The Taj Mahal Lives Up To The Hype
The world is filled with inspiring architectural sites, some of which are ancient and have great meaning. If you're planning to travel to see some of these sites, you need to know which are worth your time and which can be skipped. Here are 10 architectural sites you need to visit and 10 that aren't worth your time.
1. Sagrada Familia
Gaudí's masterpiece is one of the most astonishing architectural works in Europe. It blends Gothic forms with surreal elements to create something truly awe-inspiring. Furthermore, its facades tell biblical stories, and the interior uses light in the most interesting ways.
2. Angkor Wat
This isn't just any ordinary temple, it's an ancient city and the world's largest and most impressive religious monument. Built in the 12th century, it uses Buddhist and Hindu influences and was designed with moats and towers, and carvings of mythological scenes.
3. Machu Picchu
Situated high in the Andes, Machu Picchu proves the brilliance of the Inca Empire. It features terraced fields, stone structures, and ceremonial sites that integrate into the mountains. Machu Picchu is a striking and bold landscape thanks to its precision and beauty.
Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
4. Taj Mahal
Often referred to as a monument of love, the Taj Mahal is architectural symmetry at its finest. Its pristine white marble changes colors according to light, and visitors enjoy how surreal it actually looks in person. The gardens and reflecting pool are also spectacular.
5. Petra
Carved into rose-colored cliffs, Petra is a Nabatean architectural masterpiece and symbolic of how the desert was transformed into a bustling trade city. Seeing it for the first time feels majestic and cinematic, and visitors can enjoy the hiking trails, tomb complexes, and vantage points.
Juanma Clemente-Alloza on Unsplash
6. St. Peter's Basilica
A crowning achievement of the Renaissance, this basilica is a marriage of the talents and genius of Bernini, Michelangelo, and Bramante. Its enormous dome fills Rome's skyline, and the interior is home to precious and priceless mosaics, sculptures, and chapels.
7. Sydney Opera House
This opera house is so much more than a performance venue. It's an architectural icon that is known throughout the world. Its shell-like sails create one of the most recognizable silhouettes, and it's especially wondrous to visit at sunset or during one of its nighttime light displays. If you ever visit, be sure to take a tour, which reveals the engineering brilliance behind it.
8. Burj Khalifa
Located in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and reflects the ambition of modern architecture and engineering innovation. It pushes structural limits, and the observation deck supplies endless visual wonder.
9. Neuschwanstein Castle
This castle looks ripped from a fairy tale and is inspired by Disney's iconic turrets. It offers visitors a romanticized version of medieval architecture, and the interior is just as spectacular with its ornate murals.
10. Fallingwater
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is a masterpiece of architecture. It practically blends into the surrounding forest and is built over a waterfall.
1. The Little Mermaid Statue
Not even the most hardcore fans of the Disney movie need to visit this statue in Copenhagen. It's small and doesn't offer much to inspire. It can also be tough to get a good view of it as it's often surrounded by tourists.
2. Manneken Pis
This statue of a urinating boy in Brussels is treated as a landmark, but most tourists walk past it without noticing it. It's only roughly two feet tall, and the surrounding area isn't overly special.
3. Temple Bar
Temple Bar has its charm, but it's overpriced, overcrowded by tourists, and feels more commercial than historical. Many expect an authentic Irish pub experience, but it's basically a tourist hangout.
4. Hollywood Walk of Fame
One of the most iconic spots in the U.S. is a disappointing experience. It's truly ordinary in addition to being crowded, chaotic, and lacking true Hollywood magic. Be prepared to deal with vendors, and consider visiting the Griffith Observatory instead.
5. Times Square
Its vibe, massive screens, and neon signs might make it iconic, but Times Square offers little architectural wonder. You should visit it at least once for the novelty, but then avoid it on every subsequent trip to New York City, which is filled with many architectural delights.
6. Leaning Tower of Pisa
While the tilt is impressive and there's some historical significance, this tower might be the most anticlimactic piece of architecture in Italy. It's crowded by annoying tourists trying to take the same photo, and lacks overall charm.
7. The Shard's Viewing Deck
The Shard in London is considered to be an architectural marvel yet many tourists remark how the viewing deck is overpriced. You're better off finding a cheaper, or even free, lookout to gaze at London's skyline. It's worth noting that the building itself is striking, but that doesn't mean it's worth the price.
8. Fisherman's Bastion
Located in Budapest, this site lets you enjoy stunning panoramic views from the outside, which is free of charge, but the paid interior is a disappointment. It lacks architectural significance as it is relatively modern.
9. Space Needle
A fixture in Seattle's skyline, the Space Needle is breathtaking, but the observation deck is lackluster. Enjoy a free view from Kerry Park or the Sky View Observatory, which provides better city perspectives.
10. Merlion Statue
The Merlion Statue in Singapore is a national symbol, but the area around it is crowded, and it feels more kitsch than anything else. It's more of a large fountain than a structure with architectural meaning.
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