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Top 10 Sacred Facts about Mount Kailash

This majestic mountain in Asia not only looks amazing but is also sacred for millions of people all around the world. This means that some special things happened here in history according to various religions. Let's take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about Mount Kailash, one of the most beautiful feats of nature in the world.

1. It's located in a mountain range with the same name

Mount Kailash is a prominent peak located in the southwestern part of the Tibetan Plateau in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The mountain is also known as Kailasa and is referred to as Kangrinboqê Peak in Tibet. The mountain stands 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) tall and is the most prominent feature of the Kailash Range, a mountain range also known as Kailas Range, Gangdisi Mountains, Gangdese Range, Gangdisê Range, or Gangdise Shan. The Kailash Range is itself a subrange of the much larger Transhimalaya. This huge range with a length of approximately 1,600 kilometers (900 miles) runs parallel with the Himalayas to the south of the highest range on the planet.

A view of the majestic mountain / Jean-Marie Hullot / Wiki Commons

2. Two relatively large lakes are situated just south of the mountain

The mountain looks amazing because of its distinctive peak, a feature of Mount Kailash that can be seen from far away. This is especially true near the banks of Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal, two relatively large and amazing lakes located just south of the majestic peak. Although it's located just west of it, Lake Rakshastal isn't considered to be sacred like Lake Manasarovar. The latter is fed by the glaciers originating from Mount Kailash which explains a lot. Just like the mountain, Lake Manasarovar is considered to be sacred in 4 religions, including Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Lake Manasarovar with Mount Kailash in the distance / Jean-Marie Hullot / Wiki Commons

3. The sources of some of the longest rivers in Asia are just nearby

Apart from the specific events that presumably took place here which turned the mountain into a sacred spot, it's also located in a specific location that adds to its importance. 4 of the longest most important rivers in Asia, including some of the longest in the world, originate just nearby. These are: - The Indus - 3,180 kilometers (1,980 miles) - An important river for several millennia. - The Sutlej - 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) - The longest of the 5 rivers in the Pubjab area in northern India. - The Brahmaputra - 3,969 kilometers (2,466 miles) - The 15th-longest river in the world. - The Ghaghara - 1,080 kilometers (670 miles) - An important tributary to the sacred Ganges River.

A river near the mountain / Ondřej Žváček / Wiki Commons

4. The mountain peak is sacred in Hindusim for a special reason

The mountain is one of the most important spots in Hinduism because it is believed to have been the place that Shiva, one of the principal gods of the religion, resided. He did so with his goddess Parvati and their children, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. One of the ancient Hindu texts called the Vishnu Purana described the mountain as being made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli on all 4 sides. It was also considered to be one of the pillars that support the world and a major feature in one of the 6 mountain ranges that have the shape of a lotus flower. Yes, Mount Kailash is quite a big deal for followers of the Hindu religion worldwide.

Illustration of Shiva and his family residing at the mountain / Wiki Commons

5. It's considered to be the center of the universe in Buddhism

If you think that the description in Hinduism is impressive then the Buddhist explanation as to why the mountain is considered to be sacred can stack up to that. Mount Kailash is referred to in Buddhist texts as Mount Meru and its peak is considered to be the center of the Universe. This is similar to the description given to it by Hindus but in Buddhism, the peak is considered to be the center. Another similarity is that it's considered to be the home of the buddha Cakrasaṃvara, also referred to as "Demchok." He represents supreme bliss in Buddhism, quite an important feature indeed.

The mountain in the sun / Heringf / Wiki Commons

More interesting facts about Mount Kailash

6. The Tibetan name of the mountain is "Gang Rinpoche." This is a combination of the word "Gang" which means "Snow Peak," and "Rinpoche" which means "Precious One." The literal translation of the mountain's name is, therefore, "Precious Snow Peak" or "Precious Snow Mountain." This isn't the only local name for the mountain, though, because it's also sometimes referred to as the "Tisé Mountain." This translates to "Water Mountain," a reference to its proximity of the sources of 4 major rivers in the area. 7. The mountain peak is made of Cenozoic rocks which are made of marine limestones. This means that these rocks were deposited in the southern part of the Asian continent before the Indian continent crashed into it. 8. It's one of the few prominent peaks with an incredible north face that remain unclimbed until today. This is mainly because of its religious significance in various religions all around the world. Despite the mountain being banned to climb, it remains questionable whether or not climbing the north face would be possible at all. This part of the mountain has an estimated height of 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) and looks pretty daunting.

The north face of the mountain / Ondřej Žváček / Wiki Commons 9. Apart from Hinduism and Buddhism, Mount Kailash is also considered to be sacred in both Janaism and Bön. The latter is a pre-Buddhist religion from Tibet which refers to the entire region of Kailash as the "nine-story Swastika Mountain." Jainism is an ancient Indian religion in which is believed that the first Tirthankara of Jainism named Rishabhadeva achieved "Moksha" on the mountain. Moksha is the liberation of the soul and the Jai version of Nirvana in Buddhism. 10. The strong religious elements of the mountain have turned the pilgrimage to Kailash into a very popular activity. There's a path around the mountain that allows pilgrims to completely circumambulate the mountain. This path has a length of 52 kilometers (32 miles) and although that sounds perfectly possible to complete in a day, this is a tough task due to the mountainous terrain and altitude. Fit people can complete the tour in about 15 hours on a good day. One interesting fact about this path, both Buddhists and Hindus complete the trek in a clockwise direction while Jains and Bönpos complete it in a counterclockwise direction.

Sacred stones along the Kailash path / Jean-Marie Hullot / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#MountKailash #Mountains #Nature

Top 10 Famous Skyscrapers In Shanghai

Even though the skyline of Shanghai is dominated by the Oriental Pearl Tower, one of the most astounding towers in the world in our opinion, some magnificent skyscrapers have been built that can hold a candle to this remarkable structure. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous skyscrapers in Shanghai, buildings that you will come across if you plan to visit this sprawling city.

1. Shanghai Tower

It's hard to deny the fact that the Shanghai Tower is one of the most amazing buildings ever constructed. It's the second-tallest building in the world after Burj Khalifa as it stands 632 meters (2,073 feet) above the ground below. The tower was constructed between 2008 and 2015. The curving structure also holds another record as it features the highest observation deck in the world as well (together with the Ping An Center in Shenzen). This tourist attraction can be found at a height of 562 meters (1,844 feet) and offers astounding views of the city. Read more on Listerious: 23 facts about the Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower / Another Believer / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

2. Shanghai World Financial Center

The Shanghai World Financial Center is an equally remarkable structure that is situated just next to the Shanghai Tower. It was completed between 1997 and 200 and stands 492 meters (1,614.2 feet), an incredible height that is remarkably significantly shorter than its bigger neighbor. The building is commonly referred to as the "bottle opener" due to its peculiar shape and fascinating neo-futuristic design. The tower also houses a hotel between the 79th and 93rd floors called the Park Hyatt Shanghai, a pretty awesome place to stay in Shanghai. Read more on Listerious: 21 facts about the Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center / Wiki Commons

3. Jin Mao Tower

The Jin Mao Tower was the first of the 3 supertall skyscrapers that were built in the Lujiazui area of the Pudong District of Shanghai. The tower was completed between 1994 and 1999 and reaches a height of 420.5 meters (1,380 feet). This not height not only made it the tallest building in China between 1999 and 2007, but it also means that these 3 famous skyscrapers in Shanghai are the world's first adjoining supertall skyscrapers, quite an incredible sight from the Bund waterfront area on the other side of the Huangpu River. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about the Jin Mao Tower

Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai skyline / Wiki Commons

4. Xinjinqiao Mansion

Xinjinqiao Mansion is the official name of a skyscraper in Shanghai also known as the King Tower. The antenna of the tower reaches a height of 212 meters (696 feet) and it's located just east of the historical center of the city in the Pudong District. Even though it only features 3 stories, it was the tallest building in China upon completion in the year 1996. It held this record just briefly as it was surpassed by the nearby Jin Mao Tower a few years later. The remarkable design of this skyscraper makes it a fascinating attraction in Shanghai.

Xinjinqiao Mansion / Wiki Commons

5. Tomorrow Square

Tomorrow Square is located just near one of the largest and most important squares in Shanghai, People's Square, right in the historical heart of the city. This is in the Huangpu District of the Puxi area which marks the center of the city. The tower was completed between 1997 and 2003 and stands 285 meters (934 feet) tall. It remains one of the tallest buildings in Shanghai today. Its remarkable design required support piles that were driven 80 meters (260 feet) into the ground to provide structural support.

Tomorrow Square / Banalities / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

6. Shanghai Wheelock Square

Shanghai Wheelock Square is also located in Puxi, the historic center of Shanghai. It's another very tall building that stands 298 meters (97 feet) tall, something that makes it stand out in the area that it's located in. The tower was designed by the international architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates that is headquartered in New York City. It was completed between 2003 and 2010 and has won multiple awards for its magnificent design.

Shanghai Wheelock Square / Ferox Seneca / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

7. White Magnolia Plaza

White Magnolia Plaza or the "Sinar Mas Center" is located just north of the Bund, the amazing waterfront near the historical center of Shanghai. The construction of the tower was originally started in 2008 but wasn't completed until 2017 after being suspended for a couple of years due to the financial crisis. The original plan was to build a tower with a height of 388 meters (1,273 feet) but this was eventually scaled down to 319.5 meters (1,048 feet). Its location across the river ensures it provides amazing views of the 3 supertall skyscrapers on the other side.

White Magnolia Plaza / Wiki Commons

8. Bank of Shanghai Headquarters

The Bank of Shanghai Headquarters is located in the crowded Pudong District of Shanghai, just south of the 3 supertall skyscrapers that dominate the city's skyline. It was completed between 2002 and 2005 and as its name implies, serves as an office tower for one of China's major banks. The tower was designed by Kenzō Tange (1913-2005), one of the most influential Japanese architects in history who managed to blend Japanese traditional architecture with a modernist design. The tower's antenna reaches a height of 252 meters (827 feet) above the ground.

Bank of Shanghai Headquarters / Baycrest / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5

9. Plaza 66

Plaza 66 is the name of a large commercial complex just west of the historical heart of Shanghai. It consists of two skyscrapers and a large shopping mall. It's another project that was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates from New York. Tower One was completed in 2001 and stands 288 meters (945 feet) tall while Tower Tow was completed 5 years later in 2006 and stands 228 meters (748 feet). The shopping mall consists of 5 levels and is one of the best places to shop in Shanghai.

Plaza 66 / Baycrest / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en

10. Shimao International Plaza

Shimao International Plaza is one of the most famous skyscrapers in Shanghai because it is the home of "Le Royal Méridien Shanghai hotel" on its upper 48 floors. This hotel is huge as it features 770 rooms and suites, and is located right in the heart of Shanghai's historical center. The tower reaches a height of 333.3 meters (1,094 feet) ad was completed between 2001 and 2006. The complex also features a shopping mall that consists of 9 floors and various other entertainment facilities such as bars, clubs, and restaurants.

Shimao International Plaza / Baycrest / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #China #FamousSkyscrapers #Shanghai #Skyscrapers #SkyscrapersinShanghai

Top 10 Famous Mountains In Germany

Most of the northern part of Germany is part of the North European Plain, a region along the North Sea up to the Baltic Sea that doesn't feature any significant mountains or mountain ranges. The central part of this large Central European country is dominated by amazing forests and hilly areas that extend to the foot of the most prominent mountain range in Europe, the Alps. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous mountains in Germany, many of which have become popular tourist attractions in the country.

1. Zugspitze

The Zugspitze is not only one of the most famous mountains in Germany, it's also the highest mountain in the country. It reaches an elevation of 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) above sea level. It's part of the Wetterstein Mountains in the Northern Limestone Alps. The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located just north of the mountain and offers amazing views of this natural wonder. It's also very close to the border with Austria which runs across the western summit of the mountain.

