Unleash your inner Indiana Jones and explore these jaw-dropping historical places around the globe! Some, like Pisa’s Leaning Tower, may be well known; other locations remain more mysterious and shrouded in myth.
The Pyramids of Giza remain one of the greatest architectural achievements to this day, while Mesopotamia’s ancient city of Ur is also breathtaking in its splendor.
The Cairn of Barnenez
The Cairn of Barnenez is one of the oldest structures ever created and serves as one of the world’s largest megalithic mausoleums, dating back around 4800 BCE and being often described as an early version of the Parthenon.
Scientists have used several techniques to date the cairn, such as radiocarbon dating and the comparison of pottery styles found at nearby European sites. Based on its physical construction, researchers believe it may have been constructed in two separate phases.
This enormous mound of stones overlooks Morlaix Bay and is among the earliest lasting monuments in Europe. Comprised of eleven funeral chambers constructed using carefully placed stones, it may have also served as an initiatory site. Additionally, burial services were likely held here.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon was constructed as a temple dedicated to Athena in ancient Greece. Today it stands as one of the world’s premier examples of classical architecture and an icon for Greek sculpture.
Hurwit notes that the building stands out with its striking symmetry, likely the result of some mathematical proportional system. He believes it to be true that architects sought to express beauty through harmonious arrangements of parts similar to sculpture.
Pericles erected the Parthenon as a gift to Athens as part of their victory against Persian forces in 480 BCE, replacing an older temple of Athena known as Pre-Parthenon or Old Parthenon.
The Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island in New York Harbor is home to an iconic symbol of freedom and opportunity – the Statue of Liberty. Donated as a gift from France in honor of American Revolution, she stands guard over its entrance ever since.
Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi created the statue by using sheets of hammered copper, while its steel framework was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, engineer behind the Eiffel Tower. Fort Wood was located within Bedloe’s Island which later changed to Liberty Island in 1956.
The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is an iconic former French royal residence and seat of government, famous for its extravagant architecture commissioned by King Louis XIII. A major historical site, its main components are its palace, park and Grand Trianon.
Versailles is best-known for its breathtaking Hall of Mirrors, covered with 357 Venetian mirrors that reflect light beautifully from all directions. This feature has had an enormous influence on architecture across Europe; Wren and Schluter have even included nods to Versailles into their designs.
Since its creation, The Palace of Versailles has made a commitment to supporting artistic creation by hosting some of the greatest painters, sculptors, and craftspeople of today – not forgetting accessible tours for people with reduced mobility.
Vatican City
The Vatican City is an autonomous microstate within Rome that contains not only Pope but a treasure trove of iconic art as well. From ancient Roman statues like Laocoon and His Sons to Renaissance masterpieces such as Raphael Rooms or Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, its museums contain everything from Roman antiquities such as Laocoon & Sons by Casting them out from marble blocks by hand and more modern masterpieces by Raphael Rooms or Raphael.
The Pope serves both as ex officio head of state and spiritual leader for over 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. To exercise his executive powers, he utilizes both Pontifical Commission and Secretariat of State of Holy See.
Easter Island
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is known for its mysterious stone sculptures known as moais – nearly 900 human figures with large heads which were constructed between 13th-16th centuries and are known for being moai statues.
Moai statues are widely believed to be symbols of Polynesian ancestry and could represent their inhabitants who still reside today, though after European contact their numbers drastically decreased due to disease outbreaks, slavery raids and other factors.
Moai monuments typically consist of an elevated rectangular platform topped by an indented ramp paved with smooth beach pebbles – they represent both archaeological treasure and an unsolved mystery.
Nan Madol
Nan Madol, located on a lagoon reef in Micronesia, is an impressive complex consisting of more than 90 rectilinear islets set across an offshore reef. This megalithic archaeological site includes temples, altars, palaces and tombs – it served as the center of worship during Saudeleur dynasty rule which began ruling Pohnpei around 1100AD.
No one knows for certain how the builders managed to move the large basalt stones used for Nan Madol walls; no quarries are nearby and no pulleys or levers have ever been discovered at the site.
Ruins at Nahnmwarki may be at risk of decay, so to preserve them Pohnpei State and Federated States of Micronesia governments are working with local Nahnmwarki leaders to form a management committee for preservation purposes.
