Important Historical Places in the

World

1. Petra, Jordan
This ancient city is located in a narrow gorge and was built

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by the Nabataeans more than 2000 years ago.

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This historic place became an important stop on the

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caravan route between Africa and Arabia. Petra was largely
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abandoned after a major earthquake in 363 CE. However,
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shepherds used the ruins for shelter for centuries

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afterwards.
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Petra is carved into the side of a cliff and most of it is still

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hidden underground. The only entrance is through a

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narrow gorge, called the Siq, which opens onto the city’s
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main square, or piazza. Petra was designated as a

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UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

2. Machu Picchu, Peru

This Inca city was built around 1500 AD and abandoned
just over 100 years later.
The site remained unknown to the western world until
1911 when it was discovered by the explorer Hiram
Bingham III. It’s estimated that there were more than 140
structures at one point in time..

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of

the New Seven Wonders of the World.

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3. The Colosseum, Rome

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The Colosseum is one of the most iconic historical places

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in the world. This ancient Roman Amphitheatre was

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completed in 80 AD and is a marvel of engineering.
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This structure was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian
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in 72 AD and took over a decade to complete. The

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Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and other

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public spectacles.
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4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Angkor Wat is an ancient temple complex in Siem Reap,

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Cambodia that dates back to the 12th century.

It was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The

site later became a Buddhist temple, but today it is visited
by people from all over the world regardless of their
religion.
Angkor Wat is considered to be one of the most
impressive religious monuments in the world and is a
must-see for anyone visiting Southeast Asia.

Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap in Cambodia

5. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is an ancient defensive barrier that
spans over 13,000 miles. It’s one of the most popular

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tourist destinations in China and a must-see for anyone

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visiting Asia.

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This series of fortifications was built to protect the
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northern border of China from invaders. It was constructed

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in several phases during the Qin dynasty (221 BC to 206

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BC) and rebuilt during the Ming dynasty.

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The wall has been designated one of UNESCO’s World

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Heritage sites since 1987.

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6. The Taj Mahal, India

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The Taj Mahal is an ancient mausoleum located in Agra,

India. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan between
1632-1653 to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal after her
death from childbirth.

7. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are some of the oldest and most
famous monuments in the world. These ancient Egyptian
pyramids were probably built in the 26th century BC.

They were part of a funerary complex and were

constructed as tombs for three pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre
and Menkaure. The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as
the Great Pyramid) is the largest and oldest of these

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pyramids. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient

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World, and the only one still standing.

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There are many mysteries surrounding this structure, such

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as how the ancient Egyptians were able to move such
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large stones and how they managed to build the pyramids
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so precisely.
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8. Stonehenge, England
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Stonehenge is an ancient stone circle located in Wiltshire,

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England. It’s one of the most mysterious and popular

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tourist destinations in the United Kingdom.

There are two prehistoric stone circles surrounded by chalk

pits known as Aubrey holes. The stones are thought to
have been brought here from Wales and Cornwall.
The stone circles are thought to have been erected
between 3000-2000 BC and their purpose is still unknown
to this day. It is thought that astronomical rituals may have
taken place here.

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Sunset over Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

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9. The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

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The Great Sphinx of Giza is an ancient statue that was built

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between 2500 BC and 2400 BC. It’s located near Cairo in

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Egypt and is one of the oldest known monumental

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sculptures from antiquity.

The massive structure stands 73 meters high and is

thought to have been built for Pharaoh Khafre. Based on a
mythological creature, it was carved from one giant piece
of stone.
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The Great Sphinx at Giza plateau, Cairo, Egypt
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10. The Forbidden City, Beijing

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The Forbidden City was the Imperial Palace of the Chinese

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emperors from 1420 to 1912. It’s located in central Beijing

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and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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There are 980 buildings and over 8,000 rooms, making it

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the largest palace complex in the world. In fact, this

colossal structure is spread over 7.75 million square feet.
This is one of the best-preserved wooden buildings in the
world, and a must-see for anyone visiting China. As access
was barred to most citizens, it was named The Forbidden
City.
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Entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing, China
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11. The Acropolis, Athens

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The Acropolis is a hilltop complex in Athens that contains

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some of the most famous historical sites in Greece. The

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most famous structure on the Acropolis is the Parthenon,

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an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

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Built between 447 BC and 432 BC, it’s considered one of

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the greatest achievements in classical architecture. The

Parthenon has been admired throughout history by
architects such as Le Corbusier. Other structures on the
Acropolis include the Propylaea (a gateway), and The
Erechtheion (also known as the Temple of Athena
Polias).
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The Parthenon temple and Athenian Acropolis

12. Easter Island
This ancient site in the southeastern Pacific Ocean is
famous for its huge statues. Known as moai, they were
carved by early inhabitants.

