Top 15 beautiful historical places to visit in the world
As many civilizations have developed in different regions of the world since ancient times, so many civilizations have been lost in the abyss of time. The people of these civilizations built at different times built extraordinary structures with their limited manpower. Its unimaginable beauty and extraordinary construction techniques are still a matter of wonder to people. It is really difficult to choose the best place among these ancient historical structures spread all over the world.
Still some experts present you the selected places based on various information and opinions from online. As they have historical importance, these places are especially popular among the travelers. Hence, the travelers are going regularly to visit the historical spots from all over the world from different means of communication including train, airlines, tourist bus rental service as well.
Let’s top 15 historical places in the world.
1. The Lost City of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a wonderful city of the oldest and richest Inca civilization in the world. The word Machu Picchu means old mountain peak, originally used by the Quechua, an ancient American tribe. Located in Peru, South America, this ruined city is located on top of a mountain. Most of the time Machu Picchu city is covered by clouds. Hence it is called the city of the land of clouds.
Known as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, this ancient city was once an important cultural center of the Inca civilization. Later the city was abandoned when the Spanish took over. The city of Machu Picchu was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Binham in 1911. Since then it has become an attractive tourist destination. In 1983, UNESCO included Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it became one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
2. Maya Nagar Tikal
In the Mayan language, the word ‘Tikal’ means the place of the voice. The Maya city of Tikal, built in the deep rainforests of Guatemala in Central America, covers an area of about 6 square miles. It is the largest and oldest settlement of the vast Maya civilization. In the sixth-seventh century AD, Tikal was built with about 300 temples, palaces, main squares, residences and playgrounds. At that time it was one of the political, economic and religious centers of the Maya civilization.
After the Mayans left the city of Tikal, it was covered by rainforest for thousands of years. In 1848, it came out of the rain forest under the initiative of the Spanish government. The Guatemalan government has designated 220 square miles of dense rainforest around Tikal as the National Park or Tikal National Park. In 1979, UNESCO declared this magnificent archaeological site of Guatemala as a Human Heritage Site.
3. Pyramid of Giza
One of the Seventh Wonders of the Ancient World is the Pyramids of Giza. These mysterious pyramids are located along the Nile in the desert southwest of Cairo. This most interesting place in Egypt is also known as Giza Cemetery. The pyramids are actually the tombs of the kings of that time. The bodies of pharaohs were kept mummified in these pyramids.
There are three pyramids named Khufu, Khafre and Menkour in Giza. The largest pyramid was built by Pharaoh King Khufu. It is also known as Khufu’s Pyramid. There is still no idea about how these pyramids, which are more than 3000 years old, were built. Every day hundreds of tourists come to visit these amazing pyramids built for kings.
4. Angkor Wat
Located in the city of Angkor in northwestern Cambodia, this vast structure is the largest temple in the world. Angkor Wat means city temple. This historic medieval temple was built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. He made it his capital and main shrine.
Initially it was a Vishnu temple. But later it became a Buddhist temple. The architectural style of Angkor Wat is a unique example of the architectural art of the Khmer Empire. Angkor Wat, an artistic masterpiece with moats all around it, is considered one of the most sacred places in the world today.
5. Petra City
The rocky city of Petra is the center of attraction for many tourists in the world. It is located at the foot of Mount Hur, just east of Wadi Musa, a village in present-day southwestern Jordan. This city is almost two thousand years old and is completely made of stone. It was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom from 400 BC to 200 BC.
The ancient Arab city of Petra is dotted with many caves. These caves were once used as a way for people to travel. The most famous of Petra’s ancient buildings is the Khaznet Pharaoh Temple, also known as the Treasury of the Pharaohs. In 1812, a Swiss traveler named Johann Ludig Barkhat rediscovered this city that had disappeared into history. In 1985 UNESCO declared the city of Petra as a World Heritage Site.
6. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a Neolithic prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England. It is basically a wonderful structure made of steep rocks on a large flat land. Many believe that this structure, built about four thousand years ago, is a burial place. According to many, the place was used only as a temple.
The largest stones at Stonehenge, known as sarsons, weigh about 25 tons and average about 30 meters in height. Small stones of 4 tons weight can be seen with a bluish tint when broken or wet. So small stones are called blue stones. This magnificent prehistoric pillar is not only the glory of England but a wonder to the whole world. Although Stonehenge is a name of immense beauty to visitors, it is still an unsolved mystery to experts.
