Can You Match These Famous Landmarks To Their City?
- by Kaline Forrester
- – on
- in Lifestyle
The world is full of beautiful and wondrous places to visit and study. From the natural wonders like Victoria Falls, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Everest, to the man-made wonders like the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, and the Eiffel Tower, our planet will never run out of things to see and do and learn about. If travel is a passion of yours, or you enjoy architecture, this is the quiz for you! 35 of our world's most stunning man-made wonders await you, and whilst guessing which part of the world they belong to, you can learn a little trivia about them along the way.
It is important for everyone to know about our planet, both the natural landmarks and the man-made ones. Like history, it is an important thing for humans to have an understanding of as we continue to create history and new landmarks every day. If you are already aware of all the earth has to offer, this quiz will be a breeze for you. If not, it is practically your duty to take it and educate yourself on all there is to know about the world's most famous landmarks.
So get ready to put your knowledge to the test when it comes to all things travel, landmarks, history, and architecture. Let's see how many of these famous sites from all four corners of the Earth that you can recognize and that you know the location of!
What city is the coliseum in?
This landmark is probably one of the most recognizable in the world. Most of the world knows it as The Coliseum, but it is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. It is the largest amphitheater ever built, and was constructed in 70-80 AD from concrete and sand. Amazingly, it still (mostly) stands today, and is one of the biggest tourist attractions for one of the cities listed below. It is so huge that modern estimates put its capacity at about 50,000 people.
What city is the Taj Mahal in?
This structure is another very famous and very recognizable landmark from around the world. However, that does not necessarily mean that it is easy to place. The Taj Mahal was built over 20 years and combined Indian, Persian, and Islamic influences. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said that after the structure was completed, the Indian ruler Shah Jahan had the hands of the architect cut off so he could never build anything more beautiful than the Taj Mahal.
What city are the Moai in?
These large stone faces have put their little corner of the planet on the map. Altogether, there are 887 of these monumental (and very impressive, given how long ago they were constructed) statues. The statues are called "moai", and they were created by the Rapa Nui people sometime between 1250 and 1500 AD. Archaeologists believe the statues are symbols of religious and political power, but also that they were spiritual and sacred to the people. They are known for their overly large heads.
What city is the Eye in?
This Ferris wheel (along with various buildings in the background) should clue you in to which European city this is. Lit up at night, the Eye, as it is called, is spectacular, and offers visitors the best views of this major city. It is 443 feet tall, and the wheel has a diameter of 394 feet. Alternatively called the Millennium Wheel, it is visited by over 3.5 million people per year. Although this city has plenty of history, culture, and places to visit, this Ferris wheel is one of its top attractions.
What city is the Christ the Redeemer statue in?
This is Christ the Redeemer, a statue on a high hill overlooking a gorgeous seaside city. As you can imagine, besides looking out for everyone below, he is also quite the tourist destination and photo op. It is an art deco statue of Jesus Christ that stands 98 feet tall (excluding its 26-foot pedestal), and his arms span 92 feet in width. It weighs around 700 tons, and was completed in 1931. Now, it is seen as a cultural symbol for its country.
What city is the Burj Khalifa in?
The (current) tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa, which stands 2,722 feet in the air above one lucky city. It has been the world's tallest structure since 2008, and boasts 163 floors, 57 elevators, and cost $1.5 billion to build. It holds several world records, including Tallest Free-Standing Structure in the World, highest number of stories in the world, highest occupied floor in the world, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, elevator with the longest travel distance in the world, and tallest service elevator in the world.
What city are the pyramids in?
Many times when we see photos of the great pyramids, we do not see them from this angle, and thus we do not realize how close to the city they really are. But in fact, they are not way out in the desert in the middle of nowhere like most photographs make it seem. The ancient, majestic pyramids are very close to one city in particular. On the outskirts of the city is this famous pyramid complex, which includes the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village, and of course, the three magnificent pyramids.
What city is this Opera House in?
This structure is known around the world as one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings. It is a performing arts centre designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, and is designed in the Expressionist style. It is now a world-renowned symbol of its country. Besides the theaters, the building is also home to a recording studio, cafes, restaurants, bars, retail outlets, and of course, a stunning view of the water. Construction began in 1959, and the structure was completed in 1973.
What city is the Space Needle in?
This sky-high structure is called the Space Needle. It is an observation tower built for the 1962 World's Fair. An icon for its city, the Space Needle stands 605 feet tall, and weighs 9,550 tons. At 500 feet, there is the Sky City restaurant, where diners can enjoy views of the city while they eat. The tower has been designated a historic landmark by the city's Landmarks Preservation Board. It was built quite fast, as construction only began in April of 1961, and it was done in time for the World's Fair in April of 1962.
What city is the Parthenon in?
In a similar style as the Brandenburg Gate is the much-older Parthenon. The Parthenon is part of the Acropolis, which is an ancient citadel overlooking one of the listed cities. The Parthenon was a temple built to honor the goddess Athena from 447 BC to 432 BC. As you can imagine, being so old, the Parthenon has been destroyed and restored a few times. The most recent restoration was in 1975, and other buildings in the Acropolis were restored, as well.
