Outstanding architectural structures. Famous architectural structures
When you are planning a trip to any of the largest cities on Earth, be sure to visit their most famous buildings. These cities stand out for their many outstanding buildings, squares and cityscapes, while history and cultural heritage make them the best cities the world. These giant capitals with countless interesting places have a ton of attractions to offer. However, these are the 10 most famous buildings on Earth that stand out the most. The first Shard tower rises above London's modern and vibrant skyline.
The Shard in London
The giant Shard skyscraper reshapes the London skyline and makes it the tallest in Europe. With a height of slightly more than 300 meters above the ground, Shard is the most high building in this part of the world, and definitely one of the most famous. Completed in 2012 in the heart of London, within a short walk from the Thames, London Bridge and Tower of London... In addition, the Shard skyscraper is visible from anywhere in the city, especially at night, when the majestic silhouette of this iconic famous building turns into a vivid mixture of light and shadow, and the lively waters of the river reflect its greatness in a huge mirror of nature. Especially popular is the observation deck at a height of 250 meters, which offers the best view of the capital of England. 
Big Ben
Big Ben, the House of Commons and the House of Lords is another famous London landmark, dating back to the Victorian Gothic period with its many sharp details, tall pillars, intricate decorations, dark mystical corners and contrasting pale silhouettes. This delightful building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The giant Big Ben Tower with its four striking clocks is recognized around the world, making it one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Burj Khalifa
Of course, the tallest structure in the world will be no exception on the list of the most famous buildings. Burj Khalifa towers majestically over Dubai at 829.84 meters, creating an especially colorful lively atmosphere at night. The many lights of the Burj Khalifa combine with other buildings to create a true contemporary vibe in Dubai. The tower dominates the Dubai skyline with its distinctive Arabian silhouette and Y-shaped design, multiple levels and cross-sections... This building can only be called a masterpiece of architecture. At the top of the skyscraper is a restaurant with the most the best view to the city -. 
Burj Al Arab
This building is also located in Dubai, along the city's beautiful coastline. Dubai Sail is the most famous and most luxurious hotel in Dubai and the world. It is also quite tall - almost 320 meters, which makes it the second tallest hotel on Earth. A symbol of Dubai's historical legacy, the Burj Al Arab impresses with its bright white silhouette and gigantic scale and size. A small narrow bridge leads to Parus, and there is a landing pad for helicopters at the top. 
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is another famous building that is located in eastern Agra in India. This masterpiece of art is famous for its white facades and history, making the Taj Mahal one of the most attractive architectural gems in the world. The building dates back to the 17th century. It is a mausoleum and a symbol of love that permeates every corner here. The Taj Mahal has a giant 170-meter-high central dome, four smaller domes, a giant spacious courtyard, four huge slightly tilted minarets, a gorgeous Islamic design with marble details, calligraphic embellishments, and more. Standing at the main entrance of the complex, you immediately feel all its grandeur and size. 
Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum in Rome is laced with historical heritage on every wall, facade or stone. The true scale of this arena is quite impressive even in our time, and during the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago it was a real engineering marvel. The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the world, the center of numerous gladiatorial battles, where all the Roman nobility gathered. A long network of caves and tunnels stretches under the structure, and outer wall The Colosseum, with its many arches, floors and columns, is considered one of the symbols of Rome and Italy. 
Leaning Tower in Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is only a small part of the entire complex Cathedral Pisa, but the most famous. The rounded tower, with a series of spiraling balconies along the entire length of the façade, is pale in color with many shades. It is surrounded by many lawns and has a courtyard. The tower has a magnificent Romanesque architectural design, but this is not what it is known for. This tilts nearly 4 degrees, giving the visual illusion of falling. This is used by many tourists, taking pictures against the background of the famous building. 
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in Australia and around the world because it is a real piece of art and a masterpiece of art. It is a cultural symbol of the country and also one of the most visited attractions in Sydney. The Sydney Opera House hosts numerous events related to art, opera and music. A remarkable architectural perspective, right next to the water on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other, makes this outstanding opera house one of the most famous buildings in the world. 
Empire State Building
A symbol of the state of New York and the United States, the Empire State Building is one of the must-see places in the city that never sleeps. The skyscraper will impress you with its many colors, pure Art Deco forms, historical structures and of course - impressive height. It rises almost 450 meters above the Manhattan skyline, dotted with numerous windows. Upstairs is an observation deck that reveals the magnificent Manhattan skyline. At sunset you can admire them for hours. 
