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23 Historical Monuments That Were Destroyed Because of What They Stood For

June 16, 2024

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Many important historical sites have been destroyed throughout history, targeted during periods of conflict or cultural change. This destruction reminds us of how easily cultural heritage can be lost due to human actions. Let’s look back at some of the most significant sites that have disappeared from our world.

Buddhas of Bamiyan

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The Buddhas of Bamiyan, monumental statues standing in Afghanistan, were destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban due to their representation of non-Islamic religious figures. These sculptures, dating back to the 6th century, were religious icons and a testament to the region’s rich history.

The Parthenon

Although it stands today as a ruin, the Parthenon was further destroyed in 1687 when the Venetians bombarded it during a siege, as it was being used by the Ottomans as a gunpowder depot. This iconic symbol of ancient Greece was severely damaged.

Ancient Carthage

Ancient ruins of Carthage, Carthage, Birsa Hill, Tunisia KiyechkaSo Shutterstock — image credit: KiyechkaSo/Shutterstock

Ancient Carthage was systematically destroyed by the Romans at the end of the Third Punic War in 146 BC. They salted the earth so that nothing would grow, intending to permanently end Carthage’s role as a competitor in the Mediterranean. This obliteration of Carthage was a clear message of Roman dominance and strategic elimination of a rival.

Monte Cassino Abbey

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The historic Abbey of Monte Cassino, founded by Saint Benedict in 529 AD, was destroyed in a series of Allied bombings in 1944 during World War II. Allied forces believed it was being used as a German military outpost. Its destruction was controversial as it later turned out to be unnecessary; the abbey was actually not occupied by German troops.

Nalanda University

Nalanda University in India, an ancient seat of Buddhist education, was sacked and destroyed in the 12th century by an army under Bakhtiyar Khilji. This was a systematic attempt to destroy a symbol of Buddhist learning and culture. The university’s vast library, known as Dharmaganja, was said to have burned for months.

The Twin Towers

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The destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, by terrorist attacks caused an immense loss of life but also the loss of an iconic part of New York City’s skyline. These towers represented economic power and global connectivity. Their destruction marked a pivotal change in global politics and security.

Cultural Revolution Sites in China

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During China’s Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, countless historical relics, artworks, and temples were destroyed as they were seen as symbols of the “Four Olds” (old customs, culture, habits, and ideas). This period of extensive cultural purging aimed to reinforce communist ideals by erasing traditional and historical elements from Chinese society.

Statues of Saddam Hussein

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Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, statues of Saddam Hussein across the country were toppled in a widespread rejection of his long, oppressive regime. These statues, meant to symbolize Saddam’s power and presence, became focal points for celebrations of his regime’s end. This act was symbolic of the Iraqi people’s desire to move forward from decades of tyranny.

The Old Summer Palace (Yuanming Yuan)

The Old Summer AI Palace in Beijing was destroyed in 1860 by British and French troops during the Second Opium War as a retaliation against the Qing dynasty. This act was intended to punish the Emperor and weaken the Qing dynasty’s international standing. The destruction of the palace remains a deep cultural wound in Chinese history.

The Stari Most Bridge

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The Stari Most, a 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. It was targeted because it was a symbol of the multicultural coexistence in Mostar. The bridge’s reconstruction, completed in 2004, was celebrated as a sign of hope and reconciliation.

Babri Masjid

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The Babri Masjid, a historic mosque in Ayodhya, India, was demolished in 1992 by a mob that believed the mosque was built over a sacred Hindu site. This act of destruction was driven by religious nationalism and resulted in widespread communal violence across India.

Smolny Cathedral

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During the Soviet era, many Russian Orthodox churches were demolished or repurposed, reflecting the state’s endorsement of atheism. Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, was converted into a warehouse, losing its religious significance. It was later restored and is now a symbol of cultural resilience.

The Crystal Palace

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Originally constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, The Crystal Palace was later moved and reconstructed, only to be destroyed by fire in 1936. While not destroyed due to its symbolic nature, its loss marked the end of an era of grand exhibitions and architectural innovation. The palace had symbolized the pinnacle of Victorian ingenuity and culture.

Palmyra

Palmyra in Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage site, suffered extensive damage at the hands of ISIS, which destroyed numerous ancient structures between 2015 and 2017. The group targeted the site because of its pre-Islamic cultural significance and the artifacts that they deemed idolatrous. This act of destruction sparked international outrage.

The Berlin Wall

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Although its destruction in 1989 was celebrated as a symbol of freedom and the end of Cold War divisions, the Berlin Wall’s demolition also erased a physical marker of decades of political tension. The Wall, erected in 1961, divided East and West Berlin and prevented the migration of East Germans to the West. Its fall was a pivotal moment in history.

Greenwood District (Black Wall Street)

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In 1921, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as Black Wall Wall Street due to its affluent African American community, was destroyed by a white mob. The attack, which included aerial bombing and widespread arson, was one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history. It erased a thriving black community and its economic prosperity.

Dresden

During World War II, the city of Dresden in Germany was heavily bombed by the Allies in 1945, resulting in a firestorm that destroyed the majority of the city’s historic center. This act was intended to cripple German morale and hasten the end of the war.

Lighthouse of Alexandria

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One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, was severely damaged by a series of earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries. It was an architectural marvel and a symbol of the city’s great wealth and cultural importance.

Library of Alexandria

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The Library of Alexandria, the largest and most significant library of the ancient world, suffered multiple fires over centuries that eventually led to its decline and disappearance. This center of scholarship and knowledge was a symbol of Alexandria’s intellect and learning. Its loss is considered one of the greatest cultural tragedies in history.

Penn Station, New York

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The original Pennsylvania Station, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece, was demolished in 1963 amid significant public outcry. Its destruction is often cited as a watershed moment in the architectural preservation movement in the United States. The loss of such a historic and beautiful structure led to greater regulations and efforts to preserve architectural heritage.

Quilmes Ruins

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The Quilmes Ruins in Argentina are remnants of one of the largest pre-Columbian settlements in the country, destroyed by Spanish colonizers who sought to subdue the indigenous Quilmes people. After resisting Spanish forces for over a century, the site was demolished, and its inhabitants were forcibly relocated.

Sufi Shrines in Mali

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In 2012, several ancient Sufi shrines in Timbuktu, Mali, were destroyed by Islamist militants who considered the shrines to be idolatrous. These sites were important cultural and religious landmarks, and their destruction was seen as an attack on the cultural identity and heritage of the local communities. International efforts have been made to restore some of the damaged shrines.

Warsaw Ghetto

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The Warsaw Ghetto in Poland was systematically destroyed during and after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943 by Nazi Germany. The destruction was intended to crush the resistance and obliterate the physical and cultural existence of the Jewish community in Warsaw. Today, memorials and a small section of the ghetto walls remain to commemorate its inhabitants.