Top 10 Historic Landmarks Around the World

 

A lot of the places you will visit around the world have been there for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. This means that they are steeped in history and culture, giving them a unique sense of place that few other locations on Earth can match. If you want to see some of the world’s most famous historic landmarks, look no further than this list of the top 10 historic landmarks around the world! top 10 historic landmarks around the world

Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan 

heydar aliyey center in baku azerbaijan

The Heydar Aliyev Center, located in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a cultural center which consists of an opera house and various museums. The center was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. It is considered to be one of most significant landmarks in Baku and houses more than 120 paintings and sculptures from both local and international artists. An outdoor portion of its grounds serves as a venue for public festivals. Opened in November 2006 after being under construction for almost three years, it has become one of Azerbaijan's primary tourist attractions as well as a popular symbol for that country throughout Europe.

 

The Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta, United States 

One of our top historic landmarks around the world is The Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta, United States. Built for a cool $100 million, it is part museum and part art installation. Constructed using aerospace-quality stainless steel, glass and concrete, The Gate has been described as a piece of modern architecture from outer space. But don’t let its looks fool you – underneath its immense 200-foot arch are three floors containing galleries and educational exhibits about Atlanta history. While inside, you can see artifacts from Georgia’s past as well as contemporary art installations representing local artists. This landmark will take you back in time and show you how far we have come.

Taj Mahal in Agra, India 

taj mahal in agra,india 

In a country that has thousands of years of history, it’s not easy to pick just one landmark, but people tend to agree that Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of India’s most stunning historic sites. The name Taj Mahal comes from two Persian words (that mean crown palace) and was given by Shah Jahan to his wife after she died. This white marble mausoleum was built over a period of 20 years by workers who were paid with gold coins. It is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Agra's most popular tourist attractions.

 

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy 

the colosseum in rome,italy

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy is a famous landmark for good reason. Built in AD 80 by Emperor Vespasian to celebrate Rome’s 1000th anniversary, it was an architectural marvel at its time and remains impressive today. The Flavian Amphitheater—the Roman term for amphitheater—could house 50,000 spectators and seated them (rather uncomfortably) on wooden benches or bleachers (which were eventually moved around to allow more spectators). Over 1,000 people were killed here daily in gladiator battles and mock sea battles called naumachia. To get there: take Via dei Fori Imperiali west from Piazza Venezia or bus 64. Entrance is 7€ adults, 4€ children 5-18.

 

 Borobudur Temple Compounds in Magelang, Indonesia 

borobudur temple indonasia

For nearly a millennium, Borobudur Temple Compounds in Magelang, Indonesia, was one of Asia’s most important historic landmarks. A massive Buddhist temple complex originally constructed in between 750 and 850 AD on a hillside in central Java, its towering stupas and intricately carved reliefs quickly became a pilgrimage site for monks from across Southeast Asia. Founded by King Murni, who built it in honor of his father --Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (or The Enlightened One), Borobudur was abandoned after centuries of neglect. Discovered around 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles (the British governor-general of Java), it was restored over four decades beginning in 1884 under funding from Dutch colonialists.

 

Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France 

palace of versailles in france

Like most landmarks, Palace of Versailles holds a place in history. Built by King Louis XIV to act as his palace, it eventually became a symbol of French power and prestige. At some point or another, every French leader has made an appearance here. As far as historic landmarks go, it’s worth checking out if you’re in France.

 

Alhambra Palace and Gardens in Granada, Spain 

alhambra palace

Alhambra Palace and Gardens, also known as Generalife, is a 14th-century Nasrid palace and garden complex located in Granada, Spain. For almost 500 years, it was a fortress on one side of Granada's evolving cultural borders. In 1985 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its contents were added to Spain's Tentative List in 2003 for its historical value.[1] The Alhambra is built on top of an old Almohad fortification[2] called al-hamma (Arabic for 'the fountain'). It is well known for its extensive use of bluish-white stone from Sierra Elvira[3], combined with red brick and stucco.

 

Great Wall of China in Beijing, China 

great wall of china

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. The walls were built to protect against invasion by various nomadic groups. Construction started in approximately 3rd century BC; however, most of its present form was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in eastern Hebei province to Lop Nur in Xinjiang. Although some portions north of Beijing and near tourist centers have been preserved and even extensively renovated, in many locations the Wall is in disrepair. After more than 2000 years of war and weathering there are now wide spaces between its original bricks which make it easy for vegetation to grow on its surface.

 

 Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  

christ the redeemer statue

This statue of Jesus has become an icon for Rio, towering over a hill and looking out toward Sugarloaf Mountain. It is said to represent faith, strength and devotion. The statue is made of reinforced concrete covered in soapstone and coated with chrome; it was built in 1922 to commemorate 100 years since Brazil’s independence from Portugal. Christ's hands are 12 feet long, his head is 9 feet tall and his body stands 38 feet high. It took 8 months to build and was dedicated on Oct. 12, 1931 by President Getulio Vargas.

 

Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru 

machu picchu in cusco, peru

The site of Machu Picchu was a royal retreat for Incan royalty for several hundred years. The ruins remain in good condition and serve as one of Peru’s most visited attractions, offering tourists a glimpse into life from hundreds of years ago. The ancient city is located in Cusco, which has become an increasingly popular destination for backpacking trips to South America. Backpackers can take advantage of reasonably priced hotels, museums and festivals that cater to international travelers. Whether you visit Machu Picchu or not, there are plenty of scenic options nearby that make Cusco a great place to travel before heading off to explore other parts of Peru or South America.

top 10 historic landmarks around the world