While monuments serve as reminders of history, art, and culture, each carries peculiar secrets that are often overlooked. Let's unravel some of the quirkiest tales from around the world.
Starting with one of the wonders of the modern world, the Eiffel Tower in Paris might seem like a static structure, but it is actually quite dynamic. The tower's metal expands and contracts due to temperature changes, allowing it to sway by up to 7 inches. It's a testament to the engineering prowess of Gustave Eiffel that we barely notice this subtle dance.
In New York, the Statue of Liberty is famous for symbolizing freedom. However, not everyone knows that Lady Liberty wasn’t always green. The statue was initially copper brown when it was gifted by France in 1886. Over time, oxidation turned it into the iconic green we see today, a transformation that took about 20 years.
Staying across the pond, let's talk about Big Ben in London. Most people mistakenly refer to the entire clock tower as Big Ben, but this name actually belongs to the largest of the five bells within the tower. The tower was officially renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, but the name Big Ben remains more popular.
Heading to Asia, in India, the Leaning Tower of Pisa's lesser-known cousin resides at the Qutb Minar complex. The Iron Pillar of Delhi stands at 23 feet high and has baffled scientists with its rust-resistant composition. Dating back to the 4th century AD, the pillar's metallurgy remains a mystery, as it has withstood the test of time without corroding.
Further east, in Japan, the Great Buddha of Kamakura embodies serenity, but its history is far from peaceful. Built in 1252, the statue originally enabled tsunami damage, but its giant figure, standing 43 feet high, managed to survive while the hall it was housed in was destroyed.
Not all interesting monument stories are rooted in the past. The Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, iconic as it may be now, was initially a real estate advertisement for a development called "Hollywoodland." The sign has since transformed into a symbol for the entire entertainment industry.
On the topic of transformations, did you know the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was once the site of several night vandalizations? The most unusual case involved a family of ducks that seemingly took up residence in the reflecting pool and enjoyed regularly wandering up the memorial steps, much to the amusement of early morning visitors.
Across the rolling hills of Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway is a natural wonder shrouded in legend. The site's 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity but local folklore attributes its creation to an Irish giant named Finn McCool, who supposedly built it as a path to Scotland.
Moving southward, Christ the Redeemer, towering over Rio de Janeiro, is an unquestionable marvel. Prior to its completion in 1931, plans for the structure were far from settled. At one point, the design included a globe perched atop the arms of Christ, which was eventually dismissed in favor of the now-famous outstretched pose.
Lastly, no discussion would be complete without mentioning the Great Wall of China. Common myth suggests it is visible from space, but reality says otherwise. Its length and undulating path are astonishing from an earthly perspective, yet blending with the surrounding landscape makes it near-impossible to spot from outer space without aid.
Monuments provide more than just memorable photos; they tell tales that intertwine human achievement with unexpected quirks of history and nature. Next time you visit one, remember there's more than meets the eye.
The quirky secrets of famous monuments
