15 MOST Spectacular Hilltop Towns
15 MOST Spectacular Hilltop Towns
Transcript
00:00Hey everyone, hilltop towns are as close as you're going to get to stepping into a fairy
00:05tale.
00:06With amazing views from the top and histories that reach back through the centuries, I'm
00:09counting down the 15 most spectacular hilltop towns.
00:12Let's start with number 15, Mont-Saint-Michel in France.
00:16Mont-Saint-Michel, a tidal island and commune in Normandy, France, stands as a marvel of
00:21medieval architecture.
00:23It's located just over a mile off France's northwestern coast at the mouth of the Coussinon
00:27River.
00:28It covers an area of about 7 hectares and rises dramatically from the bay.
00:32Its position made it accessible to pilgrims at low tide and defensible against invaders.
00:37The island's abbey, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, attracts over 3
00:42million people annually.
00:44Now the Romanesque church here at its heart was designed by William of Volipiano in the
00:4911th century, with its impressive structure supported by underground crypts and chapels.
00:54In the 12th century, it was fortified, and the building added main façade of the church.
00:59The Gothic style was introduced after a destructive fire in 1274.
01:04Its landscape, shaped by rising sea levels and erosion, features granite outcrops that
01:09have resisted the ocean.
01:11The fortifications were further enhanced by Charles VI, who added towers, courtyards,
01:16and strengthened the ramparts.
01:17Today, it remains a vibrant community, with tourism as its primary economic driver, generating
01:23substantial revenue from the millions of visitors.
01:26This unique blend of natural resilience, architectural ingenuity, and historical significance makes
01:30this place an enduring symbol of French heritage.
01:34Despite its small permanent population, though, the island thrives as a tourist destination.
01:38Its numerous shops and the nightly presence of monks and a few residents maintaining this
01:42hilltop town withstand not just the test of time, but the tides too.
01:4814.
01:49Motovon, Croatia Motovon, a village and municipality in central
01:54Istria in Croatia, stands about 890 feet above sea level, offering views and a rich historical
02:01tapestry.
02:02Its origins trace back to ancient times when the Celts and Illyrians built fortresses on
02:06this hill, giving the village its name, derived from the Celtic word montona, meaning a town
02:11in the hills.
02:13The Paranzana, a narrow-gauge railway operated from 1902 to 1935, once passed below the town,
02:19marking an important phase in its history.
02:22In the 10th and 11th centuries, it belonged to the Bishop of Porec before being taken
02:26over by Venice in 1278.
02:29Its architecture is showcasing a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles
02:34evident in its tower, city gates, and internal and external fortifications.
02:39The late Renaissance Church of St. Stephen, constructed in the early 17th century and
02:44likely designed by renowned architect Andrea Palladio, contains remarkable artworks, including
02:49marble statues by Francesco Bonazzo and a 17th-century painting of The Last Supper by
02:54an unknown Venetian artist.
02:56Motovon is also celebrated in Istrian culture as the home of Vele Joze, a gentle giant from
03:02the stories by nationalist writer Vladimir Nazor.
03:05This character, rooted in local folklore, symbolizes the Croatian struggle for equality
03:10with the potentially dominant German and Italian communities in the early 20th century.
03:1613.
03:17San Gimignano, Italy San Gimignano, a small, walled medieval hill
03:22town in Tuscany's Siena province, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture.
03:28It's known as the Town of Fine Towers.
03:30It offers a remarkable glimpse into the past with its array of Romanesque and Gothic structures.
03:36Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features notable secular buildings
03:41and churches like the Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church, and the Church of Sant'Agostino,
03:46all adorned with frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries.
03:50San Gimignano is also celebrated for its saffron, golden ham, pecorino cheese, and a unique
03:56white wine produced from the ancient grapes grown on local sandstone hillsides.
04:01Encircled by three layers of walls, the town's layout includes eight entrances set into the
04:06second wall from the 12th and 13th centuries.
04:09The main thoroughfares, via San Matteo and via San Giovanni, traverse from the north
04:14to the south, and at the heart of this are four central squares, some of which date back
04:18to the 1300s.
