The Cradles of Culture

- Season 1

(2015)

Experience the stunning World Heritage Sites of the Middle East, including Palmyra, the Bride of the Desert, as well as sites in Syria that no longer exist due to war, but which were captured prior to their destruction by our filmmakers.

Historical treasures abound in Cesky Krumlov, a city of great diversity located in the southern region of the of the Czech Republic. Due North of Cesky Krumlov, we then travel to Holasovice, designated a World Heritage Site in 1998.

Discover the royal hill and traditional fortified settlement of Ambohimanga, a sacred mound strongly associated with Madagascar's national identity. It is a place of pilgrimage for many people who travel here from Madagascar, and beyond.

Known as "City of the Sun" in Roman times, Baalbek is known for having the best-preserved Roman temple in the world, the Temple of Bacchus. Anjar, Lebanon is home to the ruins of an ancient palace once built by ancient Umayyad rulers.

Petra was once the flourishing capital of the Nabataeans, and a journey here is one you will not soon forget. Quseir 'Amra, the best-known desert castle on Earth, is an important example of early Islamic culture and architecture.

Experience the legendary delights of Normandy's Mont-Saint-Michel island, and the Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine in Nancy, France. Both are remarkable historical monuments that attract world travelers to France for their grandeur.

Join us on an incredible journey to Indonesia where we will be transported to the very center of the beautiful history of this region as we visit a pair of exceptional Buddhist buildings: Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple.

The famous Italian Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini wrote admiringly about the medieval city of Sighisoara. The Castle District, the Upper Town, and the crescent-shaped Lower Town altogether form a harmonious architectural design.

The center of modern Jerusalem is home to several major sites of key religious importance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. We then travel to Acre, among the oldest settlements on Earth, as well as the ancient historic region of Masada.

Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are two of Norway's most spectacular fjords carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The Stave Church of Urnes is Norway's oldest wooden temple, and Bryggen is among humanity's oldest commercial centers.

Tuscany, Italy is a land of lush vineyards, olive groves, and slender cypress trees. Due to the region's unique architecture and works of art, mainly from the Renaissance era, several locations have been designated World Heritage Sites.

In Hungarian, Holloko, the name of a Paloc ethnographic village in Northern Hungary, means "raven stone." Founded by the Romans in Southern Hungary, the ancient city of Pecs is well known for its historic architectural landmarks.