Athens, Greece, is a prominent place of origin for many things, such as civilization, politics, philosophy, and the arts. Its contribution to the modern world goes beyond the aesthetic it offers today. It is most well-known for producing great minds like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Their past architecture proved to withstand destructive wars and natural ►
Athens, Greece, is a prominent place of origin for many things, such as civilization, politics, philosophy, and the arts. Its contribution to the modern world goes beyond the aesthetic it offers today. It is most well-known for producing great minds like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Their past architecture proved to withstand destructive wars and natural calamities, which allowed us to view resilient ancient structures such as the Acropolis, Temple of Poseidon, Ancient Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, among others. Europe has preserved numerous buildings that reflect the brilliance of architecture in the past.
Egypt's Alexandria is competing against Athens's prominence as the historically and economically significant city. The city of Alexandria is the principal port in Mediterranean Egypt. It was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. Nowadays, the city is heavily associated with Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. It is also responsible for influencing Hellenic culture in its neighboring Mediterranean states or places. It is home to an ancient lighthouse, a famous storied library now called Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the well-known Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, King Farouk Palace, and the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Most tourists choosing Europe as a destination always remember to include Prague. The city is one of the most preserved in the Czech Republic. The old buildings and churches in the town offer an insight into the city's rich art, history, and culture. Some of the historical sites waiting to be visited include the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Prague Astronomical Clock, and St. Vitus Cathedral.
Rome is also among the cities in Europe that witnessed different empires and eras, building the Rome we see today. The old buildings and churches in the town offer an insight into the city's rich art, history, and culture. Millions flock to Rome regardless of climate, but its timeless beauty proves worthy of your time and effort. Structures molded in time, such as the famous Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Basilica, and Vatican Museums, will take you back in time.
Berlin, Germany, is distinct for not having a city square or a landmark among the historic European cities. The beauty of the town is sketched in the significant number of neighborhoods that are interconnected with each other. Berlin was historically the capital of Prussia's kingdom and is now the capital of Germany's unification. It survived World War II's devastation and is still thriving up to date. People emancipating from different parts of the world visit Berlin for its aesthetic and stay because of its charm. The city is rich in history, culture, and the arts reflected in the unique structures such as Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, among others.
Another exciting city that has been passed on by different empires and was the capital of the Roman Empire once, which later on changed its name to Byzantine, is the city of Constantinople, modernly called Istanbul. It is a historic city in Turkey with a vibrant history. Before the Turks or the Ottoman Empire's takeover, it was the Byzantine Empire's capital city. The heart of the empire's geographical location made it a port city connecting Asia and Europe economically. Istanbul is now famous for its architectural masterpieces, such as the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the Topkapi Museum.
Beirut, historically called Berytus, is a city in Lebanon that has been inhabited for over 5000 years. It is considered one of the world's oldest cities. People usually tag Beirut as the 'Paris of the Middle East; however, it has its kind of charm resulting from thousands of years of destruction and rebuilding. Despite undergoing rebuilding and destruction seven times, it finally restored its cultural landmarks and economic base in the 1990s through an extensive restoration effort. Modern Beirut's growth is thanks to the free market and Europe's Industrial Revolution. From 1952 to 1975, it served as the cultural, social, intellectual, and economic hub of the Arab's wealth. Historical masterpieces stood alongside modern architecture, leaving visitors allured to its visuals. One of these masterpieces is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baalbek. Apart from this, Beirut is also famous for its Byblos, Kadisha Valley, and Tripoli.
Like the rest of the world, several cities in Asia also fuse history and modernity into a stunning skyline. One of those cities is Beijing, China. Beijing's past goes as far back as 3000 years ago. The city takes pride in its sites that are declared as part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Because of their numerous historical sites, visitors might take more than a week to tour them. The Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square are globally known spots. Many Asian countries and places have protected themselves from foreign influences, keeping their structures free from modifications and changes.
New to tourism due to its politics, Bagan City in Myanmar has more than 2000 Buddhist temples and historic sites recently discovered by the world to be aging hundreds of years. Due to it being new to tourism, those who wish to visit the city will enjoy fewer crowds. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the home of Myanmar's Pagan kings from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Some famous temples among the locals and visitors are Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Dhammayangyi Temple, Shwesandaw Pagoda, and Sulamani Temple. Although Myanmar as a state is still recovering from a slump that lasted for decades, it does not take away the visual aesthetics of the historical city of Bagan.
Varanasi, locally called Banaras, Benares, and Kashi, is a city in northern India in the southeastern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of Hinduism's sacred places on the Ganga River's left bank. Historically, Varanasi is a famous trade center known for producing perfumes, silk fabrics, and sculptures. The temples built by Hindus were unfortunately destroyed during the occupation of the Muslims. Today's visuals of Varanasi are thanks to the beautiful river fronting the city. Palaces, temples, and shrines paint the river with historical structures and colors. These famous historical buildings include Vishvanatha Temple, Sankatmochana, Durga Temple, The Great Mosque of Aurangzeb, and Tulasi Manas. Each year, Varanasi is visited by millions of pilgrims and thousands of tourists. It is the center of culture, music, and the arts today. Its silk work also stayed prominent until this day.
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