The 10 world landmarks that have to be on your bucket list
There are some landmarks so iconic they appear on almost every traveler's bucket list.
From the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu, a visit to these sites is the equivalent of a world history course.
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Of the many spectacular sites that exist around the globe, TripAdvisor ranked 10 for the 2016 Travelers' Choice Awards, which were announced on Tuesday. The list is determined both by the quantity and quality of reviews over the past year.
“These landmarks attract millions of visitors each year and represent some of the world’s most impressive examples of human ingenuity,” said Barbara Messing, TripAdvisor's chief marketing officer, in a statement.
The only U.S. destination to make the worldwide list was the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C. (The top 10 American landmarks, meanwhile, included five in New York City.)
Whether you're looking for some travel inspiration or just a refresher on world history, here are the world's 10 most beloved landmarks to immediately add to your bucket list.
10. Milan Duomo — Italy
Milan's Duomo is the second largest cathedral in Italy, right after the Vatican. It was built over a period of nearly 600 years, with construction officially starting in 1386 and lasting until 1965. The cathedral's roof offers fantastic views of Milan as well as close-ups of the elaborate buttresses that go undetected from the ground.
9. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — U.S.
The Lincoln Memorial building and surrounding landscape is one of the most iconic sites in the American capital. It has important historical significance in the American Civil Rights Movement and is visited by about 6 million people every year.
8. The Alhambra — Spain
The most-visited monument in Spain is a magnificent medieval fortress and palace nestled on Granada's highest peaks. The stunning Moorish complex looks out over the city through a maze of perfectly-manicured gardens, elaborate architecture and reflecting pools.
7. Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood — Russia
The multicolored cathedral in Saint Petersburg is translated into many different names: the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the Church of the Savior on Blood and the Church on Spilt Blood. It sits on the execution site of Emperor Alexander II and was built in his memory from 1883 to 1907.
6. Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba — Spain
Throughout its history, Córdoba has been occupied by many different groups: Roman, Visigoth, Islamic, Jewish and Christian empires all left their mark. For hundreds of years, the city's fantastic mosque-cathedral went back and forth between Catholic church and mosque, including a brief period when the two religions split the building. Today, it is regarded as the apotheosis of Moorish architecture.
5. Taj Mahal – India
Arguably the most famous mausoleum in the world, Taj Mahal in Agra was ordered by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. The immense structure is considered the crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture and took 17 years to complete.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City
The papal basilica is the cornerstone of the Catholic empire. It is an ornate and intimidating home to some of the world's finest treasures, including the tombs of more than 100 saints and emperors and Michelangelo's La Pietà.
3. Angkor Wat – Cambodia
Angkor was the center of the Khmer Empire, which ruled from the 9th to 15th centuries. The megacity stretches over 250 square miles and was an impressive feat of urban planning. The main draw of the megacity remains the spectacular and elaborate Angkor Wat temple.
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center – United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi's iconic landmark is comprised of 82 pure white domes. The mosque, named after the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, took over 10 years to build and is considered an architectural marvel for its blend of classic and modern Islamic styles.
1. Machu Picchu — Peru
Nearly one million tourists visit Peru's 15th-century Incan citadel every year. It was considered a lost city that was abandoned during the Spanish Conquest, but Machu Picchu gained attention and became a tourist destination after 1912, when an American explorer led an excavation to the site. The former imperial estate is now universally considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world.
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Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
