One of the activities that most people enjoy while on vacation is the opportunity to explore the architectures of the different countries they visit. Whether ancient or modern, it is the buildings in countries all over the world that tell their silent stories of the country’s people. Following is a list of what we consider to be the 5 best architectures from around the world that will definitely influence your decision when planning your next vacation.
- The Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple, situated in New Delhi, India, is a Baha’i House of worship and one of the most visited buildings in the world. It consists of 27 structures, each of them resembling the petal of a lotus flower that opens onto a central hall measuring about 40m tall. The spectacular building has nine sides, each with its own door and is capable of accommodating 2,500 people. The surface of the temple is made from the white marble found on Mount Pentelicus, Greece; the same marble that was used to build the famous Parthenon. Worshippers of all faiths are welcome in the temple.
- Lloyds Building in London
This futuristic structure, built between 1978 and 1986, could very possibly be straight out of a sci-fi movie instead of London’s Lime Street. The award-winning Lloyd’s Building, also referred to as the “Inside Out” building, is a world-famous landmark and one of the most familiar buildings on the London sky line. Architect Richard Rogers was the innovative designer of the structure which features services on its exterior, including staircases and water pipes, as well as 12 exterior lifts – the first of their kind in the United Kingdom.
- Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is a work of architecture admired by people from all over the globe. Canadian/American architect Frank Gehry, based in California, realized his unique idea after winning the competition he entered, to design the building. Since first opening its doors in 1997, the museum has been considered to be one of the most significant buildings of the 20th century. During its more than ten years of success, the Guggenheim Museum has been the home to more than one hundred exhibitions, with more than 10 million visitors passing through its doors to date.
- Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, situated in Istanbul, Turkey, is an architectural masterpiece – a perfect example of Byzantine architecture. Originally a church then a mosque, Hagia Sophia, built by Emperor Constantine the Great from 306 to 307, is now used as an impressive museum. The ancient cathedral has been rebuilt many times due to factors like riots, fire and earthquakes. It featured in the opening scenes of the Bond movie “Skyfall” and is
widely recognized as one of the most important buildings in the world. .
- The Pineapple
The Pineapple, situated in Dunmore Park, Falkirk, Scotland, is an unusually-shaped structure that was built originally as a garden retreat. Often referred to as “the most bizarre” building in the country, it was constructed as a birthday present for Susan, daughter of the 9th Duke of Hamilton and wife of the Earl of Dunmore. The Pineapple these days is home to a variety of species of wildlife and the estate’s summerhouse and gardener’s quarters are often rented out to people from all over the world as holiday homes.
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