Login
login / signup
Bari, Italy
Comando Legione Carabinieri Puglia
Bari's Carabinieri headquarters coordinated Italy's liberation after the force arrested Mussolini and split in two during WWII.
From the CommunityGovernment Buildings
The thought of a government building might bring to mind drab, unimaginative hallways and unmarked doors. It does not need to be so! These places represent the opposite of that aesthetic.
Solferino, Italy
Comune di Solferino
Where a businessman's wrong turn led to the Red Cross: 40,000 battle casualties inspired the Geneva Conventions.
From the Community
Franschhoek, South Africa
Franschhoek Town Hall
Franschhoek's 1935 Town Hall honors both Elephant's Corner and French Corner: the valley's dual identity before and after 1688.
From the Community
Serifos, Greece
Serifos Town Hall
A German architect who shaped Athens sent neoclassical plans to a pirate-proof village perched 230 meters above the Aegean.
From the Community
Beaune, France
Tribunal d’Instance
Beaune's 1857 courthouse faced its prison across the street, connected by a tunnel for maximum judicial efficiency.
From the Community
Aalborg, Denmark
Aalborg Old City Hall
For 150 years, nine people ran this city hall with a jail in the basement - now it only governs vows and wedding ceremonies.
From the Community
Valletta, Malta
Saluting Battery
Malta's Saluting Battery has served as its most historic alarm clock since the 16th century!
From the Community
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague Castle
A carefully choreographed ceremony has been taking place at this impressive castle complex, protecting well-hidden crown jewels.
From the Community
Prague, Czech Republic
Prašná brána (the Powder Tower)
Once a secret lair for alchemists and goldsmiths, this ornate tower has been standing proud in Prague for centuries.
From the Community
Cetinje, Montenegro
Blue Palace
A royal residence with a picture-perfect security detail.
From the Community
Vatican City, Vatican City
Vatican City
The world's smallest army protecting the world’s smallest sovereign state.
From the Community
Presented with
Sign up for our Newsletter
The AWA Bulletin: A quick & curated bi-weekly break
Santos, Brazil
Palácio José Bonifácio
Explore the stately home of Santos’ city hall, honoring José Bonifácio—founding father, geologist, poet, and independence hero.
Genova, Italy
Palazzo San Giorgio
No need to yell out the surname of a famous explorer to discover the long history of this harbor side palace.
San Francisco, California, United States
San Francisco City Hall
What do Marilyn Monroe, Beaux-Arts architecture, and Raiders of the Lost Ark all have in common?
From the Community
Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles City Hall
The tallest base-isolated structure in the world.
Seville, Spain
Palace of San Telmo
One of the most beautiful buildings in Seville, and that says a lot.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Al Mussala Post Office
One country's independence led to some peculiar postage.
Warren, Rhode Island, United States
The Warren Armory
The American Legion bought this 1842 armory for ten dollars after WWII. Warren's been restoring it ever since.
AWA visted here
Budapest, Hungary
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building was built after the formation of the three cities of Buda, Obuda, and Pest - to create the capital Budapest.
AWA visted here
Hanoi, Vietnam
Presidential Palace
A symbol of when it was a French colony, the presidential palaces offers a glimpse into the storied history of Vietnam.
From the Community
Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
Wayne N. Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse
A painting removed for a routine cleaning disappeared for decades.
Presented with
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vijećnica
Playing host to the killing that sparked WWI was only the beginning of this heralded hall’s story — it’s one of triumph, tragedy, and a tantalizing return to glory.
Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Fort Langley Community Hall
In 1924, the construction of this town hall was funded for a total of $137.13.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island State House
Most of the tales we hear about America’s early days are led by protagonists named Franklin, Madison, or Adams… but not this time.
AWA visted here
Presented with
Putrajaya, Malaysia
Palace of Justice
A young republic decided to construct a completely new capital city--and this gorgeous building is the star.
Angoulême, France
Angoulême Town Hall
When besieged by Vikings, it was fit to become a castle; when inspired with the republican spirit, it's become a space for public debate and local government.
AWA visted here
Presented with
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Iowa Judicial Branch Building
Although the Iowa Judicial Branch Building may not be the oldest marble halls in town, the branch’s history is stacked with stories that could fill up a library's worth of bookshelves.
Pécs, Hungary
Pécs County Hall
This building's colorful tile is the work of a local legend, who's technique led to a boom of colorful roofs in late 19th Century Hungary.
From the Community
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Iowa Capitol Building
A State Capitol building that provides many reasons why you "Ought to Give Iowa A Try."
London, United Kingdom
Royal Courts of Justice
London's law courts are rife with superstition and rooms with mysterious origins.
Reefton, New Zealand
Reefton Courthouse
Quartz deposits often foretell the nearby presence of gold, as was the case here.
Potsdam, Germany
New Palace
A palatial retreat with over two hundred rooms that served as a hangout used to impress visiting dignitaries.
Berlin, Germany
Schloss Bellevue
The gardens for the primary residence of the president of Germany contained some special buried history.