Europe

Ancient places can be found all over Europe. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on European history. Visiting such ancient places in Europe can be an unforgettable experience.

Science is constantly discovering new archaeological places and uncovering more evidence into what we once thought we knew about our history, therefore offering new pieces to the ever changing puzzle of humanity’s past and altering how we interpret it. This section will present the most interesting archaeological sites all over Europe, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

The Moors left behind a legacy of culture and architecture, such as the Alhambra palace complex in Granada, Spain. Source: lunamarina / Adobe Stock

19 March, 2023 - 17:54 Aleksa Vučković

15 Facts About the Moors You've Probably Never Heard

The Moors left a significant mark on medieval Europe, especially with their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AD. They ruled over Spain for several centuries, transforming it culturally,...

Copper slag excavated at Hala Sultan Tekke. Source: University of Gothenburg / CC BY 4.0

17 March, 2023 - 21:57 Nathan Falde

Copious Copper Supplies Made Cyprus a Trading Center 3,500 Years Ago

In the earliest period of international trade in the Mediterranean region, the island of Cyprus was a surprisingly busy trading hub. Its exalted status during the Late Bronze Age (1,500 to 1,150 BC)...

'Dwarfie Stane' (Dwarf's Stone) on the Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland Source: Grovel at English Wikipedia/CC BY 3.0

16 March, 2023 - 00:25 Aleksa Vučković

The Enigma of the Dwarfie Stane, Ancient Tomb of Orkney

There is something about Orkney that inspires great mystery in any visitor. It is an ancient place - situated just a “stone’s throw” north of Scotland - and it boasts a rich history that reaches far...

A ghost island, representational. Source: Bernadett / Adobe Stock

12 March, 2023 - 17:58 Lex Leigh

The Haunted Plague Island of Poveglia: A Dark and Twisted Past

There are a lot of ghost stories from history, but have you heard of the haunted island of Poveglia? Poveglia is a small island located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy, and is...

Details at Sedlec Ossuary Interior, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic. Source: diegograndi / Adobe Stock

11 March, 2023 - 21:56 Joanna Gillan

The Eerie Charm of Sedlec Ossuary: A Gothic Masterpiece of Human Bones

Deep beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints in Sedlec, Czech Republic, a chilling monument to human mortality has been carefully crafted over the centuries. Decorated with the bones of over 40,000...

Surrounding moat at the entrance of Cardiff Castle in Cardiff in Wales. Source: Roman Babakin/AdobeStock

9 March, 2023 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

9 Myths About Medieval Moats and the Truth Behind Them

Medieval moats have long been shrouded in mystery and misinformation, with tales of alligators and impenetrable walls. But the truth about these ancient structures is far more fascinating and complex...

The Eleusinian Mysteries. Source: AI Generated

4 March, 2023 - 17:55 ashley cowie

From Ancient Mystery School to Culture Capital: Eleusis’ Secret Past is Recognized

The ancient city of Eleusis in Greece was the site of one of the most mysterious and revered religious rites of ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries . The exact nature of the rituals performed...

The Carnac Stones, Brittany, France. Source: guitou60 / Adobe Stock

25 February, 2023 - 21:52 Joanna Gillan

Unraveling the Mystery of the Carnac Stones: An Ancient Puzzle of Epic Proportions

The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones and erected by...

Road to Santiago de Compostela way. Source: Public Domain

24 February, 2023 - 17:57 Robbie Mitchell

On the Road to Enlightenment: 7 of the World's Most Historic Pilgrimage Routes

Embark on a journey through time and faith as we explore the world's most renowned pilgrimage routes. From the scenic trails of Japan to the spiritual heart of Mecca, these routes have been walked by...

The village Vilarinho da Furnas inside the national park Peneda-Geres in Portugal. It is only visible at low water levels. Source: Carlos Caridade/Wirestock Creators/Adobe Stock

15 February, 2023 - 21:42 Aleksa Vučković

The Submerged Village of Vilarinho da Furna and Its Unique History

Sometimes, the need of modern development necessitates that buildings, villages, or even cities need to be abandoned, demolished, or even submerged in water. It certainly isn’t an easy decision for...

Top image: The sanctuary in the Villa del Mitra, Cabra, Spain. Credit: el Dia de Cordoba

11 February, 2023 - 21:58 Joanna Gillan

1,800-Year-Old Sanctuary Dedicated to God Mithras Found in Spain

The remains of a sanctuary dedicated to the god Mithras , along with leftovers from ritual banquets, have been found during excavations at the Villa del Mitra in Cabra, Spain . According to Heritage...

Martyr of Fanaticism by José de Brito depicts a young woman being tortured during the Spanish Inquisition. Source: Public domain

11 February, 2023 - 00:58 Marilo

The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II)

One of the most controversial organizations in history, the Spanish Inquisition has been poorly understood by the general public. This period of religious persecution, which took place between 1478...