Zugspitze / Octagon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

2. Hochwanner

The Hochwanner si considered to be the second-highest mountain in Germany as it stands 2,744 meters (9,003 feet) above sea level. This is only the case if we don't include one of the sub-peaks of the Zugspitze (one which you'll discover after on in this list). The mountain is relatively isolated and features one of the most amazing north faces in this Northern Limestone Alps. This face has a height of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). The summit of the mountain can be reached by a trail from the Rotmoosalm in about 3 hours.

Hochwanner / Luidger / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. Watzmann

The Watzmann can easily be described as one of the most beautiful mountains in Germany. It overlooks the village of Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps and its summit reaches an elevation of 2,713 meters (8,901 feet) above sea level. What's remarkable is not only that it's the third-highest mountain in Germany, but also that it's the highest mountain located entirely within the borders of the country. It's also the centerpiece of a magnificent protected area known as the "Berchtesgaden National Park."

Watzmann / Günter Seggebäing / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

4. Brocken

The Brocken is also sometimes referred to as the "Blocksberg" and is the highest mountain in Northern Germany. It's located in the Harz mountain range in the north-central part of the country and reaches an elevation of 1,142 meters (3,747 feet) above sea level. The top of the mountain is often covered in snow from September until May and it's one of the main attractions of the Harz National Park. The mountain not only features a botanical garden with over 1,600 Alpine plants but is also topped with the Brocken Transmitter, an old television tower that has been transformed into a tourist attraction.

Brocken in the distance / Wiki Commons

5. Östliche Karwendelspitze

The Östliche Karwendelspitze is another prominent mountain in the Bavarian Alps and is located on the border of the German state of Bavaria and the Austrian state of Tyrol. It reaches an elevation of 2,537 meters (8,323 feet) above sea level. This height makes it the highest mountain in the Karwendel Mountains, the largest mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. The summit of the mountain can be reached by a trail in about 2.5 hours but requires a decent level of Alpine experience.

Östliche Karwendelspitze / Luidger / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Hochblassen

The Hochblassen is another high mountain in the Wetterstein Mountains and is located just a short distance from Germany's highest peak. Its summit is located at a distance of just 4.5 kilometers (2.79 miles) from the Zugspitze. The main peak of the mountain reaches an elevation of 2,706 meters (8,878 feet) above sea level and the mountain features a sub-peak as well which isn't that much lower at 2,698 meters (8,852 feet) above sea level. It's one of the most popular mountains in Germany for climbers.

Hochblassen and hiking / Bbb / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/deed.en

7. Wasserkuppe

Wasserkuppe is the highest mountain of the Rhön Mountains German state of Hesse. This state is located in the west-central part of Germany. This mountain range is relatively low and is situated on the border of the states of Hesse and Bavaria. It's the lowest mountain on our list of the most famous mountains in Germany as it reaches an elevation of just 950 meters (3,120 feet) above sea level. The summit has been extensively used for aeronautical purposes and features an airfield and adjoining German Sailplane Museum.

Wasserkuppe in the Summer / Verum / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

8. Schneefernerkopf

The Schneefernerkopf is a peak in the Zugspitze Massif and is located just next to the highest mountain in Germany. If it's not considered to be merely a sub-peak of the Zugspitze, it could be considered the second-highest mountain in the country. The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,875 meters (9,432 feet) but only has a prominence of 176 meters (577 feet). It's still one of the most prominent mountains in this part of the Wetterstein mountain range in the Bavarian Alps.

Schneefernerkopf / Michael Fiegle / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

9. Feldberg

The Feldberg is the highest mountain in the Black Forest, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It's also the highest mountain in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and the highest mountain in Germany outside of the Alps. It reaches an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by picturesque villages and towns, including the municipality of Feldberg which was named after the mountain. It's also not too far away from the large city of Freiburg which can be found just northeast of the mountain.

Feldberg / PantaRhei / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

10. Alpspitze

The Alpspitze can easily be described as one of the most iconic mountains in Germany, and especially in the Northern Limestone Alps. It features a distinctive pyramidal peak and is considered to be the ultimate symbol of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a popular ski town in Bavaria. The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,628 meters (8,622 feet) above sea level and a summit cross was placed on its summit in the year 1946. The view from the summit of one of the most famous mountains in Germany is mesmerizing, hence it's one of the most popular mountains in the country for climbers.

The magnificent Alpspitze / Octagon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Germany #Mountainranges #Mountains #MountainsinGermany #Nature

Top 10 Famous Bridges In Venice

When a canal becomes a street, a bridge is the only way to cross the road without using a boat. This pretty much describes the situation in Venice, one of the most fascinating cities in the world. This city in northeastern Italy was built on a total of 118 islands which are interconnected by over 400 bridges over 177 canals. Some of these fascinating bridges have become icons of the city as well. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous bridges in Venice, structures that you simply have to see when you visit this remarkable place.

1. Ponte di Rialto Bridge

The Ponte di Rialto or Rialto Bridge is without a doubt the most famous in Venice. It's the oldest of just 4 bridges spanning the Grand Canal in the city and was originally established as a simple pontoon bridge in the year 1173. It has been rebuilt several times throughout its history and the current structure was completed between 1588 and 1591. It's one of the main tourist attractions in the city. It consists of a single arch connected to a central portico. Both ramps leading up to this portico are lined with shops. Read more on Listerious: 15 facts about the Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge / Shaun Dunmall / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

2. Ponte dei Sospiri

The Ponte dei Spospiri or Bridge of Sighs is one of the most infamous bridges in all of Venice. It earned its remarkable name because connects the New Prison in the city with the interrogation room of the Doge's Palace while crossing the small Rio di Palazzo. This means the small windows in the bridge were the last moment that prisoners saw the canals of Venice before being sent to the prison. The bridge was built in the year 1600 and was constructed with white limestone. It was designed by Antonia Contino, the nephew of Antonio da Ponte who designed the Rialto Bridge. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about the Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice / Wiki Commons

3. Ponte dell'Accademia

The Ponte dell'Accademia was named for the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, an art academy which was housed nearby between 1807 and 2004. Today, only the Gallerie dell'Accademia, one of the main art museums in the city is located at its southern end. It's another of the 4 bridges that span the Grand Canal of the city and is located in the southern part of Venice. The original steel bridge was completed in the year 1854 but was remarkably replaced by the wood-and-metal bridge you can find here today in 1933.

Ponte dell'Accademia / José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA 4.0

4. Ponte degli Scalzi

Ponte degli Scalzi translates to "Bridge of the Barefoot" and is located just near the Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia, the railway station that connects Venice to the rest of Italy and Europe. Just east of the train station and just west of the bridge you can find the Santa Maria di Nazareth Church, also known as "Chiesa degli Scalzi." It's another stone arch bridge that replaced an iron bridge that was built during the Austrian reign in Venice during the 19th century. The bridge was completed in 1934 and is another bridge that spans the Grand Canal in Venice, and the first one you'll come across if you arrive in the city by train.

Ponte degli Scalzi / Mariordo / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

5. Ponte dei Tre Archi

The Ponte dei Tre Archi translates to "Bridge of Three Arches" and this is a reference to the design of this structure. It spans the Canareggio Canal, one of the main waterways in the northern part of the city. This makes it not only one of the most famous bridges in Venice but also one of the most important ones. The bridge is located in the same district as the Ponte degli Scalzi and can be found just north of the train station in the city. The bridge was designed during the Baroque era and was completed in the year 1681. It's the only remaining bridge in Venice that features 3 arches.

Ponte dei Tre Archi / Unofeld71 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Ponte delle Guglie

The Ponte delle Guglie is the other bridge that spans the Canareggio Canal in northern Venice and is much older than its neighbor. The original wooden bridge that was located in this location was completed during the Middle Ages in the year 1285. This wooden structure was replaced by a stone and brick building in the year 1580 and was renovated several times during the 17th century. It was eventually completely rebuilt to the structure you see today in 1823. The name of the bridge translates to the "Bridge of Spires" and it's the only bridge with this feature in Venice.

Ponte delle Guglie / Marc Ryckaert / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

7. Ponte della Paglia

The Ponte della Paglia is one of the most famous bridges in Venice because it was the first stone bridge to be built in the city. This original bridge was completed in the year 1360 but was completely rebuilt t its current design in 1847. The bridge is located in the southern part of the city, right next to the Doge's Palace. It's the best of only 2 spots in the city to view the nearby Bridge of Sighs which spans the narrow Rio di Palazzo just north of it. The Piazza San Marco and the Basilica San Marco featuring St Mark's Campanile are located just nearby as well.

Ponte della Paglia / José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA 4.0

8. Ponte del Paradiso

The Ponte del Paradiso can be found in the utmost center of the city known as the Castello district. It crosses the narrow Rio del Mondo Novo. It's a remarkable structure because it's constructed almost exclusively from Istrian stone bricks. One side of the bridge features a remarkable arch that leads into the Calle del Paradiso, a picturesque alley featuring overhanging wooden eaves. The arch features a sculpture of the Madonna and is therefore also referred to as the "Madonna Arch."

Ponte del Paradiso / Nino Barbieri / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en

9. Ponte della Costituzione

The Ponte della Costituzione is the fourth bridge that spans the Grand Canal in Venice and the most recent one as well. It's located in the western part of the city and just south of the railway station of Venice, connecting the Stazione di Santa Lucia to Piazzale Roma. The bridge was constructed in 2007 and put in place in 2008, officially opening to the public on the night of September 11 of that year. The bridge was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Italian constitution in the year 2008. It was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava which is why it's commonly referred to as the Calatrava Bridge.

Ponte della Costituzione / Source

10. Ponte della Libertà

So how does one reach the city of Venice by car or by train, right? The answer is the Ponte della Libertà, a road bridge that connects the city of Venice to mainland Italy. It has a total length of 3,850 meters (2.39 miles) and was constructed using bricks and concrete. The bridge was built between 1931 and 1933 and was officially opened by Benito Mussolini that year. It's the only road through which the city of Venice can be accessed from the mainland and enters the city near the Piazzale Roma and train station. The Venice Railroad Bridge runs right along with it as well.

Ponte della Libertà / Didier Descouens / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #Bridges #BridgesinVenice #FamousBridges #Italy #Venice

Top 10 Interesting Chihuahuan Desert Facts

Even though this fascinating desert in North America covers vast areas in 6 Mexican and 3 U.S. states, it was named after one particular state in Mexico. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about the Chihuahuan Desert, a desert that holds a couple of remarkable records.

1. It nearly covers the entire area of the state it was named for

As the name of this desert in North America suggests, it covers just about the entire area of the Mexican state of Chihuahua in the northern part of the country. This is remarkable because it covers a total of 9 states in both northern Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States. In the U.S. it covers a vast area in West Texas, the southeastern part of Arizona, and two large areas in the southern part of New Mexico as well. It also covers areas in 6 Mexican states which are Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sonora, and Zacatecas. In geographical terms, it covers vast parts of the northern and central sections of the Mexican Plateau.

Chihuahuan Desert landscape / Daveynin / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

2. It's the largest desert in this part of the world

One of the most interesting facts about the Chihuahuan Desert is that it's the largest desert in North America. It covers a total area of 501,896 square kilometers (193,783 square miles). This is substantially larger than the other large deserts in the region which are the Sonoran Desert (222,998 square kilometers / 86,100 square miles) which the desert borders to the east, and the Mojave Desert (124,000 square kilometers / 47,867 square miles), which is located just north of the Sonoran Desert.

3. It was formed because of two mountain ranges that surround it

The desert was formed because of two huge mountain ranges that pretty much encircle it. These are the Sierra Madre Oriental to the west and the Sierra Madre Occidental to the east. These two mountain ranges create a rain shadow effect which means that precipitation can't reach the Chihuahuan Desert area. This results in arid to semi-arid conditions as precipitation from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico can't reach this area. The average precipitation in the desert is around 235 millimeters (9.3 inches) per year. This means it ranges from anywhere between 150 and 400 millimeters (6 and 16 inches). The highest parts of the desert also frequently receive snowfall.

