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The most beautiful, stunning, unforgettable cities, beaches, and attractions at the world that should be at the very top of your Must-See list.

Dream Destinations

Pictures of the most beautiful buildings in the world can hardly do justice to some of the most breathtaking structures on Earth, but the list of the greatest buildings in the world attempts to rank these gorgeous buildings based on the eye-catching beauty. This list of famous buildings includes famous monuments, cathedrals, and other amazing feats of architecture renowned around the world for their form, function, and beauty.What are the most beautiful buildings on Earth? From the temples of Ankgor Wat to the grandeur of the Burg Khalifa in Dubai and the beauty of the Taj Mahal, there are dozens- if not hundreds- of amazing buildings to visit in the world and the list of the top buildings to see in the world has most of them.

Travel

Austria

Which country is the best to travel to? The options are endless and vary from person to person. Do you prefer to experience great nightlife in the hottest cities, or would you rather explore lush landscapes and the wonders of nature? Help travelers determine which nation is the greatest vacation destination by voting on this list. From American sites to the richly historic landscapes of Europe and Asia, the world is full of great countries to visit and explore.The European nations have been popular travel destinations for decades. With rich culture, delicious cuisines, and some of the world's greatest museums, France, Germany and Spain are places that everyone should experience. Russia is the largest country in the world and offers exciting opportunities for every traveler. The Kremlin in Moscow is one of the most interesting sites that visitors could hope to take in.Thrifty travelers have more options than ever in 2015. South Korea is becoming an affordable vacation destination for sportsmen and adventure lovers. The Asian nation offers challenging hikes, green golf courses and ocean waters for fishing. Mexico has beautiful all-inclusive resorts that provide vacationers beach front views for a bargain.What country is your favorite to travel to? Vote on this list and share your favorite travel destinations in the comments section.

There's nothing like traveling and seeing the world to broaden your horizons and the countries on this list are the most beautiful places in the world. Vote up the most gorgeous destinations below or add a beautiful country to visit if it isn't already listed. This list should encourage you to travel and see some of these gorgeous landscapes for yourself. The pictures of beautiful countries below are incredible, but nothing beats seeing these locations in person.Many people love Italy because of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-magical-cities-in-the-world/island-hopper-dan" target="_blank">magical cities</a> of Rome, Venice, Florence, and the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Breathtaking scenes are everywhere! What factors go into considering the most beautiful countries in the world? Certainly, many of these gorgeous countries are home to the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-most-beautiful-natural-wonders-in-the-world" target="_blank">most beautiful natural wonders in the world</a>, along with the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-most-beautiful-buildings-around-the-world" target="_blank">most beautiful buildings</a>. It's hard to argue, for example, with Australia as a popular travel destination, given the extraordinary natural wonders it is home to.What do you believe is the prettiest country? Time to vote and rerank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-female-celebrities-2019/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top most beautiful</a> countries in the world below.

Stockholm, Sweden

List of the most beautiful cities in the world, as ranked by world travelers. &nbsp;For any person who loves to travel and sight-see, heading to a gorgeous distant destination is a dream come true. The planet is filled with amazing monuments and breathtaking views that are just waiting <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-famous-actors-got-discovered/anncasano?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">to be discovered</a> by a new set of eyes. Whether you’re looking to explore the ancient buildings of Europe or visit the city attractions in an Asian location, the cities on this list are among the most beautiful places in the entire world.What are the most beautiful cities in the world? United States locations like New York City and San Francisco are huge attractions for travelers not only for their entertainment but for the many awesome skyline views. Countries like England, France and Italy also house cities known for their stunning sights. From the world-famous view from the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the lesser-known sights of Marrakesh, these cities are the best places to visit for a tourist who can appreciate a nice view.The cities on this list are often believed to be the most beautiful cities in the world because of their renowned sights. Which of these cities are your favorites? Which beautiful city would you visit if you had the chance?

