Top 10 architectural marvels around the world

29 Nov 2013 10:27 PM IST

While most travellers know to visit the Musee d'Orsay while in Paris or the Guggenheim Museum when in New York City, there are hundreds of buildings that get overlooked, either because of their location or simply the number of sites in the city
One of the foremost female art patrons of her time, Stewart Gardner was a true character who enjoyed travel, adventure, and entertaining in a way that was somewhat scandalous for a lady of her social breeding and education in Victorian Boston. Built
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Boston, Mass, USA: Few house museums have the history, collection, and longstanding influence within the community as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
The architecture gives an interesting look at the occupied experience of Bulgarians since it incorporates Ottoman elements alongside evidence of the Bulgarian Renaissance. In addition to the building itself, the artistry of the Bulgarian people can
The complex played an important role in the spiritual and social life of Bulgarian people for more than ten centuries and the architectural styles of the various time periods are preserved throughout the property.
Rila Monastery - Rila, Bulgaria: Though not widely known outside Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery should be a must-see for anyone visiting the country. Founded in the 10th century by St. John of Rila, the monastery is located about 120 km (75
Daniel Libeskind, perhaps best known for winning the competition to rebuild Ground Zero in New York City, designed a bold interruption of the original building's symmetry with a glass and steel wedge slicing through the structure. According to the
However, a new landmark has emerged that deserves proper attention: the redesigned Dresden Museum of Military History. The original building had a number of reincarnations, but once Germany unified a design competition was held for an extension and
Military History Museum - Dresden, Germany: Though many of the city's buildings were severely damaged in the bombing campaigns of World War II, Dresden has worked to restore its landmarks including the Royal Palace with its incredible
The building is a rare example of Mudejar style, or the mixing of Muslim and Christian elements that occurred when the two cultures lived side by side. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a must-see for a visitor to southern Spain.
The Great Mosque was built as the primary site of the Muslim religion in the country, complete with traditional Muslim architectural elements like arches and complex woodwork. In the 13th century, following the Reconquista by the Christians, the
The Mezquita - Cordoba, Spain: Spain's history of occupation and religious overhaul is no better exemplified than through the Mezquita in Cordoba. Nestled between Seville and Granada in the rolling hills of Andalucía, Cordoba was once the
Although non-Muslims cannot enter the actual tomb area, they can view it from an adjacent ante chamber. Not only is the interior awe-inspiring, but it is a unique opportunity for non-Muslims to gain entrance to a holy site and learn more about the
One of the few mausoleum complexes in the world that is open and accessible to non-Muslims, a visit to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is said to bring baraka, or divine blessing. Despite the plain exterior, the interior is exquisitely decorated with
Of the cities, the most commonly overlooked is Meknes since it is much more relaxed than Fez and lacks the sheer number of sights of Marrakesh. However, the city contains some fantastic buildings including the oft overlooked Moulay Ismail Mausoleum.
Moulay Ismail Mausoleum - Meknes, Morocco: Four cities in Morocco are collectively known as the "imperial cities," each having been at some point in Morocco's history the nation's capital: Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh, and the present capital,
The building is more of a social complex encompassing madrasas (Islamic schools) as well as shops and is considered to be the most unified expression of the Ottoman kulliye. One of the unique features of the Selimiye Mosque is that the mihrab, the
Sinan, one of the most famous Ottoman architects, designed the Suleymaniye Mosque, the largest mosque in Istanbul and one of the most well-known sites in the city, but it was not this building that he considered his masterpiece. In his opinion, the
Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey: While most visitors to Turkey focus on the mosques and palaces of Istanbul to gain a greater understanding of Ottoman architecture, some of the greatest masterpieces of the time period are located outside of
In addition to being constructed and inhabited by the architect at the height of Art Nouveau, the building's interior is largely preserved with mosaics, curved windows, ironwork and even the furniture was designed to work together with the building'
Victor Horta, a Belgian, was incredibly influential in spearheading the movement. In Brussels, four of his buildings are classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites, so a great place to start is at his former studio. The Horta Museum, situated in the
Horta Museum - Brussels, Belgium: Many have traveled to Barcelona to see Gaudi's modernist landmarks, but another architect that is credited with helping to start the Art Nouveau architectural movement is often snubbed.
This significantly smaller bottom level means that the surrounding gardens and water features almost appear to begin beneath the building leading visitors from the outside in. This was also taken into account when planning the gardens and
Photos of the museum's interior, with its white walls and large spiral ramp, somewhat resemble Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum, except the exterior of the Hanoi Museum completely contrasts the former's exterior. The Hanoi Museum resembles an
The Hanoi Museum - Hanoi, Vietnam: While most visitors to Vietnam focus on temples and colonial buildings, a new modern museum in the country's capital might change that tradition. The Hanoi Museum, designed by GMP Architekten of Germany,
Hiring a guide will help you understand the different instruments and their uses since many were used for purposes other than simple astronomy, like telling time and predicting monsoon weather.
Unlike modern observatories with telescopes and special lenses, the Jantar Mantar was built in the early 18th century for observing astronomical events and positions with the naked eye.
The Jantar Mantar - Jaipur, India: A visit to Jaipur usually includes the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and the Amer Fort, but we have another great landmark for upcoming travelers to India. The Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observation
Thousands of rare and semi-precious stones, some encrusted in marble, are used to decorate the structure. The centrepiece is a 6,000 square metre hand-made Persian carpet, said to be the biggest in the world. More than 1,200 women from the Khorasan
The mosque is built on a 9.5-metre high hill so it is visible from far, it covers an area of 22,000 square metres, and it can accommodate more than 40,000 faithful. Built 100 percent with Italian marble, the mosque has four 107-metre tall minarets,
The project was launched in 1998 by Sheikh Zayed, who besides being the UAE's first president was also ruler of the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of seven making up the Gulf federation. Sheikh Zayed, who died in November 2004, is buried in a
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Dozens of Westerners, including black-clad women, have been flocking to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, an architectural masterpiece graced with a Persian carpet said to be the biggest in the world. The

While most travellers know to visit the Musee d'Orsay while in Paris or the Guggenheim Museum when in New York City, there are hundreds of buildings that get overlooked, either because of their location or simply the number of sites in the city

Top 10 architectural marvels around the world

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Top 10 architectural marvels around the world

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