7 Lesser Known Historical Wonders Around The World

The list of historical wonders of the world has always been biased towards a few grand attractions like the Pyramids of Giza, TajMahal and few more. But there are a lot more historical wonders here and there in the world that are much less known but no less awe inspiring and spectacular. Here is a list of 7 such lesser known historical wonders:

Palmyra, Syria

Palmyra in Syria is a fascinating ancient city, one that might not be there forever. Located in the north eastern end of Damascus, it contains the ruins of one of the most significant cultural centers of the ancient world. One can find writings about this once gorgeous site even in the ancient archives of Mari which dates back to the second millennium BC. It had significant trade relations with ancient Persia, China and India and flourished astonishingly during its time.

Derinkuyu, Turkey

A fine proof of human brilliance, the underground city of Derinkuyu, Turkey is an awe inspiring site for the history and architecture lovers. It is located in the traveler’s favorite, Cappadocia of Turkey. Once, it had the capability to shelter more than 20,000 people with plenty of food and livestock to live by. Among the many underground cities in Turkey it is the most fascinating. It has been open to tourists since 1969.

Baalbek, Lebanon

Baalbek is an ancient historic town located in the eastern end of the famous Litani River near the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. An amazingly preserved ancient temple and many other ancient structures make this a heaven for the photographers. The temple of Bacchus is one of the largest roman temples in Lebanon.Gods such as Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus were worshiped here.It is truly a grand historic site that clearly deserves more eyes.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, India

If you ever fascinated about the mysterious land that is India, then Ajanta and Ellora Caves of India is definitely worth checking out. Located at the Aurangabad district of the state Maharashtra, the site is famous for its 30 extraordinary rock cut baddish caves. The paintings and sculptures found here are said to be among the finest examples of ancient Indian and Buddhist arts. Truly a captivating display of the once glorious culture.

Sigiriya, Sri lanka

We all have that dream of having our own palace on the top of a mountain. But in the case of Sigiriya of Sri lanka it is a fantastic reality. Sigiriya a magnificent ancient palace sitting on the top of a gigantic column of rock which is more than 660 feet tall. It was the famous King Kasyapa who made the city his capital and built the palace on the top of the rock. He also built a gateway on the rock in the form of a lion. Already a UNESCO world heritage site, it is the most visited place in Sri Lanka.

Bagan, Burma

A truly spiritual place and a sight for a lifetime, Bagan is an ancient city in Burma that was once the grand capital of Kingdom of pagan. This holy ground was the center of one of the greatest Buddhist civilization ever. During its golden time there used to be more than 10,000 temples, pagodas and monasteries here and there. Today only over 4,400 temples remain. The sight of reddish temple tops especially during the dusk gives you a feel of spirituality that you never felt before.

Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines

Known to the locals as the 8th wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines is a place of amazing natural beauty and historic significance.  These terrace fields were curved on the mountainous surface by revered farmers from 2000 years ago. Expanding for miles after miles they create a truly unforgettable sight in the mist of the clouds. These terraces are being brought back to life by a new brand of Philippine farmers.

Photo by jmhullot