Monuments

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca Hassan II Mosque 20th-century mosque in Casablanca noted for its oceanside site, large capacity, extensive Moroccan craftsmanship and the world's tallest mosque minaret.

Headquarters of the United Nations, New York City Headquarters of the United Nations The United Nations Headquarters is an international complex in Manhattan's Turtle Bay, completed in 1952. It houses principal UN organs, has a distinctive modernist design, and enj…

Headstone (Gravestone): Purpose, Types, History and Care Headstone A headstone (gravestone or tombstone) marks a burial site. This article explains materials, inscriptions, cultural history, common forms, conservation practices, and legal or socia…

Heart of Neolithic Orkney A concise encyclopedia entry on the late Neolithic monuments on Mainland, Orkney, inscribed by UNESCO in 1999; examines principal sites, archaeology, significance and conservation.

Hebron Old Jewish Cemetery An ancient Jewish burial ground in Hebron near the Cave of the Patriarchs, with roots in the medieval period; significant for its historic graves, inscriptions and its role in the…

Henry VII Lady Chapel, Westminster Abbey Henry VII Lady Chapel Late Gothic chapel at the east end of Westminster Abbey built for Henry VII; noted for its fan vaulting, Tudor ornament, royal tombs and role as a royal mausoleum and devotional sp…

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum Official presidential library and museum in West Branch, Iowa, preserving Herbert Hoover's papers, artifacts, and presenting exhibits on his life, public service, and humanitarian…

Hercules Room (Salon d'Hercule) — Palace of Versailles Hercules Room A State Room of the Palace of Versailles, the Hercules Room (Salon d'Hercule) is famed for its monumental ceiling by François Lemoyne, lavish decoration, and role in court ceremoni…

Hereford Cathedral: history, architecture and the Mappa Mundi Hereford Cathedral Medieval cathedral in Hereford, England; begun in 1079, seat of the Bishop of Hereford, home to the 13th‑century Mappa Mundi, a chained library and notable Norman and Gothic archit…

Heritage of Mercury: Almadén and Idrija Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija A concise overview of the joint UNESCO World Heritage site linking Almadén (Spain) and Idrija (Slovenia), their mercury mining heritage, key features, historical role in global tra…

Hermannsdenkmal: monument to Arminius in the Teutoburg Forest Hermannsdenkmal Hermannsdenkmal is a 19th‑century monument in the Teutoburg Forest (Lippe, North Rhine‑Westphalia) commemorating the Germanic leader Arminius and the 9 AD defeat of Roman legions.

Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg) Hermitage Museum A concise guide to the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg: its history, buildings, collections, and cultural significance as one of the world’s major art institutions.

Hexham Abbey: history, architecture and present-day role Hexham Abbey Hexham Abbey is an historic Anglican church in Hexham, Northumberland, originally a Saxon monastery and cathedral, now serving as the parish church and a landmark of medieval archi…

Himeji Castle: Japan’s White Heron Fortress and World Heritage Site Himeji Castle Himeji Castle is an extensively preserved Japanese castle complex in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, famed for its white plastered keep, layered defensive layout, and status as a UNESCO…

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome) Hiroshima Peace Memorial The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome, is the preserved ruin of a prewar exhibition hall in Hiroshima. It commemorates victims of the 1945 atomic bombi…

Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi A concise overview of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture: its components, historical background in the Heian period, cultural significance, and conse…

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara A concise guide to the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble in Nara, Japan, describing the eight component sites, their history, architectural features, and cultural significance.

Hnevank — 7th-century Armenian monastery near Stepanavan Hnevank Hnevank is a historic 7th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery in Lori, rebuilt in the medieval period and recently conserved; notable for its gavit, drum and riverside hilltop set…

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Hanoi memorial to Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi preserves and displays the embalmed remains of Vietnam’s independence leader. This article covers its purpose, design, history, controversies, cu…

Hollywood Sign A large white lettered landmark on Mount Lee in Los Angeles, originally erected in 1923 as an advertisement and now an international symbol of the American film industry and the ci…

Holyland Model of Jerusalem A large, detailed scale model depicting Jerusalem in the late Second Temple period. Created in the 1960s, first shown at the Holyland Hotel and since 2006 displayed at the Israel M…

Holyrood Abbey Ruined Augustinian abbey in Edinburgh founded by King David I in 1128; now a historic ruin adjacent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a site of national significance.