Easter Island, whose native name is Rapa Nui, measures

around 64 square miles. Estimates on when the island was
settled range from around 300 to 1200 CE by people from

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Polynesia. The moai are almost all carved from tuff, a

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volcanic tuff rock native to the island.

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Most of the statues are around 13 feet high (four meters),

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although the tallest completed moai was 33 feet high (12
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meters). The moai statues that you see today have been
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re-erected by archaeologists.
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Today, Rapa Nui National Park is a protected UNESCO

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World Heritage Site.

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The famous Easter Island statues
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13. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy’s most famous

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landmarks. Construction began on a marshy site in 1173

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and only finished in 1399!

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After the first three stories were built out of the 8 that
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were planned, it was noticed that the tower was leaning.

This was due to the soft ground on which it was
constructed, and the tower has been leaning ever since!

The tower leans at an angle of about five and a half

degrees, which is enough to make it seem like it might
topple over any moment, although it’s perfectly safe.
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Pisa Leaning Tower and Cathedral Basilica at sunrise

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14. The Terracotta Army, China

The Terracotta Army in China dates back to 210 BC, when
Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered more than 700,000 men
to build his army. It is thought that he believed the
warriors would one day protect him in the afterlife.
The site was discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers who
were digging a well on their land. This famous
archaeological site is now a popular tourist attraction.
There are over 8,000 known terracotta figures here.

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The world famous Terracotta Army

15. The Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia is an ancient structure that was built
between AD532-AD537 as a Greek Orthodox cathedral
in Constantinople, which is present-day Istanbul. It was
converted into a mosque after the city was conquered by
the Ottomans in 1453.

In 1935, this famous Turkish landmark became a museum

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and has since been open to visitors from all over the

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world. The interior of this historical site is covered in

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mosaics that depict the Virgin and Child and other

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Hagia Sophia at night

16. The Palace of Versailles, France
The Palace of Versailles is considered to be one of the
most spectacular palaces in Europe. It was built in the
French Baroque style of architecture.
Louis XIII originally built a hunting lodge on the site of the
Palace of Versailles in 1623. It was replaced with a
chateau which was expanded by Louis XIV in the late 17th
century to become one of the grandest palaces in Europe.

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The palace grounds include a maze, parkland and several

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other historical sites such as Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet (a

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rustic retreat). Versailles is located just outside Paris and
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can be visited on day trips from the city.
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The Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

17. The Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali
The Great Mosque of Djenne is the largest mud-brick
building in the world. On this site, an ancient mosque
was built in the 13th century by King Mansa Musa.

The mosque has been rebuilt around a dozen times. It is

made from sun-dried earth bricks coated with plaster.

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The architecture features three towers with mud brick

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domes and a spacious prayer hall inside. The local

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community takes part in an annual festival to help to

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repair any erosion to this unique UNESCO World Heritage
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Site.
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A front view of the Djenne mud mosque in Mali

18. The Palace of Westminster, London
Also known as the Houses of Parliament, parts of the
Palace of Westminster have been used for legislative
purposes since the 13th century. A fire destroyed much of
the original complex in 1834, and the new palace was
constructed in its place.

The most well-known part of the palace is the Big Ben

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clock tower, which was named after Benjamin Hall (the first

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commissioner of works). This famous London

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landmark was renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of

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Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. N
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Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster in London in Spring

19. Old City of Jerusalem
If you visit Jerusalem, you can’t help but be amazed by the
number of historical places. The Old City and its Walls have
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

Located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains, Jerusalem

has also been home to many faiths, such as Judaism,
Christianity and Islam. The Western Wall, also known as

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the Wailing Wall is where many people come to place

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prayer notes in the cracks of the wall.

