The ruins of a monumental tower in the heart of Lebanese mountains still puzzle archeologists.

Traditional architecture and ancient irrigation systems are on display in this gorgeous mountain village.

Groups of prehistoric tombs that dot the mountains of northern Oman.

This bazaar is one of the oldest in the Arabian world.

An imposing Omani fortress surrounded by date palm trees.

This spectacular mosque houses the second-largest chandelier in the world.

A sinkhole and now a swimming hole, too, full of dazzling turquoise water.

A staggering number of rock carvings in an abandoned quarry.

Home of the infamous Rug Man of Doha.

A mesmerizing wonderland of salt-encrusted tree branches and pencil roots.

This mesmerizing, colorful structure looks like a tent made from stained glass.

More than 100 monumental tombs carved into rock are preserved at this ancient Nabataean site in the Arabian Desert.

An unfinished tomb carved into a giant boulder in the Arabian Desert.

One of the oldest monasteries in the world is a key pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Christians.

This ornate mosque is said to hold the remains of Muhammad's granddaughter beneath its dome of pure gold.

Only a handful of these gorgeous historic waterwheels remain but even those are in danger from local unrest.

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.

A meow-velous tribute to a beloved street cat, made famous on the internet.

These ruins once flourished as the capital of the Lydian kingdom, often credited with the invention of metal coinage.

A surprising and unconventional mosque hidden in the subsoil of Istanbul.

This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint's tomb.

This half-forgotten fortress was constructed by the Ottoman conqueror of Constantinople.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.