The Colosseum and the Great Wall of China and the Mahal Taj are well known to everyone. But even the most selfish travelers never heard of there are many beautiful, ancient houses.
The results of a Quora magazine survey are to be shared with us today. In it, they invited their readers to list lesser known world architectural landmarks.
1. Fort Alexander I, Russia

Situated on the Baltic Sea Gulf Finish between Saint Petersburg and Kronstadt, Fort Alexander I is more generally referred to as the “Plagues Fort.” It was built in the middle of the 19th century on an artificial island to protect the Baltic Seaway. The fort soon became a pesticide and other bacterial diseases research laboratory. Today is a popular attraction for tourists.
2. Derawar Fort, Pakistan

The monumental, square-shaped structure of Derawar was built in 1733. The fortress consists of 40 bastions, which stately rise from the Pakistani desert. Combined, the fort’s walls form a circumference of 1,500 m and stand 30 m high. Even local citizens, not to mention tourists, are rarely aware of its existence.

3. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Iran

An architectural masterpiece of Safavid Iranian architecture, the mosque was built between 1602 and 1619. It’s an elegant, yet highly unusual building for several reasons. It features no minarets or courtyard, probably due to the fact that the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque was never intended for public use, but rather served as the worship place for the women of the shah’s harem.

4. Stari Most (Old Bridge), Bosnia-Herzegovina

This pedestrian bridge over the Neretva River in the city of Mostar is a modern copy of the ancient bridge that was destroyed by Bosnian Croat forces in 1993. The Stari Most was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. One of the traditional tourist entertainments is bungee jumping into the chilly waters of Neretva River off this very bridge (24m to 30m of free falling guaranteed).


5. Chand Baori, India

Chand Baori, located in the small Indian village of Abhaneri, is one of the world’s oldest and deepest stairwells. The giant structure, resembling an inverted pyramid, goes underground for 100 feet. There are three walls that have 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry built into the sides, leading down to a small greenish lake. Scientists are still determining whether the stairwell was built between the IX and XI centuries or 600 years before our era.


6. The Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali

© Francois Xavier Marit
The Great Mosque of Djenné is over 100 years old and it’s the largest mud-brick building in the world. In 1988, it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of the old city of Djenné. At the moment, the mosque is closed for tourists. Presumably, these measures were taken in 1996 after a candid photoshoot for Vogue magazine took place here.


Preview photo credit fyodor-photo.livejournal.com
Based on materials from ВВС