These ten buildings are all buildings that were developed out of time. Ahead of what the norm was and beyond architectural standards these buildings still amaze people in 2015 and will continue to do so for years. With their unique use of materials, styles, and workmanship. They will continue to stand as monuments. Look at the advancement these building's made in the architectural world. The thing they all have in common is their difference of style in the time they were built.
Eliot Elisofon, 1959, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Great Pyramid of Giza is truly astonishing. This tomb for the Pharoah Khufu was built in just 20 years between 2080 and 2060 BC. The triangle structure of the African pyramids was very unique at the time and this pyramid stood as the tallest building for more than 5 centuries.
1901, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known monumental structure in the world and is also the largest monolith structure in the world still today. Sitting in front of the great Pyramids of Giza. Built sometime in the mid 2500's BC. It is unknown what it was built for other than most likely worship to their god. Being the worlds oldest monument and have it still standing today in a rough desert landscape is something most architects cant even do today.
Parthenon, face orientale., William J. Stillman, 1860s, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The Parthenon is some of the oldest surviving works of old Greek architecture. Dedicated to the goddess Athena. Parthenon has been a treasury, morgue and now a museum. Destroyed many times through wars, explosions and burnings the building is still standing. It shows off the traditional Greek arches and while not much is left of the building you can tell it must have been a grand design.
1901, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The great Wall of China may very well be the greatest architectural achievement of all time. The entire wall today measures out to be 13,000 miles long. Most likely started between the 7th century BC and continued through to the Ming Dynasty in China. It was first built to stop nomadic groups of Asia out of China. Many of its other uses are military fortifications, trade and immigrant prevention.
Acoma Pueblo, Frederick Monsen, c. 1900, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Acoma Pueblo or better known as "Sky city". Is a city that rests on the top of a giant mesa. They have been projected to live their undisturbed for 2000 or more years until the Spanish came. Now the Acoma still own the city through many hardships and it remains as one of the oldest cities that is still currently inhabited.
Halo Essay, Carl Mydans, 1940-05, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The colosseum of rome was built between 70 and 80 AD. It still stands today but much of the original design is in ruins. Its round design and architectural rhythm is the highlight of Roman design. It held 50,000 people and while today it can't hold nearly that capacity. You may still view shows inside of its walls today. This very well may be the reason we have open stadiums for sports designed the way they are today. Instead of closed amphitheaters.
Eliot Elisofon, 1950, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Mont St. Michael is an island castle city located in Normandy, France. This fantasy city has been around since what is projected as the early 6th century AD. It has grown in size over the years and its purpose has changed between residential, military and now it is a tourist destination. It has seen a decline in population over the years and now just 44 people live there. The location in which this was built would go down as one of the best strategical placements in the world. Built 600 meters above sea level. You can access it at low tide but at high tide the water level rises and anyone attacking the city would be washed away. Now a bridge is built over the water for tourists to arrive.
Dmitri Kessel, 1950, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Hagia Sophia was finished in 537 AD. Still standing in perfect condition today. It is in old Christian Basillica. Also the inspiration for most of India, Turkey and the Middle East all have architectural roots from this building. Many of the buildings and palaces you see today in the Middle East are reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia.
[Leaning Tower of Pisa], Fratelli Alinari, 1850s, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The leaning Tower of Pisa is a architectural phenomenon. Finished around 1372 AD, the leaning tower was built on ground to soft on the one side of the building and could not support the buildings weight. The construction was halted for many years due to wars between rivaling countries, which gave time for the soil to sink. When they remained building the tower. The leaning had stopped due to the soil sinking otherwise it would have toppled. The tower defied computers and leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees. It was projected to topple at 4.8- 5 degrees. But architects say that it has about 200 more years until it falls.
Top Euro (Bri-E) Somerset Wells Cathedral -Exterior, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Wells Cathedral is a staple of Gothic architecture. With almost a 400 year design process. It was completed around 1490 AD. Much of the gothic architecture changed the way that the world designed churches. Even though there is not much true gothic architecture left today. The wells Cathedral is very different in design to most building of the medieval era. It is reminiscent to many modern European buildings today.
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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
