12 Cities Said to Have Been Built by Giants

These ancient legends from every corner of the world tell of cities so monumental that only giants could have built them.

Alyana Aguja
November 17, 2025
4 min read

12 Cities Said to Have Been Built by Giants — James Wheeler from Unsplash

Throughout history, humanity has looked upon massive ruins with awe, often attributing them to giant builders when no logical explanation seemed possible. From the towering stones of Baalbek to the oceanic ruins of Nan Madol, myths of giant hands shaping the earth persist. These stories blur the line between myth and history, reminding us of our timeless fascination with what lies beyond human reach.

1. 1. Baalbek, Lebanon

The ancient city of Baalbek is famous for its colossal stone foundations, some weighing over a thousand tons. Locals believed that giants built the site, given the sheer size of the stones. Some said the biblical giants known as the Nephilim constructed the foundations before human civilization arose. Archaeologists link it to Roman and earlier Phoenician builders, but its scale still provokes awe and mystery today.

2. 2. Tiahuanaco, Bolivia

Near Lake Titicaca lies Tiahuanaco, an ancient city of massive stone blocks carved with precision that seems impossible for its era. Myths of the Aymara people claim the site was erected by gods or giant beings in a single night. Even now, theories abound about ancient giants who might have once ruled the highlands.

3. 3. Giants’ Causeway, Northern Ireland

Though naturally formed by volcanic activity, local legend attributes the Giants’ Causeway to the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill. The tale says Fionn built the stone path to cross to Scotland and fight another giant, Benandonner. The city-like formations evoke the idea of an ancient civilization shaped by giant hands.

4. 4. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey

Göbekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest known temple complexes, dates back over 11,000 years. Its towering stone pillars, carved with animals and symbols, seem almost superhuman in scale and effort. Local folklore suggests that giants built these circles of stone before humans knew how to farm. Archaeologists still marvel at how Stone Age people managed such a monumental feat with primitive tools.

5. 5. Nan Madol, Micronesia

Built atop coral reefs, Nan Madol is often called the “Venice of the Pacific.” Its stone platforms and canals form a mysterious city that ancient legends say was built by twin sorcerer giants. The basalt stones, each weighing several tons, were somehow transported across miles of ocean without modern tools. The site remains one of the Pacific’s greatest enigmas, shrouded in myth and ocean mist.

6. 6. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe feature towering stone walls and conical towers built without mortar. Early European explorers refused to believe Africans constructed them and instead credited a mythical race of giants. Archaeology has since confirmed its Shona origins, but the legend of its giant founders still lingers.

7. 7. Stonehenge, England

The massive stone circle of Stonehenge has long been associated with giants and supernatural beings. Medieval texts claimed that Merlin ordered giants to move the stones from Africa to Britain using magic. The immense stones, some weighing over 25 tons, defied logic for ancient builders. Its mystery still fuels stories that the monument was erected by a race of titanic ancestors.

8. 8. Tierradentro, Colombia

Tierradentro’s underground tombs and large stone statues depict towering humanoid figures with exaggerated features. Local lore claims they represent ancient giants who once lived among humans. The tombs, carved into the mountains, suggest a civilization of immense skill and strength. Archaeologists connect the site to pre-Columbian societies.

9. 9. Carnac, France

The Carnac stones, stretching across Brittany, consist of over 3,000 megaliths aligned in mysterious patterns. Folklore says giants or ancient warriors turned to stone built these rows as a monument to their power. The scale and precision of the alignments leave researchers baffled to this day. Whether a calendar, a temple, or a battlefield, Carnac’s legend of giants continues to fascinate.

10. 10. Sacsayhuamán, Peru

Overlooking the city of Cusco, Sacsayhuamán’s massive zigzag walls are made of stones fitted so perfectly that no mortar was needed. Local Quechua myths speak of giants who moved these stones as if they were pebbles. Each block weighs up to 200 tons, making its transport and assembly a feat of mystery. Even with modern technology, replicating such precision would be a challenge.

11. 11. Bashka, Russia

In the Ural Mountains, mysterious megalithic ruins found near Bashka have been linked to legends of giant builders. The local Mansi people tell tales of towering beings who lived in the mountains and shaped the landscape. Some researchers consider them natural formations, but folklore insists they mark a forgotten city of titans.

12. 12. Easter Island, Chile

The Moai statues of Easter Island are often mistaken for depictions of giants. The Rapa Nui legends speak of powerful beings, the “long-eared people,” who moved the stones with supernatural strength. Each statue can weigh over 80 tons, carved from volcanic rock and transported miles across rugged terrain. The island feels like a silent monument to a race larger than life.