The Eiffel Tower
The top of the list of the most popular buildings in the world is not a building at all, but a tower. The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the most popular structure in the world. It is located in the center of Paris and is a symbol of the city and France, as well as one of the tallest structures throughout the continent and one of the most popular and visited attractions in the world. The tower is distinguished by its history, many spans, connections, arches, intricate details and other interesting elements that only emphasize its charm. 
From modern and surreal skyscrapers, to historical structures that carry a huge load of cultural heritage, there are many interesting buildings to visit during one of the next travels... These iconic buildings are in the most big cities the world, being part of their history. Such structures are always surrounded by large shopping streets, cultural centers, modern entertainment complexes, so that you will always find how to spend your time here, in addition to exploring the most famous buildings in the world. I also advise you to read about the most expensive construction projects of our time in a separate feed.
It is generally accepted that Ancient world Is a set of civilizations that have existed on earth from prehistoric times to the beginning of the Middle Ages. The framework is very conditional - for they are their own, for America - their own (the beginning of the colonization of the continent by Europeans).
Amazing legacy
In this time period, there were several civilizations with their own culture. Famous buildings and buildings of antiquity have survived to this day. There are not so few of them, but the most striking heritage sites of the past include such as the "City in the Sky" or Machu Picchu in Peru, the Baalbek Temple of Jupiter in Lebanon, the famous Egyptian pyramids Giza, a suburb of Cairo. The list of antiquities includes the aqueducts of the Roman Empire, the glazed windows of Alexandria that appeared in the first century AD, the remains of Greek temples, the Jervan aqueduct in Iraq, and the concrete domes of Roman temples.
Civilizations close to us
There are always ancient sites on every continent. But for the inhabitants of Europe (in the geographical sense of the word), the ancient world is associated primarily with Greece and Rome, with the Egyptian Cleopatra, since both Julius Caesar and Antony loved her.
In addition, they and other ancient Roman emperors dreamed of enslaving Egypt. Russian literature and art up to the beginning of the 20th century are associated with the myths of Greece and Rome. And the Mediterranean civilizations are considered the cradle of humanity. Therefore, to consider in more detail the famous buildings and buildings of antiquity, you need to start with Greece and Rome.
Acropolis - a pearl of world architecture
In Greece, there are a lot of monuments from prehistoric times, and the whole country is dotted with the ruins of ancient Greek palaces and places of worship. It is rather difficult to count them, but there are objects that are considered symbols of the Ancient World. The most important of them is the Acropolis, located in the mainland in the city of Athens. This is a kind of fortress, standing on a hill, the height of which reaches 156 meters in height, it is 300 meters in width, and 170 in length. It is a well-fortified upper city, towering over the unprotected lower one. The Acropolis was the place where the temples of the gods, the patrons of the city, were located, in which residents could hide during the war. Majestic Athenian Acropolis its history is well studied.
Parthenon - the dominant of the Acropolis
It should be noted that sculptures and statues from this Acropolis are in many museums around the world. It houses 21 objects, the most significant of which is the Parthenon - a visiting card not only of Greece, but of the entire Ancient World.
Included in the list of "The Greatest Temples in the World", it was built on the foundation of more ancient temple in the 5th century BC by the architects Kallikrates and Iktin. He dominates the entire area. It is an ideal, harmonious structure rich in unique features. But dozens of books have been written about each of its smallest details. The only thing that can be noted is that it is all surrounded by columns around the perimeter (this form is called peripter). This is what makes the temple irresistibly beautiful.
Athens - a treasure trove of ancient architecture
Other structures Ancient Greece on the territory of the sacred center of the Acropolis are represented by such temples as the Erechtheion, dedicated to the legendary Athenian king Erechtheus, the Areopagus (authority), the temple of Athena-Nike. Throughout the entire capital, there are ruins of many other temples, since all of Greece is a museum of ancient culture under open air... These are the temples of Olympian Zeus, Nika Aptera, Apollo at Delphi, Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Hera on the Peloponnese peninsula, Demeter at Eleusis. These are the most famous buildings and structures of antiquity, created in Greece.
