10 architectural wonders of the world
Does the idea of traveling the world run through your head, but you can’t make up your mind? So, have your passport up to date and dust off your suitcase. ¡We select some architectural wonders that inspire you to travel alone for many countries!
After consulting various maps and atlases, we prepared a list with the 10 architectural wonders most amazing in the world. Make yourself comfortable, get to know them on this virtual trip through the 5 continents and include them in your itinerary. Let us begin!
1. Basilica of the Holy Family
Barcelona, Spain
Spain is our first stop to see the Sagrada Familia. As well as being one of the most eccentric architectural wonders in the world, is a World Heritage Site Amazing. The building is full of curiosities:
- Construction started in 1882 and they still haven’t finished it! The architects estimate that, by 2026, one of the tourist places in Spain will be ready.
- One of Barcelona’s attractions is inspired by nature. Its interior is like a forest and the stairs and columns look like stars and snails.
- The Sagrada Familia is like a musical instrument. Each facade produces different types of chimes that can be heard 3 km away.
- The building is the tallest church on the planet. Well, not yet, but one of the wonders of architecture will reach 172.5m in height!
The city has more architectural wonders, so travel now and see them. If you do it to live in Barcelona and study, even better! It sounds crazy, but it is the ideal way to get to know the Spanish culture and to have more time to tour the whole Motherland.
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2. Machu Picchu
Cuzco, Peru
We decided to walk 8 days to see one of the wonders of architecture. Do you sign up? Well, maybe it’s better to take a tour. The truth is that come to Machu Picchu! The World Heritage Site has several curiosities what to discover:
- Machu Picchu is more than 5 centuries old. Experts estimate that the complex was built in the year 1460.
- The citadel is made up of 140 buildings. In the set, there are temples, houses, sanctuaries, baths and other buildings.
- The name of one of the wonders of architecture comes from a Quechua word. Its meaning in Spanish is “old mountain”.
- The set is haunted. According to some young travellers, there are spirits that watch over the area and scare away visitors! Do you think it’s true?
3. Santorini Island
Santorini, Greece
From Peru, we are going to Greece! Nice jump, huh? Here are the most beautiful beaches in the world, so look for your swimsuit. Also, you must know the famous white buildings of Santorini to know live and direct its history:
- The island is almost as old as the dinosaurs. The place where the city stands is the product of a volcanic eruption dating back to 1650 BC
- His name is religious. The island is called Σαντορίνη, which in Italian is Santa Irene although everyone ended up pronouncing Santorini.
- Santorini is shaped like croissants twisted. However, it is believed that the island had a circular shape that disappeared due to the volcanic eruption.
- The color of the houses is not a coincidence. The white buildings seen in all the photos have this color to keep the interior cool.
4.Taj Mahal
Agra, India
If the heat of Greece seems strong to you, get ready! In India, we are likely to melt. However, it is worth it to see the Taj Mahal, which It is a World Heritage Site since 1983. Here are some fun facts:
- The Taj Mahal is a tomb. At least one legend says that it was a gift from Emperor Shah Jahan to his late favorite wife Muntaz Mahal.
- The palace is almost demolished. It’s crazy, but the government intended to auction off the marble in the building to pay off all its debts.
- The construction is invaluable. We are not referring to its cultural significance alone, but to the fact that there are precious stones on its walls.
- The name refers to the wife of the emperor. The word “taj” means “crown” in Persian and “Mahal” was his official title at court.
5. Sydney Opera House
Sydney, Australia
To freshen up, our next stop is Australia! To be exact, Sydney, where there are some cool ecological beaches. Also, is one of the wonders of architecture: the Sydney Opera House. What can we tell you about this place?
- The construction of one of the places to see in Australia took a long time. We are talking about 26 years and 10,000 workers involved.
- One of the architectural wonders houses the largest instrument in the world. Nothing more and nothing less, it is an organ with 10,000 pipes.
- No building in the world has the glass of the Sydney Opera House. The material was commissioned especially for the project.
- A chicken was at a concert. In the 1980s, one of these animals fell on the head of a musician while the orchestra was playing.
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6. Roman Colosseum
Rome, Italy
The flight from modern Sydney leaves us in one of the most beautiful European cities. Here, you have the best pizza in the world and one of the centuries-old architectural wonders. These are some curiosities of the Roman Colosseum:
- One of the wonders of architecture is a World Heritage Site. In 1980, UNESCO awarded him the well-deserved title.
- The Colosseum was a dump years ago. In addition to gladiator shows, it was used as a dump after an earthquake.
- The complex is the most visited monument in Italy. Every year, about 6 million travelers visit it to feel like soldiers of the Roman Empire.
- The Colosseum was like a tomb in its time. According to historical data, more than 400,000 people and about 1,000 animals died on the festivities.
7. Great Wall of China
Chinese
Again, we go to the other side of the world! This time, to see the Great Wall of China, which It is one of the World Heritage Sites more famous. The stop is mandatory, one of the architectural wonders has a lot of history:
- Its construction took 2000 years. According to the records, 2 million workers were involved, although it could have been more!
- One of the wonders of architecture is spread throughout China. The data seems obvious, but the wall crosses some 9 provinces of the country.
- The Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space. It is a false popular myth, because several astronauts confirm that it is invisible at such a height.
- The foundations are made of bones. Well, this is not certain, but the rumor was born, since about 400,000 people died in the construction.
8. Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Have you packed yet? Cool. Now, we are going to Brazil to have a Caipirinha. In addition, you have to visit the Christ the Redeemer, another World Heritage Site on this list and that it is one of the most interesting architectural wonders:
- Christ the Redeemer was built in France. From Europe, he was shipped in parts and literally put together from head to toe.
- The statue has a carved heart. Gossips say that, inside, there is a parchment with the family tree of Heitor Levy, the master builder.
- One of the wonders of architecture is 38 m high. In fact, it is the largest art deco sculpture in the world.
- Although it may not seem like it, the statue is hollow and there are viewpoints on the hands and on the head. The bad thing is that they are not open for visitors.
9. Eiffel Tower
Paris, France
Do you want to go back to Europe? Well, our journey takes us to Paris. On the list, we wrote down a couple of important museums in the world, but you have to go to the Eiffel Tower first, it is one of the architectural wonders that we love for its curiosities!
- The tower could be in another city. Eiffel presented his project in other European cities, but only the French government approved the construction.
- One of the wonders of architecture changes size. During the summer, the tower “grows” 18 cm due to the thermal expansion of the metal.
- The tower was the tallest structure in the world until 1930. In that year, the Chrysler Building opened in New York and took the title.
- The monument was not permanent. It was actually going to be demolished after the Universal Exhibition, but the army used it as a radio antenna.
10. Statue of Liberty
New York, United States
The last stop is in the “capital of the world” as many call it. In New York, there are several wonders of architecture, we know. However, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the city and its history is worth knowing:
- His name is not exactly like that. The Statue of Liberty is called “Liberty Enlightening the World” actually.
- The sculpture was to be built in Central Park. However, the sculptor preferred Liberty Island so that it would be the first thing immigrants saw upon arrival.
- The Statue of Liberty was built with crowdfunding. Before, there was no such term, but the project was carried out with donations.
- The green color is not because of the paint as many think. In reality, it is the rust that gives the statue its characteristic hue.
Well, we have reached the end of this “journey”, but it’s your turn to continue! You already know the 10 wonders of architecture most amazing, so start saving to travel, pack up, empty your camera roll and live this adventure in the real world.
When you come back, tell us how it went and share all your photos with us! Good luck, traveler.