A message about a famous building. The most beautiful buildings in the world. Siena Cathedral - Italy

A year ago, the great Zaha Hadid passed away. On this sad occasion, we list the best buildings of our time and hope that something similar will someday appear in our country.

Evelina Grace Academy, Brixton, 2010

In 2010, the architectural studio of Zaha Hadid, a British architect of Arab origin, opened a school in one of the areas of London. Brixton is far from being the most prosperous area; serious unrest constantly occurs in it, but about $60 million was spent on construction and today 720 students attend this school. The main difficulty was to fit the design of a rather large complex into an already existing densely built-up area. The main thing in the school project was the creation of a special territory or space in which schoolchildren could play sports. The building itself consists of 4 school institutions connected by special arches and passages. The building is built in a zigzag pattern in harmony with the running tracks and sports grounds. Classrooms are organized along wide corridors with double-height halls.

A building unique in its architecture high school The Evelina Grace Academy was recognized as the best, and its architect Zaha Hadid received the top prize of the Stirling Prize - the highest award in the field of architecture and design in the UK since 1996.

Zaha Hadid was born in Iran, but has lived in Britain for 30 years. In 2010, she received international recognition for the prize when the MAXXI National Museum of Art in Rome was built based on her design. The architect is responsible for such buildings as: The central building of the BMW plant in Leipzig, a sports complex for aquatic species sports in London, Center contemporary art Rosenthal in Cincinnati in Ohio, the Opera House in Guangzhou, Hoenheim-North train station and car park in Strasbourg and much more. It is noteworthy that Zaha considers his task in architecture to be the creation of architectural structures that can positively influence people’s lives, their behavior, learning, and well-being.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, 1997

The building of this unusual museum modern art was designed by American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry. It opened to visitors in 1997 and was immediately recognized as one of the most spectacular deconstructivist buildings in the world.

The location for the museum was chosen very well. On the one hand, one of the main streets of the city approaches it, and on the other there is a bridge over the Nervion River. Thus, the museum is located in the very center of the city and at the intersection of its most important streets. Local residents compare the building to a futuristic interplanetary spacecraft, as well as to a bird, an airplane, Superman, an artichoke and a blooming rose. By the way, from a distance the building really resembles a blossoming flower, from the middle of which curved petals of various shapes emanate, in which enfilades of exhibition halls are located.

St Mary Ax, London, 2003

This unusual office was designed by famous architect Norman Foster. It is located at number 30 on St. Mary Ax Street, for which it received the name Mary Ax Skyscraper. The common people called it a gherkin - a cucumber, for its unusual shape. This building was awarded several prestigious awards in the field of architecture, and in 2004 it became the best skyscraper in the world.

The Gherkin has 40 floors. Made in the form of a mesh shell with a central support base. Its creator, Norman Foster, set out to create the most environmentally friendly skyscraper, so he made maximum use of solar lighting and natural ventilation. As a result, the Cucumber consumes half as much electricity as other similar buildings. The lower floors of the building are open to everyone, and the upper floors are home to many restaurants with an extraordinary panorama of financial London.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, 2010

Since 2008, this stalactite-shaped building has been the most tall skyscraper in the world. During its construction, the design height was kept in the strictest confidence. And if somewhere they started building a building as tall as this, adjustments would immediately be made to the construction of the Burj Khaliwa. The exact height of the structure is 828 m, it has 163 floors, and about $1.5 billion was spent on construction.

From the very beginning, the complex was designed as a city within a city - with its own lawns, boulevards and parks. Inside it there is a hotel, apartments, offices and shopping centers. The air inside the building is not only cooled, but also aromatized thanks to special membranes. This scent was created specifically for Burj Khalifa. Fragrant and fresh air is supplied through special grilles in the floor. Its glass does not allow dust to pass through and repels sunlight, allowing you to maintain optimal temperature in the building. The building's surface area is approximately the size of 17 football fields. The glass of the Burj Khalifa is washed daily, but it takes about three months to wash the entire surface.

Bird's Nest Stadium, Beijing, 2008

The stadium project for the upcoming 2008 Olympics was proposed by Swiss architects and winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron. And after its opening, it became the benchmark for a new generation of stadiums and the most ambitious project in the entire history of the Olympic Games.

The stadium is made in the shape of a crow's nest, which in Chinese culture symbolizes all that is good and kind. So its conceptual message was that it would become a symbol of new life, comfort, kindness, the cradle of new achievements and records. The stadium is made up of twenty steel frames, one and a half meters in cross-section, connected by many narrower lintels, and the roof is made retractable. The total area of ​​the nest is 258,000 square meters. m and has 91,000 seats. It is noteworthy that during its construction not a single vertical pillar was used.

