The world’s top landmarks serve as the ultimate symbols of their respective countries and cities. Acting like magnets, they draw millions of tourists from around the globe, each offering its own unique appeal. However, their allure isn’t always just about beauty and grandeur.
In many cases, what we confidently believe about these places turns out to be nothing more than urban legends or misconceptions. AdmiGram.com has rounded up some of the most fascinating myths surrounding the world’s most famous landmarks. Prepare to be surprised!
The Most Common Myths About World’s Top Landmarks
© Dario Morandotti / Unsplash
The Egyptian Pyramids stand in the middle of an isolated desert. Many people imagine the Pyramids sitting deep in the remote, endless sands of the Sahara, requiring a days-long trek to reach. In reality, they sit right on the outskirts of Cairo, just a short drive from modern hotels, restaurants, and local neighborhoods.
The Colosseum was built primarily for chariot races. While Hollywood loves epic stadium spectacles, the Colosseum wasn’t designed for chariots—that was the Circus Maximus. The Colosseum (the Flavian Amphitheater) was specifically constructed for gladiatorial combat, public executions, dramas based on Classical mythology, and theatrical battle reenactments.
© Heidi Kaden / Unsplash
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the world’s most tilted building. The famous tower instantly brings to mind an ancient structure on the verge of toppling over. However, its unintentional tilt is only about 3.9 degrees. Meanwhile, the Capital Gate skyscraper in Abu Dhabi features an intentional, record-breaking architectural incline of 18 degrees.
The Great Wall of China is visible from space with the naked eye. Even with advanced satellite imagery available for decades, this myth persists. The truth is, the Great Wall cannot be seen from low Earth orbit without magnification because it is narrow and blends perfectly into the natural terrain. Meanwhile, plenty of other human structures — like highways and cities at night — are easily visible.
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Machu Picchu was a completely unknown, lost Inca city. The fact that the Western world only learned about this New Wonder of the World in 1911 doesn’t mean that Peruvian locals were unaware of it. To the indigenous residents living in the valley, these were simply familiar, ordinary ruins that had always been part of their landscape.
London Bridge and Tower Bridge are the same thing. People frequently confuse these two entirely different structures across the River Thames. Tower Bridge is the iconic, historic castle-like drawbridge opened in 1894. London Bridge, located slightly further upriver, is a functional, modern concrete structure opened to traffic in 1973.
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The Taj Mahal is made entirely of solid white marble. The translucent white marble used to clad the palace beautifully transmits light and changes color depending on the time of day. However, underneath this luxurious facade sit massive 13-foot (4-meter) walls made of everyday brick and red sandstone. The premium marble casing is only about 6 inches (15 centimeters) thick.
The Louvre is the world’s largest museum by every metric. The Louvre is undoubtedly one of the most captivating museums in the world, and it does hold the record for the largest physical area for art galleries. However, when it comes to the sheer volume of artifacts and individual exhibits, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg takes the crown. Exploring every single exhibit there would take years.
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The Grand Canyon was carved primarily by strong desert winds. While wind and weather have shaped the canyon’s iconic, multi-colored walls over time, they did not create it. The Grand Canyon was overwhelmingly carved over millions of years by the relentless geological power of the Colorado River and its tributaries driving deep into the rock layers.
St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest cathedral. Many mistakenly believe that the masterpiece at the heart of the Vatican is the largest church in existence. However, it is surpassed by the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. Intentionally modeled after St. Peter’s itself, the African basilica actually accommodates a significantly larger number of worshipers.
image on top: Ruben Hanssen / Unsplash
