Built by Czar Alexander I between 1818 and 1858. The cathedral's main dome rises 101.5 metres (333 ft) and is plated with pure gold. The dome is decorated with twelve statues of angels by Josef Hermann. These angels were likely the first large sculptures produced by the then novel process of electrotyping, which was an alternative to traditional bronze casting of sculptures.

Okay, so it may not be exactly what the challenge is looking for because it was a landmark sunken ship raised from the Stockholm harbor. Due to its delicate condition it is kept in very low light inside a building specially constructed around the vessel. It was a difficult image capture due to the need to improvise a tripod and the long exposure at a low ISO. The Vasa was built between 1626 - 1628. The ship, a galleon, foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile (ca 2 km) into its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. It fell into obscurity after most of its valuable bronze cannons were salvaged in the 17th century. After it was located again in the late 1950s in a busy shipping lane just outside the Stockholm harbor, it was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. Vasa was built top-heavy and had insufficient ballast. Despite an obvious lack of stability in port, it was allowed to set sail and foundered only a few minutes after it first encountered a wind stronger than a breeze. The impulsive move to set sail was the result of a combination of factors: Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus, who was abroad on the date of its maiden voyage, was impatient to see it join the Baltic fleet in the Thirty Years' War; at the same time, the king's subordinates lacked the political courage to discuss the ship's structural problems frankly or to have the maiden voyage postponed.

The Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg sometimes called the St. Petersburg Synagogue, is the second largest synagogue in Europe. It was built between 1880 and 1888, and consecrated in 1893 after issuance of a permit by Czar Alexander II in 1869.

The Galleria is a high and spacious cross-shaped affair surmounted by a glass dome braced by 16 metal ribs. Of the four glass-vaulted wings, one fronts on via Toledo (via Roma), still the main downtown thoroughfare, and another opens onto the San Carlo Theater. It has returned to being an active center of Neapolitan civic life after years of decay.

Yes folks - George Washington Slept Here. I know there is a joke that there are so many historic places that claim George slept there, he would have had to spend every day just sleeping. However, this bedroom WAS used by George during the Revolutionary War. This room is on the 2nd floor of the Dey Mansion in Wayne NJ. The Manor played an intricate role in the American Revolution. Built by Dutch settlers in the middle of the 18th century it served as Washington’s Headquarters on several occasions during the war.

Part of the Thomas Edison National Historic Site is Edison's beautiful estate, Glenmont, West Orange NJ. This gorgeous mural painting and mosaic ceiling is in his music room. This painting depicts the muses. In person it is breathtaking. The sky and clouds are done so perfectly you feel like you are really looking up into the sky.

This photo was taken inside the Dey Mansion, Wayne NJ. This is the actual desk that was used by George Washington when this room was his office during the American Revolutionary war. Washington used the Dey Mansion as one of his many Headquarters. Washington's letters and correspondences during his time at the Dey Mansion totaled 964 [over 1800 written pages].

Oldest timber framed barn in the world. Built by the famous Knights Templer order of fighting Monks aprox 1210. Tree ring dating has placed the trees being felled between 1205-1235. Estimated 480 oak trees used. 36mtrs x 13.5mtrs wide x 15mtrs high. Some alterations & repairs made around 1400 & 1500.

At Blists Hill Victorian town museum Shropshire. Used as location for the BBC2 Victorian Pharmacy series.

Opened in 1987 this dome changed UK's concept of holidays. Suddenly all year round breaks of 3/4 days became available, no need to fly to tropical shores. The dome is now nearly 25 years old, I have lost count of the number of times we have visited.

Lafayette Galeries. Paris

Lafayette Galeries. Paris

Blue Mosque.Istanbul.

Mehrangarh Fort, located in Jodhpur city in Rajasthan state, is one of the largest forts in India.The fort is situated 400 feet above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Diwan-i-Khas is the room in which the king assembled his ministers, counselors and other high officials to discuss matters of the State.

