Outstanding architectural buildings of the world. Famous architectural structures
IN different countries, on different continents there are many buildings of extraordinary beauty. They were erected by both ancient architects and modern talented architects. The most beautiful buildings in the world, which we will present in this article, delight with their originality and originality. Undoubtedly, our list will be incomplete, since no one can name the exact number of such structures.
Beautiful buildings of St. Families (Barcelona)
This magnificent building was built according to the design of the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, who devoted more than forty years of his life to his brainchild. Colossal but still unfinished, with its huge spiers that seem to touch the clouds and stunning facades that resemble sand sculptures, it has become a symbol of the city.
This very beautiful building is named so for a reason. The architect planned to crown the Church of St. Families with eighteen cob-shaped towers of varying heights, which would become symbols of biblical characters. The twelve towers located above the entrance and at the side facades are the 12 apostles. Above the central part of the cathedral there is the tallest tower surrounded by smaller ones - these are Jesus Christ and the Evangelists. And a little behind them is the second tallest tower, erected in honor of the Most Pure Virgin Mary.
The building has three facades - Passion, Nativity and Glory facade. Each of them depicts specific moments from the life of Jesus. Gaudí personally supervised the progress of construction work until his death (1926). His work was continued by partners and like-minded people. Some of the author's ideas were slightly changed. Construction of the cathedral continues today. Its completion is planned for 2026.
Taj Mahal (India)
The most beautiful buildings in the world were often erected in ancient times. The famous Taj Mahal began to be built back in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan for the burial of his beloved wife.
The world-famous mausoleum complex is located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was built over twenty years and is one of the most striking examples of Mongol architecture, complemented by elements of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture.
The complex is distinguished by beautiful building facades. They are made of white shimmering marble, changing its color depending on the time of day. The Taj Mahal has been on the UNESCO heritage list since 1983. This is one of the symbols of India and one of the most beautiful structures on our planet.
White Temple (Thailand)
The most beautiful buildings on earth amaze with the originality of their architectural solutions. Wat Rong Khun, whose name translates to "White Temple", is one of Thailand's most recognizable buildings, and of course, it is one of the most beautiful places of worship in the world.
It is located in the outskirts of Chiang Rai city. Thousands of tourists come here every year to see this stunning structure. The main feature of Wat Rong Khun is its snow-white color, which in this case means the purity of the Buddha, and the pieces of glass added to the plaster symbolize the wisdom of the Enlightened One.
The owner of this snow-white miracle, as well as its creator, is a talented artist - Chalermchayu Kositpipat. Construction of the temple began in 1997 and continues to this day. What is surprising is that the temple is being built exclusively with the author’s personal funds, which he collected over twenty years by selling his paintings. Chalermchayu does not accept money from sponsors so that no one influences his ideas or imposes conditions.
It is quite natural that one person cannot tackle such a grandiose project, so the artist’s ideas are brought to life by a team led by the chief engineer, who is also Chalermchayu’s brother.
Burj Al Arab (Dubai)
Photos of beautiful buildings can often be seen on the pages of glossy publications. Burj Al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world. It is located on an artificial island, at the beginning of Jumeirah Beach. The building, 321 meters high, has sixty floors and looks like a sailboat
It looks especially impressive in the evening thanks to the perfectly selected lighting.
Catherine Palace (St. Petersburg)
The most beautiful buildings in the world, built in the old days, belonged to the rulers of states. An example of this is the magnificent palace of Catherine the Great in the St. Petersburg suburb of Pushkin. The building is made in the Baroque style and has a blue façade. Later, the palace was rebuilt by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and acquired its current appearance.
White, blue and golden colors give the building a festive and solemn look. The façade is decorated with white columns, stucco moldings and figures of Atlanteans. In the northern part of the structure stands a five-domed palace church, crowned with gilded domes. The south wing, where the front porch was formerly located, has a gilded dome with a star on the spire. In total, 100 kilograms of red gold were spent on gilding all internal and external elements.
Many tourists come to Pushkin, where the stunning palace is located, to see the Amber Room, which is the eighth wonder of the world. But for most tourists, the most mesmerizing view is the exquisite wing, designed in a classical style and designed by Charles Cameron, Catherine II’s favorite architect.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (St. Petersburg)
Another beautiful building located in St. Petersburg. This is a majestic church that began to be built in 1883 just above the place where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated. The temple delights with its multi-colored towers, impressive interior with mosaics and rich exterior decoration.
Golden Temple (India)
The most beautiful buildings are located in India. - This is one of the Sikh shrines. It is located on the site of a former forest lake. Local legends say that Buddha and Guru Nanak (the founder of the Sikh faith) came to these places to meditate.
