In the past millennia of European history, many great civilizations have constructed cities filled with temples, theaters, palaces, and other structures of striking beauty. Unfortunately, most ancient buildings eventually fell victim to invasion or earthquake. A handful of ancient treasures, however, have been handed down to us. Obviously, cities like Rome and Athens abound in famous ruins, but this article details a number of incredible sites that are not as heavily publicized or popular with tourists.
Efes, Turkey
Most ancient cities like Rome were plundered over the years because they were thriving commercial centers filled with wealth and finery. It makes sense, then, that the best preserved settlements are those that were, like Pompeii, forgotten. The ancient city of Ephesus was not obliterated by a volcano. Rather, the harbor on which the city depended silted over, and the landlocked inhabitants simply abandoned their city. Today, Efes is one of Turkey’s great archaeological treasures. Efes is home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While the temple is unrecognizable today, the façade of the Roman-era Library of Celsus is very much intact, as is the amphitheatre. The rest of Efes is an interesting combination of ruined temples, bathhouses, stone streets, and other decorative rubble. Most of the best artifacts can be found at the archaeology museum in nearby Selçuk. If you’re hungry, try fire-roasted gozleme, a flat pastry made with cheese, potatoes, or spinach, at the tent restaurants between Selçuk and Efes.
Segesta
On the north coast of Sicily, halfway between Palermo and Trapani, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Segesta. The city was founded by the Elymians, an indigenous people of Sicily that became Hellenized in their later history. Segesta, in its later history, was locked in violent competition with its neighbor to the south, Selinunte. Segesta allied itself with Athens and later Carthage in this ongoing feud, leading both powers to invade Sicily. The ruins of Segesta today are mainly comprised of an amphitheatre and a temple. The temple of Segesta sits on a grassy hill overlooking the surrounding hills and the sea and was built around 430 BC. Doric in composition, the temple is incredibly well-preserved. Some archaeologists believe the construction of the temple to have been a diplomatic move to lure Greek support. The temple was also never finished, as its columns are not fluted and are still propped on the blocks used to put them in place.
Trajan’s Theater
The Bulgarian city of Plovdiv is the country’s main cultural capital. The city intersperses ancient ruins with handsome 19th-century architecture. As the capital of Ancient Thrace, Plovdiv traces its origins as far back as 4000 BC. Of all of Plovdiv’s ruins, the best preserved and most famous is Trajan’s theater. Part of Trajan’s empire-wide building campaign during the period of Rome’s greatest influence, the amphitheatre was only uncovered during the 1970s after a landslide. Today, the structure is so well-preserved that it is used to host musical and dramatic performances. Spectators on the ancient seats have a fine view of downtown and the Rhodope Mountains in the background.
Asklepion
Kos Island is one of the outermost Greek islands in the Aegean, located only a few miles offshore from the Turkish city of Bodrum. The ruins of the Asklepion, located only 3 km from the harbor, have a commanding view of the Aegean and neighboring Anatolia. The temple is named in honor of Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, and was once the home of Hippocrates, the famous ancient physician. To the Greeks, the site was a combination medical school and wellness center. Today, its idyllic setting among pine trees and wildflowers, its bracing sea air, and its near total seclusion make it a great place to get a sense of the splendor of the ancient Greek world.
Visegrad
Located on a sharp bend of the Danube in northern Hungary, Visegrad was one of the great fortress towns of the medieval and ancient world. The Romans used the promontory as part of their border defenses along the Danube. During the medieval period, Hungarian kings built castles to face down Mongol and Turkish invasions. Today, the fortifications are comprised of an upper and lower castle. The lower castle has been restored and contains a museum. You can easily reach Visegrad by river boat from Budapest. Nagyvillam Restaurant has a commanding view of the surrounding countryside and serves a wide ranging menu that includes several game meats.
St. Hilarion Castle
Situated at atop the highest point in Northern Cyprus and accessed only by a mountain road that passes through an army base, St. Hilarion is one of the great crusader castles left in the Mediterranean. The mountain citadel towers 732 meters above the surrounding countryside and is the only place in the world where you can find some species of wildflowers. The mountain originally housed a monastery that was later fortified by the Byzantines. After Richard the Lionhearted conquered the island and sold it to the Lusignans, St. Hilarion served as a medieval fortress and royal residence. From the parking area, the castle is reached by a long series of treacherous walkways and staircases that pass through the military barracks culminate in the royal apartments. The royal residences are actually built around a courtyard of natural stone boulders.
Works Cited:
Darke, Diana. “Guide to North Cyprus.” Bradt Publications, 1993.
Hellander, Paul (Editor). “Lonely Planet: Greece.” Lonely Planet Publications, 2008.
Maric, Vesna (Editor). “Lonely Planet: Sicily.” Lonely Planet Publications, 2008.
Trefler, Caroline (Editor). “Fodor’s Turkey Travel Guide.” Random House, 2009