Dancing House in Prague, 1996

An unusual office building in the Czech capital is designed in the style of deconstructivism. This house has many names: the drunken house, the glass house, the waltzing house, and also Ginger and Fred, in honor of the couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. One of the two cylindrical parts, which expands upward, symbolizes a man (Fred), and the other visually resembles a female figure with a thin waist and a fluttering skirt as she dances (Ginger).

The history of the Dancing House is interesting. The building that was located in its place was destroyed by bombing in 1945, after which the place was empty for almost half a century. And so the Czech President Vaclav Havel, who owned the house next to the vacant lot, built by his grandfather, decided to intervene in the matter. The new building was designed by a Czech architect with Croatian roots, Vlado Milunić, but the insurance company that bought it land plot, demanded that some famous Western architect take part in the project. The choice fell on the Canadian-American deconstructivist architect, Pritzker Prize winner, Frank Gehry.
Initially, Czech conservatives were critical of the appearance of such an unusual architectural structure for Prague, but over time they recognized it as one of the outstanding works of architecture of the 20th century.

Opera House, Sydney, 1973

Once on this site there was an old military fort, then a tram depot, and since 1973 there is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II of England herself on October 20, 1973. Due to its unusual shape, the Sydney theater has been compared to a beached whale, the frozen music that Goethe wrote about, nine big ears and a fairy-tale galleon sailing to the land of the elves, and even nine nuns playing football.

In the early 50s, an international competition for the construction of a new opera building was held in Australia. An unknown architect from Denmark, Jorn Utzon, presented his new project, based on the traditions of Aztec temples, outwardly similar to a huge sailboat, surrounded by water on three sides. His project was recognized as the most daring and won, but it immediately became clear that there was a lot of work to be done. It was planned that its construction would take 4 years, but it took as many as 14. This was mainly due to the construction of the roof, which at that time had no analogues. A whole year was spent just on computer design and calculations. As a result, the roof was raised and covered with more than a million tiles in shades of white and beige. From a distance, it seems that the roof is perfectly white, but under different lighting its color changes significantly.

Millennium Bridge, Gateshead, 2001

This bridge crosses the River Tyne and is the world's first tilting bridge. Its authors, architects Wilkinson and Eyre, were tasked with creating a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that would not interfere with large ships passing along the river.

The construction of this bridge was the largest engineering project with a budget of $40 million, which was implemented over two years. Its steel structure was transported 10 kilometers up the river with the help of the Asian Hercules - the largest floating vessel in Europe crane. The opening of the Millennium Bridge took place in 2001. It consists of two arches, one of them rises above the surface of the water, along the other at this time pedestrians and cyclists move, and ships of small height can pass under it. When a large ship approaches the bridge, both arches as a whole rotate 40° around the axis connecting their ends: the pedestrian and bicycle deck of the bridge rises, while the upper arch, on the contrary, lowers. The turn lasts no more than 4.5 minutes, depending on the wind speed. In this way, the bridge is raised about 200 times a year, and each time this spectacle attracts the attention of hundreds of spectators.

Lloyd's Building, London, 1980

In 1978, the rapidly growing insurance company Lloyd's announced a competition for a new large building that would accommodate its further growth and expansion. The competition was won by British architect Richard Rogers, after which he created a modern static and flexible structure.

The author's idea was to construct a cylindrical steel building filled with water to make it fireproof. However, this plan was difficult to implement and had to be abandoned in favor of a concrete structure with open space, which remains empty thanks to the fact that all services are housed in six towers with shiny steel cladding and glass elevators. By the way, these elevators were the first of their kind in the UK.

Back in the 80s, the building created a real sensation, which, in fact, was part of the developers’ plans. And the main element that shocked contemporaries was the inverted structure of the building, all the functional elements of which were placed outside: water, gas, heating, wiring, elevators and stairs entangled it from all sides. And even the toilets are outside. Such a radical transfer of all service devices to the external walls was due to the need to expand the internal space. It was assumed that the building shell would be able to satisfy the company's needs for more than half a century.

Arch of Defense, Paris, 1989

The Grande Arche de la Défense is the symbol of the business district of La Défense, located in the west of Paris. Below it is a metro station, the side columns are occupied by government and commercial offices, and the upper floors are reserved for exhibition spaces, where exhibitions are regularly held and the Museum of Informatics is open.

The construction of the arch was started on the initiative of President François Mitterrand, whose goal was to continue the historical axis of Paris, which led from the Louvre through the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. The design competition was won by the strangest one, the author of which was the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen. This arch was conceived as a modern response to the famous Arc de Triomphe, with only one difference - it was dedicated not to military victories, but to humanistic ideals. Unfortunately, the creator of this colossal structure was unable to complete his creation. The arch was completed after his death. An interesting fact is that many Parisians still think that the futuristic arch was erected quite recently, although in fact it has been decorating the French capital for more than twenty years.