What city is the Cloud Gate in?
Where in the world could one find this wacky reflective bean? It is called the Cloud Gate and it is made of stainless steel. Locals and tourists alike have a ton of fun taking silly pictures here, at the centerpiece of Millennium Park. Nicknamed "the bean", the interior of it is surprisingly wooden. In 2015, China tried to rip off the bean and design their own in the city of Karamay, although they denied the Cloud Gate was their inspiration for it.
What city is the Hagia Sophia in?
This beautiful landmark is the Hagia Sophia. It may surprise some to know that now it is just a museum, but it started out as a Greek Orthodox Christian basilica. Then it was an imperial mosque. The Hagia Sophia has been many things, but ever since it was erected 1480 years ago, it has always been stunning. It was the Roman Empire's first Christian cathedral, and remained the world's largest cathedral for almost 1000 years until the Seville Cathedral was built in 1520.
What city is the Oriental Pearl Tower in?
This skyscraper is called the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower, and it is one of the main tourist attractions in its city. It is right on the river opposite The Bund, which is a waterfront area popular for shopping, dining, walking around, and taking in views of the Pearl Tower and the other large buildings around it. The tower is 1535 feet tall, and there is a revolving restaurant at the top. It is the fifth-tallest tower in the world.
What city is the Temple of Heaven in?
This is called the Temple of Heaven, and it is a major tourist attraction. First constructed in 1420, it was a place where the people would worship the god of heaven and pray for good harvest. It is not just this one temple that is pictured, but rather an entire complex of religious buildings that span nearly two square miles. Surrounding the buildings are parks, gardens, and open areas used for ethnic dances, presentations, exercise, and games. It is regarded as a Taoist temple.
What city is Alcatraz in?
This island prison is world famous for being inescapable. But like the Titanic was unsinkable, there are five who attempted escape and were never captured, and were thus presumed dead. The prison was in operation for 29 years, and now is open only as a museum. Also on the tiny little island is the oldest operating lighthouse in the region, early military fortifications, and natural features like a seabird colony and rock pools. Visitors can access the island by ferry and take tours.
What city are the Petronas Towers in?
These twin towers were once the tallest in the world, before the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan came along. Known as the Petronas Towers, the two skyscrapers were the world's tallest towers from 1998-2004. Before that, the Willis Tower in Chicago was the tallest. They were constructed between 1993 and 1996 in the postmodern style of architecture with the purpose of creating a 21st century icon for the city. There are 88 stories above ground, and five below ground. The buildings have 40 elevators each.
What city is the Charles Bridge in?
This is the Charles Bridge, an iconic bridge that has become a symbol of both its city and its country. It is one of the most visited sites in it's city. The Gothic style bridge connects two parts of its city, and was originally called the Stone Bridge before being renamed for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who commissioned the construction of it. Besides the many pedestrians that stroll the bridge each day, there are many artists and souvenir vendors who take advantage of all the foot traffic and tourists.
What city is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in?
The Marina Bay Sands hotel on the right, as well as the Ferris wheel called the "Flyer", are two of this city's most recognizable structures. But there are more, like the MerLion fountain, the ArtScience Museum, and several other buildings and hotels that the city is known for. But because of its unique design, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its three buildings and boat-like top with infinity pool is probably the most famous. The hotel also boasts casinos, shops, restaurants, a club, a sky park, and much more.
What city is the Duomo in?
The Duomo is more formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. From 1296 to 1436, its construction was underway in this Italian city where it is now the main tourist attraction. The massive marble and brick cathedral takes up 89,000 square feet in the center of the city, and can be seen rising above all the other buildings around it. The Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the Italian Gothic, Renaissance, and Gothic Revival styles by three main architects.
What city is the 101 Tower in?
Once known as a World Financial Center, this building is now called something else entirely (but the name would give away the city). It has 101 floors above ground, five below ground, and rises to 1667 feet in the air. The postmodern structure has 61 elevators, including two high-speed elevators that can whisk visitors from the fifth to the 89th floor in just 37 seconds. It was the tallest building in the world from 2004-2008, preceded by the Petronas Towers, and followed by the Burj Khalifa.
What city is Angkor Wat in?
This temple is just one of many that make up the largest religious monument in the world. It was built in the 12th century in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Called Angkor Wat, its name means "Temple City" or "City of Temples". It has been a major tourist destination since the 1990's, as more and more people wanted to visit this ancient temple that was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of the god Vishnu. By the end of the 12th century, however, it had gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple, and is now a symbol of its country.
What city is the world's tallest lighthouse in?
This is the tallest lighthouse in the world, standing at 436 feet, beating the next tallest lighthouse by nearly 100 feet. It opened in 1990. The lighthouse has a spherical observation building with a balcony on top. It is located at the end of the outer pier on a seaport somewhere in the Middle East, and has a focal range of 25 nautical miles. It is an active lighthouse, and also acts as a control room for the city's port and harbor.
What city is this riverwalk in?
