15 Best Historical Places in the World for a Perfect Historical Gateway

History has decorated the world with majestic palaces, opulent forts and ancient monuments. The incredible historical sites depict the tales of bravery, romance and battles. You will get the essence of ancient civilizations from breathtaking and amazing historical monuments and forts.

Mind-blowing historical sites welcome you at different corners of the world. A history lover can’t resist himself to rush to see amazing stuff built over thousands of years ago.

This article depicts the best historical places in the world for a perfect historical gateway.

15 Must-Visit Historical Sites in the World for a Rendezvous with History

Historical Place #1. Machu Picchu, Peru, Cuzco

Machu Picchu, also known as Machupijchu, is a famous historical site of ancient Inca civilization. Machu Picchu is situated 80km. away from Cuzco, Peru. The Yale University Professor Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911.

While Bingham was searching ‘The Lost City of Incas’, Vilcabamba, he discovered Machu Picchu with the help of Melchor Arteaga. Machu Picchu was the hidden capital of Inca civilization, which after being invaded by the Spanish, had escaped to Machu Picchu.

In 1983, Machu Picchu was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and in 2007, it was declared as one of New Seven Wonders of the world.

Interesting Fact about Machu Picchu Historical Site

• According to an engineer Kenneth Wright, 60% of the building of Machu Picchu was underground.
• The building of Machu Picchu was constructed above two fault lines. Though Cuzco is an earthquake prone area, Machu Picchu buildings won’t collapse during an earthquake. At the time of the earthquake, the stones of the building dance, and bounce and again come to its own position.

Entry Fee: $47-$62

Timing: 6a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Historical Place #2. Tikal, Guatemala, Peten

Tikal is a National Park situated at the northern part of the region Peten, Guatemala. Tikal is one of the major historical sites of Mayan civilization. The ceremonial centre of Mayan Civiliztion ( 6^th century B.C.- 10^th century A.D.) was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Tikal National park is famous for its archeological importance and astonishing bio-diversity. Tikal National Park consists of savannah, architectural remains of the Mayan civilization and palm forests. The diverse ecosystems are habitats of 300 species of birds, several species of cats, monkeys and trees.

Interesting Fact Tikal Historical Site 

• An exceptional place of architectural and artistic monuments and cosmological connotations
• Tikal National Park illustrates Tikal dynastic sequence and shows the lives of 33 rulers.
• Stela 29 was the earliest stone sculpture, which was used in the year 292.
• The archeological remains show different stages of cultural evolution of Mayan civilization.

Entry Fee: 150 GTQ

Timing: 6a.m.-6p.m.

Historical Place #3.The Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, Cairo

The Pyramids at Giza, built 4,500 years ago, are ruins of Egypt’s old kingdom. The Great Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is located on the Giza Plateau near Cairo. The height of the Pyramid is 479 feet and its base measures 754 feet.

The pyramid is made up of over 2 million blocks of stone. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of three pyramids at Giza. The pyramids were built for three different pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure.

According to the historians, pyramids serve as a stairway to pharaohs to reach the heavens or pyramids symbolize sunrays reaching the earth.

Interesting Fact the Pyramids Historical Site

• The Great pyramid contains the empty sarcophagus of Queen Hetepheres.
• The Middle pyramid or the Pyramid of Khafre contains the Great Sphinx, which has a head of a man and body of a lion.

Entry Fee: 60 EGP-100 EGP

Timing: 7a.m -5p.m. (Monday to Sunday)

Historical Place #4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat meaning ‘city of temples’ is regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. It was constructed in the 12^th century. This once lost city contains 1000 archeological sites. French adventurer Henri Manhout discovered Angkor in 1860 when this lost city showed to the world its inner beauty. The area covered by Angkor Wat is 400 sq.km.

The Angkor Wat Archeological Park includes the ruins of different capitals of Khmer Empire. It also includes Angkor Wat temple, Bayon temple and Angkor Thom. The Angkor Wat symbolizes the rich heritage of cultural structures in stone and brick.

Interesting Fact Angkor Historical Site

• It is one of the biggest religious sites of the world.
• Keep torch with yourself while visiting the place to enjoy sunrise or sunset. Uneven steps are quite risky.

Entry Fee: $20

Timing: Early morning is the best time to visit

Historical Place #5.The Taj Mahal, India, Agra

The Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings of the world, shows an enduring love of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor, for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, located at the right side of the Yammuna river. The Taj Mahal was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. This mausoleum was a winner of New 7 Wonders of the World. It was built in 1600s.

Recently, air pollution is posing a threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal symbolizes the excellent craftsmanship and the finest architectural achievement. It has unique aesthetic quality.

Interesting Fact Taj Mahal Historical Site

• The tomb is placed at one end of garden rather than at the centre.
• The marble dome is known as an onion dome. The top is designed with a lotus decoration.

