10 Destinations For History Enthusiasts

Every place has a history, but some places have a profound history that changed and shaped the world we see today. Some places have hundreds and thousands of years of history, staring at you from every corner of the city. Before you is a list of 10 destinations that every history enthusiast must visit

1. Rome, Italy 

Rome is heaven for history enthusiasts. Evidence for the once great Roman empire, one of the largest and most influential empires in history is everywhere in the city. From the Colosseum to the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and Arch of Titus, the Pantheon and Castel Sant’Angelo. If you even have the slightest interest in history, you will not stay indifferent. Click here for a list of best attractions in Rome

 

2. Athens, Greece 

Known as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Athens has a recorded history of over 3,400 years. In the times of Ancient Greece, Athens was an urban center. It was the center for the arts, philosophy, and human knowledge in general. It was home to Plato and Aristotle. Visitors today can see the famous Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most famous monuments in Europe, as well as the Acropolis museum – often referred to as one of the world’s best museums. Athens is a truly a wonderful destination for anyone who is interested in history, philosophy or Greek mythology

 

3. Jerusalem, Israel 

With its history extending more than 3500 years, Jerusalem is one of the most sacred places in the world to Christianity, Judaism and Islam. This fascinating city was home to King David and King Solomon, it was where the last supper was held and where Jesus walked the way to his crucifixion (Via Dolorosa), and Jerusalem was also visited by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was the capital of the First Temple before taken by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and it was home to the Second Temple, before it was demolished by the Roman Empire. Later on, the crusaders made home here, and later the Ottmans took control. During more recent times, the British Mandate held the city, after which Jordan took over, and then finally Israel became the ruler. All those eras, and many more, are visible in every corner in the city. Click here for a list of best attractions in Jerusalem

 

4. Pompeii, Italy 

The story of Pompeii is not as long as the history of Rome or Jerusalem, but it is well known for history enthusiasts. In 79 AD mount Vesuvius erupted. Vesuvius, still today one of the most active volcanoes in the world, buried the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. The residents of the cities either fled or were buried with the cities, and the cities were forgotten over the years. In the 18th century they were rediscovered during excavations, and today Pompeii is thriving as a tourists attraction, offering a glimpse into the past, to a city that froze in time almost 2,000 years ago. It’s not often that you get a chance to walk the streets of a city that didn’t change a bit over the years, A true time capsule

 

5. Machu Picchu, Peru 

Another lost city like Pompeii, Machu Picchu, also known as “the Lost City of the Incas” is the most famous Inca site in the world. It is a 15th century site located on a mountain 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level, some 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Cusco. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. The view is breathtaking, and walking the site you can truly imagine the people who lived here centuries ago

 

6. Cairo, Egypt 

Remains from ancient Egypt are clearly visible in Cairo. I’m referring of course to the pyramids located in the outskirts of the city. Standing close to the Pyramid of Giza, once the tallest man-made structure in the world, and the Great Sphinx, you will surely be amazed and inspired by the achievements of man over 4500 years ago. The most common questions are How it was done, and Why it was done

 

7. Beijing, China 

Beijing has a long history of over 3000 years. Walking the streets of the city today, you can see reminders of the great empire and the emperors who ruled the empire. The Forbidden City which is surrounded by walls and moats, the Ming Tombs, the Great Wall of China – one of man’s greatest engineering achievements as well as the world’s most famous wall – all of which are very well preserved

 

8. Petra, Jordan 

A lost city that was only rediscovered by the Western world in 1812. Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabataean kingdom. A city carved in stone, into the side of the Wadi Musa. The city was possibly established as early as 312 BC and flourished for a long time as it was important junction for the silk and spice routes that linked the East and the West. The city fell to decline and was finally abandoned in the 6th century, and eventually forgotten. Walking the narrow slot canyon that leads to Petra will leave a deep impression on you, and one cannot visit the abandoned city without imagining how it was like to live in Petra in its prime years

 

9. Teotihuacan, Mexico 

Teotihuacan is an archaeological site near Mexico City. The city is filled with pyramids and is about 20 square km (8 sq miles). It was a huge urban center and home to probably 100,000 people. The city was ruined and abandoned some 1,400 years ago, but centuries after it was forgotten, it was taken over by the Aztecs. It’s unclear who were the original builders of the mysterious city. Teotihuacan is also home to the Pyramid Of The Sun – one of the world’s most amazing pyramids. This historical city that once flourished is a great destination for anyone who appreciates history

 

10. Berlin, Germany 

If you’re interested in 20th century history, Berlin is the place to go. The Holocaust Memorial, the Jewish museum, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Stasi Prison and museum, the Reichstag parliament building – all within a short distance from one another. Also, villa Wannsee, where the Wannsee Conference took place in 1942, as well as the Sanssouci royal palaces in Potsdam are within a short train ride away. Click here for a list of best attractions in Berlin