World’s Greatest Engineering Icons

Explore the world’s most iconic sacred buildings -- places where people of faith have gathered for millennia to commune with their divine. Cathedrals, churches, temples, shrines, pagodas, monasteries & mosques are as architecturally varied as they are spiritually diverse. These extraordinary structures all inspire a sense of community in which we share a quest as old as time.

Humans have been building tall structures since civilization began, compelled by the need to make an impact or flaunt their prosperity and power. Explore the world’s most iconic skyscrapers -- from the Pyramids in Egypt to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, discover the engineering ingenuity underpinning the gravity defying structures that rise as high as our aspirations dare.

A thread of conflict runs through the fabric of history, compelling each generation to build structures designed to protect and defend territory. From the citadel of Aleppo to the infamous London Tower, discover a variety of iconic, historic castles and fortifications designed to keep enemies at bay and loved ones safe from harm.

Lived in by royalty, heads of state or church, palaces are designed to be lavish and flaunt the wealth of their noble residents. In this gilt-covered special, explore the world’s greatest palaces. From Buckingham Palace in the heart of London to the Hawa Mahal in India, discover how the rich and infamous have spent their time and money -- each attempting to bring luxury to the next level.

The ruling elite have always conveyed their authority through the commissioning of monumental buildings. Explore the greatest structures that represent power -- from the pyramids built to honor Egypt’s great pharaohs to the prisons that housed those condemned under British colonial rule, discover architecture that has inevitably cast a long shadow over our history.

Great civic spaces foster a sense of optimism and pride, and they make a statement about a city and the communities they continue to serve. Explore the world’s greatest civic structures -- historic and contemporary icons such as sports arenas, public baths, museums, galleries, theatres, libraries, zoos and parks, and discover how they unite and inspire societies throughout the world.