World architecture is full of masterpieces that fascinate with their beauty at first sight. Their majesty, harmony or, conversely, complexity of forms amaze the imagination and invariably evoke admiration among representatives of various generations and nationalities. Today we will introduce you to architectural pride - the most beautiful buildings collected from all over the world.
10. Taj Mahal, India
A beautiful white marble mausoleum was built in the Indian city of Agra back in the 17th century. The then reigning emperor dedicated the construction of the tomb to his third wife, who died during childbirth. Attention is immediately drawn to the 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 religious buildings, Shwedagon is considered the richest: it is almost completely decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. By the way, you can only enter the territory of the sacred complex barefoot.
8. Opera House, Australia
This luxury complex, reminiscent of a shimmering shell, is a symbol of Sydney. During its construction, the budget was increased by as much as 15 times, but the theater was still completed, despite the enormous 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. Simultaneously in Sydney opera house can fit more than ten thousand people!
7. Flinders Street, Australia
Our next beautiful object is also from the Green Continent. Flinders Street Station is a central railway station Melbourne. The new station building was built at the beginning of the 20th century; in addition to the “station” premises itself, there are also offices and even a ballroom here; previously 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 third on the list of unique attractions in the country. It is located in the city of Munich, which is generally famous for its luxurious architecture. Frauenkirche is the most striking architectural monument in this city. In general, a church has existed on this site 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 mid-18th century. It is noteworthy that this religious building was built by order of the Polish king Augustus 1 as a symbol of the fight against the power of the Catholic Pope, although Augustus himself was a Catholic.
5. Burj Al Arab Hotel, UAE
A chic skyscraper in the shape of a sail, literally standing in the ocean, is one of the symbols of the luxurious and hospitable city of Dubai. Especially for it, an island was artificially created 280 meters from the shore, on which the building is located. At 321m high, the Burj Al Arab is the world's tallest hotel - and undoubtedly the most original and beautiful. Luxury is present here in every millimeter, therefore, according to everyone, just five stars is clearly not enough for it.
4. Museum of the Future, Brazil
The rapidly developing city of Rio de Janeiro is changing literally before our eyes, surprising even its residents. One of the new products 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 highlights the magic of Brazil and the rich spirit of its people. Installed on a huge breakwater, the Museum literally floats above the water. Its “wings” contain panels for generating solar energy, which independently rotate with the sun.
3. Palace of Ferdinand Cheval, France
This beautiful palace with an amazing history is located in the French city of Hauterives. 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 unusual shapes, from which Cheval would begin to build his ideal palace 20 years later. The crazy genius devoted all his time to this work, and after 33 years, a real miracle was born from ordinary stones, cement and wire, which today is boldly included in the top three most beautiful architectural wonders of the world.
2. Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland
This Lutheran church in Reykjavik looks very mysterious and magical. In fact, its appearance symbolizes a volcanic eruption. The church with a name unpronounceable for tourists is considered a symbol of Reykjavik; it is located in the very center of the city. At the top there is an observation deck from which you can see the entire city. Simple and harmonious design, full of symbolism - this makes Hallgrimskirkju second in the list of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
1. Golden Temple, India - The most beautiful building in the world
The 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, founded in the 16th century. The religious building is connected to the shore by a narrow marble bridge - the path from sin to a righteous life. This structure received its second name - the Golden Temple - because its facade is completely covered with gilded slabs, which is why it seems as if the structure was entirely carved out of 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 2 on the Field of 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 various 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.
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Places where every cultured person dreams of visiting.
Experts from the world's largest travel site TripAdvisor have compiled a ranking of 25 cultural sites that were most highly rated by tourists from around the globe.
In general, if you have not yet decided on your vacation plans, in this review website you can find some great ideas. For the next 25 holidays.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city among the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.
3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.
4. Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain
Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how it appears Cathedral Mosque Cordoba today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.
5. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy
The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.
6. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Cambodian temple Angkor Wat - the largest ever built places of worship, whose history goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.
7. Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.
8. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the People’s Volunteer I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.
9. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
10. Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia
In 1979, UNESCO introduced Old town Dubrovnik is a World Heritage Site, including a significant part of the ancient city walls. They surround the city on all four sides and house a venerable collection historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.
11. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals : golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. The Shwedagon Pagoda became what it is today in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.
12. Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.
13. Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan
In the heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains is located amazing city antiquity of Peter. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.
14. Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China
On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a true architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu with Chinese language translates as “valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.
15. Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye
The largest and best preserved ancient city on the coast Aegean Sea and second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus- the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.
16. Alhambra, Spain
Alhambra (Arabic Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is ancient palace and the fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.
17. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments this kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.
18. Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolo Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.
19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy
The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to early XIX century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter-tall spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many areas of the city.
22. Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists climb to its foot, from where a stunning panorama of the city and the bay opens up. picturesque mountain Sugar Loaf, famous beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, the huge bowl of the Maracanã stadium.
23. Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico
The name of the ancient settlement of Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. This is one of the oldest and major cities Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.
Modern architecture amazes our imagination. Looking at some buildings and structures that can hardly be called buildings, you just wonder how people can live and work in them? But most of them are precisely residential buildings or shopping and office centers, and some are exhibition complexes and concert halls. They were designed by designers and architects with truly wild imagination, and then it’s worth looking at them and learning more about them. We offer you the ten most unusual architectural structures on our planet.
1. Ark Nova, Japan
The name of this structure is translated as “New Ark”; it is nothing more than concert hall. However, this is not just a hall, but the world's first inflatable and mobile performance hall. It was designed in the form of a huge purple-pink drop, which in its design resembles an air cushion. The authors of the project are British sculptor Anish Kapoor and Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. The first performance at Ark Nova took place in October last year, and it was built on east coast Japan - especially to support the spirit of people affected by the tsunami. Even the seats and benches here are made from pieces of trees damaged during the disaster. This should become a symbol of the fact that after any trouble you need to be reborn and move on. According to the architects, the Ark Nova hall will become the largest inflatable concert hall in the world. The height of Ark Nova is 18 meters, width is 35 meters, it can accommodate about 500 spectators. The main advantage of the unusual hall is its ease of transportation - just deflate the air and transport the hall to another place.
2. Sundome, Michigan, USA
An unusual structure resembling a honeycomb at a Michigan exhibition pavilion consists of many circles. They, in turn, are made of a special material - archila - very light and bendable, which contains fiberglass and carbon. The so-called “Sun Dome” illuminates the entire pavilion with its ghostly multi-colored light, which comes from elements at the base of the structure. These elements store solar energy throughout the day and then project light onto the dome. The installation was created by the art studio “Loop.pH” and, according to the creative director of the studio, it represents a fundamentally new method of construction based on the technique of textile weaving. The size of the “Solar Dome” is 8 by 4 meters and its weight is about 40 kilograms. This portable structure looks surprisingly harmonious in any environment.
3. House of Mirrors, Flint, USA
Would you like to live in a house of mirrors, and one that floats above the ground? Hardly. That is why no one lives here, and the house of mirrors in the city of Flint is a kind of monument to home comfort. It was built by London architects from the Two Islands firm, who dedicated their creation to the thousands of demolished houses in the city of Flint, residents who were forced to leave this city. It was in Flint that the once legendary automobile company General Motors was born; later it began to move production to other regions and countries, and the city began to slowly fade without it. The English name of the building “Mark's House” (“Mark’s House”) arose from the story of an imaginary resident of Flint, Mark Hamilton, whose family lost their home during the aforementioned economic crisis. The brilliant house, rising on a pedestal, weighs almost two tons. its half - 882 lightboxes, which present hundreds of photographs of faces, in particular, portraits of those who supported the initiative to create the “House of Mirrors” financially - and, unfortunately, no more than 90 of these people gathered around the world.
