20 World Famous Buildings – Iconic Architecture
Last Updated on 26th January 2024 by admin
The world is full of many interesting modern and historical architectural buildings. Some of them depict the art of ancient and some of the structures of modern engineering, making them one of the world’s famous tourist attractions. It is impossible to ignore the amazing engineering and technical skills that went into the construction of these iconic buildings. These famous architectural buildings welcome you to every corner of the world. Various cities around the world can be easily recognized by their famous buildings, which can be a historical and modern marvels of architecture. There are also wonderful buildings that were built thousands of years ago and are still standing proudly today and attract visitors from around the world. Here is a list of iconic architectural world-famous buildings.
1) Colosseum
Location: Rome, Italy
Constructed: 70 – 80 AD
The Colosseum is one of the world’s most famous buildings in the world, it is an oval amphitheater, located in the city of Rome, Italy. The construction of the Colosseum began in the middle of 70 AD and was completed by Emperor Titus in 80 AD.
This magnificent building had about 76 entrance arches, which were used by the general public, and had a seating capacity of around 50,000 – 60,000, at that time such a large arrangement was not a small thing. Let us tell you that it is also known as Flavian Amphitheatre.
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The famous iconic building, the Colosseum was selected as one of the 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. It is one of the most visited monuments in Italy and is visited by approximately 6 million tourists every year.
It is the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire around 190 by 155 meters (620 by 513 feet), which is considered a masterpiece of Roman architecture and engineering. Even today the Colosseum tells the splendor of the Roman Empire. The Colosseum is a World Heritage Site and was added by UNESCO in 1980.
2) Taj Mahal
Location: Agra, India
Constructed: 1593 – 1631 AD
The Taj Mahal (Mumtaz Mahal) is considered one of the most beautiful and famous buildings in the world. It is located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra, North India. It has been called one of the “outstanding human works”, appreciated by the whole world as a World Heritage Site.
The construction of the building started in 1593 AD and was completed in 1631 AD, which was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history.
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The Taj Mahal is a world-famous building and one of the seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal made of stunning ivory-white marble is a sign of boundless love. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for the memory of his wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
It is believed about the Taj Mahal, after getting it was built, Shah Jahan cut off the hands of all his craftsmen so that no one else could build a building like this Taj Mahal. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world due to its unique design.
3) Sydney Opera House
Location: Sydney, Australia
Constructed: 1959 – 1973
The Beautiful Opera House is a performing arts center located in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), New South Wales, Australia. The construction of the building began on 2 March 1959 and was completed on 20 October 1973. The structure of the Opera House was conceived by Jörn Utzon and for this unique idea, he was awarded the Pritzker Prize for Architecture in the year 2003.
The construction of the opera house was estimated to take four years, but it took fourteen years to be completed. The Opera House was also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007 and it is one of the most famous buildings in Australia.
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It is one of the most famous buildings in the world, surrounded by water on all sides, which adds to its beauty. Undoubtedly, the Opera House is a rare gem in Sydney tourism, which is visited by tourists from all over the world. Sydney’s Opera House is as beautiful as it looks from the outside, it is even more beautiful when seen from the inside.
The Sydney Opera House has several performance spaces including a concert hall, drama theatre, playhouse, Joan Sutherland Theatre, studio, recording studio, Utzon Room and outdoor forecourt, and houses restaurants, retail shops, cafes and bars.
4) Burj Khalifa
Location: Dubai, UAE
Constructed: 2004 – 2009
The talk on Ultimate Architectural Engineering cannot be complete without mentioning the most popular building of Dubai, Burj Khalifa. Dubai is one of the richest cities in the world and holds the title of the world’s tallest building, which has a total height of 829.8 meters.
It is one of the world’s most famous buildings and the tallest skyscraper with 163 storeys is the only building in the world. Burj Khalifa took almost six years to build, construction began on 6 January 2004 and was completed on 1 October 2009. About 1.5 billion US dollars has been spent on the construction of Burj Khalifa, the building was officially inaugurated on 4 January 2010.
