Have you ever wished that you could travel back in time and see the world’s historic sites restored to their former glory? Well, now you can. With the help of Budget Direct, we take a look at what some of the most breathtaking historic places would look like today, and learn about their history along the way. From lavish palaces and Roman fortresses to crumbling castles and Greek statues, these reimagined images will blow you away.
Although now lying in ruins, you can still get a feel for Qal’eh Dokhtar’s original grandeur from its ruined high walls and superior location. The fortress features one of the earliest examples of an Iranian chartaq – a square bordered by four arches supporting a dome which can be seen here. The chartaq became one of the prime features of traditional Iranian architecture. The lavish private rooms can be found on the top floor, which was a common characteristic for affluent residences throughout the region.
Once the heart of the Minoan civilisation, the spectacular remains of Knossos Palace in northern Crete are steeped in mystery. Constructed on the ruins of a Neolithic settlement dating back to 7000 BC, there’s evidence showing that a palace was first built here by the Bronze Age around 1900 BC. The complex was the home of King Minos, the legendary ruler of Crete, best known for the famous labyrinth and minotaur. It was destroyed around 1700 BC, possibly by an earthquake, and was later rebuilt on a grander scale. In 1375 BC the palace was mysteriously left abandoned.
At the civilisation’s peak, Knossos was a thriving hub for politics and trade with the royal residence at its centre, while a larger Minoan settlement developed around it. It's thought that roughly 100,000 people lived here around 1700 BC. The palace was multi-storey with a façade of thick walls and columns painted red, sitting around a large rectangular courtyard flanked by corridors and courtyards. Its colourful frescoes – several depicting the Minoan sport of bull jumping – were another striking feature. In the 1920s, parts were partially (and controversially) reconstructed by its original excavator, Sir Arthur Evans.
Considered a monument of Belarusian architecture, Ruzhany Palace was once home to the powerful Sapieha dynasty, an influential noble family in the Lithuanian Grand Duchy. First ordered to be built on the site of an older castle in 1598, the grand palace now lies in ruins near a town of the same name in Belarus’ west. Its impressive design was a mix of a defensive fortress and a ceremonial palace. Ruzhany became renowned in the country’s politics, hosting various European kings, royalty and ambassadors.
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After being plundered and damaged during several conflicts, Aleksander Sapieha rebuilt the residence in the 1770s, and it became a lavish palace, famed for its extensive library, theatre and gorgeous gardens. The elegant complex faced a central courtyard, featuring archways and decorated columns. Following the 1831 uprising (or Polish-Russian War), the Sapheiha family was removed from the palace and it became a textile factory. After suffering damage from the First and Second World Wars, only the main and eastern buildings, the entry gate and several outbuildings remain, although some parts have been partially reconstructed.
One of the last few remains of the ancient African kingdom of Askum, once the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia, this grand complex is famously thought to be the Queen of Sheba’s former palace. Nestled in the rugged highlands of northern Ethiopia, according to local belief, Dungur was where the wealthy biblical queen once reigned. While the palace’s claim to be Sheba's royal residence has never been proven, its incredible ruins remain a fascinating historical landmark.
Bordered by vast parkland, the modest 12th-century remains of Clarendon Palace are situated near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. The palace first began as a hunting lodge for Norman Kings before it grew to become a splendid summer palace that reached its peak during the 13th and 14th centuries. Possibly once the biggest royal residence in England, Clarendon was regularly used as a country retreat by numerous monarchs. Today, all that remains above ground is the east wall of its great hall although various excavations have revealed the palace’s mighty size and importance.
Archaeologists believe that the medieval mansion was extended during the reigns of Henry III and King John, which included the Great Hall, kitchen and cellars all being enlarged. The queen’s lodgings were also added and Richard II later installed a dancing chamber. Clarendon was evidently a grand complex, perfectly located to enjoy breathtaking views of Salisbury. The palace also features a chapel and large stables for the royal hunting horses. The remains of its luxurious pink, golden and grey tiled floors are currently on display in the British Museum, while a carved head from the king's apartments can be found at the Salisbury Museum nearby.