When you plan a trip to any of the largest cities on Earth, be sure to visit their most famous buildings. What stands out the most are these 10 most famous buildings on Earth. The first tower, called the Shard, dominates London's modern and vibrant skyline.

The Shard in London

The giant Shard skyscraper is changing the London skyline and making it the tallest in Europe. With a height of just over 300 meters above the ground, the Shard is the tallest building in this part of the world, and certainly one of the most famous. In addition, the Shard skyscraper is visible from anywhere in the city. Particularly popular Observation deck at an altitude of 250 meters, offering the best views of the capital of England.

Big Ben

Big Ben, the House of Commons and the House of Lords are other famous landmarks in London. This stunning building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The giant Big Ben Tower with its four striking clocks is recognized throughout the world, making it one of the most famous buildings in the world.

Burj Khalifa

Of course, the tallest structure in the world will not be an exception in the list of the most famous buildings. The Burj Khalifa towers majestically over Dubai at 829.84 meters in height, creating a particularly colorful and vibrant atmosphere at night. The many lights of the Burj Khalifa combine with other buildings to create a truly modern atmosphere in Dubai. This building can only be called a masterpiece of architecture. At the top of the skyscraper there is a restaurant with the most best view to the city - At.Mosphere.

Burj Al Arab

This building is also located in Dubai, along the city's beautiful coastline. Dubai Sail is the most famous and most luxurious hotel in Dubai and on Earth. It is also quite tall - almost 320 meters, making it the second tallest hotel on Earth. A symbol of Dubai's historical heritage, the Burj Al Arab impresses with its bright white silhouette and gigantic scale and size. A small narrow bridge leads to Parus, and at the top there is a landing pad for helicopters.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is another famous building that is located in eastern Agra in India. This masterpiece of art is famous for its white facades and history, making the Taj Mahal one of the most attractive architectural gems in the world. The building dates back to the 17th century. This is a mausoleum and a symbol of love that permeates every corner here. The Taj Mahal has a giant central dome 170 meters high, four smaller domes, a gigantic spacious courtyard, four huge slightly tilted minarets, a magnificent Islamic design with marble details, calligraphic decorations, and much more. Standing at the main entrance of the complex, you immediately feel all its grandeur and size.

Colosseum in Rome

The Colosseum in Rome is imbued with historical heritage on every wall, façade and stone. The true scale of this arena is quite impressive even today, and in the days of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago it was a real engineering marvel. The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the world, the center of numerous gladiator battles, where all the Roman nobility gathered. A long network of caves and tunnels runs under the structure, and the outer wall of the Colosseum with its numerous arches, floors and columns is considered one of the symbols of Rome and Italy.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa- only a small part of the entire Pisa Cathedral complex, but the most famous. The rounded tower with a series of spiral balconies along the entire facade is pale in color with many shades. It is surrounded by many lawns and has a courtyard. The tower has a magnificent Romanesque architectural design, but that is not what it is famous for. This tilts almost 4 degrees, creating the visual illusion of falling. Numerous tourists take advantage of this, taking pictures against the backdrop of the famous building.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera theatre is one of the most famous buildings in Australia and around the world because it is a real work of art and a masterpiece of art. It is a cultural icon of the country and one of Sydney's most visited attractions. The Sydney Opera House hosts numerous events related to art, opera and music. A remarkable architectural perspective, positioned right next to the water on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other, makes this outstanding opera house one of the most famous buildings in the world.

Empire State Building

The symbol of New York State and the United States, the Empire State Building is one of the must-see places in the city that never sleeps. The skyscraper will impress you with its many colors, pure Art Deco forms, historical structures and, of course, its impressive height. It rises nearly 450 meters above the Manhattan skyline, dotted with numerous windows. At the top there is an observation deck that reveals the magnificent Manhattan skyline. At sunset you can admire it for hours.

Eiffel Tower

Topping the list of the most popular buildings in the world is not a building at all, but a tower. The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the most popular building in the world. It is located in the center of Paris and is a symbol of the city and France, as well as one of the tallest structures throughout the continent and one of the most popular and visited attractions in the world. The tower is distinguished by its history, many spans, connections, arches, complex details and other interesting elements that only emphasize its charm.

From modern and surreal skyscrapers, to historical structures that carry a huge burden of cultural heritage, there are many interesting buildings, which you can visit during one of your next trips. These religious buildings are located in the most big cities world, being part of their history. Such buildings are always surrounded by large shopping streets, cultural centers, modern entertainment complexes, so you will always find ways to spend your time here, in addition to exploring the most famous buildings in the world.

Dom, you're a little drunk. But this is very cool!

1. Dancing House, Prague, Czech Republic

Designed by Czech architect Vlado Milunić together with his American colleague Frank Gehry in the center of Prague, the Dancing House appeared on the banks of the Vltava. The amazing structure was nicknamed "Ginger and Fred" in honor of dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was originally intended as an art gallery, but the building was later purchased by a financial company.

