The Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and the Great Barrier Reef–we all know about the world’s natural wonders. What about the must-see buildings? Every country has its own set of culture and tradition and, in the Philippines, the architectural design services reflect just that. If you are a travel fanatic, get your passport and camera ready. These modern architectural marvels will definitely blow your mind away:
- Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence, Italy)
As the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, Florence has its fair share of the most impressive architectural marvels especially during the 14th up to the 17th century. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, is the style’s highlight. Its exterior was made from polychrome marble in various shades of green and pink and the iconic dome was constructed in bricks by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1436. The Duomo, with its beauty and elegance, has stood the test of time. It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence, with Giuseppe Betori as the current archbishop.
- Kogod Courtyard (Washington DC, USA)
This elegant glass canopy, designed by British architect Norman Foster, was an addition to the museum and houses part of the Smithsonian’s art gallery. It received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1999. With over 28,000 feet of glass, the Kogod Courtyard gives its visitors the impression of a floating ceiling.
- Hotel Ukraina (Moscow, Russia)
The Hotel Ukraina is one of the iconic Seven Sisters, a group of colossal Stalinist skyscrapers that ring the center of Moscow. Also known as the Radisson Royal Hotel, it opened in 1957 at the bankk of the Moskva River. It is a five-star luxury hotel that has 505 rooms, 38 apartments, 5 restaurants, a conference center, a banquet hall, library, and a spa and wellness center with a 50 meter indoor swimming pool. It sits opposite the Russian White House, which is the home of the Russian Prime Minister.
- The Forbidden City (Beijing, China)
The sprawling Forbidden City is the epitome of Chinese and East Asian architecture. With 980 buildings and over 9,000 rooms, it served as China’s imperial palace from the years 1420 up to 1912 (the Ming Dynasty up to the end of the Qing dynasty). It is located at the center of Beijing, China and it houses the Palace Museum. It served as the home of emperors and their households and was the ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for almost 500 years. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and was listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
- St. Pancras Station
With its blue-tinged soaring arches and stunning Victorian architecture, St. Pancras station is home to the Eurostar trains, which connect Britain to the Continent. It stands between the British Library, King’ s Cross Station, and the Regent’s Canal. Known as the “Barlow Shed” for its architect William Henry Barlow, St. Pancras Station also houses the St. Pancras Renaissance, which is famous for its red-brick Gothic facade designed by George Gilbert Scott. The station opened in 1868 and as known as the largest single-span roof in the world.
About the author:
Jeric is a freelance writer that features food, lifestyle, travel, DIY subjects, and nature. He is an adventurer, taking on the world and everything it has to offer, may it be the good and the bad. He also has a weird love for reggae
