Europe Central, Historic buildings + Historical pictures

• World

One of the world’s smallest countries lies within eastern Italy’s countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.

A canal filled with boats laps around the scenic gardens at the front of this neo-Renaissance palace known as the Venice of Seville.

Learn about changes in Swedish culture since the 16th century. Find historic furniture and photographs and displays about local festivals and the Sami culture.

Part of a 16th-century estate with ties to the English Civil War, this park has a range of grasslands, meadows and gardens straddling the River Thames.

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

With an opulence worthy of the former monarchs buried inside, this 15th-century chapel is the go-to spot for royal ceremonies and weddings.

The western section of Gamla Stan is a small islet decorated with aristocratic 17th-century palaces and one of the city’s oldest churches.  

Explore the crumbling remains and towering gatehouse of this once mighty 14th-century castle, which was an integral part of the English Civil War. 

The golden foyer and the glitzy restaurants here compete for attention with the range of spectacular ballets, operas and recitals.

Alsace-Lorraine is located in north-east France, between the Meuse and Rhine. Renowned for its cuisine, the region attracts history lovers and pleasure seekers alike.

One of London’s largest parks was once a royal hunting ground and is now a popular place to enjoy pretty flower displays, live music and superb city views.

Visit the capital of Russia, a large modern city that combines dazzling architecture with cultural riches and a fascinating history.

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

Find out why literary masters, such as Goethe and Victor Hugo, heaped praise on this remarkable, pink-hued cathedral.

Famed for the panoramic views from its soaring clock tower, this ancient religious landmark is also home to a series of striking medieval graves. 

From its architecture to its industry and sporting events, this is a city of fascinating contrasts just an hour by train from London. 

Walk the streets of this charming town and soak up its history, architecture and culture before heading out into the nearby countryside.

Whether you’re catching a train or not, be sure to visit this “secular cathedral,” an early 20th-century icon that sits on a hill north of Old Town Limoges.

Containing parts of Limousin history from Roman times to the present, this magnificent Gothic house of worship is an important part of the skyline of Limoges.

From its architecture to its industry and sporting events, this is a city of fascinating contrasts just an hour by train from London. 

Alsace-Lorraine is located in north-east France, between the Meuse and Rhine. Renowned for its cuisine, the region attracts history lovers and pleasure seekers alike.