30 Underrated Architectural Marvels You Probably Haven’t Seen Before

When you think of architectural wonders, towering giants like the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, or the Burj Khalifa might immediately spring to mind. But beyond the tourist-heavy landmarks, there’s a world of architectural brilliance waiting to be discovered—quietly tucked away in lesser-known cities, hidden corners of the world, and unexpected locations. These structures combine creativity, innovation, and culture in ways that will make you wonder why they aren’t world-famous already.

#1 Trakai Castle, Lithuania

Image source: Skelanard (Aleksandr Petukhov)

#2 Meenakshi Amman Temple, India

Image source: Viswa2625

#3 Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Image source: DSwarthout

#4 Chand Baori, India

Image source: Chetan

#5 Stari Most “The Old Bridge”, Mostar, Bosnia And Herzegovina

Image source: Ramirez

#6 Urnes Stave Church, Norway

Image source: Bjorn Erik Pedersen

#7 Baalbek, Lebanon

Image source: © Vyacheslav Argenberg

#8 Himeji-Jo Castle, Japan

Image source: Bernard Gagnon

#9 Tiebele Village, Burkina Faso

Image source: Alexander Leisser

#10 The Pyramids Of Meroe, Sudan

Image source: hansbirger

#11 Great Mosque Of Djenne, Mali

Image source: Baron Reznik

#12 Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, USA

Image source: John Fyfe

#13 Yungang-Grottoes, China

Image source: xiquinhosilva

#14 Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Cusco, Peru

Image source: Apollo

#15 The Lion Gate, Hattusa, The Capital Of The Hittite Empire In The Late Bronze Age, Bogazkale, Turkey

Image source: Following Hadrian

#16 Ruins Of Andesite Sanctuaries And Solar Disk At Sarmizegetusa Regia, Romania

Image source: Oroles

#17 Derawar Fort, Pakistan

Image source: Fassifarooq

#18 Leshan Giant Buddha, China

Image source: xiquinhosilva

#19 Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

Image source: Raggatt2000

#20 Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Image source: Ninara

#21 Chan Chan, Peru

Image source: UNESCO

#22 Wooden Churches Of Maramures, Romania

Image source: Rita Willaert

#23 Monastery Of Batalha, Portugal

Image source: Ingo Mehling

#24 Ruins Of The Tachara, Persepolis, Iran

Image source: Following Hadrian

#25 Castle Of The Teutonic Order In Malbork, Poland

Image source: DerHexer; derivate work: Carschten

#26 Habitat-67, Montreal, Canada

Image source: Sylvain Pastor

#27 Miagao Church, Philippines

Image source: Alienscream

#28 Pont Du Gard, France

Image source: Krzysztof Golik

#29 Haghpat Monastery, Armenia

Image source: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA

#30 Ziggurat At Ur Temple, Iraq

Image source: jmcfall