04:19It also has a wealth of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, including medieval fortifications
04:24and distinct domestic buildings.
04:27Romanesque structures are marked by round arches, while Gothic buildings feature pointed
04:31arches, both often displaying bifurcate windows.
04:34A distinctive architectural trait from the Siena region is the use of depressed arches
04:39over doorways, sometimes with a secondary arch beneath.
04:42Civic buildings like the communal palace house galleries with works by notable artists.
04:48Number 12.
04:49Oia, Santorini, Greece Oia, a charming village on the islands of
04:53Thira and Thracia in the Cyclades, Greece, is a picturesque destination known for its
04:59views and unique architecture.
05:01Since the 2011 local government reform, Oia has been part of the municipality of Santorini,
05:07covering the entire island of Thracia and the northwestern part of Santorini.
05:11The village has a population of just over 1,000 people as of 2021's census, and it spans
05:16an area of just over 19 square kilometers.
05:18Historically, it's known as a panomerium.
05:21Oia's economic prosperity peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by its
05:26merchant fleet that traded extensively in the Eastern Med.
05:29Oia is perched on the slopes of the caldera, featuring narrow passageways and a central
05:34square.
05:35This village is famous for its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and traditional
05:39Cycladic houses carved into the rock.
05:42This unique architecture includes two-story captains' houses, which is an example of the
05:47village's affluent past, partially destroyed by the 1956 earthquake, but still impressive.
05:53The main street winds through the village, providing a scenic trek along the caldera's
05:57edge.
05:58This cobbled path is a popular route for visitors exploring the village's narrow, often congested
06:03passageways.
06:04Its elevated position at about 500 feet above sea level offers a panoramic view of the Palia
06:09and Nea Kameni volcanoes on the island of Thracia, earning it the nickname Eagle's Nest.
06:1711.
06:18Aizé, France Aizé is a scenic seaside commune on the French
06:22Riviera.
06:23It lies between Nice and Monaco.
06:25It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to a medieval village perched atop a hill.
06:30This area was first inhabited around 200 BC near Mount Bastide.
06:34Notable historical finds include ancient Greek silver philae from the 3rd century BC, now
06:39in the British Museum.
06:41Over time, the area saw Roman and Moorish occupations, with the Moors driven out by
06:45William of Provence in 973.
06:48In 1388, the House of Savoy fortified it due to its strategic location near Nice.
06:53The village has faced various sieges, including those by the French and Turkish troops in
06:571543 and the destruction of its walls by Louis XIV in 1706.
07:02Aizé became part of France in April of 1860 by popular vote.
07:07The village sits about 1,400 feet above sea level, offering views of the Med.
07:11The light ochre church, built in 1764, is visible from afar, and inside, an Egyptian
07:17cross hints at the village's ancient roots, possibly linked to a Phoenician temple dedicated
07:22to Isis.
07:23Aizé is known for its breathtaking sea views, particularly from the Jardin Botanique d'Aizé,
07:29which features a collection of cacti and succulents.
07:32Walt Disney was among its notable visitors.
07:34The village's oldest building, a chapel, dates back to 1306 and served the white penitents
07:39of Aizé during the plague outbreaks.
07:41The village's past is evident in the bell turret's design and should make perfect sense
07:46that it's an incredibly popular tourist destination.
07:4910.
07:50MEDINA, MALTA Medina is a fortified city in the northern
07:55region of Malta.
07:57It served as the island's capital from antiquity until the medieval period.
08:01The city, with a population of about 250, is still confined within its walls and is
08:06contiguous with the town of Rabat, which has over 11,000 residents as of March 2014.
08:12Medina dates back to prehistory, with evidence of habitation in the area known since around
08:17ancient times, around the 8th century BC.
08:20The Phoenicians established a colony known as An, which shared its name with the island
08:24and likely served as its capital.
08:27The Romans took control during the Punic Wars, renaming the city Melita, a name derived from
08:32the Greek and Latin names for the island.
08:35Greco-Roman Melita was significantly larger than present-day Medina, but its size was
08:39reduced during the Byzantine or Arab rule.
