Ancient Kingdom of Saba
The Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba in Marib comprise 7 archaeological sites representative of this ancient civilisation of South Arabia.
The Kingdom flourished from the 8th century BCE to the 3rd century CE and mainly relied on the trade of incense. The Landmarks contain the ruins of the Great Marib Dam, an ancient wonder of the world for its innovative irrigation system whose destruction was referenced in the Koran. The city of Marib was the largest and most populous in the kingdom, and was surrounded by a 4.5km long wall. Outside the city are the remains of two Sabean temples, the oval temple of Awwam, known as the sanctuary of the Queen of Sheba, and the Barran temple, dedicated to the moon god Almaqah.
Solivagant UK - 31-Mar-22
Only time will tell whether Marib, as a recent report suggests, really is a serious contender for inscription in 2023 - or even relatively soon thereafter, in a country riven by a long running civil and proxy war which shows no sign of ending and which is currently raging close by. We visited way back in April 1996 but it hasn’t yet been reviewed by any of the 3 “Community members” who have recorded a visit to it. The news of its possible nomination has stimulated me to do so despite the passage of so many years!
Read OnOdesa
The historic center of Odesa represents an intact example of 19th-century Eastern European urban planning and architecture.
The city’s development was made possible by its success as a military and commercial Black Sea port. Its fast pace of growth and multicultural identity, due to its location at the border of Europe and Asia, has led to a variety of architectural styles being used. The property comprises an ensemble of heterogenous buildings and monuments and the port.
Zoë Sheng Chinese-Canadian - 25-Nov-19
I actually didn't plan on going to Odessa. I love Kiev and spent a week there a few years ago almost feeling like a resident living in an apartment at the golden gate and leaving a coin at Panteleimon every morning on my way out. From Kiev I wanted to take the train to Tiraspol (Transnistria) but it was already sold out. Kind of surprising really but instead I took a flight to Odessa and took the train onward from there after a day looking at the town. It was better than the long train journey.
I believe there are already way too many "historic centers" on the WH list. It's maybe unfair to Odessa because some historic centers around Europe suck and got their status earlier when no comparison studies were requested or made, because Odessa is nice to spend time in and check out the buildings while just having a nice relaxing day to walk around, have some food and drinks, well, the typical "old town" affair I suppose. To quote Wikipedia: "Its historical architecture has a style more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Some buildings are built in a mixture of different styles, including Art Nouveau, Renaissance and Classicist.." It was also mostly spared in WW2 and retains the original buildings
Read OnRachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli
The Rachid Karameh International Fair in Tripoli is a large-scale exhibition complex, designed by Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer and built between 1967 and 1975.
The area covers 72ha and holds several buildings. The fairground’s main structure, the curved Grand Canopy, is 70m wide and 620m long. Niemeyer’s original plan had been to also add a new neighbourhood with social housing, but this was discarded by the Lebanese authorities. The whole project wasn’t yet fully finished when the Lebanese Civil War broke out in 1975, and it suffered damage during the war. Most buildings and the landscaped areas are still maintained, although a new use hasn’t been found.
Christravelblog Netherlands - 21-Feb-23
Tripoli is Lebanon’s second largest city and a Tripoli day trip is worth it if you're in Lebanon. It’s a completely different world compared to Beirut. I left Beirut around 08:30 and was in Tripoli at 10:00. I visited both the International Fair and also Tripoli Old Town, both worth it!
Oscar Niemeyer designed the Rachid Karami International Fair in the late sixties for the World Fair in 1976. The fair ground was never finished as the civil war broke out in 1975. Today all the concrete structures are still there and not damaged by the war
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