The world is full of amazing landmarks no matter where in the globe you find yourself. Many of these man-made structures have stood the test of time. Bridges, buildings, monuments – you name it. While some of them have been doomed to destruction, there are still a number of things that were built to last. Let’s take a look at before and after photos of these monuments that have lived for years, decades, and even centuries!
An Important Link to France
The Ponte Morandi construction started in 1963. It was opened four years later and has since been a major artery into France and the E80 route. It connected two parts of Genoa that the Polcevera river has separated.
An Important Link to France
The bridge was the work of a civil engineer called Riccardo Morandi. He is known for using reinforced concrete in his work. The Ponte Morandi was no exception. It was created as a viaduct, a bridge composed a number of smaller spans that form an overpass.
Ponte Morandi Collapsed After A Bout Of Bad Weather
Sadly, the bridge was not meant to last. Citizens of Genoa found out about this when the bridge collapsed after heavy rainfall on August 14, 2018. Nearly 700 feet of it collapsed below.
Ponte Morandi Collapsed After A Bout Of Bad Weather
At the time it collapsed, 35 cars and 3 heavy vehicles were crossing it. When it comes to casualties, 43 people died and 15 were critically injured. Although it is believed to have been struck by lightning, engineers say the bridge was structurally unsound.
The Lincoln Memorial Was Supposed To Be Flashier
After the 16th President of the United States was murdered in 1865, people demanded his memorialization. In only two years, Congress presented bills to make a monument in Abe’s honor.
The Lincoln Memorial Was Supposed To Be Flashier
It took nearly half a century before the construction of the memorial began. It took ten more years to complete it. Originally intended to come with 31 pedestrian statues, a 12-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln, and 6 equestrian statues, the final product is the simple yet stately version we now have.
A Site For The Most Important Movements In The Nation
The Lincoln Memorial has inscriptions of excerpts from The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. As a tribute to the “Savior of the Union”, it is fitting that it has seen lots of protests and speeches over the years.
A Site For The Most Important Movements In The Nation
In 1963, the most important event to happen there took place. It was the “I Have A Dream” speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King. He gave it in 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Around 6 million visitors drop by the Lincoln Memorial every year.
Shanghai Was Just A Port Town In The ’80s
Did you know that Shanghai is considered to be the fastest-growing city right now? In 1989, this was what the Huangpu River and the Pudong district looked like. Were it not for the river, it looks nothing like it did in the past.
Shanghai Was Just A Port Town In The ’80s
China opened its economy in the ‘80s. Before this, Shanghai witnessed three decades of reform, suppression, drought, and famine. Things improved after the Cultural Revolution. At the end of the ‘70s, Premier Zhou Enlai of Shanghai and President Nixon sealed the deal on the Shanghai Communique.
This Chinese City Is Now a Global Leader
Here is what the Shanghai looks like now. Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader in 1990, took it upon himself to turn Shanghai into a cultural and economic giant. Some accounts claim that he said, “If China is a dragon, Shanghai is its head.”
This Chinese City Is Now a Global Leader
Shanghai enjoyed a phenomenal development in around 25 years. It is now considered a “vertical city” since it is home to a number of the world’s tallest buildings like the Shanghai Tower.
Las Vegas Was Different Then
The Las Vegas Strip is one of the first things that come to mind when someone talks about Sin City. Before that, however, Freemont Street was its star. It has been around ever since Las Vegas was founded in 1905.
Las Vegas Was Different Then
It became the first Las Vegas paved street in 1925. Six years later, it got the first traffic light in the city. Gambling has been around long before its legalization, but Freemont Street was among the first places in the state to get a license. It used to be the hub for the hedonistic lifestyle!
Fremont Street Tries To Be As Big As The Las Vegas Strip
This is what it now looks like. As you can see, Freemont Street is more like a walkway than a proper street. The Golden Nugget got an update, but the most striking thing here is the barrel vault canopy.
Fremont Street Tries To Be As Big As The Las Vegas Strip
The main attraction is a pedestrian mall that has a number of attractions if you want to venture off the Las Vegas Strip. There are nightly light and sound shows, which has helped revived business there.
Dresden Frauenkirche Was Reconstructed After 60 Years
When World War II drew to a close, Dresden citizens tried to salvage the fragments of Dresden Frauenkirche. However, the Communist regime did not want to work on it. Even though the plan was to turn it into a parking lot, popular sentiment helped it get the status of a memorial in 1966.