08:42After a massacre in the 9th century, the area was largely abandoned until it was re-established
08:47in the 11th century as Madina, from which its current name is derived.
08:52Medina continues as Malta's capital under the Order of St. John, who arrived in 1530
08:57and shifted the capital to Burgu.
09:00The city experienced a decline but saw a revival in the early 18th century, with the construction
09:04of several Baroque buildings.
09:07Notable landmarks in Medina include the Domus Romana, where the ruins of Roman-era houses
09:11contain well-preserved mosaics, statues, and other artifacts.
09:15An extensive restoration of Medina's city walls was completed between 2008 and 2016.
09:21The city features a mix of Norman and Baroque architecture, including several palaces that
09:25serve as private homes, many of which are handed down every generation.
09:309.
09:31Civita di Bagnoregio Civita di Bagnoregio is an outlying village
09:37in the commune of Bagnoregio, in the province of Viterbo in central Italy.
09:42It's situated about half a mile east of the town and about 75 miles north of Rome.
09:47The village is accessible only by a footbridge from a nearby town, with a toll introduced
09:51in 2013.
09:53As a result of this toll, communal taxes were abolished in Civita and Bagnoregio due to
09:58its unstable foundation, which frequently erodes.
10:01It's also famously known as the Dying City.
10:04The region's morphology is shaped by erosion and landslides, and the territory consists
10:09of two different rock formations.
10:11The older formation is clay, originating from the sea and forming the base layer, which
10:16is particularly prone to erosion.
10:18The upper layers consist of tough and lava material, but rapid erosion is caused by streams
10:23and atmospheric agents and deforestation.
10:26It's inhabited by only 16 people and is situated in a remote area, and is reachable only by
10:31a reinforced concrete pedestrian bridge built in 1995.
10:36While this bridge is generally restricted to pedestrians, residents and workers are
10:39allowed to cross by bike or motorcycle at specific times.
10:43The village's isolation is due to the progressive erosion of the hill and the nearby valley,
10:49which creates badlands.
10:50This ongoing erosion poses a threat to the village's existence, earning it the nickname
10:55The Dying Town.
10:578.
10:58Hallstatt, Austria Hallstatt is a small town in the district
11:03of Gmunden in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.
11:07It's situated between the southwestern shore of the Hallstätter See and the steep slopes
11:11of the Dachstein Massif.
11:13The town lies on the national road connecting Salzburg and Graz.
11:17Hallstatt is renowned for its ancient salt production, dating back to prehistoric times,
11:22which gave its name to the Hallstatt culture.
11:25This archaeological culture is associated with the Proto-Celtic and Early Celtic people
11:29of the Early Iron Age in Europe around 800-450 BC.
11:34Hallstatt is the heart of the cultural landscape, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage
11:38Site in 1997.
11:40The town has since become an example of over-tourism due to its popularity.
11:45Until the late 19th century, it could only be reached by boat or narrow trails, and the
11:49land between the lake and mountains was limited, and the town made use of every available space.
11:55Access between houses along the riverbank was by boat or via an upper path, a small
11:59corridor passing through the attics.
12:02The first road to Hallstatt was constructed in 1890 along the western shore, partially
12:06by blasting through the rock.
12:09It is one of the earliest places of human settlement thanks to its abundant natural
12:12salt resources, which have been mined for thousands of years.
12:16Originally, the salt was extracted using antler picks, giving the mined salt its heart-shaped
12:22form.
12:23Hallstatt also just happens to be the oldest working salt mine in the world.
12:27Moving on to number 7.
12:29Bad Gastein, Austria Bad Gastein, a spa town in the St. Johann-Impungau
12:34district of Austria, is beautifully situated in the high valley of the Hohe Tauern mountain
12:40range.
12:41It is known for its amazing views and waterfall, and its grand hotel buildings.
12:45Bad Gastein travels along the Upper Gastein Valley, following the Gastein-Atschik Creek.
12:50This valley divides the Enkelgel group to the east from the Goldberg group to the west
12:55in the Hohe Tauern range.
12:57The town center is positioned at the waterfall, approximately 3,300 feet above sea level.