2. Bubble House, Cannes, France

The Bubble House or Palais Bulles is located on the rocks Cote d'Azur France. Its windows offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The house was built in 1989 according to the design of the architect Antti Lovag and purchased by fashion designer Pierre Cardin. Located in one of the most glamorous areas of France, the Bubble House is often rented out for parties or photo shoots.

3. Spittelau waste incineration plant, Austria, Vienna

This waste incineration plant in the capital of Austria is extremely popular among photographers due to its unusual shapes and colors. Designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the plant performs the vital functions of a waste disposal center, as well as the generation of heating and hot water.

4. Crooked House, Sopot, Poland

"Crooked House" is shopping mall in the seaside town of Sopot. The building was designed by architects Shotinsky and Zalessky, inspired by illustrations from fairy tale books. The result of their creativity was a house that captivates with its unreal wave-like forms.

5. Forest Spiral, Darmstadt, Germany

This building, curled in a rainbow spiral, functions as a full-fledged residential complex in German city Darmstadt. The roof of the building is covered with grass, trees and bushes, and some trees even protrude from its windows. By the way, each of the thousands of windows available here is absolutely unique.

6. Hang Nga Guest House, Da Lat, Vietnam

In the Vietnamese city of Dalat there is a hotel called Hang Nga, also known as the “Crazy House”, designed by the architect Dang Viet Nga. Each hotel room has a unique design, but the entire building creates a holistic impression of its soft fusion with the surrounding landscape.

7. Casa Mila, Barcelona, ​​Spain

Known to many as La Pedrera (meaning "stone quarry"), this architectural masterpiece is one of the creations of the architect Antoni Gaudí, built in his beloved city of Barcelona. This building, which bears the key features of Catalan architectural modernism, has received the status of an object World Heritage UNESCO in 1984.

8. Hotel Galéria Spirit, Bratislava, Slovakia

What looks like a picturesque explosion of modern art is actually the Galéria Spirit hotel in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. This amazing house is located right on the border of this country with Austria, not far from the Old Town of Bratislava. The unique appearance of this hotel stands out from the rest of the city's buildings.

9. Upside Down House, Szymbark, Poland

A project by businessman Daniel Chapievsky, Upside Down House was originally intended to function as an art piece reflecting the feelings of uncertainty that followed the end of the communist era. Visitors can enter the house and walk through its upside-down rooms, although many find the experience quite disorienting.

10. Ideal Palace, Hauterive, France

The Ideal Palace was conceived and created by Ferdinand Cheval, a rural postman from France. Construction began in 1879, but was not completed until 1912. In the late 60s, the French Minister of Culture awarded the palace the status of a historical monument.

11. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is perhaps one of the most famous examples of modern architecture. Its wavy façade proved so difficult to design that Gehry had to use a program originally created for the aerospace industry.

12. Pavilion of Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain

This pavilion was intended to represent the Spanish province of Aragon, in which the city of Zaragoza is located, on International exhibition in 2008. The main structure is supported by three massive pillars, leaving the space underneath the building open for use as a spacious area and even a conference room. It is assumed that the facade of the building should evoke associations with a wicker basket in the viewer. Curved panels of glass and concrete, intertwined, create this effect.

13. Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain

Another Spanish architectural object that stuns the imagination, it is also another building designed by Frank Gehry. Opened in 2006, the Hotel Marques de Riscal features all the signature Gehry design elements, including the curved metal panels that adorn the exterior of the building, as well as an abundance of different slopes and zigzags. This building helped secure this region of Spain as the main gathering place for wine lovers.

14. Selfridge Department Store, Birmingham, England

Designed by architecture firm Future Systems, the Birmingham branch of Selfridge's Department Store is covered in 15,000 shiny aluminum discs, giving the building an alien look and shine.

15. Fuji TV Building, Tokyo, Japan

Although the entire structure looks like something out of a children's building set, the design of the Fuji TV Building was actually created by the architectural firm Kenzo Tange Associates. Spherical observation tower, located at the top, weighs more than 1,300 tons. It offers superb views of the city and Mount Fuji.

16. Kunsthaus, Graz, Austria

Kunsthaus (which means “art museum”), located in the city of Graz, local residents called the "Friendly Alien" due to its very extraordinary appearance. The museum, which contains exhibits of contemporary art, is also notable for being an environmentally friendly building. There are panels built into its roof solar panels, allowing the building to generate its own energy.

17. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, USA

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum The American Indian is located on the National Mall in Washington. The building was designed in collaboration with the Native American Design Collaborative, whose members are members of indigenous communities. The goal of the project was to reflect the characteristics of the various indigenous cultures that exist in America.

