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Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
The 24 most beautiful buildings in the world
1. Taj Mahal, India When was it built? 1632-1653 You might think you've made some romantic gestures in your time, but few acts of love can compete with those of Shah Jahan. After the death of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Mughal Emperor commissioned the building of an appropriate mausoleum for her, and what it resulted in, 22 years later, was the Taj Mahal. It's thought the building's beauty was inspired by hers, and English poet Sir Edwin Arnold reportedly said that the palace was 'not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor's love wrought in living stones.' 2. Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland When was it built? 1945-1986 Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja might look like a rocket, but it is in fact a striking Evangelical-Lutheran church, and the largest place of worship in Iceland. Its façade nods to both modernist and expressionist architectural styles, but Guðjón Samúelsson, the building's lead designer, was inspired by the country's robust landscape. The sloping sides of Hallgrímskirkja's face resemble cooled lava, and its white concrete finishing enables it to blend with the mountainous backdrop. 3. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt When was it built? 2550-2490 BC We couldn't curate a credible list of the world's most beautiful buildings without including some of the oldest, most stoic structures of all. Built (presumably) using a system of rams, sledges, ropes, leavers and rollers, the Pyramids of Giza were tombs for the pharaohs of Egypt's Old Kingdom to prepare them for life as gods after their death, and given construction began on the Great Pyramid more than four millennia ago, they've certainly stood the test of time. 4. Fallingwater, USA When was it built? 1936-1939 Surrounding ourselves even with just little hints of nature is good for our wellbeing, but Fallingwater, an extraordinarily-designed 1930s house, takes that to a whole 'nother level. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the building to be a weekend home for the Kaufman family. Featuring cantilevered terraces that protrude into the lush greenery, Fallingwater intertwines with the stunning surroundings of Bear Run Nature Reserve, cleverly built over a babbling waterfall (hence the name). The interior, built around a fireplace, features rocks cutting in from the outside. The entirety of the house is enveloped in the constant sound of ever-falling water. 5. Ad-Dayr in Petra, Jordan When was it built? First century AD Also known as the 'Rose City' because of the rose-red hue of the surrounding sandstone, Petra's outstanding beauty and unique architecture (buildings are half-built and half-carved into the rock face, with an innovative water management system enabling a population to settle) have earned it a worthy place as one of the eight wonders of the world. Ad-Dayr, the Monastery, is one of the ancient city's most-visited and most famous monuments. At 48 metres high, it's Petra's tallest stone façade. 6. Fondation Louis Vuitton, France When was it built? 2007- 2014 You might not think it at first glance, but Frank Gehry's 2014 masterpiece is inspired by classic, late nineteenth-century greenhouses – the kind that appear elsewhere on this list. The building's shape resembles a futuristic-looking ship ornamented with twelve glass sails – a structure Gehry apparently imagined as a 'magnificent vessel that symbolizes France's cultural vocation'. The sails are interspersed with white blocks known as 'icebergs' and its fragmented appearance is a nod to Gehry's signature deconstructivist architectural style. 7. Trinity College Library, Ireland When was it built? 1712-1732 Ireland 's largest library is so much more than a massive collection of books (though there are around 6 million printed volumes shelved here). Its 65-metre main chamber, called the Long Room, is an imposing, handsome space which has gradually been added to throughout the decades to house more and more books. It started as a single-story, plaster-ceilinged space and has since been built up to feature barrel-vaulted ceilings and an upper gallery, resulting in this famously moody, gothic reading room. 8. Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali When was it built? Thirteenth century, rebuilt in 1907 If you've never seen a mud-brick building before, start off strong with this majestic mosque, which is the largest example of this kind of architecture on the planet (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It's made of sun-baked earthen bricks which have been coated in sand, earth-based mortar and a coat of plaster. However, Mali's climate isn't kind to this kind of material, so every year the Crépissage de la Grand Mosquée takes place, an annual event where the local community come together to replaster the building – typically the women gather river water and the men gather clay and make plaster. 9. Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, Iran When was it built? 1876-1888 If you're looking for beauty in the minute details, seek out a mosque. Shiraz's Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, appropriately nicknamed the 'Pink Mosque', is a stellar example. Its crowning jewel is the prayer room, which is flooded with kaleidoscopic colour at sunrise, dreamily illuminating the walls' many intricate mosaics. But the mosque's exterior is just as impressive, with beautifully decorated pastel-hued tiles embellishing the entire building. 10. The Twist, Norway When was it built? 