History-rich sites around the globe continue to leave visitors enthralled. From Taj Mahal and Easter Island statues to churches that captivate, these locations boast rich cultures and histories that leave visitors asking more.
Petra, an ancient Nabatean city famed for its amazing rock-cut architecture, quickly captured travelers and was eventually declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors still marvel at what they witnessed and question how it all was accomplished.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, once home to 24 Ming and Qing Dynasty Emperors, serves as an emblematic symbol of China’s glorious past and is both an architectural masterpiece and repository for Chinese artifacts from antiquity.
This square precinct of red walls and yellow roof tiles contains 90 palace compounds with 9,000 bays in total, divided between Outer and Inner Courts. The Inner Court houses ceremonial buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony where Emperor Qin Shi Huang held important ceremonies while sitting atop his lavishly decorated Dragon Throne.
The Outer Court was reserved exclusively for state affairs, with only male guests being permitted into its complex of buildings. Each structure in this area reflected hierarchy and Confucian ideology’s ideal cosmic order that had held Chinese society together throughout centuries; from building locations to color symbols used throughout, its designs reinforced each dynasty’s power and authority. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site administered by Palace Museum.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed during Pharaoh Khufu’s rule during the Fourth Dynasty of Old Kingdom Egypt during its Fourth Dynasty to become one of seven wonders of antiquity and is the oldest remaining structure. Comprised of smaller pyramids named Khafre and Menkaure as well as an iconic Great Sphinx statue depicting a massive sculpture depicting a lion with human characteristics, this remarkable wonder stands as testament to ancient engineering achievement and human ingenuity.
The sides of the pyramid were designed to resemble sunrays as a symbol of immortality and as an aid to help the soul ascend into heaven upon death. Construction took 20 years and used around 2.3 million blocks weighing an average 2.5 tons each; historians believe that skilled Egyptian masons performed most of the work; part-time crews of quarry workers likely supplemented year-round masons in this process.
The pyramids were once surrounded by mortuary temples and are situated on a plateau on the west bank of the Nile River near Cairo’s outskirts. Nowadays they face threats such as urban encroachment, air pollution from waste incineration facilities and visitor traffic; consequently they were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
The Great Sphinx of Giza
No one knows for certain who constructed the Great Sphinx, the monumental statue featuring a recumbent lion with human features, nor have Egyptian tomb inscriptions made mention of its construction. But its proximity to Khafre’s valley temple and mortuary temple–using bedrock from both–and evidence from its sculptural style indicate it may have been ordered by him as part of an initiative or commission from his court.
The Sphinx dates to the Old Kingdom period that ran from 2,600-1,300 B.C. It is speculated to have been built during either Khafre’s time or that of Khufu (whose pyramid stands a quarter mile away). A stela from this era contains an intriguing reference to the Sphinx; however, experts regard this claim with caution. Furthermore, its mysterious loss — possibly up to three feet wide at one point–has spurred numerous theories. Some attribute it to Napoleon; however drawings exist from before his reign that disprove his claim.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is more than just a pyramid; it’s one of the most impressive Mayan ruins and was once an active city and major trading hub. Its main temple serves as an observatory that provides insight into astronomical events as well as providing a stunning light-and-shadow show during equinox seasons.
Built between 400-600 AD and ruled by the Itza lineage until 987 CE, Uxmal was home to maritime traders with extensive influence that stretched as far inland as Classic-period lowland Maya communities as well as militarized Putun Maya coastal forces and distant Toltec allies in the north.
Ruins are an exquisite sight, but to remain so they must be protected and preserved. Tourists have been climbing on structures, which is damaging them further; while using the site for unrelated cultural activities which threaten its authenticity.