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Since 2009, Burj Khalifa has held the title of the tallest freestanding structure in the world, it is three times taller than the Eiffel Tower. Burj Khalifa is such a tall building that it can be easily seen even from 90 km away. There is a difference of about three minutes in the time of sunset between the ground level and the observation deck of Burj Khalifa.
When you reach the height of the Burj Khalifa building, you can have a view of the whole of Dubai. If you visit Burj Khalifa at night, then the entire city of Dubai is lit up with colorful lights.
5) Eiffel Tower
Location: Paris, France
Constructed: 1887 – 1889
Paris is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Eiffel Tower in Paris is a well-known structure in the world, situated on the banks of the Seine River in the capital of France. It is one of the most famous towers in the world, this beautiful man-made architecture at a height of 330 meters, is crowded daily to see.
The construction of the tower began on 28 January 1887 and was completed on 15 March 1889. The world-famous tower was first opened to the public on 31 March 1889. The Eiffel Tower was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel and this beautiful structure is named after him as Eiffel Tower.
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The Eiffel Tower is the pride of France, it is most famous for its marvelous engineering, beauty, charm and unique design. The Eiffel Tower is the most famous tourist attraction in France and welcomes around 7 million visitors a year. Millions of visitors come here every year and buy tickets to see this beautiful structure, which makes the Eiffel Tower the highest-paid monument in the world.
The Eiffel Tower is decorated with about 20,000 different bulbs, which add to its beauty at night. The Eiffel Tower was once known as the tallest structure in the world and held the title of the tallest structure for 41 years. The Chrysler Building in New York City overtook it in 1930.
6) St. Basil’s Cathedral
Location: Moscow, Russia
Constructed: 1555 – 1561
At first sight, you would have thought this was Disneyland but not. The candy-colored St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of Russia’s most iconic landmarks, located in Red Square in the capital city of Moscow. The beautiful cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Russia, built between 1555 and 1561 as a Russian Orthodox church during the reign of Ivan IV.
This famous building is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 16th century, the church was originally painted white and the domes were in golden colors. The bright multicolored pattern on its domes appears only in the 17th – early 18th centuries.
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St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It has nine domes and all are built in the shape of a rising flame in the sky which is a unique Russian architecture. Today, the cathedral serves as a museum. It was converted into the Museum of History and Architecture in 1923 and became a part of the State Historical Museum in 1929.
However, in the early 1990s, it was once again used for religious services, and now church services are held every Sunday at 10 pm. People from all over the world come here to see and take pictures of this beautiful building.
7) Leaning Tower of Pisa
Location: Pisa, Italy
Constructed: 1173 – 1372
The Leaning Tower is the most famous building located in Pisa, Tuscany region, Italy. One of the most famous towers in the world, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a man-made architectural structure that is a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world.
Everyone is curious to know what is the secret of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The construction of the Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and continued for 200 years. Tommaso Pisano completed the tower in 1372. The tower in Pisa is most popular for its leaning tower.
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The most interesting thing about the tower is that it is leaning to one side, hence it attains the status of a famous building in the world, and even it has stood like this for more than 650 years. Some scientists have given information about this mystery that a special kind of soft soil was used to make its foundation.
The special thing about this soil is that this soil itself handles the vibrations caused by earthquakes. Due to this soft soil, this tower had bowed and this soil has also been told as the reason for the survival of this tower till now. There have been 4 major earthquakes in this so far, yet the tower remains the same.
8) Hagia Sophia
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Constructed: 360 – 537 AD
Hagia Sophia is a famous building located in the city of Istanbul, Turkey, which is now a mosque. Did you know that this building was designed around 1500 years ago as an Orthodox Christian church? But in May 1453, when the Ottoman Empire Mahmud II captured Istanbul, this church was converted into a mosque. Raiders ransacked the Hagia Sophia, made internal and external changes to its structure, as well as constructed minarets on the exterior of the structure.
