The allure of the past is undeniable, and many of us long to travel back in time and immerse ourselves in bygone eras, imagining what it would have been like to witness certain places as they were years ago. Unfortunately, the sensitivity or remoteness of certain archaeological wonders can make them impossible to visit—here are 17 such places you cannot see in person.
Lascaux Cave, France
Home to 17,000-year-old cave paintings discovered in 1940, this cave has been closed to the public since 1963. The Collector claims visitors altered the humidity and CO₂ levels, causing microbial and fungal growth that damaged the paintings. This UNESCO ‘World Heritage in Danger’ site is permanently closed, although you can view the meticulously recreated replicas nearby.
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, China
The vast terracotta army guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, is an ancient marvel of engineering and artistry. However, due to the delicate, ongoing excavation process as well as the need to protect the life-sized warriors, the mausoleum itself remains largely off-limits to visitors. This aims to protect the site from potentially damaging changes in humidity and temperature.
The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru
Perched high in the Andes Mountains, the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is a remote and ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site. While tourists are allowed to visit, their visits are highly regulated and restricted to avoid damage from mass tourism. Certain physically vulnerable or unsafe/inaccessible areas are off-limits to anyone except archaeologists.
Upper Levels of the Colosseum, Rome, Italy
This colossal amphitheater is an awe-inspiring reminder of Rome’s power and engineering skills and is a major tourist attraction that permits entrance all year round. However, many areas remain off-limits. Certain underground chambers are still being excavated and restored, while the uppermost levels are closed due to their questionable structural integrity.
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Peru
This important 15th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest adobe city in the world, with thick walls made from compressed dirt and organic materials. The vast site includes various buildings but has been badly damaged by heavy rain and strong winds—tourists are now highly restricted, and some areas are entirely closed to the public in an effort to slow erosion.
Ise Grand Shrine, Japan
This extremely sacred site is rebuilt every 20 years, according to ancient Japanese rituals and methods. Although visitors are allowed to view the thatched roofs of the holy buildings within the walls, they are forbidden to enter. India Today reports that only the priest or priestess can enter the shrine itself, thus making it permanently off-limits to tourists.
Leptis Magna, Libya
Once a flourishing Roman city in North Africa, Leptis Magna’s impressive ruins reveal some of its former grandeur but are now closed due to civil unrest in the region. Ongoing terrorist threats and political instability have caused the Libyan government to close the site. Although this closure is not intended to be permanent, visiting may be forbidden throughout our lifetimes.
The Qiblatayn Mosque, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Due to its close proximity to the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, this historic mosque in Madinah holds immense religious significance for Muslims. For this reason, you can only visit if you are Muslim, and even then, access is restricted—particularly during the pilgrimage season of Hajj, largely to regulate the immense crowds that could potentially damage the site.
Hidden Areas of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China
According to Wild Great Wall, large areas of the Forbidden City (home of Chinese emperors for centuries) are visited by up to 40,000 tourists every day! However, there are several areas of the impressively vast complex that tourists may never enter, such as the private quarters of the emperors, ongoing restoration zones, and sections with delicate cultural artifacts.
Vatican Secret Archives, Rome, Italy
The archived documents stored in the Catholic Church’s holy city are not themselves forbidden—you can technically view any of them that are less than 75 years old (due to political reasons). However, an average person can never enter the archive to view its 35,000 books housed on over 52 miles (84 km) of shelving. You’ll need a lot more than a library pass to get in!
The Shroud of Turin, Turin Cathedral, Italy
While not technically a site, this ancient linen cloth purportedly bearing the faint image of a man’s face is a religious artifact that many Christians believe was used to cover Christ’s face after His crucifixion. Due to its sacred importance and fragility, tourists cannot view the relic itself, only a replica. Viewings of the original are reserved for VIPs only.
The Kilwa Kisiwani Ruins, Tanzania
This collection of crumbling coral stone structures off the coast of Tanzania are remnants of a once-thriving Swahili port city dating back to the 13th century. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site requires a pre-arranged permit. Even with permission, you can only visit certain parts of the well-preserved site with a tour guide. Many fragile areas are off-limits entirely.
Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq
This ancient city in Iraq was once the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, which Britannica says was the third caliphate to descend from the Prophet Mohammed around 750–1258 AD. The Great Mosque of Samarra, with its beautiful spiral minaret, is a UNESCO Site, but ongoing political unrest and the destruction of cultural heritage sites by ISIS have left this and other buildings fragile and unsafe.
Palmyra, Syria
Once a bustling 1st–2nd-century trading center on the Silk Road, this ancient city in central Syria is renowned for its stunning Greco-Roman architecture with unique details incorporated into desert life. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but the threat of landmines and civil unrest makes the entire site unsafe for tourists. Sadly, some of its structures are already severely damaged.
Lycian Ruins, Simena, Turkey
Also known as Kaleköy, the tiny hillside village of Simena hides some ancient treasures beneath its picturesque beaches. Ornate tombs and other parts of an ancient Lycian civilization are largely submerged beneath the waves, and diving and snorkeling are banned to protect the fragile ruins. You’re unlikely to catch a glimpse of anything ancient, even at low tide!
Old City of Sana’a, Yemen
Sana’a is the capital of Yemen, and its old town district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, Yemen’s ongoing civil war has resulted in significant damage to some of its ancient structures and buildings, mainly from airstrikes. Even if you want to risk visiting a war zone, large areas have been completely destroyed or are inaccessible.
Aksum, Tigray, Ethiopia
The UNESCO archaeological site of Aksum has been threatened by violence and bloody civil war, preventing visitors from safely accessing its remote, rock-cut churches and monuments. Even if you could visit, you’d be disappointed to find that it’s been attacked and looted and no longer boasts all the artifacts and decorations that many tourists came to view before the war.
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