The desert landscape / Adbar / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

4. It's considered to be one of the most biodiverse deserts in the world

The biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert is extremely high because it covers such a vast area. This also means that the desert has been referred to by the World Wide Fund for Nature as one of the most biodiverse deserts in the world. Even though the desert was originally covered in grasses, only 20% of these grasses remain today. The main reason they have disappeared is overgrazing, resulting in the conservation status of the desert being described as "vulnerable." Most of the bushes that grow in the desert today are the creosote bush yucca and mesquite, plants that thrive in the sandy soil and that dominate the lower areas of the desert. An animal that lives in the desert is the Mexican wolf, a subspecies of the gray wolf which was nearly extinct and which is now considered to be endangered as well.

5. The desert is home to a large number of national parks in both countries

Even though only about 7% of the desert consists of national parks and other protected areas, because of the sheer size of the desert this still means an area of about 35,905 square kilometers (13,863 square miles). Some of the most notable areas include the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in New Mexico, and the Big Bend National Park in Texas. One of the best things to do in the Chihuahuan is to cruise along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, 48 kilometers (30 miles) that allows you to both learn about the history of the region and to admire amazing natural miracles such as the Santa Elena Canyon and the Mule Ears Viewpoint, to name just a few.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive / Steevven1 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

More interesting facts about the Chihuahuan Desert

6. The desert is pretty young and was only formed about 8,000 years ago. The process of desertification has grown exponentially in the past 150 years as well. When the Spanish first arrived in the region they mentioned that the area was covered in grasses that grew to the belly of their horses. These grasses have made way for a shrub desert landscape. 7. Most of the areas inside the huge desert are located at an altitude of between 480 and 1,800 meters (1,575 and 5,906 feet). This means that it's significantly less hot than the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts to its west and northwest. This doesn't mean that it can't get pretty hot here, though, as the daily average temperature in the summer months is between 32 and 40 °C (90 and 104 °F). The average temperature during the winter months ranges from anywhere between 13 and 22 °C (55 and 72 °F).

The arid conditions inside the desert / Wiki Commons 8. Most of the rain in the desert falls between late June and early October. This is during the North American Monsoon, a time of the year that moist air from the Gulf of Mexico can reach parts of the arid region. Enormous amounts of rain also fall when a tropical cyclone moves inland. This doesn't happen very often but is bound to happen more frequently due to global warming. 9. One of the most fascinating facts about the Chihuahuan Desert is that it features several small mountain ranges that create a remarkable feat of nature called "Sky Islands." These mountains are surrounded by a desert landscape but feature a much colder and wetter climate than the desert they are encircled by. This means that dense forests can grow on these sky islands while only grasses and shrubs can grow nearby. 10. Even though this arid region in the world doesn't look like a hospitable place to live, many large urban areas are located here. Some of the biggest include Ciudad Juarez in Mexico which has a population of nearly 2 million inhabitants and El Paso in Texas with a population of nearly 900,000 inhabitants. Other cities and towns located within the desert are Chihuahua, Saltillo, and Torreón in Mexico, and Albuquerque. Alamogordo, Alpine, Benson, and Carlsbad in the United States.

The road to El Paso, Texas / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#ChihuahuanDesert #Deserts #Famousdeserts #Mexico #Nature #Texas

Top 10 Famous Churches In South America

Even though most of the most famous churches in the world are located in Europe, there are plenty of fascinating religious structures located all around the world. One of the continents where you can find exceptional church buildings is in South America. Just about all countries here are devoutly Roman Catholic which has resulted in huge Roman Catholic churches being erected here. In this article, you'll discover some of the most famous churches in South America. Can these fascinating landmarks measure up to other counterparts in Europe? Let's find out!

1. Las Lajas Sanctuary

Las Lajas Sanctuary is also referred to as "Las Lajas Shrine" because it features a shrine dedicated to the apparition of the Virgin Mary in the 18th century. Because this apparition presumably happened in a canyon of the Guáitara River, the church was built in a remarkable location. The magnificent Gothic cathedral was built between 1916 and 1949 and it's clear why it took such a long time to build this relatively small church. It's located right inside a gorge in the southwest of Colombia and can be accessed by a bridge that stands 50 meters (160 meters) above the canyon floor. Read more on Listerious: 8 facts about Las Lajas Sanctuary

Las Lajas Sanctuary / Diego Delso / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

2. Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida

The Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida is officially known as the "Basílica do Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora Aparecida" and is located in the town of Aparecida in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. It's a huge structure and the most prominent landmark in this relatively small town with a population of less than 40,000. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida, the patroness of Brazil according to Brazilian Roman Catholic tradition. With a length of 188 meters (617 feet), a width of 183 m (600 ft), and a maximum height of 109 m (358 ft), it's the second-largest church in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida / Valter Campanato / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/br/deed.en

3. São Paulo Cathedral

São Paulo Cathedral is officially known as "Catedral Metropolitana de São Paulo" is the main church and seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Paulo, Brazil. The church was completed between 1913 and 1967 and was officially consecrated in the year 1954. It's the largest cathedral in the huge city of São Paulo and is relatively big as well. It has a length of 111 meters (364 feet), a width of 46 meters (151 ft), and two neo-Gothic towers which each stand 92 meters (302 feet). It also features a magnificent dome that was inspired by Renaissance architecture.

São Paulo Cathedral / Webysther Nunes / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

4. Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá

The Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá is officially known as the "Cathedral Basilica Metropolitan & Primate of the Immaculate Conception & Saint Peter of Bogotá" and is the main church in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. It's the official seat of the Archbishop of the city. The cathedral was completed between 1803 and 1823 and thoroughly renovated halfway through the 20th century. This wasn't the first structure on this location though, because a church has been present here since the 16th century. The church is located at Bolívar Square, the central and most important square in the city.

Primatial Cathedral of Bogotá / William Neuheisel / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

5. Rio de Janeiro Cathedral

Rio de Janeiro Cathedral is officially known as the "Cathedral of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro" and is one of the most famous churches in South America because of its remarkable architecture. It was constructed between 1964 and 1979 and features a modernist design. The church was dedicated to Saint Sebastian who is the patron saint of the city. The design of the cathedral was intended to resemble Mayan architecture, and more specifically the pyramids they built at places like Chichen Itza. It's fair to conclude that this immense structure with an internal diameter of 96 meters (315 feet) and a maximum height of 75 meters (246 feet) is one of the most remarkable landmarks in the center of Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro Cathedral / Cyro A. Silva / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

6. Shrine of St. Paulina

The Shrine of St. Paulina is also sometimes referred to as the Sanctuary of St. Paulina and is located in the town of Nova Trento. This town can be found in the state of Santa Catarina in the South Region of Brazil. The church complex was dedicated to St. Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus (1865-1942), the first Brazilian woman to be proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church in 2002. This immense structure resembles two hands in prayer and was constructed shortly after the saint was canonized in 2002. It only took 926 days to complete this building which covers an area of 9,616 square meters (103,510 square feet). It's a popular attraction in the region and is visited by nearly a million people every year.

Shrine of St. Paulina / Vinicius Lannes Duering / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

7. St. Ignatius Cathedral

The St. Ignatius Cathedral is also known as the San Ignacio de Velasco Cathedral, a reference to the city of San Ignacio de Velasco in Bolivia in which it's located. This is the capital of the Velasco province in the eastern part of the country. The original version of the church was constructed in the 18th century between 1748 and 1761. This building was commissioned by the Jesuits living in the area and was unfortunately destroyed by fire in the year 1948. The church was rebuilt to its original design between 1998 and 2001.

St. Ignatius Cathedral / Geoffrey Groesbeck / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

8. Basílica del Voto Nacional

If we have to choose one structure in this list of the most famous churches in South American that resembles one of the magnificent Gothic Cathedrals in Europe then it would be the Basílica del Voto Nacional in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Its located in the historical heart of this sprawling city and is the largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the Americas. The cornerstone f the structure was laid in the year 1893 and the cathedral was consecrated nearly a century later in 1988. It remains technically unfinished like the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and they better not hurry up to complete it because the word around the campfire is that the world will end whenever this happens.

Basílica del Voto Nacional / Maros / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

9. Cathedral of La Plata

The Cathedral of La Plata is located in the city with the same name in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, the capital of Argentina. It's one of the most remarkable Neo-Gothic churches in South America and was inspired by the cathedral of Amiens in France and the Cathedral of Cologne in Germany. What's remarkable about this church is that it was left unfinished after the initial construction phase between 1884 and 1932. Especially the unfinished spires made the structure look peculiar. The presumed foundation problem that halted the work was solved during the 1990s and the original plan was completed between 1996 and 1999.

Cathedral of La Plata / Wiki Commons

10. Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Very few churches in the world resemble an ancient Greek or Roman temple unless they were such a structure, to begin with. This applies to, for example, the Pantheon in Rome. Another example that comes to mind is La Madeleine in Paris which also wasn't initially constructed to serve as a Roman Catholic Church. This makes the Neoclassical façacde of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral unique in the world. The original church on this location was built in the 16th century and the dome and nave date back to the 18th century. The façade was completed in the 19th century and the interior is decorated with both Renaissance and Baroque elements, turning the main church in Buenos Aires into one of the most famous churches in South America.

Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral / The Cosmonaut / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ca/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #Churches #ChurchesinSouthAmerica #famouschurches #SouthAmerica

Top 10 Famous Lakes In Australia

If you want to visit a country that offers a unique combination of natural wonders and sprawling cities, then Australia should be on top of your bucket list. Even though a huge part of the country is made up of an arid and semi-arid region referred to as the "Outback," Australia is home to several astounding lakes. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous lakes in Australia, one of the most diverse lists of lakes on Listerious which in turn is a reflection of the abundance of tourist attractions in the country.

1. Lake Hillier

Lake Hillier is one of the most amazing pink lakes in the world. These types of lakes get their distinctive reddish to bubblegum pink hue because of a particular bacteria that lives in saline lakes. The color of Lake Hillier is one of the most distinctive bubblegum pink of any pink lake in the world. The relatively small lake is located on Middle Island, the largest of the Recherche Archipelago in the Goldfields-Esperance region in the southwest of Australia. It covers an area of just 15 hectares (37 acres) and is only separated from the Southern Ocean by a thin strip of shoreline. Read more on Listerious: 8 facts about Lake Hillier

Aerial view of Lake Hillier / Kurioziteti123 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

2. Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre is also known as Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is an endorheic lake, a type of lake that doesn't have an outlet. It's located about 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Adelaide in the Far North Region of South Australia. It's pretty big as it covers an area of 9,500 square kilometers (3,668 square miles). The lake is the main feature of the huge Lake Eyre basin which features the lowest point in all of Australia at 15 meters (49 feet) below sea level. It's the largest lake in Australia and is defined by its extremely high levels of salinity whenever the lake dries up. This also means it becomes pink during dry periods if there's any remaining water in it.

The extremely dry Lake Eyre / Ogwen / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. Blue Lake

Blue Lake is situated inside the crater of a dormant volcano and is located just near Mount Gambier. This is a complex of volcanic maars located in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia. It has a surface area of 70 hectares (170 acres) and reaches a maximum depth of 77 meters (253 feet). It's unclear when the lake was formed exactly with estimates ranging from anywhere between 4,300 and 28,000 years. The most fascinating feature of the lake is that it changes in color, ranging from magnificent blue cobalt between December and March and steel grey between April and November.

Blue Lake / Roo72 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

4. Dove Lake

Dove Lake is located in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania and the vicinity of Cradle Mountain. This fascinating mountain is the 6th-highest mountain peak on the island at an elevation of 1,545 meters (5,069 feet) and forms a magnificent background to the lake. The lake has a surface area of 86 hectares (210 acres) and reaches a maximum depth of 157 meters (515 feet). It's one of the most famous lakes in Australia and a popular tourist attraction in Tasmania, mainly for hikers who want to explore the region via the multiple trails that encircle the lake.

Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain / Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wiki Commons

5. Lake McKenzie

Lake McKenzie is another incredible lake in Australia and is located on Fraser Island in Queensland, not too far north of Brisbane. The island, which is also known as K'gari, is listed on the world heritage list and is an important natural attraction in this part of Australia. Lake McKenzie is also known as Boorangoora and is one of the main attractions of the Great Sandy National Park. What makes the lake so special is both the pure white that surrounds it and the mesmerizing blue color of the water. It has a surface area of 150 hectares (370 acres) and is relatively shallow with an average depth of just 6.6 meters (22 feet).

Lake McKenzie / Korkut Tas / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Lake Torrens

Lake Torrens is another Endoeric salt lake located in the desolate landscape of the Outback in central South Australia. It's also very bog, covering an area of 5,745 square kilometers (2,218 square miles), and even features multiple islands. 2 of the largest islands are known as Andamooka Island and Murdie Island near its western shoreline. The lake is located within the boundaries of the Lake Torrens National Park which is situated about 345 kilometers (214 miles) north of Adelaide. Its salt flats look especially amazing from space.

Lake Torrens seen from space / Rawpixel / Wiki Commons

7. Lake Amadeus

Lake Amadeus is a large salt lake situated in the southwestern part of the Northern Territory of Australia. The lake is located just 50 kilometers (31 miles) from one of Australia's most famous attractions, a famous rock formation that is known as Uluru. This is one of the most famous lakes in Australia which creates a remarkable spectacle when viewed from the air. The extreme aridity in the area turns the surface of the lake into a salt crust which looks pretty surreal when viewed from a distance. The lake is big as well and covers an area of 1,032 square kilometers (398 square miles).

Lake Amadeus / Tony Hisgett / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

8. Lake Albina

Lake Albina is a glacial lake located just 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) north of the highest mountain in mainland Australia, Mount Kosciuszko. It's located at an elevation of 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) above sea level which is still significantly lower than Mount Kosciuszko which reaches an elevation of 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level. The lake is situated within both the Kosciuszko National Park and the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves which are some of the main attractions of the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. It's a relatively small lake as it covers an area of just 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet), but the landscape in which it's located is breathtaking.

Lake Albina / Faj2323 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

9. Lake Eacham

Lake Eacham is a lake situated on a plateau in Queensland known as the Atherton Tableland." This is in the northeastern part of Australia. It's part of the so-called Wet Tropics of Queensland of which the Daintree Rainforest and the Barron Gorge National Park are a part. This lake of volcanic origin is encircled by dense rainforests and there aren't any outflows. This makes it all the more remarkable that fish such as the Lake Eacham rainbowfish live in this lake, even though it remains a mystery how they got there. The lake covers an area of 4.89 square kilometers (1.89 square miles) and is one of the main features of the Crater Lakes National Park.

Lake Eacham / Glpww / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

10. Lake Saint Clair

Lake Saint Clair is another famous lake in Australia that isn't found on the mainland of the country but in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania. It's situated in the utmost southern part of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in which Dove Lake is also located. The lake covers an area of 45 square kilometers (17 square miles) and is pretty deep as well, reaching a maximum depth of 215 meters (705 feet). One of the best ways to explore the lake and its mesmerizing surroundings is by following the Overland Track, a trail that was established in 1911 and which traverses the entire national park.

Lake Saint Clair at sunset / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#Australia #FamousLakes #Lakes #LakesinAustralia #Nature

Top 12 Famous Skyscrapers In London

Even though London isn't known for its copious amounts of fabulous skyscrapers, this has changed quite a bit in the past couple of decades. Multiple remarkable structures have been erected that can hold a candle to the city's rich historical landmarks. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most famous skyscrapers in London, amazing structures that have recreated the city's skyline.

1. The Shard

The Shard is not only one of the most famous skyscrapers in London, it's also the tallest structure in the United Kingdom. It's located in Southwark, a central district in London just south of the CIty of London, and stands 309.6 meters (1,016 feet) tall. The tower was designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano and was completed between 2009 and 2012. It features an observation platform called "View from the Shard" which makes it a popular tourist attraction in the city as well. Read more on Listerious: 32 facts about The Shard

The Shard in London / Dronepicr / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

2. The Gherkin

The Gherkin is the nickname of a skyscraper officially known as 30 St Mary Axe, a reference to its location in the City of London's financial district. Even though it's far from being the tallest structure in the city at a height of 180 meters (591 feet), it's one of the most iconic ones. This remarkably shaped skyscraper was completed between 2001 and 2004 and has been one of the most iconic landmarks in the city since. The Gherkin was built on the location of the former Baltic Exchange which was bombed in an attack that happened in 1992. Read more on Listerious: 28 facts about the Gherkin

The Gherkin / Drroshdy / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. The Walkie-Talkie Building

While the Gherkin has received general praise for its distinctive modern design, this hasn't been the case with a skyscraper officially known as 20 Fenchurch Street. Yes, this is another building that was nicknamed due to its peculiar shape, namely the "Walkie-Talkie." The tower stands 160 meters (525 feet) tall and is located in the southern part of the City of London. It was originally intended to be much higher but this would block the view of the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral, two historic landmarks nearby. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about the Walkie-Talkie Building

The Walkie-Talkie / Tony Hisgett / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

4. The Leadenhall Building

As the name of the Leadenhall Building suggests, it's located in the vicinity of the historic Leadenhall Market near the financial district of London. It towers above most of the other skyscrapers in the area as it stands 225 meters (73 feet) tall. The building was completed in 2014 at an astounding cost of £1.15 billion and replaced a structure that stood here since the 1960s. It's yet another structure that received a nickname based on its appearance as it's commonly known as "The Cheesegrater."

The Cheesegrater and Gherkin / Colin / Wiki Commons

5. Salesforce Tower

The Salesforce Tower was originally referred to as the Heron Tower and is not to be confused with the Salesforce Tower in the United States, the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. It is, however, rented by the same American cloud-based software company Salesforce. The tower stands 230 meters (755 feet) tall, a height that makes it the second-tallest building in the financial district of the City of London. Even though Salesforce is the main tenant of the building, there are multiple companies housed here.

Salesforce Tower / Eluveitie / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Manhattan Loft Gardens

Manhattan Loft Gardens is a residential skyscraper located in Stratford, a town located in East London. The remarkably designed apartment building stands 143 meters (469 feet) and has only been completed recently in the year 2018. The tower was built in an unfortunate location because it apparently blocked the view of St. Paul's Cathedral from King Henry's Mount in Richmont Park. A line of trees was planted in such a way to highlight the cathedral's marvelous dome in this park since the early 18th century.

Manhattan Loft Gardens / Irid Escent / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

7. Strata SE1

Strata SE1 is one of the most celebrated skyscrapers in London as it has won multiple awards for its unique design. It's located in the Elephant & Castle area in the Southwark district of the city and stands 147 meters (42 feet) tall. The tower features 408 flats and is home to over 1,000 residents. It was the tallest residential skyscraper in the city upon completion in 2010 and was also the first skyscraper in the world to feature integrated wind turbines.

Strata Se1 featuring wind turbines at the top / Wiki Commons

8. St George Wharf Tower

St George Wharf Tower is also known as the "Vauxhall Tower" because it's located in the Vauxhall district in South London. It's the main tower of the St George Wharf development project which features a large number of remarkable apartment buildings. Even though it dwarfs the other apartments inside the development complex, it only stands 181 meters (594 feet). This means it looks a lot taller than it actually is. Regardless, it's the tallest residential building in the United Kingdom and has been since its completion in 2014.

St George Wharf in Vauxhall / James Beard / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

9. One Canada Square

One Canada Square is one of the most famous skyscrapers in London because of its remarkable pyramidal roof. This makes it one of the most distinctive structures of Canary Wharf, one of the main business districts in London. The tower stands 235 meters (770 feet) which makes it the third-tallest skyscraper in the United Kingdom. It was designed by renowned architect César Pelli (1926-2019), a man who also designed the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and was completed in 1991.

One Canada Square / King of Hearts / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

10. The Scalpel

The Scalpel is another recently completed commercial skyscraper in the Central Business district of the CIty of London. It was completed between 2015 and 2018 at a cost of £500 million and stands 190 meters (620 feet) tall. The peculiar nickname of the building was based upon the shape of the tower, similar to the nearby Gherkin, Cheesegrater, and Walkie-Talkie. Just like the completion of the nearby Leadenhall Building, buildings had to be demolished in order to make way for the construction of this tower.

The Scalpel / 35mmMan / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

11. Tower 42

Tower 42 is one of the older skyscrapers in our list of the most famous skyscrapers in London as it was completed between 1971 and 1980. It was constructed to serve as the headquarters of the National Westminster Bank and is therefore commonly known as the Natwest Tower. It was the highest building in the United Kingdom upon completion with a height of 183 meters (600 feet). It held this record until the topping out of One Canada Square in the year 1990. Today, the tower serves as an office tower and is home to a wide variety of companies.

Tower 42 / David Barrie / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

12. 22 Bishopsgate

22 Bishopgate is commonly referred to as "TwentyTwo" and is a commercial skyscraper in London that was only completed in the year 2020. It's a massive building that stands 278 meters (912 feet) and has become one of the most imposing structures in the central business district of the City of London. The completion of the tower is remarkable in the sense that it was built on top of a previously canceled project known as "The Pinnacle." This was to become the second-highest skyscraper in the United Kingdom after the Shard but was shelved following the Great Recession in 2012. The skyline of the City of London is becoming quite fascinating, don't you think?

City of London skyline / GrindtXX / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #FamousSkyscrapers #London #Skyscrapers #SkyscrapersinLondon #UnitedKingdom

Top 10 Famous Mountains In South America

The South American continent is dominated by the amazing mountains of the Andes mountain, the longest mountain range on any continent on the planet. It's part of the so-called American Cordillera, a continuous chain of mountain ranges that runs from north to south across the Americas. This also makes it less than surprising that just about all of the most famous mountains in South America are located in the western part of the continent, including the highest mountain outside of Asia. Let's take a closer look at some of the most amazing mountains in this part of the world.

1. Aconcagua

Aconcagua is the mountain peak we referred to when we mentioned the highest mountain peak outside of Asia. This beast reaches an elevation of 6,960.8 meters (22,837 feet) above sea level which also makes it the highest mountain in both the Western Southern Hemispheres. It's located in the Principal Cordillera of the Andes Mountain range and in the province of Mendoza in the western central part of Argentina. This majestic mountain used to be sacred for the Inca culture and climbing is relatively easy when approaches from the north. Read more on Listerious: 12 facts about Aconcagua

Aconcagua / Beatriz Moisset / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

2. Chimborazo

Chimborazo is an inactive volcano and one of the most famous mountains in South America for a very special reason. When measured from the earth's center, it's actually the highest point on the planet, even though it's much shorter than Mount Everest in the Himalayas at an elevation of 6,263.47 meters (20,549.4 feet) above sea level. The mountain is located in Ecuador and is the highest peak in the country as well, even though it's only the 39th-highest mountain in the Andes. The proximity to the Equator explains why it's the highest mountain in the world when measured from the earth's center instead of from above sea level. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about Chimborazo

Chimborazo / David Torres Costales / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. El Panecillo

Even though most of the amazing mountains in South America in this list are incredible, often snow-covered peaks, El Panecillo is actually nothing more than a hill. The location of this small mountain is what makes it so special though because it's located in the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. This hill of volcanic origin reaches an altitude of 3,016 meters (9,895 feet) above sea level and provides some of the most amazing views of Quito imaginable. It's also topped with a huge statue called the "Virgen de Quito," something that definitely adds to the magic of this city hill. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about El Panecillo

El Panecillo in Quito / Wiki Commons

4. Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is a perfectly shaped and snow-covered active volcano in the Andes mountains. It's located in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador, not too far from the city of Latacunga. This is in the northern central area of the country and about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Quito. This amazing volcano reaches an elevation of 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) above sea level which makes it the second-highest mountain in Ecuador after Chimborazo. It's also one of the highest volcanoes in the world and quite an active one as well, having erupted over 50 times already since 1732 and the last one happening between August 2015 and January 2016.

