Top 15 Most Famous World Landmarks You Might Not Know

Winter Palace located next to the famous Neva River in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, is considered one of the greatest architectural wonders and a source of pride for the Russian people. This renowned palace has a long and storied history, spanning from the 18th century to the present day, witnessing many changes and upheavals over the centuries. In 1711, the Winter Palace was officially commenced by architect Georg Mattarnovi. The construction of the second palace took place from 1716 to 1719. In 1732, Queen Anna Ioannovna requested the construction of an even larger Winter Palace, with architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli overseeing the design and construction. However, even after continuous construction, the palace still did not entirely satisfy the royal family.

The Winter Palace is one of the famous architectural landmarks of St. Petersburg, designed according to the artistic preferences of Empress Elizabeth in the Baroque style. Today, the Winter Palace serves as the State Hermitage Museum, exhibiting three million works of art from around the world. Despite the passage of time and the destruction caused by wars, the fundamental architecture of the palace remains intact. With over 700 lavishly decorated rooms, built with granite and adorned with dazzling gold, the palace is also home to sensuous angel statues gilded in gold. It is famously known as the 'Capital of Fountains.'

Topkapi Palace is located near the Bosphorus Strait. Inside Topkapi is a large complex with hundreds of houses, mosques, resorts, entertainment venues, and living quarters of the former kings and concubines. The harem is built with many lavishly decorated rooms, displaying many valuable artifacts showcasing the opulence of the former Muslim kings. Today, Turkey has turned the palace into a museum preserving the remaining relics of a dynasty and is the country's first museum. Topkapi Palace is part of the historical sites in Istanbul recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

According to historical records, Sultan Mehmet ordered soldiers to build the Topkapi Palace in 1495, shortly after the Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople from the Byzantine in 1453. It can be seen that, to this day, Topkapi Palace is over 500 years old. The palace covers an area of 80,000 m2 within the entire complex covering 700,000 m2, designed in Ottoman architecture with characteristic domed roofs. Inside the palace is designed as a royal-class residential building, the residence of the Ottoman imperial court for nearly 400 years. However, after Sultan Abdulmecit built Dolmabahce Palace, the court moved there. Since then, Topkapi Palace has been rearranged to display artifacts, everyday items serving foreign dignitaries who come to visit, and now, this address serves the sightseeing of the general public as well as tourists.

Louvre Museum is located in the capital city of Paris, France, a must-visit destination in France. The museum has undergone several stages of construction. Initially, the Louvre was a fortress built by King Philippe II in 1190. Then in the 14th century, under Charles V, the Louvre became a royal palace and was further expanded through the dynasties. Since the French Revolution, the palace has become a national museum. The grandeur and magnificence of the museum today began in the late 19th century when the original fortress was demolished and the buildings along the Seine River were constructed. In the 16th century, the palace was expanded by architect Pierre Lescot, who expanded it into a complex with two small courtyards. A decade later, Queen Catherine de Medici added the Tuileries Palace to the west of the Louvre Museum. Museum construction stalled for a while when King Louis XIV decided to move to the Palace of Versailles.

In the 19th century, under the Second Empire, the Louvre Museum was expanded again with the addition of the Richelieu wing. Then, under the Third Empire, the museum wings continued to expand to the west. However, in 1871, Paris Communards set fire to the Tuileries Palace. Today, the Louvre Museum has four symmetrical wings surrounding a large courtyard. As one of the largest and most important museums in the world, the Louvre Museum spans across three large wings of the Louvre Palace. Later, the museum added the modern and impressive Louvre Pyramid. The Sully wing is the oldest wing of the Louvre Museum. The second floor exhibits a collection of French artworks, including paintings and photographs. One of the standout pieces is the painting Turkish Bath, painted by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in the late 19th century.

Alhambra Palace is considered the jewel of Islamic architecture in Europe, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Spain, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The entire complex consists of a palace and fortress of the Moorish kings of Granada in southern Spain. It was once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court. The Alhambra as we know it today was built over several centuries on the site of an ancient fortress, beginning in the late 800s. But it didn't truly become famous until the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar (Mohammed I) turned it into a royal residence in the 1300s. Over the next 200 - 300 years, his successors continued to build parts of the Alhambra that still exist today, in addition to the Alcazaba fortress.

Alhambra Palace sits on the Sabika hill, 720m long and 220m wide. The main materials used to build the palace are brick, concrete, and cement. Granite stone is used very sparingly, mostly for paving paths and making columns. Meanwhile, walls, ceilings, and floors are made of wood, ceramics, and rough plaster. The Alhambra and Generalife Palace is a complex of palaces consisting of a fortress, garden, and church built on a high hill. Among them, the two palaces Alhambra and Generalife are national treasures of the kings of Granada and Andalusia. Located at the confluence of three rivers: Darro, Genil, and Beiro, at an altitude of 738 meters above sea level. Alhambra is one of the world's famous palace and garden complexes. And this structure has made it to the top 21 structures selected to vote for the seven wonders of the world. The palace is designed in harmony with the architecture of Islamic, Greek, and ancient Roman cultures.

