Movies and books are more than just their characters. The scenarios that come to life through these stories are as important as the stories themselves. Movie magic is often built on fantasy lands that sound far more incredible than the real world.
Is it really? The truth is that our planet is full of places that leave nothing to be desired in relation to the fantasy settings of the best films. I'm Donato de Paula, narrator of Mistérios do Mundo, and here are 10 real places that seem to have come out of fiction.
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The Marx generator, also called Tesla Towers, was built during the 1970s, at the height of the Cold War. It is a machine so powerful that it can emit energy equivalent to the electricity produced by all the power plants in Russia, but for a very brief period, just 100 microseconds. The Russian generator complex was intended to test lightning isolation on military aircraft.
When the Soviet Union fell in the early 1990s, the rest of the world got its first glimpse of the hidden facility. Technically, it is not abandoned, as it has occasionally been used by private research companies for unknown purposes. Tianzi Mountains, China Often surrounded by mist, the tower-like peaks of the Tianzi Mountains rise abruptly from the tree-covered ground below to create a landscape like no other.
The 21 square kilometers of mountainous landscapes are located in the Hunan province of China and represent one of the most unique formations on Earth. So unique that it was James Cameron's inspiration for the successful 2009 film *Avatar*. The Tianzi Mountains rise abruptly from the tree-covered ground below to create a landscape like no other.
The 21 square kilometers of mountainous landscapes are located in the Hunan province of China and represent one of the most unique formations on Earth. So exclusive that it was James Cameron's inspiration for the successful 2009 film *Avatar*. The Tianzi Mountains are the product of millions of years of sedimentary rock erosion.
Its ancient sandstone peaks have been slowly carved away by water and wind. What was left behind were the slender, weathered towers, some more than 200 meters tall. Socotra, Yemen Isolated from the outside world, Socotra has become one of the most strangely beautiful and eccentric places on planet Earth.
The island is consistently described as the most alien-looking place in the world. And it's your flora's fault. A third of it cannot be found anywhere else.
Probably the most famous feature of Socotra is the dragon's blood tree, known for its very peculiar branches as well as its red sap, from which it gets its name. The island also has a multitude of endemic species of birds and spiders. Of course, the number of species began to plummet the minute man set foot on the island, but still, it still retains many of its peculiarities.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland On the coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland, you can catch an epic view. A forest of 40 thousand stone pillars, known as the Giant's Causeway. What is most notable about this unique landscape is the regularity of the stone columns, which appear to have been organized into hexagonal blocks that are stacked together as if they were cells in a honeycomb.
Before people had a modern understanding of geological processes and how they work to shape the Earth, it was easy to assume that any such regular pattern could only have been the work of some higher intelligence. Hence, a multitude of legends have emerged to explain the formation. The main one it is that a giant cut the stones, hence the name.
Before people had a modern understanding of geological processes and how they work to shape the Earth, it was easy to assume that any such regular pattern could only have been the work of some higher intelligence. Hence, a multitude of legends have emerged to explain the formation. The main one is that a giant cut the stones, hence the name.
Be that as it may, there are few places where seemingly chaotic natural forces can converge to produce something of stunning natural beauty. Pamukkale, Turkey (Pronounced Pamucal) In the picturesque southeastern region of Denizli, Turkey, lies a steep valley, its slopes flanked by rows of steps of sparkling white rocks. Welcome to Pamukkale, a paradise of 17 terraced thermal pools that bring with them the heat that comes from underground.
The waters are a constant 35 degrees. But heat isn't all that water carries from bottom to top. It also comes with a mixture of minerals that include bicarbonates, colloidal iron and calcium carbonate, which characterize the exotic landscape.
A city was founded atop the hill in the early 2nd century BC, and the hot springs became known for their healing properties. Numerous temples were built, and because of them, the city became known as Hilerapolis, which translates as Holy City. But major earthquakes destroyed it in the year 60 and again in 133.
Catacombs of Paris Millions of people travel to Paris every year. With the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, the city has some of the most recognized landmarks and tourist attractions in the world. But few tourists know that beneath the charming streets and alleys of the city of lights hides one of the scariest places in the world: the catacombs of Paris.