Hagia Sophia was recognized as a church for more than 900 years, then as a mosque for some centuries and then it was converted into a museum in 1934 by order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It was again converted into a mosque by the Turkish government in July 2020 and now it is recognized as a mosque in the world.
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The beautiful building represents a glorious moment in Byzantine architecture. Hagia Sophia is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the world, it was first built in 360CE. The famous building is an architectural masterpiece, people from all over the world come to see this beautiful building.
Hagia Sophia also has been famous all over the world due to its controversies for centuries. It was once a church, later a mosque, then a museum, and now once again a mosque.
9) Empire State Building
Location: New York City, USA
Constructed: 1930 – 1931
One of the most famous buildings in the world, the Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. The Empire State Building is one of the most famous landmarks of New York City.
The construction of the building was started on March 17, 1930, and was completed on April 11, 1931. The building has a height of 381 meters (1,250 ft) and is 443 meters (1,454 ft) high including its antenna. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, and takes its name from New York’s nickname “The Empire State”.
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This beautiful building has been one of the most iconic architectural structures in the United States since its completion in 1931. It was built at a time when there were many competitions to build the tallest building in the world, but the Empire State Building took the title in a record-breaking time of just 1 year and 45 days.
The Empire State Building stood as the tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years until the World Trade Center was built in 1970. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, it was again the tallest building in New York City until that title was surpassed by the New World Trade Center in 2012.
10) La Sagrada Familia
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Constructed: 1882 – 2026 (Expected Date)
The La Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic church devoted to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, located in Barcelona, Spain. It is one of the most famous buildings in the world and every year thousands of tourists visit this beautiful Roman Catholic Church.
Construction of the Sagrada Familia, which began in 1882, continues today. It is being told that its construction will be completed by 2026, that is, this church will be ready in 144 years. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, an architectural expert.
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The most interesting thing about La Sagrada Familia Church is that it has been under construction for over 140 years. Despite being incomplete, it is quite popular. About 5 million tourists visit La Sagrada Familia Church every year. It is also the most visited monument in Spain. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.
It is the largest Roman Catholic church under construction in Barcelona, as well as Spain’s most famous landmark. After construction, it will be the tallest church in the world with a total height of approximately 170 meters (560 ft).
11) Lotus Temple
Location: Delhi, India
Constructed: 1986
Lotus Temple is one of the most famous buildings in the world, located to the east of Nehru Place, in the south of Delhi, India. With ultimate architectural design and unique craftsmanship, it became one of the famous attractions of the capital Delhi, after its completion in the year 1986.
This beautiful Lotus temple is situated in the middle of the lush green meadows spread over a large area. A person of any religion can come to visit this beautiful temple. This temple is also considered a symbol of happiness, peace and purity. Let us tell you that the Lotus Temple was designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba.
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The temple is built in the shape of a half-bloomed lotus with 27 marble petals arranged in 3 chakras. The temple is surrounded by 9 gates, which are in the shape of an arch, whose beautiful architecture is mesmerizing. A huge hall is situated in the middle, in this hall about 2500 people can sit together.
There is also a beautiful flower garden built on the premises of this temple. Lotus Temple is a Baha’i Worship Temple, where no idol of God is kept, nor is there any kind of worship, people come here only for their peace of mind and to enjoy the beauty of this beautiful temple.
12) Big Ben
Location: Westminster, London, England
Constructed: 1859
Big Ben Tower is the most famous tourist attraction in England, located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The tower is actually a clock that was used to see the time in London in the past, which is still functioning. Big Ben Tower was built in 1859 and designed in Pugin’s Gothic Revival style and its total height is around 96 meters.
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) are among London’s most iconic landmarks. Big Ben is the name given to the giant bell inside the clock tower, which weighs over 13.5 tons (13,500 kg). Big Ben Tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth in 2012.
