Many of these buildings are famous throughout history and are iconic enough to have been featured on postcards and in famous movies over the years, which also adds to their reputation. And it’s also one of the most popular places for selfies in the world.
1. Eiffel Tower
Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, this is France’s most famous structure. Yes, it’s just an iron staircase, but it was built in 1889 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who once created it as an entrance to the city fair.
2. Pyramids of Giza
Giza is one of the oldest of the Seven Wonders, and with its vast, majestic energy, it’s easy to see why. It is also one of the few wonders that has remained relatively intact. The pyramids were originally commissioned as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu and were built over a period of 20 years.
3. Coliseum
There are so many amazing structures in Italy that it’s hard to limit yourself to just one, but the Colosseum is an important amphitheater in Rome and the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. It is a staple of Roman engineering, so we couldn’t leave it out.
4. Parthenon
This temple on the Acropolis of Athens in Greece was created in honor of the goddess Athena, the patron deity of the Greeks. Its construction began in 447 BC, and today it is still considered the most vital surviving building of ancient Greece.
5. St. Peter’s Cathedral
This magnificent structure is a Late Renaissance church in the Vatican. It can hold a whopping 60,000 people and is still revered by Catholics around the world.
6. Statue of Liberty
As a New Yorker, I hold this close to my heart. But this statue was actually a gift to the US from France! The robed woman represents the Roman goddess of liberty called Libertas, holding a torch and tabula ansata, just like this statue.
7. Taj Mahal
Perhaps the most famous mausoleum in the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, has been depicted in countless photographs of love. This is partly due to its unique architecture inspired by the Mughal Empire, which combines Indian, Islamic and Persian elements.
8. The Great Wall of China
Less for aesthetic purposes and more to keep intruders out of China’s northern border. This restored wall, built of earthen fortifications and stones, was built from the 5th century BC.
9. Leaning Tower of Pisa
No, the tilt was not intentional and you are not seeing an optical illusion. Immediately after the construction of the third floor, the poorly laid foundation gave way to one side of the building, which began to lean into the ground. Apparently it’s sinking at a rate of 1mm per year – what will it look like in a century?
10. Ellis Island
OK, a little biased with the second monument in New York, but Ellis Island is pretty iconic – it’s how immigrants came to the United States and often settled in New York. From the late 1800s until 1954, it was the busiest immigration checkpoint, and without it we would not have our rich immigrant history.
