Statue of Liberty, New York
Overlooking the New York Harbor, the 93-meter-high Statue of Liberty, in New York, is recognized as a “universal symbol of freedom and democracy,” according to the United States National Park Service, which notes that “The Statue’s position was also perfect for ships, entering the harbor, to see her as a welcoming symbol.” Presented to the United States on the 100th anniversary of its founding by the people of France, the “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Standing on a graceful pedestal atop a concrete and granite base, the copper-covered Lady Liberty is depicted raising a torch with her right hand and, she holds a tablet of law inscribed with the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776) in her left hand.
Each year, millions of people visit Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous city landmarks in New York and the United States. The sculpture is hollow and covered with copper; visitors can enter the pedestal and, via a staircase, ascend up to the Statue’s crown.
Galata Tower, İstanbul
One of İstanbul’s most enduring symbols is the Galata Tower, set on a hill in the Pera neighborhood of the Beyoğlu district. It is considered one of the oldest towers in the world and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site -Tentative List in 2013.
Erected in 507-508 AD during the Byzantine Empire, the current structure was rebuilt by the Genoese in 1348-1349. Various fires and earthquakes during the Ottoman era required repairs to the Tower; in the reign of Mahmud II, two floors and a cone-shaped roof were added.
The Galata Tower is visited by millions of residents and tourists each year. There is a museum inside, as well as a restaurant and an observation terrace. You can read more about the Galata Tower in “The towers of Istanbul and their remarkable stories”!
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Tourists love it and, allegedly, Parisians do not. Certainly the Eiffel Tower, a now-iconic city landmark in Paris, France, generated controversy when it was first proposed but – love it or hate it – it is now a fixture of the Parisian skyline – as well as the most-visited paid monument in the world today.
Named after its builder, the brilliant French engineer/architect Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was originally designated as a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution. At the time of its installation, it was the world’s tallest human-made structure; intended to stand for just twenty years, the Tower was given a reprieve due to its utility in scientific experiments regarding telecommunications.
Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen
Seated on a rock in Copenhagen’s Langelinie Harbor, a bronze sculpture looks over the sea. The Little Mermaid, a city landmark in Copenhagen, Denmark, was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg beer, who was entranced with the character after seeing the ballet performance at the Danish Royal Theatre in 1909. Jacobsen commissioned Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen to create the statue; the piece was displayed within a municipal project aimed at placing art in public spaces. The sculpture’s head is modeled on Ellen Price, the ballerina who performed the role, and the body is modeled on that of Eriksen’s wife, Eline.
Now an iconic landmark in the Danish capital, the Little Mermaid is one of the most photographed statues in the world.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa
Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the beautiful Romanesque- and Gothic-style Leaning Tower of Pisa is a notable – and much-photographed – landmark. Set in the town of Pisa, in northern Italy, the structure was meant to be a freestanding bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral. From the start of its construction in 1173, the Tower began to lean due to the soft subsoil under its foundation; in subsequent centuries, attempts were made to correct the tilt, including building upper floors with one side taller than the other. Today, the Tower still slopes at about 4 degrees and continues to intrigue the millions of people who visit each year.
Taj Mahal, Agra
Made entirely of luminous white marble, the legendary Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, is considered one of the most beautiful structures in the world. Intended as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the young wife of Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire, the building’s construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. The Taj Mahal complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed for its ingenious architectural elements, design and harmony with its surroundings as much as the simple but majestic beauty of the structure itself.
According to UNESCO, the “Taj Mahal represents the finest architectural and artistic achievement through perfect harmony and excellent craftsmanship in a whole range of Indo-Islamic sepulchral architecture. It is a masterpiece of architectural style in conception, treatment and execution and has unique aesthetic qualities in balance, symmetry and harmonious blending of various elements.”
Millions of domestic and foreign tourists visit the monument each year; pollutant-emitting vehicles are prohibited within a 500-meter radius around the Taj Mahal, to reduce the impact of emissions on the complex.
Big Ben Clock Tower, London
At the northern end of the Houses of Parliament stands one of the most iconic structures in London: the 96-meter-tall Big Ben Clock Tower. Clocking in at 13,700 kilograms, ‘Big Ben’ actually refers to the enormous hour bell inside the tower, formerly known as St. Stephen’s Tower and now officially named Elizabeth Tower. The clock tower was completed in 1859 and features the world’s second largest tetrahedron clock.
But back to Big Ben the Bell: Big Ben rang for the first time on May 31,1859 and has rung on the hour almost uninterruptedly since then; the bell was silenced – and theclock dials were left dark – during the Second World War. In subsequent years, the bell has been silent during various repair periods, but as of 2022, it chimes proudly and loudly on the hour.
