31 architectural masterpieces everyone should see in their lifetime - from the largest mud-built structure in the world to a Beijing tower shaped like trousers

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31 architectural masterpieces everyone should see in their lifetime - from the largest mud-built structure in the world to a Beijing tower shaped like trousers

sagrada familia

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Interior of La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain.

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  • There are architectural masterpieces all over the world that tell a piece of our history.
  • From Lalibela, Ethiopia to Sydney, Australia, Business Insider rounded up 30 buildings we believe are a must-see in everyone's lifetime.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The world is filled with inspiring structures, from a temple carved out of a single rock in Ethiopia to a Berlin Castle that inspired the fictional Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Read more: 7 of the world's most incredible new buildings in 2019, according to architects

In honor of our architectural heritage, Business Insider has selected 31 buildings that push the boundaries of structural expression - and we think you'll love them.

Keep reading for the full list.

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An earlier version of this post appeared on Business Insider in April of 2016.

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The oldest building we know of is Göbekli Tepe in present-day Turkey. Built somewhere around 9500 BC, archaeologists aren't certain of its function, but it was probably religious.

The oldest building we know of is Göbekli Tepe in present-day Turkey. Built somewhere around 9500 BC, archaeologists aren't certain of its function, but it was probably religious.

Source: Architectural Digest

Since then, humans have built some pretty rad structures, including the Fulton Center in New York City ...

Since then, humans have built some pretty rad structures, including the Fulton Center in New York City ...

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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... and the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.

... and the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia.

Source: The Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School

Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí didn't live to see his Sagrada Família completed — in fact, it's still being built. According to its website, construction is expected to cease in 2026.

Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí didn't live to see his Sagrada Família completed — in fact, it's still being built. According to its website, construction is expected to cease in 2026.

Source: Sagrada Família

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The Flatiron Building in New York was one of the city's first skyscrapers ...

The Flatiron Building in New York was one of the city's first skyscrapers ...

Source: Warburg Realty

... as was the moody Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

... as was the moody Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

Source: History

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Chicago's Marina City apartments are, to say the least, uniquely designed. Built in 1964, they were one of the first mixed-use buildings and the first to be built with a crane in the US.

Chicago's Marina City apartments are, to say the least, uniquely designed. Built in 1964, they were one of the first mixed-use buildings and the first to be built with a crane in the US.

Source: Bisnow

But not all buildings need to scrape the sky. The Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki is built into a rock underground and still gets lots of sunlight.

But not all buildings need to scrape the sky. The Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki is built into a rock underground and still gets lots of sunlight.

Source: Helsinki

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The Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia, was carved out of a single stone in the 12th century.

The Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia, was carved out of a single stone in the 12th century.

Source: Irish Archaeology

Some of the most beautiful buildings integrate into their landscape. The Turninn building in Reykjavík reflects the wild beauty of Iceland.

Some of the most beautiful buildings integrate into their landscape. The Turninn building in Reykjavík reflects the wild beauty of Iceland.

Source: ArchDaily

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The modernist master Mies van der Rohe used minimal lines and open space to create buildings that seemingly float in the air around them, like the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, built in the 1960s.

The modernist master Mies van der Rohe used minimal lines and open space to create buildings that seemingly float in the air around them, like the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, built in the 1960s.

Source: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Berlin is also home to the Mecca of electronic music: the brutalist masterstroke Berghain.

Berlin is also home to the Mecca of electronic music: the brutalist masterstroke Berghain.

Source: Berghain

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Integrating into the environment is one of the oldest ideals of architecture. The old Japanese capital Kyoto features the breathtaking Golden Pavilion ...

Integrating into the environment is one of the oldest ideals of architecture. The old Japanese capital Kyoto features the breathtaking Golden Pavilion ...

Source: Famous Wonders

... and the more subtly stunning Silver Pavilion.

... and the more subtly stunning Silver Pavilion.

Source: Japan Travel

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The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali is the largest mud-built structure in the world — it can hold 3,000 worshippers.

The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali is the largest mud-built structure in the world — it can hold 3,000 worshippers.

Source: Slate

The whimsical Pompidou Center in Paris is a postmodern masterwork: It gleefully displays the guts of the building.

The whimsical Pompidou Center in Paris is a postmodern masterwork: It gleefully displays the guts of the building.

