From the birthplace of Renaissance architecture to grand cathedrals and the iconic white marble mausoleum in India, there are stunning destinations across the globe with incredible architecture. If you’re into historic architecture, these impressive structures are mind-blowing. They’re something everyone should see at least once in a lifetime, making them well-worth planning a trip around.
Santa Maria del Fiore - Florence, Italy
Florence is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and art centers as well as one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Of course, this was the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, is its crowning jewel, decked out in marble and topped with its iconic brick dome. Of course, there are lots of other sights and attractions to experience here, with Florence’s museums, palaces, and churches home to some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world, with the churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce as veritable art galleries. The Accademia Gallery is one of Florence’s most visited museums, with the genius Michelangelo’s works housed here, including the imposing marble statue of David, standing over 13 feet tall. For one of the most enchanting views of Florence, climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte.
Cologne Cathedral - Cologne, Germany
With 2,000 years of history in Cologne, founded by the Romans and one of Germany’s oldest cities, visitors will discover everything from Roman towers to Gothic churches along with fine examples of modern architecture. The soaring Cologne Cathedral is the centerpiece of the city as well as its rich architectural history. This High Gothic, five-aisled basilica was first built between 1248 and 1473 when construction came to a half before the building was complete. It was several centuries later when work finally resumed and it was considered complete in 1880 The renowned structure houses a wealth of artworks along with the tombs of 12 archbishops. Cologne is also home to a wide variety of outstanding museums, including the Museum of Applied Art, the Museum Ludwig and even the Chocolate Museum.
Great Pyramid of Giza - Cairo, Egypt
Seeing the Pyramids of Giza should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the best known of this group that stands just outside Cairo, is one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World and the largest pyramid in the world. Standing now for 4,600 years, their construction has remained a mystery. There are only a few records that reveal methods used by ancestors for quarrying, shaping, transporting and placing massive stone blocks for the construction of the pyramid. This is the only one to have both ascending and descending passageways. While you’re here, explore the pyramids’ many alignments, from both near and far – from a distance to take in its stacked shapes and close up for a more intimate connection, as National Geographic has advised. The “golden hour” falls around the sunrise, when the light is soft, golden and warm.
The Alhambra - Granada, Spain
Granada is blessed with Moorish heritage dating back more than 700 years. The pinnacle of this is the Alhambra, a compound with palaces, courtyards and gardens where the Emirs of Granada would escape the summer heat. The most famous example of Arabic architecture in Europe, this stunning complex rises out of a wooded hillside above Granada, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada providing a magnificent backdrop. Intentionally designed to reflect paradise, the entire complex is jaw-dropping, with its impressive artistic details inside, as well as its beautiful gardens and streams outside. Although the exact origins of the Alhambra are still up for debate, the oldest records of its use date back as far as the 9th century when it was used solely as a military fortress. Not until the 13th century, under the Nasrid dynasty, did the construction of the palace begin.
Sydney Opera House - Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia’s iconic symbol, with its white-tiled sails along the harbor at Bennelong Point. The multi-venue performing arts center and UNESCO World Heritage Site not only offers opera performances, but it frequently hosts all types of concerts and plays, and visitors can explore it by taking a guided backstage tour or dining in one of its restaurants. The facility is adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, and Sydney is also home to world-famous Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s top beaches, renowned for its pristine sands and clean waters. Climbing another iconic landmark, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is another highlight, as is the city’s multitude of museums and art galleries.
St. Basil's Cathedral - Moscow, Russia
St. Basil’s, officially known as The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat, is Moscow’s most visited tourist attraction. Built in the mid-16th century during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, it’s shaped to resemble the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky and sits just outside the Kremlin gates, marking the geometric center of the city. Today it serves as a museum. Visitors take the wooden spiral staircase that was discovered within one of the walls during restoration work in the 1970s, into the central church with its spectacular soaring tented roof and grand 16th-century iconostasis. While in Moscow, be sure to visit historic Red Square, learn about history at the Kremlin and check out some of the other cathedrals in the area, like the Cathedral of the Annunciation, Cathedral of the Archangel, and Cathedral of the Assumption.
La Compania de Jesus Church - Cusco, Peru
This 17th-century Peruvian Jesuit church is one of the most sublime examples of the Spanish baroque style. It was built upon the site of the palace of Huayna Capac, the last Inca to rule an undivided, unconquered empire. Its elaborate facade with twin bell towers manages to outshine the adjacent cathedral. The interior is just as ornate, with its altar covered entirely in gold leaf. Two large canvases near the main door show early marriages in Cusco in gorgeous period detail. Local student guides show visitors around the church, as well as the impressive view from the choir on the 2nd floor. While you’re here, of course, this is a popular place to base yourself for exploring Machu Picchu, the famous lost city of the Incas.
Taj Mahal - Agra, India
This white marble mausoleum, known as the “jewel of Muslim art in India,” was built between 1632 and 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jaha. Often mistaken as a palace, the iconic landmark was actually built as a tomb for the Emperor’s wife after she died giving birth to their 14th child. Today, it’s considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, an amalgamation of Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles. It’s also known as a symbol of enduring love. Rudyard Kipling called it the “embodiment of all things pure,” while its creator said that it made “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.” Taking a photograph of it is a pilgrimage for many, with its sublime symmetry set in stone and proportions elegantly tempered by hundreds of years of monumental building by the Mughal rulers.
Basilica Cistern - Istanbul, Turkey
Travelers who appreciate magnificent architecture, history, and striking landscapes will not be disappointed with this ancient city and former capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. As the former capital of the Byzantine Empire, you’ll have the chance to take in spectacular structures from this medieval period, including the Basilica Cistern, a cathedral-like underground structure that’s propped up by hundreds of re-purposed Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns. Constructed by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century and served by an aqueduct, the cistern provided water through Ottoman rule all the way into modern times. Stroll alongside it to watch the huge carp that swim in its depths. Afterward, you can take in many of Istanbul’s top attractions, as all are within a short walking distance of each other, including Saint Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar, and Egyptian Spice Markets.
The Pantheon - Rome, Italy
The Roman Pantheon is the most preserved and influential building of ancient Rome, a temple dedicated to the gods that is remarkably intact. Like the city itself, it was not built in a day. It was first constructed in 27 BC and later rebuilt in the 2nd century after fire damage. The altar was added later for Christian worship after the nation abandoned its pagan gods. Following the Renaissance, it took on another role as the designated tomb for some of Rome’s renowned artists and elite, including the famous painter Raphael, his fiancé, and former kings of Italy. The Pantheon also has the biggest brick dome in the history of architecture and is considered the forerunner of all modern places of worship. An inspiration to architects all over the world over the last 2,000 years, the Pantheon roof remains the largest un-reinforced concrete dome on Earth.
