Classic Facades

Paris, France

Palais Royal

Once the home of a cardinal and the French king, this palace was the place to see and be seen in the 19th century.

Sopot, Poland

Sofitel Grand Sopot

Frequented by celebrities, this hotel in Poland once had a casino where millionaires famously lost their fortunes.

London, United Kingdom

Royal Naval Asylum

These lavish brick buildings assembled in the Tudoresque style were erected to house the widows of naval officers killed at sea.

From the Community

Rosersberg, Sweden

Skånelaholm Slott

This 17th century castle was purchased by an Irish immigrant and stayed in his family for 176 years.

Stockholm, Sweden

Skeppsbron 18

Each year, the plaza of this office building hosts Stockholm's largest Christmas tree, and possibly the largest Christmas tree in the world.

From the Community

Copenhagen, Denmark

Commander’s House

This house is the official residence of Denmark's chief of Defense, inside a historic fortress.

Saxony, Germany

Little Pheasant Castle

This exotic castle, the smallest and last of its kind in Saxon, Germany, was dubbed "Paradise in a Nutshell".

Eureka, California, United States

Carson Mansion

This mansion has been converted into a supper club, and is one of the most photographed locations in California.

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Queens Hotel

This iconic hotel in Portsmouth was once completely gutted by a fatal fire, and is currently under major renovation that started in 2018.

Oslo, Norway

Norwegian Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Norway in the capital of Oslo is still protected by royal guards today.

From the Community

Lauder, Scotland

Thirlestane Castle

Feuds characterized the early life of this Scottish castle, which passed through generations until being donated as a museum complete with a historic toy collection.

Roosevelt Island, New York, United States

Strecker Memorial Laboratory

Originally constructed to serve the medical needs of a large prison population, this New York City landmark now houses a power substation.

Walbrzych, Poland

Ksiaz Castle

This castle is the largest in Poland and has a network of secret tunnels below its charming pink facade linked to World War II.

Murcia, Spain

Artillery Barracks Pavilion 2

This former Spanish military barracks now operates as a cultural center.

Munich, Germany

Nymphenburg Palace

Home and chancery for the Dukes of Bavaria, now open to the public, this baroque palace is one of the most famous sites in Munich, Germany.

Lisbon, Portugal

Central Penitentiary

This Portuguese penitentiary stands as an example of the country's inspired roots of European and Middle Eastern architectural design.

Karlsruhe, Germany

Schloss Gottesaue

This Renaissance German palace has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. It is now operating as a music school.

Paris, France

Sorbonne

This historic college, now several different institutions, began as a guild of teachers in the 13th century.

From the Community

Stockholm, Sweden

Birger Jarls torg

This building in Stockholm, Sweden stands in a public square dedicated to the city's founder.

Seville, Spain

Plaza de Espana

This stunning Spanish plaza was designed to astonish visitors during the Ibero-American exposition of 1929.

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Crescent Hill Gatehouse

This gorgeous gatehouse was designed to optimize form and function, providing water to residents of Louisville.

Gavle, Sweden

Grand Hotel

This historic Swedish hotel closed its doors in the early 1940s only to be reopened after extensive renovations in more recent times.

Budapest, Hungary

Hotel Nemzeti

Hotel featuring modern design blended with historic preservation that serves up a scandalous chocolate cake.

From the Community

Oslo, Norway

Victoria Terrasse

Once a fashionable residential complex this building is now home to Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Singapore, Singapore

Raffles Hotel

This high-end hotel, first belonging to Charles Emerson and then a school, is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling and the supposed home of a runaway tiger.

AWA visted here

Presented with

Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

Dwight House

A remnant and reminder of colonial America, this house was originally built in 1754 and is now part of the Deerfield museum.

Ponte di Legno, Italy

Osteria Al Pietra Rossa

This quaint tavern in the town of Sant'Apollonia, Italy grows its own vegetables and sources its cheese from a local dairy.

Belgrade, Serbia

Hotel Moskva

This Serbian hotel was opened in 1908 by King Peter I to welcome the world's cultural elite. Curiously, no guests can stay in Room 13 as it doesn't exist.

From the Community

Pardubic, Czech Republic

Pardubice Crematorium

Best known for its appearance in Oscar-nominated film "The Cremator", this colorful crematorium still serves its practical functions to this day.

Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada

House of Falconer

This unique cottage has housed artists of various stripes for more than 150 years.

Chaves, Portugal

Vidago Palace Hotel

Historic Portuguese hotel renowned for its thermal springs and mineral water.

Decorah, Iowa, United States

Decorah Municipal Bathhouse

This depression-era WPA building in Iowa is still an active pool facility.

Neuchatel, Switzerland

Chateau de Neuchâtel

This Swiss castle was built to stand the test of time, and has done so in historic fashion. Since the 11th century, it remains the seat of cantonal government.

Batusangkar town, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Pagaruyung Palace

This royal palace of the former Pagaruyung Kingdom in Indonesia has been destroyed by fire 3 times.

Suceava, Romania

Stefan cel Mare

This military college in Romania has grown famous for its embrace of national pride for the last 150 years.