Have you ever wished that you could travel back in time and see the world’s historic sites restored to their former glory? Well, now you can. With the help of Budget Direct, we take a look at what some of the most breathtaking historic places would look like today, and learn about their history along the way. From lavish palaces and Roman fortresses to crumbling castles and Greek statues, these reimagined images will blow you away.

Perched high on a rocky plateau above the Firooz Abad plain in southwest Iran, this incredible fortress was built in AD 209 under the orders of Ardashir I, the founder of the Sasanian empire. More of a castle than a palace thanks to its impressive fortifications, Qal'eh Dokhta was the monarch’s royal residence until a more lavish home was built for him nearby, known as the Palace of Ardashir.

Although now lying in ruins, you can still get a feel for Qal’eh Dokhtar’s original grandeur from its ruined high walls and superior location. The fortress features one of the earliest examples of an Iranian chartaq – a square bordered by four arches supporting a dome which can be seen here. The chartaq became one of the prime features of traditional Iranian architecture. The lavish private rooms can be found on the top floor, which was a common characteristic for affluent residences throughout the region. 

Once the heart of the Minoan civilization, the spectacular remains of Knossos Palace in northern Crete are steeped in mystery. Constructed on the ruins of a Neolithic settlement dating back to 7000 BC, there’s evidence showing that a palace was first built here by the Bronze Age around 1900 BC. The complex was the home of King Minos, the legendary ruler of Crete, best known for the famous labyrinth and minotaur. It was destroyed around 1700 BC, possibly by an earthquake, and was later rebuilt on a grander scale. In 1375 BC the palace was mysteriously left abandoned. 

At the civilization’s peak, Knossos was a thriving hub for politics and trade with the royal residence at its center, while a larger Minoan settlement developed around it. It's thought that roughly 100,000 people lived here around 1700 BC. The palace was multi-story with a façade of thick walls and columns painted red, sitting around a large rectangular courtyard flanked by corridors and courtyards. Its colorful frescoes – several depicting the Minoan sport of bull jumping – were another striking feature. In the 1920s, parts were partially (and controversially) reconstructed by its original excavator, Sir Arthur Evans. 

Considered a monument of Belarusian architecture, Ruzhany Palace was once home to the powerful Sapieha dynasty, an influential noble family in the Lithuanian Grand Duchy. First ordered to be built on the site of an older castle in 1598, the grand palace now lies in ruins near a town of the same name in Belarus’ west. Its impressive design was a mix of a defensive fortress and a ceremonial palace. Ruzhany became renowned in the country’s politics, hosting various European kings, royalty and ambassadors.

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After being plundered and damaged during several conflicts, Aleksander Sapieha rebuilt the residence in the 1770s, and it became a lavish palace, famed for its extensive library, theater and gorgeous gardens. The elegant complex faced a central courtyard, featuring archways and decorated columns. Following the 1831 uprising (or Polish-Russian War), the Sapheiha family was removed from the palace and it became a textile factory. After suffering damage from the First and Second World Wars, only the main and eastern buildings, the entry gate and several outbuildings remain, although some parts have been partially reconstructed. 

One of the last few remains of the ancient African kingdom of Askum, once the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia, this grand complex is famously thought to be the Queen of Sheba’s former palace. Nestled in the rugged highlands of northern Ethiopia, according to local belief, Dungur was where the wealthy biblical queen once reigned. While the palace’s claim to be Sheba's royal residence has never been proven, its incredible ruins remain a fascinating historical landmark. 

Built between the 3rd and 4th century as part of Askum, the capital of the ancient empire, the breathtaking ruins now form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historians believe that Dungur Palace is more likely to have been the home of a nobleman rather than the Queen of Sheba. The labyrinthine mansion was built in a distinct Aksumite style using dressed stone, rubble, mud and timber beams.

Bordered by vast parkland, the modest 12th-century remains of Clarendon Palace are situated near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. The palace first began as a hunting lodge for Norman Kings before it grew to become a splendid summer palace that reached its peak during the 13th and 14th centuries. Possibly once the biggest royal residence in England, Clarendon was regularly used as a country retreat by numerous monarchs. Today, all that remains above ground is the east wall of its great hall although various excavations have revealed the palace’s mighty size and importance. 