2016-2019 Ever been to an art gallery that doubles as a bridge? Well, head to Kistefos Sculpture Park in Norway, and you can. This stunning feat of infrastructure and architecture is appropriately named The Twist, and consists of a beam that rotates 90 degrees to connect the banks of the Ranselva River. Inside, the innovative use of light creates three different galleries: visitors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling glass on the north side, which offers panoramic views; a sculptural section with a slice of ceiling light in the middle; and a tall, moody space on the south side. 11. Sagrada Famila, Spain When was it built? 1882-today (due to be completed in 2026) They say good things take time, and more than 140 years after construction began, the work on Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece is nearly (like really nearly) done. The Sagrada Familia is scheduled to be finally complete by spring 2026, which would mark 100 years since its architect's passing, and it looks like all the waiting will be worth it. From the building's strange, Gothic-slash-Art Nouveau stylings to the intensely vibrant stained glass windows, the tree-like columns to the 'magic square', it's a unique melange of texture, colour, light and detail. 12. Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh When was it built? 1961-1982 Bangladesh's National Parliament House isn't beautiful in the dainty, romantic, classical sense, but you can't deny its impact. It was designed by world-famous architect Louis Kahn, originally to house the governmental quarters of East Pakistan until Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 while the building was still being constructed. Now, it stands as a symbol of democracy. A trademark of Kahn's designs is the manipulation of light – he believed natural light could transform a buildings' interior in a way no material means could – which is why the modernist façade features vast geometric holes. 13. Pantheon, Italy When was it built? 118-128 AD Whether you ponder the Roman Empire occasionally or daily, the Pantheon, which translates from Greek to mean 'honour all gods', stands as a monumental example of the ancient realm's engineering and design prowess. Its unreinforced concrete dome remains the largest of its kind on the planet, on top of being perfectly proportioned – the 43.3 metre diameter is the exact same distance as from the ceiling to the floor. Oh, and the hole in its summit – the 'oculus' or 'eye of the Pantheon' – casts a striking lighting effect on April 21 every year, when the midday sun hits a metal grill above the doorway and completely illuminates the courtyard outside. Stunning, eh? 14. Palmenhaus at Schonbrunn Palace, Austria When was it built? 1880-1882 A whole load of steel and glass might not sound like a particularly elegant mix of materials, but in Vienna, that combo has resulted in this exquisite greenhouse which dates back to the nineteenth century. Palmenhaus sits in Schonbrunn Palace's Dutch Botanical Gardens, and, despite its dainty-looking structure, it houses three different climates and 4,500 different plants. The central pavilion has a Mediterranean climate, the north side caters to cold-weather species and the southern one is tropical, and they're all connected by tunnels. 15. Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam When was it built? 2021 Bát Tràng, an ancient village nestled in the Gia Lâm district of Hanoi, has always been known for its pottery – the name literally translates to bowl workshop, after all. However, despite the village's age (it's been around since the eleventh century), one of its newest buildings is one of its most striking – the Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House. Insight from villagers, local artisans and pottery experts informed the design of this place, a bold, tiered structure which references the shape of potters' wheels. 16. Museum at Eldridge Street, USA When was it built? 1887 This building isn't only beautiful thanks to its Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque features, its striking windows and its grand façade, but also because of all its history. Originally built in 1887, when the US was experiencing a window of mass immigration and New York 's Lower East Side became the most densely populated Jewish community in the world, Eldridge Street Synagogue was the first in America to be purpose-built by eastern European immigrants. It was a proud display of their newly-found religious freedom, and though the population using it gradually declined, a generous restoration project, under which it became Museum at Eldridge Street, has restored it to its former magnificence. 17. Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia When was it built? 1916-1949 Plenty of buildings come about out of necessity, but others are built in order to honour or remember, and it's the latter that led to the creation of this imposing Colombian Basilica. Perched on a 40-metre-high bridge over the Guáitara River, the site has been a pilgrimage destination since the eighteenth century, when it's thought a woman and her daughter witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Between 1916 and 1949, flying buttresses, pointy arches and ribbed vaults were constructed to replace the previous smaller shrine, giving the site a refreshed neo-gothic grandeur. 18. Museum of Old and New Art, Australia When was it built? 2011 If you want a building that's not just going to welcome you, but will actually take you on a journey, look no further than MONA. It's nestled into Triassic-period sandstone cliffs, around a 40 minute ferry ride from Hobart along Australia 's Derwent River, and its design is peculiar, but pretty darn cool. The whole idea was to not detract from existing properties in the area, so lots of the museum's exhibition spaces are dimly-lit, subterranean rooms, and there's also an art conservation area and theatre on site. Pharos is the newest part of the building, which was opened back in 2017, and it's accessible via two different tunnels. 