Dresden Frauenkirche Was Reconstructed After 60 Years
After the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989, it moved forward with the reconstruction. It was finally finished in 2005. Even though neo-Nazis celebrate its destruction each year, a human chain always blocks them.
The Martin Luther Statue Survived WWII
Martin Luther is known as the Protestant Reformation frontrunner. He has a memorial statue in Dresden as well. His statue used to stand in front of the Dresden Frauenkirche, which was built in the 1700s.
The Martin Luther Statue Survived WWII
Its dome was a distinct part of the Dresden skyline until it was firebombed in 1945. There were 25,000 deaths from the attacks by Anglo-American allied forces. The city center rubble would stay there for 45 years, half of which had been under the East German Communist regime.
The Flatiron Building Was Erected On A Triangular Plot Of Land
Here is what the Flatiron Building looked like in 1903. You can still see street sweepers and horse-drawn carriages in the photo! It was a year old here and served as the offices for the George A. Fuller Company.
The Flatiron Building Was Erected On A Triangular Plot Of Land
People think the building got its name for its shape, but the name was used for the area before the building existed. The triangular plot was contained by 22nd and 23rd Streets, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway.
The Oddly-Shaped Offices Are The Most Sought After
Nowadays, it is surrounded by imposing skyscrapers that make up the lower Manhattan skyline. The 22-story structure continues to serve as office space. It is home to a number of publishing companies.
The Oddly-Shaped Offices Are The Most Sought After
The Flatiron Building has a number of strangely-shaped offices. Despite the awkward angles, they remain the most desired rooms in the building for their great view of northern Manhattan. Apparently, the gendered bathrooms are also located on alternating floors!
The Eiffel Tower Was The Entrance To The World’s Fair
In 1889, Paris was the host of the World’s Fair. It was also the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. Artists submitted their proposal for a monument and entrance on the Champ de Mars.
The Eiffel Tower Was The Entrance To The World’s Fair
The winning proposal came from Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. Maurice Koechlin, an employee at Eiffel et Compagnie, came up with the concept. The two of them also worked on the Statue of Liberty. The assembly of the framework for the Eiffel Tower took two years!
It Is The Most Recognizable Landmark In History
When it made its debut in 1889, it was also the world’s tallest building at 1,000 feet high. The plan was to take it down ten years later, but it was used as radiotelegraph station in WWI.
It Is The Most Recognizable Landmark In History
The Eiffel Tower lived through both world wars because Hitler’s order to take it down did not happen. The structure gets 7 million visitors each year, which makes it the most visited monument in the world!
San Franciscans Wanted A Bridge
There was a public demand to connect San Francisco metropolis to its northern neighbors. Joseph Strauss was an engineer who hailed from Chicago. He started building the Golden Gate Bridge in 1919.
San Franciscans Wanted A Bridge
There was some opposition to its construction from the civic leaders and business owners. They said the bridge would interfere with the natural beauty of the bay and hinder the shipping industry. These people were also afraid it would not survive natural disasters.
The Golden Gate Bridge Is An Incredible Modern Engineering Marvel
No matter what the naysayers said, the Golden Gate Bridge construction started in 1933. It was dangerous to build the first bridge support above the open ocean, although they installed a support net and saved the lives of workers. The 19 survivors were all part of the “Halfway to Hell Club”.
The Golden Gate Bridge Is An Incredible Modern Engineering Marvel
In the four years that it took to finish the bridge, there was just one major disaster. In 1937, a scaffold fell and killed 10 workers. Nonetheless, the bridge was done and opened later that year. It is a true marvel of modern engineering!
The Brandenburg Gate Survived WWII As Well As The Cold War
Brandenburger Tor in Berlin is one of the country’s most famous symbols. It withstood a number of major moments in the country. It was commissioned by Frederick William II in 1791.
The Brandenburg Gate Survived WWII As Well As The Cold War
Carl Gotthard Langhans designed it with inspiration from the Acropolis. The Quadriga, which a sculpture of four-horsed chariot being driven by Victoria, is its most distinctive aspect. It was once stolen by Napoleon! After its reclamation and restoration, it lived through WWII.
It Is A Symbol Of German Unification
Brandenburg Tor was there through the creation of the Berlin Wall down to the Cold War. When JFK visited the country in 1963, Soviets hung red banners to impede views into East Germany.
It Is A Symbol Of German Unification
The gate was where Ronald Reagan delivered his 1987 speech, where he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Berlin wall, East and West Berliners met at the gate at long last.