13:02This remote valley was initially settled by Bavarian peasants in the 9th century, with
13:06some southern parts also showing signs of Slavic settlement.
13:10Gastein, first mentioned as Gasteine in 963, was part of the German Stemmdutsche of Bavaria
13:16and initially known for alpine farming and gold mining.
13:19In 1297, Duke Otto III and his brother Stephen I sold it to the Archbishop of Salzburg due
13:25to heavy debts.
13:27The spas of Bad Gastein were visited by notable figures like Holy Roman Emperor Frederick
13:32III and Renaissance physician Paracelsus.
13:35The town's name, Bad, means spa, highlighting its history as a health resort.
13:40By the 18th century, the hot springs, also known as the Wildebad, became a popular spa
13:45destination.
13:46Oddly enough, Bad Gastein is also known for its winter sports.
13:49It hosted the 1958 World Championships in Alpine Skiing and regularly features the snowboarding
13:54and border cross World Cup.
13:56The ski resort, part of the larger ski network, offers 125 miles of downhill slopes across
14:02four ski areas in the Gastein Valley.
14:046.
14:05ZAHARA, SPAIN Zahara de la Sierra is a picturesque municipality
14:11in the province of Cadiz, nestled in the hills of Andalusia in northern Spain.
14:17It's perched atop a mountain and it offers amazing views of a valley and a man-made lake
14:22formed by a dam, which must be crossed to access the town.
14:26Zahara de la Sierra is known as one of the Pueblos Blancos, or White Towns, due to its
14:31predominantly white buildings.
14:33Historically, the town served as a Moorish outpost, strategically positioned between
14:37Ronda and Seville, making it an ideal location for a castle to function.
14:42The remains of this Moorish castle are still standing today.
14:45Zahara de la Sierra was under Arab rule until 1407, briefly recaptured by the Emirate of
14:50Granada in 1481, which led to the Castile War against Granada.
14:55Castilian troops led by Rodrigo Ponce de Leon, Duke of Cadiz, finally captured it in 1483.
15:02The town is a gateway to nature in its purest forms.
15:06Situated within a national park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this area is rich with
15:11caves, grottoes, and gorges.
15:14Various routes lead to natural monuments, such as the Garganta Verde, located just four
15:18miles from Zahara.
15:20Within the municipality, nature offers more unique spectacles, such as the Spanish Fir
15:25Forest in the town center.
15:27This forest, dating back to the Quaternary period, has survived to the present day, coexisting
15:32with strawberry trees and home oaks, enriching the landscape and purifying the air.
15:37The area is crisscrossed with trails and routes, inviting exploration.
15:41As walkers traverse these paths, they might encounter dormice, weasels, and golden foxes
15:46hiding in their dens.
15:48Lizards and snakes lurk in the underbrush, while eagles and vultures soar above.
15:52Along the riverbanks and streams, crabs and salamanders thrive, and the waterways here
15:57are home to trout and barbels.
16:005.
16:01Orvieto, Italy Orvieto is a city and commune in the province
16:06of Terni, located in western Umbria in Italy.
16:10The city sits atop a flat summit of a large butte made of volcanic tuff, rising above
16:15the nearly vertical tuff cliffs that are further fortified by defensive walls built from the
16:19same stone.
16:21This ancient city has been inhabited since Etruscan times.
16:24Orvieto is often associated with Etruscan Velsna, although some modern scholars disagree.
16:31It was undoubtedly a significant center of Etruscan civilization.
16:34The city's archaeological museum, Museo Claudio Fagna e Museo Civico, houses numerous Etruscan
16:40artifacts in the area, and one notable discovery from the Orvieto necropolis is a tomb with
16:45the inscription, MIAVELES CATICINAS, meaning I am Avel of Caticina.
16:51This inscription indicates the tomb's occupant had an Etruscan Latin first name, Alus, and
16:56a Celtic-derived family name, suggesting complex and peaceful ethnic relations in ancient
17:02Italy.
17:03The city, perched on its impregnable rock, controlled crucial roads between Florence
17:07and Rome, where it crossed the Ciana River.
