Most viewed - Ancient Sites Photo Gallery |
Turkey, Eflatun pinar208 viewsThe name means ‘lilac spring’. If you are travelling between Konya (Iconium) and Yalvaç (Pisidian Antioch) it’s only a short detour to visit this delightfully secluded site near Lake BeyÅŸehir. The stones are the remains of a small Hittite temple or sanctuary, dating from perhaps the 14th or 13th century BCE. Abu Galyon
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Turkey, Termessos - Theatre208 viewsThough Termessos is fairly close to a major tourist resort (Antalya) it’s not over-visited, perhaps because it’s a fairly steep uphill climb to reach the principal monuments from the nearest point where you can park. But the effort is worth it: the setting (inside Güllük DaÄŸi National Park) is spectacular and the ruins at this unrestored site are as romantic a pile of tumble-down stones as anyone could wish for. Abu Galyon
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France, Nimes - The Castellum207 viewsThis is the end point for the aquaduct that crossed the Pont du Gard. From here water was distributed to public fountains, monuments and different areas of the city via lead pipes.vacationchick
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floor207 viewsFishing scene describes the preaching of the Apostles ("Follow me and I will make you fishers of men":Matthew 4,19). The fishes represent the people listening to the good news, the boat is symbol of the church, the net represents the kingdom of heaven ("The kingdom of heaven is like big net that was cast into the sea...": Matthew 13,47).
Post-Theodorian South hall (end of 4th century)
Mosaics were originally part of Theodorian complex destroyed by Attila. Basilica was built on its site in 1031 and mosaics remained untouched under the floor.J. B.
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floor207 viewsPost-Theodorian North hall (middle of the 4th century)J. B.
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - Herod's Pool207 views
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Italy, Pompeii - cemetary205 viewsJ. B.
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Israel, Qumran - Cave 4205 viewsCave 4 was the nearest cave containing documents to the site at Qumran - it’s only about 500 metres away. Most visitors to Qumran take a picture like this one. But mostly they don’t realise that the highly visible cave entrance in their picture is modern, knocked into the side by looters. The ancient entrance to Cave 4 is on the top and well-hidden. Which is perhaps why Cave 4 was found by the local Bedouin, not by Western archaeologists, and why it wasn’t discovered until 1952, over five years after the original manuscript finds of 1946/7. Abu Galyon
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floor205 viewsRam and battle between Cock and Tortoise. The Cock is symbol of the light of a new day, thus representing Christ, the "light of the world". The tortoise, whose Greek name means "dweller of the darkness", is instead of the symbol of Evil.
Post-Theodorian North hall (middle of the 4th century)J. B.
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Jordan, Gadara204 viewsPart of an early Byzantine church complex at Umm Qais in north-west Jordan. Umm Qais is ancient Gadara of the Decapolis (as in the 'Gadarene swine' of Matthew 8:28-34). The city is built from a mixture of white limestone and dark basalt, often mixed together, which gives some of the buildings a curious chess-board look.Abu Galyon
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Greece, Amphipolis: The Lion of Amphipolis204 viewsThe first pieces of this rather grand monument were discovered near the banks of the River Strymon in 1912 by Greek soldiers during the Second Balkan War. Further finds were made in 1916 and in 1930-32 during the creation of Lake Kerkini. The Lion was restored (and partly reconstructed) in 1937.
The sculpted Lion itself is 5.3m tall, on its base it stands over 8m high. It is plausibly dated to the late 4th century BCE. Recent work on the Kasta Tomb, which is about 4km distant, has revealed further fragments also apparently belonging to the Lion and it may be the case that the Lion originally surmounted that tomb and was only later moved to its present location.
Nobody knows what or who the monument commemorates; perhaps ongoing work on the Kasta Tomb will illuminate matters. A quite similar, somewhat smaller, statue, the “The Lion of Chaeronea”, honours the Sacred Band of Thebes, which was wiped out at the battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE. But while several ancient sources (including Pausanias and Strabo) mention the Chaeronea lion and the circumstances of its construction, there is no ancient record of the Amphipolis lion.
Abu Galyon
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Turkey, Hierapolis - necropolis203 viewsJ. B.
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Jordan, Petra - Roman Soldier's Tomb203 viewsIt's popularly called the "Roman Soldier's Tomb" because the central headless figure on the facade is clearly wearing a cuirass. The trouble is that the tomb can't really be dated later than the early years of Rabbel II, i.e. at least 30 years before the Roman annexation in 106 CE. That makes a Roman officer's burial highly questionable. The interior layout is elaborate - a tomb intended for someone of quite high status.Abu Galyon
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Italy, Ostia - mosaique floor203 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolis203 viewsJ. B.
