Five pyramids around the world you have to see at least once

Ancient pyramids can be found in many countries and figure heavily into their cultures.
Tourist attraction in Egypt: Pyramids of Giza
Tourist attraction in Egypt: Pyramids of Giza / Anadolu/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Throughout history, ancient civilizations built major landmarks as tombs, tributes, and more. Many of those incredible works remain today and have become the focus of archaeological research as well as thriving tourist industries. There are still wonders to behold in the world.

Pyramids are a prime example of this. These marvelous structures exist in various countries and societies, sometimes built for reasons modern civilizations no longer understand. Regardless, they are still something to behold. And these pyramids are more than worth basing a trip around.

Temple of Kukulcan

Touristic and Mayan culinary aspects of Mexico's Yucatan
Touristic and Mayan culinary aspects of Mexico's Yucatan / Anadolu/GettyImages

Chichen Itza is one of the greatest archaeological wonders of the world. This pre-Columbian Mayan city is an incredible window into the culture and civilization of Mexico. While the site is filled with structures, the crown jewel of it all is the Temple of Kukulcan, also known as El Castillo. It is a stunning Mesoamerican step pyramid built in honor of Kukulcan, the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity.

Great Pyramids of Giza

Okay, this one might be cheating just a bit. The Giza pyramid complex is home to multiple pyramids not to mention the Sphinx. The most recognizable and well-known of them are Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure. They are recognized around the world, drawing in millions of visitors per year to Egypt for good reason.

Great Ziggurat of Ur

Great Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq, 1977.
Great Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq, 1977. / Heritage Images/GettyImages

History in the region of the world Iraq inhabits is rich, going back a few millennia. It is so entrenched in civilization that it touches the history of many worldwide cultures. At the center of that is the Great Ziggurat of Ur. Built in 21 century BC, it's been around so long that it was restored in the sixth century BC. This neo-Sumerian structure is easily one of the most important archaeological sites on Earth.

Brihadisvara Temple

India is not exactly famous for its pyramids, yet it it still has a few. Brihadisvara Temple is one such place, an impressively large Hindu temple that is a prime example of both Tamil and Chola architecture. Part of the temple complex is an impressive pyramid structure. It is a central feature tourists got to see, an architectural sight that begs to be seen.

The Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Italy Celebrates WWII Liberation Day Of Resistance
Italy Celebrates WWII Liberation Day Of Resistance / Antonio Masiello/GettyImages

A common reason civilizations built pyramids were as tombs for individuals of great importance. Just outside of Rome is a pyramid built in first century BC as a tomb for Caius Cestius, a praetor and member of a powerful religious group. Again, Ancient Roman civilization isn't well known for pyramids but they were utilized in the right circumstances, such as an epic tomb.