4. Lotus Dome, Jerusalem, Israel
There are many mysterious places in Jerusalem. One of them is Zedekiah's Cave - the largest and most mysterious cave in the northern part of the Old City wall. It is named after the last king of Judah, Zedekiah, and during the time of King Solomon, limestone was mined here. In the very center of the cave there is a very unusual dome lamp “Lotus Dome”, made of several hundred aluminum flowers that open their petals, turning towards people. The huge flower remains motionless until the first visitors appear in the hall. As soon as people enter the room, the petals begin to bloom one after another, illuminating the entire surrounding space with light streaming from the center of the dome. The closer visitors get to the installation, the more noticeable the movements of the metal petals become - and now the entire “organism” of this huge silver ball becomes mobile. The author of the project is Dutch designer Dan Rosegaarde, his installation attracts tourists to the cave.
5. Smart eco-house, Sweden
But you definitely wouldn’t refuse to live in such a house, although the area it occupies is only 750-0_bgblur_10 square meters! The author of this project was the Swedish architectural company Tengboom Architects. According to the developers, this house will be an excellent alternative to student dormitories, and also very environmentally friendly. The house is designed for one person; the developers managed to place in it a kitchen, a bathroom, a place to study and sleep, i.e., everything necessary for a student’s full-fledged life. A light color scheme with bright spots of color helps create a comfortable living atmosphere. A successful layout, the presence of two levels, and the use of natural laminated wood made it possible to reduce not only rent, but also a harmful effect on the environment.
6. Bamboo House, Vietnam
Vietnam has very treacherous natural conditions. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that it was here that the creation of the world’s strongest bamboo house, which can withstand a flood with a water level of 1.5 meters, was conceived and brought to life. The authors of the project, the Vietnamese architectural studio H&P Architects, do not intend to stop there and are checking whether the house can withstand a water height of three meters. The building is multifunctional and can be not only a residential building, but also a public one - a school, a hospital, etc. The building materials used for the house are bamboo, fiberboard, and coconut leaves. The roof can be opened and closed, depending on weather conditions. Downstairs there is a bedroom and living room, and upstairs you can arrange an office. The building is modular, costs about $2,500, and the buyer can assemble it themselves in just 25 days.
7. House with a Slipping Facade, Margate, UK
Walking through the British city of Margate, you may be incredibly surprised to come across a three-story house with... a facade that has slid down. The first floor with the front door seems to lie directly on the ground, and the upper floor is open. Don’t be surprised, the reason for this façade “slipping” out of its place is not a natural disaster or construction flaws, but just the wild imagination of designer Alex Chinnack. By the way, it took him almost a year to create the installation. The house had been abandoned for a long time. The building was once purchased by the municipality and was intended to be converted into social housing. But time passed, and the building became more and more unusable and collapsed. The designer removed the facade from the old three-story building and replaced it new wall. The new facade reveals the crumbling upper floor of the house, wraps around the ground and sits comfortably on the ground in front of the building.
8. House-banknote, Kaunas, Lithuania
A very unusual and very realistic structure in the form of a rolled up banknote issued by Lithuania during the years of independence, in fact it is a large business center called “Office Center 750-0_bgblur_1000”. It is quite natural that it housed the two largest Lithuanian banks. The project was completely developed and implemented by RA Studija and the young Lithuanian architect Rimas Adomaitis. One day, a famous specialist says that this building should never symbolize the power of money over people and universal admiration for it, which is why not a modern, but a historical banknote was taken. The facade is decorated with glass tiles of various shapes and sizes, made in Holland. The house has no windows in the usual sense of the word, because the entire facade of the building is glass. On the outside, the glass has a special coating that protects the design from adverse weather conditions. It was assembled by hand by a large number of builders; it was a large and painstaking job.
9. Atomium, Brussels, Belgium
Not only the most modern sculptures, buildings and structures can capture our imagination. What can you say about the sculpture, built back in 1958? This is one of the main attractions of Brussels and a real symbol of the city called Atomium. It was designed for the opening of the 1958 World's Fair by architect André Waterkein as a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of atomic energy, and was built under the direction of architects André and Michel Polack. The majestic sculpture is a huge model of an iron crystal. Initially, the structure was covered with aluminum, and after a major renovation in 2750-0_bgblur_0750-0_bgblur_06 - a strong and durable steel shell that sparkled in the sun. The height of the Atomium is 1750-0_bgblur_02 meters, the weight is about 2400 tons, and the diameter of each of the nine spheres is 18 meters. The spheres are connected by 23 m long pipes containing escalators and corridors. There are a total of 20 connecting pipes between the balls. In the middle of them there is an elevator that can take visitors to the restaurant and observation platform, located in the highest ball of the Atomium, in 25 seconds.
