Architectural Wonders In The World: Top 10 Marvels Every Traveler Must Admire

Every city or country has one of its iconic landmarks that has made the place the most searched destination on the atlas. One can't state that people around the world are no longer engrossed in history or art and architecture as some holiday destinations are famed for their magnificent spectacle. The architectural wonders in the world dating back centuries have left the crowd awe-stunned with their glamor and quirks. Standing as a miracle of the human mind and emotion, these architectural treats have marked the excellence of art, technology, and the brain. With no dearth of such classified wonders, one can set an incredible journey to admire these man-made beauties.

World Architectural Wonders You Can Explore To Feast Your Eyes

Some agenized for the unique architecture, some as the best state-of-art-technology, every architectural wonder has its own identity or congruence with one-other, which makes them so famous. Leaving you with an Awe, here are some top-picked wonders, scattered around the globe you can explore for an undefined experience.

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, USA

You might be aware of a giant mountain carved with some famous faces? Located in Western South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands on the list of architectural wonders in the world with the heads of four presidents of the United States. The white rock was molded into the iconic sculpture carving the heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln by Doane Robinson. He was a South Dakota historian who crafted the place to boost tourism, and today, it is recognized as the national monument. It is spreading over an area of 1,278.45 acres and stands at the height of 5,725 feet above sea level.

The fact behind choosing the presidents was based on the founding, expansion, preservation, and alliance of the country. The carving of Mount Rushmore began in 1927 and was finished in 1941, which is now acknowledged as the most iconic sculpture and design. This architecture in the world is also featured in movies like North by Northwest and Team America. Well to add, these sculptures are not as big as they appear.

• Location: Black Hills of South Dakota, United States

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2. National Museum of Qatar, Doha

It is not just the enticing collection and artwork that makes the National Museum of Qatar a famous architecture. What’s so fascinating and alluring about the place is its unique design and resemblance. With a desert rose formation, the museum is the finest attraction in Qatar that has attracted many across the globe.

The museum was designed by Jean Nouvel, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. Call it his imagination or inspiration that today, the National Museum of Qatar recreates the beauty of the desert rose by considering every nitty-gritty of its crystal formations. There is a perfect use of creativity and technology that is rightly depicted in the design of this architectural wonder in Qatar. It features interlocking disks well-set on an area of 430,500 square feet. The museum has been a seat of the government for 25 years. One can delve into the culture, history, and tradition of Qatar with the impressive collection of artifacts and other elements. There are 11 striking galleries where you can learn and admire the landscapes, archaeological sites, historic and contemporary architecture of the country.

• Location: Al Aaliya Street, Doha

3. The Big Ben, London, United Kingdom

Big Ben in London is a clocktower with a giant clock, weighing more than 13 tons or 13760 kg. Now, what makes this iconic relic one of the famous World Architectural wonders is its height and the imposing clock placed inside the tower. The beauty of the tower is enhanced as the day fades, and the clock is illuminated by the lights on all four faces. The tower is placed right at the north end of The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, Central London, near the river Thames. Located in the Elizabeth tower, this is one of the most famous attractions in the United Kingdom and has been welcoming tourists from every corner of the globe to admire its art. Inside tour of the place is not permitted for the tourists.

Taking a step back in history, there is a legend that states how, when, and why Big Ben was built and named. In 1834, a fire broke out at the Palace of Westminster, and later in 1844, a new House of Parliament was designed with a clock tower as the architecture in the United Kingdom.

• Location: Westminster, London, United Kingdom

4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

The historic town of Madhya Pradesh, India, is home to a group of monuments that are famed for their striking architecture and erotic carvings. Khajuraho Group of Monuments are among the famous architecture of the ancient world where you can delve into the mythology and a bit of culture of Hinduism and Jainism. Once a dense and proliferating forest, today stands as the most unusual temple that is believed to be depicting the love of Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati. Located in the heart of India, these temples are the best attraction to visit in December or any winter season.

The walls of Khajuraho temples are ornamenting the sculptural representation of Apsara and Demigods revolving around the sensual and intimate beauty of the Tantric concept. They are representing the potential of the male counterpart while the energy of the female. The theory is clear, but there are different stories related to the idea of such erotic depictions. Some believe that these were built to educate people while others have their stories around the theme of these architectural wonders in India. The monuments at Khajuraho were marked as the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

• Location: Khajuraho, Chatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh India

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5. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

Now, who isn’t aware of the iconic landmark and one of the most stunning modern architectural wonders of the world, Burj Khalifa. Known to be the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is the epitome of class, luxury, and elegance. Raising to the height of 2717 feet, and an additional antenna of 5 feet, it stands as the world’s tallest building. The construction of Burj Khalifa started in the year 2005, and it took approximately five years to complete this landmark of sheer elegance and luxury.

The use of state-of-art technology and design inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra and other Islamic architecture in the world makes this attraction in Dubai, world-famous and most admirable place. There are luxury hotels, y-shaped floor space, 57 elevators, and an observation deck on the 124th floor. The building has set several records with its quirky design and look. With more than 160 stories, it is referred to as the tallest free-standing structure in the world with the highest number of stories in the world and the highest occupied floor in the world. It has the highest outdoor observation deck in the world, and the highest elevator, with the longest travel distance in the world.

• Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

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6. Parthenon, Acropolis, Greece

Built-in the 5th century BCE, Parthenon is among the top architecture in the ancient world. The temple is built in connection with the development of the Doric order, contemplated to be the most simplistic of the three Classical Greek architectural orders. Despite the fact, it is an imperfectly designed architecture but appears as a perfect masterpiece in size, perspective, and dimensions. Constructed by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates, this iconic monument has embodied many unique and unusual architectural refinements. It is believed that this was intended to avoid any parodies in human vision. If one studies the detailing of designing and construction, he can clearly understand the use of technology that made this iconic architecture in Greece perfect even after imperfection.

It is one of the most significant places to visit in Greece, thanks to its influential history and location. Parthenon dominated the Acropolis at Athens and is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos or “Athena the Virgin”. The high-end Greek art used in Parthenon makes it a treasure and attraction that can never be missed by a true admirer.

• Location: Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, Attica, Greece

7. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

Listed as the best old architecture in the world, the leaning tower of Pisa is a captivating marvel of the human mind and technology. Being a famous attraction in Italy, the tower is known for its unique architecture and Romanesque style. The construction began in the year 1173, and it took years to complete the building due to war. It was completed in the 14th century, in 1399. The architects and engineers who dedicated their time and mind to the designing of the Leaning Tower of Pisa were Bonanno Pisano, Gherardo di Gherardo, Giovanni Pisano, Giovanni di Simone.

The tower is inclined to a certain angle which is attributed to its uniqueness. The tower was originally measured with a height of 60 meters, but the metrics show that it measures 56.67m on the highest side and 55,86m on the lowest side.

Revealing the secret of this iconic architectural wonder in the world, the tower of Pisa was designed to stand firm, but it started to lean during construction. The leaning tower of Pisa has eight stories, 207 columns, and a chamber for the bells. The whole architecture is built with white marble.

• Location: Duomo Square, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

8. Grand Mosque Kuwait

The most impressive piece of architecture in Kuwait, the Grand Mosque, is a wonder in every sense. It is the biggest Mosque in the country spreading to an area of 46,000 square meters (490,000 sq ft). The mosque covers an approximate space of 20,000 square meters, and the rest falls under the premises, housing a myriad of features. The Islamic architecture of the mosque has made it a wonder in the Middle East and a most visited pilgrimage place in Kuwait.

It took seven years to complete the mosque, after starting the project in 1979. It has a dedicated area for all religious activities like prayer space, large enough to host big gatherings in Ramadan. Grand Mosque welcomes people from all walks of life to explore and admire its enriching art and architecture. The beautifully adorned walls and interiors of the mosque make it one of the top ten architectural wonders in the world, especially the Middle East.

While the mosque allows tourists to take a tour every weekday from 09:00, it should be noted that you are dressed appropriately.

• Location: Sharq Kuwait City

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9. Great Pyramid Of Giza, Egypt

One among the seven wonders in the world, the Great Pyramid Of Giza is surely a mystical attraction and human marvel to admire. These pyramids have become a recognition for the country and its art. The pyramids represent the richness of architecture in the ancient world with their unique design and everlasting technology.

All three pyramids and their burial complexes were built during a frenetic period from 2550 to 2490 B.C. These attractions in Egypt were designed to abide through ages and still are one of the mysteries in the world. The main belief behind these pyramids was the afterlife. Egyptians believed that there is an afterlife, and to offer every comfort and ease to their ancestors, these giant temple pyramids were built.

The first pyramid was built by Pharaoh Khufu in circa 2550 B.C. and is the largest in the country, measured to be some 481 feet. In circa 2520 B.C, Khufu's son, Pharaoh Khafre, built the second pyramid. The third was built by Pharaoh Menkaure in circa 2490 B.C with more complexity, and together they stand as the world's architectural wonders.

• Location: Giza Necropolis, Nazlet El-Semman, Al Haram, Giza

10. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Opera house is much more than just an attraction in Australia. Located close to Bennelong Point, the design and history of the Sydney Opera house are quite exciting and vast. With a team of more than 10,000 construction workers, this impressive architecture in the world took 15 years to complete and stand as a magnificent wonder. Data shows that it took $102 million for the complete construction, and a huge part of the amount was paid by the State Lottery.

There were around 233 designs submitted, and it was Jørn Utzon from Denmark whose idea struck the most. But he resigned from the project, and the Opera house was completed under the direction of Peter Hall. There were many controversies in the construction, and after 16 years, with all renovation and remodeling, this opera house was introduced to the world as the best architectural wonder in Australia.

While the construction idea was from 1956, the design stood ahead of time and became an impressive and innovative masterpiece of the 20th century. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 and also was marked as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

• Location: 110 Elizabeth St, Sydney, Australia

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There is beauty beyond imagination, and most of it is because of excellent art and technology. Call it the concept of science or the magic of art, many architectural wonders in the world have left many awe-stunned with their unique concept, design, and ideas. There isn’t any country that has been blessed with such marvel, signifying the rich history and legacy. From European nations like Greece to Asian countries like India and the Middle Eastern nations with magnificent Islamic art, there is no dearth of such metaphorical admiration.

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