19. Maggie's Centre, St James's Hospital, UK When was it built? 2020 Hospitals tend to be uncomfortable places characterised by too-bright strip lighting and unnervingly squeaky surfaces, but not at this Maggie's Centre. The charity has striven to build personal environments to support cancer sufferers and their families, and this space is comforting and stunning. Enormous, mushroom-shaped forms grow from the floors to form the tiered roofs, and the stems are deep enough to contain loos and lifts. The space is decorated with mostly natural materials – think cork-topped tables, resin floors and cascading potted plants. 20. Baháʼí Temple of South America, Chile When was it built? 2007-2016 Forget what you know about temples – this stunning place of worship in Chile is a striking deviation from tradition. The Baháʼí Community is a religion based on unity among all people, and this temple, with its nine gleaming glass veils, frames an airy, accessible place for worship that can accommodate 600 individuals. From inside, the dome's peak lets in light that's captured between the glass and translucent Portuguese marble on the building's interior. At sunset, the light fades from white to silver to ochre to purple. 21. Futuna Chapel, New Zealand When was it built? 1959-1961 Hidden away in the Wellington suburb of Karori is what is widely considered by the architecture community to be the most significant of New Zealand 's twentieth-century buildings. Futuna Chapel is a beautiful little space, originally commissioned by the Society of Mary, a Catholic religious group. Inside, you'll find marvellous displays of light over the floor and walls through the pretty stained-glass windows, wood, layers, a load of texture and plenty of sharp angles. 22. Komera Leadership Centre, Rwanda When was it built? 2022 This community and education hub near Lake Ihema in eastern Rwanda is a stunning recent build that thoughtfully incorporates its environment (known as vernacular architecture). Its name means 'to stand strong, and to have courage', and there are woven eucalyptus screens and brick patterns throughout the building, which are inspired by local 'Imigongo' artwork – a style thought to have originated in Rwanda several centuries ago. 23. National Holocaust Monument, Canada When was it built? 2017 It's our collective duty to learn from the past, and commemorating dark chapters in our history with such stark monuments is one way to encourage that vital introspection. Technically entitled 'Landscape of Loss, Memory and Survival', the details in Canada 's National Holocaust Monument have been thoughtfully designed to ensure it lives up to its name. The building's structure centres around six triangular volumes that form the Star of David, and it's organised around two planes – one ascends, pointing to the future, and the other descends into a space which features murals and photographs of the Holocaust to ensure it's not forgotten. 24. Enryaku-ji, Japan When was it built? 788 Kyoto has its fair share of temples, but Enryaku-ji is one of its prettiest. It's perched on top of Mount Hieizan in Kyoto's eastern mountain range, and the wider complex at one time comprised nearly 3,000 subtemples. It was founded by Saicho, a monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism to the region way back in 778, but after an attack by Japanese daimyō Oda Nobunaga in 1571 (who was trying to unite Japan), most of the original buildings were destroyed. Now, the majority of the ones left date from the Endo period, and they're clustered in three main areas: Todo; Saito and Tokawa.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Royal makes first appearance after horror horse accident left her hospitalised
The heir to the Dutch throne, Princess Catharina-Amalia, has returned to her royal engagements just one week after undergoing surgery to fix a major injury caused by falling off her horse. The 21-year-old princess, and keen equestrian, was rushed to hospital after she fell off her horse and broke her upper arm. Catharina-Amalia, the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, was taken to a hospital in the city of Utrecht, where she underwent surgery. The Dutch Palace later confirmed that the princess had suffered a "fracture to her upper arm" and was recovering in hospital. Sporting a sling to support her injured arm, Catharina-Amalia made her return to royal duties on Wednesday, joining her father to attend the presentation of a new standard to the Princess Catharina-Amalia Hussar Regiment at the Prince Bernhard Barracks in Amersfoort. At the royal outing, both Princess Catharina-Amalia and her father spoke with the troops and posed for a photo with the soldiers, before the King delivered a rousing speech. The princess wore a red floral midi dress to the royal engagement, and despite the dress having long sleeves, onlookers noticed that the princess's arm was still in a bandage, and was being supported by a sling placed around her neck. The young princess spoke to local media at the event, and admitted she would not be able to get back on her horse "anytime soon". Speaking after the accident, King Willem-Alexander spoke of his daughter's bravery, saying: "I can say that I was very impressed by how brave she was with immense pain. And that she took it very calmly. We are very proud of her, how she got through the operation." While the princess does take part in occasional royal engagements as she is destined to be Queen, she is still a university student, currently studying for a degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics at the University of Amsterdam. It is believed the young princess was living in student accommodation when she started her studies, but in 2022, she was forced to move back to the Hague after fears she could have been kidnapped by organised gangs. She was placed under heightened security due to concern that she could be targeted by criminals. Her mother, Queen Maxima, said in a candid interview with Dutch news outlet AD at the time of the threats: "No student life for her, like other students have. I'm very proud of her and how she keeps it all going. It makes me a bit emotional. It's not nice to see your child live like that. She can go to university, but that's it." Amalia has been heir to the throne in the Netherlands since 2013 when her father King Willem-Alexander became King. She has two younger sisters Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane. Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our . We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up to the to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
1,000 year old mummy discovered in Peru's capital: Teenage boy's remains found buried; artefacts including tomb markers unearthed
The remains belonged to a boy aged between 10 and 15 (AP image) U tility workers installing gas pipelines in Lima's Puente Piedra district uncovered a pre-Inca mummy estimated to be around 1,000 years old, their company confirmed this week. The remains, discovered at the depth of 1.2 meters, belonged to a boy aged between 10 and 15 and were found in a seated position with arms and legs bent. The body was wrapped in a shroud alongside ceramic artifacts including plates, bottles, and jugs featuring geometric and fisherman motifs, as well as calabash gourds. The tomb has been allocated to the Chancay culture, which thrived on Peru's central coast between the 11th and 15th centuries. Archaeologist, Jesús Bahamonde, director of the archaeological monitoring plan at gas company Cálidda, said the burial style and accompanying objects indicate the site dates to between 1000 and 1200 AD. Earlier in the excavation, workers came across the trunk of a huarango tree (a species native to coastal Peru) at just 50 centimeters below the surface. According to Bahamonde, such trees were historically used as a tomb markers in coastal Peru. Jose Aliaga, another archaeologist with the company, noted that the mummy was found in a bundle and still had dark brown hair. He added that the discovery site was once agricultural land that has been transformed into a residential area in recent decades. Pieter Van Dalen, dean of the College of Archaeologists of Peru, explained that it is common to find funerary elements, such as tombs, burials, and mummified individuals, across Lima and the broader Peruvian coast, given the region's long-standing human settlement and dry climate favourable to natural mummification. In line with national regulations, utility companies like Cálidda are required to employ archaeologists during excavation work to avoid damaging heritage sites. Since 2004, Cálidda has reported more than 2,200 archaeological discoveries across the city.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
10 Hidden Gems in Himachal's Kangra You Must Explore Before They Go Viral
Kangra, India is a place of many hidden jewels that are often overlooked by many travelers who flock to the mainstream tourist attractions. This includes hidden temples located on the hills, serene lakes and picturesque villages among others. It is therefore important to have a look at this list of lesser-known places to visit in Kangra. 1. Tashijong Monastery Tashijong is a small village with a serene monastery that gives one an opportunity to relax from the noisy urban life. Besides having beautiful prayer flags blowing in the wind around it, this monastery teaches us about how Tibet used to live. 2. Masroor Rock Cut Temples These rock-cut temples which date back to 8th century AD are amongst architectural wonders of Masroor and they are known as 'Ellora of Himachal'. Located on one single rock, they have highly ornate and detailed carvings all around them providing some magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. 3. Kareri Lake Kareri Lake is a treasure for nature enthusiasts and trekkers alike since it is enveloped by lush green meadows and tall pine trees. With its waters being fed by snowmelt from Dhauladhar range, clear icy blue lake's quietness forms a stunning backdrop for vacationers' rest. 4. Brajeshwari Devi Temple, Kangra The Brajeshwari Devi temple in Kangra remains unknown to most tourists even though it has immense spiritual importance as well as splendid architectural features. It was built thousands of years ago and till now its design continues attracting admiration. 5. Jwalamukhi Temple Jwalamukhi temple is famous for its never-ending flames atop hills burning since centuries back said here helps people gain blessings and watch peculiarities of natural burning. 6. Chamunda Devi Temple Chamunda Devi Temple is considered a hidden gem due to its tranquility and panoramic views of the Dhauladhar Range. There are beautifully sculpted statues inside the temple complex that provide a serene atmosphere for meditation and contemplation. 7. Pragpur Heritage Village Visit Pragpur, an extraordinary heritage village that still retains its old world charm as you walk along its cobblestone streets. Pragpur has been embellished with some of the most artistic architectural marvels such as intricately designed havelis and age-old temples which depict Kangra's rich cultural heritage. 8. Bir Billing Bir Billing is a beautiful place with rolling hills that provide paragliding experience to visitors looking for some adrenaline rush in their capital of India, this picturesque destination has breathtaking vistas and thrilling fly experiences that guarantees you'll want to come back for more. 9. Andretta Pottery Studio Andretta Pottery Studio is a haven where craftsmen create wonderful handcrafted pottery using traditional methods of making guests may observe all stages of making pottery by hand and even make their own masterpiece. 10. Kangra Fort While not entirely unknown, Kangra Fort often remains overshadowed by other popular tourist attractions. But, filled with history, panoramic views of Kangra Valley enclose this ancient palace walls on one side which can be interesting trip for people who love architecture or history. These lesser-known places in Kangra offer a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage, spiritual significance, and natural beauty, making them perfect off-the-beaten-path destinations for intrepid travelers seeking authentic experiences.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Which Indian temples are known for floating statues
