During the day we always strive to get to the historical center, or the beautiful city square. Many of them are very similar to each other in that they have the same ones - they are riders on horses, military generals or seers looking into the future, or elaborate fountains. From time to time you want to see something unusual and this collection will help you with that. Meet the most unusual monuments that are located in different parts of the world.


Fountain Child Eater (Kindlifresserbrunnen)

The name of this fountain translates as “Child Eater”. The statue depicts an ogre eating a baby with a sack of children on his shoulder. No one is exactly sure what this monument symbolizes, and assumptions vary. Some believe it is Krampus, a creature from folklore who punishes bad children at Christmas. Some believe that the monument depicts a Jew. Others believe that it symbolizes the Man-Eater of War, devouring the children of Switzerland. These theories are just a few of many. There is one thing everyone agrees on: the monument is damn scary.

Crazy Horse Memorial, Dakota

Other than its size, there is nothing visually unusual about the Crazy Horse Monument, but its history is indeed a little strange. Crazy Horse was a military leader of the native Lakota Indians who fought against the United States government to protect their lands and way of life. He even led his soldiers to victory in one of the battles against the United States Army. A question arises that has no clear answer: why did he receive one of the largest monuments in America? In addition, Crazy Horse is also featured on one of the US stamps. One more interesting fact is that the monument has been under construction for 66 years, but it is still not completed! When all the work is finally done, it will be 195 meters long and 180 meters high.

Monument to Wenceslas on a dead horse,

In Wenceslas Square, right in the historical center of Prague, you can see the magnificent statue of St. Wenceslas on horseback. Wenceslas was the patron saint of Bohemia and the base of his statue is decorated with images of other saints. Not far from this statue is the Palace of Lucerne with an unusual monument inside, with something like a parody of the main statue of Wenceslas. The horse is dead and hanging upside down from the ceiling while Vaclav sits on its stomach. Dave Cerny's sculpture is very unusual, and no one knows its exact meaning. When sightseeing in Prague, this place is a must.

Monument to the Cotton Weevil

Believe it or not, this strange monument in Alabama is dedicated to the insect that destroyed all their crops. After the boll weevil arrived in Alabama in 1915, it took only three years for it to destroy cotton crops. Instead of cursing the heavens, a certain H.V. Sessions found a financial backer and retrained as a peanut grower. This eventually forced all local farmers to diversify their crops. The result recouped all their losses, and the city experienced unexpected financial growth. To honor this prosperity, the city built a monument to the cotton boll weevil in the center of the business district.

Carhenge

In the High Plains of Nebraska lies the unusual Carhenge Monument. At first glance you might think you're looking at the famous Stonehenge, but in fact it's 38 vintage cars painted gray and dug into the ground to create an exact replica of Stonehenge in England. Carhenge was conceived and built in 1987. Its creator, Jim Reynders, grew up in England and studied the original Stonehenge closely enough to make an exact replica of it. The attraction has become quite popular; it even has its own tourist assistance center.

Monument to Klyzma in

In the Russian city of Zheleznovodsk there is a monument to the enema. If having an enema statue isn't weird enough for you, then cherubs carry it. The creator of the monument, Svetlana Avakina, was inspired by the cherubs of the Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. Once you learn a little history of Zheleznovodsk, the strange monument makes a little more sense. The city is best known for its hospitals, which use fresh mineral water from sources in their enemas.

Giant Robot Gundam

On the island of Odaiba in the middle of the Tokyo Bay recreation area, there is a paradise for fans of Gundam robots. Many of the park's attractions are inspired by the highly popular cartoon. There is also a real-size replica of the giant Gundamu robot. The height of the Gundam Mecha monument - a robot known as RX-78-2 - reaches 13 meters. It is decorated with appropriate lighting and sound effects.

Headington Shark Monument

At first glance, a monument to a shark stuck in the roof of a house and falling from the sky may seem like just a humorous project. But in fact, its meaning is much deeper. The shark was created to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. According to artist John Buckley, the shark was meant to express feelings of powerlessness, anger and despair, nuclear energy, Chernobyl and Nagasaki."