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Some of the most beautiful buildings in the world fascinate and captivate with their intricate shapes and configurations. Undoubtedly these architectural buildings deserve the highest praise and special attention. Let's look at the 25 most outstanding ones, built in different parts of the globe.

Burj Al Arab Hotel - Dubai

Burj Al Arab is considered the tallest hotel in the world. This 7-star 60-storey building is built on a private artificial island on Jumeirah Beach. The hotel is built in the shape of a sailboat and is located at an altitude of 321 m above sea level.

The design inside the building is stunning: many dancing fountains, huge aquariums, luxurious apartments with gilded decoration.

Catherine Palace - St. Petersburg

In the city of Pushkin, near St. Petersburg, there is another beautiful building with a bright blue facade: the Baroque Palace of Catherine the Great. Crowds of tourists visit this magnificent structure to admire it, as well as the famous Amber Room, one of the wonders of the world. Particularly impressive is the elegant wing of the palace in the classical style, which was designed by Catherine II’s architect, Charles Cameron.

Guggenheim Museum - Bilbao, Spain

American architect Frank Gehry designed the Guggenheim Museum, which is located in Spain. The most innovative ideas of 20th century architecture are intertwined in the bold contours of the building. The building, with an area of ​​24 thousand m2, is a landmark with an innovative design. The museum has radically changed the way we look at modern architecture. During the construction of the building, titanium was used with lines that change color in the sun.

Great Mosque - Djenné, Mali

In the south of the Sahara there is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world - a mosque, which was built by African tribes from clay bricks. Architectural complex Built in 1906, it is the largest structure in the world built entirely of mud. In 1988, the mosque was included in the list of the World cultural heritage UNESCO.

Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, ​​Spain

One of the main attractions of Spain, the symbol of Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia or the Church of the Holy Family, which was built according to the design of Antoni Gaudi. The architect spent 40 years building this Gothic cathedral. After Gaudi's death, his associates continued to build the temple; it is worth noting that work continues to this day. According to the project, completion of the church is expected in 2026.

Taj Mahal, India

This majestic building is located in India, on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum complex that took 20 years to build. White marble was used in its construction, which changes color depending on the sun or moonlight. The building was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The Taj Mahal is rightfully considered one of the majestic buildings in the world.

Wat Rong Khun - Thailand

Wat Rong Khun or "White Temple" is one of the most... famous temples in Thailand. The uniqueness of the structure is that it stands out for its crystal whiteness and sparkles in the sun. The temple was designed by a famous Thai artist. There are still plans to improve the building. It is expected that there will be nine structures with halls for relics, meditation and living quarters for monks.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - UAE

One of the largest mosques in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, is built of marble and seats 40 thousand people. The building was built in 2007. White marble brought from 28 countries of the world was used in its construction. In the main hall there is a huge lamp weighing 9 tons, decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - Russia

The Church of the Savior on Blood is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it is located in St. Petersburg. The impressive size of the church began to be built in 1883. The majestic building is decorated with colorful towers, mosaic interiors and unique exterior decoration.

Golden Temple - Amritsar, India

The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is a stunning building of India, erected in the center of a lake. The structure was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The style of the temple features Hindu and Muslim architecture, which is enhanced when reflected in the water. It is believed that the building is Holy place and, while here, we must pray.

Shanghai Tower - China

Shanghai Tower is one of the tallest and most beautiful buildings in the country. It is taller than even such buildings as the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. The height of the building is about 650 meters, and total area- 380 thousand m.

1 World Trade Center or Freedom Tower - New York, USA

The Freedom Tower in New York occupies central place at the World Trade Center in Manhattan. It was built on the site of the twin towers destroyed in the terrorist attack. The tower is the most tall building in USA.

Lotus Temple - Delhi, India

The Lotus Temple in New Delhi is one of the most beautiful temples in India. Built according to the design of the Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba. Previously, on the site of the building there was a mystical settlement of Baha Pur - “Bach’s Dwelling”. The second name of the Bahai Lotus Temple is the Mother of all temples on the Hindustan Peninsula. Its magnificence has earned it many architectural awards.

Grand Lisboa Casino Hotel - China

The Grand Lisboa was designed by renowned Hong Kong architects Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Meng. This impressive skyscraper is 260 meters high and has 58 floors! Gaming establishments in the building began operating in February 2007. The entire surface of the casino hotel is a screen of complex configuration. This solution is considered innovative.

Mosque of Cordoba - Spain

The Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba in Spain is decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic patterns and openwork columns. Several centuries ago, this place stood ancient roman temple, then the Visigothic church, and in 785 Mezquita appeared. The pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim.

St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City, Italy

St. Peter's Basilica - one of the main attractions of the Vatican - is rightfully considered the heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world. From a bird's eye view there are stunning views of the Ancient Rome, and from the top of the dome you can admire the interior of the cathedral.

