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What took 500 years to build?

This giant Gothic cathedral, which until its completion in 1880 had been under construction for over 500 years, is perhaps Germany's most famous religious structure and includes two huge towers that serve as the defining symbol of Cologne's skyline.



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It took over 600 years to build The first foundation stone for the Gothic cathedral (known as the Kölner Dom in German) we see today was laid in August 1248.

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The Great Wall is the largest defense work of ancient China and one of the wonders of the world's architectural history. Construction of the Great Wall lasted for more than 2,000 years, from the Spring and Autumn (770-476B.

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Another iconically intricate piece of gothic architecture, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague also took around six centuries to build. The story of St. Vitus Cathedral holds some similarities to that of Cologne Cathedral.

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One year later, the king laid the cornerstone for the continued construction of the Cathedral. Cologne Cathedral was finally finished in 1880, 632 years after construction originally commenced. The completion of the church was celebrated on October 15.

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The Ise Jingu temple complex in Japan has survived for well over 1000 years despite using a relatively simple timber frame structure. It remains because every 20 years, the main structures of the temple are completely rebuilt from scratch.

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The World's 10 Toughest Buildings
  • The Maeslantkering, Nieuwe Waterweg, Netherlands. ...
  • Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Akashi Strait, Japan. ...
  • Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China. ...
  • CCTV Building, Beijing, China. ...
  • One World Trade, New York, New York. ...
  • Torre Mayor, Mexico City, Mexico. ...
  • Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan.


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The leaning Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. Famous for its unintended tilt, the 56m tower took nearly 200 years to build - work started in 1173.

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The Arc de Triomphe is an iconic symbol of French national identity and took 30 years to build. The Tour de France bicycle race ends near it each year, and the annual military parade marking July 14—known both as French National Day and Bastille Day—begins its journey at the arch.

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The prized pinnacle on Gaudi's masterpiece won't be finished for another 11 years. It will only have taken 144 years to complete. But the massive construction site at the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona hasn't kept tourists from coming in droves; it's the Catalonian city's most popular destination.

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