Eiffel Tower
"Paris's Iron Lady," the Eiffel Tower, known in French as "La Dame de Fer," was initially met with mixed reviews. Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece was constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was supposed to be dismantled after 20 years, but it got a second lease on life as a giant radio antenna.
Did you know that the tower gets repainted every seven years? It takes 60 tons of paint to keep it looking fresh. Surprisingly, it also shrinks by about six inches in winter due to the metal contracting in the cold.
Statue of Liberty
Gifted by the French to the Americans in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by the same Gustave Eiffel. Lady Liberty's full name is "Liberty Enlightening the World," and she holds a torch and a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
Here's a quirky fact: her shoe size would be a whopping 879 if she were a real woman! Also, she's not originally green; her copper exterior oxidized over time, giving her that iconic sea-green hue.
Great Wall of China
Stretching over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. Construction started as early as the 7th century BC, but the most famous sections were built by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
Contrary to popular belief, it's not visible from space with the naked eye. However, the Great Wall does have some unusual ingredients in its construction mix: sticky rice! Rice mortar was used to bind the bricks, making the wall extraordinarily durable.
Machu Picchu
Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city built in the 15th century. It was largely unknown to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. Known as the "Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu was likely a royal estate or religious site.
One fun tidbit: the site is so well constructed that it has survived numerous earthquakes. The Incas used a technique called "ashlar," where stones are cut to fit together without mortar.
Colosseum
Rome's iconic Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was completed in AD 80. It could hold up to 80,000 spectators who came to watch gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles, and other spectacles.
Interestingly, the Colosseum had a retractable awning system called the "velarium" to protect spectators from the sun. Also, it's believed that over 500,000 people and over a million animals died in the arena during its active years.
Taj Mahal
Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is a stunning example of Mughal architecture. Completed in 1653, it took 22 years and 20,000 workers to build.
The white marble structure changes color depending on the time of day—pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening, and golden under moonlight. Legend has it that Shah Jahan planned to build a black marble mausoleum for himself across the river but was overthrown by his son before it could be realized.
Christ the Redeemer
Standing tall on Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Completed in 1931, this 98-foot-tall statue was designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa.
A lesser-known fact: the statue is made of reinforced concrete and covered in approximately six million soapstone tiles. Each tile was placed by hand, and some even have messages written on the back by the workers.
Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza, built during Egypt's Fourth Dynasty, are the most famous of all ancient Egyptian structures. The Great Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khufu, was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.
One baffling fact: the Great Pyramid aligns almost perfectly with the cardinal points of the compass. Also, it's constructed with around 2.3 million blocks, each weighing between 2.5 to 15 tons. The precision of this ancient engineering marvel continues to astonish modern scientists.
Sydney Opera House
Opened in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a masterpiece of modern architecture designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Its roof comprises a series of "shells," which give it a unique appearance and make it one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
Here's a fun fact: the design was chosen from an international competition that received over 230 entries. Despite initial budget estimates of $7 million, the final cost ballooned to $102 million, primarily funded by a state lottery.
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is a symbol of ancient Greek civilization. The Parthenon, its most famous structure, was completed in 438 BC and dedicated to the goddess Athena. It stood as a treasury, a temple, and even a church over the centuries.
A lesser-known fact: the Parthenon's columns are slightly curved to correct optical illusions. This subtle architectural tweak, known as "entasis," makes the columns appear perfectly straight from afar.
Big Ben
Officially named the "Great Bell," Big Ben is part of the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. Completed in 1859, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the United Kingdom.
Trivia time: the clock mechanism is renowned for its accuracy and has rarely stopped. The tower leans slightly to the northwest by about 230 millimeters due to ground conditions and age.
Mount Rushmore
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore features the colossal faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began the project in 1927, and it took 14 years to complete.
A quirky detail: there's a hidden chamber behind Lincoln's head called the "Hall of Records," intended to hold important documents and artifacts related to the monument.
Petra
The ancient city of Petra in Jordan is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Established as early as 312 BC, it was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom and later became a significant trading hub.
A fascinating tidbit: the iconic "Treasury" building (Al-Khazneh) is rumored to have been a mausoleum rather than a treasury. The site gained widespread fame after being featured in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
Stonehenge
The prehistoric monument of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, consists of a ring of standing stones, each around 13 feet high. Built between 3000 BC and 2000 BC, its exact purpose remains a mystery, though theories range from an astronomical observatory to a religious site.
A cool fact: some of the stones are believed to have been transported from Wales, over 150 miles away. The logistics of this feat continue to baffle historians and engineers alike.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, spanning the Golden Gate Strait in San Francisco, was completed in 1937. At the time, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world.
Here's a delightful nugget: the bridge's iconic "International Orange" color was initially a sealant. It was chosen for its visibility in the fog and has since become one of the bridge's defining characteristics.