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Secrets behind the world's most famous buildings



Slide 1 of 45: The planet's best-known structures hide a ton of secrets. From underground train stations and secret apartments to surprise bowling alleys and concealed rooms, find out what your favorite building is hiding.
Slide 2 of 45: Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Florida, opened in 1971, was the first of the four Disney theme parks (and two water parks) in the Sunshine State. It’s where you’ll find the iconic Cinderella Castle with its 18 towers and spires, but there's also a whole other aspect you probably don't know about the park.
Slide 3 of 45: Underneath Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a vast nine-acre network of hidden tunnels, only accessible to cast members. Walt Disney didn’t want the magic spoiled thanks to a cowboy running through Tomorrowland en route to Frontierland, or Mickey Mouse eating lunch in public. So the tunnel system containing dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms and a cafeteria was built and is known as "utilidor" – utility corridors. See what's changed at Disney since parts of the parks reopened in July.
Slide 4 of 45: At 1,815 feet and five inches, the CN Tower was the tallest structure of its kind in the world until 2010. Built in 1976 it still functions as a communications mast for radio and mobile signals. Visitors also head up the elevators day and night to get a view over the city. At the top there’s a revolving restaurant, a 20-minute outdoor "EdgeWalk" around the main pod, and an even higher "SkyPod".

Slide 5 of 45: While most visitors know about the restaurant at the top of the tower, few know about 360Restaurant’s wine cellar, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s highest. It looks just like a typical underground wine cellar and stores 9,000 bottles of wine within a humidity and temperature controlled room. The redwood rack room, with double cherry doors and a tasting table is a must-visit for wine connoisseurs. Read our guide to Toronto for tips on where to stay and what to do when it's safe to travel.
Slide 6 of 45: The distinctive Sydney Opera House in Sydney Harbour is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It was opened in 1973, built to look like a yacht’s sails and designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It usually hosts dance performances, concerts, opera and theater. You can also take a guided tour of the building or eat at one of the restaurants, and although the venue is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, keep an eye on the website for reopening details.
Slide 7 of 45: What surprises people about the Sydney Opera House is that it’s not just an opera venue. In fact, there is a secret night club for underground music called The Studio. It's often used as part of the annual contemporary music festival, Vivid Live, and has hosted artists such as Detroit native rapper Danny Brown. When travel to Australia is allowed again, check out our Sydney guide.
Slide 8 of 45: La Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, recognized for its striking architectural design by Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day, with an estimated completion date of 2026, 100 years after the architect’s death. Yet three million visitors usually head to this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. 
Slide 9 of 45: Visitors who wince at the thought of climbing stairs, fear not, La Sagrada Família has a set of secret elevators to take you straight to the top. This is a surprising feat when you consider the narrowness of the towers, not to mention the fact they’re not built in straight lines. Once you have reached the top you can enjoy excellent views across Barcelona, exhaustion-free. The building has reopened to visitors but has restrictions and safety rules in place.

Slide 10 of 45: Built at the start of the 20th century, The Lincoln Memorial is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial’s frieze has inscriptions of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death and the date when they joined the Union. The memorial is free to visit (check travel restrictions before you go) and is part of the larger National Mall that includes the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol.
Slide 11 of 45: However, the great monument hides an equally giant secret. Below it lies a 43,800 square foot (4,069sqm) underground chamber, known as the Undercroft, which contains graffiti from the 1910s. The cavern was built at the same time as the memorial, to support the structures above and was forgotten about until the 1970s. It was briefly rediscovered and used for tours, before they were halted due to asbestos issues. There are plans to reopen the space in 2022, in time for the monument’s centennial celebration. 
Slide 12 of 45: Perhaps one of the most famous structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower has welcomed over 300 million visitors since it opened in 1889. It was once the world’s tallest man-made tower, and weighs over 10,000 tons. But despite the millions visiting each year, it still manages to keep some surprises concealed within.
Slide 13 of 45: Most visitors don’t know the tower is home to a small apartment. Designer Gustave Eiffel didn’t only dream up the construction, but also built himself a flat on the third level of the tower. Complete with wooden furniture, oil paintings and patterned wallpaper, the apartment was reportedly in demand in Parisian high society in the 19th century, with several people offering Eiffel large sums of money to rent the space even for one night, but never succeeding. The landmark has reopened with safety measures in place.
Slide 14 of 45: One of the most beautiful buildings on the planet, with the most romantic history, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān to immortalize his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died during childbirth.