Molinere underwater sculptures

You won't be able to see this monument on land because it is located on the ocean floor. Near the west coast of Grenada, there are unusual statues on the seabed that can only be accessed by scuba divers. Most of the statues are made from cement by artist Jason Taylor. The statues depict local people talking about their daily lives. Some of them ride bicycles, or sit on the sofa and watch TV. What is really unusual is that over time the monuments were covered with corals, which made them unique.

Manneken Pis, Brussels

This little guy tops the list of the most unusual monuments. This statue disappoints many when they first meet it. An ordinary Manneken Pis - each of us does this every day. The statue is very small - only 61 cm tall. But what makes this guy special is his story. No one is one hundred percent sure why the statue was made, or what it represents. One story suggests that a local resident lost his child. The whole town formed a search party and when they finally found the little boy, he was standing and peeing. The boy's joyful father created a bronze sculpture and gave it to the city as a gift. Another more outlandish story suggests that a little boy prevented a fire that nearly destroyed a city by peeing on it. Manneken Pis is included in the list of 10 overrated attractions in the world.

08/10/2015 at 01:51 pm · Johnny · 20 150

Top 10 most unusual monuments in the world

There are countless monuments in the world: famous and little-known, striking in their monumentality and miniature, ancient and modern, classical and avant-garde. But among them there are the most unusual monuments in the world, which are impossible to forget. The fashion for strange, funny and outlandish statues appeared at the end of the 20th century. Then, in many countries, not the usual classical sculptures and structures began to appear, but monuments that went beyond the usual.

10.

Located in Gateshead, England

This is the most unusual and avant-garde monument in Great Britain. The sculpture depicting an angel spreading its wings was created in 1998 by muralist Antony Gormley, known for his extraordinary works far beyond the country's borders. This monument is the largest image of an angel ever created by people.

A 20-meter figure made entirely of steel with wings outstretched to meet all the winds greets tourists on a hilltop near the city of Gateshead in the north of England. The monument weighs 208 tons. Most of the weight falls on the concrete base, which goes deep into the ground. Winds in this part of the country can reach 160 km/h and the pile foundation of the statue must securely support the figure of the angel for 100 years.

The most remarkable thing about the monument is the wings, the span of which is almost as large as that of a Boeing 747. Their length is 54 meters. Outwardly, the Angel of the North most resembles a cyborg rather than a messenger of heaven. It is noteworthy that at first the inhabitants of Britain reacted ambiguously to the construction of the monument, but now it is considered one of the most unusual and interesting attractions in the north of the country.

9.

The sculpture of Charles La Trobe in Melbourne is the most unusual monument to a famous person in the world.

This is a classic example of a monument created in honor of Charles La Trobe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Victoria. His activities at one time were not appreciated by his contemporaries. Sculptor Dennis Oppenheim decided to correct this omission and perpetuated the memory of La Trobe. The monument is unusual in that it is placed on its head. According to the author's idea, it should have attracted more attention. Indeed, the unusual monument “on the contrary” quickly became popular and famous not only in its homeland, Australia, but throughout the world.

8.

The most unusual monument in the world, dedicated to the wanderer, is located on the Mediterranean coast, on the shores of the Bay of Antibes. It represents an eight-meter figure of a man sitting on the ground, clasping his knees with his hands, and thoughtfully looking at the sea. The monument is created from several thousand metal Latin letters and creates a feeling of extraordinary lightness and tranquility.

This unusual monument appeared in 2007. The author is the sculptor Zhom Plans. He said about his masterpiece that the statue symbolizes freedom. As for the letters, this is the baggage of knowledge, feelings and problems that the “wanderer” is concerned with.

7.

Denmark can boast of the most unusual and somewhat shocking monument to Themis, and not an ordinary one, but an bureaucratic one. The sculptural group consists of an emaciated African man who carries the portly figure of the goddess Themis. According to the author, Jens Galschiot, it symbolizes modern industrial society.

6.

The traffic light tree, a famous London landmark, has long been one of the most unusual monuments in the world. 75 traffic lights decorate the 8-meter tree.

5. Table lamp

An amazing monument is located in the Swedish city of Malmo. This is a huge table lamp the size of a three-story house (5.8 meters). During the year it “travels” through the streets and squares of the city, and before Christmas it is installed on central square. The leg of the lamp is made in the form of a bench and any passerby can relax under the cozy light of the giant lampshade.