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.

Shwedagon Pagoda - Yangon, Myanmar

One of the most majestic and spiritual buildings in Myanmar is the Shwedagon Pagoda. The entire complex is located on an area of ​​more than five hectares. In addition to the main building, there are many sculptures of mythical and real animals around it: golden griffins, elephants, dragons and lions.

Australian War Memorial - Canberra

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 of its 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.

Shopping Center - Las Vegas, USA

Fashion Show Mall is the only large shopping center of its kind in Las Vegas. On the territory of the building there are 250 boutiques, shops and six department stores of famous brands. The center opened in 1981, and over the years it has grown to 175 thousand square meters. There is also a huge hall for fashion shows.

Music Building - China

This creative building, called Piano House, was built in China and designed by architecture students. The building consists of two parts depicting two instruments - a transparent violin resting on a translucent piano.

The original building was built for music lovers, but has nothing to do with music. The violin contains an escalator, and the piano contains an exhibition complex.

Siena Cathedral - Italy

According to chroniclers, at the beginning of the 13th century, residents of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called on their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than their neighbors.” Thus, in the period from 1215 to 1263, the Duomo of Siena was founded on the site of the old temple according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo) - Milan, Italy

One of significant places Milan - the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The attraction is the third largest Catholic church, which is even 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 parts of the city.

Sydney Opera House - Australia

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Its architect was the Dane Jorn Utzon. Having designed the original roofs, somewhat reminiscent of shells, he gave Sydney a magnificent gift - a symbol of the city. Today, every tourist planning to visit Australia must include an excursion to the majestic opera house in his travel itinerary.

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple is one of the largest ever built places of worship. It was built almost 9 centuries ago. It is located on an area of ​​200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. A temple was built in honor of the god Vishnu, who is revered in this area.

Built at the end of the 15th century by the Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti. For three centuries it was the main temple of the Moscow state. The oldest fully preserved building in Moscow. Fragments of the original frescoes painted by the icon painter Dionysius remained on the walls. In 1547, Ivan the Terrible was crowned king here for the first time. Later, all Russian emperors, starting with Peter II, were crowned in this temple. In 1918, the cathedral was closed, in 1955 it opened as a museum, and in 1990, services were resumed there on special days.

Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Kolomenskoye

The first tented church in Russia, built in 1528-1532. The architect of the church was supposedly the Italian Peter Francis Hannibal, but in Russian chronicles Peter Fryazin or Petroko Maly appears. According to legend, the construction of the temple is associated with the birth of Ivan IV, the long-awaited heir of the Grand Duke.

The interior of the temple has not been preserved. In the 16th century, the church was renovated, after which the floor of white and gray ceramic tiles was damaged and replaced reverse side. At the same time, the royal gates that have survived to this day appeared near the temple. The last restoration was carried out in 2002-2005, as a result of which the wooden roof structures above the porches were completely destroyed.

Yaroslavsky railway station

In 1862, a small Yaroslavl Railway station was built between Krasny Pond and Nikolaevsky Station. In 1900, the Ministry of Railways entrusted the radical reconstruction of the passenger hall to the architect Lev Kekushev, and then Fyodor Shekhtel was invited to correct his project. A high roof, like that of ancient Russian towers, with a ridge crowning it, a wide frieze belt made of shimmering green-brown glazed tiles, majolica inserts with scenes based on Shekhtel’s “northern” drawings, a side left tower directed upward, a gigantic entrance arch of the vestibule with semicircular pylons - turrets on the sides and a keel-visor. In the deep niche of the pediment under this canopy there were relief symbols of the three great cities that were connected by Yaroslavl (Northern) Railway: coat of arms of Moscow - St. George the Victorious, coat of arms of Yaroslavl - a bear with an axe, coat of arms of Arkhangelsk - Archangel Michael defeating the devil.

Hotel Metropol

On the site where the Metropol is now located, since the 1830s there was a three-story hotel with baths of the merchant Chelyshev (Muscovites called it “Chelyshi”), built according to the design of Osip Bove. In the 1890s, Savva Mamontov bought the hotel and adjacent plots of land to implement his innovative idea: he planned to organize a grandiose cultural and leisure center in Moscow. The project did not envisage the demolition of the old hotel, but its radical reconstruction. Above creation hotel complex a whole galaxy of famous and talented architects and artists worked. The paintings and elements of interior decor were made according to the sketches of V. Vasnetsov and K. Korovin. In contrast to the facades, which are maintained in strict stylistic unity, the interior decoration is characterized by polystylism: there are interiors in both the pseudo-Russian style and in the spirit of neoclassicism.

