14 alternative Wonders of the World:
The Cultural Tutor@culturaltutor
77 views
Mar 31, 2024
~3 min read
1
14 alternative Wonders of the World:
2
Cueva de las Manos, Santa Cruz, Argentina
A cave filled with hundreds of stenciled handprints dating back to 7,000 BC. Remarkable not only because of its age, but because these prints bring our prehistoric ancestors to life in a thoroughly unique and deeply relatable way.
A cave filled with hundreds of stenciled handprints dating back to 7,000 BC. Remarkable not only because of its age, but because these prints bring our prehistoric ancestors to life in a thoroughly unique and deeply relatable way.
3
Kailasha Temple, Maharashtra, India
The largest of the many Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples carved into the basalt cliffs at Ellora over 1,000 years ago.
This vast complex, filled with separate chambers, arcades, and reliefs, was all cut from a single, massive piece of rock.
The largest of the many Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples carved into the basalt cliffs at Ellora over 1,000 years ago.
This vast complex, filled with separate chambers, arcades, and reliefs, was all cut from a single, massive piece of rock.
4
Doge's Palace & St Mark's Basilica, Venice, Italy
The two greatest buildings in what might just be Europe's greatest city — and certainly the most unusual.
They each represent the zenith of two styles, Byzantine & Gothic, and taken together are unmatched on the continent.
The two greatest buildings in what might just be Europe's greatest city — and certainly the most unusual.
They each represent the zenith of two styles, Byzantine & Gothic, and taken together are unmatched on the continent.
5
Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali
Originally built in the 13th century and repaired over the centuries by the people of Djenné, this is a wonder of Sudano-Sahelian architecture and a lasting testament to the great Medieval civilisations of West Africa.
Originally built in the 13th century and repaired over the centuries by the people of Djenné, this is a wonder of Sudano-Sahelian architecture and a lasting testament to the great Medieval civilisations of West Africa.
6
Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland
Not exactly monumental, but this cluster of stone houses at Skara Brae, hidden on an island in the far north of Scotland, are 1,000 years older than the Pyramids.
A genuinely unique relic of prehistoric humanity, complete with Neolithic toilets.
Not exactly monumental, but this cluster of stone houses at Skara Brae, hidden on an island in the far north of Scotland, are 1,000 years older than the Pyramids.
A genuinely unique relic of prehistoric humanity, complete with Neolithic toilets.
7
Rock-cut Temples of Lalibela, Ethiopia
King Gebre Meskel of Ethiopia, because he couldn't go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, decided to build his own version of the city in the 13th century.
11 churches cut from the living rock, sacred to this day, and still awe-inspiring.
King Gebre Meskel of Ethiopia, because he couldn't go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, decided to build his own version of the city in the 13th century.
11 churches cut from the living rock, sacred to this day, and still awe-inspiring.
8
Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France
A miracle of Medieval architecture with original 13th century stained glass windows that have, somehow, survived centuries of French chaos.
Not as large as many of the great Gothic cathedrals, but surely unequalled in its perfection of the style.
A miracle of Medieval architecture with original 13th century stained glass windows that have, somehow, survived centuries of French chaos.
Not as large as many of the great Gothic cathedrals, but surely unequalled in its perfection of the style.
9
Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
A ruined city in the heart of Zimbabwe, believed to be the capital of a lost, mighty kingdom.
A fortified hilltop temple, a town, and a citadel, all breath-taking and all, still, shrouded in a great deal of mystery and speculation.
A ruined city in the heart of Zimbabwe, believed to be the capital of a lost, mighty kingdom.
A fortified hilltop temple, a town, and a citadel, all breath-taking and all, still, shrouded in a great deal of mystery and speculation.
10
The Art Deco Skyscrapers of New York, USA
More than one building, of course, but the skyscrapers of 1920s and 1930s New York feel like part of one large array.
Unique now and likely to be unique forever; the apotheosis of Art Deco and all that it represented.
More than one building, of course, but the skyscrapers of 1920s and 1930s New York feel like part of one large array.
Unique now and likely to be unique forever; the apotheosis of Art Deco and all that it represented.
11
Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat, India
Of India's many great stepwells this is, perhaps, the very greatest. A place that still beggars belief, at once an important piece of public infrastructure and a subterranean temple, filled with colonnades and a cacophony of elaborate sculpture.
Of India's many great stepwells this is, perhaps, the very greatest. A place that still beggars belief, at once an important piece of public infrastructure and a subterranean temple, filled with colonnades and a cacophony of elaborate sculpture.
12
Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet
The former residence of the Dalai Lamas, built nearly 4,000 metres high just to the north of the Hamalayas and towering over the city of Lhasa. A mythical fortress that feels more like something from fiction than real life.
The former residence of the Dalai Lamas, built nearly 4,000 metres high just to the north of the Hamalayas and towering over the city of Lhasa. A mythical fortress that feels more like something from fiction than real life.
13
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
A fortress-palace built by the Nasrids to be their royal paradise on earth. Though imposing from the outside, the interior of the Alhambra is a dreamlike procession of delightful and delicate courtyards, gardens, and hallways. Magical.
A fortress-palace built by the Nasrids to be their royal paradise on earth. Though imposing from the outside, the interior of the Alhambra is a dreamlike procession of delightful and delicate courtyards, gardens, and hallways. Magical.
14
Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, USA
Modern methods meet ancient style: this Gothic skyscraper was built with limestone and steel in the 1920s and 1930s, and is the second tallest university building in the world.
Surely a landmark and model for all educational architecture.
Modern methods meet ancient style: this Gothic skyscraper was built with limestone and steel in the 1920s and 1930s, and is the second tallest university building in the world.
Surely a landmark and model for all educational architecture.
15
Metropolitan Area Underground Discharge Channel, Saitama, Japan
Not "architecture" as we usually think about it, but this is a triumph of modern engineering — a vast subterranean cathedral of concrete designed to prevent flooding.
What will future archaeologists make of it?
Not "architecture" as we usually think about it, but this is a triumph of modern engineering — a vast subterranean cathedral of concrete designed to prevent flooding.
What will future archaeologists make of it?
16
What else would you add to this list?