Buzz
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel a little weary of the overused pictures of iconic landmarks and famous spots worldwide. We've seen them so many times, they’ve lost their charm. It's come to the point where our idealized images are shattered when we encounter them in person. This list aims to break the mold and show you the less-seen perspectives of these places. Sometimes, it uncovers their gritty underbelly, while other times, it doesn't reveal much at all. But hey, at least it's not your typical rundown of “famous places” you’ve seen a million times.
10. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal faces a serious issue: pollution. The Yamuna River, which flows behind the Taj Mahal, is heavily contaminated (as shown in the images). Beyond the visible trash, toxic chemicals lurk beneath the surface, making it the most polluted river in all of India. Recently, it was even covered in poisonous foam of unknown origin! Not quite the pristine image we’re all used to from flawless travel photos on Instagram! But the pollution doesn’t stop there: industrial smoke is slowly turning the magnificent Taj Mahal yellow! More on that can be found in Top 10 Ways You’re Picturing Popular Tourist Attractions Incorrectly.
9. Pyramids of Giza
It’s truly remarkable that, even after countless invasions and millennia, the pyramids of Giza (the only remaining wonder of the ancient world) continue to dominate Cairo’s skyline. In some ways, one could argue that the pharaohs are still watching over their once-thriving kingdom. To discover what the air smelled like in Ancient Egypt, don’t miss our Top 10 Incredible Smells That Will Blow Your Mind article.
8. Petra
Most visitors enter Petra through the Treasury, with the iconic façade being the one most familiar to us. However, there’s another entrance at the back, known as the Monastery or El Deir. This name comes from the crosses carved inside when the site was used by Christian monks during the Byzantine period. Fortunately, you can join special tours that explore the Monastery and other less-known areas. You can also learn about how drones are revealing hidden mysteries at Petra in Top 10 Secrets of Drone Archaeology.
7. Hollywood Sign
According to CBS, “the sign was erected in the hills above Los Angeles in 1923 at a cost of $21,000 to advertise a development by the Hollywoodland Real Estate Group. It originally read “Hollywoodland” until 1949, when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce took over its upkeep and removed the last four letters.” In 2005, the original sign (replaced in the 1970s due to age and damage) was sold for $450,000 by a private owner. The area surrounding the sign is now a protected park, once owned by Howard Hughes, who had plans to build a mansion there. It has been the site of many college pranks and the tragic suicide of aspiring starlet Peg Entwistle (more about her in a future list). For the Playboy connection to the Hollywood sign, check out Top 10 Lesser-Known Facts About World Famous Landmarks.
6. The Colosseum
Ever wondered why this perspective of the Colosseum looks like a giant grey block of Swiss cheese? That’s because the structure was originally built with iron rods to hold the bricks together and featured gates and trapdoors for animal entertainment. Over time, as it fell into neglect, the people of Rome began taking the iron, leaving behind large holes. They also took bricks for their own homes and stripped the outer marble layer, drastically changing the amphitheater’s appearance from what it originally looked like. To get an idea of how it probably appeared, check out Top 10 Ancient Wonders As You’ve Never Seen Them.
5. Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore was carved between 1927 and 1941, depicting the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Its creation was aimed at boosting tourism to South Dakota—and it succeeded. “Gutzon Borglum [the artist behind the monument] selected the four presidents to symbolize the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation.” Here, we see the other side of the mountain, showcasing the stunning national park that houses the sculpture. Fortunately, a decade-long ban on fireworks, due to “environmental concerns,” has been lifted, and the spectacular display will return on Independence Day. If you’re fascinated by the mountain, learn more on Top 10 Facts That Prove Mount Rushmore Was A Terrible Idea.
4. Easter Island Moai
Easter Island, located in Chile, is home to over 900 monolithic stone statues, carved and erected between A.D. 1250 and A.D. 1500. These statues still harbor many secrets. In fact, we still don’t know who carved them, why, or where they vanished to! Some incomplete statues remain in quarries on the island. While the most famous statues face inland from the shore, here is a view from behind the statues. Interestingly, a group of seven statues (Ahu Akivi) face the ocean and are precisely aligned with the autumn and spring equinoxes! Many of these statues have intricate carvings on their backs that remain a mystery. Discover more about these enigmatic statues in Top 10 Strange And Mysterious Islands.
3. The Moon
One side of the Moon is always visible to us. Scientifically, this occurs because “the spinning period of the Moon is the same as the time it takes for the Moon to orbit around the Earth.”. Unscientifically: because aliens. Just kidding . . . maybe. Anyway, the far side of the Moon has been photographed, and we now know that it’s not as mysterious as humanity once thought. The image here, taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, is the most detailed shot of the Moon’s dark side to date. It’s one of humanity’s greatest unsolved mysteries, solved only when technology allowed us. For more on the Moon, including odd theories and strange ideas, visit Top 10 Weird Anomalies And Bizarre Conspiracies Of The Moon.
2. Buckingham Palace
Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith (commonly known as Queen Elizabeth) resides in this lovely, though not extravagantly remarkable, residence in London. Well . . . it’s technically a palace, but it was originally called Buckingham House back in 1703. Naturally, the front yard is far more appealing than this unremarkable backyard, which resembles any typical English palace. The palace boasts 775 rooms, including 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, 52 principal bedrooms, and 19 state rooms. Additionally, it features a post office, cinema, swimming pool, doctor’s surgery, and jeweller’s workshop. One day, Prince Charles will take over the house, and many other peculiar events will unfold, which you can read about on Top 10 Ways The Queen’s Death Will Be Bizarre.
1. Venice
It’s not awful, but it’s not quite the Grand Canal either. This, in fact, is the Commune of Mira, just as much a part of the renowned and beautiful Metropolitan City of Venice as the area frequently shown on TV to warn us of impending floods . . . which have been occurring since A.D. 421! While it’s easy to imagine the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square, and all the dazzling costumes and spectacles of Venice, the people who sew those costumes, clean the bridge, and sell tickets to attractions have to live somewhere! That’s where this less-traveled “backside” of Venice comes into play. On the bright side, it’s Italy, so you’ll still enjoy the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. To dive deeper into this beautiful region of Italy, and you absolutely should, check out our Top 10 Unexplained Mysteries of Ancient Venice.
