Page 146 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

142 44 MORE INSPIRATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

ABOVE Imposing bulk of the Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali, the largest adobe building in the world
RIGHT Shiny aluminum cladding lends a futuristic air to the Esplanade arts complex, Marina Bay, Singapore

GREAT MOSQUE OF DJENNÉ, MALI In the 13th century Djenné was an important ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY, MARINA BAY, SINGAPORE Work began on
center of Islamic study, and there has been a mosque on this site ever since. Although it this 10-acre (4-ha) entertainment complex in 1992, on reclaimed land at the mouth of the
looks ancient, the present mosque was only completed in 1907, replacing the original Singapore River. The design is said to express harmony with nature, reflecting the balance
which fell into disrepair during the 19th century. With a capacity of 3,000, it is the largest of Yin and Yang. However the spiky cladding on the aluminum sunshades that cover the
adobe building in the world, making use of local building techniques to combat heat glass casing of the theater and the concert hall have led the center to be nicknamed
and humidity, its thick walls helping to keep the interior prayer hall cool. Its qibla (prayer “The Durian,” owing to its resemblance to the skin of a local fruit. Fortunately, it doesn’t have
wall), dominated by three minarets, overlooks the marketplace, facing east toward Mecca. the fruit’s pungent smell, which led to a ban on eating durian on public transportation.

PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA This colossal PUENTE DE LA MUJER, BUENOS AIRES, THE GOMATESHWARA STATUE, SHRAVANABELAGOLA, INDIA Once every 12 years,
feat of engineering, completed in 1914, ARGENTINA The “Women’s Bridge” was pilgrims from all over the world flock to Shravanabelagola for the Mastakabhisheka
provides a way through the 50-mile- built in 1998 by Spanish architect Santiago festival, when the monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a revered Jain saint, is
(80-km-) wide Central American isthmus. Calatrava in a bid to rejuvenate the city’s covered in ghee, coconut milk, turmeric, saffron, gold, and flowers. The statue, more than
It enables access from the Atlantic to the docks. Angular yet graceful, it resembles 56 ft (17 m) tall and carved from a single block of white granite, was commissioned in
Pacific within hours, and accounts for a couple dancing the tango, bestowing the the 10th century by Chavundaraya, a commander in the Ganga dynasty. Beautiful
5 percent of the world’s trade. area with a unique cultural symbol. engravings representing the commander and his daring exploits are carved on the base.

HEDDAL STAVKIRKE, HEDDAL, DAILY NEWS BUILDING, NEW YORK, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA,
NORWAY Built in the mid-13th century USA This 37-story, flat-topped skyscraper AUSTRALIA A spirit of optimism is
with know-how handed down by Viking was the inspiration for the fictional Daily captured in Parliament House, set amid
boat-builders, Heddal’s “wooden cathedral” Planet, where Superman worked as sweeping lawns on the city’s Capital Hill.
is the largest stave church in Norway. journalist Clark Kent. Built in 1930, it is Designed by Italian architect Romaldo
Named after the wooden corner-posts characterized by vertical window strips Giurgola in 1988, it is recognizable from
on which it is based, its walls and beams separated by patterned brickwork. The afar by its boomerang-shaped roofs and
are fastened with wooden nails, and the bronze doors of the stunning Art Deco the colossal national flag raised on four
outer walls covered with tar. Inside are entrance are set beneath a bas-relief of towering legs above it, but much of the
some 14th-century wall paintings. hurrying office workers under a sunburst. 4,700-roomed building is underground.

SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM REICHSTAG, BERLIN, GERMANY When FALLINGWATER, PENNSYLVANIA, USA
MUSEUM, NEW YORK, USA the seat of parliament moved from Bonn In the 1930s the Kaufmann family, owners
Completed in 1959, the Guggenheim is to Berlin following Germany’s reunification of a grand department store, flaunted
the last major work of architect Frank in 1990, British architect Norman Foster their wealth by having Frank Lloyd Wright
Lloyd Wright and its shell-like façade is was tasked with giving the Reichstag design a house for them. Jutting out over
one of the city’s landmarks. Inside, building a facelift worthy of its new a waterfall, it appears to be part of the
displayed along walls that curve gently occupants. Its most striking element is landscape, with wide windows and low
down the spiral ramp from the top, is the iconic glazed cupola, intended to ceilings designed to turn your attention
one of the finest collections of modern reflect values of clarity and transparency. to the wilderness outside. Stairs lead to a
and contemporary art in the world. The dome’s roof terrace affords city views. tiny platform in the middle of the stream.

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