Paris: The Eiffel Tower
Erected between 1887 and 1889, the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 world’s fair Exposition Universelle to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. Designed by architect Gustave Eiffel, the tower was the tallest human-made structure at that time. It was also widely despised by Parisian intellectuals, who initially protested it. Today, millions of tourists visit the Eiffel Tower – now an iconic symbol of Paris – each year. In addition to an observation platform with fabulous views of the city, the Eiffel Tower also houses a restaurant.
London: Big Ben
Completed in 1859, the neo-Gothic Elizabeth Tower (‘Big Ben’) is an iconic symbol of London. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the clock tower is the most famous tower of the Palace of Westminster and bears the world’s second largest tetrahedron clock. While “Big Ben” originally referred to the Clock Tower’s ‘great bell’, the nickname now applies to the entire tower.
Pisa: The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The subject of countless photographs, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most illustrious structures thanks to structural issue. When the tower’s first floor was completed in 1173, it began to lean, due to wet ground. Despite this engineering problem, work on the tower continued and it was eventually completed. Saved from collapse several times, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is now a popular tourist attraction.
Toronto: The CN Tower
Standing a majestic 553 meters tall, Toronto’s CN Tower was erected by the Canadian National Railway Company as a radio and television tower. Building commenced in 1974 and the tower, an iconic symbol of the city, opened in 1976. It now features restaurants, observation decks and shops, as well as a glass floor on the highest observation deck.
Dubai: Burj Khalifa
Completed on January 4, 2010, the sail-shaped Burj Khalifa is certainly one of the world’s most renowned towers. An instantly recognizable element of the Dubai skyline, the tower is the world’s tallest at 828 meters. Only 160 floors of the Burj Khalifa are currently in use and include residences, a luxury hotel and a viewing terrace.
New York City: Empire State Building
Erected between 1930 and 1931, the Art Deco style Empire State Building was the tallest skyscraper at that time. This iconic 102-story structure on Fifth Avenue, in the heart of Manhattan, draws millions of visitors each year and hosts an annual stair-climbing marathon. There are observation decks on both the 86th and top floors.
Delhi: Qutb Minar
The Qutb Minar, a masterpiece of Indian-Islamic architecture, is a symbol of victory. Construction on the tower began during the reign of the Ghurid ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was completed during the reign of his son-in-law Shamsu’d-Din Iltutmish. Similar to other such structures in Central Asia, the dramatic Qutb Minar features five gradually narrowing stories. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the tower is known for its Seljuk, Ghurid and Ghaznavid architectural styles.
İstanbul: The Maiden’s Tower
Gazing over the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower sits on a platform off the coast of Salacak in Üsküdar, İstanbul. Erected in the 5th century BC, the tower initially served as a defensive structure during the Eastern Roman Empire and, over centuries, served as an exile point, a lighthouse, a warehouse and a customs station. The tower can be reached via boat, from the Üsküdar coast. A visit to the Maiden’s Tower is highly recommended while you’re in İstanbul; you can learn about the tower’s legendary love affair with the Galata Tower on the opposite shore, and discover some of the other stories passed down through generations. You can visit the link for more on The towers of İstanbul and their remarkable stories.
