12 Surprising Facts About Famous World Heritage Sites You Probably Didn't Know (Celebrating World Heritage Day)
Uncover the hidden secrets and mind-blowing stories behind the world’s most iconic heritage sites, from ancient cities lost in time to monuments with surprising past lives.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
World Heritage Sites aren’t just gorgeous landmarks; they’re earth-hidden secrets, hidden histories, and mind-blowing facts. From statues hidden underground to temples where sea battles were fought, there are mysteries here that still leave even the most experienced travelers in awe. This article of lesser-known facts challenges you to see the world’s most iconic sites in a new and captivating way.
1. The Great Wall of China Isn’t One Big Wall
Image from Wikipedia
The Great Wall is not one long wall. It’s a series of walls constructed by various dynasties over 2,000 years. If you were to connect all the known portions end to end, it would be more than 13,000 miles long, over the halfway point around Earth. Some were constructed with sticky rice mortar for added strength.
2. Machu Picchu Was Not Known to the Rest of the World Until 1911
Image from Wikipedia
Even though it’s more than 500 years old, this Incan citadel was unknown to outsiders until American explorer Hiram Bingham was guided to it by local farmers. Amazingly, the Spanish conquerors never discovered it when they invaded. It’s thought to have been a royal retreat or sacred ceremonial place.
3. The Leaning Tower of Pisa Took Nearly 200 Years to Build
Image from Britannica
The building started in 1173, but the tower began to tilt only five years later because of soft ground. Builders attempted to correct this by building one side higher, causing it to resemble a banana shape. It wasn’t stabilized until the 21st century, and now it leans around four degrees.
4. The Taj Mahal Changes Color Throughout the Day
Image from Wikipedia
Depending on the light and time, the Taj changes from pinkish tones at sunrise to dazzling white at midday and gold at sunset. This isn’t poetic license—it’s because the translucent marble responds to sunlight. Some believe this reflects the shifting moods of love.
5. Petra Was Lost to the West for Centuries
Image from Britannica
This red sandstone city, hewn into cliffs, was secreted from local Bedouins until 1812. Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt masqueraded as a Muslim pilgrim to be admitted. It’s now popularly called the “Rose City” due to its breathtaking pink color during sunrise.
6. Easter Island’s Moai Statues Have Full Bodies Underground
Image from Wikipedia
Although only the heads seem visible, most Moai statues have torsos buried underground. Archaeologists found inscriptions and carvings on the buried areas. Their movement is a mystery — theories vary from rolling them on logs to “walking” them upright using ropes.
7. The Colosseum Was Once Filled With Water for Naval Battles
Image from Wikipedia
In Rome, engineers flooded the arena to hold mock sea battles known as naumachiae. They even used boats and sea animals for authenticity. This was eventually discontinued because the underground tunnels made flooding impossible.
8. Angkor Wat Faces West — An Unusual Choice for Temples
Image from Wikipedia
Most Khmer temples are oriented towards the east to welcome the rising sun, but Angkor Wat is directed to the west, which in Hindu tradition is linked to death. Others think it was initially constructed as a mausoleum for King Suryavarman II. It’s the world’s largest religious monument and was rediscovered by the Western world in the 19th century.
9. Stonehenge Was Originally a Full Circle
Image from HISTORY
Recent ground-penetrating radar scans discovered buried stones that filled the circle. Throughout the centuries, stones were taken away or dislodged, resulting in their broken state today. Its solstice alignment still puzzles scientists and awes them.
10. The Acropolis Was a Mosque and a Munitions Depot
Image from Acropolis Tickets
Under Ottoman occupation, the Parthenon was used as a mosque. In 1687, it was hit by a Venetian cannonball when used to house gunpowder, causing extensive damage. The ruins visible today are, in part, due to that explosion.
11. The Pyramids Were Once Shiny White and Smooth
Image from Wikipedia
The Great Pyramid of Giza was initially covered in lustrous white limestone that glowed in sunlight. Earthquakes and burglaries removed it, leaving the granite core we know today. Egyptians referred to it as “Ikhet,” which translates to “Glorious Light.”
12. Mont-Saint-Michel Inspired the Design of Minas Tirith in The Lord of the Rings
Image from Wikipedia
This French medieval island abbey dramatically rises out of the sea, relying on tides to create a natural moat. Its otherworldly beauty and tiered design inspired fantasy cityscapes. At high tide, it’s surrounded by water, adding to its mystical appeal.