Shuri Castle sits atop a hill overlooking the bustling capital of Naha in Okinawa Prefecture. It is the most beautiful remaining castle from the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Inside the castle are replicas of thrones and crowns, along with precious artifacts of the former kings. Shuri Castle, also known as Shurijo, is considered a symbol of the historical, cultural, and touristic significance of the beautiful Okinawa Island. In 2000, Shuri Castle along with other landmarks in Okinawa was honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Shuri Castle was built around the late 13th to 14th centuries along with many other fortresses in Okinawa.

The first Shuri Castle was destroyed by fire in 1453 during the Shiro - Furi War for the royal throne, resulting in the complete destruction of the castle. It was reconstructed for the first time in February 1456 and was divided into three areas. The Outer Ward contained warehouses and stables; the Middle Ward housed over 200 guards, and the Inner Ward featured a three-story structure with the ground floor serving as a banquet hall, the first floor as the king's residence with over 100 female guards, and the top floor as a treasure storehouse.

Schönbrunn Palace, also known as the 'Summer Palace,' is one of Austria's largest Rococo-style palaces. Inside the palace are 1,441 rooms, with 40 rooms open to visitors, showcasing exquisite plasterwork and unique paintings by leading artists. The Schönbrunn flower garden outside also impresses with its meticulously trimmed hedges and thousands of blooming flowers. Both the palace and Schönbrunn Palace Gardens are UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites.

The Summer Palace was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. In 1991, the palace hosted the summit meeting between two parties: the Liberals (President Kennedy) and the Communists (Kruschev). According to tourism estimates, the palace attracts around 7 - 8 million visitors annually. The entire palace, comprising 1,441 rooms, was designed in Baroque style by the talented architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Originally, the palace served as the summer residence of the Austrian royalty, hence its moniker, the Summer Palace.

There is a famous tower in England that serves as both a fortress and a place for imprisoning prominent figures. It is the Tower of London, steeped in history, situated by the picturesque River Thames. Mention London, and tourists will immediately think of the ancient Tower of London, associated with fascinating historical tales, and mythical ghosts known worldwide. This towering edifice, constructed over a long period spanning three centuries, serves both as a Royal fortress and a prison, an armory, and a mint. However, these functions evolved over the years. After Duke William of Normandy invaded England in 1066, he erected many fortresses to subjugate the Anglo-Saxon populace. The grandest among them stands proudly in London. Situated at the southeast corner of the ancient Roman city wall, this fortress, initially built of wood, was later reconstructed with stone blocks and became known as the Great Tower. The Tower, with its square shape, measures 32 meters wide, 36 meters long, and stands 27 meters tall, looming ominously into the sky, instilling fear in the hearts of the local populace. After a whitewashing campaign by a king, it was renamed the White Tower.

Successive monarchs added more towers of varying sizes, thick walls, and a deep moat surrounding the structure, making it one of the most impregnable fortresses in Europe. During the civil war, whoever controlled the Tower was deemed victorious, as it symbolized power and authority. In peacetime, the Tower served as the starting point for grand processions on coronation days. While residing there, the king and his retinue lived in lavishly decorated chambers, and the king entertained esteemed guests with sumptuous banquets. However, the king's enemies did not receive such treatment. From 1100 to the mid-20th century, the Tower of London was used as a prison for high-profile royal prisoners, including Queen Elizabeth I, who was once held here. The site also features an execution and torture area, an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the Royal Mint, an observatory, and since 1303, it has housed the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Royal Palace located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, this palace is a magnificent architectural complex composed of three main areas: the Royal Residence, the Royal Offices, and other temples. It combines traditional Thai architecture with Western style. Although today this palace is no longer the residence of the Thai royal family, it still hosts important events, such as the coronation ceremony of the king. It is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Thailand.

Grand Palace - Royal Palace Thailand constructed since 1972, during the reign of King Rama I. The Royal Palace of Thailand is an ancient architectural complex, with a large scale, considered the ‘heart’ of Bangkok city, a must-visit tourist destination when coming to the ‘land of golden temples’. The Grand Palace Royal Palace is divided into four main areas: the Emerald Buddha Temple - where the Jade Buddha statue is worshiped, carved from a single block of jade, measuring 48cm x 46cm, placed on a 2m high pedestal. Thai people believe that wherever this statue is placed, there will be much luck and prosperity. The area of ​​buildings used as offices, government agencies. The area of ​​buildings used as the residence of the King, where government guests are received. The area of ​​buildings used as the residence for the King's wife (Harem).

