Lycian tombs. The largest abandoned cities in the world Tapinak - temples of the dead
Turkish Lycia is an amazing ancient country that has left behind traces of its former greatness - cities dilapidated by time and people, filled with beautiful buildings. Many magnificent creations of ancient architects were destroyed or disappeared under buildings erected during the era of the Roman Empire, but some of them have been preserved almost in their original form and still continue to amaze archaeologists and tourists from all over the world with their beauty. The thousands of amphitheaters, aqueducts and temples of Lycia still retain the atmosphere of bygone times, but they are not as numerous as the famous Lycian tombs - the oldest burial sites built on the Teke Peninsula long before the beginning of our era.
Lycian tombs can be seen throughout Lycia. Archaeologists have found more than a thousand Lycian burials, most of which are quite well preserved and attract attention with their unusual shape and decoration - various symbols and carvings characteristic of Lycian culture.
Types of Lycian tombs
The oldest Lycian burials are usually divided into four main types:
- Kaya (Kaua) - tombs carved into the rocks.
- Tapinak – tombs in the form of temples.
- Dahit – sarcophagus tombs.
- “Houses” are tombs that look like Lycian houses.
Kaya - cities of the dead
The tombs, carved directly into the cliffs, are some of the most ancient burials in Lycia, so they are often associated with Lycian culture. Most of these tombs can be seen in the western part of the state, especially in the ancient city located near the modern Turkish city of Demre (Antalya province).
Kaya are real rock complexes and from a distance they resemble “cave cities”, the inhabitants of which have long abandoned their stone dwellings. Due to their inaccessibility, these tombs have been preserved quite well and can amaze impressionable tourists with their unusualness.
Each of these tombs has a square-shaped foundation and several (2-4) relief columns decorating the entrance. Above them, protected by large stone slabs, is the main part of the tomb - a small burial room. The façade of the tomb is decorated with carvings imitating the roof of a house. Today, the entrance slabs of the Kaya tombs, which once served as doors, have been destroyed, many rock graves have gaping holes, but this fact does not detract from their beauty.
Tapinak - temples of the dead
This type of burial is found throughout the Anatolian Peninsula. There are especially many tomb-temples located in the ancient city of Kavnos (Western Lycia), which is located near Dalyan. The most famous tomb of this type is the Tomb of Amyntas, located in the ancient city of Fethiye.
The facade of each tapinaka is made in the Ionic style - in the form of a temple, decorated with two columns, and looks like Kaya rock tombs. The top and bottom of each column have raised borders. In front of the entrance to the tomb, a portico was cut out - a small empty space, behind which the burial room is visible. Inside, along the walls of the tapinaka there are stone benches for the dead.
Lycian "houses" for the dead
Such burials superficially resemble ancient Lycian houses. House-shaped tombs can be two or even three stories high, have a quadrangular entrance and decoration that imitates the edges of wooden beams - round or square. Over time, the entrance bas-reliefs on such “houses” were replaced by frescoes and a relief border made in the Gothic style. Inside the tomb house is a burial room (the same as in tomb temples), decorated with various designs. A striking example of this type of tomb is the Boyali Mezar grave, located in the ancient city of Mira.
Unusual sarcophagus tombs
Dahit tombs are found in many parts of the world, but only in Lycia can you see tall, multi-level sarcophagi resembling stone towers. Each of these “sarcophagi” has three main parts. The lower one serves as a foundation, the middle one as a sarcophagus, and the upper one as a lid. The roofs of the dahits are gable and resemble the roofs of residential buildings. During the reign of the Romans they began to be made more rounded.
The lower part of the tomb often served as a grave for a servant, slave, or nurse of the deceased person. The upper part of the dakhit and its sides were decorated with frescoes and drawings. Some Lycian sarcophagi are painted with frescoes on the inside.
The most famous tomb of this type is the "Tomb of the Harpy" in Xanthos - an eight-meter sarcophagus dating from the 5th century BC. The elegant stone bas-reliefs that once adorned its façade are now kept in the British Museum.
