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10 Must-See World Treasures
One thing that history has taught us is that civilizations grow, advance, and then ultimately perish. We can trace the lives of our ancestors through the construction of ancient cities and fine arts, societies have left architectural scars on our planet. In many cases these structures defy logic and reasoning, bringing forth questions about their construction. This article will be examining ten world treasures and travel destinations that you might not be familiar with, places that are surrounded with mystery and objects that represent a larger purpose. If you are planning a world vacation, be sure to visit the places on this list.
10. Man at the Crossroads
Man at the Crossroads is one of the most significant and controversial paintings of the 20th century. In the early 1930s, Nelson Rockefeller wanted to have a mural painted on the ground-floor wall of Rockefeller Center in New York City. He initially envisioned Henri Matisse or Pablo Picasso as the creator, but ended up hiring Mexican painter Diego Rivera to complete the artwork. Rockefeller wanted the mural to catch people’s attention as they passed by, so he gave the work the official theme of “Man at the Crossroads Looking with Hope and High Vision to the Choosing of a New and Better Future.” The painting was created with many sections depicting historical events, included pictures of women drinking alcohol, diseased cells, and a portion on communism. The area of the mural depicting communism shows a realistic portrayal of Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin. Trotsky and Lenin were Soviet communist politicians who led the October Revolution of 1917.
It was understood that Diego Rivera was an avid communist, but the inclusion of Lenin in the portrait upset Rockefeller. He felt that Rivera was undermining his vision for the artwork, so in 1933 after the mural was completed, Rockefeller had it draped and hidden from the public. In the early weeks of 1934, Rockefeller had the mural smashed by workers and hauled away in wheelbarrows. Diego Rivera responded by saying that the action was “cultural vandalism.” In place of the painting, Nelson Rockefeller had another mural created with Abraham Lincoln as the focal point. Today, this painting is still on display at Rockefeller Center. However, before the Man at the Crossroads was destroyed, pictures of the work were documented. This caused Diego Rivera to respond by repainting the mural at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. It was renamed Man, Controller of the Universe and presents many images depicting the state of the world in the 1930s. You can still view this artwork at the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
9. Stari Most
Stari Most is a 16th century bridge located in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The structure crosses the river Neretva and connects two sections of the city. The original bridge was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 to replace an older wooden suspension bridge. Legend states that a man named Mimar Hayruddin was commissioned to construct Stari Most under the threat of death. The dimensions of the structure were unprecedented for this time in history and after its completion Stari Most held the widest man-made arch in the world. It has been written that Hayruddin was concerned with the bridges acceptance and even prepared for his own funeral on the day of its completion. Stari Most is among the greatest architectural achievements of the 16th century. The construction of the bridge still baffles scientists today.
After intense research, some important questions can’t be answered, including how the large stones were transported from one river bank to the other, and more importantly how the rock scaffolding arch was erected and remained intact during the long construction period. This type of rock arch had never been seen before. Since the 17th century, local men in the area have performed a tradition of leaping from Stari Most into the Neretva River. This is a risky feat and only the most skilled and best trained divers will attempt it. In 1992, the Bosnian War erupted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The war involved several sides, including Bosnia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro), and Croatia. It was a violent and bloody confrontation that lasted until November of 1995. Stari Most stood for 427 years until it was destroyed on November 9, 1993.
After the incident, a Bosnian Croat spokesman claimed that the bridge held a strategic position and that is why it was bombed. However, other claims have been made that the structure was accidently damaged from a mine activated on Bosniak territory. Slobodan Praljak, the commander of the Croatian Defence Council, is currently on trial with the prosecution alleging that he ordered the destruction of the Stari Most Bridge. After the end of the war, plans were raised to reconstruct the bridge. It was decided that the new structure was going to be as similar as possible to the original. Architects used the same general technology and materials. The bridge was built with the same tenelia stone, which was recovered from the riverbed below. The reconstructed bridge was finished on July 23, 2004. It was a great sight and the new Stari Most Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and important historical destination.
