There is something magical about buildings and bridges that make us stop, raise our heads and involuntarily say: "How?! ». They break the usual patterns, turn engineering ideas into art and become the hallmarks of entire countries. Here are 10 of the most unusual structures, each of which seems to have descended from the pages of science fiction books.
Skyroad, China
It looks like a road to heaven. How else to call a highway winding at a height, from where you can see the clouds? The 240-kilometer-long Yaxi Highway connects the Chinese cities of Ya'an and Xichang. Imagine: 270 viaducts, 25 tunnels - an engineering feat that lasted 7 years!
This section is part of the Beijing-Kunming highway, one of the longest roads in China. Builders literally tamed the mountains to make the path through them safe. Well, how safe can be the road surrounded by the abyss.
Evolution Tower, Russia
This tower in Moscow looks like a giant spiral of DNA. The height is 246 meters, and there are 55 floors! It was designed by British architects Tony Kettle and the RMJM group. But not only the design is impressive: the tower symbolizes constant movement and development, like Moscow, which never sleeps.
Inside there are offices, restaurants, observation decks.
Ngarongoro Cable Car, Tanzania
The Ngarongoro crater is a natural wonder in itself, but the cable car has added a bit of engineering magic to it. Imagine: you are "soaring" over an ancient volcanic crater, where zebras and lions are running beneath you. Isn't it too much like a dream?
This road was built to make it easier for tourists to get to the reserve. The views from it literally make your heart stop.
Basket House, USA
No, this is not a hallucination. This is the actual office of Longaberger in Newark, Ohio. The building looks like a wicker basket and there are even handles! The project was developed by NBBJ architects in 1997 to emphasize what the company does.
Seven floors of unusual architecture have made this house a symbol of the city. Although there are ordinary offices inside, the exterior makes people think: "Can I have a picnic here?"
Millennium Bridge, UK
The pedestrian bridge over the Thames is not just a road, it is a work of art. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, it connects St Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern.
However, in the first days after the opening in 2000, the bridge swayed, and it had to be closed. But after a couple of months, all the problems were solved, and now it has become one of the main "arteries" of London.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada
Crossing this bridge is like passing a test of courage. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver hangs 70 meters above the river and stretches for 137 meters. Built in 1889, it has undergone several renovations and has become safer.
But your heart still stops when you walk on it, and the wind gently shakes the boards under your feet.
Crystal Bridge, China
This bridge is a challenge to the fear of heights. A glass road 430 meters long and 300 meters high hangs over the Zhangjiajie Gorge. Looking down? You can see every detail of the gorge.
The bridge opened in 2016 and immediately became a hit among tourists. Well, for those who are afraid of heights, this is more of a test of strength... Nerves.
Oceanographic Museum of Valencia, Spain
This museum is more than a museum. This is a portal to the underwater world. Oceans, Arctic depths and tropical reefs are represented on 110 thousand square meters.
The project was developed by architects Felix Candela and Santiago Calatrava. It is home to more than 500 species of marine animals. Penguins, sharks, walruses - they are all in one place.
House on the Rock, USA
Some combination of a museum and a haunted house. Built by Alex Jordan in 1945, this Wisconsin home is an eclectic marvel. A giant music box, merry-go-rounds, furniture – all this creates the feeling that you are in a surreal movie.
It is difficult to understand whether this is a joke or a work of art. But crowds of tourists come here precisely for this sense of absurdity.
Burj Khalifa, UAE
828 meters. It sounds like the magic of numbers, but it's the height of the tallest building in the world. Dubai's Burj Khalifa opened in 2010, and since then, the world has never built anything higher.
There are offices, apartments, a hotel and an observation deck on the 148th floor. It is said that from the top you can see how the globe bends.
Each of these structures is more than just a building or a bridge. They are symbols of human dreams and courage, making our world a little more fantastic.
