There are many different types of buildings in the world. Many of them are utilitarian but there is a large number of buildings that are also aesthetically pleasing. Only a select number of buildings push the limits of beauty and architecture with their style and engineering. These often become iconic for the whole nation or even the whole continent. This is our list of buildings that we believe the world would not be the same without.
- Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is the proof of a man’s love for a woman and is iconic for India. The Taj Mahal is a tomb for the emperor’s wife, even though it looks much more like a palace. The building took 16 years to complete, starting in 1632, with additional 5 years to complete the surrounding gardens. When the emperor died in 1658, he was buried inside the tomb as well, next to his wife. 20,000 workers from around India worked on this masterpiece of architecture.
- Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the crown jewel of Paris and one of the main associations about France. It was build in two years, starting in 1987. The idea of the Eiffel Tower was to last for only 20 years but the government realized that it was an important communication tool and it soon became an integral part of Paris skyline. The Eiffel Tower was constructed as the main exhibit of World’s fair which took place in 1989 to show the industrial power of France but also to commemorate 100 years of the French Revolution.
- Big Ben
Big Ben is arguably the most famous clock-building in the world and a favorite of many tourists visiting London. However, what many people do not know is that Big Ben is actually the name of one of the bells inside the tower. However, over the time, the name started to be used for the clock and the tower as well. The tower is 316 feet tall and it was built in 1858, during the restoration of the Westminster’s palace. Nobody knows how Big Ben got its name but it is believed that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was in charge of the installation of the bell.
- The Colosseum
The Colosseum is the biggest Roman amphitheater built and a showcase of the Roman power and engineering prowess. Its construction lasted for only 8 years, starting around 70 AD. When it was built, it supported 50,000 seats and was mostly used for gladiator battles but also other public spectacles, including dramas, animal hunts, and so on. In the medieval era, it was no longer used for entertainment but for practical purposes. It was used for workshops, housing, as a fortress, and for other purposes.
- The Giza Pyramids
The Giza Pyramids are definitely the oldest on this list. Their construction and their beauty have baffled the whole mankind for ages. The accuracy required for their construction is impressive even for our standards today. Their purpose was to be tombs for three separate pharaohs of the third and the fourth dynasty. They were the tallest buildings in the world until 1300 but it is still not completely clear how they were built with the technology that existed at the time.