Sights of different cities of the world culture. The main attractions of the world. Tulip fields, Netherlands

The sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural objects of history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered across various centers of deceased and existing civilizations on planet Earth.

How to choose and see the most famous sights of the world? Here you need to be guided, first of all, by your own taste, knowledge of the history and culture of mankind. Here are just some of the sights that played a significant role in the history of their region and the whole world.

Sights of China

This is a symbol of China, which is included in the famous UNESCO list. People who love China and its history simply must visit this gigantic creation of human hands. This defensive structure was built under different dynasties and over many centuries. In addition to protection, in some areas the Wall was and is still used as a road.

The Great Wall of China was built to protect against attacks by the Mongols and other barbarian tribes from the north even before our era. Its main part was built during the Qin Dynasty. It has a length of about 21 thousand km and is clearly visible from space. Even today, its fortifications are extremely difficult to overcome.

Forbidden City

This is the ancient part of Beijing, one of its main attractions. The official residence of the Chinese emperors was located here; his family, entourage and servants lived here. Everyone else could not enter this huge palace complex under pain of death. Today the Forbidden City is simply called Gugun or Former Palace.

The Forbidden City began to be built at the beginning of the 15th century, and was built in 15 years. A significant part of the rich interior decoration of his palaces has survived to this day. In 1924, the last Chinese emperor was deposed and the Forbidden City was opened to all Chinese and travelers. Today it is a state museum.

Summer Palace

The Chinese Emperor and his family vacationed in this palace in the summer. The Summer Palace was built relatively recently - in the 18th century, but in the middle of the next century it was burned to the ground by French and Russian troops who conquered Beijing. Empress Dowager Qix later restored this architectural masterpiece.

Like all Chinese attractions, the Summer Palace has its own giant specimens. For example, the Long Corridor (more than 700 meters), walking along which, based on paintings and sculptures, you can get an impression of the history, mythology, and literature of this amazing country.

This is another giant Chinese landmark. After the death of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in the city of Siam, several thousand statues of his soldiers with real weapons in their hands, horses and chariots made of baked terracotta clay were buried near the tomb.

This amazing burial was discovered only in the seventies of the last century. It became another man-made miracle of the era of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, in addition to the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal, testifying to the greatness of China and its ancient history.

Jade Buddha Temple

This landmark is the calling card of the second Chinese capital of Shanghai. As you know, Confucianism and Buddhism predominate in China. This Shanghai temple is famous for its Buddha statue made from solid jade. Buddha sits with his eyes closed and meditates.

Interestingly, this is an active Buddhist temple; monks live next to it in the monastery. And at the same time it is a museum for which tickets are sold. And to look at the meditating jade Buddha, you still need to pay extra. But the monks never allow tourists to attend their meditations.

Actually, Mao is also the great Chinese emperor, only red. And after his death he was given imperial honors. In Beijing, in Tiananmen Square, anyone can visit Mao's Mausoleum. This is one of the famous attractions of China, telling about the history of this country in the 20th century.

As in a Pushkin fairy tale, Mao rests in a crystal coffin on the first floor of his Mausoleum, and on the second floor there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Chinese revolution and the Chinese Communist Party.

Sights of Egypt

Great Egyptian Pyramids at Giza

Egypt has an equally great and ancient history. The three pyramids from the times of the Old Kingdom continue to amaze tourists from all over the world today with their gigantic size. As you know, they can also be seen from space.

Three pharaohs who ruled Ancient Egypt back in the 3rd millennium BC were buried in these pyramids. If desired, tourists can go down inside the pyramid and see the Heavenly Boat, on which the pharaoh, after death, must travel across the sky, heading to his Egyptian gods.

Most of the tombs of ancient pharaohs have been plundered over the past centuries and millennia. And in Luxor, in the middle of the last century, in the Valley of the Kings, the entire tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who ruled in the New Kingdom and died at a very young age, was found.

Since then, this tomb has become overgrown with many legends and falsifications. Just look at the famous “curse of Tutankhamun”, thanks to Hollywood, and the declaration of the Egyptologists who discovered it as fraudsters. However, today it is the most popular attraction in Egypt, adored by tourists.