Interesting

Seagaia Ocean Dome - Miyazaki, Japan

Coolest Pools in the World: This is a list of the craziest pools on Earth. Sprawled all over the globe, these swimming pools are luxurious, featuring the latest in pool design. Going to a place where there's amazing pools to relax and play in should be a top priority on all your <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list-of/places-and-travel">travel lists</a>. Who needs beaches when you've got the coolest places to swim right here, minus the sand and occasional shark bite.&nbsp;Where are the world's coolest pools? Take a look here and see for yourself.

Skaftafell National Park

List of the most beautiful places in Europe, as ranked by travelers, Europeans, and those who appreciate gorgeous locations. Whether you’re a tourist visiting Europe for the first time or you’ve been living in a European city since birth, the striking locations of Europe are truly once-in-a-lifetime sights. Tourists will also be interested in the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-european-cities-for-day-trips/ranker-travel">best European cities for day trips</a> and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-castles-in-europe/ranker-travel">most beautiful castles in Europe</a>. European countries, from Italy to Austria, are filled with stunning buildings that were built by architects with an appreciation for beauty. Some buildings, like the Eiffel Tower, are achievements in architecture, while older locations like&nbsp;the Acropolis and the Coliseum are wonders from ancient times. &nbsp; Although many of the most beautiful sites in Europe are manmade, the natural locations found throughout the continent are among the most breathtaking in the world. Sites like Mount Vesuvius and the Cliffs of Moher have interesting histories to go with their attractive views. Throughout Europe there are barely touched natural beauties, as well as attractions that are often visited by the savviest of tourists. Many of the most <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-landscape-art-paintings/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous landscapes</a> and unique experiences in the world are found in Europe. &nbsp; What are the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-places-on-earth/ranker-travel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most beautiful places</a> in Europe? What are your favorite stunning European locations? This list has some of the most gorgeous locations throughout Europe.

Wales

List of Countries with the Best Food ranked from best to worst. There are many contenders for the title of “country with the best food,” but how will we decide which one is best. With so many delicious cuisines in the world, we need the help of Ranker voters to determine which nation has the finest fare. Vote on this list of the countries with the best food and we will see which nation lands in the top spot.Let's take a look at some of the nations that are known for food. Chinese food is popular all over the world and when done right, it can't be beat. Then there is Italy, known for fresh pasta and delectable sauces, maybe they should be crowned the king of cuisine.When it comes to cooking, anyone who has ever heard of Julia Child knows that the French know their way around the kitchen. For croissants alone, France must be in the running for the country with the best food. Mexican food is also a favorite around the world for its use of simple, fresh ingredients with bold flavors and tons of toppings.Which country will end up on top? That's up to you. Vote on this list of the countries with the best food and join the discussion in the comments section. Let's dish!

Collectivity of Saint Martin

List of Countries with the Best Beaches ranked from best to worst. What makes a beach great? Does it have to offer activities like snorkeling and kayaking or is a desert island feel more ideal? Everybody loves laying out on a sandy beach listening to the ocean roll in, but which country offers the best in beaches? Vote on this list and help fellow sun worshipers determine which nation has the best beaches.Italy offers some amazing beaches. Rabbit Beach in Lampedusa provides travelers beautiful cliffs, blue waters and plenty of sunshine. If you look closely you might even see turtles and dolphins in the water. Australia has some of the world's cleanest beaches with pristine sand and clear waters. New Zealand also has spectacular sand surrounded by magnificent views that will make travelers feel like they are in paradise.Tulum, Mexico provides vacationers the unique opportunity to swim near ancient Mayan ruins. If you are more adventurous, you may prefer the beaches on Palaui Island in the Philippines. Palaui Island is only accessible to travelers who are willing to camp, giving you the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world without hoards of other vacationers.Which country has the best beaches? Vote on this list and tell us why a certain beach is your favorite in the comments section.

