Top 10 Most Famous Cultural Monuments in the World

A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created for commemorating an individual or can be a kind of event which has become a significant part of a social group or an area. Whatsoever the purpose of monuments may be, but the fact is that their contribution towards the cultural and traditional values of a nation cannot be ignored. We all love to know about the famous cultural monuments for having an idea of how rich a state’s cultural and religious values are. Let us check out the list of top 10 most famous cultural monuments in the world.

10. The Egyptian Pyramids 

These are ancient 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt as of 2008. Most of the Egyptian pyramids were constructed as tombs for the country’s Pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom ties. These reflect the cultural value of the state. The earliest pyramids were discovered at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. These are regarded as the most ancient monumental structures in the world (constructed 2630 BCE–2611 BCE).

9. Angkor Thom (Big Angkor)

The Angkor Thom is a moated royal city, and had been the capital of the Angkorian empire. After Jayavarman VII succeeded in recapturing the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he started the construction of a massive building across the empire just to protect his city. The current look of the Angkor Thom is same as was in those days. You can enter from any of the five entrances to the city.

8. National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of the famous tourist attractions. It has been erected in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. It is located in Taipei, Republic of China (ROC). It has been surrounded by a park, standing at the eastern side of Memorial Hall Square.

7. Liberty Enlightening the World– Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is situated in New York City, USA. It is one of the best cultural monuments. It was a gift to America by France, and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It is given the designation of National Monument in 1924 and has been restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

6. Sultan Ahmed Mosque—Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed’s mosque is an outstanding historical mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It is standing with its full beauty to remind the times of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque has been made beautiful with blue tiles which add value to its interiors. The is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I.

5. Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram)

The Kaaba (Allah Almighty’s House) in Makka is another famous monument of the history. It is a cube-shaped building in Saudi Arabia, and is the most sacred site in Islam. According to the preaching of Islam, the Kaaba was constructed by Abraham, and his son Ishmael. This building has been surrounded by a mosque named as Masjid al-Haram.

4. Taj Mahal 

The famous Taj Mahal is called as “crown of palaces”. It is a gorgeous white marble site, situated in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It can be easily viewed from the banks of Yamuna river, and is having two identical buildings around– Mihman Khana (on left) and Taj Mahal mosque (on right). This gorgeous palace was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is spread in an area of 221 hectare.

3. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a very long wall, made of stones, bricks, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built around China to protect the country from outside forces. In ancient times, several small walls were joined together to make a bigger and stronger Wall of China. It was constructed between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

2. The Acropolis Hill

The Acropolis hill, also known as the “Sacred Rock” of Athens, is one of the most important cultural monuments in the world. It refers to the Greek culture and traditions, and is the symbol of the city of Athens. It was constructed to represent the apogee of artistic development in the 5th century BC.

1. The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is named after Mount Potalaka. It was built during 16th century, and Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the Potala Palace in 1645 after being pointed by a spiritual adviser that this it is good for government purposes.