Historical places captivate the global imagination for their beauty and incredible human ingenuity, each providing us a window into history.
Historic sites hold many layers of history from pre-Columbian civilizations to contemporary societies, making an essential stop on your travel bucket list. Below are 10 significant historical places that should make up that list.
Gobekli Tepe
Gobekli Tepe is one of the earliest known temples in human history, dating back 7,000 years before Stonehenge and 7,000 before the Great Pyramids. It features a massive assembly of limestone pillars that form circular and oval structures; researchers believe these were originally planned together into one large structure.
Some pillars feature carvings of totem animals such as leopards, wild boars, scorpions and vultures; while others contain pictograms which may represent early gods or deities.
This site near Sanliurfa in southeastern Turkey dates back 12,000 years. Archaeologists are still trying to make sense of what archaeologists discovered here – 43 T-shaped megaliths dating back 12,000 years. Their discovery has revolutionized how archaeologists view ancient peoples and their interaction with their environment; for instance, suggesting hunter-gatherers were capable of moving monumental structures, perhaps living together rather than as individual hunters, and had organized social structures as opposed to individual hunting strategies. Furthermore, the site rewrites humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyle into agriculture by rewriting history itself!
The Parthenon
The Parthenon, dedicated to goddess Athena, has stood on Athens’ Acropolis for more than 2500 years. Considered one of the greatest monuments of ancient architecture and landmark of classical Greek art.
Between 447 and 432 BCE, Athenians began construction of this temple as a replacement for one destroyed by Persian forces in 480 BCE. Work had started after Athenians won the Battle of Marathon but due to an oath breaking by their city (or due to being too impractical), construction never finished.
The Parthenon is a temple of Doric order, boasting several groundbreaking architectural features. These include using a stylobate to prevent optical sagging and numerous subtle corrections of lines meant to please the eye, along with sculptures on its pediments depicting scenes from mythology; one recreation depicting Athena versus Poseidon battle for control of Athens is even depicted on its west pediment!
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu–a legendary mountain citadel located in Peru’s Andes Mountains–has long drawn archaeologists and visitors alike. The site is famous for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that combine enormous blocks without using mortar, as well as its fascinating buildings that boast astronomical alignments and scenic panoramic views.
Though its former use remains unclear, scholars speculate it was probably used as a retreat by Inca King Pachacutec and served as both religious and royal estate property. Furthermore, its breathtaking architecture and breathtaking natural setting indicate it had some sort of magical power.
At the end of their site was a temple built into a cliff face to honor Inti, god of the sun. According to Inca beliefs, Inti caught sunlight during winter and summer solstices so light could return to Earth. Other structures at the site corresponded with specific astronomical events demonstrating their dominance in both astrology and religion.
Baalbek
Baalbek stands out as an architectural wonder from antiquity. Situated in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, its temple complex was dedicated to Jupiter and Bacchus and was worshiped at least from 332 BCE onward. Archaeological soundings beneath its Temple of Jupiter have revealed pottery dating back to Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age occupation layers beneath this prominent site.
As different empires and rulers came and went, temples were increasingly abandoned until eventually falling into ruin. Nowadays, Baalbek is recognized by UNESCO as an invaluable part of Lebanon’s rich history; preservation efforts continue to ensure these ancient monuments stand for years to come.
