Originally designed by diocesan architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, the design and building of the temple was taken over by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Though not originally intended to be a cathedral with its iconic towers and combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau style, it is one of the most iconic structures in the world and a testament to Gaudi’s unique architectural style.

Construction began in 1882, but the plans were partially destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and much time has been spent trying to piece them back together again. The building is due to be finally completed by 2026, a full century after Gaudí’s death.

Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on Sagrada Família is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. The mammoth skyscraper and magnificent centrepiece of Downtown Dubai stands at a whopping 828.9 meters high.

Construction began on the 160-floor building in 2004 with its doors opening six years later in 2010. The task of creating the world’s tallest manmade structure was awarded to the Chicago office of American architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings and Merril LLP.

Burj Khalifa was designed by a team led by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the firm that designed the Sears Tower in Chicago

The incredible 88-storey, 451.9 metres high Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is an unforgettable sight.

Designed by visionary architect Cesar Pelli and completed in 1996, the elegant modern design of the Petronas Twin Towers has made the building famous around the world. The outline of the structure resembles an immense ‘M’, symbolising Malaysia and the grandeur of the country’s aspirations and ambitions.

architect Cesar Pelli

The Twin Towers, built to house the headquarters of Petronas, the national petroleum company of Malaysia, were designed by the Argentine-born American architect Cesar Pelli; they were completed in 1998.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, whose turbulent construction began in 1173 and continued over 200 years of wars, is one of the truly iconic works of medieval European architecture. Its distinctive lean makes it instantly recognisable; while the 207 columns spaced around its eight stories are make it an astonishing example of Romanesque architecture. Visitors can climb its 297 step spiral staircase to look out over Pisa from the top of the tower.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, whose turbulent construction began in 1173 and continued over 200 years of wars, is one of the truly iconic works of medieval European architecture. Its distinctive lean makes it instantly recognisable; while the 207 columns spaced around its eight stories are make it an astonishing example of Romanesque architecture. Visitors can climb its 297 step spiral staircase to look out over Pisa from the top of the tower.

Built from 1631 to 1653, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the finest example of Mughal art. Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. His devotion inspired the creation one of the most famous buildings in the world, whose 240 foot high dome never fails to draw gasps from observers. The historical and cultural importance of the Taj Mahal is recognised by the fact that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting in 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, the guest house and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD.

The Hagia Sophia, which means ‘Holy Wisdom’, has a unique and fascinating history. Originally built from 537 to 1453, it was first a Greek Orthodox church, briefly a Roman Catholic cathedral from 1204 to 1261, then a mosque from 1453 to 1931, until it was secularised and made a museum from 1935 to 2020, reverting back to a mosque.

Mirroring the enormous historical, cultural and religious changes of the history of its country, the Hagia Sophia is a truly unique building and a must-visit attraction for those who travel to Turkey.

The Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya in Turkish) was originally built as a basilica for the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. However, its function has changed several times in the centuries since. Byzantine Emperor Constantius commissioned construction of the first Hagia Sophia in 360 A.D

Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House, renowned for its elegant sail-like structures, is a multi-venue arts complex and one of the 20th century’s most iconic works of architecture.

It hosts more than 1,500 performances and exhibitions a year, which draw the attendance of 1.2 million people. The sheer beauty of the Sydney Opera House draws more than seven million visitors a year to marvel at the building, which has also been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House, renowned for its elegant sail-like structures, is a multi-venue arts complex and one of the 20th century’s most iconic works of architecture.

It hosts more than 1,500 performances and exhibitions a year, which draw the attendance of 1.2 million people. The sheer beauty of the Sydney Opera House draws more than seven million visitors a year to marvel at the building, which has also been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the Roman emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 CE. The completed structure was dedicated in 80 CE by Titus, Vespasian's son and successor. The Colosseum's fourth story was added by the emperor Domitian in 82 CE.

The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi consisting of 27 structures resembling petals of the lotus flower that open onto a central hall around 40m high. It has nine sides, nine doors, and can accommodate 2,500 people. Its surface is made of white marble from Mount Pentelicus in Greece, the same marble used to build the Parthenon.

Since its completion in 1986 it has become one of the most visited buildings in the world, attracting over 100 million people.

the Lotus temple was built by Fariborz Sahba, who comes from an Iranian-American background. You may be amazed to learn that this temple does not belong to the three most widespread religions in the world.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral was constructed between 1555 and 1561 when Ivan the Terrible ordered its construction to commemorate the capture of Astrakhan and Kazan.

It was the tallest building in the city until 1600 when Ivan the Great Bell Tower was constructed. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, it was regarded by the Byzantine Christianity as a symbol of the Heavenly City, and it was given the name Jerusalem. The building was constructed in the shape of rising flame a design that is unique among Russian architecture.

It is unclear where the inspiration for the odd onion domes originated, since the Cathedral predates the similar domes of the Mughal empire. St. Basil's was built by order of Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) to commemorate the capture of the Tatar stronghold Kazan in 1552.

Created in the 12th Century over three decades by King of the Khmer Empire, Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat located in Siem Reap (northwestern Cambodia) is the largest religious monument in the world. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. It also remains as the best preserved and largest temple in the ruins of the city of Angkor, and attracts millions of visitors a year.

The Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid in 2007 and opened in 2012. The centre’s amazing single continuous folded surface have made it an internationally recognised architectural work and one of the best examples of the Neo-futurism style. The centre won the Design Museum’s Design award in 2014 making Zaha Hadid the first woman to win the top prize in that competition.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the centuries.

The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the oldest and largest pyramid of them all. Built as tombs for the Third and Fourth Dynasty’s pharaohs, the Giza Pyramids are some of the most famous constructions on Earth.

King Khufu, the second pharaoh of the fourth dynasty, commissioned the building of his tomb at Giza. Some Egyptologists believe it took 10 years just to build the ramp that leads from the Nile valley floor to the pyramid, and 20 years to construct the pyramid itself.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the centuries.