30 ancient and modern architectural wonders to see with your own eyes

Buildings are the most impressive and massive works of art that humanity has. They, of course, require an infusion of huge amounts of money, but the result is worth it. In ready-made masterpieces of architectural art, it's even pleasant to walk, and even more so to live.

We have selected the most ambitious architectural projects from all over the world, both modern and those that date back thousands of years.

The oldest building on earth — Gebekli Tepe - is located on the territory of modern Turkey. It was built around 9500 BC. Archaeologists are still not sure about the purpose of the structure — most likely, it served as a temple.

Since then, people have managed to build incredible buildings. Last year, the futuristic Fulton Center opened in New York.

And Penleigh and Essendon High School in Melbourne, Australia.

The Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, in Amritsar, India. It was built in the XVII century. At night it is especially beautiful.

Las Lajas Church in Narinho, Colombia. The building seems to float in the air, violating the laws of nature. The basilica was built on the site of a miracle — the appearance of the Virgin to a poor Indian woman and her deaf-mute daughter. According to legend, the Mother of God resurrected a dead girl and cured her of deafness and dumbness.

One of the most famous creations of Antonio Gaudi. It is known not only because of the name of the architect, but also the fact that it is still being built — since 1882.

Inside the temple.

The Flatiron Building, one of the first skyscrapers. The 22-storey building got its name due to its unusual shape resembling an iron.

The Woolworth Building in New York was the tallest building in the world between 1913 and 1930.

In the Japanese city of Onomichi, lovers often hold a wedding in the Ribbon Chapel ("Ribbon Chapel").

The Light of Life Church in Seoul, South Korea, is surrounded by greenery.

Inside, the church looks very different.

A unique residential complex Marina City in Chicago. It was built in 1964 and became not only the first multifunctional building, but also the first building in the USA erected by a tower crane.

Although the Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki is cut into the rock, the rooms are still bright and there is a lot of air.

And the monolithic church of St. George in the city of Lalibela, Ethiopia, was cut down in the stone thickness of the red volcanic tuff in the XII century.

Some buildings blend into the landscape. For example, Turninn in Reykjavik reflects the wild beauty of Iceland.

Modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe used minimal lines and open spaces to create the effect of floating in the air. An example is the building of the New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie) in Berlin, built in the 60s.

Berlin is also home to the Mecca of electronic music — the brutal techno night club Berghain.

Merging with the environment is one of the oldest ideals in architectural art. Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Temple, in the ancient Japanese capital Kyoto creates a feeling of complete harmony.

Like Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion.

The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali is the largest clay—alluvial structure in the world (built of pressed clay, sand and water). It accommodates up to three thousand believers.

The Pompidou Center in Paris is a masterpiece of postmodernism.

The Catholic Chartres Cathedral in Northern France, built around 1200, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

The majestic organ inside the cathedral.

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul was built at the beginning of the XVII century.

More than 20 thousand white and blue handmade Iznik ceramic tiles were used in the interior decorations, thanks to which the mosque got its name.

Neuschwanstein Castle in German Bavaria. It is believed that he inspired Walt Disney to create the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Trinity College in Dublin is one of the oldest universities in the English—speaking world.

A magnificent university library, where there is a section called the "Long Room".

The Imperial Palace, or Forbidden City, is an example of traditional Chinese palace architecture. The government residence was located there from 1420 to 1912.

And today, masterpieces of experimental modern architecture are being built in Beijing. For example, the CCTV skyscraper, or, as it is popularly called, "Pants".

Hong Kong Polytechnic University is the creation of the late Zaha Hadid.

Machu Picchu, located on the peaks of the Peruvian Andes, is the best example of Inca architecture. Archaeologists believe that the city was built around 1450.

Parque Biblioteca España (translated as "park library") in the Colombian city of Medellin was opened in 2007. Three buildings look like stones.

Al-Karaouin — University, library and mosque. It was founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859. About that time algebra was born.

In June 2016, the university opened its doors to visitors for the first time in a thousand years.