Secrets of Ancient Structures

From the Pantheon and its seemingly perfect dome to the gravity-defying Mont Saint-Michel, and an enduring Roman gate that evolved into a medieval church, the exploration of history's most sacred spaces uncovers how ancient builders channeled faith and ingenuity into architectural marvels.

Around the world, architectural marvels stand as conduits to the cosmos. Angkor Wat is built as a stone replica of the universe, while the ancient Mayan pyramid El Castillo marks a sacred axis connecting earth and sky. Meanwhile, in the hills of Ireland, a neolithic structure known as Newgrange harnesses the transformative power of the solstice sun.

Stretching across immense landscapes and towering above their surroundings, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, and Malbork Castle are borne of blood, sweat, and revolutionary engineering. These architectural titans challenge our understanding of what's possible in stone and mortar.

In Sri Lanka, a fortress rises majestically from volcanic ashes. Mysterious stone heads dot a remote island in the Pacific. In India, an intricate Hindu temple emerges as one of the most astounding examples of rock-cut architecture in the world. How did ancient builders harness the Earth's fiery legacy to create enduring structures that defy comprehension?

Behind the incredible grandeur of Peru's Sacsayhuamán citadel, India's Chand Baori stepwell, and Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral is incredible architecture that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Over the centuries, these feats of design have inspired legends of supernatural intervention and diabolical bargains.

Humanity's quest for immortality has birthed awe-inspiring monuments that seemingly transcend death. From the Taj Mahal's luminous marble that embodies eternal love to the crypt of 11th-century Salian emperors in Germany’s Speyer Cathedral to majestic Lycian rock-cut tombs in Turkey, these edifices hold clues to how our ancient ancestors faced death and celebrated life.