Everybody knows the most famous cultural monuments in the world. But, here you will find some if not all most famous monuments around the world as well as some not everybody knows. Each of these cultural icons is a symbol with various meanings, it may represent an epoch, an area, a belief, a culture, a country or a city. Below is a top 10 list of most famous cultural monuments in the world.
|
|
A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture. Here are some examples:
1. The Taj Mahal, India
Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his cherished wife, the Taj Mahal stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. The famed mausoleum complex, built over more than 20 years, is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. At its center is the Taj Mahal itself, built of shimmering white marble that seems to change color depending on the sunlight or moonlight hitting its surface. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, it remains one of the world’s most celebrated structures and a stunning symbol of India’s rich history. Known as “crown of palaces”, Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum, seen from the banks of Yamuna river, with Mihman Khana or assembly hall (left) and Taj Mahal mosque (right), the two almost identical buildings on either side.
2. The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 13,170 miles (21,196 kilometers). This is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces.
With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
3. The Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram), Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram) is a cuboid-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam, oldest and top the most Famous Cultural monuments in the world. The Quran states that the Kaaba was constructed by Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic), and his son Ishmael (Ismaeel in Arabic), after the latter had settled in Arabia. The building has a mosque built around it, the Masjid al-Haram. All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are. This is called facing the Qiblah. One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires every Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime if able to do so. Multiple parts of the Hajj require pilgrims to walk seven times around the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from above). This circumambulation, the Tawaf, is also performed by pilgrims during the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). However, the most dramatic times are during the Hajj, when about 6 million pilgrims gather to circle the building on the same day.
4. The Egyptian pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids are ancient - shaped masonry structures located in Egypt. Most were built as tombs for the country's pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods The earliest known Egyptian pyramids are found at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. The earliest among these is the Pyramid of Djoser (constructed 2630 BC–2611 BC) which was built during the third dynasty. This pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed by the architect Imhotep, and are generally considered to be the world's oldest monumental structures constructed of dressed masonry.
The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.
The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.
5. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is an authentic mosque in Istanbul, the biggest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is prominently known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles beautifying the dividers of its inside. It was constructed from 1609 to 1616, amid the standard of Ahmed I. In the same way as other different mosques, it additionally involves a tomb of the author, a madrasah and a hospice. While still utilized as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has additionally turned into a prominent vacation spot.
6. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.
While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site's most important buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike. The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the pre-eminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007.
While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site's most important buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike. The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the pre-eminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007.
7. The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei, China
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a celebrated monument, milestone and vacation destination raised in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, previous President of the Republic of China. It is spotted in Taipei, Republic of China (ROC).
The monument, encompassed by a recreation center, remains at the east end of Memorial Hall Square. The structure is encircled on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall.
The monument, encompassed by a recreation center, remains at the east end of Memorial Hall Square. The structure is encircled on the north and south by the National Theater and National Concert Hall.
8. Angkor Thom (Big Angkor), Angkor, Cambodia
Angkor Thom is a 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor’s greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour.
9. The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet
The Potala Palace was the primary residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala after a failed uprising. Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645 after one of his spiritual advisers, Konchog Chophel, pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated as it is between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa. It may overlay the remains of an earlier fortress, called the White or Red Palace, on the site built by Songtsen Gampo in 637. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum.Today the Potala Palace is a state museum, a popular tourist attraction, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also recently named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" by the television show Good Morning America and the newspaper USA Today.
10. Liberty Enlightening the World, New York, US
The Statue of Liberty is a model of Libertas, Roman Goddess of Freedom, arranged in United States of America. The statue composed by Frederic Bartholdi, was a blessing from People of France to USA.
The statue was engraved on July 4, 1776, on the date of American Declaration of Independence. There is a broken chain at the feet of the statue, speaking to symbol of flexibility of United States.
The statue is 93 meters high and has more than 3 million guests yearly. It is likewise an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The statue was engraved on July 4, 1776, on the date of American Declaration of Independence. There is a broken chain at the feet of the statue, speaking to symbol of flexibility of United States.
The statue is 93 meters high and has more than 3 million guests yearly. It is likewise an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you liked this article please follow us on FACEBOOK!