Famous landmarks are some of the most-photographed places on the entire planet. We’ve all seen the same striking photos of the enormous Egyptian pyramids, the majestic Taj Mahal, or the enigma that is Stonehenge. But these iconic images are all lacking one thing: context. You can see hundreds of tourists’ and photographers’ renderings of the Taj Mahal without ever knowing about the slums that stretch out for miles behind it.
This collection of images will forever change how you see these landmarks. Sometimes it makes them seem less impressive, surrounded as they are by modern structures. But often, it only serves to make them more impressive. We know all of these landmarks because they have stood the test of time despite all of the change happening around them. They have carved their place into modernity, ancient as some of them are.
Here they are – don’t forget to share them with your friends if you’re as amazed by these images as I was!
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Source: Wikipedia
Looks like the surrounding city has grown since they were built…
Source: Wikipedia
Sagrada Familia
Source: Quora
One beautiful landmark in a sea of urban sprawl.
Source: Quora
The Mona Lisa
Source: Quora
Most tourists are surprised when they realize how small the Mona Lisa really is.
Source: Quora
Niagara Falls
Source: Quora
The world’s most beautiful waterfall is surrounded by idyllic forest scenery, right? Not exactly…
Source: Quora
The Pantheon
Source: Quora
And here’s what it looks like from the McDonald’s across the street:
Source: Quora
Santorini
Source: Quora
These cute houses fill the entire mountainside, right? Oh…
Source: Quora
Mount Rushmore
Source: Quora
I always thought the faces filled the entire mountain.
Source: Quora
The Brandenburg Gate
Source: Quora
Think the gate is at the edge of the city? Not anymore…
Source: Quora
The Alamo
Source: Quora
See that little brown building in the middle of the greenery?
Source: Quora
Mont St. Michel
Source: Quora
Here it is at low tide:
Source: Quora
The Acropolis of Athens
Source: imgur
The Acropolis might look even more epic when you consider how enormous it is next to the surrounding city.
Source: imgur
The Las Vegas Strip
Source: rtwin30days.com
An oasis of energy and excitement in the middle of the desert. Here it is during the daytime:
Source: Quora
The Little Mermaid Statue
Source: wallpaperswiki.com
It’s weird to see something so serene from such a different angle.
Source: cooldaddypop.com
Central Park
Source: Flickr
It really is possible to forget, when you’re walking around Central Park, what it’s surrounded by:
Source: boredpanda.com
Arc de Triomphe
Source: 500px.com
This famous Parisian landmark sits at the center of an enormous, 12-street traffic circle. Did you know that car insurance companies actually refuse to cover anyone who drives there?
Source: imgur.com
Potala Palace
Source: Quora
This gorgeous palace in Tibet was the primary residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959. Here’s the massive intersection behind the temple:
Source: Quora
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Source: Quora
It seems almost mismatched with the colorless buildings surrounding it…
Source: loveopium.com
Stonehenge
Source: Quora
Such a mysterious and enchanting place, you would think the countryside stretched forever…
Source: Quora
The Rock of Gibraltar
Source: Quora
Once the limit to the known world for the peoples of ancient times, it’s stunning to see how much modern life has filled up the southwestern tip of Europe.
Source: Quora
The Taj Mahal
Source: Quora
You may wonder why it’s always photographed from that angle. This is why.
Source: Quora
The Forbidden City
Source: panoramio
It seems so huge and foreboding, until you see how much the modern world has swallowed it up…
Source: imgur
Hollywood Sign
Source: imgur
Here’s the same sign from several miles away:
Source: imgur
The Great Wall
Source: Quora
Have you ever wondered what happens when The Great Wall meets the ocean? This:
Source: Quora
I hope you enjoyed exploring the world’s famous landmarks from a new perspective! Please share this page with your friends by clicking any of the buttons below!