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Israel, Caesearea Maritima Hippodrome - Tsunami Deposit203 viewsThe light coloured, upward fining, middle layer is a tsumai deposit preserved in the this overburden remnant in the excavated hippodrome at Caesarea Maritima.
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Italy, Sicily, Taormina - theatre202 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Forum202 views1999
I think this is ( or near) The Forum - Temple of SaturnRandygeki(h2)
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Italy, Rome, Pantheon202 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Capitoline Museums, Capitoline Venus202 viewsCapitoline museumsJ. B.
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Italy, Ostia - house near forum202 viewsJ. B.
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France, Nimes - Jardins de la Fontaine202 viewsDecorated with vases and statues, the Jardins de la Fontaine count as one of the major public gardens in Europe. They were laid out in the eighteenth century on the site of the ancient spring, an area that includes the Tour Magne and the Temple of Diana.vacationchick
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Greece, Olympia - In the Stadium at Olympia202 viewsThe winner of the 2006 Ride on Mower final crosses the line in the stadium.
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Italy, Aquileia - basilica202 viewsBasilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Saints Hermagora and Fortunatus and was built in the first half of the 11th century by Patriarch Poppo in Romanesque style. Upper parts and roof were built by Markward von Randeck in 14th-15th century in Gothic style.
Mosaics from 4th century were hidden under the floor until 1909.J. B.
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Syria, The Great Colonnade at Apamea202 viewsApamea, on the right bank of the Orontes River, was a treasure city and stud-depot of the Seleucid kings, and was the capital of Apamene. Its site is found about 55 km (34 mi) to the northwest of Hama, Syria, overlooking the Ghab valley.
Previously known as Pharmake, it was fortified and enlarged by Seleucus I Nicator in 300 B.C., who so named it after his Bactrian wife, Apama. The fortress was placed upon a hill; the windings of the Orontes, with the lake and marshes, gave it a peninsular form. Seleucus had his commissariat there, 500 elephants, with 30,000 mares, and 300 stallions. The pretender, Diodotus Tryphon, made Apamea the basis of his operations.
Josephus relates, that Pompey marching south from his winter quarters, probably at or near Antioch, razed the fortress of Apamea in 64 B.C. and the city was annexed to the Roman Republic. In the revolt of Syria under Q. Caecilius Bassus, it held out against Julius Caesar for three years till the arrival of Cassius, 46 B.C.
Located at a strategic crossroads for Eastern commerce, the city flourished to the extent that its population eventually numbered half a million. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. The city boasted one of the largest theaters in the Roman world, and a monumental colonnade.
On the outbreak of the Jewish War, the inhabitants of Apamea spared the Jews who lived in their midst, and would not suffer them to be murdered or led into captivity.
Destroyed by Chosroes I in the 6th century, it was partially rebuilt and known in Arabic as Famia, and destroyed by an earthquake in 1152. In the Crusades it was still a flourishing and important place and was occupied by Tancred.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apamea,_Syria
The ancient city has been damaged as a result of the ongoing civil war in Syria.
Joe Sermarini
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Greece, Olympia - tholos200 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Sicily, Villa Casale - room of the 10 girls in bikinis200 viewsbuilt 301-325 AD
it was centre of huge latifundium but later it was used for holiday in byzantine and arabic times. It was abandoned in twelfth century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Romana_del_CasaleJ. B.
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Lybia, Sabratha - Theatre200 viewsThe theatre of the ancient city of Sabratha (Libya), built during the reign of the Severans, reconstructed by Mussolini. Syltorian
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Italy, Pompeii - Vesuv in the background199 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Pompeii - Forum199 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Ostia - house near forum199 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Ferentium - Roman theatre199 viewsJ. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - theatre198 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Circus Maximus198 views600m x 200m
+- 320000 spectators
last race in 549 ADJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Hermaphrodite198 viewsPalazzo Massimo alle TermeJ. B.
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Israel, The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem198 viewsPhoto by Andrew Shiva.Joe Sermarini
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Greece, Thasos - theatre197 viewsphoto was taken in 2000
now theatre is reconstructed :-(J. B.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Halikarnassos mausoleum lion197 viewsThis is a lion from the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos (now Bodrum Turkey), one of the seven world wonders. Now in the archaeological museum of Istanbul. Behind the lion is a picture of the reconstruction of the building.The building is now nearly completely destroyed.
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Italy, Pompeii - Odeon196 viewsJ. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - main street196 viewsHierapolis was used as spa since Hellenistic times.J. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - theatre196 viewsJ. B.