Source: Centre Pompidou

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Built around 1200, the Chartres Cathedral in northern France is a primary example of Gothic architecture. Notice the ornate "portals" that you enter into the building through.

Built around 1200, the Chartres Cathedral in northern France is a primary example of Gothic architecture. Notice the ornate "portals" that you enter into the building through.

Source: Chartres Cathedral

Perhaps the only house of worship that can match its grandeur is the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, built in the early 1600s at the height of the Ottoman Empire.

Perhaps the only house of worship that can match its grandeur is the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, built in the early 1600s at the height of the Ottoman Empire.

Source: Great Istanbul

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It is known as the Blue Mosque because of the way the interior is decorated.

It is known as the Blue Mosque because of the way the interior is decorated.

Source: Great Istanbul

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, is the center of the Sikh Faith, and it's lustrous at night.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, is the center of the Sikh Faith, and it's lustrous at night.

Source: The Golden Temple Amritsar

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Neuschwanstein Castle in the German state of Bavaria reportedly inspired Walt Disney to create Sleeping Beauty's castle. It's easy to see why.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the German state of Bavaria reportedly inspired Walt Disney to create Sleeping Beauty's castle. It's easy to see why.

Source: Neuschwanstein Castle

Trinity College in Dublin is a gem of a university.

Trinity College in Dublin is a gem of a university.

Source: Trinity College Dublin

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It has the prototypical library, the most stunning section of which is called, fittingly enough, the Long Room.

It has the prototypical library, the most stunning section of which is called, fittingly enough, the Long Room.

Source: Trinity College Dublin

The Imperial Palace — aka the Forbidden City — is the ultimate form of high Chinese architecture. It was the seat of government from 1420 to 1912.

The Imperial Palace — aka the Forbidden City — is the ultimate form of high Chinese architecture. It was the seat of government from 1420 to 1912.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Today, some of the most experimental modern architecture in the world is being built in Beijing, like the CCTV Tower, locally known as "The Trousers."

Today, some of the most experimental modern architecture in the world is being built in Beijing, like the CCTV Tower, locally known as "The Trousers."

Source: Office for Metropolitan Architecture, The Economist

With Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the late Zaha Hadid did what she could only ever do: turn the hard, clean clines of modernism into something organic.

With Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the late Zaha Hadid did what she could only ever do: turn the hard, clean clines of modernism into something organic.

Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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Perched high in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is the best example we have of Incan architecture. Archaeologists say it was built around 1450.

Perched high in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is the best example we have of Incan architecture. Archaeologists say it was built around 1450.

Source: Machu Picchu

Opened in 2007, the Parque Biblioteca España in Medellín, Colombia, was designed by the Colombian architect Giancarlo Mazzanti. The three buildings are meant to look like stones.

Opened in 2007, the Parque Biblioteca España in Medellín, Colombia, was designed by the Colombian architect Giancarlo Mazzanti. The three buildings are meant to look like stones.

Source: Discover Colombia

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From inside the library, in the Santo Domingo Savio neighborhood, the view is of Medellín itself, in a valley surrounded by the Andes.

From inside the library, in the Santo Domingo Savio neighborhood, the view is of Medellín itself, in a valley surrounded by the Andes.

Source: Discover Colombia

Sydney's Opera House is the rightful ambassador of Australian architecture. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973.

Sydney's Opera House is the rightful ambassador of Australian architecture. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973.

Source: Sydney Opera House

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In New Zealand, you can enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Brasserie 2050 — known as the "barn of the future."

In New Zealand, you can enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Brasserie 2050 — known as the "barn of the future."

Source: Dezeen

Another masterfully constructed eatery is The Masa Bakery and Cafe in Bogota Colombia — which is made up of concrete and triangular-shaped windows.

Another masterfully constructed eatery is The Masa Bakery and Cafe in Bogota Colombia — which is made up of concrete and triangular-shaped windows.

Source: Dezeen

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The Wave, in Vejle, Denmark, features a stunning collection of five residential towers all connected by a wave-style roof.

The Wave, in Vejle, Denmark, features a stunning collection of five residential towers all connected by a wave-style roof.

Source: Dezeen

Over on America's West Coast is the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937 and stretches 1.7 miles.

Over on America's West Coast is the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937 and stretches 1.7 miles.

Source: History

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