The Harimandir (Temple of God) was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The shrine acquired its current appearance in the 18th century. The splendor of the gilded building and its mixture of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles create a great impression, especially when accompanied by the ritual music that emanates from the temple day and night.
Chrysler Building (New York)
This Manhattan skyscraper is designed in the Art Deco style. Immediately after completion of construction, it was recognized as one of the most beautiful not only in New York, but also in the USA. It should be said that this beautiful building is the tallest brick structure in the world.
The stunning skyscraper was erected on the initiative of one of the most famous American managers - Walter Chrysler. At the end of the twenties of the last century, he decided to build the tallest building in the world for his corporation. The author of the project was William van Alen.
The Chrysler Building is still one of the tallest buildings in the world and one of the most stylish. Polished steel and glass make it light, as if floating in the air. The conical crown made of stainless Krupp steel sparkles in any weather. Giant lions are located in the corners at the sixty-first floor level. And below (on the thirty-first) the skyscraper is decorated with shiny wings. These are the ones that have been installed on the radiators of famous cars since 1929.
Great Mosque (Djenne, Mali)
The most beautiful buildings in the world are sometimes made from the most unusual materials. For example, in the African city of Djenne there is a huge mosque built from... mud. It was built by the Dogon, an African people. The mud bricks of its walls were made from earth, clay and sand.
The minarets of this amazing mosque are decorated with ornaments that are classic for these places. It must be said that the nature of North Africa is not very favorable to buildings made from such an unusual material. In this regard, after each rainy season, local residents gather and restore cracked and leaking walls.
The mosque was built on the site of a city that flourished in the 13th century. The creation of the modern Great Mosque, located on the market square, dates back to 1906. Each of its towers is crowned with an ostrich egg, a local form of architectural decoration that is a symbol of success and abundance.
Lotus Temple (India)
The most beautiful buildings in the world can amaze with their unusual shapes. The main Indian Bahai temple, which was built in 1986, is located in New Delhi, the capital of India. The huge, magnificent building made of Pentelic snow-white marble has the shape of a blooming lotus flower. This is one of the most popular
Received many awards in the field of architecture. Many magazine and newspaper articles are devoted to him.
Sheraton Moon Hotel (Huzhou, China)
A hundred-meter high-rise hotel with 321 rooms in the city of Huzhou immediately attracts attention with its unusual appearance. Beautiful large buildings always create a special effect. A huge arch made of white aluminum and glass and bright illumination at night is reminiscent of a building from science fiction films. And from the panoramic windows the views of amazing beauty open up. The authors of the project were the architects of the local bureau MAD Architects.
Cayan Tower (Dubai, UAE)
The Cayan Tower, which was designed by the American company Skidmore Owings and Merrill, could lay claim to the title of the most beautiful building in the world. The outstanding Spanish architect Santiago Calatrova became the pioneer of the fashion for skyscrapers twisted in a spiral. An example of such a spectacular technique is the 307-meter skyscraper (residential) Cayan Tower. The 75-story tower has 495 apartments of varying sizes. Residents of the complex are protected from year-round heat by perforated screens on the facades of the building.
Beautiful buildings of Moscow
Our capital occupies a leading place in the world in terms of the number of beautiful buildings that are unique. Let's look briefly at the most famous ones.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
This amazing temple is recognized by the majority of believers as the main one in our country. It was blown up in 1931, but, fortunately, 66 years later (in 1997) it was restored. The temple can accommodate up to ten thousand people. The most solemn services are held in its premises, and believers have the opportunity to venerate the numerous shrines that are kept here and admire the gilded paintings of the interior decoration. There is a museum attached to the temple.
St Basil's Church
The stunning building located on Red Square is known all over the world, since the cathedral is one of the symbols of the capital. This is not only the most important historical monument in Moscow, but also a very impressive structure, recognized as the most beautiful temple on the planet.
The cathedral consists of nine churches, the thrones of which were consecrated in honor of the holidays that fell on the days of the decisive battles for Kazan. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire with their own eyes the widely known monument of Russian architecture and visit the branch of the historical museum.
Judging by these photographs, give the architect free rein and he will be able to design a building of any shape and size. We have collected 33 extraordinary houses to show you and for each you can see the position on the world map so that you can visit them live 😉. Join us!
1 Surreal House/Mind House (Barcelona, Spain) map
Mind House is a building located at the entrance to Park Güell, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2 Crooked House/Krzywy Domek (Sopot, Poland) map
Located in the Polish city of Sopot, this building is a popular landmark for tourists and photographers. The inspiration for the unusual shape of the building came from the Polish fairytale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szanser and Per Dahlberg.