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Israel, Nazareth - Rolling Stone Tomb196 viewsA really well-preserved example of a Jewish rolling-stone tomb. This one is part of a small necropolis which was found underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth, only a stone’s throw away from the Basilica of the Annunciation. Abu Galyon
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Italy, Ostia - capitol on forum196 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolis196 viewsTomba dei Rilievi
4th century BCJ. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - necropolis195 viewsJ. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - necropolis195 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Colosseum195 viewsJ. B.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Obelisk Thutmosis Hippodrom195 viewsEgypt obelisk (from Thutmosis III temple of Karnak 1471 before christ). now on the Hippodrom place (where in ancient times was a horse race-track) in Instanbul, erected under the reign of Theodosius in the year 390 after christ.
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Italy, Sybaris, Planning assumptions of Sybaris (Lucania)195 viewsPlanning assumptions of Sybaris by Archaeological Museum of Sibaritide (Sibari, Cs, Italy)
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Turkey, Ephesus - street leading from harbour to agora194 viewsJ. B.
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Jordan, Jerash - Oval Plaza194 viewsJerash is ancient Gerasa in Jordan, one of the Decapolis cities. The superb Oval Plaza stands at one end of the Cardo.Abu Galyon
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople)194 viewsHagia Sophia (translated holy wisdom).Erected in the 6th Century (the third church at this place) during the reign of Iustinianus I. It was the main church of the byzantine empire. After the conquering of Constantinople by the osmanic turks in 1453 it became a mosque and then since 1935 a museum.
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Italy, Pompeii - villa of Meneander193 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, Column of Marcus Aurelius193 viewsIt was built in 176 or later after death of Marcus Aurelius to celebrate victory over Marcomani and Quadi and Sarmatians. J. B.
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Italy, Rome, Domitian's stadium on Palatin193 viewsJ. B.
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Greece, Tiryns192 viewsTiryns reached its height between 1400 and 1200 BC.
Tiryns is famous for its cyclopean tunnels and especially its walls.
Walls of Tiryns are first referenced by Homer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TirynsJ. B.
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Italy, Paestum, Temple of Apollo192 viewsFirstly it was thought it's temple of Poseidon, then it's the second temple of Hera and now it's thought it's temple of Apollo. But somewhen temple was used as temple of Poseidon and somewhen as temple of Hera.
Who knows how many times temple will change deity in future.
Temple was built +- 450 BCJ. B.
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Italy, Sicily, Syracuse - temple of Athena192 viewsbuilt in 480 BC
in 7. century AD adapted to basilicaJ. B.
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Turkey, Hierapolis - main street192 viewsHierapolis was used as spa since Hellenistic times.J. B.
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Jordan, Petra - Khasneh192 viewsOK, it’s the photograph every visitor to Petra takes: the first sight of the Kasneh framed by the dark canyon of the Siq. But the view is breathtaking, so who can resist? Abu Galyon
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Italy, Rome, Palace of Domitian192 viewson PalatinJ. B.
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England, Roman Baths, Bath (1)192 viewsThese celebrated Roman Baths were unknown until, in 1880, sewer workers uncovered the first glimpse of Roman structures under the Georgian Spa. This led to the discovery of the Roman Baths and their treasures.
The walls, columns and parapet that surround the Great Bath today were built in the Victorian period, and the "Roman" statues that gaze down upon the pool from the upper walkway are also Victorian.
This photograph was taken in the 19th century not long after the Baths were discovered and before the Victorian structures we see today were built.
*Alex
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Jordan, Petra - 'Little Petra'191 viewsThis is Al-Barid (often called 'Little Petra') which is about 5 km distant from the central parts of Petra which attract all the tourists. By contrast, Little Petra is not often visited, but it's very atmospheric (with its own mini-Siq!) and an excursion here can also take in the nearby and fascinating Neolithic site of Beidha.Abu Galyon
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Italy, Rome, Temple of Venus and Roma191 viewsThis is largest roman temple and it was designed by emperor Hadrian himself. Temple was finished by Antoninus Pius and repaired by Maxentius after fire. In 850 after earthquake pope Leo IV built Santa Maria Nova over ruins. In 1612 after renovation church was renamed to Santa Francesca Romana.J. B.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Yerebatan Saray Cistern191 viewsThe second Gorgo of the Cistern. I saw a third Gorgo in the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul. The original temple, from where the Gorgos were removed is still unknown.
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Slovakia, Gerulata 191 viewsRoman military camp located near today's Rusovce, a borough of Bratislava, Slovakia. It was part of the Roman province Pannonia and built in the 2nd century as a part of the Limes Romanus system. It was abandoned in the 4th century, when Roman legions withdrew from Pannonia.
Today there is a museum, which is part of the Bratislava City Museum.
The most preserved object is a quadrilateral building 30 metres long and 30 metres wide, with 2.4 metre thick walls.Bohemian
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Spain, Talaiot de Torellonet Vell191 viewsPlace: Torellonet Vell, Menorca
Country: Spain
The talaiot is the most significant structure of the prehistorical culture of Minorca and Majorca. Its characteristics are very varied but always bears a similarity with a tower. Although some talaiots have been found with an interior room, generally, the area that is used more frequently would be at the top, which is now mostly in ruins.
