Lesser Known Monuments of the World

Beyond the Tourist Traps: Lesser Known Monuments of the World (Worth Seeing)

Our world is full of places, monuments, architects, and many more mysteries. There are many historical and ancient sites that one must see in their lifetime. But not all the monuments are famous or even known to many the tourists or explorers who are looking to explore the world in full size. The monuments that are familiar to us or some times we may have heard their names can be numbered on fingers.

In a general perspective, every one of us has heard about the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, the Colosseum, and the Pyramids of Egypt. Apart from these names, many of us don’t know other names of the monuments in the world. In this article, we are going to learn about the lesser known monuments of the world. To be frank, before researching this I also didn’t know about these places.

Tower of Hercules, Spain

Hercules is a famous Greek warrior that every one of us knows. We also may have seen many movies about Hercules or Greek gods. Hercules is the son of Zeus and a demi-god in Greek mythology. The Tower of Hercules is located in the city of Corunna, Galacia present in the northwestern region of Spain. This monument has a remarkable structure that is imposing and dominates the magnificent landscape.

The Tower of Hercules may not be a Spain’s famous monument but, it is a place worth visiting. The Tower of Hercules is actually a lighthouse that is one of  its kind. Also, it is the only standing example of Greco-Roman antiquity. It was built in the 1^st Century C.E. The height of the tower is 180 feet tall and offers a spectacular view of Spain’s north Atlantic coast and Corunna harbor.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Central Province is home to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The interesting fact about this fortress is many of us have seen it in some documentaries, series, and movies too. The best example of this is the recent Bollywood movie Ram Setu. In the movie they describe this rock fortress as the kingdom of Ravana. According to the Sri Lankan chronicles, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress was the capital of King Kashyapa, father of  Ravana.

The ancient rock fortress and its surroundings are more significant for the archaeological department as the fortifications have been sculpted out of a massive rock column that rises to a height of 660 feet. The vast city complex and the fort were aged 1500 years ago.

Leshan Giant Buddha, China

Buddhism is the most popular and biggest religion in China. There were many Buddhist monasteries and many Buddha statues in China. Leshan Giant Buddha is a lesser known monument of the world. It is a colossal monument that testifies to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.

It is located in China’s Sichuan Province. This structure is situated at the convergence point of three rivers and is carved into the stone cliffs. The rock-cut sculpture stands at over 232 feet tall and 90 feet wide.The construction of this Buddha monument started in the 8^th century and almost took a hundred years to complete. The rivers convergence, nature and the largest Buddha statue is worth watching.

Nalanda Ruins, India

Nalanda is a famous university in India and also in the world. This university was built in the 5^th century AD in Bihar. This is also the first university in the world. Nalanda university attracted many foreign students from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia, and Turkey.

During the course of time, this university eventually suffered a decline in  the 13^th century and was lost to time. Later in the 19^th century it was rediscovered. The ruins of ancient Nalanda university spread across an area of over 30 acres and will captivate the imagination of visitors. These ruins also yielded precious artifacts that contained sculptures, coins, seals, and inscriptions.

Ruins of Tikal, Guatemala

If the name Guatemala appears, only one thing will come into our mind. It is the Mayan civilization and their most precise calendar. Tikal is an ancient city located in the lush green rain forests of Guatemala. It is a part of Tikal National Park and is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tikal was once the capital of Mayan heritage. The city’s glory reached peak stage during the 3^rd to 10^th centuries CE, but the traces of monumental architecture at Tikal dated back to 4 BCE. But these ruins are not as famous as Machu Pichu, but they are no less enchanting. This is the one of the lesser known monuments in the world.

Also Read – Top 5 Places to Visit in Pondicherry

Newgrange, Ireland

When it comes to monuments in the United Kingdom, Stonehenge is the best-known ancient monument. But Newgrange is situated in the neighboring country, Ireland, is just as impressive as Stonehenge and it dates back to the same period. In fact , Newgrange is older than the Egyptian pyramids, and shrouded in mystery. The rounded dome of the structure rises out of the lush green plains of County Meath.

Also, Read – World Heritage Sites In India – Hampi

Newgrange contains a large circular mound, with a retaining wall and engraved curbstones. Without these stone walls, this site would look like a perfectly circular mound. But within there is a stone passageway and interior chambers. Its true significance is lost with time, but it is the most likely monument that had religious significance. Off the Beaten Path: Above are the Lesser Known Monuments of the World You’ve Never Heard Of”