Hunyad Castle, also known as 'Corvin' Located in Hunedoara, Romania, Transylvania. The most interesting thing is that inside Hunyad Castle, there is a tower named Nje Bojsia, meaning 'Don't be afraid'. Hunyad Castle is also famous for a very creepy haunted story related to the promise of the castle owner, John Hunyadi, also known as lancu de Hunedoara, regarding the death of three Turkish prisoners. Therefore, Hunyad Castle has become a very attractive haunted castle for tourists both domestically and internationally. Interestingly, Hunyad Castle also has a tower named Nje Bojsia, meaning 'Don't be afraid', set up by Serbian mercenaries who fought here. In addition to the Dracula Count story, locals have always passed down legends of the extremely creepy haunting of Hunyad Castle. One of those stories is related to three Turkish prisoners.

Accordingly, one of the owners of this castle was John Hunyadi (Lancu de Hunedoara), who promised to release three Turkish prisoners if they could dig a groundwater stream in the rock. Because of that promise, the three prisoners spent 28 years tirelessly digging the well, finally finding the water source. Unfortunately, when they dug up the water source, Lancu passed away. At that time, his wife did not care about her husband's old promise. Therefore, the female owner of the castle ordered the miserable beheading of the three prisoners. Before dying, the three prisoners wrote bitter lines about the dishonorable actions of Lancu's family on the castle wall: 'Now you have water to use but no heart', then signed their names. Today, tourists can see the lines written in Turkish on the castle wall.

If you want to explore ancient Roman architecture and culture when traveling to Turkey, then the Celsus Library is a must-visit destination. It is one of the most outstanding architectural works in Turkey due to its unique appearance, along with its valuable collection of books and historical significance. Celsus is among the top three largest libraries in the ancient world, including Alexandria and Pergamum. Therefore, this place also becomes a perfect destination for those passionate about exploring ancient Roman culture. The Celsus Library is a masterpiece of ancient Roman architecture located in Ephesus, Turkey. This library was built around AD 100 - 110 by Gaius Iulius Aquila, dedicated to his father, the proconsul Tiberius Iulius Celsus Polemaeanus. It houses 12,000 valuable books. The library is also considered a temple as just below its main entrance is the tomb of heroes.

The Celsus Library is located in the city of Ephesus, one of the most famous ancient cities with a history of 3000 years. Ephesus has many unique ancient architectural works, among which the Celsus Library is one of the most prominent names. This library in Turkey was built in AD 110 and named after a prominent official, Tiberius Iulius Celsus Polemaeanus, who was a member of the Ancient Greek Roman Senate. The library was a grand gift that the son of Tiberius Iulius Celsus Polemaeanus built to honor his father. By the time the Celsus Library was completed, it housed up to 12,000 books covering various incredibly diverse fields. It was also a frequent destination for ancient Roman scholars.

Versailles is located west of Paris in the city of Versailles. Versailles Palace is the epitome of the supreme power of the French monarchy with an immense area and extremely grand architectural structures. With a vast palace comprising 2,000 rooms and a park covering 815 hectares, Versailles is one of the most beautiful and largest castles in Europe as well as in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Versailles Palace is located west of Paris, considered the symbol of the monarchy of France. The castle gathers many famous, grand, and magnificent architectural works of France. In the 10th century, monks built the first structure on this land, which was the Saint-Julien church - monastery. From there, the small town of Versailles began to emerge. A small castle of the landowners of Versailles began to replace the old church, and 3 years later, it was transferred to the bishop of the Saint-Germain region.

On this land, King Louis XI built a small castle as a resting place. After passing through many owners over the years, in 1623, King Louis took over and built a small brick house in the Versailles forest as a stopping point. Later, the king bought more land and built the first palace in this castle with limestone. In 1632, the king ordered the expansion of the castle. In 1634, King Louis XIII died, and the castle was passed down to King Louis XIV. After King Louis XIV ascended the throne, he moved his royal court to Versailles and lived with Queen Marie-Therese. In 1661, the King invested money to expand the castle with the intention of making it the most magnificent castle in Europe. In 1667, the Grans Canal reservoir was built. Since then, through many royal dynasties, Versailles Palace has continuously expanded and added new structures, becoming immensely vast. After the French Revolution broke out and the French feudal regime collapsed, the castle no longer held the same power as before.