4.

A huge number of funny and interesting monuments are dedicated to animals. One of the most unusual monuments in the world, depicting a cat, is located in Maryland. The size of a person, the charming cat sits on a bench with his paw on its back and seems to invite passers-by to sit next to him.

3.

Robin White, a British artist, creates unusual aerial figures of fairy fairies from steel. First, the author makes the frame of the future sculpture from thick wire, and then creates the “flesh” of the fairy from thinner steel wire. The graceful wings of airy creatures are made from a chain-link mesh. Inside each figure the artist places an engraved stone - the heart of a fairy.

Most of the sculptures are located in Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire. Fairies are also commissioned from the artist for private collections - elegant figurines will decorate any garden or plot.

2.

This is one of the most unusual monuments in the world. More precisely, these are many sculptures united in the “Travelers” series. Their creator is the French artist Bruno Catalano. Due to their unusual structure, these monuments also have another name – “torn”. All of them depict travelers with a constant attribute in the form of a suitcase or bag. The peculiarity of the sculptures is the torn holes in the body, which give them a certain illusory and ghostly quality. In total, the author created about one hundred figures. They are found in big cities and small towns, at international exhibitions, in shopping centers and everywhere they blend harmoniously into the surrounding environment.

1.

First place, as the most unusual monument in the world, should be given to the sculpture of the Prince of Orange, mortally wounded during the siege of the city of Saint-Dizier in 1544. Before his death, Rene de Chalon bequeathed to depict him as he would look a few years after his death. The prince's will was fulfilled. The sculptor Ligier Richet showed extraordinary skill and precision in creating a statue that shows with amazing authenticity the anatomy of a half-decomposed body. The monument to René de Chalon is installed in one of the niches of the Bar-le-Duc temple and has amazed visitors with its realism for several centuries.

Our country is far from in last place in terms of the number of unusual monuments. We have a monument to happiness, a sculpture created in memory of the letter “e”, which is used less and less in writing, a monument to a stool, a wallet, an enema and a grater, a lamplighter, a student, a plumber, a shuttle worker and a beggar. Favorite literary and cartoon characters are also immortalized in sculpture: the kitten from Lizyukova Street, the postman Pechkin, the cat Behemoth and Koroviev.

It is no secret that for many travelers monuments are no longer an attractive attraction due to their large number and uniformity in all countries of the world. However, modern and not so modern sculptors can still surprise us. In our list of the most original and unusual monuments in the world in their design and execution, you will not find banalities or hackneyed forms. Only the best and most interesting!

The originality and non-standard thinking of the author now comes to the fore. In our time, monuments are a mockery, a reproach to society, a demonstration of one’s own views, or simply an object of art.

1. Statue of a girl with a skull (Czech Republic, Mikulov)

The bronze figure of a girl, kneeling down, with a massive skull mounted on her back, is intended, according to the author, to remind people of the inevitable death that haunts us all. The statue was created in 1996 by Jaroslav Rona.

2. Themis (Denmark)

The sculpture by Danish master Jens Galschiot presents us with an ironic sketch of the modern justice system. Here, the goddess of justice, Themis, plump from a “good life,” sits on the shoulders of a starved poor man.

3. Piss - Gergeta Brick Factory (Czech Republic, Prague)

The scandalous and ambiguous work of David Cherny can hardly be called a sculpture; it is an art installation that can interact with the viewer. Water doesn’t just flow from the statues like fountains, the streams can change direction and even display small inscriptions upon request! You can send your text options via SMS messages. The monument was erected in 2004.

4.Tree of traffic lights (England, London)

In 1999, this symbol of urbanization - the traffic light tree - was created by the French artist Pierre Vivant. The urban variation of the tree consists of 75 traffic lights in real size, the height of the entire creation is about 8 meters. Yes, such a non-standard structure, if the author had erected it at an intersection, could have caused considerable confusion in city traffic.

5. Statue of the fight against evil (Canada, Calgary)

It is difficult to determine the message that this work of contemporary art brings to us. In case you are frightened by your own guesses and conjectures, let us turn to brief information received from the American author Dennis Oppenheim: this is a symbol of the eradication of evil. Except original idea The project is also interesting from an engineering point of view, representing the illusion of a fall.

