Alright, some of the locals miiiight know about these sites, but they definitely get overlooked by tourists for more publicised monuments and memorials. But that doesn’t make these obscure monuments any less interesting. In fact, we feel that it adds to the charm (plus side: definitely no tourists getting naked at these places).
#1 The Virginia Settlers Memorial, London
What: In 1606, three ships with 105 passengers fearlessly set sail for Jamestown, Virginia to establish the first English colony in the Americas. One of the ships, the Susan Constant departed from the Blackwall embankment, now the location of the memorial set up for The Virginia Settlers or as they were then known as “The Adventurers”. The memorial overlooks the O2 Arena from across the Thames River, is far from the beaten tourist track, in a residential area east of the city center. Look out for the large gold engraving that reads “Virginia Quay” and topped by an ancient mariners Astrolabe that was used to determine the latitude of ships at sea.
#2 Chand Baori, Rajasthan
What: India has no shortage of elaborate ancient buildings but this beauty is often overlooked. One of the oldest step well, it was built during the 8th and 9th century by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty to provide the surrounding areas with water. It’s also one of the biggest water wells in the world and as deep as 13 floors that descending around 100 feet into the ground by way of 3500 steps on three sides of the square structure. The well has long stopped from being a water source but now serves as a beautiful and impressive architectural sculpture.
#3 Pena Church, Lisbon
What: Hop on one of the trams of Lisbon and take the scenic route stopping at a small garden viewpoint of Torel, where many locals go for a coffee break. Nearby, a small unassuming church with a seemingly ordinary façade hides some of the most impressive and ornate baroque interiors in Portugal. Established in 1705 under the ruling of King João V, the church’s interior is heavily gilded, and it was one of Portugal’s first churches that was furnished in such opulent style. A prime example of not judging a book by its cover, don’t be fooled by the simple façade of the church — as many tourists are.
#4 Square Georges-Caïn, Paris
What: Dedicated to Georges-Caïn, a French painter, illustrator and writer who specialised in the history of Paris, this park in Paris’s 3rd Arrondissement is hardly every busy, so it’s the perfect place to go for some peace and quiet. Located on Rue Payenne behind Musée Carnavalet, a museum dedicated to the history of the city, the park contains an impressive collection of Renaissance-era stones and sculptures and building fragments, including some from the original Hôtel de Ville and the Tuileries Palace, which were both destroyed in 1871.
#5 Derawar Fort, Pakistan
What: Located in the sprawling Cholistan Desert, Pakistan’s only desert, this magnificent structure is well under the typical tourists radar — its existence isn’t even known to many of its countrymen. Visible for many miles as you approach it, the walls of the fortress are thirty metres high and have a circumference of 15000 metres. Originally built for the Rajput Bhati royal family until it was taken over by the Nawab of Bahawalpur in 1733, today there are still remains of Nawab’s quarters in the Drawar fort.
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Image credits: Main, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
