The 10 Most Famous and Photographed Monuments in the World

 

Every self-respecting tourist takes their trusty camera before going to any corner of the globe. After all, what holiday would it be without the traditional photos in front of the representative monument?

And, have you ever wondered which monuments are most visited and photographed? If you have, here are the 10 most famous and photographed monuments in the world!

10. Boca Neighborhood, Buenos Aires

It is a mix of lights, colorful buildings, and music to create an atmosphere of the past. It bears its name for its position as it is located in the “mouth” (boca in Spanish) of the Riachuelo river. The main street in the neighborhood is the Caminito.

This neighborhood is famous for its colorful wooden houses, built in the 1950s according to a project by the painter Benito Quinquela Martín. The project was inspired by the original style of the council houses (conventillos) of the immigrants of La Boca (built in the early 19th century) and that “converted” the place, now in decay, into an “open-air museum”, opened in 1959.

9. Blue Mosque, Istanbul

It bears the name “blue” for its blue Iznik tiles that cover its interior and the dozens of lamps positioned high up, creating circles of light, contribute to making it more impressive. The Mosque is located in the place where the Grand Palace of Constantinople once stood.

The construction boasts 6 minarets and it’s surpassed only by the Ka ‘ba Mosque which has 7. The main entrance is studded with a series of domes that give depth and, at the same time, prepare the believers for the entrance and the internal domes.

8. Casino of Montecarlo, Montecarlo

This casino was built by the architect Charles Garnier in the 19th century. It attracts players from all over the world. It also allows visitors to enjoy an excellent view during the Monaco Grand Prix.

7. Big Ben, London

While the name refers only to the Clock Tower bell, it has ended up referring to the whole tower. Built in a neo-Gothic style, it is 96 meters high, chimes every hour, and its sound can be heard within 2 km.

The sound of the bells of the Big Ben reproduces the melody composed by William Crotch. Since 1994, it has been illuminated by a system of 112 bulbs. From the moment it went into operation, the clock has only been blocked on three occasions.

6. St. Mark’s Square, Venice

This place attracts tourists from all over the world. It has a trapezoidal shape and width of 170 meters. It houses the Basilica of St. Mark (San Marco), which is the main church in Venice. The Byzantine character that characterizes it is most seen in the great mosaics that tell the stories of St. Mark as well as the episodes of the Old and New Testament.

The greatness of Venice has always been reflected in the enrichment of the Basilica. Namely, the Venetians have embellished it over the centuries by bringing precious artifacts and works of art from the most distant places, creating a monument of great massiveness.

5. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

This 38 meters high statue stands on the top of the Corcovado mountain. It can be reached via a railway line that connects the statue to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before 2002, visitors had to walk the 222 steps that separated it from the terminal of the railway line to reach the statue. Since 2007, it has been included among the wonders of the modern world. Today, the statue is a symbol of this Brazilian city.

4. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

This basilica is a masterpiece of the architect Antoni Gaudì. Although the works began in the distant 1882, it’s still under construction. It is assumed that it will be completed in 2026.

Each year, this imposing monument hosts about 3.2 million visitors who have the opportunity to observe the workers who carve large blocks of stone, realizing more of the basilica’s majesty.

3. Statue of Liberty, New York City

The famous statue was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel. It’s 93 meters high and consists of a steel structure on a granite base. It depicts a woman with a torch in her right hand, which symbolizes the eternal fire of freedom, and a book engraved with the date of American independence in her left hand.

2. Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world. It’s located in the center of the Eternal City and it’s estimated that it can hold up to 80,000 people.

This impressive structure was built by Vespasian in 72 AD and inaugurated in 80 AD by Titus. It has an elliptical shape and is 48.5 meters high. In the past, it was used for gladiator fights, hunting shows, or representations of classical mythology.

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris

It is the undisputed symbol of France, visited every year by about 5.5 million tourists. Built in two years, from 1887 to 1889, it was named in honor of its designer Gustave Eiffel. With its 324 meters of height and 8000 tons of weight, it was the tallest building in the world for 40 years.

To get to the top, you have to either climb the 1665 steps or take the panoramic elevators. Once you get up there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.