Lycian tombs - a sign of respect for ancestors
The Lycian tombs, executed with such grace, speak of a high degree of reverence for the dead. To preserve the memory of their ancestors, the Lycians created a community for the protection of burials called “Mindis”, in every possible way protecting them from destruction and exposure to natural elements. For example, in order to protect the burial from looters, a note with a curse was placed next to the grave, which could fall on the heads of defilers if they dared to enter the burial room. All relatives of the deceased had to participate in guarding the grave; a fine was levied for its desecration; the amount of the fine was set by the owner of the grave during his lifetime, or by one of his relatives. Even before his death, the owner of the tomb could transfer it to the ownership of "Mindis", the community taking responsibility for the protection and care of the tomb, charging a fairly large fee for their services.
If you want to touch the culture of ancient Lycia, see the legendary Lycian tombs with your own eyes, you are welcome to join the fascinating “Unknown World” Club! One of the most scenic routes in the world awaits you, revealing the amazing sights of Southern Turkey.
Total 94 photos
This material about travel in the vicinity of Lycian Myra will be the final one. We visited with you the ancient Lycian city of Myra, and the impressive. The final chord in this delightful journey was the mysterious island of Kekova and its sunken ancient rock cities. The largest and most impressive city on the island of Kekova in terms of its impact on the traveler is the ancient Dolihiste. There is very little information about this city. We only know that it was built in the 5th century BC. and was destroyed in the 2nd century AD. by a strong earthquake and subsequently partially plunged into the depths of the sea... Below the cut are numerous photos of Dolihiste through the prism of the Steps of Time, other flooded cities, the breathtaking azure of the Mediterranean Sea and my impressions of a sea voyage deep into the Time and Spaces of History. I must say that this particular trip turned out to be the strongest impression for me of all the places I visited in ancient Lycia that day.
To fully immerse yourself in the historical context, you should first understand where this island of Kekova is located and what its original connection is with the large ancient Lycian city of Myra. You can't do without a map here. Since in my first post about the Church of St. Nicholas the Pleasant I already posted maps of ancient Lycia and the location of Myra on the Mediterranean coast, let’s take a closer look at the position of the island of Kekova and ancient Myra on a satellite map. Red numbers 1
- the historical center of the Lycian city of Myra with the Church of St. Nicholas is indicated, 2
- Lycian rock tombs and a Greco-Roman amphitheater in the foothills, 3
- the ancient port of Andriake, 4
- Kekova Island, 5
- the ancient rock city of Dolikhiste, 6
- Kalekoy village (ancient city of Simena), 7
- the village of Uchayz (ancient cities of Aperlai and Teimussy). Now we will understand more clearly all the historical vicissitudes that took place in this area, which I will briefly talk about
02.
Google Map
And, since we are a little distracted by technical details, I will immediately say that this story will differ from the previous ones in that I tried to post as many photos of the sunken Dolihiste as possible, because just sailing past these mysterious shores and examining each photo in detail, perspective and getting used to every detail of the coast of the island, you can intuitively join in its deep historical context and hear the fascinating story that Dolihiste himself can tell us...)
Lycian city of Myra ( 1,2 ) was located in a valley about 5 km away. from the coast. The seaport of Myra in ancient times was the port of Andriake ( 4 ). Until the 2nd century AD the port was very large, and its harbor stretched towards Mira another 1.5-2 km to the east. After a strong earthquake in these places in the 2nd century AD. The Kekova peninsula sank significantly into the sea and became islands, and Andriake Bay, on the contrary, rose, became shallow and lost its key significance as the once large city port of Myra. Numerous warehouse buildings of ancient and Roman times, built near the harbor, turned out to be far from the sea and, obviously, were partially destroyed by this earthquake and gradually abandoned due to the inconvenience of using them.
Going on a sea voyage to the island of Kekova from Mira, we just passed the ancient sea harbor “by land”, heading to the seaside village of Andriake. A small mountain river still flows into this small bay. If you drive in the direction of Andriake Bay, the river will be on the right, and the ancient warehouse buildings are especially noticeable on the left side on a small hilly hillock. It is possible to get to these ancient barns; there is a road there, but such a route was not included in our already busy program. Yes, and in general, in these places, wherever you look - “everywhere and everywhere” there are remnants of the former and glorious history of the Mediterranean.
03.
Quite quickly we found ourselves in the once ancient port of Andriake. Nowadays there are many pleasure tourist boats, yachts, including those waiting for and occasional clients...)
04.
And finally, our sea voyage began...
05.
We are leaving the bay of ancient Andriake..., the mysterious island of Kekova awaits us ahead.
06.
Soon, the island of Kekova and the exciting shores of these ancient places appear before us, like ghosts of the past.