Dubai Saw Rapid Change Thanks To Oil
It is tough to believe that Dubai was nothing more than barren desert two decades ago. However, it was then that the city was on its way to being the biggest and most populous United Arab Emirates city.
Dubai Saw Rapid Change Thanks To Oil
During the early 20th century, its prime location made it ideal for farming, fishing, and pearl diving. Sadly, the economy was boosted by oil, which soon became its main source of income. In the 2005 photo, you can see the start of the tallest building in the world.
Dubai As A Competitive Global City
This was Dubai in 2009. The Burj Khalifa is the structure that towers over the rest of the city. At 2,717 feet, it is the tallest building in the world. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Dubai will never settle for anything less than first place.”
Dubai As A Competitive Global City
The city has not failed to live up to this. It also has the tallest hotel in the world, the biggest shopping center, the biggest indoor theme park, and the longest automated metro network. The oil reserves are now in limited stocks and low production, although tourism has helped offset the differences.
What Disneyland Looked Like in 1955
The Disneyland in Anaheim, California was opened to the public on July 17, 1955. It was the one park Walt Disney supervised to its completion. His inspiration was Griffith Park in LA as well as a number of other theme parks he visited with the daughters. He wanted to entertain all of his guests there.
What Disneyland Looked Like in 1955
It is incredible to hear that the park was built in only a single year. In the beginning, he did not have funding for it. That is the reason he created ABC’s Disneyland show. The network helped him get money for the park.
Disneyland Lives On
We daresay that Disneyland has not once lost its magic over the years. It is even bigger and more popular now. Although it has gone through a number of changes, Walt Disney’s vision has remained.
Disneyland Lives On
In July 2015, the park commemorated its 60th anniversary with fireworks and parades. 44,000 people go to the park every single day. This means there are 16 million to 18 million visitors a year.
The Structures Built Along the Seine River for the 1990 World Exhibition
In 1900, the World Exposition brought over 48 million visitors to Paris for the Quai des Nations. The event showed off buildings from different countries in the world. Below, you can see the submissions from the US, the Ottoman Empire, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Monaco.
The Structures Built Along the Seine River for the 1990 World Exhibition
The buildings were lovely, but they were not built to last. They were demolished right after the show.
The Quai des Nations Had Been Taken Down Right Away
It looks like a completely different place now! The only landmark you can identify is the Eiffel Tower. The structures had been built using cheap materials, so they were taken down in no time.
The Quai des Nations Had Been Taken Down Right Away
Aside from the Eiffel Tower, the only thing that remains from the World Exposition would be the Passerelle Debilly. The area has mostly been left open-air with as little construction as possible.
This Polish Apartment Was Almost Demolished During WWII
The photos here show us the widespread devastation that happened in WWII. This was a photo of Ratajczaka and Św. Marcin Streets in Poznań, Poland. The apartment complex was almost torn down.
This Polish Apartment Was Almost Demolished During WWII
Over six million Polish people died during the war. That figure is nearly a fifth of the Polish population. Aside from violent attacks like what happened here, lots of people died in prisons and camps.
The Same Apartment Complex Remains There
It has been a long time since WWII, yet the gorgeous building remains where it was. Who would have thought it was almost demolished so many years ago?
The Same Apartment Complex Remains There
The war finally ended on May 8, 1945 when the Germans surrendered. By then, concentration camps had been freed and Hitler was dead. It was time to rebuild the city and remember what happened.
Seattle Without the Space Needle
Even though it’s hard to imagine the skyline in Seattle without it, the Space Needle was not built till 1961. This observation tower is the highest structure west of the Mississippi River.
Seattle Without the Space Needle
Standing at 605 feet, it can survive a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and 200mph winds. Edward E. Carlson and John Graham Jr. worked to make this structure. It drew in 2.3 million visitors when it debuted.
The Space Needle Of Today
The structure continues to draw in lots of tourists. The elevators can climb 520 feet in only 41 seconds! By 1991, it has become a Seattle historic landmark. Rightfully so!
The Space Needle Of Today
It has experienced renovations over the years. Where there used to be two restaurants at the peak, there now exists the Pacific Northwest restaurant. It rotates 360 degrees every 47 minutes!
Hollywood Was Once Called Hollywoodland
We are all familiar with the Hollywood symbol, but not many know it was called Hollywoodland before. The sign was first erected on Mount Lee in 1923 to attract real estate developers. It certainly worked.
