Lost Cities Around the World
From Machu Picchu in Peru to Great Zimbabwe, there are hundreds of cities around the world that were once large and important until they were abandoned for unknown reasons. Some of these cities have become famous tourist sites, while others remain off the beaten path. Here are some particularly beautiful lost cities worth visiting.
Lost cities have always captured the imagination. The knowledge that in this place, now filled with ruins, people once lived, worked, created, and raised families until they decided to leave, sometimes for no clear reason, sparks curiosity and raises many questions. Why did residents leave a place that was often at the height of its prosperity? Where did they go? What happened to them? What happened to the city after it was abandoned and until it was rediscovered in modern times?
Unlike ghost towns, where the reason for abandonment is known, lost cities remain shrouded in mystery, so it is not surprising that they have inspired stories and legends. Some lost cities have never been found and their existence is doubtful, like the lost city of Atlantis, while others were discovered after being hidden for hundreds of years. Despite researchers’ attempts to understand what happened, much remains unknown. Here are some fascinating lost cities that are highly recommended to visit.
Machu Picchu, Peru
One of the most famous lost cities in the world, Machu Picchu was established in the mid-15th century, at the peak of the Inca civilization, in the mountains above the Urubamba Valley. About a century after its construction, with the fall of the Inca Empire due to the Spanish conquest, the city was abandoned. Little is known about the circumstances of the abandonment, but one thing is agreed upon although the conquerors destroyed or took over other Inca cities, and despite its proximity to Cusco, the empire’s capital, the Spanish did not destroy Machu Picchu. Over the years, the city was covered by dense jungle vegetation and only a few knew of its existence.
In 1911, an archaeological expedition led by Hiram Bingham III from Yale University reached Machu Picchu. The expedition was not the first to rediscover the site, but it brought global attention to it. Excavations since then have revealed over 140 buildings, including temples, residences, shrines for sun and rain, a burial estate, and more, all built using the Inca construction method, with stones cut to fit perfectly without gaps. The breathtaking surrounding mountain scenery, as well as its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, contributed to Machu Picchu becoming Peru’s most popular tourist destination.
The Lost City, Colombia
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Colombia, the city is simply called “The Lost City” (Ciudad Perdida). It is estimated to have been founded around 800 AD by the Tayrona people and served as the political and economic center of local villages. The city, which housed a few thousand residents, contained terraces carved into the mountains, paved roads, and small round plazas. It was likely abandoned during the Spanish conquest and forgotten over time. Only in 1972 was it rediscovered by local treasure hunters, who found a series of stone steps on the mountainside, climbed them, and reached the abandoned city surrounded by dense jungle.
Archaeologists later investigated the site starting in 1976, and in 2005 it opened to the public. However, as access requires a three-day trek from either side, it remains largely unvisited, allowing visitors to experience the pristine atmosphere of the site.
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal in Guatemala was also abandoned and covered by jungle. It was one of the largest and most important cities of the Maya kingdom, with a peak population of around 100,000. Early settlers arrived around 600 BCE, but by 300 CE it became a major Maya center. Most important structures were built between 550-850 CE, including temples, pyramids for burials, palaces, and more. In the 10th century, the city was mysteriously abandoned, though some researchers believe it was due to population growth and insufficient natural resources.
The city was gradually overtaken by jungle vegetation. Local legends persisted for years until a formal archaeological expedition in 1848 revealed well-preserved ruins. Although many structures were uncovered, most remain hidden, continuing to fascinate archaeologists today. The surrounding forest, home to monkeys and colorful birds, adds to the cultural experience. Tikal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, the ancient Nabataean city in southern Jordan, was built by the Edomites in the 9th century BCE. In the 3rd century BCE, the Nabataeans took control and made it the capital of their kingdom. The city served as a key trade route for caravans. The Nabataeans carved impressive structures into the red sandstone cliffs, including elaborate tombs, which earned Petra nicknames such as “The Red Rock” or “The Rose City.” The most impressive structure is the Royal Tomb, known as the Urn Tomb.
In 106 CE, Petra was conquered by the Romans, and in 363 it suffered an earthquake. The city was abandoned and disappeared from history until Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. Petra is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the Middle East, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Hattuşaş, Turkey
Turkey has a particularly high concentration of lost cities, including Troy, Ephesus, and Hattuşaş, which was the capital of the Hittite Empire. The Hittites, an Indo-European people, invaded Anatolia in the 20th century BCE. The Hittite Empire peaked between 1680-1180 BCE, becoming one of the most powerful states in the ancient world. After the empire’s fall in the early 12th century BCE, evidence of its power was largely lost, and the Hittites were forgotten.
The rediscovery of Hattuşaş at the end of the 10th century CE excited researchers as it provided evidence of the empire’s past. The city contained strong walls, grand gates, residences, administrative buildings, and temples. Among the finds, the most important was the Boğazköy archive with thousands of clay tablets in cuneiform, including diplomatic correspondence, legal texts, and religious writings. The city was attacked by the Phrygians around 1200 BCE, likely leading to its collapse and abandonment.
Perperikon, Bulgaria
Perperikon, located in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, may not have achieved the fame of Machu Picchu or Petra, but some scholars compare its discovery to that of Troy, and it has been called the “Machu Picchu of the Balkans.” Perperikon was an important city in the Thracian kingdom around 2,500 years ago, known for advanced material and spiritual culture. Human activity in the area dates back to 5000 BCE, but the city reached its peak during the Thracian period, with palaces, temples, and homes.
It is estimated that the city contained a temple of Dionysus, home to one of the most important oracles in the classical world, second only to Delphi. The city remained lost for many years until excavations began in 2000, revealing impressive ruins.
Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
One of the most mysterious lost cities is Great Zimbabwe in south-central Zimbabwe. It was likely built by the Karanga people in the early 11th century and served as the center of a developed civilization until the early 15th century when it was abandoned. Portuguese traders arrived in the mid-15th century, impressed by the granite walls, which reached five meters in height, and the ruins inside. They speculated it was the lost city of the Queen of Sheba.
Later, European travelers incorrectly assumed the city was built by outsiders, but British archaeologists excavating in 1932 confirmed the builders were local, likely the Karanga people. Excavations show the city was a regional power and an important trading center for gold and precious stones. The reasons for abandonment remain unclear, though overuse of resources and resulting famine are common theories.
