Mysterious Ranikot: The World's Largest Fort

The Ranikot Fort is also famous as Dewar-e-Sindh (Great Wall of Sindh), with a massive circumference of 26KM is believed largest unexplored fort in the world. Ranikot Fort is located at Kirthar Range in Jamshoro District Sindh, Pakistan. The fort is most impressive wonder of Sindh, also included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The massive walls can see from five kilometers away, are built with dressed sandstone and reinforced with 45 bastions along the outer wall. Some walls are rectangular and few are round, but modified though the ages to utilize the gun power. It is believed, Ranikot Fort is largest Fort in the world.  

The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort is not cleared yet, however attribute to Arabs or may be Persian noble built this fort. In spite of the fact this is a prehistoric site of Amri is adjacent, there’s no trace of any old city inside the fort and the present structure has little evidence of prehistoric origins. The Fort stands in the middle of nowhere, defending nothing. So, why this fort was built still a curious exploration to many researchers? However, the ruler of Sindh built for safe and secure place where they can send their families and spend times during difficult times. The unsolved question baffled all researchers to defy all reasons. Nevertheless, this has not been enough to convince the authorities to develop it as a major tourist attraction. 

The fort is easily accessible from Karachi through and excellent road of The National Highway. The internal key features include “Sann Gate”, “Meeri” “Shergarh” “Paryun jo talao” and “Mohan Gate”. The Villagers says, scattered animals, skeletons and prehistoric fossil are highly rumored be found here and there. These days, a number of visitors including families are visiting Ranikot Fort to see the marvelous architects. Hence, it is highly suggested to go there early morning, spend the noon there and get back to Hyderabad before sunset. Hope it will be safe and promising.

The Tower of Kamyenyets

Well, The Tower of Kamyenyets is often called “White Tower” actually a main landmark of the town of Kamianiec in Belarus. It is constructed in 1271-1289 by architect Oleksa, on the northern border of Principality of Volhynia. The Tower has constructed with red brick through the ages, gets never white. The Tower is main landmark of the area, and standing atop gives a majestic view of Liasnaja River. However, it was erected in 1270’s, but foundation date is referring 1276. These days, the tower is national historic site of Belarus, and converted into regional museum since 1960. As the time passes, there were similar towers being built in different areas but badly destroyed in course of wars. 

The tower is 98 feet high, and redbrick walls are approximately 8.2 feet thick with a pitched roof at the top. The tower of Kamyenyets was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on January 30, 2004, in the Cultural category. The tower was completely constructed with red brick give it really a unique look. Therefore, distinct the narrow loopholes on lower levels, the pointed big lancet windows and niches on the upper floor are an outstanding example of early Gothic architecture in Belarus. The opening windows were plastered and whitewashed; permit the entry into the apartments. The upper part of the tower was furnished with battlements and pattern of surface modeling of the brick work, with the addition of several nice ring dong tooth courses running below the battlements. Moreover, the brickwork features a peculiar Baltic bond and some bricks on the exterior were damaged or dismantled by the local peasants. 

The tower is so special for in tourism in Belarus, survived various wars and savagery. Unluckily, the tower has diminished the defensive values over the times, and several attempts made to dismantle him in order to get the red bricks. Nonetheless, people found out that it was unbearable: the bricks turned into rough stone, reluctant to dismantling. The five-tier round building was built for defensive purposes and so lacks architectural and decorative elements. In its place, it has thin portholes and four flat niches with semicircular ends. Moreover the top part of the tower, was an observation platform, is well surrounded by 14 rectangular merlons with apertures and a decorative strip runs around the top of the tower.

The Mysterious Stone Circles of The Gambia

The Stone Circles of Senegambia includes 1053 stone circles and 28,931 monoliths. There’re four circles groups have been selected for world heritage listing, two locations in Gambia and two in Sengal. The location can be found in Kerbatch Central River Division (Gambia, Wassu Central River Division (Gambia), Sine Ngayène Kaolack (Senegal) and Wanar Kaolack (Senegal). So, these four locations, comprises 93 stone circles and various tumuli and burial mounds. Although, age and origins remains a mystery, however, recent findings suggest somewhere between 3^rd century BC and 16^th century AD. Therefore, the stone circles of Senegal and the Gambia are most inspiring remains that have mystified the travelers from many centuries. 

Although, there’re several stone circles have found throughout Europe and the Near East, however there are so large a concentration as found on the north bank of the river Gambia. Though, it is quite puzzling, of large group of similar monuments so well established and showing dynamic culture. The Saloumn and Gambia River area is containing several curious features of unique V or Lyre stones. Although, the commonest shape is round like a pillar with a flat top, and some are taper upwards and few cup shaped hollow on top.

The Stone Circles composed of standing position between 10 and 24 in any particular circle. The most impressive feature is that, almost entire stones forming are same height and size. However, their height is varying between 245cm and 60cm and diameter is 30c to 100cm. The N’Jai Kunda (largest stone) weight is more than 10 tons. This stone were brought down a steep hillside and transportation on rollers on hammocks must have presented formidable difficulties and labor force. The stones were cut out of laterite that occurs in ample outcrops in this part of world and its hardening exposure to air relatively easy to quarry.

Moreover, Islamic historian and wise explorers have presented several opinions, regarding the Senegambia Stone Circles. A famous Islamic scholar Kuntaur Fulla Kunda says, if a small stone stand near a large one, that present that someone was buried with his/her child. However, if stones are in V-Shape that means, two close relatives died on the same day and buried together. Hence, these days, small stones and vegetables are still left on the stones and said to shine bright at night. The famous Wassue Sone Circles is widely popular among tourist and hundreds of visitors come to here to see the mystery of standing stones. The Stone Circles offering a sight of success, cultural heritage.

The Split Apple Rock Formation

The stunning Split Apple Rock is actually a geological rock formation in the Tasman Bay off the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The Split Apple Rock is also known as Tokangawha, made of granite strange shape of an apple which has been cut in half.  The name Split Apple Rock was made official in 1988, and was officially altered to Tokangawhā - Split Apple Rock in August 2014.

This is most famous tourist attraction in the waters of Tasman Sea. It is located somewhere 50 meters off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Marahau.  The rock is accessible by wading as it sits in shallow water. Therefore, several tourist boats and pleasure craft operate along the shores of the Abel Tasman National Park. It is also a point of interest that cleft to produce two sides of “Apple” was a natural occurrence. 

There are number of stories exist for the occurrence of Split Apple Rock, however one is Maori legend fighting over the possession of a larger boulder, and matter was resolved by cutting him into two pieces. Moreover another story tells by geologists, that water seeped into rock during ice age and froze, ultimately shaped splitting the rock by stone. In the first look, you’d be amazed for sure due to its unique rock formation. Split Apple Rock range is clearly visible from the beautiful sandy beach. It’s an excellent place to visit throughout the year due to its mild climate.