1. BARCELONA
The city port of Barcelona is the oldest in the Mediterranean, over 2,000 years old. It was here that Christopher Columbus returned from his voyage: in his honor, a 60 m high monument was erected at the end of the 19th century on the Rambla, the city's most famous street.
The Gothic Quarter historically occupies perhaps a well-deserved first place. Many medieval buildings have been preserved here, including the beautiful Cathedrals of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia and the Basilica of La Mercè. You can wander the narrow streets of the quarter for hours.
If you want to climb Mount Tibidabo, the highest point in Barcelona at over 500 m above sea level, you can do so on a funicular that is over a hundred years old. You will be treated to a bird's-eye view of the city.
2. DUBAI
Back in the 1950s, there was no telephone service here, and the first expressway was built in 1963. In 1979, the Dubai World Trade Center, 39 stories and 149 meters tall, appeared – then the tallest building in the Middle East.
The rapid economic growth is due to the rise in oil prices after the Gulf War. But in the case of the Dubai miracle, one cannot speak only of using natural resources. Oil is found in other parts of the planet as well. But the imagination-stunning structures, comparable in scale only to the famous constructions of the past, exist only in Dubai.
The first of the amazing structures is the artificial archipelago Palm Jumeirah, built right in the middle of the ocean by dumping millions of tons of sand and stones into the water.
The island was made in the shape of a palm – the most revered tree in these parts. Luxurious homes occupy every free meter on the 16 'palm' fronds. And although the density of development is high, you cannot find an apartment cheaper than $1.5 million.
3. FIRA, SANTORINI ISLAND
Santorini (Fira, Thera) is one of the most beautiful Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, a popular tourist destination. The official name is Thira.
The modern crescent shape was formed after a volcanic eruption, during which the entire population of Thira perished, and on neighboring Crete, just over a hundred kilometers away, the Minoan civilization was destroyed by a giant wave.
Many researchers, including the famous Jacques-Yves Cousteau, consider the settlements that existed here before the 15th century BC (the date of the catastrophic volcanic eruption) to be the very Atlantis.
Today Santorini attracts many people in creative professions. Santorini has the most beautiful sunsets.
And there is not a single car in the town: local donkeys are responsible for supplying stores, transporting luggage, and garbage collection.
4. HONG KONG
Skyscrapers, of which there are more here than in New York, coexist harmoniously with 'antiques': narrow double-decker trams (double-deckers) from the 1950s run along the streets. In general, public transport in Hong Kong is very well developed, and there are practically no traffic jams.
There are elevated pedestrian crossings and entire systems of outdoor staircases and escalators. One such staircase on Lantau Island leads to the top of a hill, where a 34-meter statue of Buddha is installed – the main local attraction. Until the 2000s, it was the largest bronze image of Buddha in the world.
All buildings in Hong Kong are constructed according to the laws and principles of feng shui: a new project is analyzed for compliance with the 'canons of wind and water'.
Thus, the facades of many houses are clad with mirrors to prevent evil spirits from entering. The corners of buildings are beveled or rounded: this is a symbol of friendliness and also protection from negative influence.
5. PARIS
Squares, streets, embankments, boulevards, and, of course, the divine Seine – in this coordinate system, time flows differently and space is perceived differently. Almost every building in the historic part of Paris is an architectural masterpiece with its own unique history.
The Eiffel Tower, which today is one of the main symbols of France, was originally built as a temporary structure. It was built in 1889 for the World's Fair and in honor of the centennial of the French Revolution. The tower was supposed to stand for 20 years, but thanks to the popularity it gained, it was decided to keep it.
Some adore all 300 meters of the Eiffel Tower, while others fiercely hate it. But the fact remains: almost every second tourist visiting Paris comes here primarily to take a photo with it in the background.
The 125-year-old celebrity has no shortage of fans: since its construction, the legendary tower has been visited by 200 million people.
6. PRAGUE
Prague is perfect for long walks. Exploring the old quarters and visiting famous Prague taverns, you touch the living stone chronicle of the city. On the hilly right bank of the beautiful Vltava lies the main attraction of the Czech capital – Prague Castle.
