Lost Cities: 10 Ancient Cities You Can Visit Today
Lost cities are real. These cities, which today have become important archaeological sites in different countries, were once home to thousands of people but were evacuated or destroyed for various reasons, from war to natural disasters and adverse weather conditions, and remained hidden for a long time. Most of these historical cities have been found and have revealed important secrets from the history of several thousand years in different regions. In continuation of the previous article, where we mentioned the ten cities lost in time, in this article we introduce ten other ancient cities that attract many tourists these days.
1. Machu Picchu – Peru
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous historical structures located 2430 meters above the mountain in Peru. This city is probably one of the most famous symbols of the Inca Empire, so much so that it is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”. This area was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture.
The city was built around 1450 AD and was abandoned about a hundred years later, after the Incas were overthrown. Over the centuries, the surrounding jungles covered the area, and for this reason, very few people knew about the existence of such a city.
2. Angkor – Cambodia
The ruins of Angkor are located in the middle of forests and farmland north of the Great Lakes, near what is now Siem Reap. This ancient city has a large number of temples, which is why Angkor has the largest religious structure in the world. Many of these temples have been destroyed over time, but some of them have been restored to their original state, giving the place the color and flavor of the history and architecture of its time. It is said that in 1431 BC, when the Thais invaded the area, they caused the population of the city to migrate to the south of the region, and since then the city has remained abandoned and uninhabited.
Angkor, which is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has more than a million visitors annually.
3. Memphis – Egypt
Memphis is the oldest capital of Egypt, founded around 3100 BC. Estimates of the city’s population vary widely. Some believe that Memphis was one of the largest and most populous cities at the time, with a population of nearly 30,000. The city, which gradually lost its importance, was almost deserted by 641 BC and was used only as a source of stone for construction in the surrounding area. For this reason, many parts of the city have been destroyed, but large statues, some of which reach four meters, still remain intact.
4. Petra – Jordan
Petra is located on the slopes of Mount Hor in Jordan. The city is famous for its rock structures and carvings, which is why it is called the “Red City of Time”. After several earthquakes in the 6th century that cut off the city’s water supply, the inhabitants abandoned it, and it remained hidden and forgotten for a long time until it was discovered by the Swiss in 1812. Petra has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985 as one of the most valuable historical structures and folk heritage.
5. Palenque – México
Palenque is an ancient Mayan city located in Mexico. The city has beautiful architecture, and many of its sculptures and carvings are considered some of the best works of art from that period. The city was first established in 100 BC and is now hidden in the jungle.
6. Vijayanagar – India
This city was the capital of the largest Hindu empire, which was formed in 1339 AD and reached its peak between 1509 and 1529. In the 14th century, the city had a population of approximately half a million. The remaining ruins of this city today create a beautiful landscape in this area, especially the temples that date back to the 16th century, which are registered as World Heritage Sites and depict a historical and artistic work of the people of that time.
7. Ephesus – Türkiye
Ephesus is an ancient Greek city located three kilometers southwest of the modern city of Selçuk in the province of Izmir, Turkey. This historic city was founded by the Greeks in the 10th century. The population of the city is estimated to have been between 33,000 and 56,000. Among the famous and historical monuments of the city is the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and was largely destroyed or damaged in the Gothic attack on the city in 268 AD. Due to its location by the sea, the city of Ephesus was an important center for trade and commerce, which was destroyed by a flood in 614 AD.
8. Sanchi – India
Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in central India near the Betwa River. Sanchi is built on a flat sandstone hill, rising 90 meters above the surrounding villages. The city is home to one of the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist monuments in India.
9. Tikal – Guatemala
Tikal is the remains of an ancient city in the jungles of Guatemala that was the largest Mayan city between 200 and 900 AD, with a population of between 100,000 and 200,000. Tikal lost a large part of its population between 830 and 950 AD, which led to its rapid decline, so that after 950 the city was almost uninhabited, and from the 10th century onwards the ruined city was in the hands of the Guatemalan jungle.
10. Tiwanaku – Bolivia
Tiahuanaco is located southeast of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. During the period between 300 BC and 300 AD, the city appears to have been a moral and religious center to which many people went on pilgrimage. The city’s population increased between the 7th and 9th centuries, and at its peak it had a population of between 15,000 and 30,000. In 1000 AD, the city was abandoned due to climate change and food shortages