3 Stone House/Casa do Penedo (Portugal) map
The house got its name because it was built on the basis of four large boulders, which serve as its foundation, walls and ceiling. Construction began in 1972 and lasted about two years until 1974.
4 Lotus Temple (New Delhi, India) map
The main temple of the Bahai religion in India and neighboring countries, built in 1986. A huge building made of snow-white marble in the shape of a blooming lotus flower.
5 Cathedral/Catedral Metropolitana de Brasília (Brasilia, Brazil) map
Catholic Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Brasilia. Built in the modernist style according to the design of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. When designing, Oscar Niemeyer was inspired by Liverpool Cathedral. The building itself consists of 16 hyperboloid columns, symbolizing hands raised to the sky.
6 Casa Mila/La Pedrera (Barcelona, Spain) map
The residential building, built in 1906-1910 in Barcelona by the architect Antoni Gaudi for the Mila family, is one of the attractions of the Catalan capital. The design of this Gaudi building was innovative for its time: a well-thought-out natural ventilation system makes it possible to avoid air conditioning, interior partitions in each of the apartments of the house can be moved at your discretion, and there is an underground garage.
7 Atomium (Brussels, Belgium) map
One of the main attractions and symbol of Brussels. The Atomium was designed for the opening of the 1958 World's Fair by architect Andre Waterkein as a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
8 Museum of Contemporary Art (Niteroi, Brazil) map
The famous architectural creation of Oscar Niemeyer in the modernist style. The building took five years to construct and was completed in 1996. The sixteen-meter-tall concrete smooth cylindrical structure on a thin leg with a glass belt simultaneously looks like both a UFO and an exotic plant growing on the edge of a cliff.
9 Kansas City Central Library (Missouri, USA) map
For a time, the façade of the Kansas City Central Library was designed as a bookshelf composed of various books. It looked impressive)
10 “The Hobbit House” (Wales, UK) map
The house was built with maximum consideration for the environment and provided a unique opportunity to live closer to nature.
11 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York, USA) map
The choice of site for the construction of the Guggenheim Museum was on a site adjacent to the huge green area of Central Park between 88th and 89th streets on Fifth Avenue. When designing the building, architect Frank Lloyd Wright moved away from existing models and invited viewers to take the elevator to the top floor and go down in an internal continuous spiral, examining the exhibition along the way, both on the ramp itself and in the adjacent halls.
12 Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Spain) map
The museum building was designed by American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry and was opened to the public in 1997. The building is immediately recognized as one of the most spectacular deconstructivist buildings in the world. Architect Philip Johnson called it "the greatest building of our time"
Located on the embankment, the building embodies the abstract idea of a futuristic ship, perhaps for interplanetary travel. He has also been compared to a bird, an airplane, Superman, an artichoke and a blooming rose.
13 Habitat 67/Habitat 67 (Montreal, Canada) map
Residential complex in Montreal, which was designed by architect Moshe Safdie in 1966-1967. The complex was built for the start of Expo 67, one of the largest world exhibitions of that time, the theme of which was houses and residential construction.
The cube is the basis of this structure. 354 cubes stacked on top of each other made it possible to create this gray building with 146 apartments. Most apartments have a private rooftop garden for the neighbor below. The style of construction is brutalism.
14 House of Music/Casa da musica (Porto, Portugal) map
Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the concert hall in the historic center of Porto is home to the city's three orchestras. The construction of a building of an unusual shape required the implementation of new engineering solutions. It was carried out in 2001-2005. in connection with Porto's functions as the European Capital of Culture. The project proposed by Koolhaas received wide recognition in the architectural community. Thus, the architectural critic of The New York Times Nikolai Urusov called the House of Music “the most attractive” project of Koolhaas, comparing it with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
15 Olympic Stadium (Montreal, Canada) map
It was built as the main sports arena for the 1976 Summer Olympics. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. Canada's largest stadium by capacity.
16 Nautilus House (Mexico City, Mexico) map
The design of the house is very innovative, unusual and daring. Architect Javier Senosiein decided to bring marine forms into architecture and created a house in the shape of a shell.
17 National Library of Belarus/National Library of Belarus (Minsk, Belarus) map
The building is a rhombicuboctahedron, 73.6 m high (23 floors) and weighing 115,000 tons (not including books). Unusual is the lighting of the building, which is a giant multi-color screen based on LED clusters, which turns on every day at sunset and runs until midnight. The design and patterns on it are constantly changing.
18 National Center for the Performing Arts/国家大剧院 (Beijing, China) map
It is an ellipsoidal dome made of glass and titanium, rising in the middle of an artificial reservoir, across the road from Lake Zhongnanhai. The three main halls of the theater can accommodate at least 6,500 spectators.
