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Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is a rock formation in the heart of Australia, and one of the country's biggest tourist attractions.

But Uluru is much more than just a massive rock. It's a sacred place for Indigenous Australians, and after years of tourists climbing the iconic rock, a ban has been implemented.

Click through the gallery to celebrate a new era in the preservation of this iconic landmark, and to pay tribute to the sacred site.

▲Uluru is located southwest of Alice Springs, in Australia’s Northern Territory. It's right in the heart of the country.

▲Uluru is also known as Ayers Rock.

▲Uluru is one of the world's largest monoliths, standing at 348 m high (1,142 ft) and measuring 9.4 km (5.8 mi) around.

▲Explorer Ernest Giles described Uluru as "the remarkable pebble" in 1872.

▲Uluru is noted for its stunning color, which varies depending on the time of day and year. The sunset and sunrise here are breathtaking!

▲Uluru is made up of sandstone and minerals like feldspar, which give off a reddish glow during sunrise and sunset.

▲Uluru is a sacred site to the Aṉangu, the local Indigenous people.

▲According to local legend, Uluru is linked to the creation of the world.

▲Uluru has become a place of pilgrimage for people in search of mystical experiences.

▲In the morning, this rock formation looks like an animal lying in wait, and when the sun sets, it shines like a ruby.

▲Uluru has an abundance of rock caves where impressive cave paintings can be found.

▲Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where Uluru is located, is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site.

▲The park is home to 46 species of mammals, as well as unique flowers, shrubs, and trees.

▲It's uncertain how old all the paintings are, but it's estimated that people have lived in the region for at least 30,000 years.

▲The Anangu are one of the oldest societies in the world. It's estimated that they may have been in the area for over 10,000 years.

▲There are designated trails around Uluru for people who want to explore.

▲On the horizon you can see the imposing outline of the rock formations called Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas.

▲While you won't be able to climb it anymore, a trip to this mystical place should definitely be on your bucket list.

▲Not only do they climb Uluru, but some tourists urinate or defecate on top of this natural wonder. This has lead to the extinction of a rare shrimp species.

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The decision to ban tourists from climbing Uluru was eventually announced in 2017.

▲The steep climb is dangerous and has killed a number of people throughout the years.

▲Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was heavily criticized by Indigenous people for not being present at Uluru's closure celebrations.

▲Despite only 16% of visitors climbing it in 2017, in the last few weeks tourists have flocked to the area to climb the iconic rock.

▲The site is sacred to the local people, who have pushed for the ban for a long time.

▲Climbing Australia's most famous monolith is now illegal.

▲High temperatures in the summer, that can reach up to 47°C (116°F), make the trek even more dangerous for tourists.

▲But the impact of tourism goes further than disrespecting the local people's beliefs.

▲But what exactly is Uluru and why is it so special?

▲Get to know other natural wonders ruined by tourists.