The legends are only available in German, French or Spanish
A 3.500 mètres d'altitude, la cyclopéenne forteresse de Sacsahuaman domine le Cuzco. Avec ses trois remparts mégalithiques en dents de scie, ce «Maginot» inca «fait honte des pyramides au Nil et comme Atlante, au ciel, arrime l'homme» (Tirso de Molina, 1583-1648). Sertis comme des gemmes précieuses par on ne sait quels fantastiques joailliers, certains blocs de ce puzzle géant, hauts de 9 mètres sur 4 d'épaisseur, pèsent plus de 350 tonnes!

At 3500 meters above sea level, the cyclopean fortress of Sacsayhuamán dominates the city of Cuzco. With its three monolithic ramparts in the shape of saw teeth, this “Maginot Line” of the Incas “overshadows the pyramids on the Nile ...” (Tirso de Molina, 1583-1648). Some of these blocks of this giant puzzle, set like gemstones by unknown and great jewelers, are 9 meters high, 4 meters thick and weigh more than 350 tons! - 1969

Remains of the castillo (castle) of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. There are many ruins from the colonial period in Central America. The Spanish conquerors were often forced to build real fortresses in order to protect themselves from the repeated and courageous attacks of the Indian populations who tried, by all possible means, to defend and safeguard the integrity of their territory. These fortresses comprise a complex of buildings and were designed to be able to withstand a siege of a certain duration. They were built mainly in the vicinity of the Caribbean coastline and were also used during the 16th and 17th centuries to repel attempts by French and English pirates and freebooters to land. The latter, encouraged by their respective rulers, became more and more daring and enterprising, posing a permanent and growing threat to the possessions that the Spanish conquerors had on American soil. - 1977

Partial view of the interior of the castillo of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. This is one of the ammunition shops in which hundreds of cannonballs of all sizes abound. Many of these fortresses, built on American soil by the Spanish conquerors, were used as arsenals in which the troops could obtain supplies. These fortresses also provided some protection for the captains whose galleons were loaded with precious metal objects taken from the Indian populations of South America. These ships, filled with priceless treasures, then headed for Spain on a long and dangerous journey. The permanent state of insecurity that reigned throughout the colony was maintained by the hostility of the Indian populations towards the Western invaders and by the threats posed by French and English pirates and freebooters on the Atlantic coast. To this must be added the bloody struggles for power and for the possession of gold that the Spanish conquerors established in the different regions of Central America waged among themselves. - 1977

Cannon barrels lie in the courtyard of the castle of San Fernando de Omoa in Honduras. A large part of these Spanish fortresses were used as weapons magazines to supply the troops. The Spanish conquerors often felt compelled to build actual fortresses to protect themselves against the spirited attacks of the Indians, who tried to defend their country's independence by any means necessary. - 1977

Remains of the castillo (castle) of San Fernando de Omoa, Honduras. There are many ruins from the colonial period in Central America. The Spanish conquerors were often forced to build real fortresses in order to protect themselves from the repeated and courageous attacks of the Indian populations who tried, by all possible means, to defend and safeguard the integrity of their territory. These fortresses comprise a complex of buildings and were designed to be able to withstand a siege of a certain duration. They were built mainly in the vicinity of the Caribbean coastline and were also used during the 16th and 17th centuries to repel attempts by French and English pirates and freebooters to land. The latter, encouraged by their respective rulers, became more and more daring and enterprising, posing a permanent and growing threat to the possessions that the Spanish conquerors had on American soil. - 1977

Ghat Oasis in Libya with the fortress. The caravan routes that lead to the Fezzan, the Algerian Sahara and the southern Sahara converge in Ghat. The houses, made of dried mud or clay, have courtyards where family life takes place. - Libya - 1964

In the small oasis of Chirfa, there are respectable remains of a fort from the French colonial period. - Niger - 1968

Portal of one of the two Dutch fortresses in Matara, the port city next to the southern tip of the island of Sri Lanka. The emblem of the Dutch East India Company crowns the gable of this gate, built in 1703, of the Redoute van Eck. Matara was a well-known port for Arab sailors before it was taken over by the Dutch and developed into an important base on the spice route. - 1990

Santo Angelo Fort towers over the south-western Indian town of Cannanore on the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala. Unlike other fortifications, which are often left to fall into ruin, this fort, believed to date from the early 16th century, has suffered little damage. This magnificent structure still faces the sea, ready to repel any attackers. Unfortunately, its exact origin cannot be determined from the crown above the abutment. Cannanore was known for its sheltered harbour, which was already visited by Arab and Persian sailors in ancient times. – 1990