HS2 excavation of Coleshill Manor and the excavated medieval gatehouse in Warwickshire. Source: HS2

10 February, 2023 - 17:58 Sahir

Medieval Gatehouse Likely Witnessed First Action of English Civil War

Pock-marked with bullets that likely came from the muskets of Parliamentarian troops bound for the very first battle of the English Civil War , the remains of a medieval gatehouse have been uncovered...

Stone of Destiny, also known as Lia Fail. Hill of Tara. County Meath. Source: jamegaw/Adobe Stock

9 February, 2023 - 21:59 ashley cowie

Vandal Strikes at Lia Fáil, Ireland’s Ancient Spiritual Heart

Ireland’s “Stone of Destiny” - the Lia Fáil - or Stone that Roared, has been defaced by a mindless vandal. Although mindless isn’t quite right, at they actually seem to have thought about what they...

Auto de Fe in the Plaza Mayor, an oil painting from 1683 by Francisco Rizi. The painting depicts the ritual public penance carried out by heretics and apostates during the Spanish Inquisition. Source: Public domain

9 February, 2023 - 01:07 Marilo

The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I)

One of the most controversial organizations in history, the Spanish Inquisition has been poorly understood by the general public. This period of religious persecution, which took place between 1478...

Neolithic houses. Source: AI generated

6 February, 2023 - 21:57 Nathan Falde

Grand Neolithic Homes Dating Back 5,800 Years Found in Northern Ireland

In the past, archaeologists exploring near the banks of Lough Foyle in Ireland have found ruins and artifacts linked to the first millennium AD Kingdom of Aileach. But evidence suggests this area was...

The three connected earthwork henges at Thornborough. Source: English Heritage

3 February, 2023 - 21:52 Nathan Falde

Thornborough Henges: England’s Majestic Stonehenge of the North Finally Opened to the Public

As the culmination of several years of sensitive negotiations, the preservation organizations Historic England and English Heritage have finally secured ownership and full control of two-thirds of...

The Bjørnstad Ship carving, Norway. Source: Sarpsborg Turist as/Visit Norway

3 February, 2023 - 13:57 Aleksa Vučković

The Bjørnstad Ship: A Rare Window into the Nordic Bronze Age

Situated near Sarpsborg, Norway, the enigmatic Bjørnstad ship is a fantastic glimpse into the prehistoric, pre-Viking age of Scandinavia. Such ancient carvings are few, and often hard to discover -...

Northeastern view of the remains at Castro Valente, where the medieval fortress has been uncovered thanks to LiDAR technology. Source: Fernàndez-Pereiro & Sánchez-Pardo / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

2 February, 2023 - 00:57 Nathan Falde

LiDAR Reveals Medieval Fortress in Spain, Rewriting History

An ancient 25-acre (10-hectare) fortified settlement found on a hilltop in Galicia was long ago identified as an Iron Age village, meaning it was dated to the period between 1,500 and 500 BC. But a...

Vikings woman with horse, the Norse invaders brought their animals with them. Source: selenit / Adobe Stock

1 February, 2023 - 19:00 Nathan Falde

New Insights into the Viking Great Army: Cremation Site Unveils Surprising Details

The Viking warriors who invaded England in the late ninth century have long been a topic of fascination for historians and archaeologists alike. Now, a team of British and Belgian scientists have...

New study claims medieval monasteries showed resilience in the face of the Vikings. Source: Deivison / Adobe Stock

1 February, 2023 - 17:56 Sahir

New Study Debunks the “Ruthless Vikings, Helpless Monks” Narrative

Medieval English monasteries didn’t just passively cave in to the long-running Viking attacks on English shores that culminated in the victory of the Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the Great . Lyminge, a...

The Cairn of Barnenez in Brittany, France. Source: Eve / Adobe Stock

1 February, 2023 - 00:52 dhwty

Timeless Beauty at Cairn de Barnenez – The Prehistoric Parthenon

For those looking to step back in time, the Cairn de Barnenez located in France’s Brittany is ideal. As one of the world’s oldest standing structures in the world, the Cairn de Barnenez is a marvel...

The Saxons spread across Europe from the 4th century, settling nearly every corner of the continent, here portrayed clashing with Vikings. Source: Justinas/Adobe Stock

30 January, 2023 - 21:53 Robbie Mitchell

The Saxon Conquest of Europe, and a Christian Conquest of Saxons

Anyone familiar with European history will have heard of the Saxons. Originally a Germanic tribe from the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, over the centuries they spread across Europe like...

Ponte Vecchio the famous Arch bridge in Florence, Italy. Source: Tito Slack / Adobe Stock

30 January, 2023 - 13:59 Nathan Falde

Clueless Californian Busted for Driving Across Medieval Bridge in Italy

An American tourist traveling through the streets of Florence, Italy this past week took a seriously wrong turn and ended up in a heap of trouble as a result of his mistake, CNN reports . While...

Pages