4 Countries Steeped In History That Have Survived More Than Just Time
Every traveler consumed by wanderlust has certain destinations on their bucket list they wish to visit at least once in their lifetime. Nine out of ten times, historical countries will make it to that list. There is a good reason for this – historical places have a personality of their own.
They are not just regions with towering mountain ranges, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Besides variations in topography, these places offer a taste of the past. Travelers have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience firsthand the cultural heritage, artifacts, landscapes, and events that make the site what it is today.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee added 42 new cultural sites to their World Heritage List in 2023. Locations like these make us feel like we’re a part of a grander design.
They have an uncanny ability to humble us, making us realize that we belong to a vast chain of humanity that has survived through thick and thin. When we think of such places, some countries top the list as they’re soaked in their historical past.
In this article, we will discuss four such countries that testify of their ancient roots.
Jordan, West Asia
Jordan: the first name on the list of historical countries itself reeks of history. However, stepping into the mesmerizing country can seem almost overwhelming from a history lover’s perspective. Jordan is renowned for housing cities that are even 5000 years old.
According to Jordan Select, one of the greatest historic gems of this country is the pink city of Petra. A part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Petra is among the most visited tourist attractions in Jordan.
The city was even voted to be a part of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. Its ruins are believed to date back to 312 BC and are accessible only through a narrow, 1 km-gorge called the ‘Siq.’ The city is home to the Royal Tombs – 800 tombs that are estimated to be at least 2000 years old.
Petra experienced massive earthquakes around 1 BC and 8 AD (which ruined most of the structures and the water system). Besides the pink city, traveling in Jordan would be incomplete without visiting historical highlights like Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and Madaba.
Peru, South America
If there is one country that has a fascinating history, it is South America’s Peru. With a rich topography of lowland jungles and coastal plains, this vibrant country is a melting pot of ancient civilizations.
Tourists will find ruins of the Inca Empire, the Andean civilization, and the famous pre-Incan Nazca and Paracas civilizations. It is best known for being the home country to one of the world’s Seven Wonders – Machu Picchu.
Out of all the historical countries, it features stunning architectural ruins of the then-Incan Empire. This is why it is also called the ‘Lost Citadel of the Incas.’ It was built in the 15th century and is situated 7,000 feet above sea level.
Besides Machu Picchu, Peruvian historical locations extend to the Nazca Lines, Chan Chan, Ollantaytambo Ruins, and the El Brujo.
England, Europe
Every little girl dreams of becoming a princess who is later saved from her enemies by a handsome prince in shining armor. England is a country that can bring such dreams to life. This is because its history is soaked in majestic medieval castles.
Having been a land where kings and queens reigned (and continue to do so), England features over 4,000 colossal castles, right from the Stone Age. The most famous among these is also the oldest inhabited castle – the Windsor Castle.
This castle has been the official home of British royalty for over 1000 years. It is still functional today, inhabited by nearly 150 people. It was originally built in the 11th century just after England’s Norman invasion.
Besides Windsor Castle, other historic sites across the country include Stonehenge, the Warwick Castle, the Bodmin Jail, the Tower of London, and the Fountains Abbey.
Turkey, West Asia, and South-East Europe
Turkey is a very interesting country, mainly because it straddles between two continents – Asia and Europe. A treat for the eyes of history lovers, Turkey offers rich historical cities like Gobekli Tepe, Troy, and Ephesus.
Among its world-famous historical sites include the remarkable Hagia Sophia and the well-reserved fishing village of Patara. The former is Turkey’s most visited historic building. Hagia Sophia of Istanbul was originally a church but was converted into a masjid and later a museum. The edifice was reverted to a mosque in 2020.
The latter is a vibrant village featuring ruins of the Roman theater, orange groves, turquoise waters, and other stunning remains of the bygone eras. The beach located below Patara is the longest in the country and is accessible only through this ancient village.
Other historic locations in the country include Olympos, Hierapolis, Aspendos, and Mount Nemrut.
As we draw to a close, let’s take a moment to marvel at the treasure trove of heritage sites the world has today. There are at least 1,199 World Heritage Sites located across 168 countries.
Of these, 933 hold cultural significance and are flocked by tourists to absorb the region’s rich history. These places should rightfully be preserved because they’re all we have left to connect the past with the present.
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