10 Beautiful Ancient Ruins to Discover in 2024
A new year always brings with it a hint of hope and a promise of better things. 2024 could be the year we leave all the negativity behind and stand in awe of the best of what our planet has to offer, including the stunning ancient ruins of long-gone civilizations that have yet to give up all their secrets.
Read on to discover some of the most incredible, if lesser-known, ruins around the world waiting for you to explore.
Related: Top Ten Most Disturbing Cemeteries Discovered
10 Sarmizegetusa Regia (Romania)
High in the Orăştie Mountains, guarded by centuries-old beech trees, lie the ruins of the capital of the ancient Dacian kingdom, Sarmizegetusa Regia.
In the heyday of the capital, the Dacians inhabited the space between the Carpathians and the area west of the Black Sea. Sarmizegetusa Regia was a cultural, military and religious center with a huge fortress spanning five terraces.
Several temples and shrines were built in the capital, while living areas were added below the citadel. The houses were built on terraces and had running water supplied by an intricate system of ceramic pipes.
Today there are more poems and stories about the Dacians than what remains of their beautiful capital. However, some of the fort’s massive stone walls can still be seen, as well as andesite column bases and the remains of the temple bases.[1]
9 Ancient Theaters of Lyon (France)
In Lyon, France, the ruins of two Roman theaters still stand, one of which dates back to 15 BC. The theaters are located in the Fourvière region of Lyon, with the larger theater being so well preserved that performances still take place there.
The Théâtre Romain, or Great Roman Theater of Lyon, once held 10,000 spectators who watched performers and singers twirl and hit spectacular high notes in the semi-circular pit in front of them. The columns that served as decorations for the stage contained the ashes of several emperors, and the theater hosted both comedies and tragedies.
The smaller theater, the Odeon of Lyon, is located near the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and once seated 3,000 people. In addition to the theaters, the ruins of an ancient Roman temple lie just behind the Great Roman Theater.[2]
8 Kerma (Sudan)
The ruins of the Kingdom of Kerma were first excavated in the 1920s, and archaeologists at the time believed that the metropolis once served as a fortress for an Egyptian governor. Today, archaeologists believe that the King of Kerma was one of the first kingdoms in Africa and was valued for its location on multiple caravan routes.
After many years of excavations, Kerma was considered an important archaeological site in ancient Nubia (modern-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt). Excavation expeditions have uncovered several thousand graves and houses, most of which are believed to have been abandoned when the water level in the Nile dropped.
Artifacts discovered include blue faience and other types of pottery. It is said that burial mounds on the southern border of the site contained the remains of the kings.
The Kerma culture flourished in the Upper Nubia region, and the kingdom eventually integrated the Sai Kingdom of Sudan, after which the kingdom became sufficiently populated to rival neighboring Egypt. Egypt eventually destroyed Kerma under the rule of Thutmose I and annexed Nubia.[3]
7 Volubilis (Morocco)
Well-preserved Roman structures can be found worldwide, with one of the best preserved ruins, Volubilis, located in Morocco. Volubilis came into existence when the cities of Meknes and Fez were part of Mauritania and were the ‘center’ of all administrative affairs within the Kingdom of Mauritania.
Some of the buildings added in the second and third centuries AD are still visible and it is believed that Volubilis once housed more than 20,000 people. The successful olive production created wealth, which is reflected in the remains of the city’s grand residences and beautiful mosaics.
However, tensions rose due to political disagreements, and in 40 AD. started an uprising. Temporary calming measures in the form of citizenship and a no-tax rule were introduced, but the Romans had no choice but to surrender in 285 AD. to withdraw from Volubilis. buildings in Volubilis were destroyed during the Lisbon earthquake in the 18th century, and the ruins were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.[4]
6 Cape Matapan and Taenarum (Greece)
Located at Cape Matapan in Greece is Taenarum, founded by Taenarus. Depending on which account you read, Taenarus was the son of Zeus or Poseidon.
It is believed that Taenarum, where the remains of a cavernous temple still stand, was built by the helots. The cave took on a sinister significance, and some became convinced that it was the gateway to Hades. This cave temple was dedicated to Poseidon.
Greek legend says that the cave also served as a portal. Hercules dragged Cerberus through this portal during the 12 labors. When Sparta was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 464 BC, some believe that Poseidon initiated the destruction because he was angry after the Spartans murdered helots who took refuge in Taenarum.