The architect was the Frenchman Paul Andreux; construction lasted from December 2001 to December 2007. The construction of such a huge futuristic building in the historical center of the Chinese capital caused great controversy, both from the point of view of its incompatibility with the urban environment, and because of the exorbitant and constantly increasing costs during construction.
19 Conch Shell House (Isla Mujeres, Mexico) map
The house was designed by Octavio Ocampo, one of Mexico's most famous artists, and his brother. The house is a perfect manifestation of his surreal blend of summer house and unique underwater aesthetic.
20 House Attack (Vienna, Austria) map
Erwin Wurm is known for his unusual, sometimes humorous and sometimes mysterious works. He created such an intriguing installation that surprised passersby.
21 Library Alexandrina/ مكتبة الإسكندرية الجديدة (Alexandria, Egypt) map
The idea of building a library on the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria arose in the early 1970s and belonged to a group of professors at the University of Alexandria. The complex has a very expressive architecture. The concept of the library building is based on the symbolism of the south. The building is like a solar disk, raised to the south and inclined to the north. The glass surfaces of the north-sloping roof allow northern light to flow down into the library.
22 Cube Houses/Kubuswoning (Rotterdam, Netherlands) map
A series of houses built in Rotterdam and Helmond to an innovative design by architect Piet Blom in 1984. Blom's radical solution was that he installed the parallelepiped of the house not on the edge, as usual, but on the top, and with this top it rests (visually) on the hexagonal pylon. In Rotterdam there are 38 such houses and 2 more super-cubes, and all the houses are articulated into a single structure. From a bird's eye view, the complex has an intricate appearance, reminiscent of an impossible triangle.
23 The ideal palace of the postman Cheval/Le Palais idéal (France) map
The creator of this most impressive monument of naive architecture is Joseph Ferdinand Cheval. From the age of 13 he worked as a baker's assistant, and in 1867 he received the position of rural postman. Delivering mail, he traveled 25 km every day, putting stones of unusual natural shapes into a wheelbarrow. Of these, for 33 years, alone, in his free time, day and night, in any weather, with the help of the most simple tools, he realized his dream - a palace beyond all imagination.
24 Hallgrímskirkja Church (Reykjavik, Iceland) map
The design of the church was developed in 1937 by the architect Gudjoun Samuelson. It took 38 years to build the church. The church is located in the center of Reykjavik, and is visible from any part of the city. It has become one of the main attractions of the city.
25 Eden project (Cornwall, UK) map
Botanical garden in Cornwall, UK. Includes a greenhouse consisting of several geodesic domes, under which plants from all over the world are collected. The area of the greenhouses is 22,000 square meters. m. The domes are made of hundreds of hexagons and several pentagons connecting the entire structure. Each of the hexagons and pentagons is made of durable, translucent plastic. The first greenhouse features tropical vegetation, the second - Mediterranean vegetation.
26 The Museum of Play (Rochester, USA) map
Interesting architectural design of the National Museum of Play in Rochester. The museum provides a huge interactive collection of exhibits dedicated to the history and exploration of gaming. A resort complex on the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The complex consists of two buildings and a bridge connecting them, which housed 1,539 rooms. Initially, the dome cells had acrylic inserts, but after the fire of 1976, only the metal frame remained. Now the Biosphere has become a recognizable symbol of the city. The house is in the neoclassical style, standing upside down. At WonderWorks you can have great food, laugh a lot, lie on a yoga bed, ride a virtual roller coaster, control a ball with your mind, find yourself in the desert or inside a soap bubble, and much more. In total, WonderWorks has about one hundred and fifty interactive activities. Longaberger's main office was built in the shape of one of the company's products - a wicker basket. The building has seven floors, huge handles weigh almost 150 tons. The museum is a gallery of contemporary art, opened as part of the European Capital of Culture program in 2003. The building concept was developed by London architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The unofficial name is Friendly Alien. The building was built in a blob style, sharply contrasting with the surrounding buildings. The base of the building is made of reinforced concrete, the outer shell is made of bluish plastic panels. The Kunsthaus looks decent despite the very low budget for similar cultural buildings in large cities. The interior decoration, according to Colin Fournier, should resemble a magician's black box. The facade is implemented as a programmable media installation. A residential complex in Darmstadt in the shape of a spiral, designed by the Austrian architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and characterized by the complete absence of rectangular shapes. Other names are “Wooden Skyscraper”, “Solombala Skyscraper”. A wooden 13-story house built in Solombala (north of Arkhangelsk) by businessman Nikolai Sutyagin. The house was partially dismantled in December 2008 by court decision as an unauthorized construction. On May 5, 2012, the remaining part of the wooden skyscraper was destroyed by fire. It was one of the tallest private wooden buildings in Russia, although inferior in height to some tiered wooden churches.