Priority of places of worship
In a later period, one of the first meteorological structures was built in Athens - the Tower of the Winds, 12 meters high, with a base diameter of 8 meters. The parameters of these ancient museums are perfect, they lie at the basis of all architecture and are studied by all architects of the world.
Of all the above objects of antiquity, only the Areopagus is an administrative building, all the rest are religious buildings. The largest sanctuary is Olympia, which is located on the Peloponnese peninsula. It was dominated by the cult of Zeus.
The main business card of Rome
The Great Roman Empire is the oldest civilization in the Mediterranean, originating from Ancient Greece. According to legend, the direct descendants of Aeneas, the hero of the Trojan War, the brothers Rem and Romulus, fed by a she-wolf, founded Rome and the greatest empire that gave the world a great culture.
The structures of ancient Rome in this article are presented by 10 of the greatest architectural examples, with which many inhabitants of the Earth, even those far from scholarship, are familiar. Who doesn't know the Colosseum - main character Rome? A half-ruined outer three-tiered wall surrounds an oval arena. In ancient times, the total number of arches on the wall was 240, 80 of them are in the lower tier. In the arches of the first and second floors there were sculptures - the work of the best masters of Rome.
The brightest and most characteristic
The Appian Way is also familiar to many, because they know about the sad death of Spartak's companions, chained alive to the pillars along it, from school. And the final shots of the cult American film touched film lovers in many countries of the world.
Famous buildings and buildings of antiquity located in ancient capital, adequately represents the Roman Forum, which already during the reign of Tarquicius the Proud became a center of political, cultural and religious life Roman Empire. Here are the temples of Vesta, Vespasian and Saturn. Tragic or happy pages are associated with each of them. ancient history... The well-preserved Trajan Column dates back to the beginning of the 2nd century AD. 185 steps located inside open onto observation deck located at the 38th height. The sculptor Apollodorus of Damascus erected it in 114. It symbolizes the victory over the Dacians.
Next on the list
The Roman Pantheon is unique - the temple of all the gods. Built in 126 AD, it dominates the Piazza della Rotonda.
How the famous buildings and buildings of antiquity looked like, you can find out by looking at the marble Arch of Titus. Erected it oldest building in 81 in honor of the capture of Jerusalem. An arch rises above Via Sacra. Single-span, it has a height of 15.4 meters, a width of 13.5 m, a span of about 5 meters, and a width of 5.33 meters. Any chariot, including a quadriga, could enter such a gate. Preserved bas-reliefs depicting Titus with trophies. The Jewish temple was completely destroyed by him, and the victors got his main shrine - the minor. All this can be seen on the bas-relief.
Famous Roman Baths and Unique Temples
The list of masterpieces of ancient Roman architecture continues. Where did this name come from? Caracalla is the nickname of a person who lived in the 3rd century AD. Ancient Roman baths are a special world where the elite of society enjoyed themselves, went in for sports, waged intellectual disputes, and concluded contracts. The entourage corresponded: the walls and the font itself were made of the best grades of marble, there were sculptures everywhere, including the statue of Apollo Belvedere.
The seventh line in the list "Architectural structures Ancient Rome”Occupies a composition of two temples of different configurations - rectangular and round. These temples were erected in honor of Portun (the patron saint of ports) and Hercules. They are located on the left bank of the Tiber, in the very place where ships used to dock.
Mausoleum and catacombs
The eighth number is the Field of Mars - the left-bank part of Rome. Behind him is the Mausoleum of Hadrian - an architectural monument-tomb for the imperial family. On a square pedestal with a side equal to 84 meters, there is a cylinder with a diameter of 64 meters, crowned with a statue of the emperor in the image of the sun god, driving a quadriga (team of 4 horses). This huge structure was not used for its intended purpose; it became a strategic facility.
The last in the list of the most important architectural masterpieces of the Roman Empire are the famous Catacombs. This is a network of structures (60 in total), interconnected and intended for burials (about 750,000 burials), with a total length of 170 km. Most of them stretch along the Appian Way.
Masterpieces of the East
The greats of the world are worthy of complementing another grandiose monument. This is Great Chinese Wall, the length of which from edge to edge is equal to 21,196 kilometers. Erected by one-fifth (exactly one million) of the country's population in the III century BC, it clearly fixed the borders of the state and made China impregnable. it unique monument antiquities. And the pagodas and Buddhist monasteries India? After all, these are also monuments of the ancient past.
