Top 10 Amazing Ancient Megastructures

Photo of author

Updated On

7. Alhambra, Spain

[youtube id=”JbvQfLlrxzQ” width=”600″ height=”340″ position=”left”]

Qal’at al-Hambra is a 9th century AD fortress complex in Granada built by Nasrid Dynasty. A royal palace was added by Mohammed I during 13th century. The major constructions including Alcazaba, Patio of the Lions, Justice Gate, Public Baths, Comares Room and Hall of the Boast were followed by Yusuf I and Mohammed V. As the Muslim state was taken over by Christian rulers during 16th century, the mosque was replaced by church. Alhambra became military headquarters during Napoleonic times, and then fell into disorder. The palace complex was revisited in 1828 by architect Jose Contreras, and was later added in UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1984.

There is an interesting story about Alhambra that while Napoleon ordered to destroy the whole palace complex in 1812, a crippled French warrior saved Alhambra by neutralizing the explosives. The fortifications of Alhambra are all covered with purely geometrical patterns, but the design of the complex has contrast within itself, surrounded by palisades in an asymmetrical outline. The palace sits in a hilltop with premeditated axis along River Darro. Alhambra has 23 defensive towers and Abbasid-inspired architectural components inimitably united with mosque architecture of Peninsula. The whitewashed Alhambra buildings are seen roseate today, which derived the name ‘The Red Fortress’ to the palace complex. Alhambra is one of the great works of Arabic architecture, specific of its outlandish and classy style.

6. Ajanta Caves, India

[youtube id=”Ipbt35dh3kQ” width=”600″ height=”340″ position=”left”]

Ajanta Caves is a group of the first Hinayana Buddhist cave monuments built around 2nd century BCE. The rock-cut architecture of Ajanta Caves has exemplary works of valuable arts and sculpture from famous Indian Gupta Empire. The monastery was accidently discovered by a British Army Officer, John Smith, in 1819, during a hunting expedition. After a group of 30 Buddhist chaityas and viharas was found again, Ajanta Caves was inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1983.

Around 200 BC, 29 caves were excavated in horse shoe shaped rock surface; out of which five are chaityas and remaining 24 are monasteries. The chaitya halls and monastery interior are finely carved out with primary tools including chisels and hammers. Ajanta Caves oversees the path bending Waghora stream from a height of about 76 m. The stairs joining the caves to the stream are in ruins. Beside the architectural details of Hinayana Buddhist style, the religious paintings in the walls and ceilings of the chaityas and viharas are of universal artistic value. The colorful paintings in different hues with glued binder depict the life events of Lord Buddha as Siddhartha Gautama to previous incarnations, all inspired by the popular Jataka stories. The elaborate paintings have been dated back to 5th -6th century AD. The pre-Christian Ajanta Caves are acclaimed as the remarkable work of Indian art and architecture.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

[youtube id=”dacbcONktmY” width=”600″ height=”340″ position=”left”]

Machu Picchu is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, a 7,970 ft. tower city sitting above the Urabamba Valley in Peru. The Machu Picchu city is believed to be built by the Incas around 1450. The ‘Lost city’ was known to the outer world in 1911 only, when an American archaeologist and historian Hiram Bingham discovered the Machu Picchu city. Beside, some archaeologists say that it wasn’t the lost city, but was a ‘hidden capital’ where Incas escaped after the Spanish conquest. The historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Every year, a marathon is organized along the Inca Trail of Machu Picchu site.

Machu Picchu has impeccably a culturally rich and intact site. The classical Inca-style architecture of Machu Picchu is blended with elegant lithic structures. The most significant structures of Machu Picchu are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. The site has a precarious but great landscape consisting of agricultural, urban, religious and cultural complexity, accentuating the quintessence of the Inca civilization. Archaeologists revealed a ruin of pottery at the Temple of the Three Windows and irrigation canals around the terraced site, explaining the technological advancement of Incan Empire. Also, there is still an uncovered mystery regarding the Intihuatana stone that if it was a sundial or might have been used for astronomical observations. Several facts about the Machu Picchu site is yet to be discovered, and there is a dispute between Yale University and the Government of Peru regarding the removal of artifacts from Machu Picchu site after its discovery by Prof. Bingham of Yale.

Spread the love

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.