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.

Colosseum, Italy and Pula, Croatia The Colosseum is one of the most famous and recognizable attractions in the world associated with Italy. But very few people know that this site has twins in Croatia. The Pula Arena is a rare unique building structure that remains of the ancient Roman empire in Croatia. Notre-Dame de Paris and Notre-Dame de Amiens When looking at the two pictures, many people want to start the ‘find 10 differences’ game. Both churches are in France, one Notre-Dame located in the capital and Amiens Cathedral in the north of the country. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris became famous after appearing in Victor Hugo’s classic literary work, thanks to which this place attracts a lot of tourists. Machu Picchu and Isla del Sol Machu Picchu is a famous 15th-century ancient Inca city located in the Eastern Mountains of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter high ridge. Because the terrain is difficult to access, the number of tourists visiting is also limited. Meanwhile, visitors can choose to visit another ancient Inca city, Isla del Sol, Bolivia Stonehenge and Avebury Stonehenge is perhaps one of the attractions that has long attracted the attention of many tourists around the world. But about 30 km away, you can find other impressive stones in Avebury. Petra and Lalibela The Petra Historical Archaeological Site takes you into an old fairy tale. However, over time, the increasing number of tourists is one of the causes affecting the quality of the work. Moreover, sometimes there is not enough time to wait to enjoy the beauty. However, if you choose to pass through Lalibela, Ethiopia, you will see some impressive stone carvings. Temple of Angkor Wat and Borobudur Angkor Wat in Cambodia has been so famous for tourists since ancient times, but few people know that the ancient Borobudur temple in Indonesia also has similar architecture to that famous place. Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and Saint Petersburg The domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral are among the most recognizable symbols of Russia. However, very few people know that in Saint Petersburg there is another church built in the image and similar to the famous church in Moscow. Golden Gate Bridge and 25 de Abril . Bridge There are many red bridges in the world, but only ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ is famous. But those who want to admire this architectural structure need not travel far across the ocean because there is also a similar bridge in Portugal called the 25 de Abril Bridge. Big Ben Clock Tower and Parliament Hill Building The British and Canadians own quite similar gothic-style towers, originating from Europe with a large clock at the top of the tower. Both of these buildings have become iconic symbols of the very area in which they are located.

Ruins of a former children’s play area in Chernobyl. A dust-covered nuclear power plant, nestled among rubble piles and abandoned buildings is not a reminder of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage. But the Ukrainian government has ambitions to win this title for the Chernobyl plant. If successful, Chernobyl will join the ranks of the most iconic monuments to human culture and civilization, such as the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, the great pillars of Stonehenge, the Forbidden City of Beijing and the high-rise Easter Island in Rapa Nui. According to the UNESCO website, in order to be considered for inclusion on the World Heritage List, a site “must have outstanding universal value” and ensures at least one quality that matches the agency’s selection criteria. this. Some of the locations on the list represent spectacular and unique examples of natural grandeur, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks in the United States; Halong Bay of Vietnam; Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Pristine Białowieża Forest between Russia and Belarus. Other locations, China’s Great Wall, Mexico’s Chichén Itzá ruins and the city of Venice, Italy, have earned a spot on the list for their importance in human history as well as its rare beauty. them. The sites on the list have certain legal protection and may receive financial support from the World Heritage Fund to help conserve it, according to UNESCO. In order for a site to be eligible for UNESCO listing, it must first be added to the list of historical and cultural heritage in its country of origin. According to the Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko: “We believe that the inclusion of Chernobyl on the UNESCO heritage list is the first and important step towards making this wonderful place a featured tourist destination for all mankind. care. The importance of the Chernobyl region goes far beyond Ukraine’s borders. It is not only about memories, but also about history and human rights ”. In fact, the tourism industry has been booming in the forbidden zone. One of the cities in the region – Pripyat, home to about 49,000 people in 1986 – is today an apocalyptic ghost town; The homes, schools and hospitals are uninhabited and are home to plants and wildlife. The forbidden zone was first opened to visitors in 2010, and Pripyat’s bizarre, overgrown buildings quickly became a popular destination for photographers and travel enthusiasts. disaster site. But the Chernobyl tourism industry really took off after the success of the 2019 thriller series on HBO, “Chernobyl”. Guides in Ukraine reported tour bookings in 2019 were up 30% from the previous year. About 124,000 tourists visited Chernobyl last year and about 100,000 of them came from outside Ukraine. Scientists are also monitoring Chernobyl to track how wildlife in the forbidden area adapts to levels of radiation exposure making the area unsafe for humans – and some findings They are surprisingly positive. For example, recent surveys show that gray wolves (Canis lupus) are thriving near Chernobyl, partly because they have many prey and many territories that have not yet been affected by humans. And a rare Asian wild horse known as the Przewalski (Equus ferus przewalskii) is also thriving in the restricted area.