Random Real Mythological Places (16 items)

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  (#6) Xibalba, Mayan 'Place of Fear'

  This secret site of the Mayan underworld dates back to 750-850 BCE. It's located in on the Yucatan Peninsula, and its believed that this cave was constructed to mimic the Mayan underworld. The entire Mayan civilization, which mysteriously collapsed in the 10th century, stretched from southern Mexico to northern Belize.

  The area is filled with caverns, underground rivers, natural pools, and dark recesses. According to Mayan mythology, sinkholes and caves serve as sacred entrance portals to the other world, Xibalba, roughly translated as "place of fear," where all the gods and blood-thirsty predators lived. 
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  (#4) Valley of the Kings

  • Theban Necropolis, Egypt

  While the Pharaohs laid to rest in this ancient burial ground are indeed real, the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt, has its share of mythological connections. Most of the 63 royal tombs and chambers discovered in this area are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology, portraying the ancient practices, ritual, and worship to the gods.

  The valley has gained much more popularity since the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun, which inspired rumors of the curse of the pharaohs. Apparently, the curse says that anyone who disturbs the mummy of an ancient Egyptian will be doomed.
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  (#15) Barnsdale Forest, Home of Robin Hood

  English folklore depicted Robin Hood as a hero who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. While his existence is still the subject of debate, some places associated with him prevail as tourist attractions.

  The Barnsdale Forest in South Yorkshire, England, is often mentioned in literature as the area where most events surrounding the heroic figure took place. The area features such sites as Robin Hood’s Well, the Church at Skelbrooke, and the Sayles Plantation, all mentioned in early writings about the hero. 
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  (#3) Acropolis of Athens

  • Europe

  The Parthenon, a temple which rests on the Acropolis of Athens, is cherished for its association with Greek mythology. In fact, the temple was dedicated to the city’s patron, the goddess Athena. For thousands of years, the structure has held countless religious festivals, cult gatherings, and even political protests.

  The 228-foot-long building is surrounded by 46 columns of brilliant white marble, supporting the grand structure on a hill where it can be seen from anywhere in the city. Unfortunately, a significant part of the temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE and again by the Venetians in 1687.
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  (#10) Cyclops Riviera, Odysseus's Epic Journey

  Featured in Homer's epic Odyssey, the Cyclops Riviera stretches along nearly eight miles of Sicily's beautiful eastern coast. The area features seaside towns, orchards, mountains, and other sites where Odysseus stopped on his voyage home after the Trojan War.

  The Cyclops Riviera was named after the savage one-eyed giant who trapped and killed several of Odysseus's companions. For visitors, the site can serve as a base to travel around Sicily or simply a place to soak up the sun on the lava beaches and piers along the sea.
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  (#13) El Dorado, Golden City at Bottom of Lake Guatavita

  The myth of the golden city El Dorado started with the tale of the golden man. One day, a Colombian native tribe chief covered himself with gold dust and dove into the water of Lake Guatavita as part of a ritual. The rest of the tribe also took part by throwing gold objects into the lake as an offering to gods.

  Other legends depicted El Dorado as an entire city made of gold. Either way, archeologists have found artifacts made of gold and silver at the bottom of the Lake Guatavita in the Andes, connecting the nearly 50-acre-wide Colombian lake with the shimmering myth. 

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