By Priyanka Roshan | Oct 16, 2024
Many iconic landmarks have disappeared due to disasters, wars, and human actions. Here are eight historic sites that no longer exist but left a lasting legacy.
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The Great Library of Alexandria, founded in the 3rd century BC, was a major center of knowledge with hundreds of thousands of manuscripts. It was destroyed by fires over time, leading to the loss of its vast collections.
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The Colossus of Rhodes, a bronze statue of the sun god Helios and one of the Seven Wonders, stood at Rhodes’ harbor until an earthquake destroyed it 54 years later, symbolizing ancient Greek engineering.
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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, thought to be one of the Seven Wonders, were said to be terraced gardens built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC. Their existence is debated and likely destroyed long ago.
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Buried under volcanic ash by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii was preserved. Excavations have provided insights into Roman life, though much of the city was destroyed, and many lives were lost in the catastrophe.
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Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This wealthier city was covered in thick volcanic material, preserving many artifacts, but much remains lost and buried.
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The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two massive statues carved into cliffs in Afghanistan, standing for over 1,500 years before being destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, marking a significant loss to global cultural heritage.
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The Temple of Bel in Palmyra, Syria, was a key religious structure dating back to 32 AD. It was destroyed by ISIS in 2015, reflecting a significant loss of Greco-Roman and Middle Eastern architectural heritage.
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Built in 1851 for the Great Exhibition, the Crystal Palace was a Victorian marvel of glass and iron. Relocated to South London, it served as a cultural venue until a fire in 1936 left only remnants.
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