Architectural Wonders Archives

Montreal, Canada

Notre-Dame Basilica

Not only was Notre-Dame the largest place of worship in North America for a half-decade (before New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral), it is perhaps (still) the most impressive church on the continent.

Lucerne, Switzerland

KKL Luzern Concert Hall

Walls that move with the music.

From the Community

South Sardinia, Italy

Porto Flavia

A fanciful doorway hides a masterpiece of engineering.

Rajasthan, India

Samode Palace

Nearly 500 years of history embedded into its walls.

Tehran, Iran

Offering an array of gardens, royal buildings, and collections of Iranian crafts and European gifts, the Palace represents a spectrum of Iranian history and architecture that certified its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site being one of Tehran’s oldest monuments.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Saadian Tombs

After being deliberately walled up in the 18th century, these royal tombs were rediscovered in 1917.

Ngong Ping, Hong Kong

Po Lin Monastery

Monastery on the outskirts of Hong Kong, home to one of the largest outdoor Buddhas in the world--111 feet tall, atop a 300-step climb up a mountain.

Salzburg, Austria

Schloss Hellbrunn

This Austrian palace is celebrated for its fountains and water tricks.

Flint, Michigan, United States

The Capitol Theatre

A theater restoration even its ghosts can appreciate.

Presented with

Seattle, Washington, United States

Space Needle

This Seattle icon actually began with a bar napkin sketch of a UFO and a tethered balloon.

From the Community

Presented with

Agra, India

Agra Fort

Totaling 94 acres, this massive fortress made of red sandstone was the former residence and capital city of India's medieval Mughal Dynasty.

From the Community

Porto, Portugal

Igreja do Carmo

Azulejo-adorned Baroque church in Porto is home to a "hidden" next-door neighbor.

From the Community

Palermo, Italy

Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita

For years, the works of a master artist were known to only those who could enter this important prayer room.

Medina, Saudi Arabia

Dhu al-Hulayfah Mosque

This mosque is believed to be the location where Muhammed prepared for his peaceful pilgrimage to Mecca.

From the Community

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Mimi Ohio Theatre

A downtown theater resurrected by a determined group of individuals.

AWA visted here

Presented with

Subotica, Serbia

Raichle Palace

This Palace was built and owned by its architect, Ferenc Raichle.

From the Community

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Queens’ College

Owing its name to two Queens, this hall is located in one of the oldest colleges at Cambridge University.

AWA visted here

Presented with

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

State Theater New Jersey

Change before you have to, they say. For this historic theater? Lesson learned.

Presented with

Venice, Italy

Teatro La Fenice

Venice's "The Phoenix" Theater has literally burned and risen from the ashes - multiple times.

From the Community

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Allen Theater

Built in 1921 as a movie house that can only be described as palatial.

AWA visted here

Presented with

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Tennessee Theatre

Though billed as Knoxville’s “Grand Entertainment Palace,” the Tennessee Theatre has never actually housed any royal residents.

Presented with

Carlisle, United Kingdom

The Pools

The Pools opened in 1909 with the finest tile work - which would become its saving grace.

Queluz, Portugal

Palácio Nacional de Queluz

It's not easy being queen.

San Diego, California, United States

Balboa Theater

Built in 1924, this storied theater was slated for demolition just three decades later.

Presented with

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

This Philadelphia museum is the oldest in the United States, and home to a prestigious art school for gifted, aspiring artists eager to hone their craft.

AWA visted here

Presented with