International Day for Monuments and Sites Apr 18, 2025

International Day for Monuments and Sites

Imagine a world without the pyramids, the Great Wall or ancient cave cities—hard to picture, right? That"s why April 18 is the International Day for Monuments and Sites, an event recognised by UNESCO dedicated to protecting cultural treasures worldwide. This day is all about celebrating our history, raising awareness about endangered sites and making sure future generations can enjoy them too. A remarkable example is Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, Türkiye. It"s famous for its "fairy chimneys"—towering rock formations shaped by volcanic ash and erosion over thousands of years. People even carved homes, churches and entire underground cities into these soft rock formations, some dating back to the 4th century. Today, it"s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world.

© Anton Petrus/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A mountaintop cultural wonder
Apr 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A convocation of eagles assembles
The road less taken?
Aug 7, 2025Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra
May 14, 2025Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California, USA
The Jewel of Hampi
Serene waters on a trembling earth
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Apr 6, 2024Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Jun 4, 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Bardia National Park, Nepal
May 24, 2025Jotunheimen National Park in Norway
Scenic Mount Michener
Sep 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
A legend sprung from the ground
Spirit of the Puffing Wind
Jun 19, 2025Masai giraffe mother grooming her calf in the Serengeti, Tanzania
Oct 12, 2025Village of Saranac Lake, New York, United States
Jun 20, 2025Seljalandsfoss waterfall at sunset, Iceland
Black sands in a tropical paradise
The animal kingdoms great migration
Dec 7, 2023Verdon Gorge, France
Dec 24, 2023Christmas Eve
Jul 5, 2025Tour de France
Stripes in sight
May 20, 2025World Bee Day
The other great barrier reef
A kiss and a sigh
Jun 18, 2025Asian swallowtail butterfly on a red spider lily
A small but mighty guardian