6. Monument to an office worker (USA, Los Angeles)

At the entrance to the Ernst & Young office building there is this laconic monument to modern workaholics. Everything here is clear without words.

7. Levitating elephant (France, Paris)

A sculpture that defies the laws of natural gravity presents us with an elephant that manages to stand on its own trunk! This original fantasy came to the mind of the French master Daniel Firman, who claims that 18,000,0000 kilometers from Earth, a real elephant could do the same as its plaster copy.

8. Vomiting (England, London)

Apart from the fact that this fountain statue is extremely unusual and even scandalous, we have nothing to add, since the artist himself does not reveal the deep meaning of his creation, but leaves it to the viewer.

9. Floating crane (Switzerland, Winterthur)

A real miracle, a faucet floating in the air, from which water constantly flows, is located in the Technopark of the Swiss town of Winterthur. However, no matter how the author tried to create the illusion of the absence of gravity, inquisitive minds quickly discovered his secret. A transparent pipe is located inside the stream of water, thus holding the structure and constantly passing water back and forth.

10. Head-nail (Germany, Goslar)

The next creation of contemporary artists also leaves behind the mystery of understatement. A human profile pierced by dozens of nails: what does this mean? Everyone can find their own interpretation of an art object.

11. Finger (France, Paris)

The finger pointing to the sky, located on the street of the French capital, is probably intended to remind hasty Parisians of something important. About what?

12. Enema (Zheleznovodsk, Russia)

Apparently, in order to honor this most useful medical device in their work, the employees of the Mashuk-Aquatherm sanatorium installed a 400-kilogram sculpture of it on their territory. Since then, the enema is one and a half meters high

The sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural objects of history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered across various centers of deceased and existing civilizations on planet Earth.

We have selected the 30 best, which every tourist should definitely see.

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

If you look at a Google map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden, but red) is called a gate. The main local attraction “let” the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay, connecting the city with Marin County. This grandiose structure was built from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists rise to its foot, from where a dizzying panorama of the city and bay opens with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the huge bowl of the Maracana stadium.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city in the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The pyramids at Giza are the oldest and largest pyramids in the world, but most importantly, the Pyramid of Cheops is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. And without a doubt, the pyramids in Giza deservedly take first place in the Top 10 attractions of the world. These pyramids were built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian kings, these royal tombs reflect the power and wealth of the ancient civilization of Egypt.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are more popular than any other attractions in the world, they are located in the western part of the Nile, next to the capital of Egypt, Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest, it was built as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian king Khufu (Cheops). It has a height of 137 meters, which means the Cheops pyramid was the tallest structure on Earth for several millennia, until the towers of Cologne Cathedral were completed in 1880, and consists of 2,300,000 blocks, some weighing up to 200 tons.
The second pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre, the son of King Khufu. It was erected in 2592 BC, the third pyramid at Giza was built for Menkaure, the son of King Khafre.

Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China

On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a true architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu from Chinese is translated as “a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.

Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of Siena.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.

Old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

In 1979, UNESCO listed Dubrovnik's old town as a World Heritage Site, including a significant portion of the city's ancient walls. They surround the city on four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.

Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.

Alhambra, Spain

The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many areas of the city.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

The Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals: golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, Shwedagon Pagoda became in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.

Colosseum, Rome

This is the largest amphitheater in the world during the Roman Empire. It is also the most popular tourist and iconic symbol of Rome. The Colosseum was built in 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian. It was used for gladiator fights and public events. Gladiator fights took place in the Colosseum until 435 AD. It can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.

Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC

The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site where an important battle took place in 1863 civil war in the United States.

Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico

Name ancient settlement Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of ​​this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. It is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.

Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.

Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

In the very heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains, there is the most amazing ancient city of Petra. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy

The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.

Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye

The largest and best-preserved ancient city on the Aegean Sea and the second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.

Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and most revered temples in India and is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gold, which is why it is also known as the “Golden Temple”. The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water of which is considered healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, ​​Spain

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although Antonio Gaudi initially had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work he headed this project. Gaudi built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction period is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Australia, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The theater hosts more than 1,500 productions every year and is considered one of the busiest arts centers in the world. It is estimated that over 7 million people visit this amazing Sydney tourist attraction.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Cambodian temple Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, the history of which goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of ​​200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.