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Big Ben Tower is one of the most famous clock towers in the world. If we look at the clock tower at night, the four faces of the clock are lit up with beautiful light. Since the mid-19th century, Big Ben’s bell chimes every fifteen minutes and a big bell every hour. When someone visits the city of London, everyone wants to take a picture of themselves with Big Ben Tower.
As you may be aware, snapshots and photographs of Big Ben are used more in film and television to identify London, as it is the most photographed and iconic landmark of London.
13) Great Pyramid of Giza
Location: Giza, Egypt
Constructed: 2550 – 2490 BC (approx)
There are many such places in the world, which have many secrets in themselves. One of those places is Egypt and its pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Giza is said to have been built in 2550 – 2490 BC. It is also known as the Khufu Pyramid and is the tomb of the 4th dynasty pharaoh Khufu. The Great Pyramid of Giza Is Egypt’s Most Mysterious Artifact.
Do you know that its centuries-old history and structure still amaze people? Egyptian pyramids were built to bury the bodies of the then kings. Millions of people from all corners of the world visit the pyramids every year for the grandeur and enduring charm of Egypt’s rich past.
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The Great Pyramid of Giza, which is included in the Seven Wonders of the World, comes at the top. These pyramids—particularly the Great Pyramid of Giza—are some of the most spectacular man-made structures in history and one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Millions of people from all corners of the world visit the pyramids every year for the grandeur and enduring charm of Egypt’s rich past. however, the history of the pyramids here is said to be 4000 years old, but even today there are many mysteries related to these pyramids, about which no one has the correct information.
14) Angkor Wat Temple
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Constructed: 1112-50 AD
Angkor Wat is a temple complex, built on the banks of the Mekong in Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is the largest Hindu temple and the largest religious monument in the world, spread over an area of 162 hectares (400 acres). You can also imagine the vastness of this temple from the fact that a huge gate has been made to enter the temple which is about 1000 feet wide.
The temple is surrounded by 3.6-kilometer-long stone walls. Its old name used to be Yashodharpur, temple was built in 1112-50 AD by the Hindu emperor Suryavarman II during his empire, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was converted into a Buddhist temple when the influence of Buddhism gradually increased in the region towards the end of the 12th century.
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The world-famous building, the Temple of Angkor Wat, is also included in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest religious structure in the world and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. People from all over the world come here to see the architectural beauty of this temple and also to see the sunrise and sunset.
After the temple wall, there is a 650 feet wide moat around the temple, over which there is a stone bridge, which leads to the Angkor Wat temple. If we see this temple from the sky, then it looks very beautiful surrounded by water. The grandeur of this temple can also be estimated in such a way that it is also inscribed on the national flag of Cambodia.
15) Parthenon
Location: Athens, Greece
Constructed: 447 – 432 BC
The Parthenon is a former temple and one of the most famous buildings in the world, located on top of a complex of temples known as the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. It is dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens regarded as their patron.
The construction of the temple began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC when the Delian League was at the peak of its power. The Parthenon is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered to be the zenith of the Doric order.
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Built around 2000 years ago, the Parthenon Temple is one of the oldest temples in the world dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. Although Athens, the capital of Greece, has many famous landmarks and monuments, the Parthenon has also made it to this list due to its grandeur. Therefore, even today, for many years, it is one of the most visited monuments and famous tourist places in the country.
The Acropolis, Athens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural value, architectural structure, and ancient heritage, which was inscribed in 1987. There is also the famous museum named Acropolis Museum, which was opened in 2009. The museum prime focus on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis.
16) The Louvre Museum
Location: Paris, France
Constructed: 1793
The Louvre Museum (French: Musée du Louvre) is the largest museum in the world, located on the right bank of the Seine River in Paris, France. The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous buildings in the world, and also the world’s most visited museum. It is a ‘historic’ museum as it houses objects from prehistoric times to modern times.
The Louvre was originally built under Philip II as a fortress in the late 12th to 13th centuries but was rebuilt as a royal palace in the 16th century. It has an area of about 72,735 square meters (782,910 square feet).
