Stunning images of the world’s historic attractions in 2019

Award-winning photography from around the globe

Daniel Burton

From the grandeur of King's College Chapel, University of Cambridge, to the loneliness of a D Day veteran on a Normandy beach in France, the winning photographs of the 2019 Historic Photographer of Year award are a beautiful catalogue of our shared history and culture. See why the judges chose these inspiring images.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Eduardo Arteaga

A group of brightly coloured hot air balloons glide over the historic landscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey. The unique rock formations here have been shaped by erosion and volcanic activity and are known as fairy chimneys.

Caudilla Castle, Toledo, Spain

Julio Castro Pardo

The ruins of Caudilla Castle haunt the landscape near Toledo in central Spain. The castle is believed to date from 1450 but time and weather have taken their toll. In this image the night sky seems to give the castle back some of its former imposing greatness.

Discover more things to see in Toledo with our guide

Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan

Sara Rawlinson

A small child is dwarfed by the ancient and beautiful Hōryū-ji Temple complex in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Buddhist temple was built in AD 607 and is one of the earliest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Bashar Tabbah

The diverse cultural and religious history of India is beautifully illustrated here. This is the holy site of Varanasi by the river Ganges where Hindu worshippers regularly wash. Behind sits the towering 17th century Alamgir Mosque, a temple to Islam.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sexten Dolomites, Italy

Alex Armitage

In the Sexten Dolomites mountain range of northeastern Italy sit the three peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It is an area littered with tunnels used during the First World War between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies. The soldiers not only had to survive their opposition but also the extreme weather conditions at such altitudes.

Tomb of Safdar Jang, New Delhi, India

Bashar Tabbah

The spectacular Tomb of Safdar Jang dominates the landscape in New Delhi, India. It was completed in 1754 from sandstone and marble and is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture.

Discover more of India's beautiful places

Rosedale Ironworks, North Yorkshire, UK

Andy Radka

It's hard to believe that the quiet beauty of Rosedale in the North York Moors National Park, England was once a scene of industry, noise and bustle. From 1850 until 1929, ironstone was mined and transported to smelters on the River Tees. Now peace and tranquility has been restored.

Find out what else to see in the North York Moors

The Nærøyfjord, Norway

Annabelle Morley-Holroyd

The Nærøyfjord is the most beautiful and wild section of the Sognefjord in southwestern Norway. The mirror-clear water reflects the village of Gudvangen from where the image was taken. This area is a Nature Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Anumit Sasidharan

Look up and you never know what you might see, and that's certainly a rule to abide by when inside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. Here the photographer has selected an interior shot of this edifice known for its knobbly spires and sculpture work. In 1883, a year after the building began, Antoni Gaudi took over the construction of this cathedral dedicated to the Holy Family. Despite his death in 1926, work on his vision persists today.

Check out more of Gaudi's highlights in our big guide to the Catalan city

El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico

Anumit Sasidharan

The main pyramid, El Castillo at Chichen Itza, in the eastern Yukatan province of Mexico was built by the Mayan people between 600 and 1200 AD. With its 365 magnificent steps and imposing height, this four-sided structure (or the Temple of Kukulkan) is one of Mexico’s biggest tourist draws.

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The Qasr Bshir Fort, Jordan

Bashar Tabbah

The Qasr Bshir Roman Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best-preserved examples in Jordan. The inscription over the entrance states it was built in AD 293–305 and this picture against a twilight sky speaks to the power of the Roman empire at its eastern frontier.

World's most incredible Roman ruins

The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan

Daniel Burton

Lahore, the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab, boasts The Badshahi Mosque, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Completed in 1673, its red sandstone walls and white marble domes have graced the city ever since.

The Grand Shaft, Dover, UK

Jo Emery

This set of three identical stairs in a triple helix formation was built between 1806 and 1809. It was designed to move troops between the barracks on the Western Heights and the town below.

The Shambles, York, UK

David Oxtaby

This quaint, Harry Potter-esque street lies at the heart of the city of York in northern England. Known as The Shambles, most of the buildings date to the 14th and 15th century and it remains one of the city most visited districts.

Travelling with the kids? Here's our guide to family-friendly York

Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic

Debdatta Chakraborty

The Strahov Monastery, founded in 1143, is located in Prague the capital of the Czech Republic. This beautiful library in its Theological Hall dates from 1679 and contains hundreds of thousands of books and manuscripts. It is a temple to learning.

Jama Masjid, Delhi, India

Debdatta Chakraborty

The Jama Masjid of Delhi is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built between 1650 and 1656 and its 131-foot (40m) high minarets are made of red sandstone and white marble. A sea of more than 25,000 worshippers fill the courtyard.

Gergeti Trinity Bell Tower, Georgia

Iuliia Pasechnaia

Gergeti Trinity Bell Tower's isolated location on a steep mountain has made it a symbol of Georgia. The tower dates from the 14th century and its stunning location makes it a popular stopping point for adventurous hikers.

