Jaw-dropping pictures of the world's historic places

Award-winning photography from around the globe

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 the Year award are a beautiful catalog of our shared history and culture. See why the judges chose these inspiring images.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Caudilla Castle, Toledo, Spain

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

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sexten Dolomites, Italy

Tomb of Safdar Jang, New Delhi, India

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

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 tranquillity has been restored. Find out what else to see in the North York Moors.

The Nærøyfjord, Norway

Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain

Look up and you never know what you might see, and that’s certainly a rule to abide by when inside the Sagrada Família 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 Gaudí 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 Gaudí’s highlights in our big guide to the Catalan city.

El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico

The main pyramid, El Castillo at Chichen Itza, in the eastern Yukatan province of Mexico was built by the Mayan people between AD 600 and 1200. 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. Discover 50 photos of worldwide wonders we’ve only just discovered.

The Qasr Bshir Fort, Jordan

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. See more of the world’s most incredible Roman ruins.

The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan

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

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

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. Traveling with the kids? Here’s our guide to family-friendly York.

Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic

Jama Masjid, Delhi, India

Gergeti Trinity Bell Tower, Georgia

Utah Beach, Normandy, France

Land and river, Bangladesh

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

Red Sands Fort, Thames Estuary, London, UK

Yarnbury Mines, Grassington, North Yorkshire, UK

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

Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Corfe Castle, Dorset, UK

Giza, Cairo, Egypt

The last remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt stand proud between the sparkling desert and the towering soft white clouds. Their perfect symmetry gives a fantastic reminder of mankind’s enduring creativity. Discover what the seven wonders of the ancient world would look like today.

Aircraft crash site, Sólheimasandur, Iceland

Mussenden Temple, Northern Ireland, UK

Bled Island, Slovenia

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.

Scotney Castle, Kent, UK

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 recognized 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

Elie Ness Lighthouse, Scotland

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.

Moscow, Russia

Petra, Jordan

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.

Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria, UK

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, UK

The Albert Memorial, London, UK

Dovercourt Lighthouse, Essex, UK

Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, UK

Wells Cathedral, Somerset, UK

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

Church of St Thomas a Becket, Romney Marsh, UK

St Clement’s Hospital, London, UK

Swinside Stone Circle, Cumbria, UK

Tower Bridge, London, UK

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. Check out more of the world’s most beautiful bridges.

Shravanabelagola Temple, India

King’s College Chapel, University of Cambridge, UK

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. Now discover 89 images of the UK taken from the skies.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

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. See Stonehenge and other amazing spots on the Great West Way.

Historic England Winner: Roker Pier, Sunderland, UK

Overall winner: Arromanches Mulberry Harbour, Normandy, France

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