The Ruins of Loropéni in Burkina Faso
Mystery engulfs the Ruins of Loropeni. The 1,000-year-old stone fortresses at the site are the first in the country to be ascribed World Heritage status. The ruins are thought to have once been a gold-trade hub, but were abandoned by the 19th century with few clues left behind. For travelers or architecture buffs looking to discover more, a trip to this remote West African spot may shed light on the site's past.