International Day for Monuments and Sites Apr 18, 2024

International Day for Monuments and Sites

Today is a monumental occasion: International Day for Monuments and Sites. Also called World Heritage Day, the event aims to highlight how important the task of conserving our cultural heritage is. A monument can be anything from an architectural work to a sculpture—something that has outstanding value from a historical, artistic or scientific point of view. Some of the amazing heritage sites around the world include Machu Picchu in Peru and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The stone structure in today"s image is part of the mediaeval city walls of Ávila in Spain. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, these fortifications have a perimeter of over 2,438 metres. When they were first built, they served to defend the city against attacks from outsiders; nowadays, visitors can walk around nearly half of the circumference of the walls, enjoying views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

© Alberto Loyo/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A mountaintop cultural wonder
Apr 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
Apr 18, 2026World Heritage Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 20, 2025Oktoberfest begins!
Apr 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird
The Jewel of Hampi
Mar 24, 2026Cherry blossoms at East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan, China
Sept 1, 2026Surathkal Beach, Karnataka
The Big Apple with a foggy topping
Sep 21, 2024Munich, Germany
Aug 25, 2025Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Sep 10, 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
Feb 27, 2025Polar bear cub, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Oct 21, 2023Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur
Jun 14, 2025Cinque Torri, Dolomiti, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belluno, Veneto, Italy
An ocean of stars above the desert
Oct 17, 2025Rock River Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States
It’s puffling season!
A chocolate lovers favorite fruit
Nov 14, 2025Happy Childrens Day
Jan 25, 2026Burns Night in Scotland
Take a hike!
Oct 18, 2023Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Mar 21, 2025Happy International Day of Forests!
Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
May 17, 2026Hawksbill Mountain, Shenandoah National Park, United States
Nov 1, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Nov 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Sep 25, 2023Sea Otter Awareness Week
A convocation of eagles assembles
Oct 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
Trusty water-shifters
Reflecting its stylish past today