Mount Moses

And this is the main attraction of Sinai. In accordance with the Old Testament, the Jews are convinced that the elder of their family, the prophet Moses, received the Tablets on this mountain in which God gave his commandments to humanity.

Today there is a belief that whoever climbs this mountain at sunrise and asks for mercy from God will receive remission of all sins from him. There you can also visit the monastery of St. Catherine, which has existed since Byzantine times.

Sights of Italy

The Colosseum is the most famous amphitheater of Ancient Rome, well preserved to this day. He was saved even in the Middle Ages, when everything non-Christian was considered the offspring of Satan. Its construction began at the very beginning of the new era, after the death of Nero and the accession of Emperor Flavius ​​to the throne.

The sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural objects of history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered across various centers of deceased and existing civilizations on planet Earth.

We have selected the 30 best, which every tourist should definitely see.

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

If you look at a Google map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden, but red) is called a gate. The main local attraction “let” the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay, connecting the city with Marin County. This grandiose structure was built from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists rise to its foot, from where a dizzying panorama of the city and bay opens with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the huge bowl of the Maracana Stadium.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city in the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The pyramids at Giza are the oldest and largest pyramids in the world, but most importantly, the Pyramid of Cheops is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. And without a doubt, the pyramids in Giza deservedly take first place in the Top 10 attractions of the world. These pyramids were built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian kings, these royal tombs reflect the power and wealth of the ancient civilization of Egypt.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are more popular than any other attractions in the world, they are located in the western part of the Nile, next to the capital of Egypt, Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest, it was built as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian king Khufu (Cheops). It has a height of 137 meters, which means the Cheops pyramid was the tallest structure on Earth for several millennia, until the towers of Cologne Cathedral were completed in 1880, and consists of 2,300,000 blocks, some weighing up to 200 tons.
The second pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre, the son of King Khufu. It was erected in 2592 BC, the third pyramid at Giza was built for Menkaure, the son of King Khafre.

Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China

On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a true architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu from Chinese is translated as “a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.

Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of Siena.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.

Old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

In 1979, UNESCO listed Dubrovnik's old town as a World Heritage Site, including a significant portion of the city's ancient walls. They surround the city on four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.

Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.

Alhambra, Spain

The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many areas of the city.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

The Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals: golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, Shwedagon Pagoda became in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.

Colosseum, Rome

This is the largest amphitheater in the world during the Roman Empire. It is also the most popular tourist and iconic symbol of Rome. The Colosseum was built in 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian. It was used for gladiator fights and public events. Gladiator fights took place in the Colosseum until 435 AD. It can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.

Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC

The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site of an important battle of the United States Civil War in 1863.

Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico

The name of the ancient settlement of Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of ​​this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. It is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.

Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.

Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

In the very heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains, there is the most amazing ancient city of Petra. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy

The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.

Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye

The largest and best-preserved ancient city on the Aegean Sea and the second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.

Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and most revered temples in India and is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gold, which is why it is also known as the “Golden Temple”. The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water of which is considered healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, ​​Spain

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although Antonio Gaudi initially had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work he headed this project. Gaudi built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction period is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Australia, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The theater hosts more than 1,500 productions every year and is considered one of the busiest arts centers in the world. It is estimated that over 7 million people visit this amazing Sydney tourist attraction.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Cambodian temple Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, the history of which goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of ​​200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.

Big Ben, England

The vast majority of tourists clearly associate Big Ben with England and is rightfully considered the main tourist attraction of the country. Few people know that in fact Big Ben is not a separate attraction, but part of the Palace of Westminster in London. Big Ben contains the world's largest chimes and is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is named after Benjamin Hall, one of the architects of this clock tower, which was built between 1848 and 1853.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

This is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the capital of France, Paris. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer responsible for its design and construction. The tower is over 300 meters high and weighs over 10,000 tons; construction was completed in 1889. for him; s construction. The 324 meter tower weighs 10,100 tons and was opened in 1889. For the next 41 years it remained the tallest building in the world.

Statue of Liberty, New York, USA

The Statue of Liberty is recognized as the main attraction of the United States, it is a symbol of Freedom, so why did millions of migrants from Europe strive for a country of great opportunities. The colossal sculpture is located 3 kilometers from Manhattan in New York. The statue actually represents the Roman Goddess of Liberty and is a gift from the people of France to the United States.
It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was a gift from the United States for the World's Fair on October 28, 1876. About 4 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every year. The height of this amazing sculpture is 93 meters, from the ground to the tips of the torch.