In 1962, the ruins of Husuni Kubwa were excavated by British archaeologist Neville Chittick, revealing a large and impressive structure that once served as a palace, fort and warehouse for the coastal trading post. Husuni Kubwa housed over 100 rooms as well as a large audience court, an octagonal pool, a staging area for loading goods onto ships and a mosque. Parts of the structure were created using local coral stone and it features a sophisticated indoor plumbing system. The palace is one of several ruins that can be seen on the island.
Set within forest-clad mountains, this once grand palace towers over the town of Milot in northern Haiti. Translated as the “Worry-Free Palace”, Sans Souci was completed in 1813 for King Henri Christophe, one of the key revolutionary leaders who won the country independence from France in 1804. Christophe proclaimed himself the first (and only) king of Haiti in 1811. Known as the king’s residence and political headquarters, the palace was built to symbolise his wealth. Many labourers sadly perished during the king’s pursuit of constructing the impressive residence.
Following an earthquake in 1842, the complex was irreparably damaged and never rebuilt. However, from this reconstruction, it's clear to see why Sans Souci is often called the “Versailles of the Caribbean”. The lavish residence was characterised by its sweeping staircases and large terraces overlooking impressive gardens decorated with pools and ornamental fountains. In its prime, the palace was a popular spot for lavish parties. Since 1982, the ruins have been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Citadelle Laferrière, also built by Christophe.
Described by Roman author Pliny the Elder as “the most wonderful monument of Grecian magnificence” the Temple of Artemis was the first marble temple of the ancient world. Sitting on the western coast of modern-day Turkey, the magnificent structure was built in the 6th century BC for the Greek goddess of hunting and nature, Artemis. According to Pliny’s account, the building measured around 425 feet (129m) long and 225 feet (68m) wide, almost twice the size of the famous Parthenon in Athens.
Possibly the most famous beacon of all time, the Lighthouse of Alexandria also known as the Pharos of Alexandria loomed above the limestone islet of Pharos in Egypt, watching over Alexandria’s East and West harbours. Built between 300-280 BC the lighthouse was said to be over 360-feet (110m) high and is possibly the second tallest human-built structure of the ancient world after the pyramids of Giza.
Arguably the most mysterious of all the ancient wonders, the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon are believed to have been located near the royal palace in Babylon, south of modern-day Baghdad in Iran. The gardens were possibly built sometime between 605-561 BC, during the reign of Emperor Nebuchadnezzar, intended for his wife Amytis as a reminder of the mountains and greenery of her homeland in Persia. However, as manuscripts written during this period fail to mention the gardens, many believe that they could be a myth.
The oldest structure on the list and the only wonder still mostly in existence today, the Great Pyramid is probably the most famous ancient landmark in the world. Also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, it is one of three pyramids alongside Khafre and Menkaure built on the west bank of the River Nile in northern Egypt. Completed around 2570 BC, the mighty pyramid was built as a tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth dynasty.
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The impressive structure is thought to have taken around 20 years and 20,000 workers to build. Roughly 2.3 million blocks of limestone, weighing between 2.5 to 15 tonnes were cut, transported and crafted to build the structure which weighs an estimated 5.7 million tonnes. The pyramid has sadly been damaged by erosion, shrinking from its original 481 feet (147m) to the slightly smaller 451 feet (138m) that exists today. As shown here, it was once completely covered by highly polished white stones, one of these casing stones is currently on display at the National Museum of Scotland.
According to Pliny the Elder, the monument was constructed using white and gold marble from Athens and red marble from Turkey. Positioned on a rectangular podium, a sprawling 36-column colonnade brought visitors to a pyramid-like roof with 24 steps, where a massive marble statue of Mausolus disguised as Greek hero Hercules riding a chariot could be seen. Between the 11th and 15th century AD, the monument was badly damaged by a series of earthquakes and what was left of the structure was most likely recycled for other buildings
Once regarded as one of the most impressive landmarks of Olympia, towering around 39 feet (12m) high, this impressive gold and ivory plated statue was created by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 436 BC. Placed in the Temple of Zeus in western Greece, the monument was hugely influential on both Roman and Greek art, inspiring various mediums such as pottery and frescoes. The artwork showed Zeus proudly sitting on a cedarwood throne, embellished with ivory, ebony, gold and precious stones.