Around 80 to 100 kilometres north of Udaipur lies the impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort (also known as Kumbhalmer), a massive 15th-century fortress. The fort is situated in the Aravalli Hills at an altitude of over 1,000 metres. The fort is famous for its massive walls, which stretch for around 36 kilometres. They are considered the second-longest continuous wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. Within the walls are over 360 temples, including significant Jain and Hindu temples. The fort was built by Rana Kumbha, the ruler of Mewar. Due to its strategic location and thick walls, it was considered virtually impregnable. – The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. – 1990

The impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort (or Kumbhalmer Fort) is particularly famous for its massive rampart, often referred to as the ‘Great Wall of India’. In many places, the wall is so wide that up to eight horses can ride side by side on it. - 1990

Kumbhalgarh Fort is situated north of Udaipur on a 1,100-metre-high rocky outcrop near Nathdwara and is one of Rajasthan’s most significant fortifications. The fort walls, with their imposing bastion and semi-circular, strangely bulbous towers, were built in 1548. It was conquered only by the troops of the Indian Great Mughal Akbar, and even then only because he had the wells poisoned. Within the 36-kilometre-long fortress walls of this immense complex lie several temples, palaces and more modest dwellings. - 1990

Kumbhalgarh Fort was built in the 15th century (between 1445 and 1458 AD) by Rana Kumbha. It is also the birthplace of the legendary warrior Maharana Pratap. The fort was designed so that, despite its hilltop location, it is barely visible from a distance, making it an almost impregnable defensive structure. The walls are up to 15 feet (approx. 4.5 metres) thick in places. Within the massive walls are over 360 temples as well as palaces such as the striking Badal Mahal (‘Palace of the Clouds’) at the top of the fort. – Aravalli Hills in the Rajsamand district, about 84 km from Udaipur. – 1990

Construction of the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur began in 1459. The fort stands majestically atop a 123-metre-high rocky hill overlooking the ‘Blue City’. The fortress walls are up to 36 metres high and 21 metres wide. The fort is considered unconquered, as it has never been taken by force in its long history, despite numerous sieges. Today it houses a renowned museum. - 1990

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is one of the largest and best-preserved fortresses in India. Construction began in 1459 under Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. It is an imposing fortress built of red sandstone, whose massive outer walls rise to a height of 36 metres and blend seamlessly with the natural cliffs.

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is renowned for its ornate jharokhas (covered balcony recesses). These sandstone balconies, often featuring delicate jalis (latticework windows), provided cooling, privacy and sweeping views over the ‘Blue City’. The structure is entirely crafted from the red or brown sandstone characteristic of Jodhpur, masterfully carved by hand. – 1990

A densely built-up neighbourhood in Jodhpur, known worldwide as the ‘Blue City’ due to its distinctive blue-painted houses. Originally, members of the Brahmin caste painted their homes blue to signify their social status and to distinguish their houses from those of other social classes. As the region lies on the edge of the Thar Desert and is exposed to extremely high temperatures, the lime-based blue paint serves to reflect sunlight. This keeps the interior of the buildings noticeably cooler. Copper sulphate was mixed into the traditional lime paint. This chemical compound not only produced the deep blue hue, but also effectively protects the masonry from termite infestation to this day and keeps mosquitoes at bay. – 1990

Junagarh Fort in Bikaner features several rooms with striking blue wall decorations. The Badal Mahal (Palace of the Clouds) is particularly famous for this. Many of the blue tiles in the fort, especially in the Gaj Mandir, are blue and white porcelain tiles from Europe (often from the Netherlands or Great Britain), which were installed there in the 18th and 19th centuries. The colour blue was often used to symbolise the rain and coolness of clouds – a precious commodity in the Rajasthan desert. Animals (such as horses or elephants) used to be tethered to the metal ring on the wall. – Bikaner, Rajasthan – 1990

Junagarh Fort, a historic fortress in the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan. It was built between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh. The complex is renowned for its 986-metre-long wall featuring 37 bastions. Unlike many other forts in Rajasthan, it is not situated on a hill but on the plain. The facades are largely made of finely carved red sandstone. The main gate is known as Suraj Pol (Sun Gate). – 1990

This structure is Junagarh Fort in Bikaner. It is regarded as one of the most impressive and best-preserved fortresses in India, as, unlike many other forts in the region, it was never captured by enemies. It was built between 1588 and 1593 under Raja Rai Singh. It is constructed mainly from red sandstone, which is typical of Rajasthani architecture. A massive, 986-metre-long wall with 37 bastions surrounds the complex. – 1990

