Hidden Gems of History: Lesser-Known Historical Sites Worth Visiting

If you were asked to mention five amazing historical places to visit, you’d probably say Mount Rushmore, The Colosseum, and Jerusalem. While these popular historical sites are worth visiting, some not-so-popular destinations may be more rewarding too. The good thing about these hidden gems is that they are hardly crowded. Here are five historical sites for a one-of-a-kind history lesson.

Acrocorinth – Corinth, Greece

Unlike the Acropolis, the Acrocorinth is known to be nearly deserted and open. You might not find many people around except the sheep roaming among the ruins. Imagine how travelers to Greece in the 18th century must have felt in the then-village of Athens.

Courtesy: Corinth-museum

Also called Upper Corinth, the Acrocorinth has so much history you can feel it in every building. Overlooking the city, the historical site is less wild than decades ago. However, you’ll learn things that no documentary can show you.

Bagan, Myanmar

You would think that as an ancient Burmese capital with more than 2,000 peak-dome temples, Bagan would be more famous. However, the country’s reputation as a rogue state overshadows this historical place.

Courtesy: Ancient Origins

Although the kingdoms of Bagan date to the early second century BC, they entered their golden age much later, during the reign of King Anawrahta in 1057. Thieves searching for treasures have torn apart many temples, but it’s still worth visiting.

Temple of Augustus

The Temple is a preserved sacral monument dedicated to the goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus. It was constructed between 2 BC and 14 AD when the Emperor died. It was reconstructed in the 1940s.

Courtesy: Itinari

The function of the Temple changed through the years; its original pagan function ceased, and the temple was afterward used as a church and granary. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was a museum for stone monuments. 

Jaffa Port, Israel

Old Jaffa Port was the ancient port of the city of Jaffa, which is where Tel Aviv started growing. The Old Jaffa Port is regarded as one of the oldest ports in the whole world- it existed in the Bible times.

Courtesy: Time Out

The port is most famous for being the port from which Jonah set off in the famous Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale. The port is currently used largely by local fishermen who continue the centuries-old tradition of the area—fishing.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Dating back to 4000 BC, Plovdiv started as a Neolithic settlement. It is the sixth oldest city in the world and Europe’s oldest inhabited city. It used to be called Philippopolis after King Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great’s father, who conquered the city in 342 BC.

Courtesy: National Geographic

Plovdiv’s most famous attraction is the Roman Amphitheatre, which is still used for many theatrical performances in the summer and music concerts. Plovdiv was selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2019- why wouldn’t you want to go there?

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