The two banks of the Vltava are connected by many crossings. But the most famous and picturesque of them is the pedestrian Charles Bridge.
The narrowest street in Prague is only 70 cm wide. It is essentially a small passage between two rows of buildings, descending to the river.
Nevertheless, a special traffic light has been installed here so that tourists who have taken a liking to this spot can pass each other in such a tight space.
7. SYDNEY
Sydney was founded in the 17th century by the British: dozens of ships with hundreds of convicts arrived on the Australian shores, but there was nowhere to live for either the offenders or the overseers. The city had to be built from scratch. By 1820, about 40% of Sydney's residents were convicts. But the situation changed radically in the 1850s: gold was found here, and gold prospectors flocked to Australia.
Today Sydney is one of the most multicultural megacities in the world. The city's symbols are the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The architect of the theatre is Dane Jørn Utzon, his proposal won the competition. The theatre, standing on the shore of the bay, is compared to the sails of a ship. However, the architect did not have such an image in mind: according to the author, he was inspired by orange slices.
The bridge across Port Jackson is one of the largest steel arch bridges in the world. Since 1996, the most beautiful pyrotechnic shows have been held here, attracting a multi-million audience each time – not counting television and internet views, which number over a billion.
8. RIO DE JANEIRO
In the historical center of the city, buildings have been preserved from the times when Rio de Janeiro was owned by the Portuguese. The port on the ocean coast was founded by Portuguese navigators in the 16th century. Since then, the Imperial Palace, the cathedral, numerous churches and monasteries coexist perfectly with modern attractions.
Of course, the calling card of Rio de Janeiro is the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer, with arms outstretched over the city. The sculpture is huge: the height equals the span of Christ's arms – 30 m, plus the pedestal – 8 m, total weight – 1145 t. A 20-meter tunnel is laid inside the monument's arms – an observation deck. Construction of the monument began in 1922 and lasted nine years.
There are many crime-ridden poor neighborhoods in Rio – favelas, where it is better not to appear unless necessary. Even police prefer to avoid favelas. Moreover, during nighttime hours – from ten in the evening to five in the morning – motorists can legally drive through red lights: this measure is intended to reduce the risk of robbery during a forced stop.
9. SAN FRANCISCO
It is believed that the poetic name of the city was given by military topographer John Fremont, who saw a resemblance to the Istanbul bay of the Golden Horn. They dreamed of building a bridge across the strait back in the 19th century, but only at the beginning of the 20th century did real technical possibilities arise to implement this idea. Engineer Joseph Strauss proposed a suspension bridge with two supports, over 2.5 km long.
They did not believe in the reality of the plan and refused to build. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt appreciated the bold project, and on May 27, 1937, at 6 a.m., the Golden Gate Bridge was opened. For the first 12 hours it belonged only to pedestrians! The next day, at Roosevelt's signal, cars also drove onto the bridge, and since then life in San Francisco is unimaginable without it.
The color of the bridge – bright orange – was chosen by Irving Morrow, the first architectural consultant of the project.
Today the bridge is maintained by a team of 38 painters who monitor the condition of the acrylic layer and promptly touch up areas suffering from corrosion.
10. SAINT PETERSBURG
In St. Petersburg there are plenty of ancient structures: from the Obvodny Canal to the Neva, and from the Alexander Nevsky Lavra to the port, the city looks the same as in 1917. One of the city's symbols is the Peter and Paul Fortress and the cathedral on its grounds. On the other side of the Neva is the Winter Palace, built to the design of architect Rastrelli. At the end of the 18th century the building was pale yellow, and in the middle of the 19th century the color became richer, terracotta.
The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is the business center of the city since the time of Peter the Great; here the university was built and the first museum in Russia – the Kunstkamera – was opened. In 1810, two Rostral Columns appeared on the Spit, their purpose was purely utilitarian: one was a lighthouse on the Malaya Neva, the other indicated the way to the Bolshaya Neva. Today the lights on the Rostral Columns are lit only on festive occasions.
In general, you already know all this. Except perhaps for the fact that the Alexander Column on Palace Square (height 47.5 m and weight 700 t) is not fixed in any way and is held on the pedestal solely by the weight of its own mass.