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The museum is one of the most famous tourist attractions in France. The fame of the Louvre Museum can be gauged from the fact that it is the world’s largest museum, most visited, and also one of the world’s most famous museums. It contains more than 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art.
It is also home to some of the most famous works of art, including the world’s most famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo” ancient Greek sculpture. The Louvre Museum is also attached to the beautiful public garden “Tuileries Garden“.
17) The Petronas Towers
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Constructed: 1993 – 1999
Petronas Towers is the most famous and iconic structure in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The Petronas Towers are a pair of skyscrapers also known as the Petronas Twin Towers, which are among the tallest buildings in the world. The building was designed by American architect Cesar Pelli.
Pelli’s design replicates features of Islamic Arab and Muslim architecture. There are 16 large pillars around the perimeter of each building. It has 88 storeys each and was the tallest building in the world with a total height of 452 meters when it was completed in 1999 and remained at its top until 2004.
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Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur is the tallest twin tower in the world. These twin towers are the most famous buildings in the world due to their unique structure. It also remained the tallest building in Malaysia until 2021. Another interesting thing about Petronas Towers is that the towers also have the world’s tallest sky bridge at a height of 170 meters, which makes it one of the most famous buildings in the world.
The two towers are connected by a breathtaking double-decker skybridge on the 41st and 42nd floors, which creates a dramatic entrance and feels like a fantasy world when you enter
18) Cologne Cathedral
Location: Cologne, Germany
Constructed: 1248 – 1880
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is a Catholic cathedral built in the Gothic architectural style in the German city of Cologne. The construction of the Cologne Cathedral building was started in 1248 and took almost 632 years to complete, and the cathedral was completed on 14 August 1880.
It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and Germany’s most visited landmark, which attracts over 20,000 people a day. It is not only Cologne’s iconic structure, but it is also one of Germany’s most famous tourist attractions.
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The reason Cologne Cathedral is world famous is that it was once the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1880 and was the tallest building in the world until 1884. The cathedral has two spires, at a height of 157 meters, making it the tallest twin spires church in the world.
Due to its huge size, even today you can see this Gothic masterpiece clearly from any corner of the city of Cologne. Due to the beautiful Gothic architecture and many other architectural works of art, the Cologne Cathedral building was added as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
19) Neuschwanstein Castle
Location: Schwangau, Germany
Constructed: 1869 – 1888
There are much such architecture and its workmanship in history which is famous all over the world. One of the most famous buildings Neuschwanstein Castle is also one of them, it is the ultimate architectural masterpiece located in the village of Schwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany.
It is considered to be one of the most famous castles in the world, which was constructed between 1869 and 1884 by King Ludwing II. Neuschwanstein Castle was designed by German architect Eduard Riedel who had also been the Bavarian government building officer.
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This beautiful castle is more famous for its unique architectural design and is surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it one of the most famous buildings in the world. Now this palace is known as a museum that has been opened to the public.
Disney was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in building Cinderella’s castle. The castle is one of the world’s most photographed buildings due to its beautiful architecture, but photography is not allowed inside the building.
20) One World Trade Center
Location: New York City, USA
Constructed: 2006 – 2014
One World Trade Center (One WTC) is the main building of the renovated World Trade Center (WTC) complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. The World Trade Center was a pair of towers, which were destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. More than 2700 people lost their lives in this air strike.
After 13 years in 2014 a new building “One World Trade Center” has been built near the same site. Its total height is 541 meters with 104 floors, making this building the tallest building not only in New York but in the entire United States.
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One World Trade Center is more famous for its height, being the tallest skyscraper in the United States. It is also the tallest building in all of North America, and among the top 10 tallest buildings in the world. One WTC also represents the old “World Trade Center” that was destroyed by terrorists in 2001.
This building is built near the old building, two pools have been built in place of the old twin towers, 9/11 memorial and museum have also been built in memory of the victims.
