My Cultural Timeline of the World continues:

1001 – 1200 AD

1001 AD — Leif Ericson becomes the first European to settle in America at a place known as L’Anse aux Meadows in what is now Newfoundland.

1050 AD — The Astrolabe is first used as a navigational instrument on ships.

1054 AD — A gigantic Supernova occurred that left behind a remnant known as the Crab Nebula, still visible in the heavens at night.

1054 AD — The East-West Schism occurred in which the Eastern Orthodox Christians separated from the Roman Catholics.

1064 AD — Construction began on the Duomo (Cathedral) of Pisa*, marking the beginning of one of the world’s greatest architectural ensembles, known collectively as the Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1066 AD — In one of the world’s most important battles, the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror became the King of England, the first of the Norman kings.

1068 AD — Warwick Castle is built by William the Conqueror on the banks of the River Avon.

1070 AD — Canterbury Cathedral* is entirely rebuilt in its present style. It was the church of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the religious leader of the Church of England. It is famous for the murder of Thomas Becket which took place in the cathedral in 1170 AD. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1075 AD — Construction of Guaita Castelli*, one of the three (3) castles of San Marino, which signaled the beginning of the massive fortifications for which this republic is famous. Gary offers a Walking Tour of San Marino which provides access to the Tre Castelli and other sights within this fascinating city, for just $1.49 on the website.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1077 AD — Construction begins on the Tower of London*, one of the world’s most infamous castles. Over the years it has served as a royal residence, a treasury, an armory, a prison, and a field of execution. This and other fascinating tourist sights in London are incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of London, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1077 AD — Construction begins on Hohensalzburg*, the prominent white castle at the top of the hill in Salzburg, Austria. It is one of the largest castles in Europe and has never been taken. This an other Salzburg tourist sights are incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Salzburg, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1077 AD — Bayeaux Tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings, is completed and displayed in the Bayeaux Cathedral.

1088 AD — The Monastery of St John*, on the Greek island of Patmos is constructed. It houses the Cave of the Apocalypse where John is said to have received the visions that compelled him to write the final passages of the New Testament. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1090 AD — Construction begins on the City Walls of Avila*, Spain, celebrated as one of the best preserved Medieval fortifications in Europe. Purchase my Walking Tour of Avila, available on the website for just $1.49 to access Avila’s walls and other interesting sights.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1093 AD — First mention of Edinburgh Castle*, which is known as the “most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most-attacked in the world.” This castle and many other Edinburgh sights are incorporated in Gary’s Walking Tour of Edinburgh, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1093 AD — St Mark’s Basilica*, the most important church in Venice, Italy, was completed and consecrated. The church was built in the Byzantine style, with several domes and beautiful mosaics inside and out. It is the focal point of St Mark’s Square, a place described by Napoleon as the “drawing room of Europe.” St Mark’s and Venice’s other major tourist sights are incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Venice, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1095 AD — Pope Urban II issues the first Crusade (first of 9). The Crusades were a call to arms for Western Europeans to travel to the Holy Land to recover church property and to protect pilgrims on their journeys.

1096 AD — The walls of the citadel at Carcassonne, France were further fortified, making the city largely impregnable. The city and its fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1096 AD — The University of Oxford is founded. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second oldest. It consists of many separate colleges (38 in total).

1099 AD — Jerusalem is re-taken from the Muslims during the First Crusade.

1113 AD — Construction begins of Angkor Wat*, the main building in the Angkor complex, near modern-day Siem Reap, Cambodia. The complex was considered a mega-city designed in the Khmer style.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1118 AD — The Knight’s Templar organization is founded with the purpose of protecting pilgrims on their routes to and from the Holy Land.

1120 AD — El Alcazar in Segovia*, Spain, is completed. This castle was a popular choice as primary residence for the kings of Castile, Spain. Its dramatic location, on a promontory at one end of the city, has given it a certain enchantment. Stop into El Alcazar and other interesting sights as you take Gary’s Walking Tour of Segovia, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1134 AD — The Basilica of the Holy Blood* was built in Bruges, Belgium. This pilgrimage site is famous for its sample of the blood of Jesus Christ. This sight and many others have been incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Bruges, available for sale on the website for just $1.49.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1156 AD — The Bath Abbey*, a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Bath, England, was completed. It is renowned for its fan vaulting. The major tourist sights of the city of Bath are incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Bath, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1158 AD — The Hanseatic League is founded as a trade organization. It includes much of Northern Europe and facilitated trade in the Baltic and North Seas.

1160 AD — Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral)* is completed in Vienna, Austria. This prominent landmark is a focal point of the Old City and is particularly distinctive due to its tiled roof and huge doors. This and many other major tourist attractions have been incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Vienna, available for sale on the website for just $1.49.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1163 AD — Construction begins on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris*, France. This French Gothic masterpiece was one of the first to use flying buttresses for additional support and to increase height. This and other Parisian tourist sights are incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Paris, available for purchase on the website for just $1.49. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1181 AD — The Rialto Bridge* is built across the Grand Canal in Venice. The bridge is still used and is lined with shops that sell local merchandise as well. This and many other major tourist attractions have been incorporated into Gary’s Walking Tour of Venice, available for sale on the website for just $1.49.  *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1185 AD — The use of windmills are first recorded. They were first used to grind grain.

1187 AD — Saladin recaptures Jerusalem.

1190 AD — Lalibela Rock Caves* are constructed in Ethiopia. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1191 AD — The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is constructed. This has been the residence of the Grimaldi family for over 700 years.

1192 AD — The first Shogun (Minamoto Yoritamo) reigned in Japan.

1193 AD — The first known merchant guild is formed.

1199 AD — The Qutb Minar* (tower) was constructed in Delhi, India. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

1200 AD — Cliff Dwellings reach their apex in what is now Mesa Verde National Park*, Colorado. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site