I am living in Japan right now, and I think the number 1 and 2 ruins/really old place that I REALLY want to go see in no particular order for me is
1. Great wall of China
2. Angkor Watt

I also really want to go to Central America to see the old Mayan ruins. Oh that would be splendid…….

I haven’t seen any of the ruins listed, although I had the chance to see Stonhenge twice and opted out. It was at the end of both trips and I really didn’t feel like doing anymore train travel, so I stayed in London.

But, i’m off to Asia on my next big trip, so The great wall is on the top of my list. But some day i’d also like to get to see the Pyramids in Egypt.

Everyone always rave about Stonehenge, but my I prefered Avesbury, there was more to see, you could touch them, and it was off the beaten track, that’s why many people don’t go there.

What do you guys like about the ruins you mentioned? What makes them stand out more than others you’ve seen? This is definitely a good topic. I think you guys should elaborate though.

My experience when it comes to ruins is mostly limited to Greece, Italy, and France. I have to say, that the larger the ancient/medieval site, the better, for me, because you feel more engulfed into the ancient experience. Even if there’s lots of people. If the monument/site is large enough to overpower the crowds, then the experience is a good one. Such sites I’ve been to are the:

Acropolis/Agora/Roman Forum complex in Athens
Temple of Olympian Zeus also in Athens
Olympia
Roman Forum/Colliseum grounds in Rome
Arenas and aqueduct of Nîmes and Arles
The medieval castle walls of Carcassonne
The medieval castles in the Cathares region (France)
The medieval castle walls of Methóni in Greece’s Peloponnese region

And others!

Jennifer&Chester, do feel that the crowds detract from the experience at Stonehenge?

I liked the ruins of the Roman forum in Brescia, Itlay, but also:
– the Roman arena in Verona;
– ruins of Rupea Stronghold, Romania;
– ruins of[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/mountain/trip18%20Cycling%20Transylvania%20Highlights.php’]Feldioara[/url], also in Transylvania, Romania
– ruins of Rasnov Fortress, [url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/Transylvania.php’ title=‘Medieval Castles in Romania’] South – Eastern Transylvania [/url]

There is one near Lyon, Frnace, that I liked, but I cannot remember it’s name now

All best,
Radu

there is a roman ampitheatre in Lyon, if thats what you are talking about. Pretty cool actually, you are free to climb all over it and there are a bunch of hidden passageways through the whole thing. I found it to be very interesting, and it is in pretty good shape too.

Great topic! My reasons for why I love ruins will have to come later, but for now, here’s the list…

1- Ruins of the Fortress of St. John – Kotor, Montenegro [url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/europe2/montenegro/kotor10.html’]picture[/url])
2- Ruins of Poienari Castle (Dracula’s castle) – Poienari, Romania ([url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/europe/romania/castlerun/072.jpg’]picture[/url])
3- Ruins of Machu Picchu – Peru ([url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/boftheb3/46.html’]picture[/url])
4- Ruins above Perast, Montenegro ([url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/europe/yugoslavia/perast07.jpg’]picture[/url])

LTB asks a good question. Machu Picchu and Tikal are leagues above all of the others on my list largely because of their spectacular settings—MP on a hilly slice of land in the Andes, with taller peaks surrounding the ruins, and Tikal in the middle of dense jungle, with exotic birds and monkeys in the treetops above.

Favorite so far:
– chichen itza
– el badi palace
– rome
– chichen itza

Want to see:
– great wall
– angkor wat
– carthage
– pompeii/herculaneum
– volubis
– israel/jordan (e.g., petra)

Kahunna,

I really think your pics are neat. Just having your feet and legs in the pic makes it look so much neater than just your typical scenic pic. Makes it seem like you actually took time to see the sites rather than just snap a pic and leave. Great idea!

Thanks, Nivid!

It all started with[url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/europe/yugoslavia/kotor04.jpg’]this shot[/url], which won me a pair of US$60 sandals from Teva in 2002 (the contest was for the best Teva tan line photo). My friends think I’m a foot fetishist because when they look at these photos, they just see a pair of big hairy feet on vacation. But when I look at it, I see myself back at the spot, laying down, and enjoying the scenery. Try it! It’s more fun than taking a self-portrait by holding a camera at arm’s length.