Modern cities are made up of buildings of all styles, sizes, designs and shapes - from wooden one-story shacks to super-technological buildings that seem to have come straight out of the pages of science fiction novels. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol once said: “Architecture is also a chronicle of the world: it speaks when songs and legends are already silent.” We invite you to take a short tour of the buildings that have become real architectural milestones in the history of mankind.
1. Hal Saflieni, Paola, Malta
This underground sanctuary (hypogeum) is one of the most ancient buildings on Earth: according to some estimates, its construction began about six thousand years ago. Initially, Khal-Saflieni was used as a temple, and then began to serve as a burial place - during excavations, archaeologists discovered the remains of more than seven thousand ancient inhabitants of these places.
2. Pyramids of Giza, suburb of Cairo, Egypt
The Pyramids on the Giza Plateau are the only creation of ancient architects among the legendary Seven Wonders of the World that has survived to this day (strictly speaking, only the tallest of them, the Pyramid of Khufu, better known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is considered a Wonder).
It’s not for nothing that the Arabs say: “The world is afraid of time, and time is afraid of pyramids.” For about four thousand years, Khufu’s pyramid was the tallest building on the planet and still amazes the imagination with its majesty and grandeur. Its height is 146.5 meters, the pyramids of Khafre (Khefre) and Menkaure (Mykerinus) are slightly lower - 136.4 meters and 62 meters, respectively.
3. Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek, Lebanon
The debate about how the Egyptians managed to build “slides” from huge stone blocks weighing 2.5 tons will probably never subside. However, the builders of the Temple of Jupiter in the ancient city of Baalbek could give them a head start in terms of the size of the “bricks”: when constructing the temple, they used three blocks weighing 800 tons, although there are smaller ones, “only” 350 tons.
Two kilometers from the temple, archaeologists found a block called the “Southern Stone” - its weight reaches over 1000 tons, but for some reason the largest “brick” remained in the quarry.
4. Assyrian aqueduct near the village of Jerwan, Iraq
It’s hard to believe, but this masterpiece of Assyrian architects, built in 703–688 BC by order of King Sennacherib, is an ordinary water supply system that provided water to the capital of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh. The length of the most famous part of the aqueduct, made of limestone, is approximately 300 meters, and the height is about 10 meters; the total length of the ancient water pipeline is more than 80 km.
5. Machu Picchu, Peru
The amazing quality of the buildings in Machu Picchu is explained either by the skill of the masons, or, more likely, by the extreme cruelty of the foremen, who forced them to process the blocks with copper and bronze tools so that they fit very tightly to each other and have stood for hundreds of years without any fastening mortar.
6. Aqueducts of the Roman Empire
Rounded arches were invented in Mesopotamia about four thousand years ago, but they are known throughout the world thanks to the Romans, who willingly used this architectural detail in the construction of their aqueducts.
The highest of the ancient Roman aqueducts that have survived to this day is the Pont du Gard, located on the territory of modern France. The aqueduct, built in 40–66 AD, was part of the water supply system of the city of Nîmes, the Pont du Gard is 47 meters high and 275 meters long.
7. Alexandria Window Glass
The first transparent glass windows in human history appeared in Alexandria around 100 AD (some historians say they are at least 200 years older). One of the Roman glassblowers living in the city thought of adding manganese oxide to the glass mass, as a result of which such an innovative, as they would now say, architectural solution appeared.
8. Concrete domes of Roman temples
The huge stone domes used in many Christian churches were first created by the Romans after the invention of concrete.
The oldest example of the use of a concrete dome is considered to be the Temple of Mercury, built between the 27th year BC and the 14th year after, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The largest unreinforced concrete dome belongs to the Pantheon in Rome, which was completed in 127 AD.
9. Flax processing factory in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
At first glance, this ancient building is unremarkable, and yet it is respectfully called the “grandfather of skyscrapers”: when building a factory commissioned by the British entrepreneur Charles Bage, the architect and engineer William Strutt was one of the first in the world to use cast iron beams and metal structures, which gave the structure an unprecedented strength.
The construction of the factory was completed in 1797, and its design became a model for the construction of many other industrial and residential buildings for many years.
10. Suspension Bridge over the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
One of the world's first suspension bridges, designed by engineers Erskine Hazard and Josiah White, was the largest of them when it opened in 1816, although it only stood for about a year.
