20 Best Ancient Unesco World Heritage Sites 4K Travel Video

Introduction

The UNESCO World Heritage List is a prestigious collection of the best and most unique places and ancient monuments around the world. Each of these exceptional cultural and natural treasures make our world a more interesting and enriching place. In this blog post, we will explore 20 of the best ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each with its own fascinating history and significance.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya is an ancient city built on a rock by King Cassapa. The ruins of the city of Siderea are located on the top of a steep granite rock at a height of about 180 meters or 590 feet. The Lion Rock is surrounded by densely forested jungle, towering high above the horizon, giving the rock and ruins its imposing appearance. The entrance to the area consists of a green garden with canals leading to a series of galleries and stairs that emerge from the mouth of a giant lion.

Monuments of Hampi

Hampi is a small village with a large collection of temples and ruins. The ruins are the remains of the former city of Vijayanagar, the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Wealthy princes built Dravidian temples and palaces, enriching the village with culture and beauty. Today, the village of Hampi is seen as a tribute to the civilization of the kingdom of Vijayanagar.

Acropolis, Athens

Athens Acropolis and monuments are the largest architectural and artistic complexes of Greek antiquity. The city of Athens rose to a leading position in the century after the victory against the Persians and the foundation of democracy. Ultimately, the sculptured Fridays turned the rocky hill on which the Acropolis is built into a unique and iconic monumental masterpiece.

Leshan Giant Buddha

In the area of Mount Emei, China’s first Buddhist temple was built, making it one of the most sacred Buddhist places. The Leshan Giant Buddha is an imposing and impressive site with its height of 71 meters or 232 feet, making it one of the most special attractions in the region.

Borobudur

Borobudur, the most famous temple in Indonesia, is located on the island of Java. It is an immense structure that rises from the green rice fields and surrounding forests. The special temple has nine floors with shapes varying from square to round. The top floor features 72 small stupas built around one large central stupa, symbolizing Nirvana.

Khajuraho Temples

The temples were built during the Chandela dynasty’s peak between the years 950 and 1050. Only 22 temples remain of the original 85 in the city of Khajuraho, one of the capitals of the Chandela rulers. The most important surviving temples are located in the western area, belonging to two different religions, Hinduism and Jainism.

Bagan

Bagan, a mysterious temple town located in Myanmar, is known for its many temples and pagodas, some hundreds of years old. The temple town dates back to the year 849 and is home to more than two thousand temples, creating a unique temple landscape surrounded by green vegetation.

Monte Alban

Monte Alban is a special temple city that has been inhabited for over 1,500 years by a succession of peoples such as the Olmec, the Zapotec, and the Mixtec. The pyramids, channels, and terraces were literally carved out of the Monte Alban Mountain, making it a symbol of a sacred place with amazing ruins and temples.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel, also known as the Wonder of the West, consists of a Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael. Located on a rocky island in the province of Normandy, the abbey is a technical and artistic masterpiece that had to adapt to the natural environment’s challenges.

Pyramids of Giza

A trip to Egypt is not complete without a visit to the Pyramids of Giza, located on the Giza plateau near Cairo. These impressive structures were built more than four thousand five hundred years ago by the pharaohs, showcasing fascinating history and architectural marvels.

Elora Caves

The village of Elora is famous for its beautiful rock architecture consisting of more than 100 caves. The Kailasa Temple, entirely carved out of one rock, is considered one of the most remarkable rock temples in the world, illustrating India’s tolerance of different religions at that time.

Easter Island

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is famous for its unique Moai statues. The Rapa Nui National Park is home to about 400 of these statues, thought to be the faces of ancestors protecting the inhabitants. The island’s history and stunning nature make it a must-visit destination.

Historic City of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, an ancient city founded in the year 1350, was once one of the world’s richest and most beautiful cities. After being looted in 1767, the city stands as a historical and cultural treasure, full of amazing monumental sites and a rich history.

Angkor Archaeological Park

Located in Siem Reap province, the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The park contains the remains of various capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century, showcasing beautiful temples and works of art.

Petra

Petra, a unique historic landmark in Jordan, is surrounded by gigantic red rocks and walls in the middle of the desert. Built thousands of years ago by the Nabataeans, the city features carved tombs, houses, and temples, remaining hidden from the outside world until its discovery in 1812.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, located at almost 7,900 feet between the forested Andes mountain peaks. Belonging to the Inca civilization, the historic city’s purpose is still debated among scientists, with some believing it was a royal residence and others a fortress.

Great Wall of China

Built during the first Qing Dynasty, the Great Wall of China was expanded over centuries to form a unique defense system against invasions from the north. With a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers, the iconic structure stands as the largest on Earth, blending into the stunning landscapes of China.

Historic Center of Rome

Rome’s historic center is a phenomenal collection of ancient cultural and architectural monuments, with the Coliseum standing as the symbol of the city. The impressive amphitheater hosted gladiator fights and could seat over 50,000 people, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Rome.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, the most famous Mayan city in Mexico, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The site features an impressive temple complex, with the Pyramid of Kukulkan as its highlight, serving as a temple to the god Kukulkan with its 365 steps representing the days of the year.

Taj Mahal

Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal in India is one of the most iconic monuments worldwide. Built entirely of marble, the historical structure took over 20,000 people and 22 years to complete, standing as a testament to Islamic art in India.

Conclusion

Exploring these ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites offers a glimpse into the rich history, architectural marvels, and cultural significance of civilizations from around the world. Each site tells a unique story and provides a window into the past, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of our ancestors.