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Cliff dwellings present us with a striking contrast between the natural world and the amazing architecture that we build to challenge and overcome it. These photos capture stunning views of some of the most epic mountain towns in the world.
Many old cities or dwellings could have been built on cliffs for a variety of different reasons, but this was most often done with defensive advantages in mind. A high altitude city overlooking a sea passage has a superior command of the surrounding waters and is virtually impossible to assault from the water. Ancient cities on steep hills, on the other hand, might have been built there to defend from land-based aggressors or because of their proximity to important landmarks like rivers.
If you've ever traveled to a small town on a cliff-side with stunning views, we'd love to see them! Please add your photos to this list and vote for your favorites as well.
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#1
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Final score:
162points
GerganaGeorgieva 11 years ago
And check out Tarnovo in winter http://veliko-tarnov.../vt-27-1024.jpg
GeorgiDrenski 11 years ago
Tarnovo is a one of a kind city that simply cannot fit in just one picture.
JordanBorisov 11 years ago
This picture doesn't even slightly give it justice.The city has incredible atmosphere.
UkuleleBen 10 years ago
Great city ! Check out the walking tours too ! they even inspired me to write a song about the city ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMRzY
UkuleleBen 10 years ago
Great city ! Check out the walking tours too ! they even inspired me to write a song about the city ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMRzY
RELATED:
#2
Riomaggiore, Italy
#4
Santorini, Greece
Amanda Davies 11 years ago
I love this, most little.sealined cities towns of Greece are.extraodinarily beautiful to.my sight for some reason.... just stunning!!
EllenGarrison 11 years ago
Santorini is supposed to be the remnant of Atlantis
Load More Replies... #5
Azenhas Do Mar, Sintra, Portugal
#6
Rocamadour, France
#7
Ronda, Spain
#8
Vernazza, Italy
Arunabh Dutta Roy 11 years ago
You can see that this pic and the next one are of the same place taken from different angle
ArunabhDuttaRoy 11 years ago
You can see that this pic and the next one are of the same place taken from different angle
#9
Pitigliano, Grosseto, Italy
#10
Wadi Dawan, Yemen
#11
Piodao, Historical Village Of Portugal
#12
Meteora, Greece
Final score:
62points
Sonya Chuhovska 11 years ago
It is a very historically important monastery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora
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#13
Vernazza, Italy
#14
Manarola, Italy
Final score:
47points
#15
Civita Di Bagnoregio, Italy
#16
Al Hajarah, Yemen
Amanda Davies 11 years ago
Very pretty, a lot of buildings crammed into a little space, but possibly.incrdibly.convenient....
#17
Positano, Italy
DarylPungitore 10 years ago
I have now amended my wish list to places i will visit in my next 4 lives!!!
Alice Shockley 11 years ago
Beautiful. And you only see half of it from this angle. The city fills a cove and is gorgeous when seen from the sea.
Camilla Frøhaug 11 years ago
I have been there once (In a wedding) and it was so beatiful there
JaneHedley 11 years ago
Beautiful. Not bland or too in your face, just the right mix of colour to make it interesting yet traditional.
#18
Bonifacio, France
Ivana Cossu 3 years ago
This photo doesn't even do justice to the beauty of Bonifacio! Been there as a child more than 20 years ago, it surely made a lasting impression!!
#20
Haraz, Yemen
Ivana Cossu 3 years ago
I want to visit Yemen sooo bad. What a pity a country this stunning lost decades to war...
#21
Ronda, Spain
Sonya Chuhovska 11 years ago
the places are given by the largest number of votes
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#23
Rocamadour, France
#24
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Final score:
24points
#26
Hajarah, Yemen
#32
La Paz, Bolivia
Final score:
10points
#33
Mesa Verde, Colorado, Usa
Final score:
9points
#36
San Marino
Final score:
8points
#42
Tropea (calabria)
Final score:
4points
#48
House On Drina River, Serbia
Final score:
3points
#49
Porto, Portugal
Final score:
3points
#58
Valparaiso, Chile
Final score:
1point
#61
Masuleh, Iran
Final score:
1point
#77
Georgia, Tbilisi
Final score:
0points
#84
Frias, Burgos Province, Spain - Village And Castle Perched On A Clifftop
Final score:
-2points
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What do you think ?
AliceShockley 11 years ago
Just beautiful towns...All lovely, but a pity the photos aren't from the sea, which really shows the architecture and coves.
ErlendPalm 11 years ago
You've listed at two or three of them twice. But still. Beautiful towns!
SvitlanaNatochii 11 years ago
Thank you very much, BoredPanda, for everything I saw at your page! All pictures are very beautiful! Thanks a lot (ones again)! :)
AliceShockley 11 years ago
Just beautiful towns...All lovely, but a pity the photos aren't from the sea, which really shows the architecture and coves.
ErlendPalm 11 years ago
You've listed at two or three of them twice. But still. Beautiful towns!
SvitlanaNatochii 11 years ago
Thank you very much, BoredPanda, for everything I saw at your page! All pictures are very beautiful! Thanks a lot (ones again)! :)
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