Nonetheless, the large talaiot depicted in this photo, Torelló 1, still has a well preserved door-window open to the south. It seems that the construction had diverse buildings embedded around it.
Although the excavation of the superior camera gave Roman chandeliers and ceramics, the remains of a factory of brass foundry was found west of the talaiot (where several molds, a faulty axe and Talaiotic ceramic were located) which seem to date the construction of the monument before the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.
Viriathus
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Italy, Rome, Capitoline Museums, Diana190 viewsCapitoline museumsJ. B.
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Italy, Populonia - mosaic190 viewsThis mosaic was found already in the early 19 th century, it shows many sea animals and a ship wreck.
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Italy, Pompeii - Forum189 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Sicily, Syracuse - Ear of Dionysius189 viewscave in stone quarries, also used as prisons in ancient timesJ. B.
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Italy, Pompeii - Amphitheatre188 viewsJ. B.
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Greece, Thasos - agora188 viewsJ. B.
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Spain, Torre d'en Galmés, Menorca188 viewsPlace: Torre d'en Galmés, Menorca
Country: Spain
Torre d'en Galmés is situated on a small hill that dominates most of the southern part of the island Minorca. On clear days it is possible to see the mountains of neighbouring Majorca. In prehistoric times it would have been possible to observe a large numbers of talaiotic towns from this position which leads to think that Torre d'en Galmés exercised a position of authority.
The Cartailhac Circle, named in honour of the eminent French archaeologist Émile Cartailhac, author of "Primitive Monuments on the Balearic Islands (1892)", was inhabitated between 250-50 BC. Its external wall is made with flagstones placed vertically on a baseboard.
In the interior, we see the remains of a central patio, with numerous fallen architectural elements (mullions, lintels, pilasters...), and three rooms around it.
To each side of the entrance there is a small covered space, with the roof below the superior level of the stones of the external facade, which seems to indicate that, at least above these spaces, there was a floor.
Viriathus
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Italy, Vulci - brick edifice187 viewsremains of Roman thermal complexJ. B.
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Israel, Jerusalem - Kidron Valley (1)186 viewsThis curious structure is known in Arabic as Tantour Faroun (‘Pharaoh’s Hat’). In fact it’s a funerary monument (nefesh) marking the entrance to a substantial catacomb with eight burial chambers cut into the cliff behind. It probably dates from the reign of Herod the Great. In guidebooks it’s sometimes marked as the ‘Tomb of Absalom’, but the legend that this is the tomb of David’s rebellious son is a medieval fantasy. Abu Galyon
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France, Nimes - Jardins de la Fontaine186 viewsDecorated with vases and statues, the Jardins de la Fontaine count as one of the major public gardens in Europe. They were laid out in the eighteenth century on the site of the ancient spring, an area that includes the Tour Magne and the Temple of Diana.vacationchick
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England, Roman Baths, Bath (2)186 viewsThis is a Photochrome print of the Roman Baths, Bath, England taken sometime between 1895 and 1905.
It shows the new Victorian embellishments added to the Baths since their discovery in the 1880's and which, for the most part, are the works that visitors to the site see today.
The familiar green hue of the pool seen by modern visitors is caused by algae, resulting from the water's exposure to the open air. In Roman times the pool was roofed over and its waters, while perhaps not crystal clear, would almost certainly not have been green.
Photochrome prints are coloured images produced from black-and-white photographic negatives via the direct photographic transfer of a negative onto lithographic printing plates.
*Alex
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Italy, Rome, Forum185 viewsruins of The Forum - Temple of Saturn being excavated 1999
We were unable to get close, I think this pic was taken from the sidewalk by hte main road that ran by.Randygeki(h2)
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Italy, Rome, Colosseum185 viewsJ. B.
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Italy, Rome, National Museum of Rome, Suicide of a Gaul 185 viewsPallazo Altemps
Roman copy of Hellenistic original 230-220 BC, one of the bronze groups commissioned from Greek sculptors by Pergamon king Attalus I after his recent victories over the Gauls of Galatia.J. B.
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Italy, Rome, Vatican Museums, Marble busts184 viewsVatican MuseumsJ. B.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Yerebatan Saray Cistern184 viewsA mysterious place under modern Istanbul. The technical data: the cistern is 138 m long and 65 m wide, the capacity is 21 million US gallons of water or 80.000 cubic meters, 336 marble columns.
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Italy, Sicily, Syracuse - amphitheatre183 viewsJ. B.
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - Herod's Palace Poolside183 views
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