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World Fabulous Places
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From the Taj Mahal to the
Sagrada Familia, these are some of the most picturesque buildings in the world.
By Sachiv Kumar
From the Taj
Mahal to the Sagrada Familia, these are some of the most picturesque buildings
in the world.
From conventional beauty
to sheer architectural genius, these buildings are world renowned for their
unique looks and characteristics. Read on to find out how these awe-inspiring
buildings came to be.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
By Sachiv Kumar
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Designed to look like the sail of
an Arabian ship and located on a man-made island, accessible only by a private
bridge, the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel is, without a doubt, one of the most
innovative and gorgeous architectural landmarks in the world. Its unique shape
and design not only adds to its luxurious nature but sets it apart from
nearly anything else. Within the walls of this interesting-looking complex
lies a lavish hotel often referred to as the world’s only seven-star hotel. It
was built in 1994 by architect Tom Wright, who was asked to build “an iconic or
symbolic statement for Dubai.”
Crystal Masjid, Malaysia
By Sachiv Kumar
Crystal Masjid, Malaysia
Completed in 2008 in Terengganu, Malaysia,
the Crystal Masjid, also known as the Crystal Mosque, can hold as many as 1,500
people at a time. It is one of the most intricate and beautiful mosques in the
world, particularly when lit up at night. Constructed out of steel, crystal and
glass, calling this impressive landmark modern is an understatement. In
addition to its grandeur and beauty, the Crystal Masjid is also the first
mosque in the world to be equipped with Wi-Fi.
Cubic Houses, Netherlands
By Sachiv Kumar
Cubic Houses, Netherlands
Located in the heart of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, you’ll find these most
unusual homes, built by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the 1970s. The homes
are cubes at a 45-degree angle, perched atop a hexagonal shaft. Built as part
of an artistic display of architecture, the homes are actually quite practical
inside and definitely innovative. The triangular-shaped basement is used as a
living room, the main floor houses the sleeping, bathing and kitchen areas and
the upper level is often used as a spare bedroom. There are 39 cube homes, all
lived in. Their unusual and unique shape have landed them in the architectural
spotlight since their construction, often being referred to as a one-of-a-kind
collection of homes everyone should see at least once in their life.
Grand Lisboa, Macau
By Sachiv Kumar
Grand Lisboa, Macau
The Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino
in Macau is certainly a captivating sight.
With 58 floors, standing at 268 metres, this is the tallest structure in Macau. Resembling a giant pineapple, this glistening,
shining structure, with its famous reflective glass exterior pieces, is among
the most unique landmarks in the world. It also houses the first casino in Macau to offer Texas Hold ‘Em poker and is equipped with
over 800 gaming tables and over 1,000 slot machines.
Guggenheim, Spain
By Sachiv Kumar
Guggenheim, Spain
When asked to build something
bold and daring, architect Frank Gehry accepted the challenge and created this
masterpiece known as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao,
Spain. When it
opened to the public in 1997, it received praise from other architects around
the world who called it one of the most amazing architectural designs of the
time. The glass and titanium museum is a total of 256,000 square feet, and is
located in an urban area in Bilbao,
where it fits in effortlessly.
Guggenheim, Spain
By Sachiv Kumar
Guggenheim, Spain
When asked to build something
bold and daring, architect Frank Gehry accepted the challenge and created this
masterpiece known as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao,
Spain. When it
opened to the public in 1997, it received praise from other architects around
the world who called it one of the most amazing architectural designs of the
time. The glass and titanium museum is a total of 256,000 square feet, and is
located in an urban area in Bilbao,
where it fits in effortlessly.
Sagrada Familia, Spain
By Sachiv Kumar
Sagrada Familia, Spain
Designed by Catalan architect
Antoni Gaudi, construction began on this Roman Catholic church in Barcelona in 1882 and has
yet to be completed. The design was completed by Gaudi before his death in
1926, but construction was interrupted several times, including during the
Spanish Civil War. It is estimated that the church will be completed by 2028.
The intricate details, both inside and out, as well as the sheer complexity of
the original design, make this sight not only one beautiful piece of
architecture but also one of the most distinctive in the world.
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Russia
By Sachiv Kumar
St. Basil’s Cathedral,
Russia
Upon first glance, it’s almost
hard to believe this colourful, geometric building was built in 1561, under the
rule of Ivan the Terrible. The cathedral, though built in the Byzantine era,
resembles no other Byzantine era architecture and is said to be one of the most
unique sights in all of Russia.
Located in Red Square in Moscow,
St. Basil’s Cathedral is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside.
It’s also known for its rather unusual interior. The narrow corridors throughout
the church have often been to compared to those of a labyrinth.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
By Sachiv Kumar
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Whether viewed in the evening or
daytime, the Sydney Opera House is a breathtaking sight — not to mention a
defining element of Sydney.
Construction began in 1959 and was completed in three stages by 1973. The
geometric shells that form the roof took six years alone to build. Though
originally estimated to cost $7 million, the structure ended up with a price
tag of just over $100 million to complete. Danish architect Jørn Utzon received
a Pritzker Prize, the most esteemed architectural honour, for his creation in
2003. The building was dubbed one of the most iconic buildings of the 20th
century, as well as Utzon’s masterpiece.
Taj Mahal, India
By Sachiv Kumar
Taj Mahal, India
This UNESCO World Heritage Site
was completed in 1653 in Uttar Pradesh,
India. It was
built for the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
This landmark is the most famous example of Mughal architecture, which is a
style that reflects several different cultures: Islamic, Ottoman Turkish,
Persian and Indian. It is also adorned with lavish designs made of decorative
abstract art, marble, and calligraphy of select passages from the Qur’an. It is
often referred to as the “jewel of Muslim art in India.”
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