Cotopaxi / Wiki Commons

5. Ojos del Salado

Ojos del Salado is officially the highest active volcano in the world as it reaches an elevation of 6,893 meters (22,615 feet) above sea level. This is only slightly shorter than Aconcagua as well which means it's the second-highest mountain in the Western and Southern hemispheres. Its located on the border of Argentina and Chile, not too far away from the Atacama Desert. This means that the mountain is located in a very arid region so it's not always covered in snow, regardless of its extremely high altitude. The landscape around the mountain resembles that of Mars, which is why Mars expedition simulations have taken place here.

Ojos del Salado / Sergejf / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

6. Monte Fitz Roy

Monte Fitz Roy is one of the most distinctive mountains in South America. It's situated in the Patagonia region, west of the Patagonia Desert and right on the border of Argentina and Chile. This particular region is referred to as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the second-largest of its kind outside of the Polar regions. The mountain is situated in a mesmerizing landscape, surrounded by glacial lakes. Monte Fitz Roy is therefore considered to be the ultimate symbol of the Sant Cruz Province of Argentina in which its located. The mountain was named after a British officer of the Royal Navy named Robert FitzRoy who explored the region in the 19th century.

Monte Fitz Roy / Todor Bozhinov / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

7. Huascarán

Huascarán is another one of the famous mountains in South America that reaches an extremely high altitude. It's the highest point in Peru with a height of 6,768 meters (22,205 feet) above sea level and is located in the central part of the country. It's the centerpiece of the Huascarán National Park which encircles the mountain. Even though it's not the highest mountain in South America, it does hold a remarkable record as it's the highest mountain in the Tropics, the region around the world's Equator. It's also a remarkable mountain for featuring two extremely voluminous peaks, with the souther peak being the highest.

Huascarán / Wiki Commons

8. Monte Pissis

While Huascarán is the fourth-highest mountain in the Western and Southern hemispheres, Monte Pissis is slightly higher which makes it the third-highest. This is an extinct volcano located on the border of the La Rioja and Catamarca provinces in the northwestern part of Argentina. The mountain reaches an elevation of 6,792 meters (22,283 feet) above sea level and features an amazing glacier, a unique feature in the region because it's also located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas on the planet. The mountain was named after Pedro José Amadeo Pissis, a French geologist who worked for the Chilean government in the 19th century.

Monte Pissis near the summit / Wiki Commons

9. Misti

Misti is a composite volcano in southern Peru and is locally known as "Putina" or "Guagua Putina." It's an active volcano that erupted for the last time in the year 1985 and is located in the vicinity of Arequipa, the second-most Populus city in Peru. The volcano stands 5,822 meters (19,101 feet) above sea level and even though it's active, it's a popular mountain for climbers. It features multiple climbing routes and several camps are located on the flanks of the mountain as well. The crater of the volcano is quite remarkable as well as it features 3 separate, yet concentric craters.

El Misti from Arequipa / Ky / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

10. Mount Corcovado

All of the mountains in our list with the most famous mountains in South America so far are located in the Andes in the western part of the continent. We couldn't complete this list without including one situated in the eastern part, namely Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. This majestic peak overlooks the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro below at an elevation of 710 meters (2,330 feet). The mountain is world-famous for featuring one of the greatest monuments in the world, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, the ultimate icon of the city.

Mount Corcovado / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#FamousMountains #Mountains #MountainsinSouthAmerica #Nature #SouthAmerica

Top 10 Famous Palaces In France

When we think about palaces in France, then one of the most opulent palaces in the world surely comes to mind, right? We have included this palace in the list but there are a lot more worth checking out if you plan to visit France. Even though some of the incredible castles that were built in France are also sometimes referred to as a palace, for example, the Château de Fontainebleau, this list only contains structures that are defined as a palace. This means that you won't find fortified walls, moats, or canons here but rather elaborately decorated gates. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

1. Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles can easily be described as the epitome of palaces all around the world. It's located in the city of Versailles, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) west of the heart of Paris, and the structure and its gardens are one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. What started as a simple hunting lodge was continuously expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries, most notably by King Louis XIV. He even moved his official seat here in 1682 which turned the palace into the most important building in France as well. You have to see the extravagance to believe it. Read more on Listerious: 22 facts about the Palace of Versailles

Part of the enormous Palace of Versailles / Wiki Commons

2. Luxembourg Palace

Luxembourg Palace is another royal palace located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, just south of the historical heart of the city. It predates the palace of Versailles as it was mostly completed between 1615 and 1635, a time in which it became the residence of Queen regent Marie de Medici (1575-1642). The palace was seriously expanded in the 19th century and has served a wide variety of purposes for the French Government, including the seat of the upper houses. The palace resembles the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy, and together with the Jardin de Luxembourg is a popular tourist attraction in Paris as well. Read more on Listerious: 15 facts about Luxembourg Palace

Luxembourg Palace and gardens / Olivier Bruchez / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

3. Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy

Before the kings ruled over France, the Dukes of Burgundy were in charge. One of their best-preserved residences is called the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, an enormous structure located in the French city of Dijon in the northeastern part of France. The oldest parts of this famous palace in France dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and were constructed in the Gothic architectural style. Most of the visible elements of the palace today were built in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Neoclassical style. Today, the palace serves as the City Hall and houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Dijon.

Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy / Ketounette / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

4. Palais-Royal

The Palais-Royal was originally called the Palais-Cardinal, a reference to the man who commissioned its construction, Cardinal Richelieu, in the early 17th century. It eventually became royal property and was once owned by the Duke of Orléans who received it as a gift from his older brother, King Louis XIV. The former royal palace is located in the historical heart of Paris in the 1st arrondissement of the city. It's another former royal palace that was transformed into a government building. Today, it serves as the seat of the Ministry of Culture, the Conseil d'État, and the Constitutional Council.

Palais-Royal in Paris / Zairon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

5. Palais du Rhin

Even though the Palais du Rhin is located in the French city of Strasbourg, it was constructed during the 19th century, a time that the region was part of Prussia. It's located in the German quarter of the city and located on the amazing Place de la République, formerly known as the "Kasierplatz." The palace was constructed following the concussion of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, a period that the region was annexed by Prussia. It was therefore built in the late 19th century to serve as the official residence of the Kaiser of Prussia. Today, it houses the offices of the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles of Alsace.

Palais du Rhin / Chabe01 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

6. Palais de la Bourse

The Palais de la Bourse is also sometimes referred to as the Palais du Commerce and is located in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, the second-most populous city of France. The building never served as a royal palace and was only built during the 19th century. It remarkably still serves the main purpose it was built for as it houses the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lyon. It was used for a wide variety of other things as well throughout its history, including as a museum and office building for several companies.

Palais de la Bourse / Andrzej Otrębski / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

7. Palais Rohan

The Palais Rohan is yet another famous palace in France located in the largest city of the Grand Est Region, Strasbourg. It's located right next to the most prominent landmark in the city, Strasbourg Cathedral, and was completed between 1730 and 1742. The structure is considered to be the epitome of French Baroque architecture and has been used multiple times as the venue for special occasions for French monarchs. Today, it houses the 3 most important museums in the city, the Archaeological Museum (Musée archéologique, basement), the Museum of Decorative Arts (Musée des arts décoratifs, ground floor), and the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts.

Palais ROhan / Aloïs Peiffer / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

8. Palace of Tau

The Palace of Tau is another one of the famous palaces in France that is located next to an important religious structure, in this case, the Cathedral of Reims. It was originally constructed to serve as the palace of the Archbishop of Reims between 1498 and 1509. The freshly coronated Kings of France, an event that happened in Reims Cathedral since the Middle Ages, stayed here as well. The oldest part of the structure is a chapel that dates back to 1207 and the palace was completely redesigned in the baroque architectural style between 1671 and 1710.

Palace of Tau / Ludovic Péron / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

9. Palais de la Légion d'Honneur

Even though the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur is referred to as a palace, it was originally built as the "Hôtel de Salm" between 1782 and 1787. It's located on the Left Bank of the River Seine in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and houses the Musée de la Légion d'honneur ("Museum of the Legion of Honour"). It also houses the headquarters of the Légion d'honneur which is considered to be the highest French order of merit. It has been an influential building as well because a three-quarters replica was built in San Francisco which is now a department of the Museum of Fine Arts in the city.

Palais de la Légion d'Honneur / Wiki Commons

10. Élysée Palace

The Élysée Palace serves as the official residence of the President of the French Republic and is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris in the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. This is not too far away from the Champs-Élysées, the most famous avenue in the city. The palace was completed in the year 1722 and originally served as the residence of a nobleman and army officer named Louis Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne. It has been the official residence of the French president since 1848 and is also the location of the weekly meeting of the French Government, an event presided by the president himself that is referred to as the "Council of Ministers."

Élysées Palace / Remi Mathis / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #FamousPalaces #France #Palaces #PalacesinFrance

Top 10 Famous Bridges In Japan

An island country like Japan requires an intricate network of bridges to connect the various most populated islands. This has resulted in some of the most amazing bridges on the planet. Even though Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world, not all these magnificent structures are located here. We also included some historic bridges into this list with some of the most famous bridges in Japan.

1. Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is a huge suspension bridge that connects the cities of Kobe and Osaka, cities that are part of one of the most populous metropolitan areas in Japan on the island of Honshu, with the small town of Iwaya on Awaji Island. It spans the busy Akashi Strait. The bridge is remarkable for having the longest main span of any bridge in the world with a length of 1,991 meters (6,532 feet) and has held this record since its completion in 199. To give some reference to this number, the Golden Gate Bridge has a main span of 1,280 meters (4,199.5 feet) which is significantly shorter. Read more on Listerious: 12 facts about the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

2. Kintai Bridge

The Kintai Bridge is a wooden arch bridge that spans the Nishiki River in the city of Iwakuni which is part of the Yamaguchi prefecture. The historic bridge was built in the late 17th century and leads up to the foot of the Yokohama Hill on which Iwakuni Castle is located. The bridge in combination with the castle is a popular tourist attraction in Japan, especially during the Cherry blossom festival. The bridge isn't the original one as it has been rebuilt quite a few times following its destruction by typhoons. The bridge features 5 spans and was declared a national treasure of Japan in 1922. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about the Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge / Jakub Halun / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

3. Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans Tokyo Bay just south of the historical heart of the city. It connects Odaiba, an artificial island, with Minato City, one of the many special wards in the enormous city of Tokyo. As the name of the bridge suggests, it's famous for its illumination at night. This turns the bridge into one of the most fascinating landmarks in the heart of the city. The bridge was completed between 1987 and 1993 and its central location in Japan's capital makes it one of the busiest bridges in the country.

Rainbow Bridge / Kakidai / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

4. Eshima Ohashi Bridge

The Eshima Ohashi Bridge spans Nakaumi Lake in the southwestern part of Honshu. It's a rigid-frame bridge, a type of bridge in which the superstructure and substructure are rigidly connected. It's the largest bridge of its kind in Japan with a total length of 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) and the third-largest rigid-frame bridge in the world. This is not the only reason why this particular structure made it to our list of the most famous bridges in Japan. The incline of the bridge looks extremely steep when photographed from a certain angle, but in reality, the bridge is only 44.7 meters (147 feet), and the maximum gradient is just 6.1%, making it a remarkable optical illusion.

Eshima Ohashi Bridge / Mstk East / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

5. Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge

The Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge is another fascinating bridge in Japan, mainly because of its location and the fact that it's one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country (the second-longest to be precise). The bridge has a length of 390 meters (1,279 feet) and reaches a maximum height of 173 meters (568 feet) above the valley floor below. The bridge offers astounding views of the valley, the Kuju mountain range, and two spectacular waterfalls known as the Shindo no taki and Medaki waterfalls. It's located on the island of Kyushu in the utmost southwestern part of the country and is one has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region since its opening in 2006.

Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge / Si-take / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Tatara Bridge

The Tatra Bridge is a spectacular cable-stayed bridge and is part of a route that connects the islands of Honshū and Shikoku while spanning the Seto Inland Sea. The bridge opened for traffic in the year 1999 and has a total length of 1,480 meters (4,856 feet). The most prominent features of the bridge are the two massive towers to which the cables are connected. These towers stand 220 meters (722 feet), making them some of the most fascinating landmarks in Japan. It took over 6 years to complete the bridge and cost well over $600 million back then.

Tatara Bridge / Fabimaru / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

7. Tokyo Gate Bridge

The Tokyo Gate Bridge is an incredible truss cantilever bridge that spans Tokyo Bay in Koto City, a special ward just southwest of the city's historical center. It has a total length of 2,618 meters (8,589 feet) and a maximum height of 87.8 meters (288 feet) which is quite high for a bridge of this type. The bridge is an integral part of a newly developed ringway around Tokyo (one of the many) and was completed in the year 2012. It cost an astounding ¥113,000,000,000 to complete, the equivalent of over $1 billion today.

Tokyo Gate Bridge / Zengame / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

8. Ikitsuki Bridge

The Ikitsuki Bridge is a similar type of bridge to the Tokyo Gate Bridge with the difference that it consists of a continuous truss. This means that it doesn't extend with the use of hinges or joints. It connects the city of Ikitsuki with Hirado island in the utmost southwestern part of Japan. Its main span has a total length of 400 meters (1,300 feet) which makes it the longest continuous truss bridge in the world. It surpassed the Astoria-Megler Bridge in Oregon in 1991 a similar structure that held the record between 1966 and 1991 with a length of 376 meters (1,232 feet).

Ikitsuki Bridge / Hiroshi Nakai / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

9. Megane Bridge

Megane Bridge or "Meganabashi" as it's known locally has been nicknamed "Spectacles Bridge." That's because of the simple fact that the two arches of this stone arch bridge resemble a pair of spectacles. It spans the Nakashima River and is located in the city of Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu in the southwestern part of Japan. As you surely expected, this small stone bridge is another historic bridge that dates back to the year 1634. It's presumably one of the oldest stone bridges in Japan. This is remarkable because a devastating storm washed away just about all the other stone bridges in this city. All the stones of the Megane Bridge were retrieved and the bridge was completely rebuilt with the 17th-century stones.

Megane Bridge / Hiroaki Kaneko / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

10. Mishima Skywalk

The Mishima Skywalk is the common name of a pedestrian bridge that is officially known as the "Hakone Seiroku Mishima Suspension Bridge." This bridge spans a valley located near the rim of Mount Hakone, a large volcano just southeast of Tokyo. The bridge is located just northeast of Mishima, a city not too far to the southeast of the immense Tokyo metropolitan area. It has a length of 400 meters (1,312 feet) which makes it the longest pedestrian bridge in Japan. The main reason why its one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region since 2015 is because it provides astounding views of both Surima Bay and Mount Fuji.

Mishima Skywalk / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#Architecture #Bridges #BridgesinJapan #FamousBridges #Japan

6 Famous Arches In London (1 was demolished)

The Romans left behind a large number of monumental arches all across Europe, a structure they invented that was used for triumphal parades in honor of a specific event. Mostly this revolved around bringing along the spoils of war. Even though none of these still stand in the United Kingdom (a ruined one can be found in Richborough, Kent), the design of these structures was incorporated in the construction of arches and gates in modern times. Let's take a closer look at 5 arches that decorate the streets of London today. You'll also discover one of the arches in London that was demolished and of which only the gates and some fragments remain today (and we'll tell you where to find this gate as well).

1. Marble Arch

As the name of the magnificent landmark in Lindon suggests, Marble Arch is a triumphal arch clad in white marble. The structure was designed by John Nash, a renowned architect of the 19th century, in the year 1827. It was originally designed to serve as the entrance to the "cour d'honneur" of Buckingham Palace. Completed in the year 1833, it served this purpose until it was relocated to its current position in 1853. It now stands on a traffic island at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road, a peculiar location for one of the greatest monuments in the city. Read more on Listerious: 12 facts about Marble Arch

Marble Arch in London / Wei-Te Wong / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

2. Wellington Arch

Wellington Arch has been referred to as Constitution Arch and Green Park Arch and was designed and constructed around the same time as Marble Arch. It's located in Hyde Park Corner, right in between Hyde Park and Green Park, and is the most prominent landmark in this area. This is yet another arch that stands both on a traffic island (albeit a much larger one) and that was moved to its current location. This move wasn't as far as Marble Arch as well and happened between 1882 and 1883. The bronze quadriga that tops the arch was only added in the year 1912.

Wellington Arch / Carlos Delgado / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. York Watergate

The York Watergate was originally part of York House, a collection of mansions that once occupied the area around the Strand, a major thoroughfare in central London. Originally built as a townhouse for the Bishops of Norwich, it was granted to the Archbishop of York in 1556 which is how it got its name. The mansions built on this location had direct access to the River Thames which was used a lot more for transportation during these days. The York Watergate is one of the surviving features of this mansion complex and was completed in 1626 by George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. It served as a ceremonial entry to one of the mansions.

York Water Gate / Mike Peel / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

4. Guy's Hospital War Memorial Arch

The Guy's Hospital War memorial Arch is a commemorative arch that was commissioned by Guy's Hospital in 1921. It was to serve as a memorial to the students and staff of Guy's Hospital who lost their lives during World War I. Their names are inscribed into the arch. This remarkable monument was unveiled by the Duke of York in July 1921. It's located in the Southwark district of Central London, just west of Guy's Tower (the hospital) and the highest and most amazing skyscraper in London, the Shard.

Guy's Hospital War Memorial Gate / Reading Tom / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

5. Temple Bar

Temple Bar has served as the ceremonial entrance to London from the City of Westminster since the Middle Ages. This whole area in between the City of Westminster and the city of London is referred to as the "Temple," named after Temple Church which is located here. The original gate on this location was replaced in the 17th century and designed by the architect of St. paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren. It was completed between 1669 and 1672 and built with the distinctive Portland Stone with which also the famous church in London was constructed. Remarkably, it's the only of the 7 similar gateways into London that wasn't demolished during the 1760s.

Temple Bar Gate London / Andreas Praefcke / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

6. Euston Arch

Euston Arch was constructed in the year 1837 and served as the monumental entrance to Euston Station, a huge railway station just east of the Regent's Park and northwest of London's historical heart. This gate was unfortunately demolished in the 1960s at a time that the station was completely rebuilt. The controversial decision to demolish one of the most famous arches in London wasn't a popular one. It later turned out that much of the stonework of the arch had been deposited into the Prescott Channel as well to be used as a filling, much of which has been recovered by now.

Euston Arch in the 1890s / Wiki Commons The only piece of the arch that was preserved in its entirety was the elaborately decorated gate (you can't throw that in the canal, right). This gate is now on public display at the National Railway Museum in York.

The Euston Arch Gate at the National Railway Museum in York / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#Arches #ArchesinLondon #Architecture #England #FamousArches #London

10 Grandiose Church Of Saint-Sulpice Facts

Of all the most famous churches in Paris, only one is larger than this remarkable Baroque structure on the Left Bank of the River Seine. Let's take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about the Church of Saint-Sulpice, a fascinating church with some remarkable stories to tell.

1. It's located in the Latin Quarter of Paris

The Church of Saint-Sulpice is an enormous structure located on a square with the same name, the "Place de Saint-Sulpice." The church dominates the eastern part of the large square on the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris. The structure is located in the 6th arrondissement of the city, an area known as the Latin Quarter. It's nestled in between the Louvre Museum to the north (which is located across the River Seine) and the Luxembourg Palace to the south. The square in front of the church is relatively big and is dominated by a large fountain. It originally served its purpose as a little park for the people who lived in the fast-growing Latin Quarter to relax.

The church in Paris / Mbzt / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

2. The current building is the second church in this location

The original church on this location was a Romanesque structure that was completed in the 13th century. What's remarkable is that this was also a pretty big structure but that ended up being replaced after the establishment of the "Society of Saint-Sulpice" in 1642. This newly established congregation became so popular that the existing church didn't suffice anymore, so plans to build a new church were made. The first stone was laid in 1646 by Anne of Austria, the Queen of France at the time as the wife of King Louis XIII. The church was dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious, a 7th century Bishop of Bourges who became a saint.

The 13th-century Romanesque church / Wiki Commons

3. It's the second-largest church in Paris

The Church of Saint-Sulpice was built at an enormous scale, eventually becoming the second-largest church in Paris. Only Notre-Dame Cathedral, the most famous Gothic Cathedral in Paris and the epitome of Gothic architecture, is larger. The façade of the church is dominated by two towers that remarkably don't have the same height. The North tower stands 73 meters (240 feet) while the South Tower only reaches a height of 68 meters (223 feet). Even though the church doesn't appear to be that big initially (at least not to assume it's the second-largest church in the city), it's still massive. It has a total length of 119 meters (390 feet), a width of 57 meters (187 feet), and the interior has a height of 33 meters (108 feet).

Aerial view of the church / Guilhem Vellut / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

4. The towers on the façade don't match for a particular reason

Building such a huge structure took some time and several civil wars known as "Les Frondes" followed by a shortage in the budget didn't help either. Regardless, many elements of the church were completed in the 17th century. Most of the church was completed by 1732 and this was the year that an architectural competition was held for the design of the west façade. The competition was won by an Italian architect named Giovanni Servandoni (1695-1766) but he never saw the completion of the two towers he designed. This means that the subsequent architect made quite a few changes to the original design. This was especially the case regarding the pediment and the two massive towers which were much thinner in his design. This design was based on the façade of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The original Baroque design was changed into a more Neoclassical design, but because of the French Revolution, the towers were never completed, resulting in a mismatch.

The towers of the church / Mbzt / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

5. It's home to a remarkable 18th-century astronomical device

The interior of the church is vast and the end of the transept is dominated by massive Corinthian columns. One of the most remarkable features of the church is located in the south transept. Here you can find the so-called "Gnomon of Saint-Sulpice," an astronomical device that allows you to see the position of the sun in the sky. The sunlight shines through a small glass window at a height of about 25 meters. When an obelisk at the opposite end is lit near its tip, the sun is at its lowest point at midday. The gnomon was commissioned in the year 1727 but wasn't completed until the year 1743. It eventually became redundant with the invention of much most powerful telescopes.

The gnomon inside the church / Andy Hay / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

More interesting facts about the Church of Saint-Sulpice

6. The construction of the church had started in 1636 but was halted due to the Frondes, a series of civil wars that happened during the Franco-Spanish Wars between 1648 and 1653. During this initial construction phase, only the Lady Chapel had been completed by 1660. Remarkably, the original design of the church was completely altered b an architect named Daniel Gittard after the first architect, Christophe Gamard, had died in the year 1649. 7. The Lady Chapel also doesn't feature its original design because it was completely rebuilt during the 18th century, the same period that the façacde was built. It was redesigned once more in the late 18th century and an impressive fresco in the Rococo style was added. This depicts the Assumption of the Virgin to the dome of the already elaborately decorated Baroque interior of the chapel.