750-0_bgblur_10. Art Museum building, Graz, Austria
At first glance at this unusual building, it is difficult to believe that it houses an art museum. However, this is so, and local residents affectionately and humorously call the Kunsthaus “the pregnant cow.” The gallery of contemporary art was opened as part of the “ Capital of Culture Europe" in 2750-0_bgblur_0750-0_bgblur_03, the title of which was awarded to Graz. The building concept was developed by London architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The architectural style of the building defies any classification and contrasts sharply with the surrounding buildings. But what is unique about the building is that it can “communicate” with the outside world. The façade of the museum is designed as a media installation with an area of 900 square meters, consisting of luminous elements that can be programmed using a computer. Despite its relatively short existence, the museum building has won a lot of sympathy from local residents and tourists and is recognized as a symbol of the city and its modern life.
10 myths about famous architectural structuresThere are many myths among people, which have absolutely nothing to do with reality. Let's debunk ten of them.
1. The architect(s) of St. Basil's Cathedral were blinded after construction was completed.
The temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates visitors to Red Square with its amazing towers. The customer of this beauty, Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible, was also fascinated by them. Legend says that for the sake of the uniqueness of this architecture, Ivan the Terrible ordered the creator of the amazing temple to be blinded.
But there is a problem. Four years after the death of Ivan the Terrible, master Postnik Yakovlev, nicknamed Barma, was involved in the construction of the Kazan Kremlin. In fact, nothing is clear with architects either. According to the outdated version, Barma and Postnik are two different people. There is also a theory that a Western European “Varangian” was involved in the creation of the temple. But if the theory with Postnik is correct, then Ivan Vasilyevich turned out to be very merciful.
2. The official residence of the British Queen is located at Buckingham Palace.
In fact, Elizabeth II herself never tires of emphasizing that her official residence This is St James's Palace. And this palace has been like this for four centuries.
The myth of Buckingham Palace arose thanks to Queen Victoria, who chose to live there. And despite the permanent residence of the royal family at this address, official place Buckingham Palace never became the residence of British monarchs. 
3. A penny dropped from the Empire State Building can kill a person.
Rumors say that a penny dropped from the top floor of the Empire State Building and hitting a victim's head will cause the victim's death.
It seems that the creators of this myth were little familiar with such a science as physics. Since the coin is not spherical or cylindrical in shape, it is obvious that the flat side of the coin will increase the drag force and the weight will not allow it to generate enough speed to break a human bone.
4. Big Ben.
Well, who doesn’t know what London’s Big Ben is? Of course, the famous clock located on the tower...
So Big Ben is a bell that is located inside this tower. The tower itself is called the “Elizabeth Tower”. 
5. The White House was repainted after the British arson.
Legend has it that when the White House was built, it was gray in color. In 1814, while the War of 1812 was in full swing, British troops set fire to the White House. After renovation, the building was painted white.
The British did burn down part of the White House in 1814. Only the house acquired a white façade sixteen years earlier. The White House received its iconic white appearance back in 1798, when it was whitewashed to protect it from winter weather. Even more compelling evidence is that in 1811 it was already known as the White House in Great Britain. 
6. In Washington, you cannot build buildings higher than the Capitol.
There is a legend that it is forbidden to build a building in the US capital whose height would exceed the height of the Capitol dome.
But no! The reason for the lack of high-rises lies in the Building Height Act, signed in 1910 by Thomas Jefferson, which states that the height of buildings is limited to the width of the street plus 6 meters. 