One of Hamilton's most-recognized landmarks, Dundurn Castle is a National Historic Site that illustrates the life and times of Sir Allan Napier MacNab (1798 - 1862). Dundurn Castle was constructed over a three-year period, and completed by 1835. Designed by a young English Architect, Robert Wetherall, Dundurn was built around the brick shell of Colonel Richard Beasley's colonial home. Designed as a fashionable Regency style villa, Dundurn (Gaelic for "strong fort") was nicknamed "Castle" by the citizens of Hamilton. The Castle, with its gardens, grounds and many unusual outbuildings, was one of the finest estates in the province

On June 11, 1929, the hotel officially opened as The Royal York. It was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth and quickly set the hospitality standard of the day. The magnificent hotel became known as a city within a city, rising in 28 floors of architectural splendor and replete with mechanical genius and opulence never before seen in Toronto. It boasted 1,048 rooms - each with radios, private showers and bathtubs. The 1.5 acres of public rooms included a 12-bed hospital, 12,000-book library and ten ornate passenger elevators. The Concert Hall featured a full stage and mammoth pipe organ weighing 50 tons, which surpassed anything else in Canada with 300 miles of copper wire. There was a glass-enclosed roof garden, the largest hotel kitchen in Canada with a bakery that could produce over 15,000 French rolls a day, a 66-ft.long switchboard manned by 35 telephone operators, its own bank and golf course (now known as St. George Golf & Country).

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The most important element in the interior of the mosque is the mihrab, which is made of finely carved and sculptured marble, with a stalactite niche and a double inscriptive panel above it.

Located at the His Chief Vann Historic site in Chatsworth, GA

The Cherokee were good builders of the log homes and used then until the Trail of Tears that started in 1838. The Cherokee were force moved west to Oklahoma. Located at the Chief Vann Historical site in Georgia. Only candles were used for lighting to photograph this.

Try getting six second exposures with a house full of people on the Christmas Candlelight tour. Not the stern type home of a Cherokee indian in 1800. Chief Vann built the home. In 1838 it was taken as was all Cherokee property was during the Trail of Tears when all indians were moved to Oklahoma.

Baptism church Saint Johannes (John the Baptist).

Ettal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery, founded on 28 April 1330 in the village of Ettal, close to Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. (More info in album "Ettal Abbey")

Ettal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery, founded on 28 April 1330 in the village of Ettal, close to Oberammergau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. (More info in album "Ettal Abbey")

The interior of a very old Catholic Church in the island city of Boca Grande Florida. It is a small stucco building with brick flooring and a wood ceiling.

Grant Teton NP. ,Wyoming.

Cistercian Abbey in West Germany

Cistercian Abbey in West Germany

Former House of Representatives Chamber

It seems this picture is taken outside in Venice, but in reality this is the interior of the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, where the sky is artificial.

Sainte-Therese church, Saguenay, Canada

The dome is higher than the US Capitol's dome

The lights spell out Texas

Atalaya Castle, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

The Cathedral of Siena, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (Most Holy Mary of Assumption), is a medieval church in Siena, Tuscany, Italy. The cathedral itself was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. Adjoining the cathedral is the Piccolomini library, housing precious illuminated choir books and frescoes. The visual impact of these very colourful frescoes is stunning.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, more commonly referred to as La Seu, is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma, Majorca, Spain, built on the site of a pre-existing Arab mosque. Designed in the Catalan Gothic style, it was begun by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but finished only in 1601.

In the Cathedral at Mechelen, Belgium

St Remy de Provence is a town with links to Vincent Van Gogh who stayed in hospital here for one year

Beautiful interior of the Church of Our Lady, Bruges, begun 1220.

Close up of one of the paintings in St. Benedict's Catholic Church Captain Cook, Hawaii. It is known as the painted church.

St. Benedict's Catholic Church Captain Cook, Hawaii

The last Easter before moving to the new Church

THE ANCIENT BUT BEAUTIFUL CATHEDRAL IN NEW YORK CITY.

This is what most of these cave dwellings looked like from the inside looking out with the water cistern to the Left of the door (when entering).

Grist Mill 1880

OHIO

Loudonville Ohio

THIS IS THE CEILING AND IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

This Ancient Mausoleum in Ravenna has very low light and one can only stay a few minutes inside. A steady hand helped me capture this photo of the 5th Century Mosaics.

