Sunken Roman statue at Baiae, Italy As humans spread across continents and populations exploded, trade between civilizations became more frequent. Coastal settlements allowed larger ships to come and go, increasing trade and boosting the local economy, with many port towns being built as a way to access rare goods and wealth. have. But the riverbank is not always a safe place to settle down. Saeftinghe Swamp, Netherlands A swamp in the Netherlands known as the Sinking Lands of Saeftinghe, the area was once a prosperous village. In the 13th century, humans drained the swamp so that they could build on the fertile land; they also built dykes around the reclaimed land to protect it from flooding. Much of the land around Saeftinghe was lost in the flood of 1570. Dutch soldiers fighting in the war for independence from the Spaniards were forced to destroy the last dyke barrier. while defending Antwerp, allowing Scheldt’s waters to take over the town. However, a local legend tells a slightly different story, blaming the flood of 1570 on the rampage of a mermaid held captive by the townspeople. Today, the settlement is buried under layers of sand and clay, although bricks have been recovered that may have belonged to a monastery due to the floods. Caribbean Pirate Paradise The Caribbean pirate’s paradise of Port Royal, Jamaica was known as “the worst city on Earth”, before a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami pushed two-thirds of the town under waves. The violent shaking liquefied the sand beneath about 2,000 brick buildings, which were displaced and appeared to flow into the sea. Of the town’s estimated 6,500 inhabitants at the time, 2,000 are believed to have perished in the earthquake and tsunami. More than 3,000 people died from injury and disease afterward, according to UNESCO. Salt beach in Germany This place was once a busy trading port. Rungholt’s exact location – long regarded as a legend – remains unclear, although artifacts and evidence of tillage found in the Wadden Sea suggest its existence. a trading port. The flood of Saint Marcellus, also known as the “Great Drowning of Men”, is believed to be the culprit behind the town’s disappearance. High tides caused by extratropical cyclones ravaged the coasts of northern Germany and Denmark, killing thousands. Atlit Yam, Israel The oldest settlement ever discovered in the Mediterranean with interesting rock structures such as Scotland’s Stonehenge. This Neolithic village lies 8 to 12 meters deep under the Mediterranean Sea, hidden for more than 8,000 years until marine archaeologist Ehud Galili discovered it while surveying sand for shipwrecks in 2014. 1984. It is now considered one of the oldest underwater settlements ever discovered. Careful excavations have uncovered rectangular houses with fireplaces and the remains of a dry rock well. One of the most interesting finds is a megalithic structure – similar to Scotland’s Stonehenge – built around a stream, made of seven giant stones weighing around 600 kg each. Burial sites and human remains have also been excavated. One study suggested that a tsunami may have caused the settlement to be abandoned. Baiae, Italy Baiae was once a spa town in Rome that was famous for its debauchery. Underground pressure in the area causes the land to rise and fall, and much of its ancient history is now below sea level. Notably, the underwater remains of the Pisonian Mansion and the statue of Nymphaeum decorated by Emperor Claudius were sunk deep into the water. In addition, several prominent Romans visited the resort town during its heyday, including Julius Caesar, emperors Hadrian and Septimius Severus, generals Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great) and Gaius Marius and politician Lucius Licinius Lucullus. Underwater city for over 3,000 years in Greece Hy The city of Pavlopetri, Greece has been submerged for more than 3,000 years. The ruins of Pavlopetri were discovered in 1967, and analyzes of building materials and pottery shards show them to be about 5,000 years old. The town remained above ground for 2,000 years before it could be sunk by earthquakes. The layout of the town has been perfectly preserved 4 meters under the waves, with streets, buildings and tombs eroded over time but still visible. At least 15 buildings have been identified. Thonis-Heracleion, Egypt A statue of a Nile god found underwater is important evidence of the area’s existence. Located northwest of Alexandria on the Nile Delta, Thonis-Heracleion was a famous trading port before earthquakes weakened the land and dragged it under salt water. The area is full of artifacts, but the colossal 6-ton statue of the Nile god Hapi is one of the most important finds among the ruins.

(Photo: Touropia) With an area of ​​143,591 m2, Malbork (Poland) is the largest castle in the world. The castle was built entirely of bricks according to Gothic architecture from the 13th century. Over time, the castle has been expanded many times to accommodate 3,000 people. In 1997, Malbork Castle was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 2. Mehrangarh Fort (India) (Photo: Touropia) Although officially called a fort, Mehrangarh Fort can also be considered as an Indian castle. The building is located on a 122m high hill in the city of Jodhpur, surrounded by walls 36m high and 21m wide. Inside the impenetrable wall is the kingdom of the Jodha kings with royal palaces, courts and many houses with elaborate carved architecture. Mehrangarh Fort is 81,227 m2 wide. 3. Prague Castle (Czech Republic) (Photo: Touropia) Prague Castle has an area of ​​66,761 m2, built in the 9th century and expanded many times until the second half of the 18th century. Inside the castle there is a complex of attractions including St. Vitus and the Church of St. George. 4. Windsor Castle (England) (Photo: Touropia) Windsor is often called the largest inhabited castle in the world at 54,835 square feet. It is also the largest castle in England. Built in the 11th century, the magnificent beauty of Windsor captivates many people. Windsor is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II spent many weekends at this castle. In addition to her personal entertainment needs, she often uses this place for national affairs. 5. Hohensalzburg Castle (Austria) (Photo: Touropia) Hohensalzburg Castle (54,523 m2) located in the Austrian city of Salzburg is one of the largest and best preserved castles in Europe. The castle was built in 1077 and was greatly expanded between 1495 and 1519. 6. Spis Castle (Slovakia) (Photo: Touropia) Located in eastern Slovakia, Spis is one of the largest medieval castles in central Europe. The main body of the castle was fortified with stone walls in the first half of the 13th century. Because of its beautiful location in the countryside, Spis Castle was used as a filming location for movies. 7. Buda Castle (Hungary) (Photo: Touropia) Buda is a historic castle and palace complex of Hungarian kings in Budapest, first completed in 1265. Today, the castle has a mix of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque. 8. Himeji Castle (Japan) (Photo: Touropia) Himeji (41,468 m2) is considered the most beautiful castle in Japan and is one of the few castles not destroyed by civil war, earthquake and bombing. It was built in the 14th century and gradually expanded over time. The castle complex that still stands today was completed in 1609. 9. Old Citadel of Aleppo (Syria) (Photo: Touropia) The Old Citadel of Aleppo (39,804 m2) is one of the oldest castles in the world. The project is located on a 50-meter high hill in the center of Aleppo, Syria. 10. Edinburgh Castle (Scotland) (Photo: Touropia) Perched on a cliff of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle (35,737 m2) stands out on the skyline of Edinburgh in Scotland. Some of the structure at the castle dates back to before the 16th century. Notably, St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, dates from the early 12th century.