Fascinating Structures
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:45 pmI am rarely amazed by modern architecture, though there are exceptions, but I cannot imagine anything to be constructed that would, for me, compare to the significance of certain already existing structures.
There are a few locations that hold a very special meaning for me, in most of these cases I don't even know why exactly. I do plan to find out within my lifetime, so I definitely will, but for now I wanted to share them with you.
If there is any spot on Earth, any structure built by humans, that has a special significance for you personally, I invite you share it here as well. With, or without the background story. That's up to you!
My 3 Top Spots
1. Karnak, Egypt
The Karnak Temple Complex - usually called Karnak - comprises a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amen and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II (ca. 1391–1351 BC). An ancient sacred lake is part of the site as well. It is located near Luxor, some 500 km south of Cairo, in Egypt. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes.
2. Petra, Jordan
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage."
3. Various temples, Cambodia
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) and Angkor Thom are a couple of the many temples I would like to visit when in Cambodia.
There are a few locations that hold a very special meaning for me, in most of these cases I don't even know why exactly. I do plan to find out within my lifetime, so I definitely will, but for now I wanted to share them with you.
If there is any spot on Earth, any structure built by humans, that has a special significance for you personally, I invite you share it here as well. With, or without the background story. That's up to you!
My 3 Top Spots
1. Karnak, Egypt
The Karnak Temple Complex - usually called Karnak - comprises a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amen and a massive structure begun by Pharaoh Ramses II (ca. 1391–1351 BC). An ancient sacred lake is part of the site as well. It is located near Luxor, some 500 km south of Cairo, in Egypt. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes.
- karnak1.jpg (97.14 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- karnak2.jpg (90.03 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- karnak3.jpg (32.15 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
2. Petra, Jordan
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage."
- petra1.jpg (107.5 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- petra2.jpg (86.58 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- petra3.jpg (111.67 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
3. Various temples, Cambodia
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) and Angkor Thom are a couple of the many temples I would like to visit when in Cambodia.
- cambodia1.jpg (109.38 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- cambodia2.jpg (105.05 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- cambodia3.jpg (110.84 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
- cambodia4.jpg (126.71 KiB) Viewed 9113 times
