show at the guard shift.

Like a white castle appearing in the sky, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a popular landmark. Located in the 18th arrondissement, its a monument planned as a guilt offering after the devastating Franco-Prussian War and the embarrassments of the government that came with it. It is located at the peak of Butte Montmartre, the highest point of Paris. Needless to say, stunning panorama views can be enjoyed in addition to the church steeped in religious and political history. Inside the Basilica, you'll find golden mosaics above the choir perch that remains one of the largest of its kind while the bronze doors to the portico reenact scenes from the last supper in intricate detail. Visit Sacre Coeur either in the early morning or late evening, when crowds are less and if you want to avoid the long walk up, there's a furnicular to help you out. For budding photographers, dusk provides beautiful shots of the church against a pinkish hue.

Riga is full of quirky sights. Take this not-so-small Soviet-era concrete monument. Erected in 1985 to honour the Soviet army's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Nazis were after all in more contempt than the Soviet occupation force, so this fine piece of communist art has been left alone.

The picturesque Trakai Island Castle has just the perfect location. It thrones a small island in the pretty lake of Galvė walking distance from the town of Trakai. The medieval castle was completed in 1409, but was totally done up in mid 20th century. It's a popular weekend destination for newly wedded couples and picnicking families - along with hordes of tourists in summer. There are lovely strolls along the lake shore and even the town of Trakai has its charming corners of wooden houses and docked rainbow coloured rowboats.

Belém, or more precisely Santa Maria de Belém, is a monument-packed neighbourhood that oozes history. It's here you find the grandiose Jerónimos Monastery, which holds the tomb of the ancient explorer Vasco de Gama, who discovered the seaway from Europe to India. Across the marina, stands another famous Lisbon landmark, the Tower of Belém. It was built to protect Lisbon from pirates and was located in the river a bit off shore, but the devastating earthquake in 1755 redirected the river, so the tower suddenly was standing on the shore. Both the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Other points of interest in Belém are a handful of museums and parks, the nice promenade and the ridiculously popular pastry shop, Pastéis de Belém, where people queue up to buy... hold your breath, egg tarts!

You might never have heard of William Wallace, but what about Braveheart? Though the Mel Gibson featured Hollywood movie about the Scottish freedom fighter is not historical correct, the storyline is fairly accurate. Scotland was oppressed under harsh English ruling, but in 1297 a united Scottish army under the leadership of William Wallance beat the crap out the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. After a devasting defeat at Falkirk, William Wallance was turned over to the English by a traitor in 1305. He was tried and then punished. He was dragged in his heels by a horse, then strangled but not to death, castrated, had his stomach cut open and his bowels burnt while still alive, before he was finally beheaded. His head was placed on top of London Bridge and his body was cut into four pieces and displayed, separately, in four corners of the English kingdom. Afterwards he became a martyr and symbol of Scotland fight for independence. A bit outside Stirling stands the National Wallace Monument (well, it's more like a castle). The views over the Scottish lowland are particular splendid and includes a few famous battlegrounds between the English and the Scots.

Glastonbury definitely has a vast interest in magic and faeries. It is believed that the Tor (defined as a hill in Celtic tradition) is home to the King of the Faeries and the Fay folk, you will notice by the amount of people waving their crystals around that it is also where the earth's leylines converge. Many think it gives you an uplifting effect; you go up the hill a cranky person and come down a happy one. The Tor is associated with the Holy Grail, King Arthur and Joseph of Arimathea, it has seven terraces for which there are various theories on why this was, one of which was a labyrinth. It is a 20 minute walk from the middle of town to the top where St Michael's Tower is situated, and don't forget your jacket as once you pass the first initial hill, it can get very windy and cold. There are 360 views from the top and on the way back down you can peruse the jewellery made by a didgeridoo playing hill dweller.