07.
08.
09.
We come across pleasure yachts, and this is exactly what we are on now...
10.
The history of these places is long and very ancient. Since ancient times, Kekova Bay has been considered the best in this part of the Mediterranean. Pirates lived here, and later small ancient cities appeared. The inhabitants were mainly engaged in the production of olive oil and fruit cultivation. Here, somewhere, there were ancient quarries. The local stone was well processed and ideal for construction.
12.
13.
A walk along the Mediterranean Sea in itself is already an event. The sea air, saturated with freshness and romance, the bright southern sun and the breathtaking beauty and color of the Mediterranean water evoked enthusiastic exclamations from all those present on the yacht...
14.
Here is a separate photo of this water, but it still cannot convey this wonderful deep and transparent turquoise-lapis lazuli color of this Mediterranean sea water.
15.
16.
We are approaching the island of Kekova, it is to the left...
17.
18.
This is the northern part of the island of Kekova. The light was uncomfortable, backlit, so there is some haze in the photo...
19.
20.
As these mysterious shores approached, the tourists on the yacht gradually calmed down, everyone began to be overcome by an involuntary, inexorable feeling of Discovery and the approach of Revelation... Here, a little further, is the ancient sunken city of Delichiste. In these places there was, as I already mentioned, a very convenient harbor. The largest city was Dolikhiste.
21.
The appearance of Delichiste happened unexpectedly, solemnly and even theatrically. Traces of a person's long-standing presence began to silently and powerfully appear...
22.
The ancient buildings of Delichiste appeared like shaky figures of ghosts from the other world...
23.
24.
The yacht easily glided along the emerald surface of coastal Delichiste, there was a rustling silence on the ship, the faces of all travelers were concentrated and collected... I recommend, like this, to look at your travel companions at a similar moment, when this sunken city appears in front of you - everyone present will show yourself in these first moments in a special and characteristic way...
25.
Dolikhiste appeared before me in all its amazing, eternal beauty... In fact, it is a rock city. Its origins are dated to the 5th century BC, but its archaic building structures suggest that it existed here a very long time ago, perhaps in the 5th century BC. it was just reoccupied...
26.
And here are the black goats, a little to the right, against the background of a processed rock.
27.
The ruins of Dolihiste slowly floated past...
28.
Stone steps carved into the rocks that once went down to the sea...
29.
30.
31.
Traces of ancient buildings...
32.
33.
34.
Portals of the ancient city...
35.
36.
37.
Gradually, these pictures of the past, miraculously surviving here, began to penetrate my being. It’s hard to convey, but when you float by and look at the remains of a once large and noisy city, look after look, gradually, Dolihiste filled me with its unique charm. The city came to life, and as if it began to whisper something about itself to me, responding to the call to reveal its long and sad history and soul, troubled by centuries...
38.
39.
The city began to speak, solemnly, but with slight sadness, about its past triumph, about the life that once seethed and filled it, its battles, victories, defeats, the work of ordinary people, their joys and sorrows, and the eternal peace of being in oblivion...
40.
41.
It was in this place that the tallest and largest buildings of Dolihiste were located.
42.
43.
The stepped rock structures with masonry appear to have been two or three stories high.
44.
45.
For some reason, just looking at this photo, the word “Troy” involuntarily appeared in my mind...
46.
A bright trace left by the roof of a house that disappeared in a thousand-year history...
47.
48.
We are approaching the ancient port of Dolihiste...
49.
50.
Under the clear sea water, flooded embankments and numerous buildings of the Dolikhiste harbor begin to be discerned...
51.
52.
My thoughts and immersion in the depths of history were interrupted by the unexpected appearance of an oncoming pleasure yacht...
53.
This, by the way, is a view of the opposite shore of Kekova Bay, since we’re distracted)
54.
The ancient harbor was approaching...
55.
It was this photo that I made the title photo and called “Steps of Time”...
56.
The water is very clear. In the silence under the water, the ancient ship pier of Dolihiste slowly appeared...
57.
A fascinating sight!...
58.
59.
60.
Here it is, in all its glory...
61.
There were viewing windows on the yat to view the bottom, but I was not able to remove amphoras or something similar, although I could guess something in the depths. But it’s still wonderful!...
62.
Dolihiste harbor is small, spacious and comfortable. Clear water makes it easy to look into the submerged depths...
63.