7. Galileo Galilei dropped cannonballs from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The most famous of his experiments was, of course, the one where he threw two cannonballs from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to demonstrate that two similarly shaped falling bodies with different masses would fall at the same speed.
However, it is highly doubtful that this actually happened. Historians believe that this experiment was made up to make Galileo appear to be some sort of god of science, or that he performed the experiment “in his mind,” as hypothetical and unrelated to the actual action. 
8. Stonehenge was built by the Druids.
The author of this theory was the archaeologist John Aubrey back in 1640. What motivated him remains a mystery.
With the development of technological progress, the history of the creation of this structure has become even less clear. Carbon dating has shown that Stonehenge was created over several hundred years. The first buildings date back to 2400-2200. BC, the last - 1600 BC. Druids settled in these places much later. 
9. Hoover Dam is overflowing with human bodies.
96 people laid down their lives during the construction of this huge dam, which lasted from 1931 to 1936. Legend has it that their bodies rest in this very dam.
This myth is unlikely, if only because the dam was built from concrete blocks, which were installed on top of each other gradually, increasing the height of the structure.
It is noteworthy that the first person to die, J. Tierney, drowned in December 1922 while choosing a site for construction. The last victim of the structure was his son Patrick Tierney, who tore off one of the water towers on the day of his father’s death exactly 13 years later. 
10. The Great Wall of China is the only thing architectural structure which can be seen from space.
Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei in 2003 could not see the landmark of his native country from space, although he knew its exact location.
Former NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman also couldn't discern the Great Wall of China from space, but he could see runways, deserted roads and ditches, simply because they contrast with their surroundings. 
The world is full of wonders in a variety of forms and, quite often, the list of world wonders includes beautiful architectural structures of different eras and styles. We present to your attention the masterpieces of great architects and designers, whose works are a world heritage and are protected by UNESCO - unique and most beautiful buildings in the world.
The Guggenheim Museum in the Spanish city of Bilbao opens the ranking of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The architectural object, whose construction was completed in 1997, is a masterpiece of the “deconstructivism” architectural movement. The building, designed by architect Frank Gary, has the shape of a futuristic spaceship. The cladding of the beautiful structure is made of titanium sheets, which reflect light with all the colors of the rainbow and display nearby objects. The Guggenheim Museum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by millions of tourists every year.
9. Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is one of the most expensive and beautiful hotels in a world that is shaped like the sail of an Arabian ship. This seven-star hotel, although the rating from hoteliers suggests only 5 stars, is equipped with luxurious two-story apartments and provides the most comfortable conditions for guests to stay. The outside of the building is almost entirely lined with glass, but inside there is luxury, dominated by marble and gold leaf. Burj Al Arab has the highest atrium vault in the world - 180 meters. The height of the sail building is 321 meters, which puts the hotel in 70th place in the world in the ranking of high-rise and multi-storey buildings. The hotel is located in the Persian Gulf 280 meters from land, and is connected to the mainland by a long bridge.
The clay mosque of the small Malian city of Djenne deservedly entered the top 10 most beautiful buildings. The architectural object is designed in the Sudanese-Sahelian style, of course, not without the influence of Islamic culture. Sand, water and clay were used to build the Djenné Mosque. The dimensions of the building are 75x75 meters, and the height of the minaret is about 16 meters. In addition to being a UNESCO heritage site, the Djenné Mosque is also the largest adobe architectural site in the world. The restoration of the beautiful structure is carried out annually during the festival by the local population. From the outside the mosque looks quite ascetic, but inside it is full of corridors and prayer hall, where only Muslims are allowed entry.
Seventh place in our ranking goes to the Indian Lotus Temple in New Delhi, the religious center of those preaching Baha'iism. Extraordinary architectural solution was used in the construction of a building in the shape of an unopened lotus flower with 27 petals, lined with white marble. The nine outer petals, 34 meters high, are the nine entrances to the building, which represents openness to all faiths and all humanity. The huge central dome of the beautiful structure, signifying the unity of peoples, is a place for worship and prayer. The Lotus Temple, built in 1986, was included in the UNESCO list and is of great interest to tourists all over the world.