Entry Fee: Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs. 1100 for foreigners and NRI

Timing: 8a.m. -5p.m. from Sunday to Saturday except Friday

Historical Place #6. Petra, Jordan

Petra or Raqmu is located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Petra depicts a lost civilization of Nabateans, a nomadic desert people. Petra connected camel caravans between the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Mountains with gorges and passages surrounded Petra, which is half-carved into the rock.

Petra is a blend of Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture and is regarded as the world’s largest archeological sites. It is a red sandstone landscape. Petra is famous for its rock cut architecture and water channel system.

Petra is also known as the Rose City because of the colour of its stone.

Interesting Fact Petra Historical Site

• UNESCO World Heritage site
• One of the New Seven Wonders of the World
• Archeologists revealed 15% of Petra and theremaining 85% is still to be explored.
• Shootings of three films namely the Last Crusade, the Mummy Returns and the Indiana Jones were made at Petra.

Entry Fee: 50JD

Timing: 6a.m. to 6p.m.

Historical Place #7. Stonehenge, England, Whittshire

The world’s most well-known prehistoric monuments is Stonehenge. The construction of Stonehenge began 5,000 years ago. It was built in many stages. There is a stone circle at the centre of the monument. The stone circle was built in the late Neolithic period. Several burial mounds were constructed nearby in the early Bronze Age. Stonehenge comprises of 100 massive erect stones arranged in a circular manner.

According to historians, Stonehenge was a burial ground. Stonehenge now attracts 1 million people every year. In 1986, it was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting Fact Stonehenge Historical Site

• Stonehenge is made of two different types of stones: the larger sarsens and the smaller bluestones
• The Aubrey Holes is inside the enclosure.
• At the time of excavations at Stonehenge, Roman coins, stone, pottery and metal items have been found.

Entry Fee: 17.50 GBP (adults); 10.50 GBP(children)

Timing: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.(30^th March to 31^st May)

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (June 1 to August 31)

Historical Place #8. The Colosseum, Italy, Rome

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in Rome as well as in the world. It was built in between 70-80 A.D. Its construction started during Emperor Vespasian and ended during Emperor Titus. There is an arrangement of 50,000 seats for people. The Colosseum in Rome stands 189 metres long, 57 metres tall, and 156 metres wide.

The Colosseum was built of stone and concrete. The distinctive feature of the Colosseum is that it is three-storied building having around 80 arched entrances, supported by semi-circular columns. The bottom story contains columns of simple Doric order. The second story contains columns of Ionic order and the top story contains the columns of Corinthian order.

Interesting Fact the Colosseum Historical Site

• There was no entry fee at that time and free food was served
• The games at Colosseum were brutal because 10,000 animals were killed in a day.
• There was the velarium over the seats to protect the spectators from heat in Rome.

Entry Fee: 12 EUR

Timing: 8:30 a.m – closing time varies with season

Historical Place #9. Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island, situated at the southeastern Pacific Ocean, is famous for 1000 monumental statues. These monuments called moai were built by Ropa Nui people. After the fall of moai culture, Easter Island developed a culture of bird worship. Easter Island was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Easter Island, the most isolated inhabited islands in the world, was annexed to Chile in 1888. The island got the constitutional status in 2007. The distinctive feature of Easter Island is that it has an array of 900 giant stone figures.

Interesting Fact Easter Island Historical Site

• 60% of 5,800 people are Rapa Nui people
• Jacob Roggeveen named the island Easter Island.
• Pitcairn Island is the nearest inhabited island.

Entry Fee: $20 for national adults, $10 for national children, $80 for foreigners

Timing: 8:30a.m. to 4p.m.

Historical Place #10. Christ The Redeemer, Brazil, Rio de Jeneiro

The colossal statue of Jesus Christ is the largest Art Deco type sculpture. The Christ the Redeemer was built between 1922 and 1931 by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. 98 feet tall statue stands atop the summit of mountain Corcovado, Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil.

The statue, made of concrete clad and soapstone tiles, is placed on a pedestal base, which is 26 feet tall. 92 feet tall arms are outstretched horizontally. The statue has become a symbol of Christianity throughout the world. It is a cultural icon of Brazil and Rio de Jeneiro.

Interesting Fact Christ Historical Site

• It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
• It is made of 6 million stone tiles.
• It is vulnerable to lightening strikes due to its length.
• The construction of Christ the Redeemer took nine years.