Asia

Bangladesh

The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/most-beautiful-countries-in-the-world?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most beautiful countries</a> in Asia are some of the top tourist destinations in the world. The continent of Asia is a collection of nations with a wide range of varied landscapes, including soaring mountains, lush forests, sparkling beaches, colorful trees, and even vast barren deserts. Which Asian country has the best tourist spots and destination sites? For most of the English-speaking world, it can be overwhelming to decide where to visit in Asia. With 49 established countries and home to roughly 60% of the world's population, Asia is the largest continent on the planet - and the most geographically diverse. What makes a country truly beautiful? If Japan's famous cherry blossoms and tranquil are not your thing, you may prefer the bright lights and bustling life in Singapore. Actually, both of those countries have both extremes of city and rural life. Can you rank them? With centuries and millennia of documented history, Asian countries are rich with preserved religious and archaeological sites as well as buildings, monuments, and battlegrounds. The cultures in each country are as diverse the landscapes, each with its own customs and traditions. And of course, this list includes some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/countries-with-the-best-food/ranker-travel">countries with the best food</a> in the world, with cuisine so unique that only locals know how to do it right. What is the most beautiful country in Asia? Vote for your favorite places to visit or live based on their geography, culture, food, and people - or just those with the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-cities-in-asia/ranker-travel">most beautiful cities in Asia</a>.

poll

Edinburgh

This is a list, created by the community, of the best places to go on that one, special trip that most of us won't get the chance to do again. Whether you're looking for a European destination to explore or a more tropical one to simply revel in, this is a ranking of the very best spots to go after you've tied the knot. This list includes unique honeymoon destinations and exotic vacations for after you tie the knot.&nbsp;Rank these magical locales in order of how much you want to go, or how much you loved them when you went. Vote for your which ones you think are the best honeymoon destinations and add any you see missing!There are plenty of romantic honeymoon locations on this list. What is your favorite honeymoon destination? This is your chance to select the place you think is the best place for a honeymoon.And when the honeymoon is over... check out this list of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-babymoon-destinations/places-to-go">top babymoon destinations</a>.

Cayman Islands

List of the Best Island Honeymoon Destinations ranked from best to worst. Warm sun, sandy beaches and a cool breeze make islands some of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. Which island is the best honeymoon destination? Vote on this list and make sure that your ideal remote island ends up in the top spot.Fiji is an obvious choice for a romantic honeymoon destination. The island is filled with palm trees and tropical flowers giving newlyweds the opportunity to celebrate their nuptials in paradise. Puerto Rico is also a favorite island for honeymoons. With almost perfect weather year round and affordable luxury resorts, Puerto Rico will make newlyweds feel like they are royalty as they enjoy their honeymoon.If you don't want to travel too far, the United States offer some beautiful island getaways. The Hawaiian island of Maui offers love birds underwater adventure with some of the best snorkeling and scuba sights known to man. The island is also filled with beautiful flowers and breath-taking waterfalls that will make couples feel like they have landed in heaven.Which is the best desert island honeymoon destination? Vote on this list and share your amazing island experience in the comments section.

Bruges

If you’re trying to figure out what’s the best vacation spot for a young couple such as you and your better half, why not see what others have to say? After all, they probably have great stories to tell about their adventures. Below, fabulous couples have ranked their favorite&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-and-quot_we-got-married-and-quot_-couples/onlysuy?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword"> vacation destinations for two</a>. There is nothing more romantic than traveling with your spouse or significant other. Walking down the street in a foreign city or holding hands on a sandy beach can be great ways to spend a romantic vacation. If you have been to any of the couples vacation destinations below, vote on them so that others may know the joy you felt. After all, the best vacations for couples is something that should be shared.One city that is often in the discussion of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-and-quot_we-got-married-and-quot_-couples/onlysuy?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best couples</a> vacation destinations is New York City. NYC is a featured character in its own right in many shows and movies. For example, Sex in the City, When <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/when-harry-met-sally-mansplaining/rebecca-shortall?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Harry Met Sally</a>, and An Affair to Remember all tell stories of couples falling in love in New York City. The big apple is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it a great vacation destination for couples. But perhaps even more romantic than New York City is Paris. Known around the world as the “City of Love,” Paris features some of the most beautiful sights in the world, all of which are enhanced when sharing them with the one you love.But if you want to get away from big cities, traffic, pollution, and noise, then perhaps NYC or Paris aren’t for you and your partner. Instead, considering spending your couples vacation on a sandy beach for your romantic getaway. In particular, be sure to check out Islamorada, a series of islands located in the Florida Keys. With sunshine, oceans and the beautiful beaches in Islamorada, you will certainly fall in love all over again.So hopefully the list below answers your question of which vacation destinations are the best for couples. Also be sure to vote on this list so others may know your thoughts on the best vacations for young couples.