Somewhere here was the Dolihiste shipyard.
64.
A yellow poster installed on the shore informs that the territory of Kekova Island is protected and it is prohibited for ships to approach the shore.
65.
So we examined the flooded ancient city of Dolikhiste. After its harbor, the lifeless rocks of Kekova go further... The yacht began to turn to the right, 180 degrees...
66.
In front of us is the ancient harbor of Kekova. As you remember, there were four ancient cities here... there, on the right, behind the hills, on the mainland, in a cozy harbor, is the modern village of Uchayz, where the cities of Aperlai and Teimussa once flourished. there are also a lot of interesting things there, but unfortunately they didn’t take us there...)
67.
Directly opposite Dolihiste are the submerged ruins of the ancient city of Simena, modern Kiliköy.
68.
Here the flooded buildings are reminiscent of Dolikhiste, which we have already seen.
69.
According to some information, these are the remains of ancient baths.
70.
And in this bay there is the famous Lycian sarcophagus, located in the sea...
71.
Excursion Demre - Myra - Kekova, immersion in the Lycian Worlds. Kekova and Simena - frozen eternity.
A trip on a yacht to the sunken cities of the island of Kekova is the most vibrant and picturesque part of the excursion to the historical places of ancient Lycia, called Demre - Mira - Kekova. In addition to the island of Kekova, the excursion includes a visit to the Necropolis and the ancient city of Myra Lycian. You can also visit the island on your own; in Turkey, the sphere of delivering tourists to attractions is very well developed.
Located in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Kekova attracts a large number of tourists. Kekova is an island that, with great trepidation, preserves under the water column the ruins of 4 ancient cities: Teimoussa, Dolihiste, Aperlai and Simena. They went under water in the 2nd century BC. as a result of an earthquake.
Only from aboard a yacht can you see the remains of these great cities. Peering into the depths, through the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, you can see the remains of streets that were paved with cobblestones, ruins of temples and arches, even some houses with stone stairs and an embankment have been preserved.
Kekova Island is a narrow strip of land 7 km long, washed by the Aegean Sea. Its greatest depth in the island’s waters is 92 m. The highest point is 188 m. Its entire coastal strip is dotted with ancient exhibits that were preserved after earthquakes.
Since 1990, swimming and diving have been prohibited in the island’s waters. The ban was later lifted, but in the area in the immediate vicinity of the ruins it remains in force. Oddly enough, the island of Kekova in Turkey has not yet been adequately explored by archaeologists. In coastal waters, the famous explorer J.-I. Cousteau conducted underwater research, during which a ship was discovered that sailed back in 1300 BC!
And how much more unknown is hidden under the ruins of the island...
Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.08.2015 20:00
The shores of the island of Kekova, here 3 thousand years ago one of the Lycian cities of Simena was located. The capital of Lycia was the city of Myra Lycia. Imagine that 3 thousand years ago people lived here, built houses, gave birth and died, raised children, got food...
It was a well-equipped city, founded by the Lycians and quite densely populated before the first earthquake. During the Lycian period, the name of the city sounded like Dolikhiste. Now this destroyed city is called, like the island, Kekova.
The island of Kekova is currently considered one of the most popular attractions in Turkey; it is located in the Mediterranean Sea, on its territory there are the ruins of the ancient partially submerged cities of Dolihiste, Aperlai, Teimussa and Simena. Tourists from all over the world come here every year not only to enjoy the beauty of the local nature, but also to become better acquainted with the history of the Ancient World.
Although it actually belongs to Turkey, the island of Kekova is almost Greece, as confirmed by multiple finds of objects from the period of antiquity. It is worth noting that Kekova was historically under the rule of Byzantium, then it was transferred to the possessions of the Arabs, and for some time after the First World War the island belonged to Italy.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 30.08.2015 20:00
Kekova is perhaps one of the most beautiful and unusual points of all yacht routes in Turkey. On the northern side of the island you can see the ruins of the ancient ancient city of Dolikhiste, destroyed by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD, as a result of which part of the land split and went under water.
The ruins of the ancient city - the remains of walls, cobbled streets, dilapidated arches, foundations and stairs, covering the island, go into the depths of the azure sea and are perfectly visible through the thickness of crystal clear water.
It is believed that the island in some places sank under water from 9 to 12 meters, taking with it part of the city's population, its inhabitants abandoned these lands.