Big Ben, England

The vast majority of tourists clearly associate Big Ben with England and is rightfully considered the main tourist attraction of the country. Few people know that in fact Big Ben is not a separate attraction, but part of the Palace of Westminster in London. Big Ben contains the world's largest chimes and is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is named after Benjamin Hall, one of the architects of this clock tower, which was built between 1848 and 1853.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

This is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the capital of France, Paris. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer responsible for its design and construction. The tower is over 300 meters high and weighs over 10,000 tons; construction was completed in 1889. for him; s construction. The 324 meter tower weighs 10,100 tons and was opened in 1889. For the next 41 years it remained the tallest building in the world.

Statue of Liberty, New York, USA

The Statue of Liberty is recognized as the main attraction of the United States, it is a symbol of Freedom, so why did millions of migrants from Europe strive for a country of great opportunities. The colossal sculpture is located 3 kilometers from Manhattan in New York. The statue actually represents the Roman Goddess of Liberty and is a gift from the people of France to the United States.
It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was a gift from the United States for the World's Fair on October 28, 1876. About 4 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every year. The height of this amazing sculpture is 93 meters, from the ground to the tips of the torch.

World Travel

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05.05.17 10:37

If you like unusual, creepy and strange sights, then this top is for you! Do you want to see the land of gnomes? What about a park where you can clearly see all the torments of hell? Or perhaps catacombs filled with human remains (some of them eerily well preserved)? There are many mysterious places of natural origin on our planet, but in this rating we took mainly the strangest man-made attractions in the world, scattered across Europe, America and Asia.

From a giant piece of furniture to an underground museum: strange sights

No place to put your laundry? Here is a North Carolina giant chest of drawers!

We will begin our “tour” of strange sights in the United States. The largest chest of drawers in the world was made in 1926 in High Point (North Carolina). The authors of this colossus wanted to prove that High Point is the furniture manufacturing capital of the world. Initially, the structure was not very high (about 6 meters); it served as a base for the local information desk. In 1996, the chest of drawers was completely reconstructed and turned into a 39-meter giant on legs, with a carved top and nine drawers. Looks impressive!

A one-eyed troll lives under a bridge in Seattle

Another giant looks terrifying - this is an 18-meter, two-ton sculpture of a vile one-eyed troll clutching a Volkswagen Beetle in his fist. This horror stands under the Aurora Bridge in the Fremont district of Seattle. Locals claim to have seen trolls here in the 1930s, but this statue is much younger. It was made in 1990 by local artists Steve Badanes, Dona Walter, Ross Whitehead, who wanted to update the appearance of the city. The troll was made for a sculpting competition, and although the judges did not appreciate this fiend, the residents of Seattle loved him as if they were their own. A popular vote decided the fate of the monster: it was installed under the bridge. The city has a tradition of starting the Halloween fun at the base of the monster.

Sinister Island of Dolls near Mexico City

Isla de Las Munecas - another strange attraction on our list - is an island located south of Mexico City. Don Giuliano Santana once found refuge here, ostracized due to problems with alcohol and exiled from the mainland. Legend has it that a little girl drowned in a nearby canal, and to prevent her spirit from haunting the living, old dolls were brought here. Now the island is simply filled with dilapidated toys with glassy, ​​terrifying eyes. There are hundreds of them, hanging from trees and hedges and scaring tourists. Yes, now the Island of the Dolls is a sought-after, albeit strange, tourist attraction, opening to sightseers on weekends.

Amsterdam's Electric Ladyland: a miracle of luminescence

The Netherlands also has various curiosities. For example, Amsterdam's Electric Ladyland. According to its author, this is the world's first museum of fluorescent art. To admire this strange landmark, you must take off your shoes and put on special slippers, and then go downstairs. Nick Padalino's sculptures are made of luminescent rocks, and artificial luminous objects also look amazing. Upstairs you can look at his work in the art gallery - here Jimi Hendrix and the Fab Four “sunbathe” under ultraviolet light.

Upside down house in Malaysia: feel like a fly!

