Traveling is always exciting, but another part of the fun of these trips is learning about the people, culture, and most importantly, the history of these countries. Sometimes, looking at a historical monument and thinking that it is only a remnant now, it was once a recently completed building or tower, imagining the people who lived there, and the important historical events that happened, can drag people into it. A dream world that lasts for hours. For history buffs who want to add another flavor to their travels, or for those who just want to dabble in the historical sights, here are 10 of the world’s most fascinating and breathtaking historical places.
10 Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan, formerly known as Pagan, is an ancient city located in the Mandalay region of Myanmar. Built in the 2nd century AD, the temple city became the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom to unify the region from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Temple City is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to UNESCO, there are 2,229 temples in the 40 square kilometers of Bagan’s archaeological site. Although some were destroyed by earthquakes lasting hundreds of years, most of these temples still stand today. The Ayeyarwady River (Ayeyarwady River) flows through the northern and western edges of Bagan, which was once the capital of a powerful kingdom. The Bagan Archaeological Site is home to Nyaung U, Old Bagan, Minkapa, New Bagan and several cities. Among them, Nyaung U is the most active city in the region and a major transportation hub.
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Build date:
Between the 11th and 13th centuries AD
9 Ephesus, Türkiye
The first establishment of the ancient city of Ephesus within the boundaries of the Selcuk district of Izmir province dates back to 6000 BC. During research and excavations carried out in recent years, settlements belonging to the Bronze Age and the Hittites were discovered on the mounds (prehistoric hill settlements) around Ephesus and on the Aya Suruk hill where the castle is located. During the Hittite period, the name of the city was Apasas. The port city of Ephesus, inhabited by Greek settlers in 1050 BC, was moved around the Temple of Artemis in 560 BC. Ephesus, visited today, was founded around 300 BC by Lysimakhos, one of Alexander’s generals. Ephesus once spent the most glorious period in the Hellenistic and Romanized periods, with a population of 200,000, it is the capital and largest port city of Asian countries. Ephesus moved again during the Byzantine period, and came to the Ayasuruk Mountain in Selcuk to build the city for the first time.
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Build date:
10th century BC
8 Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Adding even more meaning to Cambodia’s unique charm, Angkor Wat is an award-winning temple and the most important part of the region, known as the Angkor Archaeological Park. The temples of Angkor Archaeological Park were built in the 12th century and were the unique Khmer capital of King Suryavarman II, known as the largest pre-industrial city in history and a candidate for the eighth wonder of the world. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peak of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the abode of the gods. Angkor Wat, the Cambodian pilgrimage site, is architecturally and spiritually impressive. Before its collapse in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the largest city in the world.
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Build date:
AD 1110-1150
7 Roman Forum and Colosseum, Italy
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is located in Rome, one of the Italian tourist cities. One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Colosseum was the largest structure built during the Roman period. The majestic presence of modern Rome in the city center is a testament to the city’s incredible history and the achievements of the Roman Empire.
Coming out of the nearest subway station or turning a corner, visitors to this beauty for the first time may be overwhelmed by its sheer size. The work, which began in AD 72, is still one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions. The Colosseum in beautiful Italy offers great significance to tourism with its culture, art and architecture as it is located in the arena where Caesar walked and gladiators fought. In the next forum, the Palatine Hill is also a must-see. Those who buy tickets to the Colosseum can enter the forum for free!
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Build date:
7th century BC and AD 70-72
6 Jordan Petra
Petra – an ancient city in the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, amidst rugged desert canyons and mountains between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Also known as “Raqmu” or “City of Roses” due to the color of the rock, Petra consists of amphitheatres, tombs, reliefs and temples carved into sandstone blocks and covers an area of about 100 square kilometers. Forgotten for centuries, the ancient city was discovered in the 19th century by Swiss-born traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, and in 2007 was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This fascinating ancient city is a surreal experience, with its buildings carved into the rock in narrow canyons. Join Petra Nights, you should see this place under the stars, where you will get detailed information about Petra and the Nabataeans accompanied by Bedouin music and traditional Bedouin mint tea .
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Build date:
312 BC
5 Stonehenge
Stonehenge, thought to have been built in 2500 BC, is located in Salisbury, an hour and a half from London by train. In the 500 years since it was built, this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument has been used as England’s largest cemetery. Although the reason for the construction of the Stonehenge monument is still a mystery, some archaeologists believe that the British built it for religious ceremonies, while others claim that the structures were used to study the movement of the sun and moon. Either way, the megalithic structure of Stonehenge is regarded as an engineering feat.
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Build date:
Early 2500 BC
4 Chichen Itza, Mexico
The ancient Mayan city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza lies inland in the flat forests of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, within easy daily walking distance of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. This great Mayan city was an important center from the 7th to the 13th centuries and was at one point the capital of the region.
Today, this restored artefact is one of the finest Mayan ruins in Mexico and reflects Mayan culture. One of Mexico’s biggest tourist attractions, the massive pyramids in the area are Chichen Itza’s most recognizable symbol.
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Build date:
Early 400s AD
3 Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Towering above the city of Athens, the Acropolis remains a proud monument of ancient Greece. The Parthenon ruled the area from the 5th and 4th centuries BC and was the largest and most famous building of that period, symbolizing the country’s long history.
The Acropolis has magnificent views, glistening in the Mediterranean sun by day and illuminated to dramatic effect at night. The sight is awe-inspiring for first-time visitors to the city, and inspiring for travelers planning trips to other parts of Greece. History loving tourists from other countries will not leave the country without visiting this place.
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Build date:
5th century BC
2 Tikal, Guatemala
The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. Surrounded by the forests of northern Guatemala, the region is home to a dizzying array of more than 3,000 structures dating from 600 BC to 900 AD, including ancient pyramids, temples, plazas, and dozens of buildings of all types.
The area was rediscovered in the mid-1800s and opened to the public in the 1950s. Some sites have been recovered, but work continues in some areas that have not yet been mapped or excavated. The site is located in Tikal National Park, a biosphere reserve that protects the region’s forests and wildlife.
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Build date:
to 600 BC
1 Machu Picchu, Peru
The mysterious ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was built centuries ago on the peak of the Andes Mountains. Hosted by Peru, it offers visitors a fantastic travel experience with its stunning scenery. Machu Picchu is one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of mankind, located at an altitude of about 2450 meters above sea level. Known for its colossal monoliths, this fascinating city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The dizzying masonry structures on the massive unmortared walls also reveal the advanced level of construction and mathematics achieved by the Incas. One of the most mysterious structures in history, Machu Picchu has remained hidden from the summit until today. To get to Machu Picchu, one needs to take a train or walk from Cusco to Aqua Calientes.
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Build date:
circa 1450 AD