Lady Chapel in the church / Mbzt / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 8. During the French Revolution, the Roman Catholic Church was transformed into a "Temple to worship the Supreme Being." A sign above the front door of the church was added which read: "’Le Peuple Français Reconnoit L’Etre Suprême Et L’Immortalité de L’Âme." Part of this sign is still visible and it translates to: "The French people recognize the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul." 9. The church laid a prominent role in the international bestseller "The Da Vinci Code," resulting in hoards of tourists flocking to this remarkable landmark in Paris. A sing inside the church was added which reads: Contrary to fanciful allegations in a recent best-selling novel, this is not a vestige of a pagan temple. No such temple ever existed in this place. It was never called a «Rose-Line». It does not coincide with the meridian traced through the middle of the Paris Observatory which serves as a reference for maps where longitudes are measured in degrees East or West of Paris…. Please also note that the letters «P» and «S» in the small round windows at both ends of the transept refer to Peter and Sulpice, the patron saints of the church, not an imaginary «Priory of Sion.»Quote inside the church of Saint-Sulpice. When Ron Howard requested to film some scenes inside the church for the movie version of "The Da Vinci Code" (2005) he was denied access by the Archdiocese of Paris. 10. The church has had an extensive history of renowned organists dating back to the 17th century. The current organ inside the church is a remarkable work of art in itself and was completed in the year 1862.

The organ inside the church / Selbymay / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #Churches #ChurchesinParis #famouschurches #France #Paris

Top 12 Famous Churches In Milan

Even though the city of Milan in northern Italy is world-famous for being the home of one of the most spectacular churches in the world, there are a lot more churches in the city worth checking out. The capital of the Lombardy region has been one of the most important cities in Europe since ancient times, a notion emphasized by the fact that Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Mediolanum in the year 286 A.D. The Edict of Milan, an agreement that read to the acceptance of all religions was issued here as well in 313 A.D., an event that lead to the construction of churches all across Europe, including Milan. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous churches in Milan, incredible landmark buildings that have more than one interesting story to tell.

1. Milan Cathedral

Milan Cathedral is locally known as the "Duomo di Milano" and is the building around which the city was built. Its located on the square with the same name and is officially known as the "Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary." The construction of the current magnificent Gothic Cathedral started in the 14th century and wasn't fully completed until the year 1965. When we excluded the enormous St. Peter's Basilica, which is officially located in Vatican City, it's the largest church in Italy. Read more on Listerious: 12 facts about Milan Cathedral

Duomo di Milano from Duomo Square / Jiuguang Wang / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

2. Santa Maria delle Grazie

Even though Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most famous churches in Italy, the fame of the structure itself is overshadowed by a fresco that decorates a wall in the refectory of the church. This is the Last Supper Painting by Leonardo da Vinci, arguably one of the best-known paintings in the world. The church itself was completed in the 15th century during the reign of Duke Ludovico Sforza, the patron of da Vinci. It's also possible that renowned architect Donato Bramante had a hand in the design of the apse of the church, even though this isn't 100% clear. Read more on Listerious: 10 facts about Sant Maria delle Grazie

Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan / Wiki Commons

3. Basilica of Sant'Amborgio

The Basilica of Sant'Amborgio is another church in the historical heart of Milan that has an extended history. The original church on this location was built between 379 and 386 and was built by Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan in the 4th century. The current version of the church was completed in the year 1099 in the Romanesque style, making it an incredibly old building that still stands today. The south and north towers of the church are pretty old as well, dating back to the 9th and 12th centuries respectively.

Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio / Novellón / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

4. San Carlo al Corso

San Carlo al Corso is a church that was completed in the 19th century between 1844 ad 1847, and this reflects in the Neoclassical architectural design of the building which resembles that of the Pantheon in Rome. It was commissioned by the Servite Order in the city. The church is located just northeast of the Duomo of Milan and replaced an earlier building that served as the Convent of the Servite Order. This structure was completed in 1290 but ended up being replaced by the current church which is still managed by the Servite Order today.

San Carlo al Corso / Arbalete / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

5. Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is located just southwest of the historical heart of the city and is another church that has roots dating back to Roman times, having been consecrated in the year 402. It was rebuilt multiple times throughout its history and was only completed in its current state in the 18th century. The church is located in the vicinity of the Ticino Gate, one of the medieval gates of Milan. It's also partially encircled by a popular park in Milan that was named after the two churches it connects called "Basilicas Park."

Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore / Sergio D’Afflitto / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/it/deed.en

6. Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio

The Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio is the other church located near the Basilicas park and can be found in the southern part of this green pubic space in Central Milan. This is one of the most famous churches in Milan for a very specific reason. It used to be a very important stop for pilgrims who traveled to Rome as it was assumed to contain the grave of the "Three Magi" or "Three Kings." Yes, these are the three guys that supposedly visited baby Jesus Christ shortly after he was born. The church also has roots in the 4th century and was completed as it looks today in the 16th century.

Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio / Parsifall / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

7. Church of Saint Maurice

The Church of Saint Maurice is officially known as the San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. This is a reference to the fact that it's attached to what was once the most important female convent of the Benedictines called the "Monastero Maggiore." This former monastery has now been transformed into the Civic Archaeological Museum which has many ancient artifacts on display. The church itself was completed between 1503 and 1518, a period now referred to as the High-Renaissance.

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore / Markus Mark / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

8. San Fedele

San Fedele is a church managed by the Jesuit Order in the city of Milan and was dedicated to St. Fidelis of Como, a presumed Roman army officer who became a Christian and who was martyred during the Persecution of Christians in the early 4th century. The church is located right in the heart of the city, north of Milan Cathedral, and right next to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The church is renowned for the multiple religious artworks it houses and the adjoining Museo San Fedele which opened its doors in December 2014.

San Fedele / Luca Aless / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

9. Santa Maria della Passione

Santa Maria della Passione can easily be described as the epitome of Renaissance architecture in the city of Milan. It was originally built in the late 15th century and was expanded during the 16th century for it to take on the shape of a cross. The Baroque façade of the building wasn't completed until the late 17th-century and the church is also renowned for housing multiple important works of art, including both paintings on canvases and frescoes dating back to the early 16th century.

Santa Maria della Passione / Geobia / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

10. San Bernardino alle Ossa

San Bernardino alle Ossa is a church that was built near a former cemetery in Milan. Because the cemetery didn't suffice anymore in the 13th century, a chamber was built right next to it to store the remains of the dead people. This means that the side chapel of the church was turned into an ossuary, the main reason why the church was named "San Bernardino alle Ossa." The original church on the site was destroyed in the early 18th century and rebuilt to its current design in the year 1776. The ossuary remains the most popular attraction of the church today.

San Bernardino alle Ossa / Zairon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

11. San Nazaro Maggiore

San Nazaro Maggiore is also sometimes referred to as San Nazaro in Brolo and is a church that was built by Saint Ambrose, the 4th-century Bishop of Milan, himself. This fact is verified by an inscription he made on the alls, some of which are still visible today. The design of the church was also remarkable as it took on the shape of a Greek cross with naves extending from each side. It was built starting in the year 383 on the road leading from Milan to Rome. An additional structure that is known as the "Trivulzio Mausoleum" was built against the ancient structure in the 16th century.

Basilica di San Nazaro in Brolo / PaoloBon140 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

12. Santa Maria Presso San Satiro

Santa Maria Presso San Satiro is a church that was built between 1476 and 1482 and houses an important shrine in the city known as the "Shrine to Satyrus," the brother of Saint Ambrose who suddenly died in Milan in the year 378. The most fascinating feature of the church is located right at the end of the nave. The wall at the end of the church features an optical illusion known as "trompe-l'œil," one of the first times an architect used this technique in architecture. It's attributed to Donato Bramante and allowed him to create a much larger apse than the 90 centimeters (3 feet) he had to work with.

The optical illusion at the back wall / Goldmund100 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #Churches #ChurchesinMilan #famouschurches #Italy #Milan

Top 10 Famous Lakes In France

France is a country rich in a wide variety of tourist attractions and natural wonders. This makes it all the more remarkable that many of the most wonderful lakes in the country aren't that well-known to the general public. We all know the magnificent monuments landmarks in Paris and the famous ski resorts of the Alps, or even the Champagne region in northern France, but somehow lakes aren't on top of the list. This changes right now because here are some of the most famous lakes in France, fascinating attractions that you should put on your France bucket list.

1. Lac d'Annecy

Lake Annecy was named after the city with the same name in the Haute-Savoie department in the southeastern part of France. It's one of the pre-alpine lakes in the country which means it offers a similar landscape to some of the famous pre-alpine lakes in Italy. The lake covers an area of 27.59 square kilometers (10.65 square miles) which makes it the third-largest lake in France and was formed about 18,000 years ago due to melting Alpine glaciers. It's fair to conclude that it's one of the most picturesque lakes in the country.

The amazing Lake Annecy / Markus Trienke / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

2. Lac de Gaube

Gaube Lake is located in that other famous mountain range in France, the Pyrenees, a range that forms the natural border between Spain and France. the impressive background ensures it can hold a candle to the magnificent location of Lake Annecy. It's much smaller though as it covers an area of just 0.19 square kilometers (0.073 square miles). It's located at an altitude of 1,725 meters (5,659 feet) and not too far away from Vignemale a famous mountain in France and the highest mountain of the French Pyrenees.

Lac de Gaube and Vignemale / Miguel303xm / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en

3. Lac du Bourget

Lac du Bourget is located in the utmost southern part of the Jura Mountains, a sub-alpine range in the southeastern part of France. It's located just southeast of Lake Annecy as well and borders the famous thermal spa town Aix-les-Bainsin the French department of Savoie. It's the deepest lake that is entirely situated within France and reaches a maximum depth of 145 meters (476 feet). It's another famous lake in France that was formed during the Last Glacial period on Earth and is surrounded by steep peaks, including the famous "Dent du Chat."

Lac du Burget and Dent du Chat / Semnoz / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

4. Lac du Mont Cenis

The Lac du Month Cenis isn't a natural but an artificial lake that was established during the construction of a dam. It's situated at a pass with the same name near the border with Italy and which marks the boundary between the Cottian and the Graian Alps, just south of the Vanoise National Park. The lake is situated at an elevation of 2,085 meters (6,841 feet) above sea level and the nearby pas connects the town of Val-Cenis in France with the town of Susa in Italy. The dam was constructed in 1921 and the lake now feeds two hydroelectric power plants in the area.

Lac du Mont Cenis / Espirat / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

5. Lac d'Aiguebelette

Lac d'Aiguebelette is located near the town of Aiguebelette-le-Lac in the department of Savoie. It covers an area of 5.45 square kilometers (2.10 square miles) and is relatively deep as well, reaching a maximum depth of 71 meters (233 feet). The southern end of the lake features two small islands named the "La Petite Ile" and "La Grande Ile." The largest of the two also features a chapel which adds to the already magnificent surroundings. The mesmerizing landscape attracts a lot of tourists to the lake every year.

Lac d'Aiguebelette / Florian Pépellin / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

6. Lac de Sainte-Croix

The Lake of Sainte-Croix is another artificial lake that was formed during the construction of the Sainte Croix Dam between 1971 and 1974. The lake's primary inlet is the Verdon River, famous for being the culprit of carving the Verdon Gorge, one of the most amazing canyons in France. What's amazing about this particular reservoir is that a small town named Les Salles-sur-Verdon was completely relocated during the construction of the dam. The original village is now completely submerged at the bottom of the lake.

Lac de Sainte-Croix and Verdon River / Qwesy Qwesy / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

7. Lac de Serre-Ponçon

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is an enormous reservoir that was created during the 1950s with the construction of the "Barrage de Serre-Ponçon," an enormous dam that stands 123 meters (404 feet) tall. It's located in the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the southeastern part of France. This artificial lake has a surface area of 28 square kilometers (11 square miles) which makes it one of the largest in Western Europe. While there is one hydroelectrical power plant on the lake itself, it also provides water for 15 other similar facilities in the area.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon / Josep Renalias / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

8. Lac de Genève

Lake Geneva is one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland but also extends into France where it's called "Lac Léman." The Swiss area of the lake accounts for 345.31 square kilometers (133.32 square miles), while the French area is 234.71 square kilometers (90.62 square miles). It's not only one of the largest lakes n Western Europe, but also one of the deepest ones, reaching a maximum depth of 310 meters (1,020 feet). The lake was named after the city located on its banks, Geneva, the second-most populous city in Switzerland.