The first Russian architectural gems
All of the above, like the structures of Ancient Russia, belongs to the great world heritage. Only our civilization is young in comparison with others. The most ancient architecture in our country is considered the architecture of Novgorod, Pskov and Kiev, in which from 989 to 996 the Church of the Tithes was erected, destroyed by Batu.
The next most ancient by our standards architectural monument of Kievan Rus is the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernigov, well preserved even now, then the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev. The first cross-domed structures were always based on a cross, and the temple was crowned with a dome. Such churches are the main type of ancient religious buildings in Russia.
Byzantine masters and their offspring
The first stone churches were built by masters invited from Byzantium. Russian religious buildings did not blindly repeat Byzantine architecture. Our churches have a strong personality. Yaroslav the Wise was actively and on a grand scale engaged in construction. He, concerned that a huge country had just adopted a new religion, wanted to approve it with the grandiose construction of temples. The largest, which at that time had no analogues anywhere, even in Byzantium, was the 5-nave 13-domed one, laid down in 1017.
Triumph of Orthodoxy
It was followed by the Sofia cathedrals of Novgorod (1045-1050) and Polotsk (1060). They were also considered 5-aisled, although most Russian churches are 3-aisled. The dome was supported by internal pillars - hence the names: 4-, 6-, or even 8-pillars.
The Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was built by specially invited Greeks in 1073-1079. This temple, called the "Great Church", has become a model for the buildings under construction throughout. Such religious buildings as the Vydubetsky monastery in Kiev (1070-1081), Spas-on-Berest (1113-1125) belong to a new type of cathedrals, since they all had an extension (narthex) with a staircase. The most ancient temples had no vestibules at all.
Since the construction boom launched by Yaroslav the Wise, all the Grand Dukes have been actively involved in urban planning. except architectural monuments, the descendants were left with masterpieces of applied art and literature. The Tale of Bygone Years was first mentioned in 852.
Of course, this was a subjective rating based only on my good taste. It's always easier to criticize, criticism brings people together. "Look what shit!" - and now, behind you, an assenting crowd is lining up, which, like seagulls, repeats: "Yes, yes, yes, yes!" But with good architecture it is much more difficult.
There is practically no good architecture in Russia. Several generations have grown up in our country who have no idea what architecture is. The last qualitative surge was 100 years ago, during the heyday of avant-garde art. And that's all. After the 30s - silence. I do not consider the Stalinist Empire to be high-quality architecture, but this is the scar that adorns the city. However, it was replaced by a struggle with embellishment, then Brezhnev's monumental shit, and then there was no time for architecture, there was nothing to eat.
So, in aesthetic terms, the Russian person remains nostalgic for the pre-revolutionary classics and post-revolutionary modernity. Maybe that's why we love parodies of classical architecture so much?
Here it is necessary to make a digression. A man walks through the city, sees The Bolshoi Theatre or some kind of estate - the eye is good and pleasant, and now a person decides to build a house for himself in this style. Classical architecture seems simple and straightforward. All styles have been learned. Here's the Gothic, and here's the Baroque. It is impossible to confuse. Here's an Ionic order, and here's a Doric one. Everything is clear as in the Lego constructor. It would seem that you take a textbook and build. As soon as it seems to the architect that everything is clear, the trap is slammed shut. Everything. Only a few can efficiently design in a classical style. It's like playing classical music: incredibly difficult, it takes a lot of experience and practice. Classics do not forgive mistakes. The slightest mistake in proportions - and everything will fall apart. That is why, from the seed of good intentions ("to make beautifully"), another freak will almost certainly be born.
Each era has its own architectural style. There was modernity, there was constructivism, there was the same Stalinist Empire style. This is a reflection of the era. There was the architecture of stagnation and the "architecture of money" of the dashing 90s. In this sense, even Luzhkov's shit has a right to exist. Of course, not in the amount in which it is scattered around the city. Today we are dealing with high-tech architecture. New materials, technologies and computer programs make it possible to build previously unthinkable structures. Skyscrapers set records for height, buildings amaze with impossibility of form. And that's great. Architecture should keep pace with the times, and not replicate parodies of the successes of the past.
