Over the centuries, many structures have come up to commemorate great people or important events. You will find many monuments all over the world. Some of them are spectacular and have added to the beauty of our wonderful planet.
Here are the 10 most stunning monuments in the world.
10.Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is the statue of the robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4 1776. It is located on the Liberty Island in New York City. This jaw-dropping copper statue is one of America’s most famous icons. This colossal neoclassical sculpture is 46 meters tall. It was a gift by the people of France to the United States of America.
9.Christ the Redeemer
Located in Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer is a wonderful statue of Jesus Christ.
This Art Deco statue stands around 38 meters tall atop the Corcovado Mountain overlooking the Brazilian city. It was built as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity. Made of soapstone, this statue was completed in 1931.
8.Colosseum
Colosseum is a surviving structure of imperial Rome. Constructed in 70 AD it was used for gladiator fights and other exotic spectacles, and could seat 80,000 people according to some estimates. This elliptical amphitheater is built of concrete and stone and is a classic example of Roman architecture.
7.Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This monument depicts the faces of past US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Located near Keystone, South Dakota, it is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore.
6.Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
This Taiwanese national monument is erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. Made of concrete and marble, it is an elegant and traditional structure. This beautiful structure is located at the east end of the Memorial Hall Square. It is a landmark and a tourist attraction.
5.Guan Yu Statue
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He is known for his loyalty and righteousness. The 262-foot Guan Yu Statue is located in the town of Yuncheng, China built in 2010 and is made of bronze.
4.Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower that was opened on March 31 1889. It was built as the entrance to the World’s Fair held in the same year. Located in Paris, France, this tower is 324 meters tall. It is the tallest structure in Paris. Over the years, it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
3.Spring Temple Buddha
This beautiful statue of Buddha is located in Henan, China. It depicts Vairocana Buddha. The total height of the monument is 208 meters. The monument derives its name from the nearby Tianrui hot spring which spews water at 60°C and is famous for its curative properties.
2.Giza Necropolis
Gizah Complex is the oldest monument in the list. Located near Cairo, Egypt, it comprises three large pyramids, Sphinx, cemeteries, a workers’ village and an industrial complex. It became famous in the Hellenistic times, when the Great Pyramid was listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is by far the oldest of the ancient wonders and the only one still in existence.
1.Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal literally means crown of palaces. It is located on the Southern bank of Yamuna River in Agra, India. It was built in the first half of the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful monument is made of white marble. It is an excellent example of Mughal architecture. The domed marble tomb is part of an integrated complex consisting of gardens and two red-sandstone buildings surrounded by a crenellated wall on three sides.
These monuments are incredibly impressive. They are landmarks and major tourist attractions in their respective nations. Have you had an opportunity to visit any of these? Which monument do you like most?
