From Stonehenge to the Eiffel Tower: Vintage photographs of Europe's landmarks reveal how travel has changed

  • These images were taken by photographers towards the end of the 19th century at different places in Europe
  • They were captured in black and white but have since had colour restored to them using photochrom technology
  • The pictures reveal how, while the landmarks have stayed the same, the world of travel has completed changed

These nostalgic images, captured towards the end of the 19th century, show some of Europe's best known sights, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Colosseum in Rome.

The photographs were originally taken in black and white but have since had colour restored to them with the help of photochrom technology. 

They bring into focus how little and how much has changed over the course of 100 years.

The landmarks and landscapes have attracted tourists for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and remains popular today.

But while you could photograph these locations without thousands of other visitors in your picture 100 years ago, the probability of that happening today is minuscule.

It's hard not to appreciate how different the world of travel is today.  

These nostalgic images show some of Europe's best known sights. Pictured is Mont Saint Michel, off the coast of Normandy, captured in 1895

These nostalgic images show some of Europe's best known sights. Pictured is Mont Saint Michel, off the coast of Normandy, captured in 1895

The landmarks were captured towards the end of the 19th century. This image of Stonehenge for example, was taken between 1890 and 1900

The landmarks were captured towards the end of the 19th century. This image of Stonehenge for example, was taken between 1890 and 1900

The images were originally in black and white but have since been restored to full colour. Pictured is Neuschwanstein Castle

The images were originally in black and white but have since been restored to full colour. Pictured is Neuschwanstein Castle

Some of the landmarks have been around for thousands of years like the Colosseum, photographed (above) in 1896

Some of the landmarks have been around for thousands of years like the Colosseum, photographed (above) in 1896

Eiffel Tower photographed between 1890 and 1900
The Leaning Tower of Pisa photographed in 1899

Left, the Eiffel Tower photographed between 1890 and 1900, and right, the Leaning Tower of Pisa photographed in 1899

The well-known sights are as popular today as they were more than a century ago. Above, the Houses of Parliament photographed between 1890 and 1900

The well-known sights are as popular today as they were more than a century ago. Above, the Houses of Parliament photographed between 1890 and 1900

While the landmarks have long been tourist attractions, there are far more visitors today than 100 years ago. Above, the Piazza del Duomo in Milan, photographed in 1895

While the landmarks have long been tourist attractions, there are far more visitors today than 100 years ago. Above, the Piazza del Duomo in Milan, photographed in 1895

Similarly picturesque scenes, like this view of Lake Como, can still be seen today. The picture above was taken between 1890 and 1900

Similarly picturesque scenes, like this view of Lake Como, can still be seen today. The picture above was taken between 1890 and 1900

This image of the Arc de Triomphe, taken between 1890 and 1900, show horse-drawn carriages trailing past in all directions. Today, the monument is surrounded by traffic

This image of the Arc de Triomphe, taken between 1890 and 1900, show horse-drawn carriages trailing past in all directions. Today, the monument is surrounded by traffic

This colourful image of Moscow, taken between 1890 and 1900, features the city's famous St Basil's cathedral

This colourful image of Moscow, taken between 1890 and 1900, features the city's famous St Basil's cathedral

The Trevi Fountain is pictured here in a photograph taken between 1890 and 1900. 

The Trevi Fountain is pictured here in a photograph taken between 1890 and 1900. The monument was recently restored so, despite its age, it's in better shape than ever

Fortuna Street in Pompeii, captured on film between 1890 and 1900, has remained much the same for thousands of years

Fortuna Street in Pompeii, captured on film between 1890 and 1900, has remained much the same for thousands of years

In this photograph of the Tower Bridge in London, taken between 1890 and 1900, a steam boat is travelling along the Thames

In this photograph of the Tower Bridge in London, taken between 1890 and 1900, a steam boat is travelling along the Thames

There's just a handful of tourists outside Doge's Palace, pictured here in 1895. But today, the area is a sea of people

There's just a handful of tourists outside Doge's Palace, pictured here in 1895. But today, the area is a sea of people

Pictured is The Forum in Pompeii, photographed in 1895. In the background, the VesuviusVesuviu 

Pictured is The Forum in Pompeii, photographed in 1895. In the background, the Vesuvius volcano is still active 

Sognefjord in Norway is pictured here in a photograph taken between 1890 and 1900. Visitors can now drive to the scene spot and cross the fjord by boat

Sognefjord in Norway is pictured here in a photograph taken between 1890 and 1900. Visitors can now drive to the scene spot and cross the fjord by boat

This image of the Matterhorn was taken between 1890 and 1900. Climbing the peak today remains as dangerous today as it was then

This image of the Matterhorn was taken between 1890 and 1900. Climbing the peak today remains as dangerous today as it was then

Above is the statue of Alexander II in Helsinki's Senate Square, photographed in 1895. It's in the oldest part of the city

Above is the statue of Alexander II in Helsinki's Senate Square, photographed in 1895. It's in the oldest part of the city

Berlin's Brandenburg gate is shown in this print, shot in 1895. The neoclassical monument is still one of the best-known landmarks in Germany

Berlin's Brandenburg gate is shown in this print, shot in 1895. The neoclassical monument is still one of the best-known landmarks in Germany

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