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Naomi Crawford

Instr. Branch

FACS

May 30, 2023

Famous Architectural Buildings

1. The Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy - The Roman amphitheater, formerly known as the

"Colosseum", is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, attracting millions of

visitors annually. Construction of the amphitheater began in 70–72 AD under the reign of

Vespasian, and by 79 AD, the structure had been completed to the third story.

Vespasian's son, Titus completed the final report in 80 AD, and the inaugural games were

held in 80 or 81 AD. The amphitheater is an elliptical structure, with a short axis

measuring 156 meters and a long one measuring 188 meters. Travertine blocks were used

as load-bearing pillars for the exterior walls, and the stairs and radial walls were built

from blocks and bricks made from the tufa. Arches and vaults supported the structure.

The theater is the largest of its kind ever constructed and is still the largest standing

theater in the world today.

2. The Vatican in Vatican City - Vatican City is a city-state in Italy surrounded by Rome,

home to the Roman Catholic Church and a treasure trove of classic art and architecture.

It's been known as the "Centre of Christianity" since the foundation of St. Peter's Basilica

in the 4th century by Constantine, and it became the permanent home of the Popes later

on. The Vatican Museums house some of Rome's most famous pieces, like the "Laocoön"
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and "His Sons" from the Basilica, as well as frescoes from the Raphael Rooms and

Michelangelo's "The Sistine Chapel", which is famous for its ceiling.

3. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France - The "Eiffel Tower" is a wrought iron lattice tower

located on the Champs-Elysees in the French city of Paris. It was designed and

constructed by the engineering firm of Gustave-Eiffel and is locally known as La Dame

de fer. Construction on the tower began on the 28th of January 1887 and it was officially

opened on the 31st of March 1889.

4. The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy - The Tower of Pisa is known as the "Leaning

Tower" or simply "Tower of Pisa," and it was built in 1173. It was originally built as a

bell tower for Pisa Cathedral, and the first floor was made up of 15 columns made of

white marble, each with a classic cupola and a blind arch. When the first three stories of

the eight-story tower were finished, it was found that the building's foundation was

settling unevenly on the soft ground, which caused the tower to lean almost four degrees.

5. The Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France (near Paris) - A hunting lodge was built by

Louis XIII in 1623 on the site. After his death, his successor, Louis XIV, expanded the

chateau to the beginnings of what would become Versailles Palace. Versailles went

through many changes and phases between 1661 and 1715. It is a 9-mile distance

between Paris and Versailles. Today, Versailles remains one of the world's most

imposing palaces. It is a must-visit for anyone planning a trip to Paris. There is so much

to see in Versailles, from the grand gardens to the Trianon estate, Maria Antoinette’s

hamlet, and much more.

6. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France - The construction of the Cathedral of the

Immaculate Conception began on the Isle of La Cité in 1163, under the leadership of
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King Louis VII. By 1345, the cathedral had been largely completed, though it underwent

numerous alterations and additions during the centuries that followed. Today, it remains

one of the most emblematic cathedrals in the world. The cathedral is dedicated to the

Holy Virgin Mary and is considered to be one of the most outstanding examples of

French Gothic architecture.

7. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India -Construction of the Taj Mahal began in the year 1632 AD,

and was completed in the year 1648 AD. The mosque, guest house, main gateway, outer

courtyard, and cloisters were completed in the following years, with the Taj Mahal

dedicated to the memory of its creator, Shah Jahan. The Taj Mahal has been recognized

as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, due to its status as a "Jewel of Muslim

Art in India" and a universally admired masterpiece of world heritage. It is widely

regarded as the finest example of Mughal architecture in India and is a symbol of the

country's rich history.

8. The Forbidden City in Beijing, China - The Forbidden City is a huge national museum

complex in Beijing, China, that dates back to 1406 and was built by the Ming Emperor

Zhu Di between 1420 and 1448. It was home to 24 different emperors and their families

and saw the enthronements of 14 different emperors and 10 different emperors over the

next 505 years. It was the political and ceremonial center of China for more than 500

years, and when it was finished in 1420, it was the home of 24 different emperors. It was

built on the remains of the imperial palaces from the Chinese dynasties of the Ming and

Qing, and it opened in 1925.

9. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey - Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque),

formerly known as the Christian Church of Hagia Sophia, is a modern-day mosque and
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one of the most important cultural and historical sites of Istanbul, Turkey. It was built

three times by the East Roman Empire, the most recent one being in the year 537 AD.

The building has been affected by earthquakes and earth subsidence over the centuries,

though the main structure is essentially the same as the first one built in 532-537. Inside

Hagia Sophia was decorated with expensive colored marble and decorative stone inlays.

10. The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia - Jørne Utzon was the architect of the

iconic Sydney Opera House. He was just 38 years old when he won a competition to

design a state-of-the-art opera house. Construction started in 1959 and the Opera House

opened its doors on October 20th, 1973. It was officially recognized as a World Heritage

Site in 2007 when it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. Utzon's design was

modern expressionist, featuring a series of huge precast concrete shells that formed the

roofs and were set on a grand podium. The Opera House is still in use as a performing

arts center in Sydney today.