17:10By the end of the 13th century, it was a large town with a population of around 30,000.
17:16Orvieto governed itself through a podesta, often the bishop, acting alongside a military
17:20governor or the captain of the people.
17:23The 13th century saw the city at its peak of wealth, but frequently in conflict with
17:28the papacy, even coming under interdiction.
17:30Pope Urban IV stayed in Orvieto from 1262 to 1264.
17:35Beneath the city lies a labyrinth of over 12,000 tunnels, galleries, wells, stairs,
17:41quarries, cellars, passageways, cisterns, and superimposed rooms with niches for pigeon
17:46roosts, all carved into the tough rock.
17:49These tunnels, initially dug for practical reasons, were also used by noble families
17:53as secret escape routes during sieges.
17:564.
17:58MONSARAS, PORTUGAL Monsaras is a civil parish in the municipality
18:03of Rugenhos de Monsaras, situated right on the bank of the Guadiana River.
18:07In 2011, its population was 782, covering an area of approximately 34 square miles.
18:14The hilltop of Monsaras has always been of strategic importance due to its prominent
18:18position and proximity to the deep valley.
18:20This area has been in continuous occupation since prehistoric times, with evidence of
18:25habitation, including hundreds of megalithic monuments.
18:28The hill on which Monsaras is located was originally a prehistoric fortification known
18:33as a castro, which served as a basis for pre-Roman occupation funerary temples.
18:38During the Roman occupation, Monsaras was reorganized and it was subsequently occupied
18:42by various groups, including the Visigoths, the Arabs, Mozarebs, Jews, and Christians,
18:48loyal to Alfonso Henrique after the Reconquista.
18:52In the 8th century, Arab forces occupied Monsaras, renaming it Saris or Sarish, under the control
18:57of the taifa of Batajos.
18:59The name Monsaras is derived from the word zares or zeres, the Iberian transliteration
19:04of the Arabic sarish or sarish, referring to the gum rock rose, a plant that thrives
19:10in the dry acidic soil.
19:12In 1167, the castle was taken by Geraldo Sampravor during an expedition from Evora, which had
19:18recently been retaken.
19:19However, after defeat, Monsaras fell back into Muslim hands.
19:23In 1232, King Sancho II, with the support of the Knights Templar, definitively retook
19:28the citadel and the town, placing it under Templar control.
19:32The Christian repopulation of Monsaras concluded around the reign of Alfonso III, when the
19:37knight Martim Anas was appointed a leadership role.
19:41After the Portuguese interregnum, which lasted from 1383 to 1385, Monsaras became part of
19:46the House of Braganza under Nuvo Alvarez Pereira.
19:50By 1412, it was inherited by his son Fernando, becoming one of the most valuable assets in
19:56the Ducal Estates.
19:57In 1512, King Manuel of Portugal issued his royal approval to Monsaras, reformulating
20:02the public and jurisdictional administration of the municipality and setting the stage
20:07for what we see today.
20:103.
20:11Les Beaux-du-Provence Village, France Les Beaux-du-Provence is a rural commune
20:16located in the Beauchedouron department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
20:20of southern France.
20:22The village is perched atop a rocky outcrop in the mountains northeast of Arles and is
20:26crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the southern plains.
20:30Its name, Les Beaux, derives from the provincial word beuch meaning rocky spur.
20:35The term bauxite for aluminum ore was coined after geologist Pierre Berthier discovered
20:40the ore here in 1821.
20:42Until August 1958, the commune was officially known as Les Beaux.
20:47Well-renowned for its historical significance and picturesque beauty, this place attracts
20:51over 1.5 million people annually, only though about 20 residents live in the upper part
20:56of the commune.
20:57The strategic location here has made it an attractive site for habitation since prehistoric
21:02times, with traces of habitation dating all the way back to 6000 BC.
21:06The Costa Pera cave, discovered in 1928, contains a collective of burial grounds from the Early
21:11Bronze Age.
21:13The site was used by the Celts as a fort around the 2nd century BC, with peripheral areas
21:17developing early.