The Lycians, according to some sources, came from the island of Crete, but were distinguished by their unique culture, writing and sculpture. Lycia was successively conquered by the Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Greeks, and Turks, which also left its mark on the development of culture.
According to their vocation, the Lycian inhabitants worked well with hard rocks of stone. This is evidenced by the structure of ancient dwellings, carved directly into the rock of the island of Kekova. Internal and side walls were knocked out by residents directly into the rock, and the outer wall and roof were completed. Instead of streets, ancient Simene used numerous staircases.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 31.08.2015 20:14
On specially equipped yachts, in which part of the bottom is replaced with transparent material, Simen can be seen through the crystal clear water of the Aegean Sea.
The stone stairs, remains of streets, dilapidated walls, and the embankment are perfectly preserved. The depth of the sea not far from the shore is about 7 m, but the water here is so clear that at the bottom you can see broken amphorae and jugs in which wine and olive oil were stored. The central street of the city and the ruins of an ancient Christian church are clearly defined on the hillside.
The ruins of the city can be seen not only on the island itself, but also in the water column, where flooded paved streets, arches and a small area that once served as a pier are clearly visible. The yacht approaches the island close enough to see carved crosses on the walls of the dwellings, which appeared at the beginning of our era, and this confirms that the Lycians were Christians.
Destroyed walls of houses, stairs, a central canal through which water drained, and even small bathhouses - all this can be captured on the island of Kekova.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 31.08.2015 20:44
It was a fairly developed civilization. Already at that time, 2- and 3-story residential buildings were being built in the city. The Roman baths with washing facilities are well preserved.
Holes dug into the rocks served as tanks for collecting fresh water. The water could be stored for quite a long time, because... the loose rocky structure of the island served as a natural filter. The city had a wastewater and sewerage system built, which is very clearly visible among the ruins.
At a shallow depth near the island, a preserved breakwater-pier in the shape of the Latin letter L is visible. This indicates that the city was a port and trade center. The good climate contributed to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, and the production of wines and olive oil was established.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 31.08.2015 20:44
After a devastating earthquake, the surviving residents of Kekova moved to the opposite island in the ancient city of Simena. The modern name of Simena is Kale.
The modern city of Simena can hardly be called a city - it is a small village with a population of about 90 people. Residents, as in ancient times, grow vegetables and fruits and fish. Now another profitable activity has appeared - the tourism business, which brings in a good income. This secluded corner of Turkey attracts more and more attention from tourists every year.
It can be argued that the descendants of those same Lycians live in Simena, in the foundations of whose houses there are the ruins of the ancient city. It is believed that it is almost impossible to buy land in Simena; only the wealthiest people can afford to live here, enjoying the silence and spirit of antiquity.
Rumor has it that the Queen of Spain comes to the island of Simena every year to relax. In search of beauty and complete solitude, the picturesque island and Hollywood stars do not fail to pay attention, among whom Demi Moore has been spotted more than once.
In ancient times, only men lived in Simena, because... it served as an outpost to protect the territory, and women and children were on the opposite island.
During the period of the conquest of lands by Alexander the Great, he, having occupied the island, did not fight with the Lycians. He concluded a peace agreement with them, and they, in gratitude, accompanied him on his campaign to Syria. On the way back, the Lycians brought the culture of mosaic decoration. Therefore, among the ruins you can find many mosaic fragments.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 31.08.2015 20:55
The main attraction of the city of Simena is a hill with the ruins of a fortress built in the 4th century BC, a theater built of rough stone (the smallest of the theaters of the Lycian era), Lycian tombs and the remains of ancient baths located near the seashore.
The rest of the ancient city is also flooded.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 01.09.2015 15:02
Not far into the sea, right in front of the city of Simena, you can see an ancient Lycian sarcophagus, the lid of which is made in the shape of an inverted boat - one of the main attractions of Kekova.
Looking at it, as well as at the dilapidated walls, stairs, doorways, sidewalks and other Lycian sarcophagi resting at the bottom, once installed on the tops of the hills, which are still accessible today for a wide view, you feel like a seeker of the legendary Atlantis.
There was a belief among the Lycians that after death the soul would be able to return to doing what it loved, and this was usually fishing and sailing, which is why the sarcophagi were made in the form of boats.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 01.09.2015 15:39
In order to preserve the tourist attractiveness of the city of Simena, its residents are prohibited from painting or in any way reconstructing the facades of their houses using modern building materials.