11. Great Conservatory of Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK
The structure, designed by Joseph Paxton, author of the famous Crystal Palace in London, was for some time the largest glass building in the world: its length was 96.2 meters, its width was 37.5 meters, and the height of the greenhouse reached 20.4 meters.
Paxton, who served as a gardener at the residence of the Dukes of Devonshire, amazed guests of the estate with his unprecedented fantastic designs, but many of them were too impractical: for example, to maintain the temperature in the greenhouse, it was necessary to build eight boilers and lay 11 km of pipes. The Great Orangery was so expensive for Chatsworth House that it was demolished in 1923.
12. Four-story house, suburb of Paris, France
A nondescript building covered in graffiti on one of the northern outskirts of Paris is a real architectural monument, although it’s hard to believe. Its creators, engineer François Coignet and architect Theodore Lachaise, were the first to use reinforced concrete as a building material, after which this practice became widespread.
13. Oriel Chambers, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Although the factory in Shrewsbury is called the “grandfather of skyscrapers,” this honorary epithet should rightfully belong to the building erected in 1864 by the architect Peter Ellis: Oriel Chambers was the first to use load-bearing steel structures with window glass fixed to them - it was this technology that was used to build a large some of the tallest buildings on the planet.
14. Insurance Company Building, Chicago, Illinois, USA
The 42-meter building, designed by William Le Baron Jenney, one of the most authoritative representatives of the Chicago school of architecture, has the honor of being the first building to “scrape the sky,” so to speak.
The construction of the world's first skyscraper was completed in 1885, and in 1891 two more floors were added to its ten floors, and the height increased from 42 meters to 54.9 meters.
The architect, apparently, did not have too much confidence in the strength of the steel frame, so he also placed concern for the stability of the building on the rear load-bearing wall and granite columns. Unfortunately, the first skyscraper has not survived to this day - the building was demolished in 1931.
15. Ingalls Building, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Chicago is considered the birthplace of skyscrapers, but the world's first such structure made of reinforced concrete appeared in the city of Cincinnati in 1903. The unprecedented 15-story building, 64 meters high, was designed by the architectural bureau “Elzner & Anderson” for Melville Ingalls, one of the American financial tycoons of the early 20th century. The skyscraper has survived to this day and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
16. Villa Savoye, Poissy, France
The small country villa, built in 1931 by the famous Le Corbusier, the founder of modernism in building design, is considered the embodiment of his “Five Starting Points of Modern Architecture”, which formulate the basic principles of the Art Nouveau style. These include a flat roof, support pillars, horizontal windows, a free layout and a free facade - the supports are not located outside the house, but in any way, external walls can also be anything.
17. Solar House No. 1, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
In 1939, employees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led by Hoyt Hottel, built a building on the territory of the institute that was completely heated by solar energy. Later, several more similar houses were created for scientific purposes, and the first commercial building heated exclusively by the sun appeared in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1956, designed by Frank Bridgers and Donald Paxton.
18. Echoviren, California, USA
In August of this year, a team of Californian architects completed the construction of the world's first structure, all building materials for which were made using 3D printing. Of course, it’s difficult to call it a building; rather, it’s something like a small hut: its dimensions are 3x3x2.4 meters.
The project was named Echoviren - in honor of one of the rare species of sequoias, because the structure of the walls of the 3D hut resembles the cellular structure of the fibers of this tree. The production of its 585 components took a total of about 10,800 hours: for two months, seven 3D printers worked almost around the clock, and the “building” was assembled in just four days.
World architecture is full of masterpieces that fascinate with their beauty at first sight. Their majesty, harmony or, conversely, complexity of forms amaze the imagination and invariably evoke admiration among representatives of various generations and nationalities. Today we will introduce you to architectural pride - the most beautiful buildings collected from all over the world.
10. Taj Mahal, India
A beautiful white marble mausoleum was built in the Indian city of Agra back in the 17th century. The then reigning emperor dedicated the construction of the tomb to his third wife, who died during childbirth. Attention is immediately drawn to the huge 35-meter dome on the central part of the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum is made in traditional Islamic style, most of the elements in its design are borrowed from Persian culture. Today this beautiful structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
The height of this golden splendor is 98 meters. Four holy vessels with Buddhist relics are walled up under the building. Among the religious buildings, Shwedagon is considered the richest: it is almost completely decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. By the way, you can only enter the territory of the sacred complex barefoot.
8. Opera House, Australia
This luxury complex, reminiscent of a shimmering shell, is a symbol of Sydney. During its construction, the budget was increased by as much as 15 times, but the theater was still completed, despite the enormous costs. During national holidays, the dome structure serves as an arena for spectacular light shows. The complex itself consists of two large - concert and opera - halls, as well as almost a thousand other rooms. More than ten thousand people can fit into the Sydney Opera House at one time!