21:19During the Middle Ages, the stronghold of a feudal domain covering 79 towns and villages,
21:24this was a fortress constructed from the 11th to 13th centuries, spanning 7 hectares.
21:30Les Beaux-du-Provence is situated in the foothills of the Epires within the national park, approximately
21:3513.7 miles south of Avignon and 9.5 miles northeast of Arles.
21:40The commune can be accessed via the D27 road in the south, which passes through the village
21:45and continues north to join the D99 east.
21:48Other roads, such as the D5 and D27A, also connect to neighboring areas.
21:54Number 2.
21:55Gourde, France Gourde is a stunning hilltop commune located
21:59in the Verclus department in the Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
22:03Communes here are known as Gourdiens.
22:05Nearby major cities include Avignon, with smaller cities such as Cavallon and Apte also
22:10close in proximity.
22:12Gourde spans a series of mountains and hills and extends into the Calavon Valley, also
22:17referred to as the Louberon Valley.
22:19It covers over 4,800 hectares and is one of the largest communes in the area.
22:24The northern part includes the southern edge of the Verclus Mountains, with the highest
22:28point at about 2,100 feet.
22:30The southern part of the commune features the Calavon Valley and several hills, with
22:34the lowest elevation at just about 365 feet in the plain.
22:38Roman occupation left a significant mark on the area, evident from the Roman road connecting
22:43Apte and Carpentra, and various Gallo-Roman remains such as those found in the Bousse
22:47district and the substructures of the hamlet of Les Gros.
22:51After World War II, it began attracting visitors like Marc Chagall and Jean de Rolle, who brought
22:55friends such as Sergei Polikov, Victor Vassarly, and Jean de Wannes to the village.
23:00The nearby abbey and village, a village of dry stone huts now serving as a museum, are
23:05significant attractions too.
23:07The area also includes several ancient hamlets named after local families or their activities
23:11such as Les Amberts, Les Gros, and Les Martins.
23:15The largest hamlet, Les Amberts, features an 18th-century church and various 18th-century
23:19architectural details.
23:21Occupation plays a huge role here in the Gordes economy, with numerous hotels, bed-and-breakfasts,
23:25seasonal rentals, and restaurants catering to visitors.
23:291.
23:30Bled, Slovenia Bled, located in the Upper Carnolian region
23:35of southwestern Slovenia, is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Bled.
23:40This town, renowned for its stunning scenery and popular with tourists from around the
23:44world, was first mentioned in written sources as Eldez in the year 1004 and as Veldez in
23:51the year 1111.
23:52The exact origin of the name Bled is unknown, but it's believed to predate Slavic influences.
23:58The German name Veldez may have been derived from Old Slovene, Beld, before AD 800 or from
24:03the same pre-Slavic source as the Sloven name.
24:07Situated at the southern foot of the Karawanks mountain range, Bled lies near the Austrian
24:11border about 31 miles northwest of Slovenia's capital.
24:15South of Lake Bled are the densely forested plateaus, as well as the easternmost parts
24:19of the Julian Alps.
24:21This area includes the Sava Bojinka River and parallel Bojingen Railway, leading to
24:26the Bojin Basin, Lake Bojin, and the Triglav Massif.
24:29The lake itself is 1.3 miles long and half a mile wide.
24:33In the summer, the surface water of the lake warms up until autumn, making it suitable
24:36for swimming.
24:38During the colder winters, though, the lake freezes over, allowing for ice skating, and
24:41the island can be reached on foot.
24:43In the year 1004, King Henry II granted ownership of the area to the Bishop of Brixen in recognition
24:49of the church's support.
24:51In 1011, Henry II further extended this donation to include the castle and additional lands,
24:58which came to be known as the Lordship of Verdez.
25:01For the next 800 years, Bled remained under the control of the Prince-Bishops of Brixen.
25:05Cut to nearly a thousand years later, and after the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in
25:091918, Bled became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and served as a summer residence for the ruling
25:15house.
25:16This tradition continued under Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, who built his residence
25:20there in 1947.
25:22By selling land along the eastern lakeshore to affluent individuals for their villas,
25:27these villages began to coalesce and Bled was officially designated a town in 1960.