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On different continents of our planet there are a huge number of objects worthy of visiting. Every year thousands of tourists go on trips to visit the places that seem most attractive to them. We bring to your attention a rating of the 25 most interesting places in the world, compiled by Travelers' Choice. Take a closer look at this list and perhaps your next trip will take place in one of these beautiful corners of the Earth.

1. Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, translated as "old peak" is the lost city of the Incas. The history of the city began in the 15th century, when defensive walls, palace and temple complexes, and about 200 different buildings and residential premises were built. The city, built from processed stone slabs, has many staircases and streets winding between the buildings, often leading to a dead end or to a terrace hanging over an abyss. According to research, Machu Picchu was built by Pachacutec, one of the Inca rulers, to create a sacred shelter for nobles, priests, astrologers, artists and sculptors. 1200 people lived in and around the city. At the top of the rock there is a polygonal stone "Intihuatana", which is the sacred place of the city. Now Machu Picchu is visited by about 2,000 tourists every day. And in 2007, Machu Picchu was included in the list of seven new wonders of the world.

2. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia, one of the most exotic countries on the planet, is home to the main symbol of Khmer culture - the Angkor Wat temple. Its value for the country is so great that the temple was depicted on the national flag. It is interesting that the 50-meter temple towers - pragni - were built without cement, and they were built from top to bottom. A 250-meter bridge leads to the temple territory, the railings of which are decorated with images of the Naga serpent. The Temple itself externally symbolizes the ancient Mount Meru. Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century, is a platform in the form of a three-stage pyramid, crowned by five towers made in the form of lotus buds. When approaching the temple, you get the feeling that it is “growing out of the ground,” this is due to the different heights of the terraces. Angkor Wat also has interior buildings that were forbidden to enter in ancient times.

3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is located in the Indian city of Agra and is a monument to love that inspires poets and writers to create their creations. There are many legends about the creation of this structure. According to one of them, before ascending the throne, the Mughal Shah Jahan fell in love with the beautiful poor girl Mumtaz Mahal and stopped paying attention to his concubines. Having married her, he took her on military campaigns and trusted her with his and state secrets. Having given birth to the Shah thirteen children, Mumtaz died during the birth of the fourteenth. The Shah's grief was so great that he decided to build the most beautiful mausoleum on earth. The construction of the Taj Mahal took 22 years. The result was a magnificent palace with eleven domes and 2 side towers. After several suicides committed because of love, the passage to the minarets was closed to visitors. The Taj Mahal is the most visited place in India.

4. Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

One of the main attractions of Jordan is the ancient city of Petra. The city was founded by brave warriors and hardworking stonemasons - the Nabateans, who lived in these parts about 2 thousand years ago. The territory of Petra extends from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea. The name "Petra" was not given to the city by chance, since it is translated as "rock" and in reality is a city of stone, consisting of stone houses, ancient temples and mysterious crypts. A city like Petra did not exist during the Roman Empire. The central street of the ancient city, running from west to east, ends on one side with a triumphal arch and on the other with a huge temple. It is worth exploring the Treasury, surrounded by baths, crypts, mourning halls, temples and other buildings.

5. Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

In the ancient capital of Cambodia there is an unusual Bayon temple complex, built in honor of the ruler of the Khmer Empire Jayavarman VII in the 12-13 centuries. During the reign of Jayavarman, the Khmer Empire was the most powerful, which was reflected in the architecture - many grandiose structures were built, one of which was the Bayon temple complex. In front of the temple there is a four-meter wall with images of scenes from the battle of Jayavarman VII with the Chams. The entrance to Bayonne is guarded by huge stone lions with gaping mouths. Nearby is a statue of Buddha, which has been a place of worship for residents of Cambodia and neighboring countries for many years. On each tower of the temple complex there are four images of the god Avalokiteshvara, personifying compassion and mercy, so there are exactly two hundred of his faces here. After Jayavarman's death, no such buildings were erected.

