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Even the most celebrated landmarks worldwide are shrouded in myths and false beliefs. Some of these inaccuracies might have even been presented as truths during your school years. Here are ten such examples.
10 The Designers of Saint Basil’s Cathedral Were Blinded by Ivan the Terrible
Located in Moscow's Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral boasts towering spires and vibrant spirals that seem almost fantastical, akin to something from a Disney animation. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this architectural marvel was constructed between 1555 and 1561 under the directive of Ivan the Terrible. According to legend, the architects were so skilled that Ivan had them blinded to ensure they could never create a more magnificent structure.
However, historical documents reveal that a quarter-century later, and four years following Ivan's demise, the architects were hired once more to expand the cathedral. This would be a highly improbable achievement for individuals without sight, unless they had exceptionally talented guide dogs. Perhaps Ivan wasn't as terrible as his name suggests.
9 Buckingham Palace Serves as the Queen of England's Official Home
If you're curious about how The Queen is faring and considering dropping by for tea and a snack, you might assume you already know her address—Buckingham Palace, correct?
Well, not exactly. While Her Majesty does reside at Buckingham Palace, she officially designates St. James’ Palace as her primary residence, a tradition upheld by British monarchs for more than four centuries.
Constructed by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, it served as the residence for British royalty until 1837. When Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, she chose Buckingham Palace as her home—a practice that has continued ever since, albeit unofficially.
8 A Penny Tossed From the Empire State Building Can Be Deadly
Do you harbor a dark desire to commit the perfect crime? According to widespread online belief, all you need to do is position your victim near the Empire State Building and drop a penny from its highest floor. Supposedly, the penny would accelerate to lethal speeds by the time it hits its target. But who would the authorities blame? Isaac Newton?
Thankfully for New Yorkers, the internet is once again mistaken. The penny's small, flat design ensures it encounters significant wind resistance as it falls. Unless you can somehow remove all air from New York City and create a vacuum, the penny will quickly reach terminal velocity—a maximum speed where it can no longer accelerate. At this speed, a falling penny might sting but is entirely incapable of penetrating a human skull.
7 Big Ben Refers to the Clock Tower's Bell, Not the Tower Itself
England, known for The Queen and its rainy weather, is also home to Big Ben, an iconic clock tower that stands tall over London. If you've watched any film or TV series set in the city, chances are you've spotted it in an opening scene.
However, the name 'Big Ben' doesn't refer to the tower itself—a misconception so widespread that tourists often get it wrong. In reality, 'Big Ben' is the name of the bell housed within the tower, while the structure is officially named 'Elizabeth Tower.'
6 The White House Got Its White Paint After Being Burned by the British
According to popular belief, the White House was originally grey when constructed between 1792 and 1800, with its iconic white appearance coming later. During the War of 1812, British forces famously set fire to the building in 1814. After the flames were extinguished and repairs completed, the structure was painted white, earning its now-famous name.
While it's true that the British burned part of the White House in 1814, the building's white color existed long before the fire. It received its distinctive white coating as early as 1798, when whitewash was applied to shield it from winter conditions. Additionally, records show that the British referred to it as the White House as far back as 1811, years prior to the fire.
5 No Structure Can Exceed the Height of the Capitol Dome
It’s often surprising to hear that Washington DC lacks skyscrapers, especially since it’s the capital of a global superpower. The reason lies in local regulations that prohibit any structure from surpassing the height of the United States Capitol dome, symbolizing that nothing should overshadow politics in this city.
This is false. The absence of tall buildings in Washington DC isn’t due to politicians feeling insecure about their dome’s stature. Instead, the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 restricts building heights to no more than the width of the adjacent street plus 20 feet (6 meters). The origin of this rule? Thank Thomas Jefferson, who envisioned Washington DC as “low and convenient,” a concept that eventually became law.
4 Galileo Conducted His Cannonball Experiment from the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Galileo, an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, conducted numerous groundbreaking experiments. His most renowned involved dropping two cannonballs from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to prove that objects of different masses fall at the same rate.
However, it’s highly unlikely this event ever occurred. Historians believe the tale was fabricated to elevate Galileo to the status of a scientific deity or that he conceived it as a “thought experiment”—a theoretical scenario without physical execution.
3. The Great Wall of China Is Not the Sole Man-Made Structure Visible From Space
The Great Wall of China stands as one of history’s most monumental construction feats. Given its status as the longest wall in the world, it’s easy to assume it would be visible from space.
But that’s far from the truth. In 2003, Yang Liwei, a Chinese astronaut, confirmed that the wall cannot be seen from space, dispelling the myth. The Chinese government has since committed to erasing this misconception from all educational materials.
According to former NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, while the Great Wall of China isn’t visible from space, features like runways, desert roads, and irrigation ditches are discernible due to their stark contrast with the surrounding environment.
2 Hoover Dam Is Not a Burial Ground for Construction Workers
For those who may have missed this in school, the Hoover Dam ranks among the largest dams globally. Built between 1931 and 1936, its construction was a colossal endeavor that claimed over 96 lives. A common myth suggests that many of these workers were buried within the dam’s concrete, where they supposedly remain today.
Although it’s accurate that at least 96 workers died during the dam’s construction, none were entombed within it. The dam was constructed using thousands of individual concrete blocks, poured over time, making it nearly impossible for anyone to be buried inside without the possibility of recovery.
A fascinating detail about the Hoover Dam is that the first fatality during its preparation—J. G. Tierney—was the father of the last person to die during its construction—Patrick W. Tierney, who passed away exactly 13 years to the day later.
1. Stonehenge Was Not Constructed by Druids
If you were to ask a random person who built Stonehenge, chances are they’d say “druids.” The site’s mysterious appearance certainly suggests it was used for mystical rituals.
Unfortunately, this connection is a myth. The association between Druids and Stonehenge was first proposed in 1640 by archaeologist John Aubrey, who essentially invented the idea without evidence.
Modern archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was constructed by various groups, excluding the Druids. Current theories suggest that the site was not built all at once but developed gradually over hundreds of years. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the initial stones were erected between 2400 B.C. and 2200 B.C., with the latest construction evidence in the area dating back to 1600 B.C.—long before the Druids arrived in the region.
