7 Breathtaking Archaeological Sites of The Middle East

From the Epic of Gilgamesh and other Mesopotamian myths to the Bible to the famous tales of the Crusades, the Middle East is steeped in history and lure. Since the time before civilization, humans have roamed the region. Wars, religion, trade, and natural disaster have served as creative and destructive forces, leaving behind remnants of the empires and ancient sites. 

While the Pyramid of Giza gets the lion’s share of attention when it comes to the wonders of the Middle East, it’s far from the only breathtaking archaeological destination worth seeing. These are seven of the best historical sites the region has to offer.

7) Baalbek (Lebanon)

A triad of deities were worshipped in this Phoenician city once known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic age. The sanctuary of Heliopolitan Jupiter drew thousands of pilgrims and its massive structures are among the finest and most well-preserved Roman ruins in the world. In fact, it took more than two centuries to construct the temples, which feature 24 monoliths, the largest of which weighs 800 tons. 

The Temple of Jupiter, known best for its 20 meter high columns, was the main temple of the Baalbek triad. Adjacent to it, the Temple of Bacchus is the most photographed of the Baalbek ruins in part due to its sheer size and also for its elaborate and well-preserved adornings. Lastly, but not least significantly, the Temple of Venus is a round temple near the main complex. The site is expansive and well-worth the trip. Be mindful that the surrounding area can be somewhat dangerous so it’s important to stay current with the news and keep a pulse about what’s going on. 

6) Petra (Jordan)

This Nabataean caravan-city, nicknamed the Rose-Red City, is situated between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. Long ago, it was a vital crossroads between Egypt, Arabia, and Syria-Phoenicia. Eastern traditions meet Hellenistic architecture at this half-carved, half-built city. Petra was a trading center for incense of Arabia, the spices of India, and the silks of China. Built among the mountains and gorges with passages carved into the structures, Petra features temples, elaborate tombs, and the remnant channels, tunnels, and dams that comprised the ingenious water management system that allowed its inhabitants to survive in inhospitable conditions. 

The Hellenistic facades mixed with the traditional rock-cut tombs and temples — including the famous monastery “the Deir” — makes Petra both an aesthetic wonder and a full-blown experience of awe and wonderment. Be sure to take some of the roads less traveled. As a digital nomad, you’ll have a better time exploring the main sites and the spots fewer people see.

5) Luxor (Egypt)

Luxor is the site of the grand city of Thebes, the City of a Hundred Gates, which was the capital of Egypt from the twelfth dynasty through the New Kingdom. Memphis was the only Egyptian city that could rival Luxor in splendor and size, but there is little more than legend left of Memphis today. While the palaces of Thebes are gone, its magnificent stone temples survived, including the Temple of Luxor, which lies parallel to the nearby Nile. Some of the structures tourists flock to the city to see are the still standing obelisk, Hypostyle Hall with its 32 columns, the continually excavated Avenue of the Sphinxes, and the Amenhotep III Colonade, which features seven pairs of 52-foot high open-flower papyrus columns. Luxor is considered the largest open air museum in the world. 

4) Jerash (Jordan)

The ancient city of Jerash is Jordan’s most sprawling and grandest Roman site. The colonnaded avenues, ceremonial gates, theaters, and temples provide a glimpse into an era in which it was a significant imperial hub. Hadrian’s Arch, built in AD 129, is still standing along with the hippodrome, which hosted chariot races and other events of up to 15,000 spectators. The forum remains with its fifty-six Ionic columns and paved limestone plaza connecting it with the Temple of Zeus. 

Built in the first century, the South Theater could hold up to 5,000 spectators and would have featured drummers or roving minstrels. The nymphaeum sits adjacent to the colonnaded street and near to the Temple of Artemis, who was considered to be the patron goddess of Jerash. The North Theater has been rebuilt to match its former splendor. 

3) Church of The Holy Sepulcher (Israel)

The Church of The Holy Sepulcher is the most sacred of all the Christian sites. Four magnificent arches with Crusader crosses adorn the entrance. The church is said to have been built over Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. The site also incorporates the final five sections of the Via Dolorosa (the path of which Jesus is said to have carried the Cross) including where Jesus was stripped garments, the Rock of Calvary, where his body was taken down from the Cross, and the Tomb of the Holy Sepulcher. Dress modestly because the guards can refuse entry for bare backs, shoulders, or legs. 

2) Madain Saleh (Saudi Arabia)

Nicknamed the second Petra, Madain Saleh was the second largest Nabatean city. Home to 131 enigmatic, immense tombs that feature Babylonian, Nabatean, and Greco-Roman imagery and architecture, this site was once a critical part of the Nabatean trade routes. However, it was buried beneath the sand for hundreds of years and Muslims often believe it is a cursed place. Additionally, its location is remote so for that reason, it takes an adventurous remote traveller to even reach Madain Saleh. Nabatean artistry such as carved sphinxes, soaring eagles, and feathered griffins along with elaborate inscriptions are prominent at the site. Because of an almost complete lack of tourism, the structures are almost entirely intact along with the original inscriptions. 

1) Masyaf Castle (Syria)

The assassins, a well-known term in the west, is actually derived from a specific group of people. The real life order of assassins were legendary for their tactics and their abilities to, well, you guessed it — assassinate people. Masyaf Castle was one of the two strongholds of the order. The structure is more than 2800 years old, dating back to the Byzantine Empire and it also witnessed the emergence of the Ottomans and the Mamluks. During the 12th century, the cult was led by a man known as “the Prince of the Mountain,” who was himself a trained assassin and a warlord. From their stronghold, these stealthy killers carried out attacks on the King of Jerusalem and their bitter enemy Saladin. Saladin attempted to lay siege to the castle during which an assassin snuck into his tent, leaving a poisoned cake and a note for the enemy leader. Fearing for his life, Saladin subsequently stopped the siege of Masyaf Castle. The order remained strong until, like the entire eastern world, they fell at the hands of the Mongolian Empire.