22 Must See Buildings Recreated in Lego

21 July 2011 No Comment

Since we were little boys and girls, we’ve always dreamed of creating something really big and impressive. LEGO® used to be our dearest tool in this endeavour. But sometimes this passion goes beyond childhood and our ideas grow along with age.

Here are the greatest replicas of the world’s most famous landmarks, built at a LEGO® scale:

1. Obama Inauguration at the Capitol (Washington D.C.)

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This particular Presidential Inauguration of Barrack Obama was entirely reconstructed of LEGO® bricks. This amazing LEGO® assembly gathered recognizable pieces depicting President Obama, his wife Michelle, their two daughters, George Bush Sr., Dick Cheney and many others.

2. Burj Khalifa (Dubai)

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This building is a true expression of ambition, eccentricity and opulence, being the symbol of Dubai and receiving millions of visitors from around the world. Total cost for its real-life construction was $1.5 billion.

3. La Sagrada Familia (Spain)

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Roman Catholic church La Sagrada Familia is located in Barcelona, Spain and was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Due to its unique architecture and taste for amazing details, it is Spain’s top tourist attraction.

The part of the church that gets the most attention are the spindle shaped spires which symbolize the ascending order of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and the Twelve Apostles.

4. The Statue of Liberty (New York)

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OK technically this isn’t a building I know – but still this “must-see” neoclassical statue is one of the most famous sculptures of this kind in the world and definitely the most populous landmark in New York City. The Statue of Liberty stands over the New York Harbour and it was a gift to the United States from the people of France.

5. Our Lady of Dresden (Germany)

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WOW – Original and Re-model comparison

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The Dresden Frauenkirche was built in the 18^th century, destroyed in the World War II and entirely rebuild after the conflict, as a symbol of reconciliation. It took 13 years of reconstruction to erect once again this wonderful Lutheran church in Dresden.

6. The Empire State Building (New York)

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One of America’s most famous landmarks, The Empire State Building is a 102-story structure located in New York City, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34^th Street. Being 1,250 feet (381 meters) tall, it stood as the tallest building in the world for more than 40 years.

7. The Pyramid of Giza (Egypt)

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This is the oldest and the largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis, Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Cheops) is the biggest and the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built around 2560 BC and it is 480.6 ft (146.5 meters) high.

8. The Taj Mahal (India)

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The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and its LEGO® replica could easily stand as the most beautiful LEGO® structure in the world. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor in the memory of his third wife, therefore it is one of the most beautiful man-made symbols of eternal love.

9. The Gherkin Building (England)

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Known as the Gherkin Building (or even sometimes the “Cucumber”), this wonderful architectural landmark is not only beautiful but also a very environmentally friendly building. It was completed in 2003 based upon the master plans of Norman Foster and associates.

10. St. Basil’s, Kremlin (Moscow)

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Moscow’s Kremlin is a powerful symbol and is a very fascinating mixture of austere secrecy and a lavish opulence. From an architectural point of view, this is considered to be an eclectic way of construction which reflects the paradox of the two main shifts in the Russian culture. The Kremlin is in fact a historic complex bordered by the Moskva River, which among others includes Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Red Square.

11. The Golden Gate Bridge (San Fransisco)

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This particular model bridge has towers that are about 6 feet tall and it spans on a total length of 15 feet. If the bridge would have been correctly proportioned, the central span would have exceeded 25 feet – much larger than the budget and the space dedicated to this LEGO® model.

12. Eiffel Tower (France)

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This LEGO® masterpiece depicts the Eiffel Tower. It is about 12 feet tall and made entirely of blue pieces.

13. Burj Al Arab (Dubai)

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The Burj Al Arab is an amazing luxury hotel located on an artificial island, in Dubai. Having a height of 1,053 ft (321 m), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. Its shape resembles the sail of a traditional Arab ship.

14. Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen (Germany)

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The Town Hall of Bremen is one of the finest examples of Brick Gothic architecture in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a seat of the President of the Senate and of the Mayor of the City of Bremen.

15. Notre Dame (France)

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The Notre Dame Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral on Ile de la Cite, in Paris, France. It is the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris and also the home for a reliquary with the claimed Crown of Thorns.

16. The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy)

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the campanile (a typical bell tower of a cathedral in Italy) in Pisa. The tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees, but prior to some restoration work, it leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees.

17. Roman Collosseum (Italy)

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The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre located in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and a standing masterpiece of the Roman architecture and engineering.

18. Hall of Supreme Harmony (China)

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The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest hall within the Forbidden City. Located behind the Gate of Supreme Harmony, it is built above three levels of marble stones and surrounded by bronze incense burners.

19. Tower of London (Britain)

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The Tower of London is a historic castle located right in Central London, on the northern bank of the River Thames. It was erected in 1078 and it stood as an icon of oppression, since at the beginning it was known as one of the most brutal prisons in the whole of England.

20. Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

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Angor Wat is a temple complex located in Angkor, Cambodia. It was erected in the 12^th century and served as a state temple and capital city. It continues to be a significant religious centre for the Hindu, Vishnu and Buddhist beliefs.

21. Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem)

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The Dome of the Rock is an important Islamic mosque located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is the oldest existing example of the early Islamic architecture, being built in 691 CE.

22. Salisbury Cathedral (Britain)

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The Salisbury Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals ever erected in Britain. Its tower holds the record for being Britain’s tallest spire. The Salisbury Cathedral also houses the original Magna Carta.