But rather than depicting actual structures, the designs reflect architectural styles from various periods in Europe’s history that have spread across Europe’s borders and shaped our culture – from classical architecture to the iron and glass architecture of the 19th century.
This highlights that, despite our diversity, we share a culture that is largely rooted in a common heritage and that has never been contained by national boundaries. Our shared heritage is also referenced in the security features that protect our banknotes. The hologram and the watermark bear a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology which serves as the face of the euro.