History Reconstructed: The 10 Most Fascinating Historical Replicas

While many historical sites such as the Pyramids at Giza, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge have withstood the test of time, there are some unfortunate ones that haven’t.  While they may not be as elegant as the originals, these sites are the ones man has decided to reconstruct, perhaps in order to educate others about their historical relevance.  I count down the 10 most fascinating reconstructed historical sites.  If you know something interesting that was left off the list, please comment!

1.)Globe Theatre, London, England

 

The Globe Theatre is probably most well know as having been associated with some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.  The Theatre opened in 1599 only to be burnt down in 1613 due to a theatrical canon’s misfire during a performance of Henry the 8th.  The theatre was again reconstructed in 1614 and again destroyed in 1642 by the Puritans.  Construction on the new Globe Theatre was completed in 1994.  Today classic Shakespearian plays are performed here the same way they were nearly 400 years ago.

2.)Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow

 

Emperor Alexander I of Russia first declared that the cathedral be built in honor of Christ for saving Russia from Napoleon.  Construction took awhile and the cathedral was finally finished in 1860.  The Soviets reduced the cathedral to rubble in 1931 with dynamite after Lenin’s death to make way for the Palace of the Soviets, a site dedicated to socialism.  Due to lack of funds and the second world war the palace construction was abandoned.  The site was turned into the world’s largest swimming pool.  In 2000 the newly constructed cathedral was finished where it remains in it’s current state today.

3.)Capital Building, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

This building served as the first capital building of America.  Construction was completed in 1705 and it burned down in 1743.  It was used by british forces during the revolutionary war and was later dismantled for materials.    The newly reconstructed capital building opened in the early 20th century.

4.)Olympias

 

Olympius is a reconstructed Athenian trireme(a class of ancient war ship) and was built from 1985 to 1987.  Since then she’s been used in ceremonies marking democracy in Great Britain and used to carry the official olympic flame.  Olympius would have originally had a crew of 200.

5.)Mayflower II

 

Famous for carrying the pilgrims to the new land, the Mayflower was most likely dismantled for scrap in London.  She was reconstructed 1956, has sailed across the sea, and today remains a symbol of friendship between the United States and England.

6.)Dresden Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany

 

Construction on this lutheran church was completed in 1943.  The building was destroyed due to bombing from the 2nd world war and reconstruction on the church was completed in 2005 and today remains a popular tourist destination.  More recently U.S. President Barack Obama visited the church after meeting with german Prime Minister Angela Merkel.

7.)St. Mark’s Campanile, Venice, Italy

 

St. Mark’s Campanile is one of the most recognizable symbols of Venice and serves as the cathedral’s bell tower.  The tower had been damaged in a number of event throughout the years after it’s construction in the 9th century.  The tower finally collapsed in 1902 and reconstruction was finished in 1912.

8.)HMS Endeavour

 

The HMS Endevour was the famed ship of british explorer James Cook.  She was launched in 1768, traveled the seas, and sunk in 1778.  The reconstructed Endevour was finished in 1994.

9.)Parthenon, Nashville, TN

 

Although the original parthenon remains partially intact, an entire full size replica was constructed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1897.  Today it serves as an art museum.

10.)USS Monitor

 

The USS Monitor served as the U.S. Navy’s first ironclad ship during the American Civil War.  The Monitor was lost at sea due to high waves while on tow in 1862.  A replica of the ship was completed in 2006 and today it can be viewed at the U.S. Mariners Museum.