Wedding Destinations for History Buffs

If you and your partner love history almost as much as you love each other, any of these scenic and historic locations would make a great choice for your destination wedding.  From the ancient history of the Greek isles to the rich maritime past of Cockburn Town in the Turks and Caicos, here are the top five wedding destinations for history buffs.

Greece
Naturally, one of the first locations that comes to mind when thinking of the best wedding destinations for history buffs is Greece.  In addition to boasting countless islands, beautiful beaches and coastlines, and plenty of scenic locations ideal for a gorgeous wedding ceremony, Greece is blessed with thousands of years of history and culture.  Greece’s rich ancient history dates as far back as the 5th century BC, when its capital Athens was at the height of its political, military and philosophical dominance in the region.  Often referred to as the birthplace of western philosophy and civilization, Greece was where the ancient historians Herodotus and Thucydides recorded events and Plato and Socrates philosophized about existence.

History-loving couples will appreciate the countless historical sites found all around Greece.  Athens, Greece is home to a plethora of historic sites such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Agora, to name a few.  One of the most historically significant sites in the world, the Acropolis, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfectly fitting wedding destination for history buffs.  According to mythology, the Acropolis was named after the Greek goddess Athena following an epic battle against Poseidon where the goddess was victorious.  Another historical site in Greece to make the UNESCO list is Meteora, with its ancient monasteries perched atop sandstone rock pillars.

Rhodes Island in the Aegean Sea is another must-see for history buffs getting hitched.  The island was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a giant bronze statue known as the Colossus of Rhodes which stood at the harbor and was destroyed by an earthquake in 224 BC.  You can still explore various historical sites such as the Temple of Apollo and the Acropolis of Lindos which dates to the Hellenistic period.  The Old Town in Rhodes is a well-preserved ancient town with medieval walls and a castle, making it an ideal location for history-lovers.

Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos
Located on Grand Turk in the islands of Turks and Caicos, Cockburn Town is the ideal beach-setting wedding destination for history buffs.  Turks and Caicos are comprised of some forty islands in the North Atlantic Ocean and boast gorgeous natural reefs and sparkling waters perfect for snorkeling and diving with your partner.  The capital, Cockburn Town, also boasts a colorful maritime history; the famous explorer Ponce de León first landed on the island in the late 16th century, and the historical town was settled by salt traders nearly a century later in 1681.  The Turks and Caicos National Museum located in Cockburn Town includes an exhibit of local shipwrecks, including the oldest known European shipwreck in the Americas, the Molasses Reef shipwreck which occurred in 1505.  History-loving couples will appreciate Cockburn Town’s Colonial-era island architecture and narrow streets lined with old-fashioned lamp posts, as well as taking in the history of the native Lucayans, the thriving salt and sisal industries, as well as the slave trade in Turks and Caicos.

Giza, Egypt
Giza, Egypt is home to the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, making it the ideal wedding destination for Egyptologists and history buffs.  Located near the life-giving Nile river, the Giza pyramid complex is the site of some of the most significant architectural achievements in all of history including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx, as well as other ancient pyramids and temples dating back to approximately 2580 BC.  Located just outside Egypt’s bustling capital city, history-loving couples will get the best of both worlds in Giza as the backdrop of the ancient Egyptian pyramids brushes-up against the modern urban metropolis of Cairo.

England
England is one of the best wedding destinations for history lovers because of its rich and diverse past which offers something for everyone.  With historical sites ranging from countless Roman forts, to the Gothic architecture found in cities such as London, Liverpool and Manchester, to more modern historical sites damaged by the German Luftwaffe during The Blitz in World War II, England is another ideal destination for history buffs getting married.  The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a charming medieval town in the West Midlands that has been remarkably well-preserved and will feel like you are stepping back in time with your history-loving partner.  Along the banks of the Thames in London, you can also visit a reconstruction of the iconic Globe theatre, the famous Elizabethan-era playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed before the original structure tragically burned down in 1613.

Rome
The capital of Italy is another ideal wedding destination for history buffs.  With its countless architectural landmarks and rich art history, Rome is the perfect location for a history-themed destination wedding.  When in Rome, history buffs can explore the countless ruins, monuments, temples, fountains, cathedrals, and other landmarks spanning over two millennia of rich, layered history from the early Roman Republic to the Italian Renaissance to World War II.  From the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps, to the Pantheon, there is no shortage of romantic sites for history buffs to explore together.

Whichever wedding destination you and your history-loving partner choose to get married, be sure to check with local laws and requirements and allot yourself plenty of time to plan your perfect history-themed destination wedding.

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