Slide 15 of 45: Inside the impressive building lie the cenotaphs of Mumtāz Maḥal and Shah Jahān. However, what many visitors don’t know is that in fact, these are false tombs; the real tombs lie beneath, at garden level, and are off-limits to the public. The Taj Mahal is one of India's most beautiful sights, read about some others here.
Slide 16 of 45: One of the world’s largest mosques, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has a number of impressive facts and figures associated with it. The grand structure can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers, has 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns and is also home to a number of 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers.
Slide 17 of 45: But among all the overwhelming interior opulence, the most luxurious element of all is somewhere you may never have looked: the floor. The mosque is home to the world’s largest handmade carpet, which took 1,200 women two years to make. The carpet weighs a staggering 35 tons and measures 60,569 square feet (5,627sqm).
Slide 18 of 45: The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the USA’s most recognizable sights, with the 60-feet-tall (18m) faces of four legendary American presidents carved into granite. But there’s more to this monument than meets the eye.
Slide 19 of 45: The famous faces conceal a secret: behind President Abraham Lincoln’s face is a hidden corridor. Originally planned to be part of a Hall of Records – designed to store important documents in American history for future generations – the full construction was never completed. It was only in 1998 that the National Park Service added a titanium cask with 16 porcelain panels about Mount Rushmore's history to fulfill part of artist Gutzon Borglum's original vision.
Slide 20 of 45: Known the world over as Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks. The name 'Big Ben' refers to the clock's bell within the tower, which is currently out of action while a major refurbishment is underway.
Slide 21 of 45: Despite its famous gong sound – which won't sound again until 2021 – Big Ben is far from perfect: it’s cracked. In 1859, a new bell that had replaced a previously broken one also cracked, meaning Big Ben didn’t chime for four years. The solution, rather than a third new bell, was to turn it so the hammer struck a different spot. The hammer was also replaced by a lighter version, and a square was cut into the bell to stop the crack from spreading. Tower tours are currently suspended while works take place, but there are free monthly talk and virtual tours available instead. 
Slide 22 of 45: The towering Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building (for now), is a staggering 2,717 feet (828m) tall. It holds world records for not only being the tallest building in the world, but also the tallest man-made structure in the world, the tallest free-standing structure in the world, the highest outdoor observation deck in the world and more.
Slide 23 of 45: However, while you might have heard about the Burj Khalifa’s swanky residences (currently open with safety restrictions in place), the Armani Hotel, corporate suites, five swimming pools, health club and spa, what many people don’t know is that the record-breaking building is also home to a private library. The world’s highest library, this quiet space is on Level 123. Read more about Dubai with our guide.
Slide 24 of 45: One of the world’s most famous train stations, Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal puts most other train stations to shame with its beautiful architecture, huge range of shops and restaurants and visitor numbers – usually around 750,000 a day. It's the second-most visited destination in New York City, second only to Times Square.
Slide 25 of 45: But as well as being a great shopping and dining destination, many of the commuters and tourists that usually rush through this station daily don’t know that there's also a luxury tennis club. The Vanderbilt Tennis Club, on the fourth floor of the terminal, is a super-swanky fitness destination that prides itself on exclusivity. It's currently open for reservations with restrictions in place.
Slide 26 of 45: It has been in countless movies, offers exceptional views across New York City and was once the tallest building in the world. The Empire State Building usually plays host to millions of visitors every year, but most are unaware of the tower's big secret.
Slide 27 of 45: While most visitors enjoy the views from the building’s 86th and 102nd floor observatories, there’s another reserved only for VIPs, dignitaries and celebrities: the 103rd floor. Entertaining the likes of Taylor Swift and David Beckham, the balcony can only be reached by a secret door and some rather narrow steps. Once you get there, the lack of railings is rather terrifying. Here the loveEXPLORING team rank New York's skyscraper views. 
Slide 28 of 45: Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station is one of the city’s most beloved buildings. The first railway station built in an Australian city, the terminal has appeared in a number of movies and is well-known for the old-fashioned clocks displaying train departure times on its façade.
Slide 29 of 45: But visitors rushing to catch their trains will not notice one of the most fascinating elements of the train station: its secret abandoned ballroom. On the third floor of the building, the ballroom once held concerts, competitions and public dances. However, it has been empty ever since the 1980s and is now in a state of disrepair.
Slide 30 of 45: New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel is a historic establishment that has hosted royalty, presidents and film stars over its long history. It's currently closed for refurbishment and isn't planned to reopen until 2021.