Costa Rica

List of the Best Countries for Honeymoons ranked from best to worst. When it comes time to plan your honeymoon the world is your oyster. You can go somewhere romantic, somewhere adventurous or somewhere relaxing. What destination would you choose for your perfect honeymoon? Vote on this list and make sure that your favorite country for honeymooning is in the top spot. &nbsp;A honeymoon is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get away from the stresses of life and just enjoy being a newlywed. For most couples, romance is the most important factor in determining a destination. France, Italy and Greece offer endless romantic options, making Europe a top honeymoon destination. &nbsp;More adventurous couples might prefer to spend their honeymoon on safari in South Africa or cuddling up with their significant other while whale watching in Antarctica. If your on a budget, take advantage of some of the great options that all inclusive resorts offer in Mexico or the Dominican Republic. Couples who love the great outdoors as much as they love each other may consider touring some National Parks for their special trip. &nbsp;With so many options for honeymooners the task of choosing a destination can be a bit daunting. Help out newlyweds by giving your recommendation on which country is the best for honeymoons.

British Virgin Islands

What are the top babymoon destinations? These are the places that expectant parents visit, knowing that with a little one on the way, they probably won't have time to see for several years. A Babymoon is a time for soon-to-be parents to relax, regroup and ready themselves for all that parenting requires. This list includes some of the greatest places to have a babymoon, offering expectant couples the chance to enjoy a little peace, quiet and tranquility before their new baby arrives. Be sure to vote for your favorite Babymoon vacation spots, and add your own personal favorites.Often, top babymoon vacation spots overlap with some of the most popular and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-honeymoon-destinations">best honeymoon destinations</a>. The best babymoon destinations for pregnant couples may depend, at least in part, on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy. If she's close to term, a couple might opt to Babymoon closer to home. Jetting off to Bora Bora, for example, might not be the best plan if the due date is closing in. Some couples crave relaxing beach getaways for a Babymoon, while others might enjoy the cultural offerings of major cities. Either way, a Babymoon is an excellent way to enjoy one last romantic getaway before their child is born.FYI: If you're planning this kind of trip, keep in mind that some hotels and resorts actually offer special babymoon packages!What are the best babymoon ideas? Where are the best babymoon destinations? Take a look at this list for some guidance to the best places to babymoon.

Sometimes as you grow up, the things you loved as a child lose a little bit of that spark and are a little less magical. But not so with tree houses. Tree houses only get cooler. The only thing cooler than having a domicile all to yourself is having it up in a tree. The tree houses on this list are the absolute coolest that have been built in the world.

Some of the tree houses on this list are large enough to be hotels, one was made out a plane, and some are even part of larger treehouse communities. However, all of them are intricate and incredible feats of engineering and construction. These aren&#39;t the scrappy little structures you and your friends built as kids.

Come relive your childhood, (or get some ideas and build your own!) and cast your votes for the coolest tree houses on the list below.

Romania

Many travelers believe that the best way to experience another country is to explore it alone. These is a list of good countries to travel alone, ranked best to worst. Solo travel allows you to really take in the culture and beauty of a country without the influence of a companion to help shape your experience. When traveling alone you are able to be completely self-indulgent. If you want to spend all day getting lost in a museum you can do it.Which country is the best to travel alone? That depends on your vacation priorities. If you would like to take in great museums and intricate architecture or just sit at a cafe all day sipping on cappuccinos, France would be a great option. The Louvre would be a wonderful museum to explore on your own. You can take your time to fully appreciate each work of art without worrying about someone else's timeline.Australia is another great country to travel alone. You can spend all day learning to surf while enjoying the beach or you can explore the Australian wilderness with a hike through Tasmania. Japan is also a wonderful place to explore by yourself. The nation scores very high on the Global Peace Index ensuring that travelers will feel safe and welcome in this beautiful country.Vote on this list of the best countries to travel alone and share your opinions with solo travelers in the comments section.