And although there is no road to Simena by land, and you can only get there by sea, the fame of the unusual island has long spread throughout the world, attracting lovers of unusual holidays.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 01.09.2015 15:44
The purity and beauty of the underwater world of the island of Kekova and the city of Simena so impressed the legendary captain Cousteau that they were reflected in his famous “Odyssey”. Jacques-Yves Cousteau filmed one of the parts of his famous Odyssey here, and he knew a lot about beautiful nature and an interesting underwater world.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 01.09.2015 15:47
Amphitheaters are Turkey's most famous attraction.
Greco-Roman amphitheater in Demre (Mira) Türkiye built in the 2nd century AD. a certain Lisinus Lanfus with a budget of 10,000 silver denarii. Its diameter is about 110 meters and it could accommodate up to 10 thousand people (according to some sources, up to 15 thousand people). In total, the Myra Amphitheater has 35 rows - 29 lower and 6 upper, separated by a diazoma (a semicircular passage between the rows of the ancient theater).
The bus schedule can be found here:
http://www.batiantalyatur.net/?pnum=21&pt=Antalya-Fethiye%20(Sahilden)
The fare is here:
http://www.batiantalyatur.net/?pnum=18&pt=Fiyat%20Listesi
If you are traveling to Demre from Belek, Side, Alanya (i.e. from cities located east of Antalya), you must first get to the Antalya bus station and there change to a bus going to Demre.
Location of Demre on the map of Turkey:
Sasha Mitrakhovich 06.07.2016 17:57
Cities are considered abandoned when local residents leave them and never return, leaving him to “live out” his days alone forever. The reason for this may be wars, migrations, natural disasters, but in any case, these places remain in history forever, keeping the secret of centuries and the spirit of the people who lived on the territory, and, of course, waiting in the wings when one day they will be discovered by archaeologists and the whole world will recognize them. Some of these cities remain unknown forever, some live only as legends. Reality or myth, below are the most attractive and mysterious cities known to archaeologists, historians and tourists around the world.
Perhaps, of all the abandoned cities that have ever been found or studied, distant Machu Picchu is rightfully considered the most mysterious and unexplored. The city, located alone near the Urubamba Valley in Peru, was never found or plundered until one day in 1911 when historian Giram Bingham visited it, and since then the whole world has learned about the abandoned city. It is now known that Machu Picchu was divided into areas where more than 140 different buildings with stone walls were built. It is said that the ancient area first appeared in 1400 thanks to the Inca tribe. And 100 years later, the city was abandoned forever, probably for the reason that a terrible smallpox epidemic brought from Europe hit Machu Picchu. There was also much debate as to why the Incas built a city in such a strange place. Some researchers claimed that this place was sacred, while others said that Machu Picchu was used as a prison, but recent excavations have shown that the mysterious city was simply built by order of the Inca emperor named Pachacuti, and it was built specifically near the mountains, which corresponded to the ancient astrological mythology of the Inca tribe.
Everyone has ever heard of the legendary sunken island of Atlantis. Now the stories about Atlantis are recognized as just a myth created by the philosopher Plato in 360 BC. Plato described an island with an advanced civilization and a powerful sea force. He claimed that Atlantis occupied a large area of Europe until natural disasters caused it to sink to the seabed forever. Plato's story is considered only a fiction, but nevertheless, his description of an ancient and strong civilization was so impressive that many travelers and writers went to distant lands in search of the mysterious Atlantis.
The Roman city of Pompeii was once destroyed in 79 AD. after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. At that time, the city's population exceeded 20,000 people. After the volcanic eruption, the ruins stood for another 1,700 years until they were finally discovered in 1748 by a team of workers building a palace for the King of Naples. Since then, Pompeii has become the subject of attention of archaeologists and historians around the world. It's funny, but it was thanks to the Vesuvius volcano that the architecture of the city was preserved. A huge number of frescoes and sculptures found on the territory of the ancient city of Pompeii give modern scientists a clear idea of the way of life of Ancient Rome.
One of the regions of Cambodia called Angkor was also the seat of the Khmer Empire from 800 AD. to 1400 AD The region was on the verge of destruction following the invasion of the Thai army in 1431. Thus, the once powerful city with a vast territory and thousands of Buddhist castles was abandoned and overgrown with jungle. The existence of the abandoned city was not known for a long time, until one day in 1800 a group of French archaeologists found it. He carefully studied it and skillfully restored it. Angkor and its surrounding area, which is as large as Los Angeles, has since become known as the largest pre-industrial city in the world, and its famous temple, Angkor Wat, is considered the largest religious monument ever built.