True to its name, 'hanging rocks' or 'suspended in the sky,' Meteora boasts 6 monasteries perched atop the towering sandstone columns, nestled amidst the sky, creating a spectacular landscape. Located in Thessaly, Greece, it is one of the largest and most famous monastery complexes in the world. Meteora was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and has become a popular destination for tourists to explore. The Meteora monastery complex perches atop natural sandstone cliffs, prominently rising amidst the bustling plains of Thessaly, near the town of Kalambaka, central Greece. It is one of the most unique architectural wonders in the world, leaving many visitors astonished at how humans could build such a marvel. In Greek, Meteora means 'suspended in mid-air' or 'sky pillar.'

The Meteora Monastery complex was formed in the 14th century when monks from the Athos Peninsula in southern Europe were threatened by Turkish pirates. They were forced to move to a new land, with treacherous rocky forests that were difficult to access, to seek refuge. The process of building these 'suspended in mid-air' structures was extremely challenging. They had to transport large quantities of materials across steep and perilous sandstone columns using rope ladders. When completed, Meteora had up to 24 magnificent monasteries built with sweat, tears, and the lives of many. Through many historical upheavals, only 6 intact monasteries remain in Meteora. Each monastery houses fewer than 10 monks living in solitude and isolation from the outside world.

Asia boasts countless breathtaking landmarks, and Bagan city in Myanmar is one of them. It's an ancient city with over 10,000 Buddhist temples during its golden age, of which more than 2000 temples still stand today. Visitors can embark on a hot air balloon journey to admire the panoramic view of the ancient city and its magnificent temples from above. Bagan was the capital of Myanmar for 230 years, and despite its small size, it houses many temple ruins. Experts estimate that about 10,000 temples were built here, with approximately 2000 structures still standing. The raw beauty preserved in the ancient city of Bagan has sparked mysterious rumors, making it an enticing destination for explorers.

Presently, Bagan city is located about 600km away from the former capital Yangon and can be quickly reached by bus. If you plan to explore the ancient city of Bagan, it's best to visit during the winter months as Bagan experiences hot weather. In recent years, Bagan has been investing in tourism development, ensuring safety for tourists to have the best experiences. A unique aspect of Bagan when it comes to hot air balloons is that it's also considered a mode of transportation. While the cost for a hot air balloon ride may be high, if you've come to Bagan for tourism, you should experience it once, marveling at Bagan from above. You'll see a different side of the ancient city of Bagan with vast expanses of desert, along with horse-drawn carts traversing the roads. The chain of temples and pagodas in the ancient city of Bagan sprawls and rises around, and only through hot air balloon tourism can tourists fully appreciate the panoramic view of the temples in Bagan, dubbing Bagan as the second Angkor Wat.

Hercules Tower is a lighthouse built since Roman times, a proud symbol of ancient Roman people. Today, this lighthouse stands in La Coruna, Galicia, Spain. Over the centuries, the Hercules Tower, the oldest Roman lighthouse, still exists and operates. This lighthouse is not only a National Historical Monument but also one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites recognized in 2009. Hercules Tower stands tall on Punta Euras rock hill, reaching a height of 55 meters with 7 tower floors, inspired by the Alexandria lighthouse. According to ancient documents, the lighthouse may have been built from the late 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD.

Hercules Tower is associated with many mythological stories through oral traditions, through countless pages in books right on the land where this lighthouse stands. One of them is the story closely linked to the heroic knight Hercules. Hercules is the brave warrior who fought against the giant monster Geryon for three days and three nights, and after the victory, he ordered the construction of a new city. That city is the region of La Coruna, Spain today. Hercules Tower has overcome historical vicissitudes, weathered the ups and downs of time. Despite the fall of the Roman Empire, despite the harsh weather, or the world transitioning into the modern age, the lighthouse still stands firm there, becoming a proud beacon in the vast, boundless sea, shining brightly night after night, guiding the ships across the Atlantic Ocean.

Torun, a medieval town, is one of Poland's most beautiful tourist destinations. It is famous as the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Built-in medieval architectural style, everything is made of brick. From churches to city halls to small areas within the city, all have a peculiar charm, making Torun a favorite destination for travelers worldwide. Moreover, this land is also the homeland of Nicholas Copernicus - a famous astronomer worldwide. So, if you admire this astronomer, don't forget to visit Torun, Poland, his hometown, to experience it if you have the opportunity. Surely with its unique architectural beauty, Torun will be a place to discover many interesting things.

You can travel to Torun city all year round because each season here has its own unique attractions. However, the ideal time for you to explore this city is from May to October. This is when Poland has warm weather, making it suitable for sightseeing trips. Around July, August is when schools in Poland have holidays, and workers are also on their annual leave, so if you travel to Torun, Poland, during this time, it is usually very crowded. Not only Torun but other tourist destinations in Poland are also very crowded. Because this is the peak season for tourists, the number of people visiting tourist destinations is very high. Therefore, depending on your schedule, choose a suitable time to visit the ancient medieval city of Torun.