8. Stone Chambers of Gungywamp
One of the most mysterious places in America is the Gungywamp archaeological relics in Groton, Connecticut. Gungywamp is a 100-acre site that houses multiple ancient structures. The majority of the artifacts discovered at the location date from 2000-770 BC. The most impressive aspect of Gungywamp is the series of amazing beehive chambers and stone structures. The site holds the remains of ancient houses and potential iron and cloth processing sites. Scientists have made many archeological discoveries at Gungywamp, but the most impressive is the “calendar chamber.” One of the stone chambers of Gungywamp holds a special alignment with the Sun. The inner alcove of the building becomes illuminated during the equinoxes of the Sun. This was accomplished by the alignment of a hole in the west wall, through which the Sun shines upon a lighter stone on the opposite side, causing radiating illumination. It is an impressive astronomical achievement.
Removed from the chambers, there are two large stone circles. The circles are suspected by archaeologists to have been a mill. At a distance from the circles, there is a row of low standing stones. The stones are lined up facing north to south, with one rock featuring an etched image of a bird with outstretched wings. The main mystery of Gungywamp lies in the ancient artifacts that have been discovered at the site. Some of these objects include Native American arrowheads, stone flakes, and pottery fragments, but also colonial artifacts were unearthed, including European pottery, china, buttons, coins, bottles, window glass, utensils, tobacco pipes, bricks and animal bones. These findings have been used as proof to suggest that an early Celtic expedition preceded Columbus to America. In the 1960s, the idea was put forth that the stone chambers share similarities with structures from Medieval Ireland. Scientists are still unsure of what the stone chambers were used for. The land that Gungywamp sits on is currently privately owned. However, you can still tour the area by setting up an appointment with the Gungywamp Society.
7. Pan-American Highway Road Trip
In planning your next road trip or life adventure, keep the Pan-American Highway in mind. The Pan-American Highway is the world’s longest travelable road. It consists of a network of highways that measure approximately 47,958 kilometers (29,800 miles) in total length. The Pan-American Highway is only 87 kilometers (54 mi) short of connecting all the Americas. The missing link in the system is a rainforest break known as the Darién Gap. The gap prevents passage between South America and Central America. However, for a true adventurer, the Darién Gap can be a marvelous place to visit. The gap consists of a large collection of undeveloped swampland separating Panama’s Darién Province from Colombia. The Darién Gap is a remote and dangerous area of the world, but people have crossed the area in trucks and on foot. The span of the Pan-American Highway is massive and the roads follow many diverse climates and ecological types, including dense jungles, deserts, and mountain passes.
In 1942, the US government finished construction on the Alaska Highway, which connects the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. Traveling on this road is dangerous, but the wildlife is beautiful and untouched. It covers some of the most remote mountain terrain in North America. Another section of the Pan-American Highway named the Inter-American Highway spans a beautiful section of land. The Inter-American Highway covers 3,400 miles (5,470 km) between Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Panama City, Panama. Some impressive landmarks along the Inter-American Highway include the Cordillera Central Mountains in Costa Rica, which holds four large volcanoes, Poás, Barva, Irazú and Turrialba. As you enter Panama, the Inter-American Highway runs over many bodies of water, including the Rio San Pablo River and the Rio Santa María River. Before you enter Panama City, the highway crosses over the Panama Canal on the Bridge of the Americas.
6. Guernica Painting
The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict that devastated Spain from 1936 to 1939. During the war, on April 26, 1937, the town of Guernica, Spain was raided and bombed by planes of the German Luftwaffe and the Italian Fascist Aviazione Legionaria. The attack was at the request of the Spanish Nationalist forces. It resulted in the death of a reported 1,654 innocent people. In response to the act, Pablo Picasso created the artwork Guernica. Guernica is an oil painting that shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. The artwork was commissioned by the Spanish Republican government and in 1937 it was displayed at the World’s Fair in Paris. In the late 1930s, the painting was toured around the world. This exposure ultimately helped the artwork become internationally famous and recognizable. Guernica became a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace.