6. Mezquita (Cordoba Cathedral Mosque), Cordoba, Spain

In the Spanish city of Cordoba there is the Mezquita, a unique cathedral mosque that combines various architectural styles. Built in the 8th century, the mosque-cathedral was reconstructed several times by Christians in order to give it the appearance of a Christian temple. As a result, the mosque became the largest in the Islamic West and was so beautiful that Christians did not dare to destroy it and consecrated it as the Cathedral of the Ascension of Our Lady. Through the cathedral tower you can enter the magnificent Orange Court, created over several centuries. There are five bathing fountains in the courtyard. The interior of the mosque is decorated with marble panels and multi-colored mosaics. The prayer hall contains 850 columns made of granite, jasper and marble and sparkling with different colors.

7. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Spilled Blood (Savior on Spilled Blood) is one of the most famous Russian historical and memorial complexes. The cathedral was built in St. Petersburg in 1907 on the site of the assassination of Alexander II. From Nevsky Prospekt there is a picturesque view of the temple, located between Konyushennaya Square and the Field of Mars. The architecture of the cathedral is dominated by the main features of Russian churches of the 16th and 17th centuries, characteristic of Moscow, Yaroslavl and Rostov, in particular, St. Basil's Cathedral. The interiors of the temple are dominated by mosaics, a huge number of semi-precious and ornamental stones, as well as about 20 types of minerals. In addition, the temple is enhanced by an iconostasis made of pink and dark red marble, finishing made of porphyry, jasper, orlets, asp and other materials.

8. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is a Renaissance temple and is the main liturgical center of the Catholic Church. The cathedral building was built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the resting place of the Apostle Peter; his relics are still kept under the altar of the temple. The main feature of St. Peter's Basilica is its impressive size and rich interior decoration. On both sides of the main nave, in numerous chapels and niches, there are statues by Michelangelo and Bernini. A huge canopy is located in the very center of the cathedral, where the Pope sits during Mass. In addition to the above, the cathedral contains a large number of relics of saints and other relics, as well as the burial places of several Popes and European monarchs.

9. Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia

The ancient Croatian city of Dubrovnik can be called a real pearl of the Adriatic and one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. Small houses with red tiled roofs, monasteries and churches, mansions and narrow cobbled streets - all surrounded by a medieval fortress wall. The walls of the Old Town were built between the 12th and 14th centuries and are among the most beautiful structures of their kind in Europe. The widest street, Stradun, practically repeats the location of the strait that once divided the city. Next to narrow residential buildings there are temples and palaces, as well as other architectural masterpieces. For example, the Great Onuphrius Fountain, created in the 15th century, previously served as a water pipeline, drinking water was supplied from a mountain spring via an aqueduct.

Tourists annually: 9–10 million

The Great Wall of China sounds simple and at the same time powerful. The 8,851.9 km long structure stretches across China, and its most impressive section, Badaling, is located 75 km from Beijing. Most of the wall has survived to this day, although it was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and the beginning of the construction of individual sections dates back to 770 BC. Such a large-scale construction was possible thanks to the labor of millions of slaves and prisoners of war, on whose backs granite blocks, stones and bricks were delivered to the tops of the highest cliffs.

2. Colosseum, Rome

Tourists annually: 6.9 million

When completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum's arena accommodated 50,000 spectators who gathered to watch various theatrical performances (mythological dramas), reenactments of land and sea battles, as well as executions and gladiator fights. In 2010, underground floors were opened to tourists, where gladiators waited to enter the mortal match. From the upper floors of the Colosseum a picturesque panorama of the Eternal City opens.

3. Roman Forum, Rome

Tourists annually: 5.1 million

The Roman Forum remained the city's social center for 1,200 years, from the fifth century BC. This square contained commercial buildings and the main government institutions of Rome. The ruins of temples, columns and ancient frescoes take us back two thousand years and remind us of the former greatness of the city.

4. Terracotta Army, Xi'an, China

Tourists annually: 3.6–4.5 million

The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974. This sculptural composition consists of more than 8 thousand full-size statues of warriors made of clay: generals, infantry, cavalry, archers, chariots, and more than 400 horses. Each with unique facial features, hairstyle, and clothing elements, which makes the sculptures even more convincing. The statues were buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, becoming part of the majestic acropolis. It is believed that some of the warriors have not yet been excavated, since excavations were stopped until a way was invented to protect the paints with which the statues were painted from fading in the open air.

5. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Tourists annually: 4 million

Created 4.5 thousand years ago, the pyramids are still considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of Egypt. We still don't know exactly how the ancient Egyptians were able to build them, which adds to the intrigue and even greater attraction for tourists. Three huge sarcophagi for the pharaohs are located 25 kilometers from the center of Cairo, a city with a population of 11 million.

6. Pompeii, Italy

Tourists annually: 2.5 million

When visiting Pompeii, walking along its ancient stone streets, you can imagine how people lived in the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. Coastal city in 79 AD. was completely covered with ash and pumice during the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Under the layer of ash, people, animals, houses were imprinted, creating a kind of frozen cast of the life of the ancient city.

7. Acropolis, Athens

Tourists annually: 2 million

The Acropolis is located on one of the hills of Athens and is crowned at the top by the Parthenon - a temple to the goddess Athena, a unique symbol of classical Greece and the origins of democracy. Built in the 5th century BC, the Parthenon has lost much of its decoration, and the marble sculptures that adorned it have "mysteriously" appeared in European museums (there are still unsuccessful negotiations for their return to Greece).

8. Ephesus, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 2 million

Just 30 years ago, Ephesus was an almost completely abandoned Roman ruin in a sparsely populated area of ​​Turkey. But now, thanks to this attraction, the local economy has begun to develop dramatically. The ancient library and other buildings were restored, recreating the atmosphere of a big city from the beginning of our era, and in the amphitheater, with a capacity of 25 thousand people, theatrical performances based on ancient dramas are held.

9. Teotihuacan, Mexico

Tourists annually: 1.9 million

Pyramid-shaped terraces dedicated to the Sun and Moon dominated the ancient square of the sacred city, built between the first and seventh centuries AD. With base sides measuring more than 200 meters and a height of 64.5 meters, the Pyramid of the Sun is considered the third largest pyramid in the world. At the same time, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl) has a brighter decorative finish: with unique sculptures and bas-reliefs.

10. Hieropolis, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 1.6 million

The dazzling white terraces of Pamukkale's hot spring pools have attracted people's attention to this place for more than two thousand years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hieropolis was built here. Carved out of travertine in 190 BC, this "spa town" has temple ruins, a well-preserved amphitheater and a Sacred Pool where you can swim among ancient Roman columns.

11. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Tourists annually: 1.4 million

The stepped terraces of the Pyramid of Kukulcan, called El Castillo or the Castle by the Spanish, overlook the ancient city surrounded by tropical jungle. The Mayans began building the city in the seventh century AD, and then, three centuries later, it was captured by the Toltec tribes. A huge balustrade with the feathered head of a snake - the deity Kukulkan - borders the stairs leading to the top of the pyramid.

12. Ellora, India

Tourists annually: 1.2 million

34 temples, monasteries honoring Buddha and Hindu gods, and numerous caves were carved into the basalt rock between 600 and 1000 AD. The solid stone buildings and the passages between them are decorated with thousands of different intricate bas-reliefs and sculptures.

13. Hadrian's Wall, England

Tourists annually: 1.2 million

When the Roman army failed to defeat the "barbarians" in northern Britain, Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD. ordered the construction of a stone wall slightly south of the modern border between England and Scotland, which remains to this day. Today, Hadrian's Wall has become a source of pride among the "barbarian" Scots, praising their invincible spirit. The popular Path National Trail runs along the 117 km long fortification.

14. Roman Baths, Bath, England

Tourists annually: 1.1 million

The Celts were the first to declare these springs sacred and dedicated them to their goddess Sulis. Then, in 43 AD, the Romans came and renamed Sulis after their goddess Minerva and built a spa town with the Latin name Aquae Sulis, with baths and a temple to Sulis-Minerva. Later the city was renamed Bath (from the English Bath - bathhouse), and in the 18th century public buildings were built in the neoclassical style.

15. Longmen, China

Tourists annually: 1.1 million

A complex of Buddhist cave temples from the 5th to 9th centuries, with many Buddha and Bodhisattva statues carved into 1,350 caves and 750 niches, is located along the limestone bank of the Yihe River. Some of the statues, of which there are more than 110 thousand, are more than 7 meters high. One of the caves even displays numerous medical recipes.