Hollywood Was Once Called Hollywoodland
Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times said the sign and the slogan worked for “[a] superb environment without excessive cost on the Hollywood side of the hills.” Each letter came with 4,000 light bulbs and had been 30 feet wide and 50 feet high.
The Current Hollywood Sign
The sign is as iconic now as it was before. Chandler’s ploy to market the land was effective and now considered the most recognized areas in the world. The “land” has since been dropped from the sign, while the letters have been extended.
The Current Hollywood Sign
When 1978 rolled in, the sign had been in bad shape. Hugh Hefner helped restore it as one of nine donors who contributed $27,777.77 each to fix the sign. The total donation was $250,000!
The Gateway Arch Symbolizes Westward Expansion
In St. Louis, the Gateway Arch stands as the tallest arch in history at 630 feet. It was designed by Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect. He made the plans in 1947. Construction started took two years.
The Gateway Arch Symbolizes Westward Expansion
Stainless steel was used to create the arch, which represents the westward expansion of the country. It is officially dedicated to American citizens. It cost about $77.5 million in today’s money!
The Gateway Arch is Respected To This Day
Although some thought it was frivolous, the Arch is an important monument of today. City planners thought long and hard about the arch when they made plans around the area.
The Gateway Arch is Respected To This Day
It was ranked fourth on a 1974 list of “most-visited man-made attractions.” The arch earned national landmark status in 1987 as well. It is a monument we Americans can be proud of!
The Azure Swimming Pool Was Popular In Pripyat, Ukraine
There were three famous indoor swimming spots in Pripyat, Ukraine. The Azure Swimming Pool was one of them. Built in the ‘70s, it was popular among the young people who lived in the town.
The Azure Swimming Pool Was Popular In Pripyat, Ukraine
However, the city would be the site of a catastrophic nuclear incident. On April 25, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded and left the area uninhabitable.
The Azure Swimming Pool Still Stands
After the Chernobyl disaster, numerous buildings stayed open so that workers could still access them. The Azure Swimming Pool stayed open in 1998 and was thought to be one of the cleanest areas there.
The Azure Swimming Pool Still Stands
The pool has been abandoned for two decades now. Because of the long-term radiation exposure effects, people are unsure about the actual death toll. It might reach six figures by 2065!
The World Trade Center
While the World Trade Center has 7 buildings in lower Manhattan, the Twin Towers were the most famous. First proposed in 1943, the World Trade Center project began with David Rockefeller’s support.
The World Trade Center
A number of engineers and construction firms worked together to put these plans into action. Elevators were a concern with such a tall building. It was also important to make it wind resistant. Construct started on August 5, 1966 and finished on April 4, 1973.
A Memorial At Ground Zero
The Twin Towers had been targeted by terrorists on September 11, 2001. The attacks ended up killing 2,606 people in the area as well as 157 people aboard the aircraft.
A Memorial At Ground Zero
The attack shook the entire country and inspired generosity and support among Americans. People are constantly reminded of the tragic day. A memorial was erected on Ground Zero to honor its victims.
The Tallest Building In Nepal
Built by Mukhtiyar in 1932, the Dharahara Tower reached nine stories up. Located in Kathmandu, this tower had been the tallest building in Nepal. Visitors could take 213 steps to the top for the view.
The Tallest Building In Nepal
The trek was worth it since there was a circular balcony that offered great views of the Kathmandu Valley from the eighth floor. The structure is no stranger to disasters. However, it did not get lucky in 2015.
A 2015 Earthquake Damaged The Dharahara Tower
Even though it has survived earthquakes in the past, it did not survive the one that struck in April 2015. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the area and caused the collapse of the tower.
A 2015 Earthquake Damaged The Dharahara Tower
The powerful earthquake and collapse trapped people in the rubble. In the end, 60 people died in the tragedy. The government has started to rebuild the tower in June 2018.
The Berlin Wall Was Called The “Wall of Shame”
The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961. It was a concrete barrier that split Berlin between the East and West side for thirty years. The German Democratic Republic erected it after the end of WWII.
The Berlin Wall Was Called The “Wall of Shame”
The wall had been guarded heavily with the intention of keeping “fascists” from the West out of East Germany. They wanted to stop people from going over to the other side as well. Before it was finished, 3.5 million East Germans crossed over to the other side.
The Collapse of the Berlin Wall
A series of revolutions across the continent ignited social change in the region. The movement eventually reached Berlin and the protests grew stronger. Celebrities also urged the collapse of the wall.