The painting single handedly helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world’s attention. Guernica contains great detail and hidden symbols. In 1939, at the request of Picasso, the artwork was entrusted to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. While living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, Picasso suffered harassment from the Gestapo. One officer allegedly asked him, upon seeing a photo of Guernica in his apartment, “Did you do that?” Picasso responded, “No, you did.” During the Vietnam War, the room containing the painting became the site of occasional US anti-war vigils. Pablo Picasso refused to allow Guernica to be returned to Spain until the Spanish people enjoyed a republic, with “public liberties and democratic institutions.” This angered Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. However, after Franco’s death in 1975, Spain was transformed into a democratic constitutional monarchy, ratified by a new constitution.
This event created a controversy between the United States and Spain, with people from the New York museum claiming that the monarchy did not represent the republic that had been stipulated in Picasso’s will. However, under great pressure from a number of observers, MOMA finally ceded the painting to Spain in 1981. In 1992, the painting was moved from the Prado Museum to Madrid’s Queen Sofia Museum, where it remains today. Guernica is one of the most important pieces of art created during the 20th century and people travel from all over the world to view the portrait. A tapestry copy of Picasso’s Guernica is displayed on the wall of the United Nations building in New York City, at the entrance to the Security Council room. It was commissioned by Nelson Rockefeller in 1955. In an interesting news story, the Bush administration had a large blue curtain placed over the painting in 2003 as Colin Powell and John Negroponte discussed the war in Iraq.
5. Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu Underground City is an ancient multi-level underground city located in the Nevşehir Province of Turkey. It is one of the largest underground cities on Earth and highlights a list of unique geological formations in this area of the world. The city consists of eleven underground floors, which extend to a depth of approximately 278 feet (85 m). Derinkuyu Underground City is part of a network of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia, Turkey. Each floor in the city was closed off with a large stone door. These massive rocks weighted approximately 1100 pounds (500 kg) and contained a hole in the center, which was used for peaking outside. It has been estimated that the underground city could have housed between 40,000-50,000 people, along with livestock and food stores. It holds many amenities, including wine and oil presses, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, and chapels. The second floor of the complex has a spacious room with a barrel vaulted ceiling. It was used for religious studies.
Between the third and fourth levels of the city is a vertical staircase that has a passage way leading to a cruciform church on the lowest level. A large 180 foot (55 m) ventilation shaft appears to have provided water to the underground city. The city was initially constructed by the Phrygians over 2800 years ago. During the time of the Romans and the Byzantine Empire, Derinkuyu Underground City was reconstructed and connected with miles of tunnels and underground structures. To date, many of these floors and passage ways have yet to be excavated and remain a mystery. The underground city of Derinkuyu was the hiding place for the first Christians who were escaping persecution from the Roman Empire. The formations were also used to escape Arab raids in the 7th century. Amazingly, the remains of over 200 underground cities with a minimum of two levels have been discovered in the area between Kayseri and Nevsehir, Turkey. Derinkuyu Underground City was opened to visitors in 1969. To date, only ten percent of the city is accessible to tourists. It remains a popular destination for historians and religious groups from all over the world.
4. Cliff Palace
Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. It is located in Mesa Verde National Park, which is in the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Colorado. A cliff dwelling is a general term used for describing the habitations of prehistoric people. They are formed by building multiple structures and homes inside the caves and deep holes of high cliffs. Cliff Palace is a remarkable and mysterious destination. The ruins consist of 23 round sunken ceremonial rooms called kivas and 150 separate chambers. Many of the kivas are unique and the most extravagant kiva acts as the center point of the structure. A large square tower that spans to the cave’s roof is the most recognizable building at Cliff Palace. However, the square tower had to be restored in 1800s after it was damaged. It is believed that Cliff Palace was constructed by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples, who were a group of Native Americans that lived in the present-day Four Corners area of the United States.