I have entered and photographed this busy building many times. This time I paused just in front of the door to capture this photos. For once the distortion of a wide angle lens was welcome for the great effect. BTW this was taken with a Canon G10 (Point & Shoot)camera.

In the Wies Chrurch the art of rococo reached its zenith of excellence. This work of art created by brothers Zimmermann is now universally accepted as a masterpiece. In the 18th century, the 'Scourged Saviour' was highly venerated. The figure of the 'Scrouged Saviour' was initially used for the Good Friday procession in 1730 in Steingaden. The figure was later moved by Maria Lory to her farm in Wieshof where it became an object of prayer. Then the miracle of tears in the image happened and this was the beginning of pilgrimage to Wies. Below the main painting in the altar is the figure of the 'Scourged Saviour' whose image is the principal origin of the pilgrimage to the church.The blue and pink marble stucco pillars on either side have been polished and smoothed until the artist-architect was satisfied by the symbolic coloring.

Mycanae beehive from inside

Greecian house remodelling project

Corfu doorway

The Choir and its Stalls are one of the most beautiful pieces of Renaissance woodworking.

Romanesque Church, near Bagnères-de-Luchon, Haute Garonne, France

Near Bagnères-de-Luchon, Haute-Garonne, Pyrenées, France

2-24-11 - A wide angle view of the main rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg ~ a priceless architectural and artistic treasure and historic landmark. Thank you soooooo much for your kind comments! :o)

The lobby of the Gresham. Stunning! Definitely worth a look.

this was taken at Glenmont, Edison's mansion in West Orange.

this was taken at Lambert Castle in Clifton/Woodland Park NJ

This is taken at the Breakers in Newport on the patio balcony looking out to sea.

Real example of landmarks landscaped by river, rocks and forests around. Lowering down the mountain into the valley you see only this impressive castle standing on the rocks.This is one of the halls of this castle.

This is the living room of the historic winter home of Henry Ford. Located in Fort Myers, FL. Note the wood ceiling and phonograph. Constructed of native lumber it has survived without any termite damaged.

Note the long tails on the sheep? look like horses to me.

Taken 50 years ago.

This hall is the oldest room of the Residenz M�nchen. 66 metres long, it is the largest and most lavish Renaissance interior north of the Alps. Processed using Topaz UV Haze filter and Adjust

The Hall of Mirrors is the central gallery of the Palace of Versailles and is renowned as being one of the most famous rooms in the world. Processed using Topaz UV Haze filter and Adjust

Processed using Topaz UV Haze filter and Adjust

Edison's winter home in Fort Myers,FL

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. At the time of its completion in the 16th century, it supplanted the Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world. The cathedral also serves as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.

Sitting Room 2

View of the Spire from the Cloisters

There is not much left from the original structure, just a few columns, but here is where the oracle sat and helped detirmined the fate of the classical world. The setting of this place is awesome.

Museum "The Swimming Pool of Roubaix North of France The swimming pool was built between 1927 and 1932 by Architect Albert Baert. Closed in 1985 it has been transformed in a Museum. The Musuem of Arts and Industries of Roubaix (North of France

The castle of Beloeil in the South-West of Belgium is owned by the Princes de Ligne since the 14th century, it is completely furnished and houses a rich collection of art objects from the 15th to the 19th century.

This Roman Masterpiece was made between 1107 and 1118 probably by Renier de Huy.The tank is carried by 10 oxen (original there were 12). It is standing in the wonderful St. Bartholomeus Church.It is one of the 7 most marvellous art treasures of Belgium.

Temppeliaukio Kirkko, was designed by architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. Construction began in 1968 and was finished a year later in 1969. The architects chose a rocky outcrop rising about 40 feet above street level, and blasted out the walls from the inside. The Temppeliaukio is now most commonly known by its English name, the Rock Church or Church in the Rock. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki and frequently full of visitors.

Fort Gibson stockade established 1824, near the confluence of the Grand River and the Arkansas River. This Fort served the military for 70 years, helping to establish peace in the Oklahoma Territory where the Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation met.

