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Ball’s Pyramid is a sea stack, a great jagged spire rising from the Tasman Sea. Its steep base, roughly 650 feet across, is battered by the rugged sea, making the landing a serious challenge. Royal Navy Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball is credited with discovering Ball’s Pyramid in 1788, which was named in his honor. It…
In the northern reaches of Canada, there is a remote island with terrain so rugged that it helps scientists prep for missions to Mars. Located in close proximity to Greenland, uninhabited Devon Island is believed to be the closest landscape on Earth to the Red Planet. Devon Island is freezing cold, dusty, and almost entirely…
In the 8th century AD, a Rashtrakuta King ordered a rock-cut temple that celebrated Mt. Kailash—which Hindus believe is the Himalayan home of the deity Shiva—to be built in Maharashtra, India. Mt. Kailash was located in a remote corner of Tibet, so the Rashtrakuta ruler wanted to create an accessible pilgrimage spot for devotees of…
Rows of rounded rocks known as the Alabama Hills—which are located just outside of Lone Pine, California—have served as a captivating backdrop for countless films. From the first masked Lone Ranger in the television series of the same name in 1949, to Kevin Bacon narrowly escaping the jaws of a vicious desert creature in the…
The commercial building known as the “Crooked House” in Sopot, Poland is a popular landmark for tourists and photographers. Built in 2004 by the design team of Szotynscy & Zaleski, this 4,000 sq meter building is part of the Rezydent shopping center. The inspiration for its unusual shape came from Polish fairytale illustrations by Jan…
Established by the Byzantines in the 6th century, Monemvasia is a stunning medieval fortress city situated on the southeastern shoreline of the Peloponnese. Seize the chance to explore this mystical stone-crafted settlement, tucked away at the edge of a massive seaside rock, and soak up its unique medieval ambiance! As soon as you step into…
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, St. Roch cemetery doesnโt look like anything out of the ordinary, at first. However, this quiet spot is home to one of the most peculiar settings: the shrine of St. Roch. The neighborhood previously known as Faubourg Franklin, became St. Roch in 1867. In the times of yellow fever epidemic,…
The 11 stone churches built by Ethiopian King Lalibela is considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. The exact date of Lalibela’s rule is unknown, but numerous historians speculate that he reigned in the late 12th or early 13th century AD. Lalibela was a devout Christian who dreamed of recreating Jerusalem in his…