7 masterpieces of world architecture from different eras, which millions of tourists seek to see

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Traveling around the world, a person gets to know new countries, cultures and people. But architectural structures cannot be left aside. They can convey the full depth of the history, religion or cultural characteristics of a particular state. Some buildings are mesmerizing with their beauty and legends. Some parts of the world are worth visiting just to see these amazing buildings with your own eyes.

Architects from different eras created their creations in different styles. Sometimes incredible amounts of money were spent on a temple or palace. But what was built in past centuries is still worth it and is pleasing to the eye. Of course, many buildings had to be restored and rebuilt. But it is surprising that it was possible to preserve those structures that were built many centuries ago. Even though there was not such a variety of building materials and technology, people still managed to build masterpieces of architecture.

Ideal palace of the postman Cheval, France

It began construction in 1879 in the city of Hauterives. Local postman Ferdinand Cheval found a strange and incredibly beautiful stone. He spent 33 years building his ideal castle. This became the main goal of his life. The palace was located in his garden, and he did all the work alone. This is a unique structure because it is made outside of any artistic framework and architectural rules. This creation is recognized as a masterpiece of world architecture and a historical monument of France. This surreal building has influenced the work of many designers and architects. Looking at these creations, one is struck by a large number of details to which a lot of time and work was devoted. It's amazing that only one person was able to create this miracle. Ferdinand Cheval, a simple postman, was able to leave a significant mark on the culture, because people from all over the world still come here to admire this palace.

Golden Temple, India

This magnificent building appeared at the end of the 16th century. Before the temple was established, meditations were conducted here by Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first guru. The building is located in the city of Amritsar, near the border with Pakistan. The temple is located in the center of a sacred reservoir, it is the main heritage of the Sikhs. Until now, about 100 thousand visitors come here every day. They come from different countries to meditate or simply enjoy the incredible beauty of the building. It is not for nothing that the Golden Temple bears this name. Its main dome is covered with gilding, which shines incredibly and shimmers in sunlight. This dome can be seen from afar, it serves as a kind of beacon for wanderers. The building is surrounded by a high fence that separates from the old town. It is connected to the shore by a marble bridge, which symbolizes the path of the human soul after death. The walls are decorated with a variety of paintings, ornaments and precious stones. Anyone can visit this temple, regardless of religion. To get to the temple, you need to take off your shoes, cover your head with a scarf and perform a ritual ablution in the lake. Here you can meditate, just take a tour or get the necessary moral assistance. There are also free dining rooms for pilgrims, lounges and a first-aid post, where everyone in need is helped.

Jenne Great Mosque, Mali

This is one of the most famous and significant landmarks in Africa. The city of Jenne was one of the first to spread Islam across the continent. Since the 13th century, there were various prayer buildings on the site of the mosque. The Great Mosque appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century, and since 1988 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also includes the entire old town of Jenne. This mosque is the largest alluvial structure in the entire world. It is amazing that the building was created only from clay, sand and water, but it is striking in its magnificence. Only those who profess Islam can get inside. This is stated on the sign near the entrance. But many Orthodox tourists come even just to look at the building from the outside. This is a working mosque where both local residents and visiting Muslims go to pray.

Portuguese Royal Library, Brazil

The library was established in 1837 to educate and promote Portuguese culture in the Brazilian Empire. Since 1900, it became public, where anyone could come. The institution is located in the center of Rio de Janeiro, designed by the architect Rafael da Silva y Castro in the style of the New Manueline. This is one of the most magnificent and beautiful libraries in the world, it mesmerizes with its atmosphere and magic, enveloping visitors. Here you can feel the real wisdom, which is collected in thousands of books. Inside there is a chandelier-chandelier, stained glass ceiling and a huge number of shelves with books in different languages of the world. But most of the literature here is in Portuguese. About 6 thousand new books are brought here every year. The institution is constantly being replenished and developed. Also, the library still publishes its own magazine and conducts Portuguese language courses for everyone.

Metropol Parasol, Spain

An unusual construction, also called the Seville Mushrooms, is located on a square in the old town of Seville. This is a fairly new building, construction was completed only in 2011. The designer was the German architect Jürgen Mayer. The entire structure is made of concrete and wood. The building consists of six huge umbrellas and four floors. The museum is located on the basement floor, the central market is located on the outer (first) floor, and observation decks and a restaurant are located on the second and third floor. This is one of the most beautiful places with a wonderful panoramic view. The project was originally estimated at 50 million euros, but in the end it cost twice as much. This happened due to the fact that the local authorities considered the project technically impracticable. It also took a lot of time to develop a plan to strengthen the structure, because it is mostly made of wood, which is not designed for such a huge area and weight. But in the end, the problems were resolved, alternative reinforcement options were found and the construction was completed, but with a delay of four years.

Skyscraper Taipei 101, Taiwan

Until 2010, this building was considered the tallest in the world. It has 101 floors, and the height of the entire skyscraper is 509 meters. Inside, people are transported from floor to floor by the world's fastest elevators. Their speed is 60.6 kilometers per hour. Those. the upper observation deck from the lower floors can be reached in less than a minute. The first few tiers are occupied by shopping centers, the upper floors are occupied by offices. Despite the height and seismic activity of the territory, the developers assure that the building can withstand the strongest earthquake, which is extremely rare in this country, about once every 2500 years. The architectural style of the building is postmodernism; ancient Chinese culture and modern trends are perfectly combined here.

Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, France

It is a small rocky island located in the northwest of France. A small town on the island has existed since the 8th century. Nowadays, only a few dozen people live here. It is one of the most visited and famous tourist destinations in France. Since the 19th century, the island-fortress has been recognized as a historical monument, and in 1979 UNESCO recognized it as a unique heritage of mankind. It is a very picturesque place known for its ebb and flow. The water used to protect the abbey. During low tides, it was easy to get inside, and during high tides, the water could protect against enemy attacks.