Architectural Wonders – 5 Splendid Step Pyramids

I always awe at the sight of old buildings for the way they have been constructed without using any modern machinery or equipment; have you? One such architectural wonder is the “Brihadeeswarar Temple” or “Big Temple” in India that does not cast a shadow on the ground. There are so many such architectural wonders and one among them is the pyramids. Step pyramids are large structures and are made of several layers of stone. Here are some of the fabulous and impressive step pyramids just for you.

5. Pyramid of Djoser, Memphis, Egypt

Pyramid of Djoser, first step pyramid in Egypt

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Pyramid of Djoser is the first step pyramid built in Egypt by the architect Imhotep during 27^th century BC. It has six mastabs, meaning flat roof rectangular surfaces that are built on top of one another. It is made of white polished limestone. The total height of the pyramid is 62 meters. The complex is surrounded by 10.5 meters high Tura limestone walls. Pyramid of Djoser has six steps and the entire structure was built in two stages.

4. Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico

Pyramid of the Moon, Mexico 

This is the second largest pyramid in Teotihuacan and was believed to be constructed between 200 and 450 AD. There is a platform on top of the pyramid; this is where the ceremonies are conducted for the Great Goddess of Teotihuacan. She is the goddess of water, fertility, earth and creation. To the opposite of this platform, one can find Plaza of the Moon; this contains the central altar and the bodies are positioned to form a cross known as the “Teotihuacan Cross.”

3. Borobudur, Magelang, Indonesia

Borobudur, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia

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This is a 9^th century Mahayana Buddhist monument with six square platforms that are topped by three circular platforms. This is decorated with 2,672 relief panels (a sculpture created using relief panels gives an impression that the sculpture is raised above the background) and 504 Buddha statues. Borobudur was constructed during Sailendra Dynasty during the 9^th century. Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia.

2. Ziggurat of Ur, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq

Ziggurat of Ur (house whose foundation creates terror)

Ziggurat of Ur, also called as the Great Ziggurat of Ur means “house whose foundation creates terror” and was built during 21^st century BC (Early Bronze Age). This was later restored by King Nabonidus as the ziggurat crumbled during 6^th century BC. This is a gigantic step pyramid and is 100 feet high and 210 feet in length.

1. El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Yucatan

The famous equinox at El Castillo, Yucatan

Castillo means “castle” in Spanish; this is also called as the “Temple of Kukulkan” and was built somewhere between 9^th and 12^th centuries CE. This temple was built for the God Kukulkan; he is the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity. There are a series of square terraces on all four sides of the temple; each side has 91 steps when all these steps added with the top step, the total is 365. During spring and autumn equinoxes, sun rays fall on the northwest corner of the pyramid; this casts a triangular shadow and it is believed that an illusion of the feathered serpent crawling is formed. National Institute of Anthropology and History is maintaining this site recently.

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Architectural Wonders – 7 Magnificent Modern Day Pyramids

Pyramid is any structure that resembles the geometrical pyramid shape, which is triangular in the outer and converging to one single point at the top. When talking about pyramids the first thing that comes to our minds are the Great Pyramids of Giza; almost all of us associate pyramids with Egyptians. Does this mean you can find pyramids only in Egypt? There are modern day pyramids, which are also famous tourist attractions.

Louvre Pyramid, Paris, France

Louvre Pyramid, made of glass at day.

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Louvre Pyramid is situated in the main courtyard of Louvre Museum, Paris. It is made of large glass and metal and is enclosed by three small pyramids. One has to enter the Louvre Pyramid to go to the Louvre Palace; in other words, Louvre Pyramid is the main entrance for Louvre Palace. This is one of the major tourist attractions in Paris, France; this was designed by the architect I. M. Pei. This architectural wonder consists of glass segments of which 603 are rhombus-shaped and 70 are triangular shaped.

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana, Kazakhstan

Palace of Peace and Recognition

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Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, also called as the Pyramid of Peace of Accord was mainly constructed to host the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The height of the building is 62 meters and was designed by British architects Fosters and Partners. The design consists of five storeys of triangles and each triangle measures 12 meter on a side. The lower three storeys of triangles are made of pale granite and the upper or the remaining two storeys of triangles are made of glazed apex.

Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, California

Walter Pyramid, a multi-purpose stadium.

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Walter Pyramid was formerly called as the “Long Beach Pyramid”; this is a multi-purpose stadium with a seating capacity of 5,000. Walter Pyramid was opened in the year 1994 and was designed by architect Don Gibbs. The entire structure is made of sheets of dark blue corrugated aluminum. One of the unique features of Walter Pyramid is that it is a mathematically true pyramid as the perimeter of each side measure exactly 105 meter. The name of the pyramid was changed to Walter from Long Beach due to the fact that Dr. Mike and Arline Walter donated $2.1 million for the university.

Pyramid Arena, Memphis, Tennessee

Pyramid Arena, world's seventh largest pyramid.

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Pyramid Arena, the seventh largest pyramid in the world and was originally constructed as an arena that can accommodate nearly 20,000 people. As the design largely resembles with the pyramids in the Egypt, this was formerly called as the “Great American Pyramid.” There was a statue in front of the pyramid, which was then moved inside the campus was created from the mold of the actual statue in Egypt. It is believed that no major sports event took place in this arena since 2004 and is currently being converted to Brass Pro Shops (they are a privately held retailer who holds a large collection of outdoor gears specifically for hunting, fishing, etc.)

Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, California

Top of Transamerica Pyramid, one of the world's five tallest buildings

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Transamerica Pyramid was one of the five world’s tallest buildings when the construction took place and is still the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. This was originally the headquarters for Transamerica Corporation and was designed by the architect William Pereira. When designing, the designers took major care to ensure the building withstands earthquake; visitors are allowed only till the first floor of the building. Concrete and steel rebar are used for the construction of the base and the entire façade of the building is covered with crushed quartz. The cap at the top of the building is made of aluminum and is illuminated from within so as to matchup with the night appearance.

Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas

Aquarium Pyramid at the Moody Gardens, one among the largest aquariums in the world.

Moody Gardens is funded and operated by Moody Foundation and is a major tourist attraction in Texas; this complex has zoo, beach, water slides, gardens, cinemas, restaurants, etc. This features three pyramid attractions; they are:

a. Aquarium Pyramid – one of the world’s largest aquariums with more than 8,000 species of fishes, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and plants; the color of the pyramid is blue and is 12 stories high.

b. Rainforest Pyramid – features rainforests from various countries across Asia, Africa and America and is 10 stories high. Visit this place to see exotic collections of rare plants, plus otters, Saki monkeys, Chinese Alligators, etc.

c. Discovery Pyramid – is deep pink colored and features motion simulator and traveling exhibits. 

Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Alberta

Muttart Conservatory, a botanical garden with four pyramid structures

Muttart Conservatory, a botanical garden comprises of four pyramid structures made of glass where three pyramids showcases plants from various climatic conditions like arid, temperate, tropical, etc. and the fourth one is designed with a theme that will change all through the year (one can witness a lot of ornamental flowering plants in the fourth pyramid). There are two large and two small pyramids; the area of larger ones is 660 sq. m. and the smaller ones are 410 sq. m. Visit Muttart Conservatory to witness plants from all over the world.

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