But here we are faced with another problem. For many years in Russia there was no normal architectural education at all. The country's main architectural university, the Moscow Architectural Institute, was almost shut down for inefficiency. They even ordered a prayer service so that they would not lose their license. The quality of education there is extremely low. I know, because I studied myself. There are only a few cool architects for the entire university who can really teach something. Basically, young guys fall into the hands of old senile fart who, like spiders, hold on to their places, while they can not teach anything. Very few people manage to get a good education. And these units then find themselves in a world where there is no customer. Yes, it is not enough to raise a good architect; you must also raise a good customer who will have taste. So the grass of hope has just begun to break through the dull concrete cover of the scoop. Perhaps our children will build beautiful modern buildings, but for now, any success in architectural terms is more like a miracle than a regularity.
Today I have compiled a selection of the most beautiful buildings in Moscow. You will surely have your own opinion on this matter. I know that many of the buildings I have noted are not popular with Muscovites. But I like them! Do not agree? Throw your list in the comments!
1. Dominion Tower by Zaha Hadid
Russia is usually unlucky with the implementation of projects of world architecture stars, but there are a few exceptions. One of them is Zaha Hadid's Dominion Tower office center, which was nevertheless completed at the end of last year on Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street.
Zaha Hadid is one of the best architects in the world. Almost all of her projects are brilliant. Unfortunately, she recently died. It is good that there is a building in Moscow built according to her design.
This is a seven-storey building with office premises and parking for 251 spaces. The center is lined with composite aluminum panels that change color depending on the angle of view and the illumination. The floors of the building seem to be casually thrown on top of each other. When describing the building, representatives of Zaha Hadid Architects talked about the "idea of space flight".
It's like playing Jenga, a stack of books, or a cake with crusty cakes. According to the original plan, the "overhang" of floors relative to each other was supposed to reach 20 meters, but due to Russian building codes it had to be cut to 8.
Photo: Alexander Usoltsev
The Alice Architectural Bureau adapted Hadid's idea to the harsh Russian reality. Perhaps because of this, the Dominion Tower turned out to be much more modest than most of Hadid's foreign projects and than her project for the new building of the Expocentre, which was never built.
The developer challenged Hadid to design a building that "in 50 years will not look obsolete." Whether the Pritzker Prize laureate coped with this is up to yourself.
Now the Fund for Assistance to Housing and Utilities Reform is proudly sitting in the building.
2. Residential building Copper House
Photo: KALINKA
This is probably one of the first unusual houses in Moscow, for which one is not ashamed. A small, neat residential complex designed by Sergei Skuratov appeared in Butikovsky Lane in 2004. These are three cubic six-storey buildings, "torn off" from the ground by means of cantilever extensions.
The houses are clad with patinated copper panels, which give them their characteristic greenish color. As the founder of the developer Rose Group (it was this company that built the complex) Boris Kuzinets put it, this shade is "the architectural inversion of the color of the grass."
From an interview with Skuratov:
I know that none of my houses have done any harm to anyone - but I open blogs and read there that some girl writes: "Copper House, of course, is a good house, but why was it painted in such a disgusting green color?" She is answered: "Fool, this is patinated copper." "What is patinated copper?" - "It's like when doves poop on Pushkin." And she: "Well, how many pigeons were killed!"
It is worth recalling that the house is located in the very center of Moscow. A good example of how to write correctly modern architecture into the historical environment.
3. "House on Mosfilmovskaya"
Photo: Vostok
This is another famous work Sergey Skuratov. This is a rare case when a new building in Moscow becomes a recognizable part of its modern look.
It's funny that Luzhkov did not immediately like the "House on Mosfilmovskaya", and they even tried to declare the skyscraper "unauthorized" and cut its height, or even completely dismantle it. But in 2010, Luzhkov left, and the building survived.
The complex consists of two buildings: 53-storey (213 meters) and 34-storey (132 meters). When Muscovites talk about the complex, they mean first of all the tower. The fact that the second building is also part of the "House on Mosfilmovskaya" is known mainly by those who did not manage to buy an apartment in the tower and who began to look for a second option.
The skyscraper received an award at ARCH-Moscow 2005, and in 2006 was nominated for the first national architectural award Buildings Awards. In addition, the building was included in the top 5 skyscrapers in the world according to Emporis.