It&#39;s easy to put Paris atop a list of the most magical cities in the world since the thing that surely separates a magical city from any other is that is has a certain &quot;joie de vivre,&quot;&nbsp;or &quot;a little something special&quot; to it. Whether it&#39;s what you would call the most beautiful city in the world or the prettiest city on the planet, there&#39;s just a little something to all of these cities that sets them apart from the rest of the places most people vacation and live.

Many of these cities make the list because they are home to the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/historical-landmarks-to-see-before-i-die">landmarks to see before you die</a>; others because the local culture is world-renowned and the occupants of a different mindset than the rest of the world. There are places such as Cairns, with its vast access to the Great Barrier Reef, that perhaps you shouldn&#39;t visit because you&#39;ll never leave. Others, such as Las Vegas, offer an overload of visual and visceral stimuli that make you think you&#39;re in a bubble (but it&#39;s important to never forget: what happens in Vegas only stays if you don&#39;t post pictures to Facebook).

With so much beauty around the world, is it any wonder that many of the most magical cities are located in the <a href="/crowdranked-list/most-beautiful-countries-in-the-world" target="_blank">most beautiful countries in the world</a>? Italy, for instance, boasts several magical cities, including Rome, Venice, and certainly Florence.

What world city is the most magical? What city has the best landscapes and views? What vacation spots are the most magical? You can read every list of the most magical spots in the world and never truly know until you go, but this list of the most magical locations in the world can put you on the right track.

For more tips about travel, make sure to check out the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list-of/places-and-travel">lists about travel</a>.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

List of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-cities-in-the-world/ranker-travel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most beautiful cities</a> in South America, as ranked by South American natives and world travelers. For travelers who have always wished to visit the wonder of South America, choosing the right city to inhabit for a few weeks of vacation can be difficult. Many of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-countries-of-south-america/best-world-journeys?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">South American countries</a>, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, and Chile, have cities that feature the best that the continent has to offer. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a thrilling adventure among the native wildlife or to enjoy a cultural festival any time of the year, there is sure to be a city in South America that has everything you need.Cities like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Salvador offer the sights of the best big cities, including incredible skylines and strong art culture. Beach front cities, such as Buzios, are go-to locations for those who want to lie out in the sun and watch the clear blue waves. Many of the cities in South America are home to ancient ruins and architectural wonders that are unlike anywhere else in the world.What are the most beautiful cities in South America? This list features the top cities for new tourists and professional travelers alike.&nbsp;

Stockholm

List of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-beautiful-cities-in-the-world/ranker-travel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most beautiful cities</a> in Europe, as ranked by Europeans and world travelers from all over the globe. When any wannabe tourist or expert traveler is planning the dream vacation to beat all vacations, cities in Europe are often on the top of the list. Europe is chock full of gorgeous destinations, including cities filled to the brim with natural wonders, historical buildings and art that puts anyone’s hometown to shame. For travelers who can’t help but dream about lush gardens and breathtaking mountain views, European cities like San Sebastian and Lauterbrunnen are the places to be. Art enthusiasts can’t miss Italian cities like Florence and Venice. For those who dream of strolling through historical sites, Rome, Athens and Munich are incredible locations.Whether you’re interested in visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or strolling across the London Bridge, Europe is packed with world-famous locations that are perfect for travelers of all kinds. Lesser-known locations like Ferrara, Salzburg and Porto have sights that aren’t as populated by tourists.What are the most beautiful cities in Europe? Each city featured on this list has among the most beautiful views and sites in all of Europe.