Apartment house Tarkhova

The apartment building on the corner of Podsosensky and Kazarmenny lanes was built according to the design of the architect G. I. Makaev in 1903-1904. (The second famous building in Moscow by the same architect is the northern wing of the Polytechnic Museum.) The house is an expressive example of the Northern Art Nouveau style and is known as the “house with poppies.” Poppies are one of the favorite motifs of Art Nouveau, a symbolic expression of the fact that life is a dream.

IN Soviet time the apartments were converted into communal apartments, which were occupied in the 1990s. Despite the fact that the building is considered a cultural heritage site of regional importance, its facades are in disrepair.

Pertsova's house

Pertsova's house in Moscow was built by architects N.K. Zhukov and B.N. Schnaubert in 1905-1907 according to sketches by the artist S.V. Malyutin, the author of the Russian nesting doll. As planned, Pertsova's Moscow apartment building, also known as the Fairy Tale House, was supposed to be a work of art in itself. The building has an unusual and complex shape; the facade is decorated with rich decoration, asymmetrical windows, balconies and tower-like projections. Old Russian motifs and patterns were used to decorate the house.

Kremlin wall

The most laconic and recognizable of architectural symbols Moscow - even a child can reproduce the silhouette of the upper part of the wall with dovetail teeth in combination with the uncompromising red color of baked brick. The wall is one of ancient buildings cities. The Milanese architects who supervised its construction at the end of the 15th century took as a basis the battlements of the castles of the Italian Ghibellines, opponents of papal power. Simple rectangular battlements distinguished the style of Guelph papist fortresses, and therefore were in no way suitable for a citadel of the Orthodox faith.

Insurance company "Russia"

Two buildings of this elegant residential building on Sretensky Boulevard were built in 1899-1902 by architects N. M. Proskurin and A. I. von Gauguin. The house was originally built for a very wealthy audience. A ventilation system was installed that not only supplied fresh air to the premises, but also filtered and humidified it. To ensure uninterrupted power supply, a private power plant was installed in the basement; heating was provided by eight boilers. For water supply, an artesian well 50 meters deep was drilled at the house. As befits, the luxurious house had electric elevators and a laundry room for residents. Many upper apartments had glass ceilings, which was especially appreciated by artists.

Southern entrance of the Krasnye Vorota metro station

The early or first exit from the Krasnye Vorota metro station was opened along with the station on May 15, 1935 as part of the first launch section of the Moscow Metro Sokolniki - Park Kultury. The ground entrance hall is located along the axis of the Red Gate, which was dismantled in 1928, and is designed in the form of four hemispheres nested within each other according to the design of the architect N. A. Ladovsky. Many Muscovites call this exit “shell”. In 1938, the design of the exit and the station itself was awarded the Grand Prix of the International World Fair in Paris. In 1952, the first turnstile in metro history was installed in the lobby. In 1986, Lermontovskaya became the first Moscow metro station to have its historical name returned.

The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

One of the seven “Stalinist skyscrapers”. The building was built between 1948 and 1953 according to the design of architects V. G. Gelfreich and M. A. Minkus and designers S. D. Gomberg and G. M. Limanovsky. The height is 172 meters. Initially, the building was erected without a spire, but by order of Stalin in 1952, the final cascade in the form of a decorative spire was completed in two weeks (the visual discrepancy between the elements of the facade and the spire is clearly visible from Smolenskaya Square). The Foreign Ministry building has become a model for all other Moscow skyscrapers.

"White City" on Belorusskaya

The first stage of the business center was built in 2006-2009. According to the plan, the fundamental element of the complex was to be the white stone Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, in which, with the assistance of construction investors, large-scale restoration work was carried out. The complex consists of two 15-story buildings and one 6-story building. Two more towers are planned to be completed in 2013. In the center of “White Square” there is a light and music fountain. It is planned that live concerts and open-air exhibitions will soon take place here.

Northern River Station

Building river station was built simultaneously with the Moscow Canal even before the filling of the Khimki Reservoir (on the banks of which it is located) in 1937 according to a joint project by architects A. M. Rukhlyadev, V. F. Krinsky, sculptors I. S. Efimov and artist N. Ya. Danko. The station is conceived as a symbol of Moscow - the “port of five seas”. The building is made in the form big ship. The spire is crowned with a star, which in 1935-1937 was on the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. The sickle and hammer are inlaid with Ural gems. From the Northern River Station you can go on a cruise along routes to St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Rostov-on-Don. Pleasure boats depart from the pier to Radosti and Troitsky Bays.

Cathedral Immaculate Conception Blessed Virgin Mary

Biggest Catholic cathedral in Russia, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God, headed by Metropolitan Archbishop Paolo Pezzi. One of the two existing Catholic churches in Moscow, along with the Church of St. Louis of France (1830, architect Gilardi). The temple was built in 1901-1911 (the decoration was completed later). The author of the project is F. O. Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a neo-Gothic three-nave cruciform pseudo-basilica. It is believed that for the architect the prototype of the facade was the Gothic cathedral in Westminster Abbey, and the prototype of the dome was the dome cathedral in Milan. Since 2009, the educational course “Western European Sacred Music”, dedicated to Gregorian chant and organ improvisation, has been taking place within the walls of the cathedral.