Found in 3100 BC, Memphis was considered the capital of Ancient Egypt. For hundreds of years it was the center of civilization, until with the advent of Alexandria the city fell into decay. At its height, Memphis' population was over 30,000, making it the largest city in antiquity. Over the years, the exact location of the abandoned city was also lost until one day it was discovered during a Napoleonic expedition in 1700. It was from those times that the detailed study of sphinxes, statues and tombs first began. Some important parts of the city have remained unexplored by historians and archaeologists.
King Zipa was accustomed to decorate his body with golden sand, which he then washed off in the sacred lake of Guatavita. This old tradition of the Muisca, the Ancient Civilization of South America, became the basis of the legend of El Dorado.
One of the most famous of all legendary places, the El Dorado Empire was just a myth. It was believed that it first appeared in the jungles of South America. Translated from Spanish, this word means “golden”. They said that a king ruled in this city, and he had a lot of gold and diamonds. During the conquests, El Dorado became the subject of attention from the barbarians. In the thick of the jungle, where this mysterious place was said to be located, several expeditions were carried out, including the famous expedition led by Gonzalo Pizarro in 1541, but they never found traces of distant El Dorado, as well as gold and diamonds.
Petra is probably the most beautiful city on our list. It is located in Jordan, in the Dead Sea region and is considered the center of trade of the Ancient Nabatean Kingdom. Most impressive is its exquisite stone architecture, carved out of the rocks of the surrounding mountains. It was thanks to this that the ancient city was well fortified. It is still unknown what technologies were used at that time to create such a masterpiece. This city flourished for hundreds of years, but the conquests of the Romans and volcanic eruptions gradually destroyed Petra until it completely turned into a lost area and stood in the desert for years. In 1812, it was first discovered to the world by the Swiss explorer Johann Burckhard, and since then, ancient Petra has been attracting crowds of tourists from all over the world every year.
It was assumed that the lost city of Z was located in the very depths of the jungles of Brazil, and it was even said that it was quite developed. There were bridges, roads, and temples. Talk of a mysterious city began thanks to a document that was found by a Portuguese explorer who claimed to have seen the place in 1753, but no one else has found traces of its existence. The lost area became even more famous due to the fact that the English traveler Percy Fawcett, who has since disappeared without a trace, began searching for it.
A place made famous by Homer's epic poems. Troy became the first legendary city located on the territory of modern Turkey. It was here, according to legend, that the Trojan War took place. Troy was the most fortified and protected place, located on a hill near the river with the ancient name Scamander. Due to the fact that Troy was located on the coast, it was protected from sea attacks, and the nearby plains contributed to the development of agriculture. At first, the existence of ancient Troy was also classified as a myth, until one day in 1870, the German archaeologist Heinrich Schiliman excavated this city. Unfortunately, today this area has become unattractive, due to constant excavations and robberies of tourists.
The City of the Caesars, also known as the “Wandering City” or the City of Pantagonia, is just a myth according to which this mysterious place was located at the extreme point of South America, in the region of modern Pantagonia. The abandoned city was never found and is therefore considered nothing more than a legend. At first they said that it was supposedly found by shipwrecked Spaniards who discovered a huge amount of gold and diamonds there. They even said that 10-meter giants lived in this mysterious city. They also said that in the territory of the city of Caesars there lived ghosts who constantly appeared and disappeared.
Ghost towns are scattered all over the planet and silently keep their secrets. The creations of human hands, abandoned by people, stand deserted and silent for decades. They are not destroyed, they are simply abandoned - at one point people left them due to insurmountable reasons. The reason for this could be the threat of a natural disaster, man-made disaster, war or economic crisis.
This list contains the most famous ghost towns in the world!
1 Pripyat, Ukraine
Perhaps the most famous ghost town is Pripyat. This city in Ukraine is relatively young - it was built in 1970. In 1986, about 50 thousand people lived there, the first park was opened, and the infrastructure was actively developing. And one day - April 26, 1986, the city was evacuated due to the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This city is still full of radiation, so excursions and groups of stalkers enter its territory only occasionally.