Whitehaven, Cumbria

Located in various countries around the world, the best beach cities each have something special that makes them a favorite for residents and visitors alike. Be it the beach lifestyle enjoyed by residents or the relaxed vibe in the air loved by visitors, these beach cities are the best of the bunch. These are the worldwide cities that are home to the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/countries-with-the-best-beaches/ranker-travel?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best beaches in the world</a>, and are known for their great beachy atmosphere and laid back style.These attractions could easily be among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/frommer_s-top-destinations-2010/places-to-go">Frommer's top destinations</a> or someone's <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list-of/places-and-travel">top 10 places to visit </a>in the summer, because who doesn't want to lie by the beach all day long? The weather is nice in these areas and the water is always blue. There's also plenty to do around the beaches--it is a city after all. The top beach cities in the world stretch from the United States with choices in Florida, California, and Hawaii to locations in Australia, Canada, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and South America. Regardless of the country, these beach locations are adored by all who have the pleasure of visiting and as long as they maintain their special characteristics, they will remain among the top beach cities in the world.

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Historical places to visit before you die, ranked by history and travel buffs worldwide. Anyone can vote on this list of famous historical landmarks, making it a truly trustworthy way to find the best landmarks to visit in the world. You can even make your own historical places list to add to these rankings. What famous historical sites should you see and what are some good historic places to visit? This list of famous places has them all!Whether you're building your bucket list or indulging in some serious wanderlust, this list is one destination that's definitely worth visiting. Historical places around the world offer a firsthand look at work history. This list of national landmarks features over 100 famous landmarks that are worth seeing and will educate, entertain, and enlighten you. Which of the places on this list of famous world landmarks are you planning a trip to? Take a look at this list and plan your next adventure today!

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Colosseum

The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it is the largest amphitheatre in the world, and is considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering.,
The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian. These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name.
The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Great Sphinx of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza, commonly referred to as the Sphinx, is a limestone statue of a reclining or couchant sphinx that stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. The face of the Sphinx is generally believed to represent the face of the Pharaoh Khafra.
It is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 73.5 metres long, 19.3 metres wide, and 20.22 m high. It is the oldest known monumental sculpture, and is commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of the Pharaoh Khafra.

Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.
Based on a mark in an interior chamber naming the work gang and a reference to fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.
There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid.

Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The word acropolis comes from the Greek words ἄκρον and πόλις. Although there are many other acropoleis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as "The Acropolis" without qualification.
While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site's most important buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians in the Morean War when the Parthenon was being used for gunpowder storage and was hit by a cannonball.
The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the preeminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu or Machu Pikchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District in Peru. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. Often mistakenly referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization.
The Incas built the estate around 1450, but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period and remained unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become the largest tourist attraction in South America. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of what the structures originally looked like. By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored. The restoration work continues to this day.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, in Vatican City. Originally known as the Cappella Magna, the chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who restored it between 1477 and 1480. Since that time, the chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today it is the site of the Papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescos that decorate the interior, and most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.
During the reign of Sixtus IV, a team of Renaissance painters that included Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Roselli, created a series of frescos depicting the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ, offset by papal portraits above and trompe l’oeil drapery below. These paintings were completed in 1482, and on 15 August 1483 Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass in the Sistine Chapel for the Feast of the Assumption, at which ceremony the chapel was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Louvre

The Louvre or the Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest museums and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, France, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement. Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century are exhibited over an area of 60,600 square metres. The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, and received more than 9.7 million visitors in 2012.
The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II. Remnants of the fortress are visible in the basement of the museum. The building was extended many times to form the present Louvre Palace. In 1682, Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles for his household, leaving the Louvre primarily as a place to display the royal collection, including, from 1692, a collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. In 1692, the building was occupied by the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which in 1699 held the first of a series of salons. The Académie remained at the Louvre for 100 years.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.
The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres.
It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda". The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.

Parthenon

The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered the zenith of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and western civilization, and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially ruined structure.
The Parthenon itself replaced an older temple of Athena, which historians call the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon, that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. The temple is archaeoastronomically aligned to the Hyades.

St. Peter's Basilica

The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, or simply St. Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within Vatican City.
Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and remains one of the two largest churches in the world. While it is neither the mother church of the Catholic Church nor the Catholic Roman Rite cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, St. Peter's is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".
By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica is the burial site of its namesake Pope St. Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and, also according to Tradition, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome. Tradition and strong historical evidence hold that St. Peter's tomb is directly below the high altar of the Basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St. Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is a canal in Venice, Italy. It forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. Public transport is provided by water buses and private water taxis, and many tourists explore the canal by gondola.
At one end, the canal leads into the lagoon near the Santa Lucia railway station and the other end leads into Saint Mark Basin; in between, it makes a large reverse-S shape through the central districts of Venice. It is 3,800 m long, 30–90 m wide, with an average depth of five meters.

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Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built 220–206 BC by Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of China. Little of that wall remains. Since then, the Great Wall has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced; the majority of the existing wall is from the Ming Dynasty.
Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. The mausoleum is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India" and remains as one of the world’s most celebrated structures and a symbol of India’s rich history.
Regarded by many as the best example of the Mughal architecture, it is a perfect blend combining elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish as well as Indian architectural styles.
The famed mausoleum complex of white domed marble of the Taj Mahal actually is an integrated complex of many structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed in about 22 years, in 1653, employing around 20,000 artisans and craftsmen throughout the empire. The construction was entrusted to a board of architects, the chief architect probably being Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Taj Mahal attracts some 3 million people a year for visit.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa or simply the Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square after the Cathedral and the Baptistry. The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The height of the tower is 55.86 metres from the ground on the low side and 56.67 metres on the high side. The width of the walls at the base is 2.44 m. Its weight is estimated at 14,500 metric tons. The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase. Prior to restoration work performed between 1990 and 2001, the tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but the tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. In French, it is known as the Château de Versailles.
When the château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres southwest of the French capital. The court of Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.

Florence Cathedral

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the main church of Florence, Italy. Il Duomo di Firenze, as it is ordinarily called, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.
The cathedral complex, located in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. The three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence and are a major attraction to tourists visiting the region of Tuscany. The basilica is one of Italy's largest churches, and until development of new structural materials in the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.
The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, whose archbishop is currently Giuseppe Betori.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period. The archaeological site is located in the municipality of Tinum, in the Mexican state of Yucatán.
Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico and of the Puuc and Chenes styles of the Northern Maya lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion.
Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles at the site.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles west of Amesbury and 8 miles north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.
Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, whilst another theory suggests that bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC.
The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury Henge. It is a national legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. It was first a Hindu and later a Buddhist temple. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early Dravidian architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.

Forbidden City

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is located in the center of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. It served as the home of emperors and their households as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost 500 years.
Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 ha. The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the Palace Museum, whose extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Part of the museum's former collection is now located in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Both museums descend from the same institution, but were split after the Chinese Civil War.

Petra

Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the southern Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved.
Established possibly as early as 312 BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction. It lies on the slope of Jebel al-Madhbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah, the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning poem by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". See: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Petra was chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "28 Places to See Before You Die".

Saint Mark's Basilica

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has only been the city's cathedral since 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, formerly at San Pietro di Castello.
For its opulent design, gold ground mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building has been known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro.

Santorini

Santorini, classically Thera, and officially Thira, is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km² and a 2011 census population of 15,550. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. The total land area is 90.623 km². Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit.
Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological caldera. A giant central, rectangular lagoon, which measures about 12 by 7 km, is surrounded by 300 m high, steep cliffs on three sides. The main island slopes downward to the Aegean Sea.

Sagrada Família

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica, as distinct from a cathedral which must be the seat of a bishop.
Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926 less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death.

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco, is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as "the Piazza". All other urban spaces in the city are called "campi". The Piazzetta is an extension of the Piazza towards the lagoon in its south east corner. The two spaces together form the social, religious and political centre of Venice and are commonly considered together. This article relates to both of them.
A remark usually attributed to Napoleon calls the Piazza San Marco "the drawing room of Europe".

Historical places to visit before you die, ranked by history and travel buffs worldwide. Anyone can vote on this list of famous historical landmarks, making ...