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Archaeologists believe that the medieval mansion was extended during the reigns of Henry III and King John, which included the Great Hall, kitchen and cellars all being enlarged. The queen’s lodgings were also added and Richard II later installed a dancing chamber. Clarendon was evidently a grand complex, perfectly located to enjoy breathtaking views of Salisbury. The palace also features a chapel and large stables for the royal hunting horses. The remains of its luxurious pink, golden and gray tiled floors are currently on display in the British Museum, while a carved head from the king's apartments can be found at the Salisbury Museum nearby. 

The crumbling remains of the once grand palace-fort of Husuni Kubwa stretch across the island of Kilwa Kisiwani overlooking the Indian Ocean. Lying just off the coast of southern Tanzania, the palace was built by Sultan al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman in the 14th century where he ruled the wealthy and independent Islamic sultanate. The island was at the heart of one of the great port cities that studded the Swahili coast, whose wealth stemmed from trading gold and ivory.

In 1962, the ruins of Husuni Kubwa were excavated by British archaeologist Neville Chittick, revealing a large and impressive structure that once served as a palace, fort and warehouse for the coastal trading post. Husuni Kubwa housed over 100 rooms as well as a large audience court, an octagonal pool, a staging area for loading goods onto ships and a mosque. Parts of the structure were created using local coral stone and it features a sophisticated indoor plumbing system. The palace is one of several ruins that can be seen on the island.

Set within forest-clad mountains, this once grand palace towers over the town of Milot in northern Haiti. Translated as the “Worry-Free Palace”, Sans Souci was completed in 1813 for King Henri Christophe, one of the key revolutionary leaders who won the country independence from France in 1804. Christophe proclaimed himself the first (and only) king of Haiti in 1811. Known as the king’s residence and political headquarters, the palace was built to symbolize his wealth. Many laborers sadly perished during the king’s pursuit of constructing the impressive residence. 

Following an earthquake in 1842, the complex was irreparably damaged and never rebuilt. However, from this reconstruction, it's clear to see why Sans Souci is often called the “Versailles of the Caribbean”. The lavish residence was characterized by its sweeping staircases and large terraces overlooking impressive gardens decorated with pools and ornamental fountains. In its prime, the palace was a popular spot for lavish parties. Since 1982, the ruins have been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Citadelle Laferrière, also built by Christophe. 

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Described by Roman author Pliny the Elder as “the most wonderful monument of Grecian magnificence” the Temple of Artemis was the first marble temple of the ancient world. Sitting on the western coast of modern-day Turkey, the magnificent structure was built in the 6th century BC for the Greek goddess of hunting and nature, Artemis. According to Pliny’s account, the building measured around 425 feet (129m) long and 225 feet (68m) wide, almost twice the size of the famous Parthenon in Athens. 

The temple had quite a rocky history and was attacked several times during its life. It was first destroyed in 356 BC by the infamous Greek arsonist Herostratus, who set its wooden beams ablaze in the hopes of fame. After it was rebuilt, it was torn down again in AD 262 by an East Germanic tribe known as the Goths. Since then, only a single column and the temple’s foundations still remain.

Possibly the most famous beacon of all time, the Lighthouse of Alexandria also known as the Pharos of Alexandria loomed above the limestone islet of Pharos in Egypt, watching over Alexandria’s east and west harbors. Built between 300-280 BC the lighthouse was said to be over 360-feet (110m) high and is possibly the second tallest human-built structure of the ancient world after the pyramids of Giza.

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The incredible lighthouse protected the two harbors for roughly 1600 years. Between AD 956 and 1333, the structure was shaken by three earthquakes, causing extensive damage. In 1477, the Citadel of Qaitbay (also known as the Fort of Qaitbay) was built on top of its ruins. In 1994, archaeologists uncovered what are thought to be the remains of the lighthouse in the depths of the east harbor.

Arguably the most mysterious of all the ancient wonders, the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon are believed to have been located near the royal palace in Babylon, south of modern-day Baghdad in Iran. The gardens were possibly built sometime between 605-561 BC, during the reign of Emperor Nebuchadnezzar, intended for his wife Amytis as a reminder of the mountains and greenery of her homeland in Persia. However, as manuscripts written during this period fail to mention the gardens, many believe that they could be a myth.