7. Flinders Street, Australia
Our next beautiful object is also from the Green Continent. Flinders Street Station is Melbourne's central railway station. The new station building was built at the beginning of the 20th century; in addition to the “station” premises itself, there are also offices and even a ballroom here; previously Flinders Street also included a kindergarten. The clock under the main dome of the station is literally a symbol of the meeting in Melbourne.
6. Frauenkirche Church, Germany
This ancient Lutheran church is third on the list of unique attractions in the country. It is located in the city of Munich, which is generally famous for its luxurious architecture. Frauenkirche is the most striking architectural monument in this city. In general, a church has existed on this site since the 11th century, but the luxurious building, which to this day attracts the attention of both believers and ordinary tourists, was rebuilt only in the mid-18th century. It is noteworthy that this religious building was built by order of the Polish king Augustus 1 as a symbol of the fight against the power of the Catholic Pope, although Augustus himself was a Catholic.
5. Burj Al Arab Hotel, UAE
A chic skyscraper in the shape of a sail, literally standing in the ocean, is one of the symbols of the luxurious and hospitable city of Dubai. Especially for it, an island was artificially created 280 meters from the shore, on which the building is located. At 321m high, the Burj Al Arab is the world's tallest hotel - and undoubtedly the most original and beautiful. Luxury is present here in every millimeter, therefore, according to everyone, just five stars is clearly not enough for it.
4. Museum of the Future, Brazil
The rapidly developing city of Rio de Janeiro is changing literally before our eyes, surprising even its residents. One of the new products that has appeared in the city is called the “Museum of the Future” - the author of the project was Santiago Calatrava. He emphasizes that the design of this fantastic structure highlights the magic of Brazil and the rich spirit of its people. Installed on a huge breakwater, the Museum literally floats above the water. Its “wings” contain panels for generating solar energy, which independently rotate with the sun.
3. Palace of Ferdinand Cheval, France
This beautiful palace with an amazing history is located in the French city of Hauterives. Its author, Ferdinand Cheval, was a simple postman who dreamed of his own castle and made his dream come true with the help of... ordinary stones. It all started with collecting stones of unusual shapes, from which Cheval would begin to build his ideal palace 20 years later. The crazy genius devoted all his time to this work, and after 33 years, a real miracle was born from ordinary stones, cement and wire, which today is boldly included in the top three most beautiful architectural wonders of the world.
2. Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland
This Lutheran church in Reykjavik looks very mysterious and magical. In fact, its appearance symbolizes a volcanic eruption. The church with a name unpronounceable for tourists is considered a symbol of Reykjavik; it is located in the very center of the city. At the top there is an observation deck from which you can see the entire city. Simple and harmonious design, full of symbolism - this makes Hallgrimskirkju second in the list of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
1. Golden Temple, India - The most beautiful building in the world
The beautiful sanctuary is located in the middle of Lake Amrita-saras, on the banks of which the city of Amritsar is located. Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest Indian temples, founded in the 16th century. The religious building is connected to the shore by a narrow marble bridge - the path from sin to a righteous life. This building received its second name - the Golden Temple - because its facade is completely covered with gilded slabs, which makes it seem as if the structure was entirely carved out of precious metal.
Speaking about the world's most beautiful masterpieces of architecture, it is impossible to ignore another monument of culture and religion. We deliberately did not include it in the rating in order to emphasize the special place of this building among the most beautiful creations of architecture. We are talking about the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, located in St. Petersburg.
The temple was built on the site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander 2 on the Field of Mars. Officially, the shrine bears the name of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, but among the people it is better known as the Savior on Spilled Blood. The luxurious building was built entirely with donations from citizens. The walls of the temple are a red brick mosaic with various panels and paintings. The Savior on Spilled Blood occupies a special place in the history and culture of the Russian people, and its splendor allows us to rightfully call the temple the most beautiful building on the planet.
When you plan a trip to any of the largest cities on Earth, be sure to visit their most famous buildings. These cities are distinguished by their many outstanding buildings, squares and cityscapes, while their history and cultural heritage make them the best cities in the world. These giant capitals with countless interesting places have a lot to offer. However, what stands out the most are these 10 most famous buildings on Earth. The first tower, called the Shard, dominates London's modern and vibrant skyline.