Home to some of the largest ossuaries in the world, if you ever go to Paris, be sure to visit the City of the Dead, which rests right beneath your feet. There, you will find skulls and other bones from more than 6 million people. While it may seem like Paris has been under the control of a murderous cult for several centuries, the reasons behind the massive ossuary's existence are quite practical.
Housing some of the largest ossuaries in the world, if you ever go to Paris, be sure to visit the City of the Dead, which rests right under your feet. There, you will find skulls and other bones from more than 6 million people. While it may seem like Paris has been under the control of a murderous cult for several centuries, the reasons behind the massive ossuary's existence are quite practical.
They ran out of space in cemeteries. Lack of space is a common problem for any fast-growing city, which is exactly what happened to Paris in the 18th century. Nowadays, you can take a 45-minute tour of the catacombs.
Of the ossuary's 4 square kilometers, tourists can visit about half. Chocolate Hills, Philippines Often dubbed the eighth natural wonder of the world, the Chocolate Hills attract attention for their picturesque features. These hills, which are usually covered in green grass, dry out and turn a chocolate-brown color during the dry season.
Hence the name. There are more than a thousand hills spread over an area of 50 square kilometers in Bohol, Philippines. And although the hills vary in their size, from a distance they appear to have an almost symmetrical shape.
This results in a majestic landscape that might make you think it's an artificial creation. For many years, geologists have tried to decipher the mystery of the formation of these hills. Most of them claim that these hills were coral reefs, and that the region was submerged a long time ago.
The dome shape was due to the erosion of these deposits. Be that as it may, a trip to the Philippines certainly cannot do without a visit to the chocolate hills. Fly Geyser, United States (pron Flai) A collision between human error and natural geothermal pressure created this idyllic landscape that seems to transport us to another world.
The first geyser at the site began to form in 1916, when residents were looking for water for irrigation and drilled a well, which was quickly abandoned when they discovered that the water inside was too hot. A collision between human error and natural geothermal pressure has created this idyllic landscape that seems to transport us to another world. The first geyser at the site began to form in 1916, when residents were looking for water for irrigation and drilled a well, which was quickly abandoned when they discovered that the water inside was too hot.
Likewise, the main geyser was created accidentally in 1964 after a geothermal energy company drilled a test well at the site. After the tests, the well was left uncovered or inadequately capped . Eventually, scalding water began shooting from the well and calcium carbonate deposits began to form, growing several inches each year.
After a few decades, these deposits turned into three large mounds rising from a field of tall reeds and grasses. Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland Millions of years ago, the ocean water that covered this region gradually evaporated until only salt remained, which over time accumulated in layers of rock, only to be explored years later. This salt mine transports you to a mysterious salt world beneath the Earth's surface.
The mines were worked continuously from the 13th century until the end of the 20th century, constituting one of the first and most important European industrial operations . There are hundreds of kilometers of galleries with underground chapels, works of art, chandeliers and statues carved in salt, allowing us a fascinating journey into the past. The mine, which has been active for 700 years, hides an underground kingdom with 240 kilometers of galleries and 2,350 chambers, reaching a depth of 330 meters.
A great feat of human effort and ingenuity. Tourist tours only cover 1% of the mine, as it would take several days to fully explore it. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil Fine white sand marks the paradisiacal path taken by travelers through the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
High season occurs during and after the rainy season. The fine white sand marks the paradisiacal path taken by travelers through the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. High season occurs during and after the rainy season.
Between the months of April and August, at the height of the drought from October to December, almost all the lakes disappear, and the landscape is transformed into a large desert dotted with lakes here and there. With 155 thousand hectares, the National Park has an area larger than the city of São Paulo. It's huge and beautiful.
Walking on the white sands of the largest dune field in Brazil, cooling off in crystal-clear lagoons and watching the sunset are unique experiences that travelers will cherish for the rest of their lives. Which of these places caught your attention the most? Tell us in the comments!
Until next time!
