Architectural Oddities

A medieval shrine set into a towering canyon wall.

A grand Buddhist temple with Indian influences.

This 18th-century "castle" is not what it seems.

A striking church with a Tolkien-inspired nickname.

A never-finished memorial to the heroes of the Napoleonic War has become "Scotland's Folly."

Inspired by the Rialto Bridge in Venice, these three clustered bridges were just one part of a Slovenian architect’s grand vision.

Over several decades, one of London’s most iconic city gates was dismantled, moved out of the city, and then moved back.

This palace offers an 18th-century European take on Chinese design and architecture.

A German “baron” built this castle for his wife, but their romance was short-lived.

A cozy, cave-like home hidden in the French countryside.

On the outside of the Mersey Tunnels, an Art Deco sculpture of an Egyptian Pharaoh wears goggles and racing gear.

Being surrounded by typical buildings just makes this uniquely modernist house stand out even more.

This cone-shaped bomb shelter, modeled on German design, is a rare WWII relic that never saw use but still looms over the harbor.

Over 100 miles from the ocean, this ship-shaped building was built in honor of the owner's sailor son.

Past the megayachts in the hyper-modern marina of Vouliagmeni is a small, well-hidden chapel adorned with pebbles and maritime imagery.

A rare double-receiver payphone housed in a fake tree.

This semi-permanent cathedral was built of cardboard, wood, and steel after Christchurch's 2011 earthquake.

This iconic Tudor home-turned-museum offers a unique glimpse into the everyday life of a prosperous family during the early modern period.