Wonderful job! The light and graceful skyscraper looks great on the Moscow panorama.
4. Complex "Moscow City"
Photo: Vostok
In general, I really like the Moscow City complex. His main problem is that he was set without thinking transport infrastructure... But if you look at it from an architectural point of view, then most of the skyscrapers are very steep.
The "City of Capitals" complex was especially successful, these two towers: 
Photo: Vostok
I really like the spiral skyscraper: 
Photo: Vostok
And a residential complex of two OKO skyscrapers: 
Photo: Vostok
5. Federal Building arbitration court
Photo: TPO "Reserve"
Few people know about this building, as it is hidden inside the block behind the Novoslobodskaya metro station. People are even more surprised when they find out that this, it turns out, is a courthouse! The glass giant on Seleznevskaya Street was supposed to form a new image Russian court- open and transparent, and therefore fair.
The building consists of two blocks - a public one, in which meetings are held, and an administrative one, where the court apparatus is located. The façade of the public area (deliberately smooth in shape in contrast to the "rigid" administrative building) is decorated with recognizable metal plates that look like blinds. Architect Vladimir Plotkin from TPO Reserve says that they even wanted to make these plates manageable, but it turned out that it was too expensive. As a result, the "blinds" remained motionless.
The building of the arbitration court was built in 2007. In addition to meeting rooms, offices and a press center, it houses a rehabilitation center and a restaurant for employees.
TPO Reserve won the House of the Year 2008 competition in the Project of the Year nomination and was nominated at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona for the design of the courthouse.
6. New office of NTV
Photo: Anton Belitsky
If NTV has anything good, it is their office. The building was designed by the Danes, now it is almost completed. It turned out very well.
Photo: Anton Belitsky
7. "White Square" on "Belorusskaya"
One of the few modern buildings in Moscow that everyone likes. It was built 10 years ago by ABD architects under the leadership of Boris Levyant. Office buildings occupy the entire block and are very delicately made. On the site is the famous church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and the office center does not argue with it at all, but rather is a background.
A rare example of how you can correctly and accurately fit a new building without harming the environment.
Photo: Scubapro (Wikipedia)
8. The campus of the Skolkovo school
Photo: Adjaye Associates
This is not exactly Moscow, but where are we without Skolkovo. From an architectural point of view, everything in Skolkovo is much better than from a scientific one. If it is not yet possible to build the Russian Silicon Valley, then making high-quality architecture, for which one is not ashamed, has worked out perfectly well.
Photo: Adjaye Associates
But since the architect himself is of African descent, he added Tanzanian ornaments to the design of the building.
Photo: http://www.archiexpo.es/
The campus building is a giant three-story disc-base with administrative and hotel blocks located on its roof. The campus itself, with auditoriums, media centers and entire streets, is inside the drive. A treadmill was placed on the top of the disc. Several innovations have been tried out in the building, such as the fountain wall and the green wall.
Construction of the campus began in 2006 and was completed in 2010.
9. NOVATEK office
Photo: Speech
The design of the office building on Udaltsova Street was developed by the Speech architectural bureau headed by Sergei Choban and Sergei Kuznetsov. It is a twelve-story home, easily recognizable by its undulating bay windows and Portuguese limestone paneling. The design of the building began in 2005 and was commissioned in 2011. Now NOVATEK wants to build another office on the site of the demolished Sport hotel, which was located nearby.
The building is interesting in that it does not shock the viewer at first glance. Modest and neat. To some, it may seem too simple.
Photo: Speech
But the thrill is in the details. It is like an expensive suit: well-made, from quality materials. Enjoyment in every detail, there is nothing to complain about. Great job.
Photo: Speech
Photo: Speech
10. Stanislavsky factory
In general, this is a whole block on Taganka, located on the territory of the former Alekseev factory.
An office center, residential buildings, a restaurant and even a theater were built here. Probably one of the best examples of the reconstruction of an industrial area in Moscow. The renovation project was designed by British architect John MacAslan.
I remember what happened here before, and I see how this quarter has changed.
The buildings were restored, something was restored from scratch, the new residential buildings are modest and invisible against the background of pre-revolutionary industrial architecture, and the landscaping is such that you rarely find even in Europe and the USA.
Just as there are places that you must definitely visit at least once in your life, there are also buildings that you just need to see in person. We offer you, dear readers, a dozen of such architectural masterpieces.
