If places on Earth that look like Mars no longer entice you, how about raising the stakes? Throughout history, countless tales and legends have woven stories of fantastical lands, hidden cities, and mythical creatures. These mythical places have captured our imaginations for centuries, igniting a sense of wonder and adventure.
While many of these places remain shrouded in mystery, a surprising number have been revealed to be real, defying the boundaries between fiction and reality.
In recent years, explorers and archaeologists have made groundbreaking discoveries that have turned mythical places into historical realities. These once-in-a-lifetime finds have challenged our understanding of the world and revealed hidden treasures thought to be lost forever. With that, here are some mythological places that were discovered to exist!
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9 Places Associated With Ancient Myths And Legends Around The World
Visiting these places is an opportunity to match a physical destination with legends that have survived for centuries and some millennia.
8 Troy, Turkey
Myth: Featured in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, the city of Troy was the site of the Trojan War, considered a mix of legend and history.
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For centuries, scholars and historians debated the existence of this ancient city, questioning whether it was a figment of imagination or a real place in history. In the 19th century, Heinrich Schliemann, a German archaeologist, embarked on a quest to uncover the lost city of Troy.
Guided by ancient texts and archaeological clues, Schliemann conducted extensive excavations in Hisarlik, Turkey. His groundbreaking discoveries revealed the ruins of an ancient city that dated back to the Bronze Age.
Schliemann's findings provided compelling evidence that Troy was a real place, confirming the historical basis of the Trojan War. Troy is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Turkey.
Location:
Ancient City of Troy, Truva altı sokak, 17100 Tevfikiye/Çanakkale Merkez/Çanakkale, Türkiye (Google map link)
Significance Today:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and major archaeological find, showcasing the convergence of myth and reality.
While some restaurants and accommodation are available near the archaeological site, options may be limited. It's advisable to book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
7 Atlantis, Debatable Locations
Myth: Described by Plato as a powerful and advanced civilization that sank into the ocean
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While its existence remains unconfirmed, Atlantis continues to be a subject of intense scholarly and popular interest. Over the years, various theories have been proposed regarding its exact location and whether the lost city of Atlantis has finally been found.
Some scholars believe it may be linked to the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, while others suggest the volcanic island of Santorini as a potential candidate.
Numerous archaeological expeditions have been launched in search of Atlantis, but no definitive evidence has been found so far. Despite the lack of concrete proof, the fascination with Atlantis persists. The legend of this lost city continues to fuel speculation, conspiracy theories, and scientific investigations.
Location:
Debatable locations
Discovery Attempts:
Archaeologists and scholars have proposed various sites, like Santorini, Crete, or the Azores.
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6 El Dorado, Lake Guatavita, Colombia
Myth: A city of gold hidden in the jungles of South America, sought after by Spanish conquistadors
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In the 16th century, European explorers ventured into the jungles of South America in search of El Dorado. Their pursuit led them to Lake Guatavita, a sacred site to the Muisca indigenous people. According to local legends, the Muisca chieftains would cover themselves in gold dust and plunge into the lake as a ritual to appease the gods.
This practice may have inspired the myth of El Dorado. While no city of gold was ever found, Lake Guatavita has proven to be a treasure trove of archaeological artifacts. Excavations have uncovered gold ornaments, emeralds, and other valuable objects, providing evidence of the Muisca civilization's wealth and sophistication.
Location:
Sesquilé, Cundinamarca, Colombia (Google map link)
Significance Today:
Though not a literal city of gold, the myth of El Dorado remains a powerful symbol of lost riches.
5 The Lost City Of Z, Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Myth: Rumors of a sophisticated city hidden in the Amazon captivated explorers
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In the early 20th century, British explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett became obsessed with finding the lost city of Z. His disappearance in the Amazon jungle fueled the mystery surrounding the lost city.
Satellite imagery and recent archaeological research have revealed hidden, human-made structures in the Amazon Rainforest, providing compelling evidence of complex urban systems and advanced societies that once thrived there.
These discoveries have challenged the long-held belief that the Amazon was a pristine wilderness untouched by human civilization. The discovery of Z would be a major archaeological breakthrough, bridging the gap between myth and history and revealing the Amazon's hidden secrets.