Entry Fee: $46 (adults) & $23(children)

Timing: 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

Historical Place #11. Persepolis, Iran, Shiraz

Persepolis, an ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire, was founded by Darius in 518 B.C. It is 50 km. away from the city of Shiraz, Iran. Being inspired by Mesopotamium models, the king built an impressive palace complex on half-artificial, half-natural terrace. This unique archeological site was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The complex had nine structures namely the Apanda, Council hall, Palace of Darius I, Treasury, Throne hall, Palace of Xerex I, Harem of Xerex I, Tomb of the King and Gate of all nations. The Persepolis was the safest city in Persia until it was plundered by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. Excavation started in 1931 CE.

Interesting Fact Persepolis Historical Site

• The terrace of Persepolis had double flight of stairs.
• The building is built of dark gray stone from adjacent mountain.
• There is a perpendicular wall of rock, where four similar tombs stand at a considerable height. This place is known as Naqsh-e- Rostam.

Historical Places 50,000 Toman or 4 Euro

Timing: 8a.m -8p.m.

Historical Place #12. Potala Palace, Tibet, Lhasa

The Potala Palace is built on Red Mountain above the Lhasa River valley. It is religious as well as administrative complex in Tibet. The Red Palace serves as the religious section and the White Palace serves as the administrative section.

Since the 7^th century, the Potala Palace has been the winter palace of Dalai Lama. This palace plays a central role in the administration of Tibet. It symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism. The Potala Palace comprises of 10,000 painted scrolls, thousands of statues and 698 murals. There are the tombs of eight dalai Lamas.

Interesting Fact Potala Historical Site

• The Potala Palace was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
• The Jokhang temple, which was added as an extension to Potala Palace in 2000, is the most sacred temple in Tibet.
• Norbulingka, which was added as an extension in 2001, was the former summer residence of Dalai Lama.

Entry Fee: 200 Yuan(May to October) & 100 Yuan( November to April)

Timing: morning to 5:00p.m. allowing an hour visit to each person

Historical Place #13. Alhambra, Spain, Granada

Alhambra is a palace and fortress built by Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain. The outer walls of Alhambra are built from the red coloured rammed earth. It was constructed between 1238 and 1358 during the rule of Ibn-Al-Ahmar, founder of Nasrid dynasty.

A part of Alhambra was destroyed by Charles V to build an Italianate palace. Some of its towers are destroyed during Peninsular War.

In 1821, an earthquake caused damage to Alhambra. An extensive repair program started from 1828 and continued through the 21^st century.

Interesting Fact Alhambra Historical Site

• Alhambra draws 6000 visitors daily.
• The centerpiece of Alhambra is known as the Palacios Nazaries. It was divided into 3 sections: the Mexuar, the Palacio de Comaries and the Palacio de los Leones.
• The Mexuar is the entrance of Alhambra.

Entry Fee: 14 Euros

Timing: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00p.m.

Historical Place #14. Acropolis, Greece, Athens

Acropolis of Athens symbolizes classical spirit and civilization. The ancient citadel is situated on a rocky outcrop above the Athens city. It is considered as one of the greatest architectural and artistic complexes in the world. It consists of the ruins of several ancient buildings of historical significance.

After gaining victory against Persia and the establishment of democracy, Athens became the most important city-state of the ancient world. In second half of 5^th century bc, a group of artists under sculptor Pheidias transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument. The monuments include the Parthenon, Erechtheon, the Porpylaea, the entrance to Acropolis and the Athena Nike.

Interesting Fact Acropolis Historical Site

• The Acropolis influence not only Greeco-Roman antiquity but also contemporary times.
• Neo-classical monuments are inspired by acropolis monuments.
• Acropolis of Athens symbolizes the religions of ancient Greece.

Entry Fee: 20 Euros

Timing: 8a.m.-7p.m.(during summer) & 8 a.m. to 5p.m. (during winter)

Historical Place #15. The Parthenon, Greece, Athens

The Parthenon temple on the Athenian Acropolis was constructed in mid-5^th century B.C.  This temple is dedicated to godess Athena Parthenos. The Parthenon is the centre piece of the Acropolis in Athens. It is the result of the development of the Doric order.

The Parthrnon temple is regarded as a tribute to Athen’s victory in the Greco- Persian wars. It is famous for its precise construction and sculptures. The Parthenon is a symbol of Athenian Democracy.

Though initially it was a religious building, later it was transformed into a store to Ottoman’s ammunition during a war. During Greece War of Independence, the Parthenon served as an army barrack. Now, it is a tourist spot.

Interesting Fact the Parthenon Historical Site

• Inside the Parthenon, there stood the colossal statue of Athena Parthenos.
• The Parthenon is built of Pentelic marble.
• The Greek Ministry of Culture has started a restoration project getting fund from UNESCO.

Entry Fee: 20 Euros

Timing: 8a.m. to 7:30p.m.(April to October) & 8:30a.m. to 3 p.m.(November to March).

Luxury train to take a Ride in India

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