Iconic places that (probably) never existed

[jw5]

Iconic places that (probably) never existed​

There are plenty of stories about mythical places, many of which have never been found. Some of these places are so present in our imagination that sometimes we're not sure whether they actually exist or not. Sure, satellites and a quick look on Google Earth might provide us with some clues, but remember that our ancestors didn't have access to this technology. Despite this, the truth is that some of these places cannot be discarded as being fictitious...or can they?

 

[jw5]

Hanging Gardens of Babylon​

Legend has it that King Nebuchadnezzar II built these amazing gardens for his wife, Amytis, who was missing the lush vegetation of her hometown.

 

[jw5]

Hanging Gardens of Babylon​

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon have been depicted in many art forms for centuries. They are so famous that they were listed as one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

 

[jw5]

Hanging Gardens of Babylon​

But to this date there is no archaeological evidence that proves the gardens existed (at least in the format they were described). And as you can imagine, many people dedicated years trying to find proof of these exuberant gardens.

 

[jw5]

Hy-Brazil​

The island of Hy-Brazil was supposedly located somewhere off the coast of Ireland. It was first documented on a map in 1325, and stayed on maps for around 500 years!

 

[jw5]

Hy-Brazil​

But seeing this island was no easy task. Apparently, due to heavy fog, it was only visible once every seven years. Odd residents such as giant black rabbits, a sorcerer, and actual gods reportedly lived on the island.

 

[jw5]

Hy-Brazil​

Several expeditions tried to reach Hy-Brazil, which stayed on maps up until 1768. The island was then deemed imaginary.

 

[jw5]

Atlantis​

Probably one (if not the) most popular mythical place on Earth, Atlantis has been present in our imagination ever since 330 BCE, when Greek philosopher Plato first mentioned it.

 

[jw5]

Atlantis​

Needless to say that people have tried to find Atlantis ever since. Many maps place Atlantis in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, but other locations have been speculated, from the Mediterranean Sea, to Antarctica, and the Caribbean.

 

[jw5]

Atlantis​

But despite all the searches, it turns out it was all in Plato's head. Or was it?

 

[jw5]

El Dorado​

The legend of El Dorado refers to a tribal chief of the Muisca people (of modern-day Colombia) who would cover himself in gold and throw treasures into a lake as offerings to the gods.

 

[plzhelpme]

HUACACHINA, an Oasis in PERU.

 

[jw5]

El Dorado​

The legend of a man grew into a legend of whole city filled with treasures. Not only were the Spanish explorers on a mission to find it, but English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh also got in the race. Neither ever found EL Dorado, nor did the expeditions that followed.

 

[jw5]

Kingdom of Saguenay​

When French explorer Jacques Cartier arrived in what is now Canada in 1534, he was told by locals about a place filled with gold and silver called the Kingdom of Saguenay.

 

[red amoeba]

Shangrila - possibly work of fiction of James Hilton.
King Solomon's mines / treasures?
Yamashita's Lost Gold in Singapore

 

[jw5]

Shangrila - possibly work of fiction of James Hilton.
King Solomon's mines / treasures?
Yamashita's Lost Gold in Singapore

Any pictures?

 

[jw5]

Kingdom of Saguenay​

Cartier was so excited by the idea that he went looking for it in 1535. Though local Chief Donnacona warned him that the peoples of this kingdom were heavily armed, had only one leg, flew like bats, and didn't need to eat like the rest of us.

 

[jw5]

Kingdom of Saguenay​

Cartier got even more curious about this amazing kingdom. The French explorer led expeditions until 1542. Needless to say, he found nothing.

 

[jw5]

Shangri-La​

Shangri-La got famous again in James Hilton's 1933 novel 'Lost Horizon.' But the legend of this sacred Tibetan valley dates back to 962 ACE. In Tibetan mythology it was known as Shambala.

 

[jw5]

Shangri-La​

Supposedly somewhere in the Himalayas, this city located on a mountain made of white crystal was inhabited by Buddhists who never had contact with our world and lived in pure harmony. The question remains whether this was a real or a spiritual place we ought to reach.