7 fake attractions that attract tourists

Not all cities in popular tourist countries have interesting sights. Their residents are offended that the capitals and ancient cities have something to see, but they have nothing at all. But the smartest ones do not complain, but create new attractions with their own hands. Books, Hollywood, and popular misconceptions help them.

1. House of Sherlock Holmes

The genius of detective Sherlock Holmes is just a talented invention of Arthur Conan Doyle. Therefore, his home is just a museum. It never featured Holmes, Mrs. Hudson, or Dr. Watson. But every child knows this.

And here is a lesser-known fact: the Holmes house-museum is not located at 221B Baker Street, but at 239 Baker Street. The number of the house that Conan Doyle wrote in the books does not exist on this street.

2. Bridge over the River Kwai

One of the main attractions of Thailand, the first on the list of outgoing tours to local historical sites. Still: to see with your own eyes the bridge built by convicts, the same one from the film of the same name by David Lean! And two deceptions at once.

First, the bridge built by prisoners of war was blown up back in 1944. Tourists are shown only a copy of it, which was built by ordinary workers with the help of high-quality equipment, for money and without any suffering.

Secondly, the river is not called Kwai, but Meklong. In addition, The Bridge on the River Kwai has never been filmed in Thailand. If you want to walk through the places of director's fame, go to Sri Lanka.

3. Panoramic restaurant "Piz Gloria"

If you were lucky enough to visit the most beautiful peak in Switzerland - the Schilthorn - the guides must have told you that episodes of the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" were filmed in the local panoramic restaurant. Indeed, it is difficult to forget the luxurious restaurant that revolves and allows you to appreciate the amazing panorama.

But do not rush to get money to pay for a cup of coffee where George Lazenby himself starred as James Bond. Because he was filming in a Hollywood pavilion, and the restaurant was built after the film was shot.

4. Juliet's balcony

Juliet, like Sherlock Holmes, did not exist, which does not prevent fans of the image of a young Capulet in love from bringing flowers and notes to Juliet's balcony in Verona, Italy.

It is very strange why the balcony was chosen to attract tourists. In Shakespeare's work, Juliet never went out to Romeo's balcony, contrary to many modern theatrical productions. The girl asked her lover not to swear by the Moon, standing on the terrace, but not on the balcony.

5. Shangri-La

Chinese county Zhongdian in 2001 was renamed in honor of the country described in the novel "The Lost Horizon" by James Hilton - Shangri-La. Considering how many oriental temples are here and how beautiful the mountain landscapes are, such a deception to attract tourists is only grateful.

6. Dracula's castle

The Romanian Bran castle between Muntenia and Transylvania is shown to tourists as the possession of Prince Vlad III Tepes, better known as Count Dracula. The real prince of Wallachia never lived in this castle.

But the writer Bram Stoker, who returned the prince to his former glory and endowed him with mystical skills, was inspired in his books by Bran Castle. The castle itself was built with the money of local residents and was used for defense. After that it became a royal residence.

7. Sleepy Hollow

It so happens that the townspeople do not want to cash in on tourists, but they continue to ask. This happened to Sleepy Hollow, the former North Tarrytown. Arriving in Westchester County, New York, the tourists asked in unison to take them to Sleepy Hollow, about which Tim Burton made a creepy film based on the book of Washington Irving.

When it turned out that a city with a similar name did not exist, travelers were so upset that the mayor had to rename his town to suit tourist needs. And he made the right decision: Sleepy Hollow quickly became the most popular attraction in the district.