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Most overlooked sights

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by somewhatsilly (U14315357) on Sunday, 27th March 2011

  
  
  This is a suggestion for 12 places that are overlooked in the scramble to visit neighbouring, world famous sightseeing attractions.
  
  I would add the Great Cistern in Istanbul, just beside Hagia Sophia, when I went, there was no one else there and it was breathtaking.
  
  Where would you add?

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  Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) ** on Sunday, 27th March 2011

  There are so many, aren't there?
  
  Several times in the past I have had reason to be grateful that a neighbouring "big attraction" took the touristic heat off particular sites. I am thinking in particular of Newgrange in Ireland and Knossos in Crete, both of which coincidentally are impressive reconstructions that have had no little controversy attached to them in terms of the accuracy of that work (and therefore have obfuscated rather than enhanced archaeological interpretation of the subject), but on the strength of that have also (and thankfully) acted as magnets diverting all but the most genuinely interested visitors from near neighbours which themselves offer a far more lucid insight into the respective archaeological milieu of the areas concerned - Knowth and Dowth in the case of Newgrange, for example, and sites like Phaestos and Mallia in Crete. The visitor to these sites is therefore presented with a greater opportunity to evaluate the visible data and an atmosphere more conducive to do so in an intelligent and hassle-free environment.
  
  Rome alone could provide one with another hundred such examples quite easily, I would imagine, if not more.
  
  Great topic, ferval.

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  Posted by somewhatsilly (U14315357) on Sunday, 27th March 2011

  That's a really good point about the magnet sites facilitating the peaceful appreciation of less popular, I'm reminded of the contrast between visiting Skara Brae and seeing Barnhouse or that between Maeshowe and Cuween or Unstan. Maybe I should delete this thread but I'm comforted by the small number of people who will read it.
  
  The whole question of reconstruction, in the cases you mentioned, possibly re imagining might be more appropriate, is fraught, isn't it? I do appreciate the desire of people to see places "as they were" and the tourism benefits that can accrue and I don't want to be too precious about authenticity but there are so many problems. Possibly the most extreme example I've ever come across is the Bibi Khanym mosque in Samarkand which is now a virtually complete rebuild, there's nothing left of the original building, but it is only if you happen across the small photo of the pile of rubble that was all that was left before, do you realise this.
  
  There's a thread in 'what are the best lesser known sites in Rome' as well.

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  Posted by islanddawn (U7379884) ** on Monday, 28th March 2011

  Yes, lets keep lesser known sites as they are. Can't abide main tourist routes, with their resorts, bars and hordes of people herded around like cattle, not taking anything in nor appreciating and understanding much. The only purpose of visiting historical sites to many (that I can understand) is for bragging rights back home and photos on Facebook.

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  Posted by Caro (U1691443) on Monday, 28th March 2011

  NOt perhaps quite the same thing, and part of the problem was with us, no doubt. But we never really got to see St Mark's Basilica in Venice at all. Having ferried over from Porec in Croatia with my husband very sea-sick we were then herded over a teetering bit of board with people shoving us enough for me to be able imagining ending in the water (Venice's water was high that day and the entrance to the Basilica restricted). there were thousands of tourists there and when we saw the five-deep queues just to have your bags checked/left, we turned and left.
  
  Back in Porec there was a delightful Basilica of its own which we could wander round in peace.
  
  In Britain we were to Lindisfarne recently, and while it was good, I wasn't quite over-awed (perhaps you need a little religious feeling for that). I wondered if it was very wrong that I was most impressed with the 1960s causeway to get to it. Fairly crowded but it was winter and in the cemetery I was on my own. But I much preferred Maelmin somewhere also in Northumberand, which had no only Anglo-Saxon (or whatever the preferred term is) trails and information and a model of their own style of huts, but also the history of a WWII training regiment and their stories. I really loved it all. (But it wasn't of course a mini-Lindisfarne.)
  
  Caro.

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  Posted by somewhatsilly (U14315357) on Monday, 28th March 2011

  I wondered if it was very wrong that I was most impressed with the 1960s causeway to get to it.Β 
  
  I had the same feeling at Abu Simbel where I was equally impressed when we were taken behind the reconstructed temple and into the dome built to support the artificial hill. It was just like a James Bond film set and I'd not have been at all surprised to see ninjas abseiling down from the roof.

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  Posted by Caro (U1691443) on Monday, 28th March 2011

  PS. ID, the other day flying back from Malta I said to my husband that I'd always thought it would be better for the plane to crash on the way home rather than going to a place, but then I would miss out on the pleasure of telling people about our travels. (Apart from the fact that the thought of the slightest cut has me shuddering.)
  
  Cheers, Caro,

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  Posted by islanddawn (U7379884) ** on Monday, 28th March 2011

  I'm a bit confused as to why you'd be putting yourself in that category Caro. From what I've gathered from your posts you always take an interest in the place you visit, make an effort to learn something about it and even you will occasionally follow it up with further queries on these boards.
  
  Believe it or not, but some people (those I was referring to) don't even know the name of the historical site they are going to look at, little on it's significance. They just seem to follow where everyone else is headed, take photos of themselves in front of it and then shuffle off to the next place. Sometimes I wonder if they know the name of the country they are in or realise where it is in the world.

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  Posted by somewhatsilly (U14315357) on Monday, 28th March 2011

  I was once on a cruise boat south of Luxor and asked by a fellow passenger "When do we get to the Pyramids?".
  But you're right id, about people not knowing what country they're in, they seem to pick the hotel from the brochure and, as long as it's got the pool, the beach and the bars, where it is doesn't figure. To be fair though, there's plenty of places where you'd be pushed to identify the country you're in.

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  Posted by islanddawn (U7379884) ** on Monday, 28th March 2011

  You are not wrong ferval, some places are so over commercialised they have become homogenous.
  
  I realise that tourism is a necessary and major part of economies, especially this one but it would be horrible if all the attractions were to end up like this. Some sections should be kept out of the lime light for the people who like a quiet visit and time and space to savor the traditions of the locale.

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