When we plan trips to places around the world, some iconic architectural structures are always a part of the itinerary. Even though they are tourist spots or places of historical significance, these buildings have a story to tell. They’re inspiring to those who wish to see the world in a different light. Understanding the perspective of people who once lived and knowing how the ideas of these structures emerged is alluring.
All of these landmark buildings come from history’s best stories, some happy, and some tragic. Nonetheless, all of them are part of the nation’s rich heritage culture. Getting pictures of these structures is one thing, but clicking these structures in a way that they narrate their presence is, to the core, a different experience. If you get an opportunity, do the latter!
Passion Vista puts together a list of some landmark architectural structures from around the globe.
1. BURJ KHALIFA
The skyscraper standing at the height of eight-hundred-and- twenty-nine meters in Dubai, UAE, is the tallest structure and building in the world. Constructed in the year 2009, Burj Khalifa continues to be amongst the most visited edifices in the world. The building, which is an architectural paradise, has more than one-hundred-and-sixty stories. It is a delight to watch this building light up during festivals and special occasions with its light show that reflects on the water below.
2. THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA ITALY
The name of this architectural structure is in itself representative of what the building looks like today. Hats off to the engineering and construction because the building stands leaning towards one side. Here’s a fun fact, building this tower designed by artist Bonanno Pisano took more than three hundred years. Interestingly, he never intended for the building to tilt in his design, but since the ground during construction couldn’t support the weight of the tower, it inclined and has remained that way since then.
3. TAJ MAHAL INDIA
Taj Mahal is a landmark building built by a husband for his dead wife to express the love that he had for her. Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal out of white marble soon after his wife died after giving birth to their fourteenth child. An amalgamation of several different styles of architecture, the Taj Mahal is also one of the seven wonders of the world. The gardens that surround the Taj Mahal and the vertical stretch of a water fountain in the middle of the premises is a spot pretty as a picture. Getting clicked in front of this entire view is a memory to cherish forever.
4. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SYDNEY
Designed by architect John Utzon, The Sydney Opera House is one of the finest works of the previous century. People who visit Sydney don’t miss an opportunity to drop by at these three dome-like structures, which look more like shells that conduct opera. One of the three buildings also comprises a restaurant for grabbing a bite before or after the show.
5. SAINT PAUL CATHEDRAL LONDON
Saint Paul Cathedral in London is known for having the largest dome in the world, which measures nearly one- hundred-and-twelve meters high. Alongside, it also sits at London’s highest point, Ludgate Hill. It took the architect Sir Christopher Wren a decade to design the building and then forty years to construct this framework. A place for tourists and religious enthusiasts, London always includes St. Paul Cathedral in the city’s skyline.
6. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING NEW YORK
If the Empire State Building in New York isn’t on the list of the most landmark buildings in the world, then the list is incomplete. Unlike all the other buildings, this eye-catching skyscraper was up against the ground in just a year and forty-five days. Also known as the icon of New York City, it is a deserving inclusion in the modern seven wonders of the world.
7. GAUDI HOUSE
Vibrant and attractive, the Gaudi House in Barcelona was designed by Antoni Gaudi. In fact, he even lived there for twenty years, after which the building was converted into a museum to house a collection of his furniture and objects. It represents the perfect blend of Spain’s mixture of modern and traditional art.
8. BUCKINGHAM PALACE LONDON
All administrative and residential responsibilities of the United Kingdom’s monarchs take place in the Buckingham Palace. Whether there is a celebration in the country or a time of mourning, people visit the palace to express their joys or grief, respectively. Such is the architectural design and engineering of the structure, that while it continues to be a visual beauty, it is also known for its strength because it has withheld nine German bombs since the second world war. Visitors and tourists can also visit the palace, but only at specific times of the year and during particular hours of the day. The Buckingham Palace is among the last few palaces of architectural landmarks around the world, which continue to be a royal place for ruling people.
9. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO
Everything about this museum in Bilbao is a contemporary piece of art that thrills visitors around the world with its unique look and design. The works of several Spanish and international artists remain treasured in this museum, which stands alongside the Nervion River that flows into the Cantabrian sea. Inaugurated by King Juan Carlos, this structure in Spain now contains two-hundred-and- fifty works of art on display. If one takes a helicopter ride, they cannot miss spotting this building built with extreme exclusivity. To date, more than 10,000,000 visitors have witnessed this standing beauty, which continues to remain one of the landmark buildings not just in Spain but in the world.
10. PETRONAS LLOYDS TOWER KUALA LUMPUR
Popularly also known as the twin towers, this pair of skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were the tallest buildings in the world until the year 2004. During the night time, the twin towers look like a magical sight with colorful fountains at the bottom and a far-reaching tower at the top. The 88-storey buildings resemble one another and therefore are one of the most amusing buildings around the world.
11. LLOYDS BUILDING LONDON
Polished, shiny, and elegant are some words that describe the architectural beauty that we call the Lloyds Building situated in London, UK. It looks more like a robotic structure with a very futuristic look, much like it belongs to the creation of the movies. The architectural design received much fame because the structure looks inside out, which is why they also call it “The Inside Out Building.” The building’s architecture was taken so seriously that twelve of its lifts are designed towards the outside, i.e., on the exterior side of the building. It is much different than what we usually see! The building on Lime Street in the financial district of London is open to the public.
12. SPACE NEEDLE SEATTLE
Space Needle in Seattle also looks like a piece of architecture that comes from years ahead of now. A striking feature of the building is that not just does it look marvelously creative, but it is built with the strength to survive winds up to the velocity of 200mph. Additionally, it can also withhold earthquakes with a magnitude of 9.1. The building, which is an iconic structure for Seattle, is an observation tower to get an aerial view of the downtown region. The topmost part of the Space Needle, which looks more like a saucer, is indeed a visual treat.
