We’ve all swooned in delight at the romantic wonder of Paris’ Eiffel Tower, and been awestruck by London’s most efficient timekeeper, Big Ben. But what about some of the more overlooked treasures of Europe? Here are 14 monumental attractions from around the continent.
Rummu Underwater Prison, Rummu, Estonia
Dive into the waters around Rummu Underwater Prison for a peek into its flooded cells
Until 1991, Rummu prison was a Soviet-era penitentiary located on the tip of a limestone quarry mined by its inmates. When the soviets left Estonia in 1991, the quarry was abandoned, allowing water that had been previously pumped out, to flood the environs, leaving a small section visible above the surface and plenty to explore beneath it.
Find a flight to nearby Tallinn
Molecule Man, Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s Molecule Man in the River Spree. © Wolfgang Staudt
This aluminium trio has been delighting Berliners since 1997, following several brotherly sculptures in the US. Designed by American artist Jonathan Borofsky, the three holy men symbolise the molecular structure of humankind; made up mostly of water and air, coming together to create our unified existence.
Rocamadour, Lot, France
Admire the drop into the valley below from the iconic rock village of Rocamadour
A veritable European treasure, Rocamadour is every bit as enchanting as it sounds. Built into a limestone cliff face, this small village in the south of France is revered for its many religious sites, trademark goat cheese and impeccable medieval architecture. Access it through the sole gateway into the village, the Figuier gate.
Find a flight to nearby Brive La Gaillard
Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Rubjerg, Denmark
Rubjerg Knude, on Denmark’s West Coast, affords great views of the North sea on sunny days like these
Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse stands 60 metres above sea level on Denmark’s western shoreline, overlooking the North Sea. A relic from 1899, the lighthouse is engaged in an eternal battle with coastal erosion, which eats away at up to 1,5 metres of shoreline annually. In fact, it is widely believed that the entire structure will have sunk into the sea within the next 10 – 15 years. For now, though, take advantage of the recently re-opened tower and ascend it for a riveting view.
Find a flight to nearby Aalborg
Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona Spain
Bask in the expansive courtyard of Barcelona’s Hospital de Sant Pau
Art Nouveau bods will find plenty to delight their eyes with when visiting Hospital de Sant Pau, a beacon of Catalan modernism. One of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s marquee constructions, this is a site of secrets, quaint gardens, stained glass and ornate sculptures, all preserved through rigorous restoration efforts.
Vaxholm Fortress, Stockholm, Sweden
Hop on a boat and head out to the island of Vaxholm, Stockholm, where this imposing fort awaits
Vaxholm fortress was once a mighty fort that repelled Russian and Danish attacks on Stockholm. Today, this gentle giant occupies most of the small island that it stands on, and houses a museum in its west hall where you can brush up on your Swedish naval defence history.
Wotruba Church, Vienna, Austria
At first glance, the concrete blocks that constitute Wotruba church appear to have been stitched together
Perched atop one of Vienna’s hilltops, the oddly named, bizarrely-styled Wotruba church looks like something out of a Sci-Fi film. This curious concrete assemblage is named after the visionary architect and sculptor, Fritz Wotruba, who began building it in 1974. Sadly, Fritz died the year after and never got to witness the completion of his creation.
The Jacobite Steam Train, Fort William, Scotland
Sweep across the Scottish countryside in The Jacobite Steam Train
Harry Potter fans may recognise this steam stalwart from its many appearances as The Hogwarts Express in the various films. Traversing some of Scotland’s most alluring scenery, you will travel along the shores of Loch Eli and further on to Mallaig on your journey. Keep your eyes open for the passage over the Glenfinnan viaduct — an unforgettable moment of magic.
Make the most of your trip to Scotland with this epic journey across The Whisky Trail.
Find a flight to nearby Inverness
The Sibelius Monument, Helsinki, Finland
Look up at Helsinki’s wave-formed monochrome monument – a tribute to the composer Jean Sibelius © Dorron
Not only does the late, great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius have a national park named after him, he also has this striking steel landmark singing his praises. Designed by fellow Fin Eila Hiltunen, the tribute features hundreds of hovering steel pipes brought together to resemble a wave form. When the monochrome monument was unveiled in the park in 1967, it sparked national outrage and a debate about the benefits of abstract art. The national outcry resulted in the addition of a silvery effigy of Sibelius face.
The Buzludzha Monument, Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria
You would be forgiven for thinking that a UFO landed here. The Buzludzha Monument is a bizarre relic of the Communist era
This derelict European landmark has to be seen to be believed. Erected at the peak of the Balkan Mountains in 1981, it stands at the final battleground between Bulgarian rebels and the Ottoman Empire in 1868, which became the location for the birth of the first social democratic party in the Balkans some 23 years later. Ever since the Communist reign came to a close in 1989, the once thriving former headquarters has turned into an important, but shabbily kept monument of times past. Officially, the front doors are bolted shut, but if you follow the ‘FORGET YOUR PAST’ graffiti emblazoned on the dome’s side, you may just be able to find a small, unofficial portal into this crumbling gem.
The Atomium, Brussels, Belgium
The Atomium stands tall high above Park Europe and the city of Brussels beyond it . © Foti di Spalle
Brussels is often associated with its Manneken Pis statue, but this shimmering treasure also warrants a visit ,if you find yourself in the EU capital. Originally devised for the Expo 58 by engineer André Waterkeyn, this intricate, shiny structure closely resembles a unit cell of an iron crystal, blown up into nine, apartment-sized spheres connected by tubes. After the spheres were restored in 2004, they were opened up for public eyes. 8 of the spheres are used for study trips and private events, while the top orb hosts Brussels’ most exclusive restaurant. You will find The Atomium in the north of Brussels, overlooking the miniature park, Mini Europe.
Villa D’Este, Tivoli, Italy
A hallmark of The Renaissance, Villa d’Este is an oasis of green and quietude in the town of Tivoli, Italy
When in the hilltop town of Tivoli, near Lazio, be sure to visit the Renaissance Villa d’Este — an imposing 16th-century villa and its surrounding parks. The landscaping here is a perennial ballad between the elements of stone and water, relics of the Roman world and all its ingenuity.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon’s Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in the backdrop
Portugal’s heyday as a 14th- century superpower is celebrated by this mighty concrete structure that rises 52 metres above the shoreline of the River Tagus. The detailed figures on each side of it depict the sojourns of bygone explorers who ventured out in the world from what used to be the old harbour of Belem.
The Palace of Parliament, Bucharest, Romania
The Palace of Parliament – a giant of an administrative building, replete with countless chambers and hidden tunnels
The world’s second largest administrative building (after The Pentagon) was once the jewel in the crown in Nicolae Ceausescu’s communist dictatorship. Despite its completion being thwarted by the revolution of 1989, the complex still stands tall today – all twelve floors of it (as well as the eight below the surface).
