The 1,700-year-old megastructure history almost forgot
The 1,700-year-old megastructure history almost forgot
CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter, Unlocking the World, offers insights into global destinations, aviation, gastronomy, and accommodations. This week’s highlights include a man retracing his father’s global cycling adventure, a luxury yacht transformed into a mold-infested relic, and an ancient Roman city spanning an area ten times larger than Disneyland. Beyond these stories, there’s also a monumental Sri Lankan site that once stood as the world’s largest brick structure, yet remains obscure beyond its borders.
A Forgotten Monument in Sri Lanka
Jetavanaramaya, a fourth-century Sri Lankan engineering marvel, was built as a testament to religious competition. Over centuries, it endured earthquakes, abandonment, and conflict, yet its scale—larger in volume than any other brick edifice—remained unmatched. Despite its significance, it’s seldom recognized outside Sri Lanka, with periods of history nearly erasing its existence.
“Read more here about how Jetavanaramaya was lost, then rediscovered.”
Turkey’s Timeless Roman City
In Turkey, Ephesus stands as a UNESCO-protected Roman port city, remarkably preserved. Its historical treasures cover 1,600 acres, dwarfing Disneyland in size. Once a thriving hub for figures like Alexander the Great and Cleopatra, Ephesus continues to attract over 2.5 million visitors annually.
“Here’s what there is to see.”
An Unfinished Masterpiece
Spain’s Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi, is nearing completion after 144 years of construction. Work began in 1882, and Pope Leo will preside over the central tower’s inauguration next summer.
“Watch the building process here.”
A Moldy Yacht’s Unlikely Home
For CNN subscribers, a Canadian couple’s story adds intrigue. They purchased a luxury yacht without inspecting it, only to find it encased in mold. Despite its condition, they embraced it as their floating sanctuary, transforming it into a home over six years.
“Despite the vessel’s appearance, Janis and Blaine Carmena felt an immediate pull — they knew they were ‘the right people’ to take her on.”
A Cycling Journey Across Time
An Englishman followed in his father’s footsteps, replicating a 1980s round-the-world bicycle tour. He rode the same brand of bike, visited familiar landmarks, and recreated vintage photographs, frame by frame.
“I’ve been inspired by my dad my entire life,” Jamie tells CNN. “It’s a real sort of connection to Dad. The only thing dividing us was time.”
Love Across the Atlantic
A chance encounter in Alabama sparked a chain of events leading to three transatlantic love stories and three weddings. A text alerting someone to “come outside, we’re surrounded by hot British men” initiated a series of connections between young Brits and Americans.
“I knew it was mine,” Amelia Butler says of her unexpected Italian home purchase. “Based on the valley view from the window, I bought the one-bedroom apartment without viewing the property in person or even visiting the village.”
Other Stories of the Week
Japan reports a surge in ski and snowboard accidents involving foreign tourists, straining rescue efforts. Meanwhile, a presidential address and a cartel leader’s downfall mark a week of global headlines. A viral photo led to the closure of an Australian attraction, while a dream of Italian citizenship seemed to vanish. Yet, a lifeline may still exist for those seeking refuge in British pubs, where visitors can learn to blend in seamlessly.