Location:
Codajás, State of Amazonas, 69450-000, Brazil (Google map link)
Significance Today:
Advances in archaeology continue to reveal forgotten Amazonian civilizations, bridging myth with history.
4 The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon, Iraq
Myth: Described as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this massive garden was supposedly built by King Nebuchadnezzar
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According to ancient historians, these gardens were a magnificent feat of engineering built by King Nebuchadnezzar II to please his wife, Amytis, who missed the lush greenery of her homeland.
No definitive archaeological evidence has been found to confirm the existence of the Hanging Gardens in their exact form as described in ancient texts.
That said, excavations in the ruins of Babylon have uncovered structures that could have supported such a massive garden. Some scholars believe the gardens may have been located on a series of terraces rather than the towering structure often depicted in illustrations. However, there is no clear evidence of how the Hanging Gardens would look if they existed today.
Location:
GCVC+J54, Mahawil, Babylon Governorate, Iraq (Google map link)
Significance Today:
It remains a symbol of ancient ingenuity, though its exact location is debated.
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3 Camelot, Tintagel, England
Myth: The legendary castle of King Arthur, often associated with the Knights, the Holy Grail, and medieval chivalry
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The legendary castle of Camelot, associated with King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holy Grail, has captivated imaginations for centuries.
While the exact location of Camelot has been debated for centuries, Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England, has emerged as a leading contender. Archaeological excavations at Tintagel Castle in the 20th century uncovered significant evidence linking the site to Arthurian legend.
The remains of a royal palace, fortifications, and artifacts suggest that Tintagel may have been important during the Dark Ages.
Location:
Camelot Castle, Tintagel PL34 0DQ, United Kingdom (Google map link)
Significance Today:
The site is a major tourist attraction and continues to fuel interest in Arthurian legend.
The castle is located in a remote area; therefore, amenities may be limited. A few restaurants and shops are nearby, but it's advisable to bring your own food and water.
2 The Lost City Of Dwarka, India
Myth: According to Hindu epics, Dwarka was the city where Lord Krishna lived and ruled
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For centuries, this city's existence remained shrouded in myth and legend. However, in the 1980s, a groundbreaking discovery challenged the boundaries between myth and reality.
A joint exploration by the National Institute of Oceanography led to the discovery of submerged ruins off the coast of Gujarat, India's westernmost state. These ruins, believed to be remnants of the ancient city of Dwarka, match the descriptions found in ancient Hindu texts.
The discovery of Dwarka provided compelling evidence for the existence of this once-mythical city. It confirmed elements of ancient Hindu mythology and shed light on the lives of Lord Krishna and his followers.
Location:
Gujarat (Google map link)
Significance Today:
Considered one of India's most important archaeological finds, it confirms elements of ancient Hindu mythology.
The submerged ruins of Dwarka are not accessible to the public. Visitors can only view the site from a distance or take a boat tour.
1 Ubar, the Lost City Of The Desert, Oman
Myth: Referred to in The Arabian Nights, Ubar was known as the "Atlantis of the Sands" and a thriving trading hub
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Ubar's existence remained in mystery for centuries, with tales of its opulence and prosperity circulating throughout the region. In the 1990s, a breakthrough occurred when satellite imagery revealed ancient caravan routes leading to a potential archaeological site in Oman's Empty Quarter desert.
Ground excavations soon followed, and the lost city of Ubar was finally unearthed. The discovery of Ubar shed light on the ancient trade routes via caravans, that connected the Arabian Peninsula to other parts of the world and provided valuable insights into the region's history and culture.
Location:
7J3X+XFM, Governorate, Ubar, Oman (Google map link)
Significance Today:
An important archaeological site that links Arabian trade history to its mythological past.
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The discovery of legendary places like Troy, Atlantis, El Dorado, and others has blurred the line between myth and reality. Once shrouded in mystery and legend, these ancient civilizations have been brought to life through archaeological evidence.
The significance of these discoveries lies not only in the historical context they provide but also in how they bridge the gap between myth and reality. As technology advances, there is no doubt that more mythical places will be discovered.