The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, is the state of Virginia's premier university. UVA was created by Thomas Jefferson and opened in 1819. It's probably best known for "The Rotunda" building and the nearby historical buildings surrounding "The Lawn". The historical core of the university has been designated a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. One of the country's largest endowments (well over $3 billion) allows for maintenance of the historical buildings and high-quality facilities throughout the university.