The Villa Philbrook was built in 1927, designed by Edward Buehler Delk for Waite and Genevieve Phillips. The 72 room mansion and 23 acres was later given to Tulsa as a gift to house an art center.

Originally built as a high-rise office building 1928, floors 12-20 were converted to loft apartments in 2004, making the Philtower Tulsa's first mixed use high-rise. The building has 24 floors and is 323 feet tall.

Trinity Chapel Showing the Prisoner of Concience Window (1980) by Gabriel Loire.

This lens is housed in the museum at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida

Salvador Dali, the famous painter has created the face of his favourite American actress. The paintings on the wall are the eyes, the fireplace is the nose and the red sofa is the lips of Mae West. There are also curtains as the blond hair surrounding all this but they are not on this photo.

The Palacio de los Leones built by Mohammed V (for his harem) has this Lion Courtyard with a fountain channeling water through the mouths of 12 lions. There are 124 slender marble columns supporting the patio gallery in this Islamic paradise.

Founded in 785 AD on the site of a Visigothic church and expanded to 23,000 sq metres in later centuries (to enclose a Christian church as well), this mosque is one of the great creations of Islamic architecture.

The burial room features black and white marble walls and a ceiling of gold leaf. At its center stands the cenotaph, a 7-ton block of reddish marble inscribed with Lincoln's name and the years he lived. It marks the approximate location of the burial vault, which is 30 inches behind and 10 feet below. Nine flags are arranged in a semicircle around the cenotaph. Seven of them—the State flags of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois—commemorate the homes of Lincoln and his ancestors. The eighth and ninth are the Stars and Stripes and the Presidential flag.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Tomb

IMG_6490 - Each angel at the top has a direction - North, South, East and West

The interior of a one room thatched cottage playhouse on the Gold Coast estate of John S. Phipps. The thatched cottage has stood since 1916, when it was built for Peggie Phipps by her parents for her 10th birthday. The little garden is filled with flowers that would appeal to a child, such as lamb's ears and pansies. Of note is the purple clematis which climbs up the wall. You can peek through the windows to see the early-century setup for a child's play.The family's Long Island estate is now Old Westbury Gardens.

This unfinished masterpiece by Gaudi has become the iconic symbol of Barcelona. The interior is even more unique and astonishing than the well-known exterior.

Standing at 535 feet, the historic Cathedral of Learning is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in Pennsylvania, USA. This Gothic Revival Cathedral is the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere. Taken 1-22-11

Located in the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado, Bishop Castle is a little known castle, also known as the "Cowboy Castle". It has been under construction for decades since Jim Bishop is the owner and only worker consistently laboring on this unique western castle. The third floor Grand Room features wrought iron, stained glass and a huge skylight illuminating the entire third floor.

The Jewel Box is a delightful greenhouse shown here full of Christmas poinsettias.

The Miramont Castle was built as a family home and later used as a hospital, a nunnery, and a hotel. It features beautiful rooms with views of the Colorado Rockies and glimpses of the elegant lifestyle of long ago.

These are the historic quarters of prisoners of war held in Edinburgh Castle. Clothing and artifacts shown are those left behind.

A tableau of life sized figures going about their chores in the Great Kitchen of Stirling Castle, Scotland brings the past to life.

The abbey, church, and seminary, designed by the Norwegian architect, Asbjørn Gåthe is located on the outskirts of the town of Mission. The monks began to live on this site beginning in 1954; buildings were gradually added, culminating in the abbey church in 1982. (Wikipedia)

The barbershop chair at East State Penitentiary - America's most historic prison. ESP was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world and held some notorious criminals. But, today it stands in ruins, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Taken 4-9-11, Philadelphia, PA

Brasov's most important landmark, the Black Church. Its building was begun in the Gothic style in 1383 on the place of a church from the first half of the 13th century. Being finished to a great extent, the church was seriously damaged during the first Turkish invasion in 1421. The building was finished and the church was dedicated until 1477, its patron being the Holy Virgin. The Organ, with 4,000 pipes, 7 scales and 4 key boards was built in 1838-1839 by the organ creator Buchholz from Berlin and it ranks among the biggest organs in the South-Eastern Europe. It is the only organ of the Buchholz's firm which has preserved its original form.