The historic fort of Jaisalmer (also known as Sonar Qila or the Golden Fort), situated in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. It is considered one of the few remaining ‘living forts’ in the world. Around a quarter of the old town’s population still lives and works directly within the fort walls today. It was founded in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom the city also took its name. The entire complex, as well as the surrounding historic merchant houses (havelis), were built from local yellow sandstone. When the sun shines, the fort glows in a honey-gold hue, earning it the nickname ‘Golden City’. The massive stone blocks were joined together at the time using precise dry-stone masonry techniques (interlocking blocks without cement or mortar). Since 2013, Jaisalmer Fort has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. – 1990

The city of Jaisalmer lies in the heart of the Thar Desert, some 150 kilometres north-west of Jodhpur as the crow flies. It owed its splendour and wealth entirely to the caravans of the Silk and Spice Routes, which travelled here from Central and South Asia towards the Indus Valley in the west. The city is dominated by the mighty citadel, dating from the 12th to the 16th century. Numerous interior rooms are adorned with paintings and mosaics, and the façades also feature interesting ornamentation. In the lower town are 18th-century palaces, the havelis, which were built for wealthy merchants and boast exceptionally beautifully decorated balconies. The most magnificent building, the Patwah-ki-Haveli from the early 19th century, is particularly fascinating for its incredibly varied chiselled window ornaments. – 1990

The majestic Jaisalmer Fort (also known as Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort), situated in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, was founded in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. It was built from yellow sandstone on Trikuta Hill. The walls shimmer in shades of sand during the day and turn a warm honey gold at sunset. Since 2013, the complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. – 1990

A view of the citadel of Jaisalmer with its imposing, soaring towers, which offer a magnificent panoramic view. French travellers have, quite rightly, called the city the ‘Carcassonne of the Desert’. – 1990

A camel cart, women dressed in traditional colourful saris and a classic car all reflect the lively daily bustle at the foot of the massive defensive walls of the majestic Jaisalmer Fort. The structure is famous above all for its monumental, circular bastions and walls of yellow sandstone, which shimmer like pure gold in the sunlight. It is one of the very few remaining ‘living forts’ in the world, as its interior still houses residential quarters, markets, hotels and centuries-old temples. – 1990

The photograph shows the impressive architecture of Jaisalmer Fort in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The entire structure is built from local sandstone, which has been assembled without mortar using precise interlocking joints. One can also see the typical narrow, ascending alleys, which served a defensive purpose, as well as small, ornate window openings (jharokhas) and stone corbels. In the foreground, a person can be seen wearing traditional Rajasthani clothing with a bright orange turban, which emphasises the region’s distinctive character. – 1990

The historic Suraj Pol (also known as the Sun Gate or Surya Gate) is one of the four successive, massive fortified gates of the famous Jaisalmer Fort in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The gate was built in 1594 and is deliberately designed in a zigzag curve. This military tactic prevented attackers (particularly those with war elephants) from gaining sufficient momentum to breach the gate with battering rams. Above the archway is a delicately carved, semi-circular stone relief imitating traditional Rajasthani motifs. – 1990

One reaches the citadel of Jaisalmer through the magnificent Surya Pol gateway, with its richly chiselled, harmoniously structured façade. Jaisalmer’s decline began with the development of the major sea routes, before the railway dealt the final blow to the caravan route through the desert. The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 then put a definitive end to trade with the Indus Valley. However, the constantly simmering conflicts between the two neighbours gave the region a new strategic importance, with the result that today the army and tourism are the city’s main sources of income. – 1990

This intricately carved stone façade is located in Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan. The fort is world-renowned for its yellow sandstone architecture, which is why it is also known as the ‘Golden City’. The walls are made of local yellow sandstone, which has been assembled without mortar using traditional construction methods. The door on the left has a magnificently carved frame featuring floral patterns and reliefs depicting peacocks and a central wheel (chakra). The ornate, metal-studded wooden doors reflect the region’s classical craftsmanship. – 1990

In the historic desert town of Jaisalmer in the state of Rajasthan, a woman dressed in traditional clothing walks along an alleyway within the walls of Jaisalmer Fort. The buildings are constructed entirely from the region’s characteristic golden sandstone, which is why Jaisalmer is also known as the ‘Golden City’. In the background and to the sides, one can see the intricately decorated stone façades, bay windows and balconies of traditional Indian mansions, known as havelis. – 1990

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