Among these beauties lost forever, which ones would you like to be able to rebuild?
7 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS DISAPPEARED. Which ones would you like to rebuild?
Over the centuries, many wonders have been created but many others have been destroyed. Earthquakes, bombings and volcanic eruptions are just some of the causes that have led to the disappearance of many tourist attractions that today – unfortunately – we can no longer admire. Among all which are the most beautiful? And above all which ones could be rebuilt?
#1 The legendary tomb of Jonah
The tomb of the famous prophet Jonah was located in Iraq, inside a beautiful mosque built around 600 AD, and was one of the oldest Muslim monuments in the world. Legend has it that the remains of Jonah are found here, but although the mosque was truly majestic, it was also rather unfortunate. In fact, what remained of it was destroyed in 2014 due to a bombing by Islamic militias, and today the site is undergoing restoration and experts will try to reopen it to the public in the coming years.
#2 The wonderful Boeung Kak lake
We move from Iraq to Cambodia, where a wonderful lake has been destroyed. We are talking about Lake Boeung Kak, which for those unfamiliar with it was one of the most beautiful places in Cambodia that has always attracted the attention of tourists, especially sunsets. The pristine landscape ended in the distance on the skyline of Phnom Penh, the capital. But today this lake no longer exists: it was filled with sand to start a decidedly invasive urbanization process.
#3 Bamyan’s two rock Buddhas
Also in this case it was man who destroyed what other men had created. The two Buddhas carved into the rock face of Bamyan – in Afghanistan – were respectively 1800 and 1500 years old and stood at a height of 2.500 meters. Unfortunately these two large statues were accused of idolatry and for this reason they were destroyed by a Taliban attack in 2001, and today only the cavity that housed them remains.
#4 DuckBill: the rock in the shape of a duck’s beak
The DuckBill – also known as a duck-billed rock – was one of the most photographed natural landmarks in Oregon and appears to have been its attractiveness that destroyed it. In 2016 a group of young people decided to take dangerous selfies on the rock, which however cost a member of the group a broken leg. So, doing what no one else probably would have done, they decided to eliminate the “danger” by destroying the rock.
#5 The lost city of Palmyra
Capital of the homonymous kingdom, the city of Palmyra was one of the most important and majestic in ancient Syria. It was built in the 3rd century AD. and it had to resist not only the passing of the centuries, but also the Syrian civil war which in 2013 caused its almost total destruction. Despite being targeted by a group of Islamic terrorists, the archaeological site has managed to preserve some remains that are still visible today… although it is very little compared to its initial magnificence.
#6 The Pont Des Arts for lovers
Paris is the city of love par excellence and among the many fixed stops for lovers, since 2015 there is one less. Also in this case it was the man who intervened, but for a good cause: the bridge had attracted so many couples that it reached 45 tons of padlocks! The stability of the bridge itself was at risk and to ensure its safety, the posting of padlocks was prohibited. Let’s hope the same thing doesn’t happen at the Milvian Bridge in Rome!
#7 The Red Rock Wall Arch
The Wall Arch was one of the largest of the more than 2.000 arches in Utah’s Arches National Park: the national park totally dedicated to arches carved into the sandstone rock. This, however, was one of the largest and most striking, with its 10 meters high and 22 wide. Unfortunately, the natural monument collapsed in 2008, during the night, and in fact no one was able to testify to what happened.
The Pont des Arts, the duck-shaped rock, or the Wall Arch. Among all these monuments – whether natural or anthropic – which ones would you like to be able to rebuild?
ROSITA GIULIANO
