orkydd's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Mexico City, Mexico

Fuente de los Coyotes

In Coyoacán, a pair of coyotes crown a public fountain in reference to the ancient Aztec name of the borough.
San Juan Teotihuacan de Arista, Mexico

Quetzalpapálotl Palace

Dating back to the second century, vestiges of prehispanic mural paintings are found in this underground palace.
Cuernavaca, Mexico

Palace of Cortés

The conquistador's former fortress is the oldest preserved colonial building in the Americas.
Mexico City, Mexico

Ocelotl Cuauhxicalli

This colossal ancient jaguar sculpture was used as a vessel for the hearts torn from sacrificial victims.
Mexico City, Mexico

Serpents of the Great Temple

These spectacular, symbolic serpents lie within the shadow of the Great Temple.
Mexico City, Mexico

Skull Rack of the Great Temple

A disquieting Aztec sculpture displays hundreds of stone skulls representing the victims of human sacrifice.
Mexico City, Mexico

Disk of Death

This strange sculpture of a menacing skull surrounded by sun rays was discovered at the foot of the Pyramid of the Sun.
San Andrés Cholula, Mexico

Church of Santa María Tonantzintla

An indigenous take on European design creates a stunning visual overload.
San Andrés Cholula, Mexico

The Great Pyramid of Cholula

An Aztec temple, the largest man-made pyramid in the world, sits buried in earth with a Spanish church set on top.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The World Islands

This artificial archipelago was supposed to resemble a map of the world.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ski Dubai

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.
Istanbul, Turkey

Serpent Column

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.
Selçuk, Turkey

The Public Toilets of Ephesus

The ancient latrines of the Greeks, in all their public glory.
Kayadere, Turkey

Nemrut Dagi

Mausoleum and Holy Seat of Antiochus I of Commagene.
Istanbul, Turkey

Obelisk of Theodosius

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.
Akarsu Köyü, Turkey

Sumela Monastery

A Turkish monastery tucked into a cliff wall.
Istanbul, Turkey

Tombs of the Sultans

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.
Derinkuyu, Turkey

Derinkuyu Underground City

The deepest underground city in Turkey was designed to protect 20,000 people behind massive stone doors.
Safranbolu, Turkey

Safranbolu, Turkey

Ottoman-era houses lovingly preserved.
Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.
Denizli, Turkey

Pamukkale Water Terraces

Roman ruins top white travertine terraces formed by ancient hot springs.
Aksaray, Turkey

Cappadocia

In this historic region, homes and churches are carved into ancient volcanic rock formations.
Hama, Syria

Norias of Hama

Only a handful of these gorgeous historic waterwheels remain but even those are in danger from local unrest.
Syria

Church of Saint Simeon the Stylite

What is left of the pillar of Saint Simeon, the voluntary martyr who climbed the column to give his sermons, remaining perched there for thirty-seven years.