Interesting facts few people know about famous buildings around the world

When you think of the world's most iconic buildings, you probably picture things like the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. Did you know these facts about world-famous structures ?

 

Whether you've visited all the world's famous buildings or not, there are many things about them that you may never have guessed. Did you know that a building can repair itself, or that one was built with the help of elephants?

If that makes you curious to know more, read the article below.

The man who designed the Eiffel Tower lived on top of the building

Very few people are allowed into the private apartment of the tower's designer, Gustave Eiffel, which features a grand piano, wooden cabinets and cozy furniture.

 

He even refused large sums of money from Parisians who wanted to rent the apartment. When he died in 1923, the rules governing regular public access to the tower remained in place. But nearly a hundred years later, in 2015, the apartment was turned into a museum.

Visitors with tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower can look through the windows to see inside.

More than a thousand elephants were involved in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Building the Taj Mahal in India was a huge task, taking 22 years and more than 20,000 workers. But what is more fascinating is the number of elephants that helped transport the materials to build it.

Construction began in 1631 and used materials from India, the Middle East and Central Asia. The impressive building was commissioned by Shah Jahan, ruler of the Mughal Empire, in memory of his late wife.

Today, it is a famous UNESCO world heritage site and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

 

The Empire State Building is the most photographed building in the world.

Cornell University in New York came to this conclusion when they analyzed millions of online photos in 2011.

And that's no surprise—the Empire State Building is a must-see attraction for visitors to New York City.

With 102 floors, it is one of the tallest buildings in New York, and among the top 100 tallest buildings in the world.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was never designed to have such a famous tilt.

Construction began in 1173, but the Tower of Pisa began to lean five years later. Shallow foundations and unstable ground are believed to be the cause of the problem.

Engineers over the centuries since have tried to correct the tilt and ensure the Tower of Pisa continues to stand for many years.

However, some efforts only made matters worse, creating great concern that the tower might collapse.

In 2001, a major engineering project reinforced the tower as its tilt approached dangerous levels. Experts now believe it will remain safe for another 200 years or more.

The Roman Colosseum can repair damage itself

Scientists have been studying the Colosseum for centuries, but it wasn't until 2017 that they discovered an extraordinary secret about the iconic structure.

By mixing fresh, hot quicklime (freshly fired lime) with highly purified gravel and hydrated lime (lime that has been hydrated for months), the concrete used to build the Colosseum was able to hold itself together.

Therefore, if the concrete cracks, it can heal itself within a few weeks!

 

It took three months to clean the windows of the Burj Khalifa.

It is the tallest building in the world and has over 24,000 windows. To ensure the highest windows are kept clean, special machines travel up the sides, taking workers up to 2,000 feet (609 meters)!

When the building opened to the public in 2010, the window cleaning system cost over $7 million! Cleaning crews work almost year-round to keep the glass on the Burj Khalifa sparkling.

95% of the building materials for The Shard are recycled

The building stands out a mile above London's famous skyline. But more than just an iconic landmark, The Shard is also environmentally friendly.

It is estimated that the building requires 30% less energy to maintain than other buildings of the same size and shape. Additionally, one-fifth of the steel structure and most of the building's construction materials are of recycled origin.

The White House has suffered two major fires.

In 1814, British troops burned the White House during a conflict between the United States and Great Britain. More than a century later, in 1929, the West Wing of the White House caught fire during a Christmas party.

During Harry Truman's presidency, from 1945 to 1953, the White House underwent extensive renovations. The building's exterior stone walls are among the few original features that remain.