2 Gunkanjima, Japan
Hashima Island in the East China Sea, nicknamed Gunkanjima (cruiser), was an ordinary rock near Nagasaki in the early 19th century. Coal was discovered there, so the Japanese artificially built an island and began to develop the deposit. The city was the most densely populated place on the entire planet - with an area of 0.063 square meters. m. lived more than 5 thousand people! The peak of activity was reached in the middle of the 20th century, and in 1974 the mines were completely closed, and the city became a ghost.
3 Kolmanskop, Namibia
The history of this city began in 1908, when one of the railway workers discovered diamonds in the southern part of the Namib Desert. The field was transferred to August Strauch, who built a German town on this site with a hospital, schools and a stadium. But the diamond reserves dried up after a couple of years, and people faced terrible conditions. The city was constantly bombarded by sandstorms; there was no water or communication with the world. In 1954, the last inhabitants left the city, and it was left standing in the middle of the desert.
4 Famagusta, Cyprus
In the 1970s, the city of Famagusta was the tourist center of Cyprus. It was especially famous; it housed many hotels and hotels that were visited by celebrities from all over the world. In 1975, Famagusta was invaded by the Turkish army and expelled the Greeks from their homes. The Varosha quarter has become a ghost town, because according to a UN resolution of 1984, only its residents can return to it. At the moment, this huge tourist area of the city is slowly being consumed by nature.
5 Kilamba, Angola
Cities do not always become ghosts because they have been abandoned. Some cities were never settled, such as the huge city of Nova Cidid de Kilamba near the capital of Angola. It is designed for 500 thousand people, and more than $3 billion was spent on construction. In 2012, the city slowly began to be populated, but in fact it still remains a ghost. There are few middle class residents of Angola who could afford such expensive housing. At the moment, there is only one school there, to which people take their children from afar.
6 Tawarga, Libya
The ghost town in Libya was abandoned by local residents in 2011 due to genocide. The rebels began a real persecution of the indigenous peoples of Tawarga, which was once founded by the descendants of black slaves. In addition, this city was under the protection of the Gaddafi regime, so the rebels mercilessly destroyed the population - 1,300 people are still considered missing. Almost 30 thousand people left the city and still cannot return to their homes. The Libyan government cannot provide them with safety and protection from abuse.
7 Kayakoy, Türkiye
The Turkish village of Kayakoy has a rich history, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming a ghost. It was founded in the 19th century by the Greek community and had a developed infrastructure. But in the 1920s, the Greeks were forced to leave the areas belonging to the Turks, so the villagers simply left overnight. In addition, in 1957, a powerful earthquake destroyed the last islands of civilization in Kayakoy.
8 Sanzhi, Taiwan
This city can hardly be called a ghost, since in 2008 a decision was made to demolish it. Unfortunately, it belongs to those buildings where people have never settled. In 1975, it was decided to build an unusual complex of houses in the shape of UFO saucers. They were built from fiberglass and concrete, taking into account the latest technology. However, in the 1980s, when the complex was almost completed, a crisis began in Asia, which led to a freeze in construction. The alien houses were abandoned, and Taiwan decided to demolish them to build a park on the site.
9 Oradour-sur-Glane, France
This village in France received the title of martyr city. Today it still stands as a silent reminder of the atrocities of the war, and a new town of the same name has been built nearby. Oradour in 1944 was inhabited by French partisans who captured a German officer. In retaliation, the SS killed all the inhabitants of the village - 205 children, 240 women and 197 men. Since then the city has been a memorial center.
10 Kadykchan, Russia
One of the most famous abandoned cities in Russia is Kadykchan. It is located in the Magadan region, and was completely abandoned by people in the early 2000s. The city was built in the mid-20th century near a coal deposit, but after an explosion in 1996 the mine was closed. Residents of the village began to be slowly resettled, and in 2001 the houses were completely cut off from electricity.
Paris exists not only in France, but also in China, although it is very small. Construction of the city of Tianducheng began in 2007, when there was a fashion in China for copies of European landmarks. There is the Eiffel Tower, three times smaller than the original, the Arc de Triomphe and the Park of Versailles. However, housing here is so expensive that the city has practically remained a ghost - despite its splendor, no one lives in Tianducheng.
All these cities are completely deserted, so they gradually fall into disrepair, and nature wins its territory back, covering the gray buildings with lush greenery.