Calakmul
One of the largest cities of ancient Maya with remnants of nearly 7000 structures still existing. Largest building – 55 m high pyramid. 117 steles and numerous other important monuments of history and art.
Bonampak
Remnants of an ancient Maya city built sometime around 580 – 800 AD. Contains numerous valuable murals of high artistic value.
Tres Zapotes
Important center of the ancient Olmec culture, founded around 1000 BC and flourished in 900 – 800 BC. Here have been found such unique monuments of Olmec art as two colossal heads, monuments of some of the earliest writing system and the earliest calendar in the Western Hemisphere.
La Venta
Impressive achievement of ancient urban planning, art, and architecture, one of the important centers of the ancient Olmec culture. Inhabited since 1200 BC and turned into an important center 900 – 400 BC. The complex of clay buildings extends for some 20 km, includes 33 m tall pyramid. Renowned monuments of ancient art – four colossal sculptures of heads.
San Lorenzo
The largest city in Mesoamerica in 1200 – 900 BC, a major center of Olmec culture. Important ceremonial center with extensive, elevated central part that has a sophisticated drainage system.
Mỹ Sơn
Ruins of a group of more than 70 Hindu temples. These temples were built in the times of the Champa Empire between the 4th and 14th century AD. This site serves as a kind of religious capital of Champa. Most of the heritage was destroyed by US bombing during the Vietnam War. Buildings in this temple city were very ornate and ruins provide rich knowledge about the art and architecture in Champa Empire.
Mahabalipuram
Group of the 7th – 9th-century Hindu temples. Most structures were cut in live rock. Numerous unique architectural and artistic achievements witnessing the highly successful search for original Pallava style in arts. Very interesting are Pancha Rathas – a group of five monolithic, very ornate shrines and Descent of the Ganges – giant, beautiful relief in the open air. Part of the monuments now is located below sea level.
Hisarya walled Roman town
The best preserved Roman city walls in Bulgaria, some 2.3 km long. Hisarya was founded in prehistoric times and flourished in Roman times as a resort thanks to mineral springs. Site contains ruins of many public buildings including a small amphitheater and some ancient churches.
Masada
Dramatic fortress/ refuge on top of table mountain, constructed in 37 – 31 BC, taken by Romans simultaneously with the mass suicide of 960 defenders in 73 AD. Here are located remnants of one of the world’s oldest synagogues.
Petra
The ancient capital city of Nabateans was established around the 6th century BC at the site of an ancient sanctuary. Contains some of the most beautiful and intricate rock-cut architecture in the world, available after walking through some 1.2 km long, narrow gorge.