The Ancient Pueblo People have often been referred to in archaeology as the Anasazi and they are believed to have inhabited the Four Corners area of the U.S. since 1200 BC. Tree ring dating has indicated that construction and refurbishing was constant in Cliff Palace between the years 1190-1260. For unknown reasons, the Anasanzi people suddenly abandoned Cliff Palace in 1300. This issue has spawned serious scientific debate, with many historians believing that a series of mega-droughts interrupting food production systems for the Anasanzi. However, more prone conspiracy theorists point to the massive Meteor Crater impact zone east of Flagstaff in northern Arizona. The sudden departure of the Anasanzi people is interesting considering the massive expansion of North America since 1300. If you enjoy ancient history, Mesa Verde National Park holds some of the oldest cave structures in North America and is a great place to travel.
3. Grand Canal (Venice)
The Grand Canal is like no other place on Earth. It forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city of Venice, Italy. The Grand Canal is 2.3 miles (3,800 m) long, and 100-300 feet (30–90 m) wide, with an average depth of five meters (16.5 ft). One end the canal moves into the Venetian Lagoon near the Santa Lucia railway station and the other end flows to the Saint Mark Basin. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century. Many noble Venetian families have spent huge amounts of money building structures along the Grand Canal. The waterway acts as a major traffic line in Venice. Public transportation is provided by water buses and private water taxes. You can also explore the canal by gondola. Most of the palaces along the Grand Canal emerge from the water without pavement. This has given the area an incredible visual sensation of illuminated water reflections during dusk. The structures along the Grand Canal are known for their architectural styles, with a strong Roman and Byzantine influence. The canal holds three famous bridges, which are routinely lined with tourists and local workers.
On the first Sunday of every September, an annual boat competition named the Historical Regatta takes place in the Grand Canal. The event attracts thousands of spectators. Many churches were constructed along the waterway, including the world famous Santa Maria della Salute. The Salute is a Roman Catholic Church that was built during the 17th century in honor of the many Black Death plague victims. The Grand Canal is lined with many famous palaces, including the exotic Palazzo Dario, Ca’ d’Oro, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, Palazzo Corner, and the Palazzo Grimani di San Luca. Several of these structures contain facades and famous frescos. Unfortunately, many of the religious buildings along the Grand Canal were damaged during the religious suppression decreed of Napoleon. During this time in history, many famous churches were destroyed or had their function permanently changed, such as the Santa Maria della Carità complex. The Grand Canal of Venice is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. It provides a unique experience and a friendly environment.
2. Churches of Lalibela
If you can handle the hot weather of Ethiopia, the relics of Lalibela are a remarkable site. The area is the center of a pilgrimage for the majority of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian faith. The city was intended to be a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslims in 1187. Many geological features in the area were given biblical names, including the town’s river which is known as the River Jordan. The most impressive feature of Lalibela is the collection of eleven rock-hewn churches. Each of these churches was constructed from a single block of granite stone. The structures are placed in the ground or into the side of a hill or mountain. The site is one of the most studied in history and the rock structures have played an important role in the evolution of rock-cut architecture. Many design features of the churches have baffled historians and the structures were equipped with a water supply system.
In the 1520s, Portuguese explorer Pêro da Covilhã became the first European to visit the churches and he was shocked by the architectural feat. The roofs of the Lalibela churches are level with the ground and are reached by stairs descending into narrow trenches. The structures are connected by tunnels and walkways. The most well-known church is the Church of Saint George, which is one of the most famous ancient structures in the world. The Church of Saint George is a small rock-hewn complex with a baptismal pool trench located along the perimeter. According to Ethiopian cultural history, the Church of Saint George was built by King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty. It is said that he experienced a vision from God or Saint George that instructed him to construct the building.
