ARCHITECTURE

12 Amazing Facts About Petra

Carved from rock in modern-day Jordan, Petra prospered for centuries under Nabataean and Roman rule. This dazzling settlement is now one of the region’s greatest attractions.

Why Don’t Casinos Have Windows?

Most casinos lack windows, and gamblers like it that way.

A historical landmark comes back to life this December.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Is Ready to Reopen Five Years After Fire

The long wait for the Notre-Dame Cathedral to reopen will be over in December.

Consider a house’s style before investing in it.

The Most Valuable Home Styles in the U.S.

How expensive is your architectural taste?

If you want to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome, you should probably wait until maintenance is done.

Visitors in Rome Settle for Makeshift Pool as Trevi Fountain Undergoes Maintenance

People won’t get to throw coins in the Italian city’s biggest fountain for a while.

The UK has more than its share of haunted homes.

28 Historic British Haunted Houses You Can Visit

From grand castles to more humble country manors, the UK’s centuries-old homes have seen plenty of occupants move in over the years. And some never moved out.

One of the few days this family probably used their dining rooms.

What Happened to Dining Rooms?

Fewer and fewer newly constructed homes actually have dining rooms. Here’s why.

Add these destinations to your travel plans.

The Top 10 European Cities for Free Attractions

Traveling can be expensive, but tourist attractions in these cities cost a grand total of nothing.

Liberty Island, site of the Statue of Liberty, was reportedly where the pirate Captain Kiss stashed his loot.

The Hidden, Haunted Histories of 7 American Landmarks

From the Smithsonian’s “castle” to modern landmarks like the Hollywood sign, America’s most famous places bear histories of haunting.

It might not look like much, but this Neolithic door is as old as Stonehenge.

The Secrets of 8 Amazing Historic Doors

Historic doors can reveal a lot about their times—like the medieval trend of covering doors in (allegedly) human skin.

15 Monumental Facts About the Eiffel Tower

On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower—which was built as an entrance arch for the World's Fair—opened to the public.

The Man Who Saved the Skyscraper

Fazlur Khan and the idea that would turn architecture on its head.

Notre-Dame de Paris in a 19th-century illustration.

13 Facts About Notre-Dame Cathedral

The 800-plus-year-old Parisian cathedral has centuries of French history built into its stone. Here are 13 things you might not know about it.

These innovative playgrounds are captivating for kids and adults alike.

10 of the Most Unique Playgrounds in the U.S.

From St. Louis’s City Museum to the Little Debbie Park in Collegedale, Tennessee, discover the most unique playgrounds for kids across the United States.

Arenas and stadiums have some key differences.

What’s the Difference Between an Arena and a Stadium?

Seating capacity is just one part of it.

100 Things We Learned in 2023

From record-breaking plants and incredible animal news to space superlatives and the awesome power of Taylor Swift fans, here’s the long list of things we learned in 2023.

Why Is the Space Needle Shaped Like That?

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle debuted at the 1962 World’s Fair—and was inspired by America's Space Race with the Soviet Union.

Why Wendy’s Quietly Got Rid of Its Elegant Sunrooms

Solariums are nostalgic for many customers, but Wendy's thinks they’re dated.

A freaky downspout carved in the form of a gargoyle on the Church of Saint Severin in Paris, France.

10 Fanciful Facts about Gargoyles

Technically, only the figures that function as water spouts are actual gargoyles.

A Cathedral in England Is Home to One of the World's Oldest Cat Doors

Exeter Cathedral in England has had cats on the payroll since the 14th century.

These Are the 20 Tallest Skylines on Earth

From Dubai to New York City, these cities boast the world's tallest skyscrapers.

14 Fascinating Facts About the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Here's everything you need to know about Italy's most beloved architectural accident.

Trosky Castle was built atop volcanic plugs in the Czech Republic.

10 Wondrously Unusual Castles From Around the World

From Europe's smallest castle to a fortress built into a cliff, these unique castles all break the mold.

WTC UnClimbable - George Willig, Human Fly

George Willig, the ‘Human Fly’ Who Climbed the World Trade Center

In 1977, climber George Willig decided his next great challenge would be scaling 110 stories in lower Manhattan.