Lavaux at Lac Léman / Shann Yu / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

9. Lac de Gérardmer

Lac de Gérardmer is one of the most famous lakes in France which isn't located in the southeastern part of the country. It's situated within the Vosges mountain range in the Grand Est Department in the southeastern part of the country. The lake covers an area of 1.16 square kilometers (0.45 square miles) and was named after the city with the same name in the eastern part of the lake. Even though it's relatively small, it's still the largest natural lake located in the Vosges mountain range.

Lac de Gérardmer / Espirat / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

10. Lac de Melu

Lac de Melu is one of the most famous lakes in France for several reasons. First of all, it's not located on France's mainland but on Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean which is one of the 18 regions of the country. It's located near the highest peaks on the island at an elevation of 1,710 meters (5,610 feet). This means that the landscape around the lake is quite amazing. Finally, the lake got its name because of the discovery of a bacterium named Polynucleobacter meluiroseus, a type of bacteria that was completely isolated in this lake which covers an area of just 0.065 square kilometers (0.025 square miles).

Lac de Melu in Corsica / Airola / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en Read the full article

#FamousLakes #France #Lakes #LakesinFrance #Nature

10 Mesmerizing Facts About The Hallerbos

Have you ever seen pictures of an amazing forest that features a blue carpet? Then you surely saw images of the Hallerbos, one of the most breathtaking attractions in Belgium. IN this article, you'll discover some of the most interesting facts about the Hallerbos, one of those feats of nature that make you stand in awe for its mesmerizing beauty.

1. It's located in a town near Belgium's capital

The Hallerbos translates to "Halle Forest" which is a reference to the town in which most of this magical feat of nature is located. Halle is a town with nearly 40,000 inhabitants in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. It's situated just southwest of the capital of Belgium, Brussels. The forest itself is located in the southeastern part of the city and even extends partially in Walloon Brabant, which is part of the French-speaking region of Belgium.

Halle in Belgium / Lise Cox / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

2. It used to be part of an ancient forest featuring old-growth trees

The forest has been important since Roman times. The woods in this region were referred to as the "Silva Carbonaria," or the "Charcoal Woods," a reference to the dark and gloomy nature of this dense forest. This old-growth first mainly consisted of beech and oak and formed the natural border between the Roman Empire in the south and the region where numerous Germanic tribes lived in the north. This is also how the language barrier was eventually formed, a boundary that runs right through Belgium. The northern part is now the Dutch-speaking Flanders while the southern part is the French-speaking Wallonia.

The nearby Sonian Forest / Donar Reiskoffer / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

3. The forest floor turns blue because of a particular flower

The main reason why the Hallerbos attracts tourists all around the world isn't that it was once the natural border of the Roman Empire, but because it produces an amazing blue carpet. This carpet is formed by the Hyacinthoides non-scripta flower, in English known as the "common bluebell" or simply "bluebell." Seeing this blue wonder of nature is usually an indication that the forest has ancient roots and dates back to at least before the 17th century. Even though the forest in Belgium is one of the most famous examples of such a forest in mainland Europe, these are quite common in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The bluebell carpet of the forest / Wiki Commons

4. It doesn't look like this most of the year

We don't want you to be disappointed when you plan to visit the Hallerbos, so it's better to be clear that it doesn't feature an amazing blue carpet throughout the year. One of the most remarkable facts about the Hallerbos is that it only looks like this for a couple of weeks every spring. By the time that the summer has started, the blooming flowers already disappeared, resulting in the Hallerbos looking like most other forests in the world. This also means that it can get quite crowded during this magical couple of weeks during the spring. Unfortunately, it's impossible to predict when this will happen as well as it mostly depends on the weather conditions at that particular time.

The forest in December / Donar Reiskoffer / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

5. Accessing the Hallerbos is relatively easy if you stay in Brussels

The Hallerbos is a popular tourist attraction and offers plenty of enjoyable activities. There are multiple hiking routes inside the forest and even a forest museum where you can learn about its extended history. If you want to visit the Hallerbos, you can travel from any railway station in Brussels (North, Central, or South) to Halle. At the Halle railway station, you can take a bus to the entrance of the forest. The relatively easy way to get to the forest makes this one of the best things to do in case you want to relax in a natural environment and away from the busy city of Brussels!

Hiking path in the forest / Wiki Commons

More interesting facts about the Hallerbos

6. Even though the Hallerbos is without a doubt the most famous tourist attraction in the town of Halle, the town itself features some interesting landmarks to visit as well. The town has always been an important town on the border between the County of Hainaut and the Duchy of Brabant. The immense Gothic Basilica of Saint Martin was constructed starting in the 15th century and the magnificent town hall was built during the Renaissance. 7. The forest was once part of a much larger interconnected series of forests of which only the Hallerbos and the Sonian Woods have survived into modern times in the region. The cutting of this old-growth forest that the Romans referred to as the charcoal wood started during Roman times and continued throughout the centuries. Today, the Hallerbos only covers an area of 552 hectares (1,360 acres) while the nearby Sonian Forest is much larger and covers an area of 4,421 hectares (10,920 acres). The Sonian Forest is therefore sometimes referred to as the "Green Lung of Brussels."

8. The forest was once owned by the rulers of the region, starting with the Merovingians and onwards to the Counts of Burgundy and the Habsburg rulers in the Low countries. One of the most remarkable facts about the Hallerbos is that the connection with the nearby Sonian Forest was still present in the year 1777. This connection had a length of 1.5 kilometers (0.93) but was lost during a heavy deforestation period in the 19th century. 9. During World War I most of the old-growth forest was cut by German forces who occupied the region. This resulted in most of the forest ending up completely ruined during this devastating event in human history. The forest was nationalized in the year 1929 to protect this magical place and a massive replanting project was conducted between 1930 and 1950. This means that the Hallerbos in its current state is a relatively young forest. 10. The blooming of the bluebells only lasts for 7 to 10 days and the best time to visit is right at the start. The main reason is that most of the sunlight can reach the flowers through the forest canopy during the first couple of days. As the leaves on the trees grow, less sunlight can reach the flowers, slightly reduces the magic.

The sun shining through the blooming forest / Wiki Commons Read the full article

#Belgium #Famousforests #Forests #Hallerbos

Top 10 Famous Skyscrapers In San Francisco

Even though the most famous attractions in San Francisco are the incredible bridges that span the San Francisco Bay, the city is home to some pretty awesome skyscrapers as well. This is pretty remarkable because the city is located in an extremely earthquake-prone area, a type of calamity that has flattened the entire city more than once already. This also means that the tall buildings in the city are built with earthquake-resistant features in mind. In this article, you'll discover some of the most famous skyscrapers in San Francisco, landmarks that are somewhat in the shadow of the city's wonderful bridges but that deserve a list on Listerious.

1. Transamerica Pyramid

The Transamerica Pyramid is the most distinctive skyscraper in San Francisco, and arguably in all of the United States as well. The tower has the shape of a pyramid and stands 853 feet (260 meters), a height that made it the tallest building in the city between its completion in 1972 and 2018. It was originally constructed to serve as the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, an American holding company. This corporation eventually moved its headquarters to Baltimore, so now it serves as a regular office tower and picturesque tourist attraction. Read more on Listerious: 21 facts about the Transamerica Pyramid

Transamerica Pyramid / Haha169 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

2. Salesforce Tower

The Salesforce Tower was originally known as the Transbay Tower and is one of the newest additions to the San Francisco skyline, and what an addition it is! It surpassed the Transamerica Pyramid in height in the year 2018 as it reaches a height of 1,070 feet (326 meters). The tower is located in the South of Market district in the city which is just south of the Financial District of San Francisco. The top floors of the tower feature a remarkable work of art called "Day for Night," an electronic sculpture that displays abstract videos that were filmed that day in the city at night. Read more on Listerious: 12 facts about the Salesforce Tower

Salesforce Tower / Dead.rabbit / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

3. Millennium Tower

The Millennium Tower is another famous skyscraper in San Francisco that is located in the South of Market district of the city, just northeast of the Salesforce Tower. Even though it's considered to be a mixed-use building, it primarily functions as a residential tower. The tower reaches a height of 645 feet (197 meters) which makes it the tallest residential skyscraper in the city. The distinctive blue-gray glass and modern design of the structure also make it one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in San Francisco.

Millennium Tower / Michael Gimbel / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

4. Russ Building

While the Millennium Tower has a distinctively modern appearance, the Russ Building was designed in the neo-Gothic architectural style. This is similar to the famous Gothic Cathedrals that can be found prominently in Europe that resembles the dominant architectural style of the late Middle Ages. It's also one of the oldest skyscrapers in San Francisco as it was completed in 1927, just before the start of the Great Depression. The building stands 436 feet (133 meters) tall, a height that made it the tallest structure in the city between 1927 and 1964.

Russ Building / Grizzlehizzle / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

5. 181 Fremont

The transition from the neo-Gothic Russ Building to the modern 181 Fremont s is quite radical. This magnificent mixed-use skyscraper is located just east of the Salesforce Tower in the South of Market district of downtown San Francisco. The only area in between the Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont is the Salesforce Park, a remarkable green area in the city that was an integral part of the Transbay redevelopment project. The tower stands 803 feet (245 meters) tall, as completed in 2018, and its main tenant is Facebook, a company that houses its SF office and Instagram section in the tower's offices.

181 Fremont / Dead.rabbit / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

6. 44 Montgomery

44 Montgomery is located in the central part of the Financial District of San Francisco and is mainly used as an office tower. It was completed in the year 1967 and was briefly the tallest skyscraper in the western part of the United States with a height of 564 feet (172 meters). The tower was originally commissioned by the Wells Fargo Bank and the building has been acquired several times throughout its history. Most recently by Beacon Capital in 2017, a company that bought the tower for $473 million.

44 Montgomery / Sailko / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

7. 555 California Street

555 California Street is one of the most famous skyscrapers in San Francisco and an incredible landmark in the city. It's the building that surpassed 44 Montgomery in height in 1969 as it reaches a height of 779 feet (237 meters). This also means that it became the tallest building in western America until it was surpassed by the Transamerica Pyramid in 1972. It remains the 4th-tallest building in the city and served as the world headquarters of the bank of America until it merged with NationsBank in 1998, prompting a move to Charlotte, North Carlina.

555 California Street / Dead.rabbit / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

8. 345 California Center

345 California Center is a skyscraper that was completed in 1986 and is situated in the Financial District of the city. It stands exactly 695 feet (211.8 meters) tall and the top floors are occupied by the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero. The top section of the skyscraper also offers a remarkable view of both the city and the San Francisco Bay Area from several sky bridges that connect the two sections of the building. This in combination with the presence of the hotel makes the tower a popular tourist attraction as well.

345 California Center / Sailko / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

9. Four Embarcadero Center

Four Embarcadero Center is the tallest of interconnected buildings that make up the Embaracadero Center, a group of commercial towers located just west of the historic SF Ferry Building in the Embarcadero district of the city. The tower was completed in the year 1982 and stands 571 feet (174 meters) tall which makes it only slightly taller than One Embarcadero Center. The bulky towers of the Embercadero Center look pretty imposing as they are located at the edge of the Financial District.

Aerial View of the Embarcadero Center / Craig Howell / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

10. The Avery

The Avery is one of the most famous skyscrapers in San Francisco because of its remarkable design, especially near the top of the building. It's a residential skyscraper and features 118 luxurious condominiums on the top floors and rental apartments on floors 2 to 32. The tower is located in the South of Market District and is bounded by Folsom Street on the south and Fremont Street on the east. It stands 618 feet (188 meters) tall and is without a doubt one of the most amazing places to live in the sprawling city of San Francisco.

Top floors of the Avery / Dead.Rabbit / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en Read the full article

#Architecture #California #FamousSkyscrapers #SanFrancisco #Skyscrapers #UnitedStates

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