7. Colosseum
The Colosseum is a large elliptical roofless arena in Rome, Italy. Built in the Roman Empire, this magnificent gallery was used for the exhibition of gladiatorial contests or other exhibitions. With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, the amphitheater is considered the largest structure of the Roman Empire.
Stone and concrete were used during the construction of this unique piece of ancient architecture. Built on about 6 acres of land, the Colosseum is 189 meters long and 156 meters wide. It had 80 entrances. All citizens of the Roman Empire could enter the Colosseum for free. In 1990, UNESCO recognized the Colosseum as a World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was selected as one of the seven modern man-made wonders of the world.
8. Parthenon
The Parthenon is actually an ancient temple located on the Acropolis hill in the center of Athens, Greece. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, this temple was built in the Doric style. This huge temple is made entirely of marble.
Built on a very solid foundation, the temple stood intact till 1687 AD. But the temple was badly damaged due to a fire and explosion in the barudagara inside it. Yet amid the vast ruins surrounding Athens, the temple still stands as a testament to its past glory.
9. Easter Island
This island, 3600 km from the coast of Chile, is one of the loneliest islands in the world. The uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is owned by Chile. This small mysterious island was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722 and is named Easter Island. UNESCO has recognized this island as a World Heritage Site.
Surrounded by three volcanoes, numerous stone sculptures stand silently on this island. The seven giant sculptures of Easter Island are its biggest attraction. They are called Naval of the World. Each of the numerous sculptures spread over the island is about 15 to 20 feet tall. Locals call them Moai. After almost 300 years, the idols of this island still remain shrouded in mystery.
10. Taj Mahal
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is a royal mausoleum. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the monument in memory of his wife Mumtaz. Located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, the Taj Mahal is a unique example of Mughal Empire architecture.
Overall the Taj Mahal is a complex monolithic architecture. Its construction style has a wonderful combination of Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic architecture. It is believed that around 28 types of precious stones from different countries besides India, Pakistan, Persia were used for the construction of Taj Mahal. In 1983 UNESCO included the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site.
11. Alhambra
The full name of Alhambra is Kalat Alhambra or Red Fort. The Alhambra is a Muslim architecture located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was built by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in the mid-thirteenth century.
Built during the rule of the Nasri dynasty, this palace was used as a residence and royal residence. The total length of this ancient fort is about 740 meters. In 1984 UNESCO recognized the Alhambra as a Human Heritage Site.
12. The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China, located in China, the world’s most populous country, is the world’s largest man-made structure. The longest wall in China has a length of about 2695 km and a height of 4.57 to 9.2 meters or about 15 to 30 feet. The wall is about 9.75 meters or 32 feet in width.
In Chinese, this Great Wall is called Changchong. Which literally means long wall. Although its construction began in the 7th century BC, different kings built different parts of this wall at different times. However, the longest part of the wall was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China between 220 and 206 BC. The Great Wall starts from Shanghai Pass in China and ends at Loponur.
13. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, the famous pyramid of the Mayan civilization built in pre-Columbian times, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. One of the most beautiful and mysterious archaeological sites in the world is a very attractive place for tourists. Chichen Itza, located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the north of present-day Mexico, is a popular tourist destination in Mexico.
The ancient Mexican word Chichen Itza means Mouth of the Well of Itza. The Itza was originally the name of a tribe living in the northern part of the Yucatan. Another name for Chichen Itza is Ansaibanal. Which means seven lords or seven rulers. The majestic architecture of the long steep staircase leading up to the Great Pyramid was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1988.
14. Easter Island Moai, Chile
Chile’s Easter Island Mowai. These figures of man are carved out of huge rocks. These idols have been confusing people for ages. Rapa Nui is another name for Easter Island, a Pacific island located more than two thousand miles off the coast of Chile. Experts have solved the mystery of the island’s ancient sculptures. These famous sculptures called Moai are placed on the monument called Ahu.
15. Leaning Column of Pisa, Italy
Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa. This marble monument is one of the seventh wonders of the world. The pillar was built to ring the bell. It has great popularity and reputation all over the world due to its leaning on one side. From the beginning of the construction, this pillar is gradually leaning from one side. At present, significant steps have been taken to protect this infrastructure, preventing it from tipping and collapsing.
Hope you have enjoyed the article of top historical places in the world. :)