16. Stonehenge, England

Tourists annually: 1.1 million

People interpret the meaning of the mysterious megaliths, displayed in a circle more than 6 thousand years ago, as they wish. Perhaps they had some astronomical significance or were part of Druid rituals. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for neo-pagans, feminists (associating Stonehenge with the times of matriarchy), fans of aliens and science fiction. Especially many people visit this attraction, located 100 kilometers from London, on the day of the summer solstice.

17. Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico

Tourists annually: 1.1 million

This famous Mayan city, surrounded by a wall on the north, west and south sides, and facing the shores of the Caribbean Sea on the east, reached its power in the 1200s AD. The temples, walls, murals and carvings of the city of Tulum (originally Zama, meaning “sunrise”) have withstood salty sea winds and hurricanes for centuries and have lost much of the features found in other Mayan ruins. However, Tulum is popular among tourists due to its accessible and convenient location.

18. Machu Picchu, Peru

Tourists annually: 1 million

To get to Machu Picchu, you can take train tickets or go on foot, as the ancient Incas did, along a path leading to a 2450-meter mountain ridge overlooking the Urubamba River. Many people dream of visiting Machu Picchu, because this city looks older than it actually is; its construction began relatively recently - around 1400 AD. So many people come here that they are considering limiting the number of visitors to 2,500 people per day or 912,500 per year.

19. Canyon de Chey, Arizona

Tourists annually: 828.1 thousand.

Native Americans have lived around Red Rock Canyon for more than 5,000 years, and 800 years ago they built their homes at the bottom of the rocks. The Canyon de Cheys Wilderness Area is located within the Navajo Nation reservation, so visiting the monument is only possible with a tribal guide. The exception is the White House Ruins tourist route. The name of the canyon comes from its Indian name Tséyi’, which meant “canyon”; they pronounced the word “say-ee,” but it sounded like “de-shey.”

20. Angkor Wat, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

Tourists annually: 804.7 thousand.

Originally the Angkor Wat temple, built between the 9th and 15th centuries AD. during the formation of the Khmer Empire, it was dedicated to various Hindu gods. Although Angkor Wat eventually became a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the temple's architecture still reflects significant Indian heritage from those times.

21. Masada, Masada National Park, Israel

Tourists annually: 786 thousand.

At the end of the first century BC. King of Judea Herod I the Great built a luxurious three-level palace on the top of a mountain plateau stretching over the desert at an altitude of 400 meters. Roman mosaics, wall paintings, water collection tanks, baths and military barracks have been preserved quite well due to the dry climate and the sufficient remoteness of the fortress. The story goes that this fortress remained the last stronghold for survivors of the Great Jewish Revolt in 66 AD, and it was only five years later that Roman legionaries managed to capture the defenders.

22. Mogao Grottoes (Cave of a Thousand Buddhas), Dunhuang, China

Tourists annually: 750 thousand.

At the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Buddhist monks carved out 492 caves and more than 2,000 sculptures decorated with clay and paint. For thousands of years (from 6 to 16 centuries ago), monks created frescoes on 45 thousand m² of the walls of these caves, striking both in their scale and beauty. The murals reflect pictures of Buddhism, local history and the daily life of the region's inhabitants.

23. Knossos, Crete, Greece

Tourists annually: 705.3 thousand.

There is an opinion that the ruins of this Minoan city, built during the Bronze Age, are the lost Atlantis, information about which has come to us from Plato’s descriptions. It is believed that Knossos was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini that occurred around 1500 BC. The only thing that has survived to this day and has been restored is the so-called Palace of Minos, where frescoes with images of dolphins, fish, griffins and people of that era have been preserved.

24. Petra, Jordan

Tourists annually: 629.8 thousand.

The ancient city was created by the Arab Nabataean people. Along the narrow gorge there are temples and monuments skillfully carved from stone, the majestic Temple-Mausoleum of El Khazneh and more than 500 more tombs. A thousand years ago, this once thriving city was located at the crossroads of trade routes that brought incense, spices and silk; thanks to this, the cultural influence of other ancient civilizations is noticeable here: the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians and Phoenicians.

