It is so natural to get lost in the process of traveling and to use Google Maps for reviving. Sometimes even the maps won’t be there for our savings and have you ever wondered how older people used to travel without getting lost? They used to have different techniques and one of them was Landmark Buildings. What if I told you that, the landmark buildings are not just landmarks and that the value of the buildings lies in their rich history? These buildings are pivotal in defining the identities of cities and countries functioning as cultural symbols. The Landmark buildings like the Pyramids, Tajmahal, Greatwall of China, and Eiffel Tower characterized by their unique architecture stand as iconic symbols all around the world.
The Landmark buildings can seen as time machines that show the culture and evolution of a community. They represent the dreams and accomplishments of humans from a particular time. A prime example of this is the Pyramids from Egypt. The Pyramids were built as a tomb for The Kings around the time. The rulers wished for the beautiful tombs for their resting and to be reminded resulting in the grandeur of the Pyramids. There are numerous Pyramids spread over Egypt and the important one is The Great Pyramid. The Great Pyramid was built for the Pharaoh Khufu and has also reserved a spot among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Some tombs are also believed to be a hiding spot for treasures. The Aesthetics and lastness of the Pyramids are a testament to the architectural knowledge of the ancient Greeks. The exact techniques used for lifting the massive stones in the tops of the pyramids are still mysterious to the researchers and world.
There used to be a joke that space travelers used the Great Wall of China as a landmark. The gossip that The Great Wall is visible from space is baseless. Still, it stands as a significant landmark around the world and is also considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built as part of defense against the northern invaders. The construction of the wall took a great deal of time and it evolved with each dynasty. The Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) enhanced the wall with Watchtowers and platforms. During the opium war and Taiping Rebellion, the wall played the role of a defense line. Today, the wall stretches over 20,000 kilometers and stands as a testament to the military vision of Chinese leaders. The Great Wall was listed as a World Heritage spot by UNESCO and some of the parts of the wall have gone under reconstruction to survive the decaying.
If you are asked to suddenly name a tower, many people might say the name Eiffel Tower from Paris. The French Revolution in 1989 was a crucial factor that helped the evolution of France into a better country. The 100-year celebration of the French Revolution was celebrated by different programs, including a memorial for it which resulted in the Eiffel Tower. It was Inaugurated on 1889 March 31. The architecture of the tower from the 19th century was a wonder to the world with its modern architecture. Some people criticized the modern architecture and its features. The Tower was designed by architect Stephen Sauvestre and engineers of the Gustave Eiffel company, which included Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier. The design including the elevator allowed the people to climb the tower and to experience the beautiful view of Paris. Thus Eiffel Tower became n space that is inclusive to the locals as well as foreigners to explore both the beauty of architecture and the aesthetic view of Paris.
While most of the landmark buildings were created for nation and culture, there is a Building that was created for love. The Mughal Empire Shah Jahan constructed the Taj Mahal as a memorial for his wife Mumtaz. The Mahal from the Taj Mahal comes from the Name Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of the Tajmahal took around 22 years and can also seen as a statue of the working class laborers. Tajmahal is a blend of different cultures that exist in India. It includes an architectural mixture of Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles. The central structure of the Tajmahal is a large white marble mausoleum with a dome. The dome is surrounded beautifully by four minarets. The rich marble and precious stones used in the Tajmahal depict the richness of the Mughal Empire. The garden and reflective pools act as catalysts in the aesthetics of the Taj Mahal and attract millions of visitors.
As the times fly away, the chances of the decaying of these Landmark buildings rise. The Great Wall, representing the political and strategical evolution of China has undergone different conservation efforts resulting in gaining foreign visitors. The Tajmahal was facing threats like dull in color and intricate designs. But now the Indian government has taken measures for the ongoing conservation of Tajmahal. Preservation of these landmarks means the preservation of cultural and historical treasures The Landmark buildings are not just architectural wonders, they are the witness of the civilizations and human lives.
Image Links:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza#/media/File:Kheops-Pyramid.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Amazing_Great_Wall_of_China.jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tour_Eiffel_Wikimedia_Commons_(cropped).jpg
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_(Edited).jpeg
References:
- “Eiffel Tower history, architecture, design & construction.” La tour Eiffel, https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument/history. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- “The Great Wall of China.” National Geographic Education, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-wall-china/. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- green, misty. “Discover China’s History Along the Great Wall.” National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/great-wall. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- “A Guide to the Taj Mahal’s Architecture and History – 2024.” MasterClass, 9 August 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/taj-mahal-architecture-and-history-guide. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- Little, Becky. How Did Egyptians Build the Pyramids? Ancient Ramp Find Deepens Mystery | HISTORY, 2 November 2018, https://www.history.com/news/ancient-egypt-pyramid-ramp-discovery. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- “Pyramids of Giza History | Unraveling the Pharaohs’ Legacy.” Pyramid of Giza Tickets, https://www.pyramid-of-giza.com/pyramids-of-giza-history/. Accessed 10 January 2024.
- Rosenberg, Jennifer. “The History and Love Story of the Taj Mahal.” ThoughtCo, 21 November 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/the-taj-mahal-1434536. Accessed 10 January 2024.