In 2012, another of the strangest sights in the world was discovered - an upside-down house in the village of Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia). It initially became a sought-after tourist attraction and was recently included in the Malaysia Book of Records as the only such site in the country.

Home tours are available and you'll be surprised at how unusual the toilet and sink can look when they're hanging above your heads. Walk along the ceiling - this is exactly how flies feel!

The souvenir shop sells funny souvenirs. There is also a garage with a car in it. And, of course, it hangs upside down too! There are similar houses in China, Poland, Germany, Japan and Russia.

Stone blocks of the Man-Pupu-Ner plateau in Komi

Strange sights of Russia - this is not only a house upside down, but also the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, where the earth itself seems to breathe, blow bubbles and seethe with hot springs, and the mysterious Lake Shaitan, and a rather ugly statue by Tsereteli, towering in the middle of Moscow (Peter the Great is quite I could cut off my head for such an unflattering image). And another very strange attraction of Russia is the Man-Pupu-Ner plateau, located in the Komi Republic. On the dais there are unusual guards that look like human figures.

These are remnants or pillars of weathering, which, according to scientists, were formed over tens of millions of years. It is believed that there were once mountains here, but winds, heat and frost gradually “ate” the rock, leaving behind bizarre tall stones. Everything seems to be easily explainable: Mother Nature did her best. But the Mansi people have believed since ancient times that this is a sacred place; according to legend, these “boobs” are petrified giants. It's like our own Easter Island!

The kingdom of the gnomes in English Devon

Devon County in England - in itself amazing place: steep cliffs of bizarre shapes, meadows, sea coast (English Channel and Bristol Bay). And there is also a strange attraction here - a reserve... of gnomes. This is a one-of-a-kind nature reserve that houses more than 1,000 gnomes and fairies who have picnics, play board games, fish, and generally have as much fun as they can!

In the four-acre reserve "The Gnome Reserve" these little ones are at ease, it is very beautiful and there are more than 250 species of wildflowers. The museum houses a collection of ancient gnomes. Visitors are not forbidden to take photographs with the local inhabitants, and gnome hats and fishing rods are rented free of charge (so that you blend in with your surroundings and do not embarrass the inhabitants of the reserve).

Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden in Thailand: a “visual aid” for sinners

Strange attractions include the Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden in Thailand. The sign at the entrance is not very inspiring: “Welcome to Hell!”, take a few more steps and you will see another sign that reads: “If you meet the devil in this life, do not delay decisions and actions that will help you defeat him in the next life." And then they will show you what a meeting with Satan promises.

In this hellish garden they clearly demonstrate what awaits sinners in the Underworld, the imagination of the authors of the statues will give you chills! Dominating all this ugliness are two intimidating tall figures - perhaps symbolizing the “hungry ghosts”, characters of Thai folklore.

Capuchin catacombs in Palermo: home to 8 thousand mummies

Be careful if you're prone to nightmares, as the world's next weirdest attraction is not for the faint of heart. And remember: selfies are not allowed in this place. At the end of the 16th century, the Capuchin monks of Palermo discovered that the body of one of the brothers, buried in the catacombs under the monastery, had mummified itself. After this discovery, many townspeople decided not to bury their relatives in graves, but to bring them here. The corpses were dressed in their best clothes and placed in the dungeons in different poses.

Today, in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, about 8,000 mummies are open for viewing, hanging on the walls, leaning against them or resting in sarcophagi with transparent glass. It’s especially scary to look at little Rosalia. The specialist who embalmed the girl did a great job; she looks as if she has been alive for almost a century: even her eyes and eyelashes are intact. She was the last inhabitant of the catacombs, placed underground in December 1920.

Paris Sewerage Museum: the journey of wastewater from antiquity to the present day

Paris has its own catacombs, no less frightening. It’s easy to get lost in them. Horror films are made about this creepy labyrinth. If you're nervous about going there, there's a good alternative: the Paris Sewer Museum. Agree, this is a strange attraction! On an underground tour, you'll explore the 19th-century sewer system, learn a lot about the water cycle in the French capital, see what sewers looked like in ancient times, and admire modern-day developments. History buffs are delighted with such excursions. Just be prepared for the fact that the smell in the museum is not at all like the famous French perfume!