Another impressive feature of Lalibela is the Lalibela Cross, which is located inside the House of the Redeemer rock-cut church. The Lalibela Cross was constructed during the 12th century and is one of the world’s most precious religious and historical heirlooms. Many priests believe that the cross holds healing powers. Unfortunately, the priceless artifact was stolen in 1999, but returned to the Ethiopian government in 2001. Lalibela is like no other place in the world. Over 15% of the residents are active priests and religious rituals are central to everyday life in the village. If you are interested in traveling to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, tours are available. You will also find self-appointed helpers who will guide you down the steps of the ancient structures and watch over your shoes, which have to be removed in order to enter.
1. Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya (Lion’s rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. For those unfamiliar with this area of the world, Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most important cities, holding a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia. The Sigiriya fortress is comprised of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, chambers, hidden passages, and other structures. It was primarily built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477-495). However, Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. The Sigiriya rock is a massive structure and was formed by a hardened magma plug from an extinct and long-eroded volcano. The rock rests on a steep mound that rises abruptly from the flat plain around it. It is visible from miles in all directions and climbs 370 m (1,214 ft) above sea level. In many places the rock holds an overhanging base, which is ideal for hidden cave structures. Tablets discovered in the fortress have been deciphered and it has been written that King Kassapa I built the castle on the tip of Sigiriya rock to protect himself from the return of his brother Mogallana, whom he had defied.
The Sigiriya site holds the remains of Kassapa’s upper palace on the flat top of the rock. It also contains a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall, a lower palace that clings to the slopes below the rock, and extensive moats, walls and gardens that span for hundreds of meters out from the base of the rock. Sigiriya is considered one of the most important urban planning sites of the first millennium. The water retaining structures and sophisticated surface hydraulic systems are impressive. Sigiriya holds reservoirs, massive gates and protective walls. The Gardens of the Sigiriya city are some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. This includes three principle water gardens, with long deep pools, streams, islands, and massive fountains. Underground water conduits supply water to these fountains which are still functional today, especially during the rainy season. The boulder gardens of Sigiriya consist of several large boulders linked with winding pathways. The audience hall of the king was situated in the boulder garden, along with a five meter long granite throne.
The massive throne is carved directly from the boulder itself. Another impressive geological formation at Sigiriya is the terraced gardens, which were formed from the natural hill at the base of the rock. The gardens consist of a series of platforms, each rising above the other, connecting the pathways of the boulder gardens to the staircases on the rock, forming an important transition between the hard materials of the architecture and softer ones of the garden. The mirror wall is an impressive feature that was constructed out of a type of porcelain. During the reign of Kassapa I, this wall was so well polished that the king could see himself while he walked alongside it. Perhaps the most impressive feature of Sigiriya is the massive frescos. It appears that the whole face of the hill was at one point covered by a gigantic picture gallery, possibly the largest in the world. There are many references to the graffiti on the western face of the rock, however much of the work was destroyed when the palace later became a Monastery. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a popular tourist attraction and incredible archeological feature.
By
Bryan Johnson
From Joe Gibbs: The world is full of wonders and beautiful treasures, but where did it all come from? To tackle the question of origins, I wanted a scientist with impeccable credentials. John Lennox fills the bill. Maybe you’ve seen him debate atheists Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. With his mild Irish brogue and gentle manner, John is as gracious as he is brilliant. He has a master’s in bioethics and three doctorates, and he serves as professor of mathematics at the University of Oxford. He is also a fellow in mathematics and philosophy of science at Green College, Oxford, where he serves as pastoral advisor. He has published more than seventy peer-reviewed articles on mathematics, coauthored two Oxford mathematical monographs, and worked as a translator of Russian mathematics. He speaks Russian, French, and German and is the author of several books on the relationship of science with religion and ethics. John may have a lot of fancy degrees, but between the two of us, I’m the only one with a master’s degree in physical education from San Diego State? You can hear more from Dr. Lennox in Chapter 5 of Game Plan for Life.
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