The Shard in London
The giant Shard skyscraper is changing the London skyline and making it the tallest in Europe. With a height of just over 300 meters above the ground, the Shard is the tallest building in this part of the world, and definitely one of the most famous. It was completed in 2012 in the heart of London, within a short walk of the Thames Embankment, London Bridge and the Tower of London. Moreover, the Shard skyscraper is visible from anywhere in the city, especially at night, when the majestic silhouette of this iconic famous building turns into a vibrant mixture of light and shadows, and the vibrant waters of the river reflect its majesty in a huge mirror of nature. Particularly popular is the observation deck at an altitude of 250 meters, which offers the best view of the capital of England. 
Big Ben
Big Ben, the House of Commons and the House of Lords are another famous landmark of London, dating back in history to the Victorian Gothic period with its many sharp details, tall pillars, elaborate decorations, dark mystical angles and contrasting pale silhouettes. This stunning building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The giant Big Ben Tower with its four striking clocks is recognized throughout the world, making it one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Burj Khalifa
Of course, the tallest structure in the world will not be an exception in the list of the most famous buildings. The Burj Khalifa towers majestically over Dubai at 829.84 meters in height, creating a particularly colorful and vibrant atmosphere at night. The many lights of the Burj Khalifa combine with other buildings to create a truly modern atmosphere in Dubai. The tower dominates the Dubai skyline with its distinctive Arabian silhouette and Y-shaped design, multiple levels and cross sections. This building can only be called a masterpiece of architecture. At the top of the skyscraper there is a restaurant with the best view of the city -. 
Burj Al Arab
This building is also located in Dubai, along the city's beautiful coastline. Dubai Sail is the most famous and most luxurious hotel in Dubai and on Earth. It is also quite tall - almost 320 meters, making it the second tallest hotel on Earth. A symbol of Dubai's historical heritage, the Burj Al Arab impresses with its bright white silhouette and gigantic scale and size. A small narrow bridge leads to Parus, and at the top there is a landing pad for helicopters. 
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is another famous building that is located in eastern Agra in India. This masterpiece of art is famous for its white facades and history, making the Taj Mahal one of the most attractive architectural gems in the world. The building dates back to the 17th century. This is a mausoleum and a symbol of love that permeates every corner here. The Taj Mahal has a giant central dome 170 meters high, four smaller domes, a gigantic spacious courtyard, four huge slightly tilted minarets, a magnificent Islamic design with marble details, calligraphic decorations, and much more. Standing at the main entrance of the complex, you immediately feel all its grandeur and size. 
Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum in Rome is imbued with historical heritage on every wall, façade and stone. The true scale of this arena is quite impressive even today, and in the days of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago it was a real engineering marvel. The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the world, the center of numerous gladiator battles, where all the Roman nobility gathered. A long network of caves and tunnels runs under the structure, and the outer wall of the Colosseum with its numerous arches, floors and columns is considered one of the symbols of Rome and Italy. 
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is only a small part of the entire Pisa Cathedral complex, but the most famous. The rounded tower with a series of spiral balconies along the entire facade is pale in color with many shades. It is surrounded by many lawns and has a courtyard. The tower has a magnificent Romanesque architectural design, but that is not what it is famous for. This tilts almost 4 degrees, creating the visual illusion of falling. Numerous tourists take advantage of this, taking pictures against the backdrop of the famous building. 
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in Australia and around the world because it is a real work of art and a masterpiece of art. It is a cultural icon of the country and one of Sydney's most visited attractions. The Sydney Opera House hosts numerous events related to art, opera and music. A remarkable architectural perspective, positioned right next to the water on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other, makes this outstanding opera house one of the most famous buildings in the world. 
Empire State Building
The symbol of New York State and the United States, the Empire State Building is one of the must-see places in the city that never sleeps. The skyscraper will impress you with its many colors, pure Art Deco forms, historical structures and, of course, its impressive height. It rises nearly 450 meters above the Manhattan skyline, dotted with numerous windows. At the top there is an observation deck that reveals the magnificent Manhattan skyline. At sunset you can admire it for hours. 
Eiffel Tower
Topping the list of the most popular buildings in the world is not a building at all, but a tower. The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the most popular building in the world. It is located in the center of Paris and is a symbol of the city and France, as well as one of the tallest structures throughout the continent and one of the most popular and visited attractions in the world. The tower is distinguished by its history, many spans, connections, arches, complex details and other interesting elements that only emphasize its charm. 
From modern and surreal skyscrapers, to historic structures that carry a huge cultural cachet, there are plenty of interesting buildings to visit on your next trip. These iconic buildings are located in the largest cities of the world, being part of their history. Such buildings are always surrounded by large shopping streets, cultural centers, and modern entertainment complexes, so you will always find how to spend time here, in addition to getting to know the most famous buildings in the world. I also advise you to read about the most expensive construction projects of our time in a separate thread.