Utah Beach, Normandy, France

Jakob Kjaersgaard

US D-Day veteran Jack Port sits alone with his thoughts on Utah Beach in Normandy, France. Jack was there on D-Day in June 1944 and fought on for a further 11 weeks. He says, "If everyone served 24 hours combat duty, there would be no wars."

Land and river, Bangladesh

Kazi Md. Jahirul Islam

Bangladesh, situated east of India, is celebrated for its lush green land and waterways teeming with life. Fishermen find abundant catches but the climate emergency could decimate a country where two-thirds of the land is less than 16.5 feet (5m) above sea level.

Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK

Lucy Sheers

A dusting of snow on the ruins of Raglan Castle in southeastern Wales bring a grey shiver to this picture. The castle dates from the mid-15th century and it's said the ghost of the librarian, who hid valuable books during the Civil War, beckons to visitors.

Red Sands Fort, Thames Estuary, London, UK

Margaret McEwan

Reminiscent of a scene from Star Wars, this sea fort stands defiant in the Thames Estuary east of London, England. One of four naval forts, it was built during the Second World War as a defence against enemy aircraft but abandoned in the 1950s.

Yarnbury Mines, Grassington, North Yorkshire, UK

Matthew Emmett

Yarnbury Lead Mines near Grassington in the north of England thrived during the first half of the 19th century. These flues just below the surface of the moor carried the smoke away from the smelting process. Abandoned in 1880, they are a stark reminder of a lost world.

Warden Point Radar Station, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK

Matthew Emmett

A series of concrete radar stations were built round the English coast during the Second World War. This one, on the Isle of Sheppey off the southeast of England, is now sinking lopsidedly into the cliff due to coastal erosion.

Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md Tanvir Mehadi Shovon

Lalbagh Fort near the Buriganaga River in Bangladesh began life as a defensive structure in 1678 but was never completed. Its tranquil presence and ornate gardens afford a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the nearby capital city of Dhaka.

Corfe Castle, Dorset, UK

Michael Marsh

Corfe Castle, on the Isle of Purbeck off the Dorset coast, was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and renovated over the centuries. Shrouded here in mist, it gives the ruin an other worldly appearance.

Corfe Castle, Dorset, UK

Michael Marsh

In this second image the headstones of Corfe's village cemetery populate the foreground of the eerie Castle, which was partially destroyed after the English Civil War in 1685. Today it's owned by the National Trust.

Giza, Cairo, Egypt

Mohammad Harby

The last remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, stand proud between the sparkling desert sand the towering soft white clouds. Their perfect symmetry gives a fantastic reminder of mankind's enduring creativity.

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Aircraft crash site, Sólheimasandur, Iceland

Ollie Conway

In 1973, a United States naval plane crashed into the black volcanic beach of southern Iceland. Luckily everyone on board survived, but the crash debris remains as an eerie memorial of how precarious life can be.

Mussenden Temple, Northern Ireland, UK

Pawel Zygmunt

The beautiful coast of County Londonderry, Northern Ireland is the perfect backdrop to a small circular building known as the Mussenden Temple. It was built in 1785 as a library and a memorial to a beloved cousin but is now threatened by coastal erosion.

Bled Island, Slovenia

Robert Pekalski

Bled Lake sits surrounded by mountains in the northwestern part of Slovenia. In an almost fairy tale setting, a 17th century church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary sits on tiny Bled Island within the lake. Its beauty has made the church a frequent focus for pilgrims.

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Scotney Castle, Kent, UK

Robert Pekalski

Scotney Castle in the southeastern English county of Kent dates from the 14th century. The house is open to the public and the gardens are recognised as being of special scientific interest. Here, the sunset sky is perfectly reflected in the moat water.

Discover what else to see in the county known as the Garden of England

Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd, Russia

Roman

This statue, reportedly the tallest in the world, was constructed in 1967 in Mamayev, Volgograd (once known as Stalingrad) Russia. Entitled The Motherland Calls, it recalls the suffering of the Russian people during the Second World War. Covered in scaffolding, the statue has been undergoing renovation recently.

Elie Ness Lighthouse, Scotland

Sean M Blake

On the eastern coast of Scotland lies the county of Fife. The rugged countryside and wild seas made a lighthouse necessary to helping shipping and Elie Ness was built in 1907. Certainly, it was a welcome beacon to many a passing ship.

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Petra, Jordan

Daniel Burton

A solitary camel is glimpsed between the rocks towards the unique city of Petra in southern Jordan. Lying hidden in the Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses), 2,000-year-old Petra remains relatively inaccessible thanks to a trek to the huge site, but it's a wonder to behold when you arrive.

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Moscow, Russia

Anna Kaunis

The Russian capital Moscow was founded in 1147 and today many medieval and 18th century buildings now sit side-by-side.

