Top 15 Famous Building in the World
For this post we are showcasing the top 15 most famous buildings in the world, and explain a bit about why they deserve to be in the list. Whenever we travel to far-flung places, we're attracted to the famous buildings. It's not that most of us have a deep interest in the technicalities of architecture. It's more about how the designs of these buildings reflect the era and culture in which they were built.
Now for this top fifteen article, we are showcasing some of the most famous buildings in the world. Have some time to read and checkout the 15 listed tallest mountains below. Enjoy!
Top 15: Falling Water
Description:
Designed by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1934, Falling water is quite possibly the most famous private residence in the world. But why? Well, the unique design makes it look like the house stretches out over a 30 ft waterfall, with no solid ground beneath it.
This isn't the case, obviously, but the innovative design captured everyone's attention when it was finalized in 1939. It became famous instantly and is now a natural historic landmark. It's so cool you can even get a Lego version of the architectural masterpiece!
This isn't the case, obviously, but the innovative design captured everyone's attention when it was finalized in 1939. It became famous instantly and is now a natural historic landmark. It's so cool you can even get a Lego version of the architectural masterpiece!
Top 14: Buckingham Palace
Description:
It is originally known as Buckingham House, George III bought the property in 1735 when the mansion was little more than a red brick house. Since then, various architects have worked on the building to make it what it is today, including John Nash, Edmund Blore and Sir Aston Webb.
The palace also had to undergo extensive work after being bombed no less than nine times during World War II. However, still very much in operation, it's one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.
The palace also had to undergo extensive work after being bombed no less than nine times during World War II. However, still very much in operation, it's one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.
Top 13: Hagia Sophia
Description:
Hagia Sophia is a architectural masterpiece. A perfect example of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia is located in Istanbul, Turkey.
The building was built for the first time by the emperor Constantine the Great (306-337). However, due to many factors, including being burned down in riots and earthquakes, the ancient cathedral has been rebuilt many times since. Despite this, Hagia Sophia is widely recognized as one of the great buildings of the world. And if that wasn't cool enough, the building also features in the opening scenes of the latest Bond film, Sky fall.
Top 12: Space Needle
Description:
The futuristic Space Needle in Seattle, Washington was built for the 1962 World's fair. The famous landmark stands at 184 m high and 42 m wide at its widest point.
The design was a collaborative effort between architects Edward E Carlson and John Graham. Not only is the architecture a marvel to look at but the building's impressive design can survive wind velocities of 200mph and can escape serious structural damage during earthquakes of up to 9.1 magnitudes.
Top 11: Sydney Opera House
Description:
Sydney Opera House is widely regarded as one of the greatest architectural works of the 20th century. The innovative design came from architect Jørn Utzon, who was relatively unknown until January 29, 1957 when his entry to the ‘International competition for a national opera house at Bennelong Point, Sydney’ was announced the winner.
The beautiful building comprises of three groups of interlocking shells, which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. A masterpiece of modern architecture, the opera house has become an iconic symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation.
Top 10: Chrysler Building
Description:
In the early part of the 20th Century, people everywhere were in a race to build the tallest building. At the time, this gorgeous Art Deco skyscraper was almost outdone by the Bank of Manhattan but its spire (which was constructed in secret) enabled it to take the title of 'tallest building in the world' in 1930.
It didn't last long though. Just a year later the Empire State Building was erected. Designed by architect William Van Alen, the skyscraper was commissioned by car manufacturer Walter P Chrysler, hence its name.
Top 9: Taj Mahal
Description:
Recognised as 'the jewel of Muslim art in India', the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Often mistaken as a palace, this famous landmark was actually built as a tomb for the Emperor's wife after she died giving birth to their 14th child.
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the finest examples ofMughal architecture - an amalgamation of Persian, Turkish and Indian styles. Construction on the mausoleum began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and gardens took a further five years to finish.
Top 8: Colosseum
Description:
This elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of Rome is considered as one of the greatest architectural feats achieved by the Ancient Romans. The stadium was capable of seating 50,000 spectators and used mainly for gladiatorial games.
Built from concrete and stone, construction began on the Colosseum began around 72AD and finished in 80AD. The design and shape of the Colosseum has been the inspiration for many modern day stadiums. Today it is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Top 7: Lloyds Building
Description:
This futuristic building looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie rather than Lime Street in London. The award-winning Lloyds building (also known as the Inside-Out building) is an iconic architectural landmark and one of the most recognisable constructions on the London skyline.
Architect Richard Rogers was the brains behind the innovative design, which has its services - including water pipes and staircases - on the outside. Built between 1978 and 1986, the building also features 12 outside lifts, which were the first of their kind in the UK.
Top 6: Empire State Building
Description: We couldn't put together a list of world-famous buildings without including this grand Art Deco skyscraper. Once the tallest building in the world, construction began on the Empire State building on St Patrick's Day 1930 and was completed just 410 days later.
The building was designed by William F Lamb of architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. It was declared by the American Society of Civil Engineers to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is known around the world as an icon of New York City.
Top 5: St Basil's Cathedral
Description:
No, we haven't included a piece of Disneyland architecture on our list, although you'd be forgiven for thinking so. This garish, candy coloured cathedral is in fact Moscow's most visited tourist attraction. The famous landmark, shaped to resemble the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky, is located just outside the Kremlin gates and marks the geometric centre of the city.
Built between 1554 and 1560, the cathedral was erected during the reign of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible). Little is known about the building's architect Postnik Yakovlev, but he was clearly a fan of onion domes, sharp spikes and polygonal towers.
Top 4: Leaning Tower of Pisa
Description:
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable architectural structures in Europe. Most famous for its tilt, the tower began to lean during construction after soft ground on one side was unable to properly support the structure's weight.
Building work on the tower began in 1173 and went on for over a whopping 300 years. There has been much controversy surrounding the true identity of the architect behind the tower - the design originally attributed to artist Bonnano Pisano but studies have also implicated architect Diotisalvi.
Top 3: The White House
Description:
Irish architect James Hoban was the man behind the design of the White House. In 1972 Hoban submitted a plan for the presidential mansion and subsequently got the commission to build the White House.
Constructed began in 1793 through to completion in 1801. The mansion, which has been home to every US leader since the country's second president John Adams, is made from white-painted Aquia sandstone.
Top 2: Petronas Towers
Description:
Standing at 170 metres above ground, the Petronas Towers are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The buildings, which held the titled of tallest in the world between 1998-2004, are an iconic landmark of the capital city.
The distinctive postmodern style was created by architects Cesar Pelli and Achmad Murdijat, engineer Deejay Cerico and designer Dominic Saibo under the consultancy of JC Guinto.
Top 1: St Paul's Cathedral
Description:
London's most iconic building St Paul's Cathedral was designed by English architect Sir Christopher Wren. Sitting at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, its famous dome is one of the world's largest, measuring nearly 112 metres high.
The original church on the site was founded in the year 604AD. Work on the present English Baroque church began in the 17th Century by Christopher Wren as part of a major rebuilding program after the Great Fire of London.
Wren started working on St Paul's in 1668, his designs for the cathedral taking a decade to complete and the actual construction taking a further 40 years. St Paul's has played an integral part of London life ever since - as a domineering element in the city's skyline, as a centre for tourism and religious worship, and most recently as a focal point for anticapitalist protests.
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Please be noted that the top 15 that we are including here in our blog are all unofficial rankings unless otherwise noted. Most of the top fifteen lists are based on Google search results and collected mainly from different blogs and websites around the internet world.
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