Where could one go to experience a relaxing day walking on this riverfront, or floating down it on one of these boats tours? This Riverwalk is located somewhere in the United States, and has helped make its city a popular tourist destination. It is easy to see why. There is more to be done there than walking and boating. Visitors can dine at the waterfront restaurants, visit a museum, see an IMAX show, shop the indoor mall complex, visit the brewery, watch an outdoor performance at the river theatre, and even indulge at a spa!
What city is this CCTV Tower in?
This is the CCTV Tower, which is considered an architectural feat for obvious reasons. The designers and architects of this building decided not to compete for height and style but instead go for a three-dimensional experience. This building is visible from most areas of its massive city, sometimes looking big and other times looking small. It was built between 2002 and 2012, but a fire delayed its completion. The 44-story skyscraper appears different depending on the angle you are looking at it from.
What city is this Dome of the Rock in?
This golden-topped building is called the Dome of the Rock, and it stands in a famous Middle Eastern city. It is a famous Islamic site that can be seen from all over the city. It is not a mosque, but rather a temple shrine, and is built over a sacred stone. The Dome of the Rock is the oldest Islamic monument standing today, and is very old as it was built between 688 and 691 AD by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik.
What city is Wat Arun in?
This Buddhist temple is called Wat Arun, or "Temple of the Dawn". It stands on the Chao Phraya River in the capital city of one Southeast Asian country. It takes its name from the Hindu god Aruna, who is often personified as the rising sun. It is one of its country's most recognizable landmarks. It has existed at least since the 17th century and is quite different than many of the other temples in the city. It is associated with Theravada Buddhism.
What city is St. Basil's Cathedral in?
This iconic cathedral is known to most as St. Basil's Cathedral, but its official name is The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed. It has has many other names, as well, such as Pokrovsky Cathedral and Cathedral of the Intercession. It opened in 1561, and was built by Ivan the Terrible, who built it in honor of his military victories. The cathedral is made up of nine chapels and is now mostly a secular building and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What city is the Sagrada Familia in?
This large Roman Catholic church is officially called the Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia- or more simply, just the Sagrada Familia. Its name translates to "Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family". Three million people come to see it every year, and are allowed access to the Nave, the Crypt, museum, shop, and the Passion and Nativity towers. Work begun on the cathedral in 1883 and building was very slow due to the Spanish Civil War and needing donations. It is still not even finished, in fact, and its expected finish date is not until 2026!
What city is the Brandenburg Gate in?
This structure is one of huge importance in the late 1980's. Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument that is one of it's country's most well-known landmarks. Today it is seen as a symbol not only of it's country's tumultuous history, but also of European unity and peace. It was also widely seen as a symbol of freedom. It took from 1788 to 1791 to build, and almost exactly 200 years later would be a majorly significant symbol of the end of the Cold War.
What city is Table Mountain in?
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain overlooking its African city. It is a well-known landmark both in Africa and around the world. It is also a major tourist attraction, as visitors can hike to the top or take a cable car. The first ascent was in 1503, and it has an elevation of 3558 feet. Nelson Mandela called the mountain a "gift to the Earth", and indeed it is quite breathtaking. Table Mountain is its country's most photographed attraction as well as its most iconic landmark.
What city is the Golf Ball in?
This gorgeous lit-up ball is called the "Golf Ball", for obvious reasons. Although it is much prettier (and larger) than any other golf ball ever was, it does not represent anything athletic. Rather, in the city it calls home, it was erected on the waterfront and is actually the science museum called Science World. 650,000 people annually visit the museum and behold the sight of the giant orb, which is especially pretty lit up at night on the water, with the city's other buildings in the background.
What city is the Sky Tree in?
This is the Sky Tree, which is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in one of Asia's largest cities. It is the tallest structure in its country, the tallest tower in the world, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa. It opened in 2012 and cost $600 million USD to build. The design was based on three concepts: the fusion of neofuturistic design/traditional beauty, revitalization of the city, and contribution to disaster prevention/safety and security.
What city is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in?
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's largest mosques, with the ability to accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers. It has 82 domes, more than 1000 columns, and some of the world's largest chandeliers, some of which boast millions of Swarovski crystals. This mosque is one of its county's biggest attractions, and an architectural marvel. It was designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky and opened late in 2007. It combines Islamic, Mughal, and Moorish architectural styles to create this stunning structure of white marble and gold.
What city is this famous archaological find in?
This ancient city is a famous archaeological site in a Middle Eastern desert. It dates all the way back to 300 B.C. when it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. It features tombs and temples carved into sandstone cliffs, which is the reason behind its nickname of "Rose City". It has been named one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, and was discovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. The name of the city is the Greek word for "rock".
What city is the Sacre Coeur in?
The Sacre Coeur is not it's city's most famous piece of architecture, but it is still very famous. It is a Roman Catholic basilica of ancient Roman and Byzantine architectural styles. It was built between 1875 and 1914 and consecrated in 1919 after the end of World War 1. Today it stands high on a hill overlooking its city, and is a tourist destination for many who travel there. It has amazing views of the city on the outside, and is breathtaking inside.