People say that for you to truly appreciate things, you can’t get too caught up in the details. You must step back and try to look at the bigger picture. So what happens if you zoom out and try to look at the world’s most famous landmarks including their present surroundings? Are they what you’ve always imagined them to be?
Below are photos of some of the world’s most famous landmarks taken from different vantage points. After viewing them, you’ll probably never look at these landmarks the same way again.
Acropolis of Athens
Up close, it is quite the architectural marvel…
Too bad that the urban clutter surrounding it diminishes its beauty when viewed from a distance.
Brandenburg Gate
As a neoclassical triumphal arch built in the 18th century, the Brandenburg Gate surely is a brilliant and historic piece of architecture…
It’s just a shame that it’s dwarfed by many tall and modern buildings.
Niagara Falls
If there’s one place that marks the border between Canada and the U.S. in a breathtaking fashion, it’s the Niagara Falls…
Unfortunately, its natural splendor is ruined by nearby hotels and casinos.
Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza are Cairo’s historical and archaeological wonders…
Sadly, they sit right next to a massive city.
Taj Mahal
Built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, this landmark may well be the most famous, most beautiful, and most valuable in all of India…
The view from the Yamuna River located behind it, however, makes it a not-so-scenic landscape.
The beauty and rich history behind these landmarks are what make them renowned the world over. So it’s rather unfortunate that capitalism and tourism are somewhat sucking the magnificence out of them.
