Several of groundbreaking inventions, sophisticated gadgets, and mostly, the emergence of technology have made our life seamlessly incredible and easy, and so is the construction industry. But when you step back to time, you’ll discover that the calculation, precision, and mastermind of the primeval people, who lived several centuries before, were just beyond the up-to-date technological brilliance, as you come to know how punctiliously they crafted their masterpieces without the use of any line-up of super tools or technological innovation. Here are some of my favorite historical monuments whose enormous charm and splendid beauty blew me away.
1.The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The Colosseum has been the world’s largest amphitheater since it was built more than 2,000 years ago. When it was first opened in AD 80, this huge imposing structure measured 150 meters wide and 190 meters long, with 80 arched entrances and capacity to seat up to 74,000 spectators. Not only a marvelous depiction of the ancient Roman architecture, but the Colosseum also gives you a slice of the region’s turbulent past.
2. Tikal, Guatemala
A mélange of stunning monuments in the form of palaces, shrines, residences, game courts, and roads, within the vast expanse of Tikal National Park, is touted as an outstanding example of the artistic and human intellect of Mayan civilization that thrived here from 300 to 850 BC. This is a UNESCO world heritage site and is placed in Guatemala’s El Peten province.
3. Easter Island
Mysterious charm, exotic beaches, the influence of Polynesian culture, and most of all, about a thousand monumental statues, namely, Moai scattered across the region make this Pacific island extraordinarily beautiful. Dating back to the 12th century, these statutes were sculpted by the ancient Rapa Nui people using volcanic ash. Each Moai is strikingly unique and comes with small, big, slender, fat or tattooed shapes. It is situated more than 3,500 kilometers off Chile’s west coast.
4. Machu Picchu
Situated at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level, this ancient Inca city in Peru boasts a breathtaking location in the midst of a tropical forest. Built during the 15th century, Machu Picchu’s outstanding structures including La Ciudadela throw light on the Inca Empire’s complex yet refined architecture.
5. Petra, Jordan
Petra is one of the world’s most significant historical sites. Erected as early as 312 BC, the monuments seen here is especially noteworthy for its intricate rock-cut architectural marvel. Located on the scenic Mount Hor’s slopes in Ma’an, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is sometimes referred to as the Rose Red City due to its rocks’ color, with which the city of Petra is carved out. The history has it that it was once the center of the Nabataean kingdom till AD 106 when the Roman Empire came into power. Must-visits include El Dier – the Monastery, Byzantine Church, Hadrien Gate, the Great Temple, and Rock-cut sandstone tombs.
6. Taj Mahal, India
Built during the 17th century, this majestic structure, often cited as the epitome of love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute of his everlasting love towards his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took over 20 years for its completion, and more than 20,000 people, along with 1,000 plus elephants, were employed to erect this spectacular monument, which is a blend of Indian, Islamic and Persian architecture styles.
7. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
Constructed around 3,000 years ago, the Great Pyramid of Giza is a marvelous masterpiece that continues to perplex archaeologists, astronomers and scientists, with its attention to detail construction style which even most sophisticated technology can’t reproduce. Besides its unique pyramid shape, what’s more, mysterious is the exact alignment of the Great Pyramid of Khufu Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Pyramid of Khafre as per the Constellation of Orion. There are many such things about these pyramids that haven’t been unraveled yet.
8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The largest of its kind in the world, Angkor Archeological Park is perhaps South East Asia’s most significant archeological sites. Spanning over an area of about 400 square kilometers in Angkor, Siem Reap, it stands as a classic illustration of the magnificent Khmer architecture. Its highlights include the glorious remnants of the varied capitals of the Khmer Empire that traces its origin back to the 9th century.
9. Parthenon, Greece
This is an ancient shrine majestically sitting on the Acropolis, a huge rock overlooking the city of Athens, Greece. Reflecting Doric-style architecture, Parthenon is exceptional for its stupendous white marble columns and sculptural frescos representing the battle scenes. It was built in the 5th century BC to mainly worship the Greek Goddess, Athena.
10. The Great Wall of China
Stretching for more than 6,400 kilometers, from Yu Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, this is the longest man-made monument ever built, and it covers a wide spectrum of plateaus, peaks, and deserts placed between east coast and west coast of China. It was mainly built as a defense to safeguard the Chinese empire from the attack of northern invaders. Fascinatingly, it took more than 2,000 years to complete its construction, which is believed to have begun in 7th century BC.
