Today we will present to you a selection of the most fascinating monuments on the European continent.
1. The Atomium – Located in Brussels, Belgium, this amazing monument was completed and revealed to the world in 1958. It is one of Europe’s most distinguishable structures and one of Belgium’s most visited landmarks. The Atonium was constructed for the Brussels World’s Fair also known as Expo 58 and was designed by Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn and architects Jean and André Polak to mimic the appearance of iron crystal which has been magnified 165 billion times. It stands at 102 metres tall (antenna spire included) and is comprised of nine stainless steel clad spheres which was interconnected via corridors.
1. The Atomium – Located in Brussels, Belgium, this amazing monument was completed and revealed to the world in 1958. It is one of Europe’s most distinguishable structures and one of Belgium’s most visited landmarks. The Atonium was constructed for the Brussels World’s Fair also known as Expo 58 and was designed by Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn and architects Jean and André Polak to mimic the appearance of iron crystal which has been magnified 165 billion times. It stands at 102 metres tall (antenna spire included) and is comprised of nine stainless steel clad spheres which was interconnected via corridors.
2. The Cristo Rei – This is a Catholic Monument and shrine that is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. The idea behind the construction of the statue came when the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira visited Rio de Janeiro and saw the world famous Christ the Redeemer. The Cristo Rei is situated in the central parts of Lisbon, Portugal and was erected to express the gratitude of the Portuguese people who were spared from the devastating effects of World War II. Today it is one of the city’s most emblematic structures and stands as a height of almost 80 metres.
3. The Pena National Palace – This Romanticist palace stands on the top of a hill that overlooks the Portuguese town of Sintra. It is recognised as a National Monument by the Portuguese authorities. The palace is also part of the Seven Wonder of Portugal and is indentified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The most astonishing thing about the structure is that on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area. The construction of the Pena National Palace started during the Medieval Ages and ended centuries later during the 19th century.
4. Leaning Tower of Pisa – Arguably one of Italy’s most popular landmarks the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower that is part of the Pisa Cathedral complex. It is the third oldest structure on Pisa’s Cathedral Square, after the cathedral itself and the baptistery. The tower’s tilt commenced during its construction as some of its foundations were built on grounds that were too soft to withstand the weight of the structure. It is approximately 56 metres tall and has a leaned angle of about 4 degrees. Legends say that noted Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei conducted some of his experiments from the tower.
5. The Royal Pavilion – Built for the Prince Regent, George, Prince of Wales the Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence which was constructed in three stages from 1787 to 1823. It is located in the English city of Brighton from where comes the structure’s nickname “Brighton Pavilion”. The palace is known worldwide for its Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Today the building is one of the Britain’s most prominent landmarks and tends to attract an average of 400.000 visitors per year.
6. La Sagrada Familia – This world renowned cathedral is located in the Spanish city of Barcelona. It is one of Spain’s most noticeable buildings, a claim that is proven by the fact that the structure is also recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of Europe. The cathedral was designed by celebrated Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The construction of the edifice started in 1882 and is expected to end during the late 2020s. Despite not being completed La Sagrada Familia is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Upon completion the cathedral will have a capacity of 9.000 people and will have a total of 18 spires (at the moment only eight are built) all of which will have a height of 170 metres.
7. Bubbles Palace – The architect behind the unique and extravagant design of Bubbles Palace wanted to return to the roots of mankind and create a structured that resembled the caves and troglodyte habitats in which the first humans lived. The edifice is described by many architectural experts and interior designers as a place where imagination can be unleashed due to the building’s one of kind harmony, balance and flexibility. The structure is entirely covered with spherical shapes and was owned by Pierre Bernard until his death. Upon his passing, Bubbles Palace was purchased by famous designer Pierre Cardin.
8. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao – Established in 1997 this modern building was instantly acknowledged as one of the most important structures of the late 20th century. Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, it is one of Spain’s and Europe’s most visited art museum with an estimate of over one million visitors per year. The most reputed exhibits of the venue are:
- Joseph Beuy’s “Lighting with Stag in Its Glare”
- Jeff Koons’s “Puppy”
- Mark Rothko’s “Untitled”
- Robert Rauschenberg’s “Barge”
9. Palais Idéal – Also known as Cheval’s Palace this breathtaking structure is located in Hauterives in the southeastern parts of France. Postman, Ferdinand Cheval began building his palace in 1879 by using stones and rocks which he collected while executing his daily mail rounds. The construction of the edifice lasted for over three decades and he often worked at night via the aid of an oil lamp. The building is a mixture of diverse architectural styles that range from Hinduism to Christianity. Throughout the years the palace has been praised by numerous notable artists such as André Breton, Pablo Picasso and many more. In 1969 the structure was listed as a National Landmark by the French Ministry of Culture.
10. Hallgrímskirkja – This church was commissioned in 1937 and was designed by highly reputed Icelandic architect Goðjón Samúelsson. The construction of the edifice began in 1945 and ended in 1986 when it was consecrated. It resembles the basalt lava flows of the country’s landscape and has a height of 72 metres. The church is beyond any doubt one of Iceland’s most monumental buildings and is visited by both foreign and local travelers on a regular basis.