The legends and mysteries surrounding Sanatan Dharma and its temples often travel into realms far beyond human understanding. These stories have been passed down through generations, and frequently describe the stories of Indian Scientific thought, mentioned in the Purana and sacred books before the Western world could even discover it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Yet there are several events and structures that challenge our basic understanding of physics, engineering, and the natural world without going into great detail. While temples are seen as places of worship, some ancient Indian temples are actually threads of philosophy, cosmology, and science woven into the fabric of time and mysteries. In the Hindu tradition, where God is believed to reside in everything from the vast cosmos to the tiniest atom, such marvels provide for both spiritual and intellectual wonder. Still, there are some legendary stories of places which remain unproven by science and whose origins are not defined or registered in history books, be it the floating stones used to build Lord Rama's bridge or the gravity-defying idols. Among such are two extraordinary legends of the levitating Shiva-Linga of Somnath and the floating Sun idol of Konark, which continue to ignite interest in the minds of historians, scientists, and devotees. The levitating Shiva-linga of Somnath The Somnath temple, situated on the western coast of Gujarat, is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. While history remembers it mainly for Mahmud of Ghazni's infamous raid in 1025 AD, a lesser-known yet astonishing aspect is the legend of its levitating Shiva-Linga. A Persian geographer Zakariyah Al Kazvini said as mentioned in research , 'Unlocking the ancient secret of the levitating Shiva-lingam of the Somnath Temple', published in International Journal of History, 'This idol was in the middle of the temple without anything to support it from below, or to suspend it from above… whoever beheld it floating in the air was struck with amazement…' As mentioned in the same article, the idol floated in mid-air, likely due to a clever arrangement involving a canopy made of lodestone or a natural magnet and the Linga made of a strongly magnetic iron-nickel meteorite. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This was not just legend; historical sources such as Abulfeda and Farrukhi Sistani confirmed the idol's extraordinary material hardness, consistent with meteorites. Scientific analysis in the article explains that this phenomenon may have involved a magnetic levitation system. Due to the restrictions of Earnshaw's Theorem, stable magnetic levitation is only possible when diamagnetic materials like bismuth are used. The article also mentions that bismuth, often mistaken for lead due to its appearance, was used in the temple's structure, 'The edifice was built upon fifty-six pillars of teak, covered with lead,' said Zakariyah Al Kazvini. Modern comparisons show bismuth has a much stronger diamagnetic property than lead. This diamagnetic reaction could have stabilised the magnetic field, allowing the heavy Shiva-Linga to levitate. The theory is based on references to ancient Indian metallurgical expertise, like the famed wootz steel and ancient zinc smelting at Zawar. Bismuth, although rare, was likely extracted as a byproduct of lead from mines in nearby Rajasthan. The floating Sun Idol of Konark Temple The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, which was built by King Narasimhadeva I between 1243–1255 AD is another mystery laced with legendary stories. The temple was originally situated by the sea and was said to house a Sun idol that floated in mid-air within its main sanctum. According to the Konark official website, 'The statue of the Sun God inside the temple was built of a material with iron content and was said to be floating in air, without any physical support, due to the unique arrangements of the top magnet, the bottom magnet and the reinforced magnets around the temple walls. ' The temple's architectural design had embeddings of iron plates between stone layers and a massive 52-ton lodestone, which was placed at the top of the temple's main tower. The magnetic field, legend says, held the iron-rich idol suspended in mid-air. The alignment was such that the first sunray would fall directly on the deity through the Nata Mandir, reflecting off a diamond placed on the idol's crown. Another widely circulated belief claims that the magnetic field disturbed the navigational compasses of passing ships. To prevent disruption, Portuguese sailors allegedly removed the lodestone, leading to the collapse of the temple's main tower, or Deul. Though no concrete evidence remains of the lodestone today, local guides still tell these legends to visitors, and the mystery persists. Certainly, what modern science is now slowly catching up to explain is something marvelous that our ancestors may have achieved centuries ago!