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According to the Bible, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is
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where Jesus was crucified and buried. Temple Mount is
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another important historic site, where the Dome of the

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Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are located.

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Old City of Jerusalem, Israel – best historical places to visit
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20. The Eiffel Tower, Paris

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The Eiffel Tower was constructed for the 1889 Paris

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Exposition Universelle. Originally intended to be

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temporary, this iconic French landmark was never

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removed from its site due to popular demand.

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It has since become one of the most recognizable

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buildings in France and one of UNESCO’s World

Heritage sites since 1989.

Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel, the groundbreaking

structure was the tallest building in the world at the time.
Made from wrought iron, La Tour Eiffel is 300 meters
high.
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The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

21. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the most famous historical places in
Mexico. It’s not known exactly when it was built but it’s
thought to be at least 1,500 years old.

Built by Mayan people, it also has elements from other

cultures including the Toltecs and the Aztecs. This
UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for

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its Pyramid of Kukulkan which is also known as El

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Castillo.

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The Mayans practised astronomy at Chichen Itza and the

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pyramid is thought to have been used as a solar calendar.
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Also on the site, there are several cenotes, sinkholes that
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are found in Mexico.

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The ancient Pyramid of Kukulcan in Chichen Itza, Mexico

22. The Alamo, Texas

The Alamo is a famous historical site located in San
Antonio, TX. It was originally built as the chapel of a
Spanish mission in the 18th century.

However, it’s most famous for being the site of a major

battle during the Texas Revolution. A small group of

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Texans fought for independence against the Mexican

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army. This led the rest of Texas to fight and eventually

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declare victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.
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The Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas

23. Pompeii, Italy (Italy has the largest
number of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites)
Built around 2,000 years ago during the Roman empire,
Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748. The preserved ruins are
protected as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Near Naples, Italy, this historical site was buried under rock

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and ash by the eruption of the volcano Mount

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Vesuvius in 79 AD. Around 20 feet (6m) of ash fell on

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Pompeii, causing roofs to collapse under its weight but
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leaving walls intact.
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The eruption preserved everything from jars of preserved

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fruit to paintings on the wall to bodies believed to be of

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the victims. Despite this, only two thirds of the site have
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been excavated and much remains buried beneath the ash

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to this day.
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The ancient city of Pompeii – historical places of the world
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24. Canyon de Chelly National

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Monument, Arizona
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Located on Navajo land near Chinle, Arizona, Canyon de

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Chelly is one of the best historical sites in the world. It was

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protected by the Navajo tribes for centuries. During the

American Civil War, the Navajo refused to leave their
ancestral home. The US Army forced them out of these
canyon lands in 1864. The Navajo were finally allowed to
return to their lands in 1868.
Nowadays, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
preserves more than 5,000 years of human occupation.
The Monument protects over 800 archaeological sites! This
includes cliff dwellings like Mummy Cave, Antelope House,
and White House.

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Former cliff dwellings at Canyon de Chelly

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25. Efes, Turkey

Efes is a historical place near Izmir on the western coast of
Turkey. Once an ancient Greek city known as Ephesus, it is
one of the best preserved classical sites in the world today.

Built in the 10th century BC, the site has many impressive
ruins, including an amphitheater which had seating for
25,000 people. Originally a thriving community, Ephesus
was eventually abandoned when silt clogged up the
harbor and no ships could reach the city.

In 1863, a British architect began searching for the

Artemision or Temple of Artemis at Efes. He discovered
the pavement of the temple, one of the Seven Wonders of
the World, in 1869.

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The preserved ruins are protected as part of a UNESCO

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World Heritage Site.

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26. The Louvre, France K
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The Louvre, located in Paris, France, is the largest art

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museum in the world with an area size of 782,910

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square feet. This museum is considered a historic

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monument in Paris and is part of the Louvre Palace,

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which was built in the 12th century. This building first

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served as a fortress before becoming a royal residence

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in 1546. Under King Louis XIV in 1692, this palace was

used to house two art academies and 100 years later,
the Louvre Museum was opened with 537 paintings.
Today, it is home to around 38,000 pieces. The Louvre
is also the most visited museum in the world, receiving
7.4 million visitors every year.