The fabulous and mythical architectural site of Wat Rong Khun is one of the most beautiful temple buildings in the world. The so-called White Temple is designed at odds with Buddhist traditions and styles due to its snow-white color. Construction of the structure began in 1997 and continues to this day. The exterior design of the building is made using mythical figures, sculptures and animal figurines, personifying natural elements. Snow-white walls with alabaster ornaments and mirror mosaics make the temple glow with purity and purity. The interior design is no less original: the struggle between good and evil in a Buddhist context is the main theme of the paintings on the walls and vaults of Wat Rong Khun. Also a UNESCO site, Wat Rong Khun attracts millions of tourists to the small Thai town of Chiang Rai.
5. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a majestic architectural structure in Abu Dhabi, named after Sheikh Zayed. The building was erected in accordance with Arabic, Moorish and Persian styles. Topped with 82 domes, it has a height of 107 meters and the largest floor area in the world. The beautiful mosque is made entirely of marble and is characterized by the lavish external and internal decoration that is characteristic of the Arabs from the UAE.
4. Temple of Truth in Pattaya
This is the largest and most beautiful wooden temple in the world. The beautiful building, built from rare and precious wood without the use of nails, is replete with religious carvings and mythical images that personify all existing Eastern religions. The interior decoration of the shrine is full of statues and figures, each of which has its own legend and personifies a certain deity in Hinduism and Buddhism. Legends say that the Temple of Truth is capable of working miracles - people come here to ask for health, the opportunity to give birth to a child, improve their well-being and simply atone for their sins. Construction of the building began in 1981, and completion of the work is planned for 2025. But despite this, the beautiful architectural site is already included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
3. St. Basil's Cathedral
One of the ten most beautiful buildings in the world includes St. Basil's Cathedral, which was erected at the behest of Ivan the Terrible in 1561 on what is now called Red Square in the very “heart” of Moscow. The majestic religious building, 65 meters high, consists of an ensemble of eight churches personifying the resurrection of Christ, and the main pillar-shaped church, illuminated in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The external and internal decoration of the building is made of mosaics and is replete with icons. Today, St. Basil's Cathedral is jointly used by the state historical museum and the church, where services are held on Sundays. UNESCO included the grandiose architectural creation on the list of world significance and heritage.
The Sagrada Familia is an incredibly beautiful building located in Barcelona. Work on the construction of the temple began in 1882 and has not been completed to this day. The completion of the construction of the grandiose structure is scheduled for 2026, but the builders are in no particular hurry, since according to legend, one of the soothsayers said that the end of the world will come after the completion of the construction of this architectural object. The Sagrada Familia is topped with 12 columns 115 meters high, which identify the Apostles, and in the center is the tallest column, 170 meters high, personifying Christ. The interior decoration of the building is not inferior to the futuristic and fantastic exterior. Inside there are tall asymmetrical columns that delight tourists as they create an optical illusion under the arch of the temple. Sagrada Familia is one of the main tourist sites in Barcelona, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Taj Mahal is a pearl of Indian architecture, which can easily be called the most beautiful building in the world. The Taj Mahal is a mosque-mausoleum erected in 1653 at the behest of Tamerlane's descendant, Shah Jahan, in honor of his third wife. That is why the building is not just the most beautiful architectural creation in the world, but also a symbol of unquenchable love.
Up to 5,000,000 tourists visit the mosque every year. The entire complex is built in perfect symmetry. The main building of the Taj Mahal - the tomb - is crowned with a huge dome of snow-white marble and is located on an elevated platform surrounded by four tall minarets. The external decor of the main building is replete with precious and semi-precious stones, paintings and patterns characteristic of Indian culture. The interior decor is not inferior to the exterior: a huge octagon-shaped room with vaults 25 meters high is decorated with precious stones, marble carvings in the form of ornaments and mosaics in the Persian style. The sun is depicted under the dome, and the tomb is flooded with sunlight through windows carved from marble. The Taj Mahal is included in the UNESCO list as a world heritage site; moreover, the building was included in the list of “Seven New Wonders of the World”.