25. Montezuma Castle, Arizona

Tourists annually: 573.7 thousand.

The name of this place can be misleading: after all, this building is not a castle at all and has nothing to do with the Aztecs and their ruler. The building, consisting of 20 cave rooms in a steep cliff at an altitude of 20 meters, was created by the Pueblo Indians (Anasazi culture) 800 years ago. Small T-shaped entrance openings retained heat in the home and protected from the wind. This is one of the best preserved ancient rock settlements of the American Indians.

26. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Tourists annually: 572.3 thousand.

The cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians (ancestors of modern Pueblos) were built from sandstone cemented with mud between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, becoming one of the largest and best-preserved ancient settlements in North America. The walls, plastered in red, brown and white, bear images of people, animals, handprints and various geometric patterns. Perhaps the colors had some kind of generic meaning.

27. Mira (St. Nicholas Church), Antalya, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 544.8 thousand.

The Lycian tombs, with their square columns and house-like appearance, were carved into limestone cliffs in the 4th century BC. They rise above a well-preserved Roman amphitheater with a double vaulted corridor. However, this ancient city is now better known for its restored 9th-11th century church, which bears the name of a local saint who did good to people, St. Nicholas (now better known as Santa Claus).

28. Pergamon (Bergama), Izmir, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 536 thousand.

Izmir is now the closest major city to Pergamum, the ancient Hellenic cultural center with an acropolis rising 250 meters above the valley, marble temples to Athena and Troyan, a Greek amphitheater and a library with 200 thousand manuscripts found in it. In the 2nd century AD. in this valley, Galen, one of the most famous doctors of antiquity, opened the largest medical center, based at the Asklepion temple.

29. Troy, Canakkale, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 515.9 thousand.

Troy was immortalized in Homer's Iliad, which tells of a disaster that befell the city around 1183 BC. Until the 19th century, the location of Troy was unknown. Now tourists come here to see the 10-meter Trojan horse with windows and preserved sections of the city walls, reminiscent of the heroic fate of Troy.

30. Delphi, Greece

Tourists annually: 500 thousand.

The site of the construction of majestic temples, created among the mountains back in the Neolithic period 6 thousand years ago, was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center or “navel” of the whole world. A temple to Apollo, Athena and other gods, as well as stone terraces and rest houses for parishioners, were erected here. The famous Oracle reached its greatest influence between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

31. Gaochang, Xinjiang, China

Tourists annually: 500 thousand.

An oasis city located on the Silk Road between the Fire Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert, from the 1st century BC. was a Western Chinese cultural, economic and political center until the 14th century. Work on the reconstruction of buildings in Gaochang, created in the image of the city of Xi'an, once the largest city in the world, is still underway.

32. Ajanta, India

Tourists annually: 416 thousand.

Using only hammers and chisels, it took Buddhist monks between 15 and 21 centuries to create 30 caves, each with separate interiors and openings that offered views of the gorge and river. The monasteries are decorated with paintings and stone sculptures of Buddha and bodhisattvas. Examples of magnificent works of art reveal about the lifestyle of Indians in those distant times.

33. Coba, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Tourists annually: 400.6 thousand.

This 2,000-year-old Mayan city, home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, was the center for 46 sacbes, or “white roads,” connecting different parts of the mesostate, built of rubble, pebbles and limestone. Coba is surrounded by five sinkholes filled with water (cenotes) and impenetrable tropical jungle.

34. Perge (Perga), Antalya, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 399.8 thousand.

The ruins of Perge are now surrounded by fields and countryside near Antalya, but two thousand years ago it was a thriving Roman city. Alexander the Great passed through these places with his army, then the Romans came and built baths, fountains, a 60-meter agora (a market square in ancient cities), an amphitheater for 12 thousand spectators and a boulevard with a colonnade. The site is also known for its unusual stone gate towers, built in a combination of Greek and Roman styles, and for the fact that the Apostle Paul preached here.

35. Herculaneum, Italy

Tourists annually: 320.5 thousand.

Covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, this town is even better preserved than nearby Pompeii. Here a dramatic picture of the last minutes of the life of the ancient Roman city opens up, with its public baths, warehouses and living quarters, luxurious villas, hidden for many years under a 20-meter layer of volcanic rock.