Historical places captivate our imagination not just with their aesthetic beauty, but also because of what they reveal about past history. From Pompeii’s ancient ruins frozen in time to Chichen Itza’s Kukulkan pyramid used as a solar calendar, these UNESCO-protected spots make must-see visits.
These incredible historic sites span from Machu Picchu’s breathtaking ruins to Easter Island’s captivating moais, making these unforgettable historic places among the greatest worldwide.
Petra
Petra, one of the world’s premier archaeological sites, is an extraordinary city carved into rock by nomadic Arabs in the 1st century BC. Al-Khazneh or The Treasury was used by Nabataean king as his tomb before becoming a place of worship for Christians and Muslims alike.
Nabataean architecture is well known for its elaborate tombs, temples and Roman theater. Additionally there are obelisks and other monumental structures which showcase how seamlessly Hellenistic styles fit with native architecture.
Petra is distinguished by an exquisite 1.2 km alleyway known as the Siq, created by natural fissures caused by tectonic movements. Walking through this winding canyon adds an air of mystery that leaves visitors speechless with amazement.
Pompeii
Pompeii is one of the most iconic archaeological sites worldwide. Destroyed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD and preserved ever since, Pompeii provides an unrivaled insight into Roman life with well-preserved buildings and streets that offer visitors a glimpse of Roman lifestyle at its height.
When Pompeii was excavated in the 1800s, teams of multidisciplinary scientists such as computer engineers, radiologists, doctors, historians, and historians discovered an immense wealth of information about its citizens; one particularly fascinating feature being their skeletal remains being discovered during excavation.
Statues honoring prominent Pompeians and civic benefactors once lined the colonnades of this coastal city.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge stands as one of the greatest historic landmarks in the world, though no one knows for certain who built or what purpose it served. Evidence points toward Stonehenge having served as a burial ground at some point.
The first stones were raised around 3100 BC, though this site would go through various transformations before eventually taking on its present appearance of lintels and an outer circle.
Researchers have recently provided clues that help explain how these monumental stones were assembled. A 2015 dietary remains study revealed that those living at Durrington Walls–an Neolithic settlement with an associated henge–ate a diet abundant with healthy nutrients.
The Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx stands near Egypt’s pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, having lain dormant for centuries before excavations began in the 19th century.
Thutmose IV of Ancient Egypt placed a small tablet, known as the Dream Stele, between its paws to tell an intriguing tale – suggesting that Sphinx promised Thutmose pharaohship.
Who built the Sphinx is a topic of much debate among archaeologists and Egyptologists. Some archaeologists think it was constructed during Khafre’s Old Kingdom reign (2500 BCE); its location directly beside Khafre’s pyramid complex supports this theory.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Every year, millions of tourists travel to Pisa in Italy to view its famous Leaning Tower of Pisa landmark – an icon representing our ability to defy gravity and become cultural icons.
Construction on Pisa’s white marble bell tower began in 1173 but took nearly 200 years due to warring between Pisa and other Italian city-states such as Florence and Genoa.
As soon as the first floor was finished, it started leaning. Builders attempted to correct it by adding another story, which only made matters worse. Over the centuries, this lean has only become more pronounced – still offering an astonishing spectacle for visitors today.
The Terracotta Army
Emperor Qin Shi Huang assumed the throne at age 13 and decided to create an elaborate mausoleum complex as his legacy, including an army made out of terracotta to guard his afterlife. One particularly impressive feature was his Terracotta Army which guarded him even after death.
He went much further than any of his predecessors in China by hiring not just one or two soldiers but an entire army as guards outside his tomb. So far only four pits that held this army have been excavated.
Pit 1 contains infantrymen, archers and generals buried in battle formation, while Pit 2 features cavalry and war chariots thought to represent a military guard.