Moscow, Russia

Uyri Shkunov

The Stalin era deeply affected many cities in Russia, including Moscow which still lives with its frightening legacy. In spite of new developments and technologies, these monumental buildings are daily reminders of past suppression.

Swinside Stone Circle, Cumbria, UK

Alex Wrigley

A pristine fall of snow covers any modern landmarks and gives an impression of how this stone circle in Cumbria, England must have looked to our ancestors centuries ago. Local folklore claims that is impossible to count all the stones

St Michael's Mount, Cornwall, UK

Andrew Roberts

Depending on the tide, the causeway to St Michael's Mount in Cornwall can be accessible by foot. There was probably a monastery on the site in the 8th century but the earliest building now dates from 12th century. This sky is beautifully reflected in this image.

The Albert Memorial, London, UK

William Richardson

The Albert Memorial, a towering monument to grief, was erected in central London on the orders of Queen Victoria in 1872. The seated figure of her husband Prince Albert, covered in gold leaf and shrouded by a Gothic-style canopy, looks resplendent against a twilight sky.

Dovercourt Lighthouse, Essex, UK

J P Appleton

Constructed in 1863, the Dovercourt Lighthouse was one of two cast-iron structures built off the Essex coast. It was a welcome beacon to passing ships until abandoned in 1917. This picture shows its strength in contrast to the pale mauve sky.

Moscow, Russia

Tatiana Mordkovich

The Russian capital never looked so dainty as when captured in a small glass sphere. Moscow, beautifully reflected, is like a small planet – immediately accessible in the palm of your hand.

Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, UK

Steve Armitage

Ely has the longest nave of any cathedral in England and this picture gives it a real sense of space and grandeur. This most beautiful cathedral was begun in 1083 and built of stone decorated with Purbeck marble.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset, UK

Alan

Unquestionably one of the most beautiful of English cathedrals, Wells is situated in Somerset in southwest England. Built between 1176 and 1450, this picture shows the magical way the light streams through the ancient stained-glass.

See more of the world's most awe-inspiring cathedrals

Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, UK

Michael Maskrey

Work began on Bolton Abbey in 1154 and was still going on when Henry VIII wrought destruction on the place in 1539. The romantic ruins remain and their rich honey-coloured stone complements the reds and oranges of this autumn day.

Church of St Thomas a Becket, Romney Marsh, UK

Matthew Emmett

This remote church, dedicated to the English martyr Thomas a Becket, was built of wood around AD 1200 and renovated with brick in the 18th century. The town of Fairfield, which the church once served, has long since disappeared hence its solitary appearance.

Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria, UK

Alan Baxter

Usually beset by tourists, the 4,500 year-old-old Castlerigg Stone Circle in Cumbria enjoys a brief moment of solitude. The purpose of the monument is unknown but it commands a superb view over the surrounding fells.

St Clement's Hospital, London, UK

Massimiliano Petrossi

St Clement's Hospital, a mental health facility closed in 2005, is situated on the Mile End Road in East London. The picture recalls the atmosphere of solitude, grief and distress the inhabitants must have felt.

Tower Bridge, London, UK

Vinod Kumar Kulkarni

Tower Bridge spans the river Thames in London and is one of the city's most iconic sights. The bridge was completed in 1886 and the ingenious mechanism allows the road between the towers to be raised so ships can pass through.

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Shravanabelagola Temple, India

Vinod Kumar Kulkarni

Devotees, of the Jain religion come to the Temple of Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, India to offer their prayers to the Lord Bahubali. Construction of this 57-foot (17.5m) granite statue was completed in around AD 993.

King's College Chapel, University of Cambridge, UK

Sara Rawlinson

The breathtaking grandeur of King's College Chapel, University of Cambridge, founded in 1446 (although the university dates from 1209), is even more apparent when viewed against the tiny people on the ground. This picture, taken with the use of a cherry picker, shows the beauty of the medieval stained glass windows.

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Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

Daniel Burton

Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, is the most striking cultural icon of Britain’s ancient past. The giant standing stones tower over Salisbury plain. This picture, taken at dawn, reveals the beating heart of the megaliths.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

Clive Greenland

It is thought the stone circle is around 4,500 years old. But this second picture of the stones, glowing under the starry sky in the early hours of an August morning, was designed by the photographer to illustrate its insignificance compared to the estimated 13.5 billion years of the Milky Way above.

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Historic England Winner: Roker Pier, Sunderland, UK

J P Appleton

Completed in 1885, the Roker Pier in Sunderland was considered a triumph of engineering. The 2,000-foot (610m) long construction was made of granite-faced concrete blocks and a lighthouse at the pier head was completed in 1903. This winning picture emphasises its stupendous length and elegance.

Overall winner: Arromanches Mulberry Habour, Normandy, France

Stephane Hurel

In September, during the equinox tides, it's possible to reach the dykes of the artificial harbour of Arromanches on foot. The temporary harbours were built in 1944 as a means of off-loading cargo and men for the D-Day landings in the Second World War. This winning photograph captures its stillness against a late summer sky.