Classical writers later described how the gardens were built using stone, which was a rare commodity for the region, constructed to resemble a tiered mountain. Exotic plants and trees towered over the stone walls, hence the “hanging” in the name. To keep the plants alive in the harsh desert climate, water may have been pumped through the lavish building using an early version of an irrigation system from a well or from the Euphrates River located nearby.

The oldest structure on the list and the only wonder still mostly in existence today, the Great Pyramid is probably the most famous ancient landmark in the world. Also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, it is one of three pyramids alongside Khafre and Menkaure built on the west bank of the River Nile in northern Egypt. Completed around 2570 BC, the mighty pyramid was built as a tomb for the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu of the Fourth dynasty.

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The impressive structure is thought to have taken around 20 years and 20,000 workers to build. Roughly 2.3 million blocks of limestone, weighing between 2.5 to 15 tons were cut, transported and crafted to build the structure which weighs an estimated 5.7 million tons. The pyramid has sadly been damaged by erosion, shrinking from its original 481 feet (147m) to the slightly smaller 451 feet (138m) that exists today. As shown here, it was once completely covered by highly polished white stones, one of these casing stones is currently on display at the National Museum of Scotland. 

Built between 353 and 350 BC for Mausolus, the governor of Caira, this beautiful tomb is situated in southwest Asia Minor, now known as Bodrum in Turkey. Carefully planned by Mausolus himself, the magnificent structure was so breathtaking that the modern-day word “Mausoleum” originated from the governor’s name.

According to Pliny the Elder, the monument was constructed using white and gold marble from Athens and red marble from Turkey. Positioned on a rectangular podium, a sprawling 36-column colonnade brought visitors to a pyramid-like roof with 24 steps, where a massive marble statue of Mausolus disguised as Greek hero Hercules riding a chariot could be seen. Between the 11th and 15th century AD, the monument was badly damaged by a series of earthquakes and what was left of the structure was most likely recycled for other buildings 

Once regarded as one of the most impressive landmarks of Olympia, towering around 39 feet (12m) high, this impressive gold and ivory plated statue was created by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 436 BC. Placed in the Temple of Zeus in western Greece, the monument was hugely influential on both Roman and Greek art, inspiring various mediums such as pottery and frescoes. The artwork showed Zeus proudly sitting on a cedarwood throne, embellished with ivory, ebony, gold and precious stones.

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In Zeus’ right hand was a statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory while in his left was an eagle perched above a scepter. The temple impressed the ancient world for at least a thousand years and was a popular attraction for anyone attending the Olympics. It is unclear however how the statue met its fate. In AD 426, the Temple of Zeus was destroyed so it’s thought that it may have vanished then or during a fire after it was transported to Constantinople (now Istanbul), roughly 50 years later.

Standing tall at a jaw-dropping 105 feet high (32m), the Colossus of Rhodes certainly lived up to its mighty name. The mammoth bronze sculpture of the Greek sun god Helios took a staggering 12 years to construct between c.294-282 BC. Created by artist Chares of Lyndus, the sculpture was built to commemorate the failed besiege of Rhodes in 305 BC by the former ruler of Cyprus.

Just half a century later in c.225 or 226 BC, the statue was shattered by an earthquake and then left in ruin for a further 800 years. After Arabian forces conquered the island during the 7th century, the structure was finally melted down and sold for scrap metal. It took around 900 camels to transport all its remains. But just look at how it could've looked today!

Thought to have been founded in the 3rd or 2nd century BC, Hatra was a fortified city that made its mark as the capital of the first Arab Kingdom. Strategically positioned along the caravan trade routes in modern-day northern Iraq, Hatra flourished as an important trading and religious hub. Now a designated World Heritage Site, the city has recently been vulnerable to looting, vandalism and invasions and was added to UNESCO’s danger list in 2015.