Slide 31 of 45: Underneath the opulent hotel lies a disused railway station. Most famously used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to keep his polio diagnosis a secret. The train platform allowed VIPs to enter in secret. Known as Track 61, the underground platform is still home to the train car, although it looks considerably less glamorous than the luxurious hotel above it. Check out these stunning photos of more abandoned train stations.
Slide 32 of 45: One of Edinburgh’s most iconic sights, Edinburgh Castle sits above the Scottish capital on Castle Rock. It has been occupied from as early as the Iron Age and is one of the most besieged castles in the world. Not just a tourist attraction (currently open but you must book tickets in advance) it's also an active military garrison and a gun is fired at 1pm every afternoon (except Sundays, Christmas day and Good Friday). 
Slide 33 of 45: A number of the castle’s hidden secrets relate to its military past and present. For example there’s a network of tunnels and caves below Edinburgh whose purpose is shrouded in legends and stories. One tunnel constructed in the 1980s allows military vehicles to enter the castle without disrupting tourist visits.
Slide 34 of 45: Located in The Hague, the Binnenhof is a group of buildings housing the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and is where all political matters are discussed. The Gothic-style buildings, which became the center of the Dutch empire in 1584, make up the oldest Houses of Parliament still in use and is one of the country's most significant heritage sites.
Slide 35 of 45: Unbeknown to the public, the Binnenhof is home to an enormous library that looks like it's from a fairy tale. The secret space is called the Handelingenkame and rarely open to the public. It contains more than 100,000 books, which are the official reports of parliament verbatim. The stunning library is complete with old-fashioned ladders and a glass roof, which floods the room with natural light. Discover more amazing libraries around the world here. 
Slide 36 of 45: The Monument to the Great Fire of London stands at 202 feet (62m) tall in the City of London, near the northern end of London Bridge. Since the monument was completed in 1677, visitors have climbed its steps to enjoy views over England's capital. However in 1842 a cage had to be built around the gallery due to a few incidents of people jumping and falling off.
Slide 37 of 45: The building isn’t just a monument or a way of getting a great view of the city: it also functions as a huge telescope. The monument was once the site of scientific experiments, and underneath the building a tiny laboratory was where scientists would peer through the telescope.
Slide 38 of 45: The Supreme Court of the United States in Washington DC is the country’s highest federal court. Established in 1789, it deals with cases such as suits between two or more states, and those involving ambassadors. It's usually open to the public every day between 9am and 4.30pm, however due to current COVID-19 concerns, the building will remain closed until further notice.
Slide 39 of 45: Only those familiar with The Supreme Court building will know it’s not as serious as we thought. The fifth floor is home to another type of court, a basketball court named “The Highest Court in the Land”, which is usually used by the building’s employees. Now take a look at America's 50 most important landmarks.
Slide 40 of 45: A gift from France to the United States to commemorate 100 years of friendship, the enormous Statue of Liberty is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom. The statue, which is over 305 feet (93m) tall, is usually visited by around 3.5 million people every year. 
Slide 41 of 45: A little-known fact about the Statue of Liberty is that there is an observatory inside the torch, the statue’s highest point. However, it’s off-limits to visitors, and has been ever since 1916. That year, German spies blew up a nearby munitions depot and the resulting explosion caused significant damage to the torch. Although the damage has since been repaired, the torch has never been reopened to the public. The landmark has not yet reopened due to the ongoing pandemic, check here for details on a phased reopening.
Slide 42 of 45: One of London’s most recognizable landmarks, The Gherkin towers over the city at nearly 600 feet (183m) tall. It was completed in 2003 and contains offices, shops and restaurants. The most notable, Helix and Iris by Searcys, is a 360° restaurant and bar (temporarily closed) that takes up the top three floors. 
Slide 43 of 45: Despite The Gherkin's curved appearance, fans of the building will be surprised to discover one fascinating element of its architecture. Nearly 7,500 panes of glass were used to build the landmark and despite its rounded appearance, there is only one piece of curved glass on the entire building: the dome at the top. See if you can guess these UK landmarks from their close-ups.
Slide 44 of 45: The White House, also known as the ‘President’s House’, was built in stages between 1792 and 1829. Every president since John Adams in 1800 has lived here. Getting a tour of The White House is extremely difficult to arrange (even without COVID restrictions), Americans must go through their state’s member of Congress and non-Americans (when allowed to travel again) through their country’s embassy in DC.
Slide 45 of 45: If you watch a few political US dramas you might think you know your West Wing from your Oval Office, but think again. In the basement at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there are several rooms you would be surprised to find. As well as a bowling alley, there’s also a flower shop, carpenter’s shop and a dental surgery. Now take our quiz: can you guess these world-famous landmarks from their close-ups?

