Wonders of the World - November 2024 - Architectural Marvels - Your Choice

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

We've seen some examples of architectural marvels of the world, including Petra, Machu Picchu and the Pont du Gard Aqueduct.

 

If you did the Jigsaw in the beginning of this month, though, you will have,  no doubt, noted that there are a lot of architectural marvels throughout the world, and there is no way we'd be able to cover even an infinitesimal number of them in one month here at the Sett.

 

What is an architectural marvel which you would like to share with others here?  It need not be 'world famous', it might be something which is an anomaly and/or completely unexplained, but something which you feel is of awesomeness.

 

For example, for me, I recently watched some videos on a rock wall which is located in the state of Texas, in the USA.  What's so remarkable about this wall?  While the size of it is fairly unusual, being up to 7 stories high and 20 miles long, an unusual thing about it is that it is buried.  Some farmers discovered it in 1852 while digging a well. The debate, of whether it is man-made or a natural formation, is allegedly resolved by scientists who have 'proven' that it's a natural formation but ....

 

Here is a Map of Rockwall Texas using Ground Penetrating Radar. The outer wall structure of the Buried City (as some call it) clearly shows angles which are not usually found in natural formations, including the rectangle and the triangle shown in the lower left corner.

 

 

Obviously the 'experts' have failed to take into account the "the fact that “linteled portals and archways” were documented along the walls," and other anomalous datas. Thing is, IF this is an old, old structure (some dating it to 200,000 to 400,000 years ago), it apparently predates what is called 'prehistoric' mankind, which leads to the question, who built it?

 

Do you have an architectural wonder which inspires, puzzles or otherwise is of interest to you?

 

Answer in here with at least 150 words, by the end of November, HOL time, and earn 25 Diamonds.

[River Fenwick]

 

My favorite architectural wonder that greatly interests me is The Sagrada Família. It's an uncompleted cathedral in Barcelona, one of their most famous landmarks. The construction of the cathedral first began in 1882 and is still ongoing after many delays, such as the Spanish Civil War. It was designed by a famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, who died in 1926 when the cathedral was less than a quarter completed. Luckily, modern technology has since sped up the construction of the site, which is estimated to be completed in 2026 once the sixth and final central tower is done. The fact that it's been in construction for over 140 years makes it quite the spectacle for tourists, estimated to rake in over 2.8 million visitors a year. With Gaudí's design, the completed building is made to accommodate about 13,000 people, which gives a pretty good picture of how large this cathedral was always meant to be. It will officially be the world's tallest church after its completion.

[Adeline Morior]

 

 

There are too many amazing architectural wonders to mention, ancient and modern. I have settled on this one for this task that is not known as a world wonder but I like it non the less. Sanchi Stupa which is a Buddhist complex, well known for its Great Stupa that is built on a hilltop at the Sanchi Town in the Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh in India. It was commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument to the historical architecture in India itself. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolizing high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics in the region. It is also the center of a region in the area. I myself find it to be a very interesting build and marvel at how detailed it can be for a temple of its time. I like the gate marking the entrance and the dome-like structure made from individual bricks. The walls with cylinder structures are fascinating to me. They remind me of the “prayer wheels” from Tibetan temples which I also love. What I love most about these type temples are the absolute complexity in the art hidden within a simple structure design. Some others I love are some of the absolutely beautiful temples and structures found in China.
 

[Galena May]

Dubai is a place overflowing with architectural marvels that infallibly strike awe in almost everyone. Each new day, Dubai adds a new architectural/technological marvel to its collection. From the Burj Khalifa to the palm - shaped island to the recent rotating island that generates its own hydroelectricity, Dubai offers infinite possibilities for exploring wonders and luxury, to the point that the country of UAE could be a wonder of the world itself.

The building that I chose to discuss is known as the Opus, the only building to be designed both internally and externally by late architect Zaha Hadid. It is a pair of connected twin buildings with a remarkable appearance, showcasing extreme engineering and architectural skills, the spotlight being the amorphous/free-form hole/void that appears to cut through the building but actually just divides the connected twin buildings. This unique design explores the balance and duality between, light and dark, precision of shape and formlessness, solid and fluid, existence and non-existence, a stable platform and black-hole, and opaqueness and transparency through the stark contrast between the fine geometric precision of the two buildings and the shape-shifting hole between them. The two parts of the building are joined by a fluid four-storeyed atrium at ground level and also an asymmetric three-storey bridge above ground. The entire building has the appearance of a giant metallic cube that is marvelled at for its excellent geometric precision even with the shape-changing void through it. The Opus is located in the Burj Khalifa district of Dubai, and spans a floor area of about 84,300 square meters (907,400 square feet).