Palace of Holyroodhouse (Holyrood Palace), Edinburgh Holyrood Palace Royal residence in Edinburgh serving as the monarch's official home in Scotland. Originating as a 12th‑century monastery, it contains state apartments, abbey ruins and rooms associ…

Hoover Dam Concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada, creating Lake Mead; notable for 20th-century engineering, water management, hydroelectric generation and…

Hôtel de Montesson — Paris townhouse of Madame de Montesson Hôtel de Montesson The Hôtel de Montesson was an 18th‑century Parisian hôtel particulier on the Rue de la Chaussée‑d'Antin, built for Madame de Montesson and associated with the Duke of Orléans; it b…

House of the Seven Gables: Salem's Turner–Ingersoll Historic Mansion House of the Seven Gables Seventeenth-century mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, associated with the Turner and Ingersoll families and Nathaniel Hawthorne; restored as a museum and literary landmark with dist…

Humayun's Tomb — Mughal mausoleum in Delhi Humayun's Tomb Humayun's Tomb is a 16th-century Mughal mausoleum in Delhi, India, noted for its Persian-influenced architecture, garden layout, and status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hwajeong Museum — Seoul museum of Korean, Chinese and Tibetan antiquities Hwajeong Museum Hwajeong Museum in Jongno District, Seoul, opened in 1999. It houses Korean, Chinese and Tibetan relics and presents exhibitions, conservation work and public programmes on Asian m…

Hwaseong Fortress — Suwon's late Joseon fortification and UNESCO site Hwaseong Fortress Hwaseong Fortress is an 18th-century defensive wall around central Suwon, South Korea, built under King Jeongjo; it combines terrain-led design, contemporary engineering and a rich…

ʻIolani Palace: Hawaii's Royal Residence and National Historic Landmark ʻIolani Palace ʻIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu was the royal residence of Hawaii's last monarchs. Now a restored museum and National Historic Landmark, it preserves the kingdom's history, arc…

Important Cultural Properties of Japan Designations by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs for tangible cultural items and structures judged especially valuable for history, art, scholarship and national heritage.

Independence Gate (Dongnimmun) — Seoul memorial arch Independence Gate The Independence Gate (Dongnimmun) in Seoul is a late-19th-century memorial arch designed by Seo Jae-pil for the Independence Club, symbolizing Korean aspirations for sovereignty;…

INS Dakar Memorial at Mount Herzl INS Dakar Memorial Memorial at Mount Herzl commemorating the 69 crew of the Israeli submarine INS Dakar, lost in the Mediterranean in 1968; concrete, half‑submerged design with biblical inscription a…

Iron Bridge A bridge constructed mainly of iron (cast or wrought). Most famously the late 18th‑century cast‑iron span at Ironbridge, Shropshire; important in the history of engineering, indust…

Itaipu Dam Binational hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay; one of the world’s largest power plants by capacity and annual generation, with major technical, socia…

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Historic silver mining complex in Ōda, Shimane Prefecture, active 1526–1923. Once Japan's largest silver producer, now a preserved cultural landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site…

Jaffa Gate — principal western entrance to Jerusalem's Old City Jaffa Gate Jaffa Gate is a major stone archway in the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. It opens toward the modern city and the road to Jaffa, sits beside the Tower of David, and serves as a key…

Jallianwala Bagh — Amritsar memorial of the 1919 massacre Jallianwala Bagh Public garden and national memorial in Amritsar, India, commemorating civilians killed on 13 April 1919; preserved as a site of remembrance, education and historical inquiry.

Jama Masjid (Masjid-i Jahān-Numā) — principal mosque of Old Delhi Jama Masjid A concise overview of Jama Masjid — the large 17th-century mosque in Old Delhi (India), its architecture, history, religious role, and significance as a cultural and tourist landma…

Jefferson Memorial (Washington, D.C.) Jefferson Memorial Neoclassical presidential memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring Thomas Jefferson, noted for its dome, colonnade, bronze statue and setting on the Tidal Basin; a major civic landmar…

Jerusalem British War Cemetery (Mount Scopus) Jerusalem British War Cemetery Commonwealth military cemetery on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem commemorating servicemen of the Sinai and Palestine campaigns in World War I; maintained as a place of remembrance and h…

Jet d'Eau — Geneva's iconic lake fountain Jet d'Eau Overview of the Jet d'Eau in Geneva: its design, history from the 19th century, technical characteristics, cultural role, safety and visitor information at Lake Geneva.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum A presidential library and museum in Atlanta preserving Jimmy Carter’s papers, exhibits on his presidency and humanitarian work, and archives managed by the National Archives and R…

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum A presidential library and museum in Boston honoring the life, presidency, and legacy of John F. Kennedy; includes archives, exhibitions, research facilities, and public programs.

Juche Tower A 170 m monument in Pyongyang commemorating the Juche idea and Kim Il‑Sung, noted for its torch, symbolism and role in North Korean civic space and tourism.

Kaaba: The Sacred Cuboid of Mecca Kaaba The Kaaba is Islam’s most sacred structure, a cuboid shrine at the center of Masjid al‑Haram in Makkah. It defines Muslim prayer direction and is central to Hajj and Umrah rituals.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche A prominent Berlin landmark combining the ruined 1890s Kaiser Wilhelm Church and Egon Eiermann’s 1960s modern complex; serves as a place of worship, a war memorial, and a symbol of…

Kalmar Cathedral (Kalmar domkyrka) Kalmar Cathedral A Baroque-era cathedral in Kalmar, Sweden, consecrated in 1682. Overview of its history, architectural character, role in the Church of Sweden, and cultural significance.