House of Culture named after Zuev

One of the brightest examples of constructivism. Named in honor of a participant in the 1905 uprising, tram depot mechanic S. M. Zuev. Built in 1927-1929 on Lesnaya Street according to the design of the architect Ilya Golosov. The project was born under the influence of cubism and is built on a combination of asymmetrically located regular geometric bodies. The compositional center of the building is a vertical glass cylinder, on which the entire building with unusually large window surfaces seems to be “put on.”

Residential complex Copper House

Erected in 2003-2004. The complex was designed by architects S. Skuratov, V. Ryzhkov, N. Ishutina, Y. Kovaleva, A. Medvedev, P. Karpovsky, P. Shalimov, N. Demidov and V. Danilov. According to the authors, the composition of the structure expressed the specifics of the area. The narrow, long development site is used as a metaphor for transition: by connecting Zachatievsky Lane with Prechistenskaya Embankment, the house “builds bridges” to the shores of new Russian architecture. Architect Skuratov called the house the “Mannerheim line,” which distinguished between intelligent architecture and the products of domestic construction practice. The Copper House residential building was accepted into the collection of the best buildings of 2003-2004 at the Museum of Architecture. Shchuseva.

Isakov's apartment building on Prechistenka

The house, built in 1904-1906 according to the design of the architect L. Kekushev, is one of the most striking examples of the Art Nouveau style in Moscow. When building the house, Kekushev strove for maximum asymmetry and used all the possibilities of the site for this. As a result, the part of the building that faces the courtyard has six floors, and the part on the street side has five. The main staircase divides the building into front and back parts, which are offset from each other by half a floor in height. Thanks to this layout, each landing could be used to enter the apartment.

Shukhov Tower

The Moscow radio tower on Shabolovka was built in 1920-1922 by engineer V. G. Shukhov. The height of the tower is 148.3 meters, which is two times lower than the original project. However, at that time the tower was the tallest in Russia. The Shabolovskaya Tower is built on the principle of grid hyperboloid towers, which is a direct invention of Shukhov. Seventeen years after the opening of the tower, on March 10, 1939, a television program was broadcast from it for the first time - a documentary about opening of the XVIII Congress of the CPSU(b). The image of the Shukhov Tower was used as an emblem of Soviet television, in particular, the Blue Light program. In 1941, as a result of a malfunction, a mail plane crashed into the tower, but due to its robust construction, the tower was not damaged. The tower has never been restored and this moment needs expertise.

The history of the building begins in 1857. TSUM is made in the Gothic style with modern elements. In the 1880s, the building was purchased by Scottish merchants Andrew Muir and Archibald Meriliz, founders of the Muir and Meriliz trading company. In 1908, a new building was built according to the design of the architect Roman Klein, the author of the Museum project fine arts them. A. S. Pushkin. For the first time in Russia, reinforced concrete was used during construction. New way made it possible to do without traditional wide columns and use iron and steel structures to significantly increase the window space. The building was last reconstructed in 2007.

Pashkov House

One of the main monuments of classicism in Moscow. Built in 1784-1786. It bears the name of the customer - Lieutenant of the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment Pyotr Egorovich Pashkov. The architect is presumably Vasily Bazhenov. A distinctive feature of the mansion is its two main facades: one facing the roadway has a more solemn appearance, the second is a manor façade, more modest in appearance, located in the courtyard. The original color of the building was orange, but under Emperor Paul the color was changed. During his time, the statue of Minerva was removed from the dome. In 1914, the architect Shevyakov built a double-height hall. In 1986, during the construction of the Borovitskaya metro station, Pashkov’s house was damaged and was on the verge of destruction. Until 2007, it was under reconstruction. Today the building belongs to the Russian State Library.

Publishing house of I. D. Sytin “Russian Word”

The building was rebuilt in 1904-1906 from an early 19th century mansion. for Ivan Sytin, a Russian educational publisher who produced mass editions of cheap editions of Russian and foreign classics. During the reconstruction, architect A. E. Erichson used the achievements of construction technology of that time: reinforced concrete floors supported by metal beams and load-bearing structures. The architect abandoned the obligatory corridors for “public” places; instead, he designed spacious halls that unite large and bright rooms. The external design is complemented by a tiled frieze between the second and third floors, stucco women's masks, and patterned balcony grilles made according to sketches by the artist I. Bilibin. In 1979, during the reconstruction of Gorky Street, the house was moved 33.5 meters from the corner of Pushkinskaya Square to Nastasinsky Lane and placed on a new foundation.