Forgotten Treasures: 10 Off-The-Beaten-Path Ruins That Will Leave You Spellbound

There are many forgotten old ruins around the world, some of which are famous and well-known, while others remain obscure. Each of them offers valuable insights into the history and culture of old civilizations and provides a glimpse into how people lived in the past. These ancient gems often have a deep connection to the local people and their traditions, and visitors can learn a lot about the area by exploring them.

In this article, some of the ancient cities, temples, and structures are known to the world, while the rest are less explored. However frequently visited an ancient ruin is, there is always a part of it that remains undiscovered. And the more mysterious they are, the more people are captivated.

10 Ogrodzieniec Castle, Poland

Well ahead of its stunning bird's-eye-view appearance in the Netflix series, The Witcher, Ogrodzieniec Castle has already enthralled thousands of tourists. This medieval ruined castle in the south-central region of Poland was built in the 14th century and was rebuilt many times.

Ogrodzieniec Castle is perched on the highest outcrop (515.5 m above sea level) that has a domineering view over the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. It is part of the so-called Trail of the Eagle's Nests, a hiking trail along a chain of 25 medieval castles between Częstochowa and Kraków. The castles were built to protect the then-capital of Kraków against foreign invaders under the command of King Casimir the Great.

Address: Kosciuszki 66, Podzamcze, Ogrodzieniec
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Mon to Fri); 10:00 - 19:00 (Sat to Sun)
Price: PLN zł 18 to 25

9 The Cathedral Of St. Andrew, Scotland

It may be 865 years old, but the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Fife, Scotland, continues to ensnare tourists from around the world. This ruined cathedral was the center of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland since 1158 but fell into disuse after Catholic mass was outlawed during the 16th-century Scottish Reformation.

Today, the cathedral's St. Rule's Tower in the east serves as a land-and-sea mark, guiding thousands of pilgrims. Towering at 33 meters, it was originally ascended using ladders between wooden floors, but a stone spiral staircase was installed in the 18th century. Beneath this prominent tower built in grey sandstone ashlar is the burial ground for centuries-old bishops.

Address: The Pends, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Opening Hours: See this page for opening times and prices

8 Ellora Caves, India

Travel through time into a foregone era when visiting India's Ellora Caves. This massive rock-cut Hindu temple cave brings to life anew the civilization of ancient India with its impressive sequence of monuments from AD 600 to 1000. Thirty-four monasteries and temples were built side by side into the wall of a basalt cliff to pay homage to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The caves of Ellora stand out as a remarkable artistic accomplishment and a testament to the ingenuity of human creativity. The Kailasa Temple is not only a feat for its rock-cut structure but also for its intricate carvings and sculptures of Hindu deities and epics.

Address: Aurangabad - 431102, Maharashtra, India
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:30
Price: 10 INR for locals; 250 INR for foreigners

7 Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge continues to be a subject of fascination and study for archeologists, historians, and the public. The sheer size and scale of the stones and the monument as a whole give it a sense of grandeur and majesty.

Being built over 4,000 years ago with its purpose still shrouded in mystery adds to the intrigue and mystique of Stonehenge.

Among the many things tourists don't know about Stonehenge is that its location on the Salisbury Plain in southern England is a site of great natural beauty, and the surrounding landscape only adds to the monument's spellbinding quality. Visitors can stroll around the monument perimeter, marvel at the stones, and discover more fascinating information about Stonehenge.

Address: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England
Opening Hours: 09:30 - 17:00
Price: See this page for prices

6 Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus is an ancient Greek and Roman city that can rival any of the best Greek ruins that tourists are more familiar with. It has been remarkably preserved over the centuries, making it an exceptional window into the past. The city was one of the largest and most important cities in the Roman Empire, and its ruins include spectacular structures such as the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Great Theater.

Aside from its architectural wonders and historical significance, Ephesus is also a place of great natural beauty. Visitors can explore the ancient ruins and then take a walk in the nearby countryside, enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. They can feel the energy of the past and also experience the customs and traditions of the present.

Address: Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey
Opening Hours: 08:30 - 18:00
Price: 200 TL

5 Chichen Itza, Mexico

Travelers who are into astronomy and religion must visit Chichen Itza, the most important archeological site located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It represents the achievements and legacy of an ancient civilization and offers a glimpse into the cultural, technological, and spiritual practices of the Maya people.

There are many things that make Chichen Itza spellbinding, including El Castillo, the iconic pyramid that is aligned to the equinoxes, and during these times, the light and shadow create the appearance of a serpent crawling down the staircase; the Observatory or "El Caracol", the circular building used for astronomical observations; and the Cenote Sagrado, a natural sinkhole that was considered a sacred site by the Maya.

Address: Carretera Acceso Za Chichen Itza, Tinum, Yucatán
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00 (Sun to Sat)
Price: 571 MXN for foreigners; $6.99/person for a guided tour

4 Machu Picchu, Peru

The mystery and allure of Machu Picchu can be traced back to its history: it was built in the 15th century and abandoned just over a century later, with no clear explanation. The site was not discovered by the outside world until 1911. Situated on a mountain ridge in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu's location is nothing short of breathtaking. Visitors can marvel at the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Urubamba River valley.

The ingenious techniques used by Inca builders to construct the site, including precise stone masonry and a system of terraces for agriculture, are incredible. Machu Picchu's beauty, history, and mystery are what attract visitors from all over the world.

Address: Cuzco, Peru
Opening Hours: 06:00 - 18:00
Price: See this page for prices and other booking info

Check out these ten things travelers need to know before hiking the Machu Picchu Inca Trail.

3 Easter Island, Chile

The combination of monolithic statues, an isolated island with rich natural beauty, and fascinating culture and history create a bewitching destination like Easter Island. Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a remote island located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. How the Rapa Nui people were able to transport and erect these massive statues is still a mystery among archeologists.

Located more than 2,000 miles (3,500 km) off the coast of Chile, this island is famous for its monumental statues, called Moai, which were carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500 AD. The statues are made of volcanic rock, some standing as high as 33 feet (10 meters). Easter Island's rugged coastlines, lush valleys, and volcanic craters make every visit truly enchanting.

Address: Easter Island, Valparaiso Region, Chile
See this page for info about the requirements to travel to Easter Island

2 Cappadocia, Turkey

To many travelers, the Cappadocia region of Turkey is the best location in the world for hot air ballooning. Why Cappadocia? It is because the exceptional natural wonders of Cappadocia are more impressive when viewed from the air. The region's "fairy chimneys" (rock formations) and stunning landscapes are a wonder to behold.

Thousands of years ago, the rocks near Göreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and tower-like forms. The villagers then carved out houses, churches, and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits. Göreme became a monastic center in 300– 1200 AD. Travelers must not miss the underground cities and the historic mansions and cave houses at the heart of Cappadocia.

Address: Central Anatolia, Turkey
Tours: See the Trip Advisor page for info on Cappadocia Tours

March-May and September-November are the best times to visit Cappadocia. It isn’t peak season, and the weather is moderate.

1 Petra, Jordan

To say that Petra is enthralling is an understatement. Petra, also known as the Rose City, was carved directly into the red sandstone cliffs, creating a series of stunning rock-cut tombs, temples, and other structures. These are the remains of a lost civilization found by western explorers in the early 1800s.

Today, Petra is one of the world's most famous archeological sites, but many mysteries of the city remain. It might seem like a city of tombs, except that archeologists still don't know who was buried in each tomb. It has been said that only five percent of Petra has been uncovered. What is known today is that the Nabataeans who built the city more than 2,000 years ago have extraordinary skills and creativity.