Hidden in plain sight

Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA

Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA

Underneath Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a vast nine-acre network of hidden tunnels, only accessible to cast members. Walt Disney didn’t want the magic spoiled thanks to a cowboy running through Tomorrowland en route to Frontierland, or Mickey Mouse eating lunch in public. So the tunnel system containing dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms and a cafeteria was built and is known as “utilidor” – utility corridors. See what’s changed at Disney since parts of the parks reopened in July.

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

While most visitors know about the restaurant at the top of the tower, few know about 360Restaurant’s wine cellar, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s highest. It looks just like a typical underground wine cellar and stores 9,000 bottles of wine within a humidity and temperature controlled room. The redwood rack room, with double cherry doors and a tasting table is a must-visit for wine connoisseurs. Read our guide to Toronto for tips on where to stay and what to do when it’s safe to travel.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

The distinctive Sydney Opera House in Sydney Harbour is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks and on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It was opened in 1973, built to look like a yacht’s sails and designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It usually hosts dance performances, concerts, opera and theater. You can also take a guided tour of the building or eat at one of the restaurants, and although the venue is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, keep an eye on the website for reopening details.

Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

What surprises people about the Sydney Opera House is that it’s not just an opera venue. In fact, there is a secret night club for underground music called The Studio. It’s often used as part of the annual contemporary music festival, Vivid Live, and has hosted artists such as Detroit native rapper Danny Brown. When travel to Australia is allowed again, check out our Sydney guide.

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

La Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, recognized for its striking architectural design by Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day, with an estimated completion date of 2026, 100 years after the architect’s death. Yet three million visitors usually head to this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. 

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Visitors who wince at the thought of climbing stairs, fear not, La Sagrada Família has a set of secret elevators to take you straight to the top. This is a surprising feat when you consider the narrowness of the towers, not to mention the fact they’re not built in straight lines. Once you have reached the top you can enjoy excellent views across Barcelona, exhaustion-free. The building has reopened to visitors but has restrictions and safety rules in place.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, USA

Built at the start of the 20th century, The Lincoln Memorial is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial’s frieze has inscriptions of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death and the date when they joined the Union. The memorial is free to visit (check travel restrictions before you go) and is part of the larger National Mall that includes the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, USA

However, the great monument hides an equally giant secret. Below it lies a 43,800 square foot (4,069sqm) underground chamber, known as the Undercroft, which contains graffiti from the 1910s. The cavern was built at the same time as the memorial, to support the structures above and was forgotten about until the 1970s. It was briefly rediscovered and used for tours, before they were halted due to asbestos issues. There are plans to reopen the space in 2022, in time for the monument’s centennial celebration. 