Today, tourists can visit the remaining structures in Taenarum by boat, even though they are partially submerged in seawater.[5]
5 Merv the Great (Turkmenistan)
The ancient city of Merv, or Merv the Great, was first occupied around 3000 BC. Several cities were built here between 500 and 600 BC as part of the First Persian Empire. For a short time, Merv was known as Alexandria after Alexander the Great is said to have visited the place. However, experts believe the name changed after Alexander the Great campaigned to overthrow the First Persian Empire.
After Alexander died, the city became the capital of Margiana, after which it fell under the rule of the Sasanian Empire and became the center of religious learning.
In 1037 Merv had about 500,000 permanent inhabitants. In 1221, Genghis Khan’s son invaded Merv and about 1 million inhabitants were killed. In 1789, the last people living in the city were removed and Merv was destroyed.
Today, Merv’s remains stand in an archaeological park. Some of the surviving buildings were used for housing and agriculture. One of the most memorable ruins is that of the fortress that was built together with the first city in Merv.[6]
4 Fatehpur Sikri (India)
Fatehpur Sikri, also known as the City of Victory, was founded in the second half of the 16th century and included several temples and monuments. The ruins of Fatehpur Sikri still contain one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
The ruins are among the most intact in the world and also contain the remains of beautiful pools, well-landscaped gardens and even a harem. The smallest structure within the complex is the Rumi Sultana Palace, which has beautiful and intricately carved columns.
Fatehpur Sikri was once the Mughal capital and was eventually abandoned when the water sources dried up.[7]
3 Camulodunum (England)
Present-day Colchester in England was once the site of Camulodunum, a Roman town built in the 1st century AD. The Romans also built a huge fortress here, which eventually became a city after its dismantling. The city was called Colonia Victricensis and housed dismissed legionaries.
Colonia became the capital of the area, but was eventually destroyed by the Iceni people in 61 AD after they rebelled against Roman rule. The inhabitants were killed during the uprising. Afterwards the city was rebuilt as Camulodunum and the remaining part of the first fortress was incorporated. A wagon circus, a temple, a theater and a basilica were built, but this could not stop the population.
When Roman rule finally ended, Camulodunum was slowly cleared of its inhabitants after being invaded by Anglo-Saxons. Today, the remains of the walls built by the Romans can still be seen in Colchester, as well as the high city walls that stretch along Balkerne Hill and Castle Park. The oldest surviving Roman gate in all of Britain is also located here, Balkerne Gate.[8]
2 Aquae Sulis (England)
The Waters of Sulis, or Aquae Sulis, was a Roman city in Britannia and stood where Bath is now located. Aquae Sulis was also the site of one of the largest Roman baths in Britain and was dedicated to the goddess Sulis. It was the physical representation of the mixing of the Roman and Celtic cultures and the merging of Sulis with Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom.
The hot spring at Aquae Sulis is said to be a gateway to the Otherworld, as the source of the heat could not be determined. The Celts erected shrines to Sulis at the site of the spring, believing that this would allow them to converse with the goddess.
When the Romans took control of the area, they used the spring to introduce the Celts to the Roman way of doing things. They transformed the hot spring into a Roman bath complex, initiating the merging process of the goddesses Minerva and Sulis. Several swimming pools were built within the bath complex, as well as practice and changing rooms.
The ruins of the Roman bath complex are well preserved and are one of Bath’s greatest attractions. Although it is no longer possible to bathe in the water here, there is a museum on site with beautiful artifacts.[9]
1 Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka)
Polonnaruwa was established as the capital of Sri Lanka in 993 AD after Anuradhapura was destroyed. It was built by King Parakramabahu I and contains several ruins, temples and palaces. The Polonnaruwa Kingdom was also home to many civilizations over hundreds of years, including the Buddhist Sinhalese and the Cholas.
The royal palace, built here between 1153 and 1186, consisted of fifty rooms. Today, many walls still stand and beautiful animal sculptures can still be found in the area. The oldest Hindu temple in the region can also be visited and is a huge tourist attraction.
Other sights of this impressive site include the monks’ quarters, a dagoba, the Vatadage (relic house) and a huge Buddha statue. More ancient structures include the Vierhoek, various statues and tombs. The Quadrangle is a group of concentrated ruins considered sacred.[10]