10 Architectural Wonders Around the World
Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)
Florence, Italy
Florence was, of course, the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore—better known as the Duomo, or cathedral—is the style's apotheosis. Clad in polychrome marble and topped with its iconic brick dome by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1436, the Duomo has seen everything from 15th-century local government sessions to the attempted murder of Lorenzo de' Medici in 1478.
Art Nouveau: Jugendstilsenteret (Art Noveau Center)
Ålesund, Norway
When a terrible fire in 1904 razed much of the Norwegian city of Ålesund, the town was rebuilt with a modern look, with Art Nouveau being the style of the period. The city is now a time capsule of sinuous lines, turrets and spires, and floral elements. In 2003, an Art Nouveau Center was created to chronicle this architectural period's influence on the city; it's located in the former Swan Pharmacy building.
Byzantine: Basilica Cistern
Istanbul, Turkey
As the former capital of the Byzantine Empire, Istanbul is ground zero for architecture from this medieval period, and the Basilica Cistern—a cathedral-like underground structure, propped up by hundreds of repurposed Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns—is one of the most fascinating examples. Built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian and served by an aqueduct, the cistern provided water to Sultanahmet through Ottoman rule and into modern times. Today, you can walk along its aisles and watch giant carp swimming in the depths.
French Colonial: Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi, Vietnam
Built over a 10-year period in beginning in 1901, and modeled on the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, the magnificent Hanoi Opera House is one of many fine French Colonial buildings in the Vietnamese capital. Though built under French rule, it was a pivotal location in the 1945 August Revolution, and today is home to the National Symphony Orchestra as well as the Vietnam National Opera Ballet.
Baroque: La Compañia de Jesús
Cusco, Peru
Its elaborate façade with twin bell-towers and soaring dome makes this 17th-century Peruvian Jesuit church one of the most sublime examples of the Spanish baroque style —and even outdoes the neighboring cathedral. Inside, it's just as ornate, with the altar covered entirely in gold leaf.
Neoclassical: United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Domed roofs, triangular pediments and mighty columns, all arranged in tight symmetry: Imposing neoclassical buildings really ramp up the sense of power on Capitol Hill. Begun in 1793, the United States Capitol building was modeled—on Thomas Jefferson's instructions—on an ancient temple, while the dome, and House and Senate Wings, were added subsequently.
Stalinist: Hotel Ukraina
Moscow, Russia
One of the iconic Seven Sisters, seven colossal Stalinist skyscrapers that ring the center of Moscow, the Hotel Ukraina opened in 1957 on the bank of the Moskva River. Now a Radisson Royal hotel, it sits opposite the Russian White House, a Cold War era building that's home to the Russian prime minister.
Art Deco: Daily Telegraph Building
Napier, New Zealand
In 1931, an earthquake on New Zealand's North Island razed much of Napier to the ground. Like Ålesund, the city rebuilt itself in the style of the time, which happened to be Art Deco. Approximately 140 of the buildings remain, but the jewel in the crown is the Daily Telegraph Building. Formerly a newspaper office, and now a real estate agent, it's closed to the public, though guided walks by the Napier Art Deco Trust will get you inside.
Chinese: Forbidden City
Beijing, China
The culmination of classical Chinese and East Asian architecture, the sprawling Forbidden City (made up of 980 buildings and more than 9,000 rooms) served as China's imperial palace from 1406 until 1910. Even now, its Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings serve as the bar by which all subsequent Chinese architecture is measured.
Victorian: St. Pancras Station
London, UK
The blue-tinged, soaring arches of St. Pancras—home to the Eurostar trains which connect Britain to the Continent—are among the most stellar examples of Victorian architecture. Known as 'the Barlow Shed' for its architect, William Henry Barlow, the station is also home to the St. Pancras Renaissance, whose red-brick Gothic façade was designed by George Gilbert Scott. Some of its suites look directly over the platforms.