Petronas Towers
For 10 years, from 1998 to 2008, the Petronas Towers in Malaysia were the tallest in the world. This is a real visiting card of Kuala Lumpur. Argentine architect César Pelli conceived them as modern and daring.
The project began in 1992 with the necessary measurements and checks to ensure maximum safety. The construction took over 7 years. The towers have 88 floors, and the façades are made of steel and glass.
The White house
Every President of the United States of America who has held this post since 1800 resided in the White House, whose full address is 1600 Washington, Pennsylvania Avenue. It took 8 years to build this neoclassical building. President Thomas Jefferson was the first to settle here.
During the Civil War, the building was almost completely destroyed by British troops. The building was later restored, and President Roosevelt even expanded it in 1901. Now the White House is a whole complex consisting of the Residence, the West Wing, the East Wing and other parts.
This temple, official name which the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is on the Moat, is located in the very heart of Moscow - on Red Square. The church was erected from 1555 to 1561 in honor of the conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan.
For almost 20 years, it was the tallest building in the city. The temple is on the list due to its complicated history and burning campfire design. world heritage UNESCO for over 20 years.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building has long aspired to be a symbol of Manhattan and New York in general. Even the name is one of the city's nicknames. For 40 years this skyscraper was considered the tallest in the world.
It is now only the third tallest in the United States and 22nd in the world. Due to its unique sophisticated design, the building was included in the list of the seven wonders of the modern world. More than 2,800 investors own it.
Burj Khalifa
Since we are talking about skyscrapers and world records, it is impossible not to mention the Burj tower. – Khalifa in Dubai. It is this building that now occupies the first line in the ranking of the highest.
Construction began in 2004, and by 2009 the building's façade was fully completed. The official opening ceremony took place in 2010 and was broadcast worldwide. A huge international team of professionals worked on the design and architectural plans. The skyscraper owes its name to the President of the UAE, who wisely brought the country out of the economic crisis of 2007-2012.
Let's move on to the European continent, or rather to Italy, which is home to one of the most famous and charming buildings - the Colosseum.
The construction of the Colosseum began under the leadership of the Roman emperor Vespasian in 72. The name originates from his last name. This amphitheater could accommodate up to 50 thousand spectators of gladiatorial battles, executions or performances based on the motives of classical mythology.
Taj Mahal
Another great example of an architectural masterpiece with rich history – Taj Mahal... Located in India, it was conceived as a mausoleum for one of the wives of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The style combines the motives of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman and Indian cultures. The most common mistake is that many consider only this white building to be the Taj Mahal, while this is a whole architectural complex, which took more than 20 years to build.
Old buildings are not the only ones worth seeing. The Sydney Opera House is a fine example of a modern masterpiece.
It hosts over 1,500 events annually, making it Australia's most popular attraction. Thanks to its unique design, UNESCO included the building on its list in 2007.
Buckingham Palace
It is simply impossible not to include Buckingham Palace on the list! This is truly a real symbol of the whole of Britain.
During its three hundred year history, the palace has undergone many changes, had different names and was home to a huge number of monarchs.
Flatiron Building
Another New York building that cannot be overlooked is the Flatiron Building. In 1902, when its construction was completed, it was the tallest building in the city.
World architecture is full of masterpieces that are mesmerizing with their beauty at first sight. Their majesty, harmony, or, conversely, the complexity of forms amaze the imagination and invariably arouse admiration among representatives of various generations and nationalities. Today we will introduce you to architectural pride - the most beautiful buildings collected from around the world.
10. Taj Mahal, India
A beautiful mausoleum of white marble was built in the Indian city of Agra in the 17th century. The then reigning emperor dedicated the construction of the tomb to his third wife, who died in childbirth. The attention is immediately drawn to a huge 35-meter dome on the central part of the Taj Mahal. The mausoleum is made in traditional Islamic style, most of the elements in its design are borrowed from Persian culture. Today this beautiful structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
The height of this golden splendor is 98 meters. Four holy vessels with Buddhist relics are walled up under the building. Among the buildings of the religion, Shwedagon is considered the richest: it is decorated with gold, silver precious stones almost completely. By the way, you can only enter the territory of the sacred complex barefoot.
