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Madhya Pradesh, India

Jahangir Mahal in Orchha is one of many well-preserved palatial remains that can be found in India. It was built in the 17th century, when the ruler of the region wanted to create a lavish welcome for Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

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Teesdale, U.K.

The ruins of Bowes Castle are impressive for not only their appearance but their history. This medieval castle was once timber but rebuilt using stone between 1170 and 1174.

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Catalonia, Spain

Step into these ruins and you'll get a view that was likely just as incredible hundreds of years ago. If you're not familiar with the region, Catalonia is made up of four provinces, including Barcelona.

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Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

There's nothing left of Lovamahapaya (also known as Bronze Palace) but these 1,600 stone pillars. The palace was long ago destroyed by fire.

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Fars, Iran

The ruins of Persepolis date back to 500 B.C. and are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

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Heraklion, Crete

The Palace of Knossos is a top tourist attraction, giving visitors a peek into the ancient Minoan civilization. What visitors see is made up of rebuilt features which span several centuries, so the current palace may not be recognizable to ancient peoples.

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Liguria, Italy

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena sits beneath the striking ruins of a castle on the mountain. Located 43 miles from Genoa, the castle dates back to the 9th or 10th century.

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Karnataka, India

The ruins of Sangeet Mahal are believed to be the remains of a royal court for music and dance. In modern times, the site has become the location for an annual classical music concert, Navaraspur Music Festival, held in February.

Related: Once Popular Tourist Hotspots That Are Now Totally Abandoned

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Tsarang, Nepal

There's little left of this castle in the Mustang region of the country. The chortens, or religious structures symbolizing Buddha's presence, each signify one of Buddha's major life events.

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Bali, Indonesia

What's left of Taman Soekasada Ujung (Ujung Water Palace) in Indonesia is little more than a few columns.  It was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1963 followed by an earthquake in 1975. 


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Quintana Roo, Mexico

The Mayan ruins at Tulum are located on the Yucatan Peninsula's eastern coast. The ruins are located on tall cliffs and considered some of the best-preserved Mayan sites.

Related: 21 Eerie Photos of Shipwrecks Around the World

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Granada, Spain

Torre de las Damas, or the Tower of the Ladies, is part of the castle of Alhambra, which dates back to the 9th century. Paintings found on the premises are the only ones of their kind representing the 16th century Muslim period in Spain.

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Zavrsje, Croatia

Juxtaposed with more recent buildings, the ramparts of this castle in Croatia still look sturdy enough to fend off any incoming attack.

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Uxmal, Mexico

The Governor's Palace in the Uxmal Mayan site features the impressive Pyramid of the Magician, also known as the House of the Dwarf. It is one of the most famous Maya monuments in the region.

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Russia

This building has been overtaken by nature in the years since it was abandoned. Imagining how this grand hall once looked is part of the fun.


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Jaipur, India

The City Palace has some colorful windows in this viewing area. The site is still frequently visited today and viewed as living history. 



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Bali, Indonesia

The gateway of the Puri Gede Palace is thrust into the 21st century with a modern moped on the walkway. The Palace, home to members of the Karangasem royal family, isn't open to the public.

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Tamil Nadu, India

The royal palace of Thanjavur has a lot more color than one might expect from an abandoned palace. This is the durbar hall, a reception area found in many Indian palaces.

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Guadalajara, Spain

The Molina de Aragon castle is a Moorish fortress with four of its original eight gates remaining. Military leader El Cid, the national hero of Spain, lived here in the 11th century while in exile.

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Russia

This abandoned palace is a little too spooky to attract tourists. The curved entryway suggests this building is more modern than the decay of the structure might imply.



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Jaipur, India

Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of the Winds, is also known as the Beehive. Built in 1799, the five-story building was meant for the queen and the women attending her as well as the king's harem. It has 953 windows to allow the women in the harem to watch the scenery below. 


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Lithuania

There's little left of this palace in Lithuania, but no doubt it was something to see hundreds of years ago.