Here are two more – [url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/europe2/montenegro/budva04.html’]here[/url] & [url=‘http://www.kahunna.net/boftheb3/74.html’]here[/url]

Ok… sorry for hijacking the thread..

Spssyky Hrad in Slovakia has a simplicty and a beauty that puts so many ruins to shame.

Same with Dun Angeus on Inishmoor in Ireland.

So much wonderful nature, plus at the place in Ireland, you can look at the hole in the ocean from there.

quote:
there is a roman ampitheatre in Lyon, if thats what you are talking about. Pretty cool actually, you are free to climb all over it and there are a bunch of hidden passageways through the whole thing. I found it to be very interesting, and it is in pretty good shape too.

I was not talking about that one, but…yes, you’re right…I forgot about that one in Lyon. I went there a few times just to stay and read a book, etc. Thanks for reminding me about that one.
all best,
Radu[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com’ title=‘Hiking tours in Romanian Mountains’]Romanian Mountains[/url]

Skillet, I know nothing must compare to Machu Pichu, but have you been to Palenque in Chiapas and Monte Alban in Oaxaca?

Monte Alban was great. I was surprised by how big the site was…and a nice bonus is that, unlike Teotihuacan, you’re not hounded by souvenir hawkers every ten feet.

I don’t know Palenque but I imagine it to be similar to Tikal in terms of the setting. It’s on the wish list….

quote: Thanks, Nivid!

It all started with this shot, which won me a pair of US$60 sandals from Teva in 2002 (the contest was for the best Teva tan line photo). My friends think I’m a foot fetishist because when they look at these photos, they just see a pair of big hairy feet on vacation. But when I look at it, I see myself back at the spot, laying down, and enjoying the scenery. Try it! It’s more fun than taking a self-portrait by holding a camera at arm’s length.

Here are two more – here & here

Ok… sorry for hijacking the thread..

Thats a good idea for a contest. Quite the tan line you had. haha. Those were also some great pics.

Here are few of my pictures:[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/images/Transylvania_800/Otis%20in%20Rasnov%20Fortress.jpg’]Rasnov Citadel[/url],
[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/images/Transylvania_800/Todd%20shooting.jpg’]Rasnov Fortress[/url] again.
and one more from[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/images/Transylvania_800/Rasnov%20defending%20tower.jpg’ title=‘Medieval Citadel in Southern Transylvania’]Rasnov stronghold[/url]
A little bit of history: Build in XIV-th century (first attested in 1335) by the teuton knights Rasnov Citadel is now passing a period of restaurations. In 2006 I estimate all works will be finished, so one will enjoy the full beauty of the citadel.
However many does not agree with the theory with the Teutons as the they where offensive, while the citadel is a defending one.

[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com/images/Feldioara%20Fortress.jpg’]Feldioara (Marienburg). [/url] There has been a theory that the fortress was built on the top of a hill by the Teutonic knights who had been present in the Barsa Land between 1211 and 1225, then transformed into peasant fortress in 1457 (today only ruins).

more ?
Radu

hmmm.. i see no one said pompeii was their favourite! LET ME GUESS WHY!
maybe because it’s not maintenanced and there is garbage everywhere?

Sorry to rant, but Pompeii did not meet my expectations. I couldn’t believe that they let people walk around inside those old structures on the original floor tiles and such. School groups were going through and there were pop cans, and chip bags and no garbage bins anywhere. (hence the litter). I also feel bad for anyone who had to go to the washroom, since there were none. I couldn’t help thinking to myself that if these ruines were in North America, there would be plexiglass floors built overtop of the originals and placks telling you what you’re looking at and maps telling you where you’re standing. It would have been well kept .. commercialization is a downfall but this place really needs to be cleaned up.

Favorites:

Ephesus in Turkey
Herculaneum
Lindos (ancient and medieval)on Rhodes
Mesa Verde
Stonehenge

Hi

I like my local roman remains. We have lots of them nearby.

A few photos here :

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-001.htm

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-002.htm

[url][/http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-009.htm[/url]

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/photos/languedoc-photo-004.htm

Peter
http://www.the-langu…

I feel like I haven’t seen enough ruins. I did enjoy Stonehenge and Chichen Itza but other than that…oh wait, Roman Forum and also Acropolis and stuff…hmmm…maybe that’s it.

Get me to the Mediterranean, Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu ASAP