Amazing wonders from the old times – part 2

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You can also read part 1 of this article.

Nemrut Dagi, the Turkish wonder

Once upon a time, there was in this part of Turkey a very flourishing kingdom called Commagene. For a long time, the people of Commagene fought to liberate themselves from the Assyrians. They did not succeed because it is known to be part of Assyria, some historians believe that even the Romans rules in this area.

For all that it is worth, the people of Commagene were a proud nation, believing that they were equal to the gods. On the top of the mountain, there was a burial site in the shape of a pile of rocks, and on the west and east of it, there were statues of lions, eagles, and many more.

What is more interesting are the pillars which have the heads of the leaders sculpted on their top.

Among the statues, there were numerous sculptures that represented the heroic acts of Antioch (and his place of burial is believed to be somewhere here), but also astrological predictions. There was also a building that served religious purposes.

It is said that this is the place from where the three mages left for Bethlehem.

 

Karnak temple, the Egyptian wonder

It is the biggest religious construction ever built, not just in Egypt. Even bigger than Saint Paul Cathedral in London or Notre Dame in Paris. And for the construction of this temple, it is believed that almost 30 pharaohs contributed.

The temple is dedicated to the Egyptian God Amun-Ra (a blend between Amun the God of Son and the king of Gods from Thebes) and Ra, the principal deity of the Egyptians.

The great temple is ”protected” by smaller temples that were preserved in very good conditions.

The real cherry that is found here are the statues of Ptah and Sekhmet from the middle chamber, which are illuminated by small windows that give the statues an air of divinity.

 

Palmyra, the Syrian wonder

Palmyra, wonders
https://www.dw.com/en/is-in-palmyra-a-propaganda-success/a-18489657

Today this place hosts a poor village, but in the past it was one of the most beautiful cities found between Damask and Efrat. Now only the ruins are testimony of the grandeur from the past.

Its position meant that the city was often attacked, and sadly sometimes it lost the battle, being destroyed and rebranded as a Roman colony (with a new name).

Fear not, the governors of the city hated Rome and sought to free themselves (which they did… and after the reign of a queen they lost the city again).

Soon, the city lost its appeal and started to be abandoned. It was refound in 1678.

 

Palenque (or Lakam Ha), the Mexican wonder

For now, we change the continent and head to South America, to today’s Mexico to discover the ruins of a great Mayan city.

Palenque, wonders
https://www.mexperience.com/travel/pyramids/palenque/

Imagine what could happen to a city where great leaders, talented architects, and amazing painters and sculptors live. Now you can imagine the beauty of Palenque with beautiful temples and pyramids, and creations made from stone and alabaster. And the city had another advantage: the mountains that offered natural protection from the attackers which today offers us great surroundings to look at.

It is unknown why this city got abandoned, one theory calls for the attacks from the tribes found in the Gulf of Mexico,

Many buildings survived and they tell stories that we have yet to understand fully, their origin or purpose or even their names.

 

Nazca Lines, the Peruvian wonder

Nazca Lines, wonders
https://www.machutravelperu.com/blog/how-were-the-nazca-lines-made

Earth is full of mysteries, and one of them is represented by the Nazca Lines from today’s Peru.

Imagine lines on the ground in the shape of spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, or flowers. And these were hidden from us until we started to fly above this place and had to take another look at the drawings from the ground.

No one knows how or even why this place exists, some people believe that they serve the same purpose as the Mayan pyramids or maybe they were used as a means of communication with the Gods.

But it is amazing that this place (which is not made from stone) survived for so many years.

 

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