Human history is full of riddles and mysteries, and one of the most intriguing is the sudden disappearance of entire cities. These cities that had flourished for centuries suddenly disappeared, leaving behind only legends and archaeological mysteries. In this article we will look at six ancient cities that, according to legends and historical accounts, disappeared literally overnight.

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1. Atlantis

Perhaps the most famous of the vanished cities is the legendary Atlantis. First mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in the 4th century BC, Atlantis was described as a powerful state located on an island beyond the Pillars of Hercules (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar).
According to Plato, Atlantis was founded by the god Poseidon and flourished for 9,000 years. The city was described as technologically advanced, with a complex system of canals, grand temples and palaces. Plato claimed that the population of Atlantis reached several million people.
Legend has it that Atlantis disappeared ‘in one day and one night’ as a result of a natural disaster, presumably an earthquake and the flooding that followed. This event, according to Plato, occurred around 9600 BC.
Despite the lack of direct archaeological evidence for the existence of Atlantis, many scientists and researchers continue to search for this legendary city. Some theories link Atlantis to real historical events, such as the volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini around 1600 BC that led to the demise of the Minoan civilisation on Crete. This eruption was so powerful that it released about 60 cubic kilometres of ash and rock into the atmosphere, which could have caused significant climatic changes in the region.

2. Pompeii

Unlike Atlantis, the existence of the city of Pompeii is not in doubt. This ancient Roman city, located near modern-day Naples in Italy, was a thriving centre of commerce and culture until its sudden demise in 79 AD.
Pompeii was founded in the 6th century BC and had about 20,000 inhabitants by the time of the disaster. The city was known for its luxurious villas, public baths, theatres and temples. Archaeological excavations have shown that Pompeii had an extensive infrastructure, including water and sewage systems.
On 24 August 79 AD there was a powerful eruption of the volcano Vesuvius. Within 24 hours the city was completely buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 6 metres thick. The eruption was so sudden and powerful that the inhabitants did not have time to evacuate and many died right in the streets of the city.
Thanks to the layer of ash that preserved the city, Pompeii has survived in remarkable integrity. Archaeologists have uncovered not only buildings and everyday objects, but also the remains of inhabitants caught by surprise by the eruption. These findings provide a unique insight into the daily life of the ancient Roman city.
Particularly impressive is the fact that the pyroclastic flows that destroyed Pompeii reached temperatures of up to 300°C. This explains why the inhabitants of the city had no chance of escape. Interestingly, some 1,150 bodies were found in Pompeii, which is only a small fraction of the city's estimated population of 20,000. This suggests that a significant portion of the inhabitants still managed to evacuate.

3. Angkor

The city of Angkor, located in present-day Cambodia, was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century. In its heyday, Angkor was the largest pre-industrial city in the world, covering an area of about 1,000 square kilometres and with a population, according to some estimates, of up to 1 million people.
Angkor was famous for its majestic temples, the most famous of which is Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century. Covering an area of 162.6 hectares, this temple complex is the largest religious structure in the world. Interestingly, Angkor Wat is oriented in such a way that on 21 March and 21 September the sun rises exactly above the central tower, indicating the deep astronomical knowledge of the ancient Khmers.
The city had a complex system of canals and reservoirs that allowed it to maintain a high level of agricultural production and provide water for a huge population. The total length of Angkor's canals was more than 1000 kilometres. The water supply system included huge reservoirs called barai. The largest of these, the Western Barai, was an impressive 8 by 2.2 kilometres.
Despite its grandeur, Angkor was suddenly abandoned by its inhabitants in the 15th century. It was long believed that the city was captured and destroyed by Thai troops in 1431, but recent research suggests a more complex picture.
Analyses of tree annual rings and sediments in Tonle Sap Lake have shown that between the 14th and 15th centuries, the region experienced a series of severe droughts alternating with periods of intense monsoons. These climatic changes may have led to the collapse of Angkor's complex water system.
In addition, recent archaeological research using lidar technology has shown that the city was not completely abandoned overnight. Instead, there was a gradual process of population migration from the city centre to the periphery, which nevertheless may have occurred over a relatively short period - perhaps several decades.

4. Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan, located 50 kilometres northeast of present-day Mexico City, was one of the largest cities in pre-Columbian America. Founded around 100 BC, Teotihuacan reached its peak between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, when its population was estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000.
The city covered an area of about 21 square kilometres and was known for its monumental buildings, including the Pyramid of the Sun (height 65 metres, base 225 by 222 metres) and the Pyramid of the Moon (height 43 metres). The main street of the city, known as the Road of the Dead, was 4 kilometres long and oriented north-south with a slight deviation of 15°24' east of astronomical north.
The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan is a truly grandiose structure. It contains about 2.5 million tonnes of stone and earth, making it one of the most massive pyramids in the world. Its construction required enormous effort and a high level of engineering expertise.
Teotihuacan was not only a religious centre but also an important trading hub. Archaeological finds testify to the city's extensive trade links, stretching from modern-day Guatemala to northern Mexico.
However, around 550 AD, Teotihuacan suddenly fell into decline. Archaeological evidence indicates that many buildings were deliberately burned and destroyed. The city's population declined dramatically, and by 750 AD, Teotihuacan was almost completely abandoned.
The reasons for Teotihuacan's decline are still a matter of debate among scholars. Some theories suggest internal conflict or rebellion against the ruling elite. Others point to possible environmental factors such as prolonged drought or depletion of natural resources.
Interestingly, recent GPR studies have discovered a system of tunnels and caves beneath the Pyramid of the Moon that may have been used for ritual purposes. Moreover, recent research has shown that there is a complex system of tunnels beneath Teotihuacan that may be several kilometres long. These discoveries emphasise how much there is still to learn about this mysterious city.

5. Hattusa

Hattusa, the capital of the ancient Hittite kingdom, was one of the most significant cities of the Bronze Age. Located in central modern Turkey, the city flourished from the 18th to the 13th century BC. At its peak, Hattusa covered an area of about 1.8 square kilometres and was surrounded by 6.6 kilometres of massive walls. The population of the city is estimated to have been between 40,000 and 50,000.
Hattusa was known for its impressive architecture, including the Great Temple dedicated to the thunder god Teshub and the sun goddess Arina, as well as the unique gateway decorated with reliefs of lions and sphinxes. Of particular interest is the so-called ‘king's gate’, decorated with a relief of a warrior believed to represent the Hittite king himself.
The fortification system of Hattusa was truly impressive. It included unique underground tunnels, some of which reached a length of 80 metres. These tunnels were used both for the defence of the city and for secret forays during sieges.
A particularly interesting find is a copy of one of the earliest known peace treaties, between the Hittite king Hattusili III and the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II (circa 1259 BC). This treaty is considered a milestone in the history of diplomacy.
However, around 1200 BC, Hattusa suddenly fell into decline and was abandoned. Archaeological evidence suggests that the city was destroyed by fire. It was long believed that Hattusa fell under the onslaught of the so-called ‘Sea Peoples,’ but modern research offers a more complex picture.
Analyses of tree rings and other palaeoclimatic data indicate that the region experienced a serious drought in the 13th century BC. This may have led to social unrest and a weakening of central authority. In addition, archaeological evidence suggests that before the final fall of the city, some of its population was evacuated, taking with them many valuables and important documents.