Every year travelers flock to big cities and admire modern architectural masterpieces. Interestingly enough, many will also travel great distances to see ancient and deteriorating architectural wonders. Our ancestors built
some magnificent structures that even after thousands of years are still
drawing crowds and inspiring millions.
All over the world there are historic sites that beckon us, the most
popular by far is The Great Wall located in China. With
about 10 million annual visitors, this time worn classic is on most people’s
bucket list. The most stunning section
of the wall just happens to be the most accessible, about 70 miles from Beijing. The Great Wall was built by prisoners and
slaves starting as far back as 770 B.C.
China is also home to number 4 on the list of
most visited ancient sites, Xi’an
and the Terracotta Army. The life-size
statues were discovered in 1974, and more are thought to still be buried. The statues include 700 generals, warriors,
infantrymen, and chariot drivers along with 400 horses and 100 chariots. All of the statues have unique faces and expressions
and are adorned with different clothing and hairstyles. Built for Emperor Qin Shi Huang as a
necropolis, they are arranged in rows in covered pits. With so much individuality, it is not hard to
see why yearly 3.6-4.5 million people visit these magnificent carvings.
Italy
is a country so full of wonder that it is a dream destination for so many. This country is home to 3 of the most visited
ancient ruins. The Colosseum in Rome is seen every year by around 7 million people. The Colosseum was completed in A.D. 80 to
entertain the public with dramatic theatrical performances. Sadly it has a darker side. It drew large crowds to experience the grisly
slaughter of animals and humans. This stunning
architectural masterpiece is haunting to many visitors as a reminder of the
cruelty of the time. Also inside the
fabulous city of Rome is the Roman Forum.
This 5th century B.C. structure was a piazza, marketplace and
government center. Yearly 5.1 million
people flock to see this sacred site and to get a feel for what the Roman
people believed and worshiped many years ago. The third most popular location to visit in
Italy is the city of Pompeii. Seen by
2.5 million every year, this somber place lets its visitors get a peak at life
in the first century. This coastal town
was wiped out with the sudden eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. What is left behind is a gloomy reminder of
the lives lost when the town was covered in ash.
Located near Cairo, The Pyramids of Giza are named one of the Seven Wonders of the World and rank
number 5 for annual visitors. 4 million people travel yearly to see
these stunning symbols of Egypt. These
pyramids are not only ancient, they are mysterious. The Egyptians built the structures
but it is unknown how that was accomplished or when exactly they were built, thus
adding to the puzzle. The simple
looking structures are intricate and mind boggling.
Ancient Athens
is named after the goddess Athena and is home to Acropolis. It’s most well known monument is the
Parthenon and is often seen as a representation of the country of Greece. Built in the 5th century B.C., the landmark seems in great shape for its age,
but unfortunately that’s not the case.
Many of its friezes and sculptures were taken to museums around
Europe. Although the country is
attempting to return them to the site, the structure itself is still magnificent. Even in
its partial state, Acropolis is a stunning reminder of classical Greece and is seen by 2 million explorers each year.
Traveling to see the ancient sites is bound to be a magnificent experience, connecting us with our past. We can offer a collection of the top luxury hotels in the world. Stay in comfort and elegance and be inspired by our ancestors
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