8. Opera House, Australia
This luxurious complex, reminiscent of a shimmering seashell, is a symbol of Sydney. In the course of its construction, the budget was increased by as much as 15 times, but the theater was nevertheless completed, despite the colossal costs. During national holidays, the dome structure serves as an arena for spectacular light shows. The complex itself consists of two large - concert and opera - halls, as well as almost a thousand other rooms. More than ten thousand people can fit in the Sydney Opera House at the same time!
7. Flinders Street, Australia
Our next beautiful object is also from the Green Continent. Flinders Street Station is central to railroad station Melbourne. A new station building was built at the beginning of the 20th century, in addition to the "station" premises, offices and even a ballroom are also located here, earlier Flinders Street also included a kindergarten. The clock under the main dome of the station is literally a symbol of the meeting in Melbourne.
6. Frauenkirche Church, Germany
This ancient Lutheran church is the third in the list of unique landmarks in the country. It is located in the city of Munich, which is generally famous for its luxurious architecture. The Frauenkirche is the brightest architectural monument in this city. In general, the church on this site has existed since the 11th century, but the luxurious building, which to this day attracts the attention of both believers and ordinary tourists, was rebuilt only in the middle of the 18th century. It is noteworthy that this religious building was built by order of the Polish king Augustus 1 as a symbol of the struggle against the power of the Catholic Pope, although August himself was a Catholic.
5. Hotel Burj Al Arab, UAE
A chic sail-shaped skyscraper literally in the ocean is one of the symbols of the luxurious and hospitable city of Dubai. Especially for him, an island was artificially created 280 meters from the coast, on which the building is located. The Burj Al Arab, at 321 meters, is the tallest hotel in the world - and undoubtedly the most original and beautiful. Luxury is present in every millimeter, therefore, according to everyone's opinion, only five stars are clearly not enough for him.
4. Museum of the Future, Brazil
Swiftly developing city Rio de Janeiro is changing literally before our eyes, surprising even its residents. One of the novelties that has appeared in the city is called the "Museum of the Future" - the author of the project was Santiago Calatrava. He emphasizes that the design of this fantastic structure emphasizes the magic of Brazil and the richness of the spirit of its people. Installed on a huge breakwater, the Museum literally floats above the water. In its "wings" are mounted panels for generating solar energy, which independently rotate with the course of the sun.
3. Palace of Ferdinand Cheval, France
This beautiful palace with an amazing history is located in French city Oteriv. Its author, Ferdinand Cheval, was a simple postman who dreamed of his own castle and made his dream come true with the help of ... ordinary stones. It all started with collecting stones of an unusual shape, from which 20 years later Cheval will begin to build his ideal palace. All the time the crazy genius devoted to this business, and after 33 years from ordinary stones, cement and wire, a real miracle was born, which today is boldly included in the three most beautiful architectural wonders the world.
2. Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland
This Lutheran church in Rekjavik looks very mysterious and magical. In fact, its appearance symbolizes a volcanic eruption. The church with an unpronounceable name for tourists is considered a symbol of Reykjavik, it is located in the very center of the city. Upstairs there is an observation deck from which you can see the whole city. Simple and harmonious design, full of symbolism - this makes Hallgrimskirkju the second in the list of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
1. Golden Temple, India - The most beautiful building in the world
A beautiful sanctuary is located in the middle of Lake Amrita-saras, on the banks of which the city of Amritsar is located. Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest Indian temples, it was founded in the 16th century. The cult building is connected to the shore by a narrow marble bridge - the path from sin to a righteous life. Its second name - the Golden Temple - this structure received because its facade is completely covered with gilded slabs, which makes it seem as if the structure is entirely carved from precious metal.
Speaking about the world's most beautiful masterpieces of architecture, it is impossible to ignore another monument of culture and religion. We deliberately did not include it in the rating in order to emphasize the special place of this building among the most beautiful creations of architecture. We are talking about the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, located in St. Petersburg.
The temple was built on the site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander II on the Champ de Mars. Officially, the shrine bears the name of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, but among the people it is better known as the Savior on Spilled Blood. The luxurious building was built entirely with donations from citizens. The walls of the temple are a red brick mosaic with a variety of panels and paintings. The Savior on Spilled Blood occupies a special place in the history and culture of the Russian people, and its splendor allows us to rightfully call the temple the most beautiful building on the planet.