In Zeus’ right hand was a statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory while in his left was an eagle perched above a sceptre. The temple impressed the ancient world for at least a thousand years and was a popular attraction for anyone attending the Olympics. It is unclear however how the statue met its fate. In AD 426, the Temple of Zeus was destroyed so it’s thought that it may have vanished then or during a fire after it was transported to Constantinople (now Istanbul), roughly 50 years later.
The earlier fortifications were built in a medieval style by the famous Italian engineer Bautista Antonelli, while the late 18th-century additions were created in a Neoclassical style. These later features, which are said to mimic European military designs, are still visible in several of the forts including Santiago, San Jeronimo and San Fernando. In 2012, the forts were added to UNESCO's danger list, primarily due to a lack of maintenance and erosion from a nearby river.
Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the Pacific’, Nan Madol is a group of over 100 man-made stone islets lying off the coast of Pohnpei in Micronesia. Built between around AD 1200 and 1500, the ancient islets sit on top of a coral reef and are dotted with temples, stone palaces, tombs, public baths and houses. The ruins are thought to represent Nan Madol’s importance as a ceremonial centre during the Saudeleur dynasty, which were a foreign tribe that came to Pohnpei and became its rulers. Due to the unruly plantlife in its waterways harming the ruins, Nan Madol was added to the UNESCO danger list in 2018.
Measuring roughly one mile (1.5km) long, like the famous floating Italian city, the main site is bordered by narrow stretches of water. The sheer scale and immense detail of its ancient buildings and the mystery of why the islands were built, cements Nan Madol as one of the most important archaeological sites in Micronesia. Towering over the islets, the royal temple known as Nandowas was its largest and most intricate structure, characterised by its 25-foot (7.6m) high walls.
One of the best-known holy sites of the ancient world, the Old City of Jerusalem has roots in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Stretching across an area of just 0.3 square miles (0.9km), its impressive walls date back thousands of years. The walls visible today are from the 16th century after they were rebuilt by the Ottoman Empire. In recent years, Jerusalem has quickly become a modern metropolis and not much of the Old City remains.
The Old City is also famed for being the former home to some truly spectacular religious buildings. One of the most recognisable was a sacred site for those of the Jewish faith, known as the Second Temple of Jerusalem. During around 20 BC the King of Judea, also known as Herod the King, wanted to expand the old temple, with construction taking roughly 46 years. The building was sadly destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans and now only its Western Wall has survived. People from around the world continue to visit the Old City and it remains a crucial site for worship. If only it still looked like this in the picture.
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Established northeast of Damascus, near a natural oasis in Syria, Palmyra is home to the ruins of one of the most significant cultural hubs of the ancient world. Possibly founded in the third millennium BC, during the first century AD the city was a bustling centre for trade when it was under the control of the Roman Empire. Palmyra’s incredible art and architecture are believed to reflect several cultures and civilisations across thousands of years, blending Greco-Roman styles with Persian and Arabian influences.
Despite the vast majority of Palmyra being destroyed by conflict in the summer of 2016, several of its ruins can still be seen. One of the city’s most significant buildings is the Temple of Bel, believed to have been constructed between 32 BC and the second century AD. The temple would have originally stood on a podium, featuring several columns but today only a small part of its walls and portico have survived. There are ongoing emergency works to preserve and maintain as much of the beautiful ancient site as possible.
The city’s glorious past can be seen in its fine ruins which include the grand amphitheatre (shown here), the hippodrome (or circus) its theatre from the first century funded by wealthy aristocrats and a roughly 1,500 foot-long (460m) racecourse built in the second century. Situated right in the middle of the city are the remains of its market, the most recent structure built during the rule of emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 BC). Born in the city, Severus was one of its biggest patrons.
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