There are countless lost cities around the world, hidden by time and nature. These are places that were once thriving metropolises, home to people who lived and loved and laughed and died. And now, all that remains are ruins. While some of these lost cities have been rediscovered and are now tourist destinations, many more remain hidden, waiting to be found. In this blog post, we will explore 10 lost cities that have been forgotten by time. From ancient civilizations to more recent settlements, these places have stories to tell. And who knows? Maybe one day they will be found again.
Pompeii, Italy
Pompeii is one of the most famous and well-preserved ancient Roman cities. This city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which also preserved many of the buildings and artworks. Visitors to Pompeii can see the remains of houses, temples, public baths, and even some of the bodies of the people who died in the eruption.
Dwarka, India
Dwarka is an ancient city that is believed to have been founded by Krishna. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Gujarat. Today, it is a small town located in the state of Gujarat, India.
Dwarka is known for its temples and religious significance. The most famous temple in Dwarka is the Dwarkadhish Temple, which was built in the 12th century and is dedicated to Krishna. Other notable temples include the Nageshwar Temple, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva, and the Gomateshwar Mahadev Temple, which is a Hindu pilgrimage site.
Today, Dwarka is a popular tourist destination for both Indian and foreign tourists. The town has a number of hotels and resorts to accommodate visitors. There are also a number of shops and restaurants available in Dwarka.
Herculaneum, Italy
Herculaneum, Italy is a city that was lost to time. It was rediscovered in the 1800s, but much of it is still buried under the ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Herculaneum was a wealthy city, and its ruins reflect that. The houses and public buildings are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The city has been painstakingly excavated, and there is much to see for tourists who visit.
Leptis Magna, Libya
The city of Leptis Magna was once a thriving Roman metropolis, located in present-day Libya. At its peak, the city was home to over 200,000 people and was an important center of trade and culture. However, Leptis Magna began to decline in the 4th century AD, culminating in its abandonment by the end of the 7th century.
Today, the ruins of Leptis Magna are a popular tourist destination, providing insights into this once great city. The most impressive remains include the Severan Basilica, a large public bath complex, and the Forum Fulvii, which was lined with shops and temples. Excavations at Leptis Magna have also uncovered a wealth of Roman artifacts, including coins, pottery, and statues.
Carthage, Tunisia
Carthage was a major city in ancient Tunisia. It was founded in the 9th century BCE by settlers from the Phoenician city of Tyre. Carthage became a powerful empire in the Mediterranean, rivaling the Roman Republic. The two empires fought three major wars, known as the Punic Wars, which were some of the largest and most brutal conflicts in antiquity. In 146 BCE, after the third and final war, Carthage was destroyed by Rome and its people were sold into slavery.
Today, the ruins of Carthage are a popular tourist destination. The site includes an impressive array of ruins from different periods of the city's history. Visitors can see the remains of temples, public baths, theatres, and much more. There is also a museum on site with artifacts from Carthage and other nearby archaeological sites.
Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis is a ruined city in Morocco that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 3rd century BC and later became a Roman colony. It flourished during the reign of the Emperor Augustus, but was abandoned in the 5th century AD.
Today, Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco's most popular tourist attractions. The ruins of the city are beautifully preserved and offer visitors a glimpse into the past.
Lothal, India
Lothal is one of the most prominent and well-studied archaeological sites in India. It is located in the Bhal region of Gujarat and was occupied during the Harappan period, circa 2600-1900 BCE. The site is known for its unique layout and features, which include a large central platform mound, a grid-like streetscape, and a series of small chambers built into the platform mound.
Lothal was an important center of trade and commerce due to its strategic location on the Gulf of Cambay. The city was also a hub for craft production, with evidence of pottery, metalworking, and beadmaking being found at the site.
Excavations at Lothal have yielded a wealth of information about the everyday lives of the people who lived there. From the artifacts found at the site, we know that they were skilled artisans and had a rich cultural life.
Despite its importance, Lothal was eventually abandoned and fell into obscurity. It wasn’t rediscovered until 1913 CE when it was brought to light by archaeologist Sir John Marshall. Today, it is recognized as one of the most important archaeological sites in India and is a popular tourist destination.
Baltalimānī, Turkey
Nestled in the mountains of Turkey, Baltalimānī is a lost city that was once home to a thriving community. The city was abandoned centuries ago, and its ruins are now overgrown with vegetation. Despite its remote location, the city has been visited by tourists and scholars alike.
Baltalimānī has a long history, dating back to the Bronze Age. The city was first settled by the Hittites, who built a large fortress there. The city later came under the control of the Persian Empire, and then Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, the city became part of the Seleucid Empire.
The city flourished during this time, and became an important center of trade and culture. However, it was eventually abandoned after being sacked by the Romans in the 1st century AD.
Despite its long history, little is known about Baltalimānī today. However, its ruins offer a glimpse into the past, and provide insight into the lives of its former residents.
Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan
Long before the rise of ancient Egypt, a great civilization existed in the Indus River Valley of what is now Pakistan. This civilization, known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. One of the best-preserved examples of this lost civilization is Mohenjo-daro, which means “Mound of the Dead” in Sanskrit.
Mohenjo-daro was a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization and was likely one of its largest settlements. The city was built around 2600 BCE and had a population of over 35,000 people at its peak. Mohenjo-daro was an organized city with a well-developed infrastructure. The streets were laid out in a grid pattern and were wide enough to accommodate two chariots side by side. The city had a complex system of drains and sewers that carried waste away from homes and businesses.
One of the most impressive features of Mohenjo-daro is its Great Bath, which is thought to have been used for religious ceremonies or for public bathing. The Great Bath is 12 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 2 meters deep. It was built with brick walls and lined with waterproof mortar. The floor of the bath was paved with gypsum plaster and had steps leading down into it from all four sides. A small pool was located at one end of the bath, and there may have also been changing rooms nearby.
Troy, Turkey
Troy was an ancient city located in what is now Turkey. The city rose to prominence during the Bronze Age and was one of the most important trading hubs in the region. Troy was besieged by the Greeks during the Trojan War and was eventually destroyed. The city remained hidden for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1871 by archaeologists.
Today, Troy is a popular tourist destination and visitors can see some of the remains of the ancient city.