Hagia Sophia

This collection presents significant architectural works from different periods and continents. From medieval cathedrals to contemporary skyscrapers, the selection documents the technical and aesthetic development of building design. The listed buildings were created by influential architects and have shaped the evolution of modern architecture. The list includes religious structures such as Gothic churches and monasteries, public facilities like museums and concert halls, and residential buildings that established new construction standards. Each building demonstrates particular structural solutions or stylistic features that contribute to understanding architectural history. The selection offers insights into various building styles, materials and construction methods.

This collection brings together notable domes and cupolas from all continents, signs of diverse architectural traditions extending from the Vatican to Australia, Russia to the United Arab Emirates. From the famous dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to the colorful domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, the Renaissance dome of Florence Cathedral, to the cast-iron dome of the US Capitol in Washington, each structure tells a particular story and reflects the ambitions of its era. These buildings span several centuries of architectural innovation and serve various functions: religious structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire, civil buildings such as Oxford's Radcliffe Camera or the Australian Exhibition Palace, and even thermal spas like Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths. Each dome illustrates construction techniques and aesthetic decisions specific to its culture, offering insight into skills that enabled the creation of these monumental coverings.

This collection encompasses ancient stone monuments and sacred sites from across the globe, ranging from the Easter Island Moai to the Great Wall of China. The structures represent millennia of human engineering and include religious temples, fortifications, burial sites, and astronomical installations. Many of these locations retain cultural significance for local communities today. Examples include prehistoric sites such as Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands, alongside monumental constructions like the Parthenon in Athens, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The collection also features lesser known treasures including the Megalithic Temples of Malta, Nan Madol in Micronesia, and Great Zimbabwe. These sites provide insight into ancient cultures, religious practices, and architectural achievements that continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Circular architecture has fascinated builders since ancient times. This collection brings together Roman amphitheatres like the Colosseum, medieval towers such as the Round Tower in Copenhagen, baroque domed structures and modern constructions. The circular form offers practical advantages for acoustic properties, structural stability and optimal space usage. The selected buildings serve various functions: religious temples, fortifications, observatories, museums and event venues. Each example demonstrates how architects have adapted the circular form to local conditions and cultural requirements. From ancient stone structures to contemporary skyscrapers, this selection documents technical evolution across centuries.

Stone mosaics adorn buildings across continents, offering insights into the artistic traditions of different eras. Roman floor mosaics feature mythological scenes and geometric patterns in villas and public baths. Byzantine wall mosaics in churches depict religious figures using gold tesserae, while Islamic mosaics in mosques and palaces showcase intricate geometric and floral compositions. Examples of this art form can be found at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, where Christian and Islamic elements coexist, in the early Christian basilicas of Ravenna with their detailed biblical narratives, and at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem with its elaborate arabesques. Modern interpretations appear in subway stations, public squares, and contemporary buildings, demonstrating the continued relevance of this technique.

Istanbul offers photographers an uncommon range of subjects, combining architecture from multiple centuries with urban landscapes and waterways. This route includes Byzantine and Ottoman monuments such as Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, along with the Galata Tower that has stood over the old city since the 14th century. The Bosphorus separates Europe and Asia and provides the setting for historic sites including Rumeli Fortress, Maiden's Tower, and waterfront palaces like Dolmabahce Palace and Kucuksu Palace. The route passes through districts with different character. Balat displays Ottoman wooden houses and narrow lanes, while Karakoy is known for its renovated industrial buildings. The Princes' Islands off the coast offer car-free streets and neoclassical mansions. Viewpoints like Camlica Hill and Pierre Loti Hill provide panoramic views of the city and the Sea of Marmara. Additional destinations include Suleymaniye Mosque, Emirgan Park with its tulip beds, and modern structures like Zorlu Center.

In 2007, the New Seven Wonders Foundation, led by Swiss businessman Bernard Weber in cooperation with the marketing company Deureka, organized a global vote, the results of which were announced on July 7 in Lisbon. This project, which was especially successful in India and China, enabled the designation of seven monuments representing different civilizations and eras, from antiquity to the 20th century. UNESCO stated in a release that it was not involved in this event, contrary to what many voters believed. The final selection includes sites across all continents: the Great Wall of China, a fortification system built over several centuries; Petra in Jordan, a Nabataean city from the 4th century BC carved into rose-colored rock; the Colosseum in Rome, a 1st-century amphitheater capable of holding 50,000 spectators; Chichen Itza in Mexico, a Maya site demonstrating the astronomical knowledge of this civilization; Machu Picchu in Peru, an Inca city from the 15th century located at 2,430 meters above sea level; the Taj Mahal in India, a white marble mausoleum built between 1631 and 1643; and the Christ Rédempteur statue in Rio de Janeiro, a 38-meter-tall monument inaugurated in 1931. The Khufu pyramid, the only remaining ancient wonder still standing, was removed from the voting list and designated an honorary wonder. The 21 candidate sites were selected by a commission of architects from five continents, chaired by Federico Mayor, former UNESCO Director-General. The criteria included aesthetics, architectural achievement, and historical significance. Each monument had to be constructed by humans, completed before 2000, and in acceptable preservation condition. This collection lists all monuments and allows users to view their locations and photos via individual records.