These structures have all hit major milestones—many years ago!
Whether turning 50, 500, or even older, there’s something fascinating about seeing historical sights right in front of you. Touring them lets you travel back in time and imagine a different way of life in how things used to be.
Seeing historic attractions is one of the major benefits of travel—especially outside of our relatively “young” country of the USA. While many people know the Colosseum in Rome, which opened way back in 80 B.C.E., there are plenty of lesser-known historical sights out there to see.
So, if you’re looking for immersive history, a trip to any of these attractions can take you way back in time:
Boston: Old State house
Age: More than 300 years
America is a young country compared to most, but there are still some old and interesting historical sights.
Heading to Boston is your best bet, since the Freedom Trail is a can’t-miss attraction that takes you through the history of the Revolutionary War via buildings like Paul Revere’s house and the old taverns where the revolution was planned (over ale). One of the most impressive though is Boston’s Old State House that has survived the Boston Massacre, the Revolutionary War, and the Great Boston Fire.
Puerto Rico: Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Age: More than 470 years
In Puerto Rico, one of the best places to travel in 2022, there are two famous historic forts. The first one, La Fortaleza, has been renovated, is home to the island’s governor, and is worth a visit.
But the second and most impressive, commonly called “El Morro,” was constructed in 1539—just six years after La Fortaleza was completed. This six-level fort juts out into the ocean on the peninsula of Old San Juan and its massive size was intended to scare off anyone attacking by sea. Nowadays, it’s an excellent spot to learn about history, fly a kite, or catch a sunset.
Sweden: Visby Cathedral
Age: More than 790 years
On the island of Gotland in Sweden lies the medieval port city of Visby with a viking history that dates back to 2000 B.C.E.! Located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, Visby became a popular trading ground and today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the best-preserved medieval commercial center.
Not only can you see the city’s 13th Century walls still standing today (talk about “built to last”), but you can also check out the impressive ruins of the first church that was built on the island.
Mexico: Temple of Kukulkan
Age: More than 1,500 years
On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, between Merida and Cozumel, lies the ancient Mayan site of Chichen Itza, previously home to tens of thousands of inhabitants. Today, you can still see the towering Mayan pyramid in the center of the city, built for the Mayan’s feathered snake god Kukulcan.
The Temple of Kukulkan is almost entirely intact, even though it was built by hand around 800 C.E. It’s one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.
Greece: Parthenon
Age: More than 2,460 years
Last but not least, the Parthenon in Athens sits atop a cliff called the Acropolis and is one of the world’s most famous historical sites. Made entirely of marble with towering columns, it was (and still is) the largest building on the Acropolis. Why? It’s dedicated to the god Athena, who was considered the patroness of Athens.
In its long existence, the Parthenon has been used as a treasury, a church, a mosque, and even an ammunition depot—but it has been faithfully restored many times, so you can still see this ancient work of art standing strong today.