With its strong inner and outer walls supported by foreboding towers, Hatra was able to withstand Roman invasions in AD 116 and 198. Inside its protective walls, the city’s biggest attraction are its grand impressive temples including Roman, Hellenistic and Eastern traits. A vaulted structure flanked by columns, the Grand Temple is easily the biggest and most impressive, measuring a whopping 100 feet (30m) high.

Sitting on the Caribbean coast of Panama, these impressive forts have been UNESCO-listed since 1980. Built by the Spanish Crown to protect transatlantic trade routes that transported goods such as silver and gold, the forts are often hailed for being incredible examples of 17th- and 18th-century military architecture.

The earlier fortifications were built in a medieval style by the famous Italian engineer Bautista Antonelli, while the late 18th-century additions were created in a Neoclassical style. These later features, which are said to mimic European military designs, are still visible in several of the forts including Santiago, San Jeronimo and San Fernando. In 2012, the forts were added to UNESCO's danger list, primarily due to a lack of maintenance and erosion from a nearby river.

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Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the Pacific’, Nan Madol is a group of over 100 man-made stone islets lying off the coast of Pohnpei in Micronesia. Built between around AD 1200 and 1500, the ancient islets sit on top of a coral reef and are dotted with temples, stone palaces, tombs, public baths and houses. The ruins are thought to represent Nan Madol’s importance as a ceremonial center during the Saudeleur dynasty, which were a foreign tribe that came to Pohnpei and became its rulers. Due to the unruly plantlife in its waterways harming the ruins, Nan Madol was added to the UNESCO danger list in 2018.

Measuring roughly one mile (1.5km) long, like the famous floating Italian city, the main site is bordered by narrow stretches of water. The sheer scale and immense detail of its ancient buildings and the mystery of why the islands were built, cements Nan Madol as one of the most important archaeological sites in Micronesia. Towering over the islets, the royal temple known as Nandowas was its largest and most intricate structure, characterized by its 25-foot (7.6m) high walls.

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One of the best-known holy sites of the ancient world, the Old City of Jerusalem has roots in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Stretching across an area of just 0.3 square miles (0.8sq km), its impressive walls date back thousands of years. The walls visible today are from the 16th century after they were rebuilt by the Ottoman Empire. In recent years, Jerusalem has quickly become a modern metropolis and not much of the Old City remains. 

The Old City is also famed for being the former home to some truly spectacular religious buildings. One of the most recognizable was a sacred site for those of the Jewish faith, known as the Second Temple of Jerusalem. During around 20 BC the King of Judea, also known as Herod the King, wanted to expand the old temple, with construction taking roughly 46 years. The building was sadly destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans and now only its Western Wall has survived. People from around the world continue to visit the Old City and it remains a crucial site for worship. If only it still looked like this in the picture.

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Established northeast of Damascus, near a natural oasis in Syria, Palmyra is home to the ruins of one of the most significant cultural hubs of the ancient world. Possibly founded in the third millennium BC, during the 1st century AD the city was a bustling center for trade when it was under the control of the Roman Empire. Palmyra’s incredible art and architecture are believed to reflect several cultures and civilizations across thousands of years, blending Greco-Roman styles with Persian and Arabian influences. 

Despite the vast majority of Palmyra being destroyed by conflict in the summer of 2016, several of its ruins can still be seen. One of the city’s most significant buildings is the Temple of Bel, believed to have been constructed between 32 BC and the 2nd century AD. The temple would have originally stood on a podium, featuring several columns but today only a small part of its walls and portico have survived. There are ongoing emergency works to preserve and maintain as much of the beautiful ancient site as possible.

Situated on the Mediterranean coast in present-day western Libya, Leptis Magna is an ancient coastal town dating back to the 7th century BC. With its grand harbor, distinct public monuments, sprawling market-place and residential districts, it was often regarded as one of the most breathtaking cities of the Roman Empire. Leptis Magna became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

The city’s glorious past can be seen in its fine ruins which include the grand amphitheater (shown here), the hippodrome (or circus) its theater from the 1st century funded by wealthy aristocrats and a roughly 1,500 foot-long (460m) racecourse built in the 2nd century. Situated right in the middle of the city are the remains of its market, the most recent structure built during the rule of emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 BC). Born in the city, Severus was one of its biggest patrons.

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