The Collapse of the Berlin Wall
The government soon announced that all German Democratic Republic citizens could now visit West berlin. Right away, people started to climb, cross, and tear down the Berlin Wall. It happened on October 3, 1990.
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
It’s still unclear how the Chicago Fire of 1871 started, though according to rumors it was due to a woman named Mrs. O’leary and her dear cow tipping over a lantern. Who knows if that’s true or not?
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
This fire caused the biggest devastation the city of Chicago has seen, even until today. The fire caused an estimated $200 million in damages; that’s a lot of money even for today, so imagine what it seemed like in the 1800s!
The Windy City Today
Chicago has not only rebuilt itself since the fire, but is now home of one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Willis Tower is the 21st tallest building in the entire world; how cool is that?
The Windy City Today
The money and effort was worth it for Chicagoans to have a beautiful city to call home. Even today new buildings are being put up every day and the third largest city in the United States is growing rapidly. Chicago sure did make a great comeback since the fire!
The Notre Dame Cathedral Before The Fire
The Notre Dame Cathedral was, and still is, an internationally-recognized icon. People travel all over the world to bear witness to the beauty that is the Notre Dame Cathedral. Nobody ever expected to turn on their televisions to find out the church was engulfed in flames.
Notre Dame Cathedral
While this beautiful image is still what people think of when talking about the Notre Dame Cathedral which once stood out in a crowd in Paris, unfortunately, that is not quite what the iconic church looks like today.
The Cathedral Today
As this is one of the more recent changes that happened, you’ve probably already heard about this. The beloved Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France tragically burnt up in April 2019. This event took the world’s breath away; nobody could believe it.
Notre Dame After
With sad times come determined people; just two days after the tragedy, over $1 billion was donated to help rebuild. There truly are some generous people in the world who are willing to help when the community needs them to.
The Old Tappan Zee Bridge
The original Tappan Zee Bridge, which connects New York to New Jersey, was built in 1955. The Tappan Zee Bridge was built to help people cross the Hudson River at one of its widest points, 25 miles (40 km) north of Midtown Manhattan, from Grand View-on-Hudson to Tarrytown.
The Old Tappan Zee Bridge
The Tappan Zee Bridge got its unique moniker because it is named for an American Indian tribe from the area called “Tappan”; and zee being the Dutch word for “sea”.
The New Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
The original Tappan Zee bridge was blown up, partially in January 2019 and partially in May 2019. It was replaced with a brand new, 8-lane bridge called the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, after former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.
The New Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
The Tappan Zee Bridge only allowed seven lanes of traffic to pass through, while the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is equipped with eight lanes. Everyone has heard horror stories of New York traffic, so I’m sure an extra lane could only be a good thing!
The Big Ben We Know And Love
Everyone knows what Big Ben looks like, even if you have never stepped foot in England before. It’s iconic and it’s a staple of traveling to London. Let’s face it, going to London and not seeing Big Ben is a recipe for disappointment.
The Big Ben We Know And Love
Walking the streets of London and hearing Big Ben’s bell go off on the hour was music to your ears… literally. Big Ben was one of the most beautiful sites to see while in London.
Big Ben Under Construction
In August 2017, Big Ben fell silent for the first time in a decade, and it’s not set to regularly chime again for some time. Major repairs to the clock tower means that the bell wouldn’t chime again until 2021.
Big Ben Under Construction
If you’re visiting London anytime soon, don’t fret, you can still see parts of Big Ben underneath the scaffolding. You more than likely won’t hear the iconic chimes, as it only goes off to mark important events, but come 2021 the clock will be back up and running like brand new.
The Original Colosseum
The iconic Colosseum in Rome, Italy first opened its doors in 80 AD. Yep, you heard that correctly, The Colosseum is nearly 2,000 years old! What did it look like when it was first built?
The Original Colosseum
All of its walls were enclosed, and it almost looked like a modern-day stadium! For the fact that this was built almost 2,000 years ago, we’d say it’s holding up pretty well for its age.
The Colosseum Today
Of course, with 2,000 years of age comes some wear and tear. As you can see in the current photo, the iconic tourist attraction does not look the same as it does when it was first built in 80 AD.
The Colosseum Today
Severe damage was inflicted on the Colosseum by the great earthquake in 1349, causing the outer south side, lying on a less stable alluvial terrain, to collapse. What you may not know, though, is that much of the fallen stone from the building was then reused in order to fix other buildings such as churches and hospitals.