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Perhaps one of the most famous structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower has welcomed over 300 million visitors since it opened in 1889. It was once the world’s tallest man-made tower, and weighs over 10,000 tons. But despite the millions visiting each year, it still manages to keep some surprises concealed within.

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Most visitors don’t know the tower is home to a small apartment. Designer Gustave Eiffel didn’t only dream up the construction, but also built himself a flat on the third level of the tower. Complete with wooden furniture, oil paintings and patterned wallpaper, the apartment was reportedly in demand in Parisian high society in the 19th century, with several people offering Eiffel large sums of money to rent the space even for one night, but never succeeding. The landmark has reopened with safety measures in place.

The Taj Mahal, India

One of the most beautiful buildings on the planet, with the most romantic history, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān to immortalize his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died during childbirth.

The Taj Mahal, India

Inside the impressive building lie the cenotaphs of Mumtāz Maḥal and Shah Jahān. However, what many visitors don’t know is that in fact, these are false tombs; the real tombs lie beneath, at garden level, and are off-limits to the public. The Taj Mahal is one of India’s most beautiful sights, read about some others here.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

Big Ben, London, UK

Big Ben, London, UK

Despite its famous gong sound – which won’t sound again until 2021 – Big Ben is far from perfect: it’s cracked. In 1859, a new bell that had replaced a previously broken one also cracked, meaning Big Ben didn’t chime for four years. The solution, rather than a third new bell, was to turn it so the hammer struck a different spot. The hammer was also replaced by a lighter version, and a square was cut into the bell to stop the crack from spreading. Tower tours are currently suspended while works take place, but there are free monthly talk and virtual tours available instead. 

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

However, while you might have heard about the Burj Khalifa’s swanky residences (currently open with safety restrictions in place), the Armani Hotel, corporate suites, five swimming pools, health club and spa, what many people don’t know is that the record-breaking building is also home to a private library. The world’s highest library, this quiet space is on Level 123. Read more about Dubai with our guide.

Grand Central Terminal, New York City, USA

One of the world’s most famous train stations, Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal puts most other train stations to shame with its beautiful architecture, huge range of shops and restaurants and visitor numbers – usually around 750,000 a day. It’s the second-most visited destination in New York City, second only to Times Square.

Grand Central Terminal, New York City, USA

But as well as being a great shopping and dining destination, many of the commuters and tourists that usually rush through this station daily don’t know that there’s also a luxury tennis club. The Vanderbilt Tennis Club, on the fourth floor of the terminal, is a super-swanky fitness destination that prides itself on exclusivity. It’s currently open for reservations with restrictions in place.

The Empire State Building, New York City, USA

The Empire State Building, New York City, USA

While most visitors enjoy the views from the building’s 86th and 102nd floor observatories, there’s another reserved only for VIPs, dignitaries and celebrities: the 103rd floor. Entertaining the likes of Taylor Swift and David Beckham, the balcony can only be reached by a secret door and some rather narrow steps. Once you get there, the lack of railings is rather terrifying. Here the loveEXPLORING team rank New York’s skyscraper views. 

Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station is one of the city’s most beloved buildings. The first railway station built in an Australian city, the terminal has appeared in a number of movies and is well-known for the old-fashioned clocks displaying train departure times on its façade.

Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia

The Waldorf Astoria, New York City, USA

The Waldorf Astoria, New York City, USA

Underneath the opulent hotel lies a disused railway station. Most famously used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to keep his polio diagnosis a secret. The train platform allowed VIPs to enter in secret. Known as Track 61, the underground platform is still home to the train car, although it looks considerably less glamorous than the luxurious hotel above it. Check out these stunning photos of more abandoned train stations.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK

One of Edinburgh’s most iconic sights, Edinburgh Castle sits above the Scottish capital on Castle Rock. It has been occupied from as early as the Iron Age and is one of the most besieged castles in the world. Not just a tourist attraction (currently open but you must book tickets in advance) it’s also an active military garrison and a gun is fired at 1pm every afternoon (except Sundays, Christmas day and Good Friday). 

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, UK

A number of the castle’s hidden secrets relate to its military past and present. For example there’s a network of tunnels and caves below Edinburgh whose purpose is shrouded in legends and stories. One tunnel constructed in the 1980s allows military vehicles to enter the castle without disrupting tourist visits.

Binnenhof, The Hague, Netherlands

Binnenhof, The Hague, Netherlands

Unbeknown to the public, the Binnenhof is home to an enormous library that looks like it’s from a fairy tale. The secret space is called the Handelingenkame and rarely open to the public. It contains more than 100,000 books, which are the official reports of parliament verbatim. The stunning library is complete with old-fashioned ladders and a glass roof, which floods the room with natural light. Discover more amazing libraries around the world here. 

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, UK

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, UK

The Supreme Court, Washington DC, USA

The Supreme Court of the United States in Washington DC is the country’s highest federal court. Established in 1789, it deals with cases such as suits between two or more states, and those involving ambassadors. It’s usually open to the public every day between 9am and 4.30pm, however due to current COVID-19 concerns, the building will remain closed until further notice.

The Supreme Court, Washington DC, USA

Only those familiar with The Supreme Court building will know it’s not as serious as we thought. The fifth floor is home to another type of court, a basketball court named “The Highest Court in the Land”, which is usually used by the building’s employees. Now take a look at America’s 50 most important landmarks.

The Statue of Liberty, New York City, USA

A gift from France to the United States to commemorate 100 years of friendship, the enormous Statue of Liberty is recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom. The statue, which is over 305 feet (93m) tall, is usually visited by around 3.5 million people every year. 

The Statue of Liberty, New York City, USA

A little-known fact about the Statue of Liberty is that there is an observatory inside the torch, the statue’s highest point. However, it’s off-limits to visitors, and has been ever since 1916. That year, German spies blew up a nearby munitions depot and the resulting explosion caused significant damage to the torch. Although the damage has since been repaired, the torch has never been reopened to the public. The landmark has not yet reopened due to the ongoing pandemic, check here for details on a phased reopening.

The Gherkin, London, UK

One of London’s most recognizable landmarks, The Gherkin towers over the city at nearly 600 feet (183m) tall. It was completed in 2003 and contains offices, shops and restaurants. The most notable, Helix and Iris by Searcys, is a 360° restaurant and bar (temporarily closed) that takes up the top three floors. 

The Gherkin, London, UK

Despite The Gherkin’s curved appearance, fans of the building will be surprised to discover one fascinating element of its architecture. Nearly 7,500 panes of glass were used to build the landmark and despite its rounded appearance, there is only one piece of curved glass on the entire building: the dome at the top. See if you can guess these UK landmarks from their close-ups.

The White House, Washington DC, USA

The White House, also known as the ‘President’s House’, was built in stages between 1792 and 1829. Every president since John Adams in 1800 has lived here. Getting a tour of The White House is extremely difficult to arrange (even without COVID restrictions), Americans must go through their state’s member of Congress and non-Americans (when allowed to travel again) through their country’s embassy in DC.

The White House, Washington DC, USA

If you watch a few political US dramas you might think you know your West Wing from your Oval Office, but think again. In the basement at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there are several rooms you would be surprised to find. As well as a bowling alley, there’s also a flower shop, carpenter’s shop and a dental surgery.

Now take our quiz: can you guess these world-famous landmarks from their close-ups?

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