Built on a rock headland dominating the city of Amboise and the Loire, this old medieval fortress preserved this time an enclosure, which contains the actual castle. The château began its life in the eleventh century. The great Leonardo da Vinci spent the remaining years of his life in Amboise and as he wished he was buried in the chapel Saint-Hubert.

Considered the oldest architectural monument in Brasov, The St Bartholomew Evangelical church was built in 1223 in Roman architectural style mixed with early gothic elements. It was known as the “Church of the three orphans”, which, according to the legend, have left all their belongings to the church and were buried beneath the altar.

Although Grand Central Station in New York is a hive of activity there seems to be a certain serenity in the air.

0910 093

Air Force One Pavilion, Ronald Reagan Library

The world famous, must see New York City landmark and attraction. 102~story skyscraper! Take in panoramic vistas of New York City from its highest viewing point, the Empire State Building Observatory. Inside, you will be amazed by the Art Deco lobby which is a gleaming display of marble and gilt.

It's been discovered that the Empire State Building is the most photographed landmark on earth! A true New York City icon!

Just before the Christmas mass on December 25, 2011 in the Wieskirche in Bayern-Germany. The church is on the UNESCO Worldheritage list.

The ceiling of the cupola of the monastery of Ettal with chandelier

Library of Palma de Mallorca - Spain

The chapel is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Durham Raleigh, North Carolina area. The building is a site to behold from the outside and is absolutely stunning inside. Duke Chapel is located on the grounds of Duke University.

creative-challenge-landmark-interiors

creative-challenge-landmark-interiors

creative-challenge-landmark-interiors

Grand Central Station NYC at Christmas with the central information booth, clock and flag

St Patrick's Cathedral, NYC at Christmas

Awaiting the Christmas Spectacular

Here's the Union Station in Kansas City, an old train station. A big part of Kansas City's history.

Historic photos of firefighters and fires decorate the walls. (#26680_8)

Above the Speakers chair is the rescued portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. (#3689-!.70M)

Love the design of this window wall in the Trapp Familly Lodge. The flowers change with the season. It is always beautiful. (ps5649-496k)

The Ice Hotel, at Jukkasjärvi, northern Sweden, is rebuilt every autumn, and melts away every spring. The Ice Church, within the Ice Hotel, attracts couples who arrive there especially to get married.

The Jewish Quarter at Třebíč, Czech Republic, is a World Heritage Site. This is ithe interior of the Synagogue

Pessac (South West France)

This church is adorned of various frescoes made between the 13th and 15th centuries. These frescoes are known as "Christ of Sunday". They are rapresentation of the bible stories for the illeterate farm families of the area.

The Palace of Venaria is a former royal residence located near Turin, in Piedmont. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, included in the UNESCO Heritage List in 1997, and one of the largest royal residences in the world. The Palace was designed and built from 1675 by Amedeo di Castellamonte and Michelangelo Garove commissioned by duke Charles Emmanuel II, who needed a base for his hunting expeditions The main facade, is connected on the right by a part with brickworks added in the 18th century. From the Michelangelo Garove period (1669–1713) are the two towers covered with multicolor pentagonal tiles in ceramics, which are united by a large gallery. The interiors originally housed a large collection of stuccos, statues, paintings.

This is a stained glass ceiling that covers the length of the Hall. It was wonderful to see the changes in the colors as the day progressed. :)

at Monmouth University. All of my entries are taken from there. Read about its history here: http://www.monmouth.edu/wilson_hall/default.asp

"thirteenth-century chapel, while its tall windows are filled with brightly colored fourteenth-century Austrian stained glass from the church of Saint Leonhard in Carinthia and the castle chapel at Ebreichsdorf near Vienna"

twelfth-century painted Spanish wood crucifix

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The beautiful old railway station at Kuranda in Far North Queensland takes one from Cairns up to the Atherton Tableland town of Kuranda. Built about 1910. The train has just pulled in - such old world charm.

The Assembly Room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution were drafted and signed .

The entryway to the Supreme Courtroom of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA.