Sydney, Australia is a city with many impressive buildings that showcase its history, culture and innovation. Here are some of the most famous buildings in Sydney that you should not miss:
1. Sydney Opera House
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The Sydney Opera House is a famous landmark and a cultural icon of Australia. It is located on the shore of Sydney Harbour, near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre that hosts various events, such as opera, ballet, theatre, music, and comedy. The Sydney Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who won an international competition in 1957. The construction began in 1959 and was completed in 1973, after many challenges and controversies. The Sydney Opera House has a distinctive design that consists of several white sail-shaped shells that cover the concrete structure. The Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of modern architecture. It attracts millions of visitors every year and is one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
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The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a remarkable engineering feat that connects the city center and the North Shore of Sydney, Australia. It is one of the world's largest steel arch bridges, with a span of 503 meters and a height of 134 meters above the water. It carries various modes of transportation, including cars, trains, bikes, and pedestrians. It is an iconic image of Sydney and Australia, and offers a scenic view of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House. It was opened in 1932, after nine years of construction, and used 52,000 tons of steel and 6,000,000 rivets. It was inspired by the Hell Gate Bridge in New York, but is much larger. Visitors can walk across the bridge for free, or climb to the top of the structure for a thrilling experience.
3. Queen Victoria Building
This elegant building is a fine example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a heritage-listed building in the Sydney central business district, Australia. It was designed by George McRae in the Romanesque Revival style and completed in 1898. The building occupies an entire city block and has a distinctive dome, stained glass windows and ornate architecture. The QVB was originally built as a marketplace, but it also served as a municipal office and a library in the past. It was almost demolished in the 1970s, but it was restored and reopened as a shopping centre in 1986. The QVB is one of Sydney's most iconic landmarks and a popular tourist attraction. It houses over 180 shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a historical display and a royal clock.
4. Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest structure in Sydney, Australia, and the second-tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also known as Centre Point Tower, AMP Tower, or Flower Tower. It was opened to the public in September 1981, after a decade of construction. The tower stands at 309 metres from the bottom to the tip of the spire, and has a golden turret that can hold up to 960 people. The turret contains two levels of restaurants, an Observation Deck, two telecommunication transmission levels and three plant levels. The Observation Deck offers unrivalled 360-degree views of Sydney and beyond, and is accessible by three double deck lifts.
Visitors can also experience SKYWALK, Sydney's highest outdoor adventure, where they can walk on air at 268 metres above the ground. The tower is stabilised by 56 cables and a 162,000 litre water tank, and has 420 windows that are cleaned by a semi-automatic machine named Charlie. Sydney Tower Eye is an iconic landmark and a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Sydney.
5. St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Cathedral is a Catholic church located in Sydney, Australia. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney and the spiritual home of Sydney's Catholic community. The cathedral was built from 1866 to 1928 in the Gothic Revival style, using local sandstone. It has twin spires that rise above the city skyline and a length of 107 metres, making it the longest church in Australia. The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians, who is also the patroness of Australia. The cathedral holds regular services, concerts, tours and events, and welcomes visitors from all faiths and backgrounds.
6. Anzac Memorial
Photo Elesa Kurtz
The Anzac Memorial is a heritage-listed war memorial, museum and monument located in Hyde Park South near Liverpool Street in the CBD of Sydney, Australia. It was built to honour the Australian Imperial Force of World War I, who fought alongside the New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in the Gallipoli Campaign and other battles. The memorial was designed by C. Bruce Dellit, an Australian architect who won a competition for the project in 1930.
The exterior of the memorial features monumental figural reliefs and sculptures by Rayner Hoff, a British-born sculptor who taught at the East Sydney Technical College. The memorial was constructed from 1932 to 1934 by Kell & Rigby, a building firm founded by two Irish immigrants. The memorial was officially opened on 24 November 1934 by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who represented King George V. The memorial is the focal point of commemoration ceremonies on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and other important occasions.
7. Elizabeth Bay House
Elizabeth Bay House is a historic building and museum in Sydney, Australia, that showcases the colonial regency style of architecture and the life of the Macleay family, who lived there from 1839 to 1845. The house was designed by John Verge, a prominent architect of the time, and built by James Hume, a contractor and builder.
The house features a central elliptical saloon with a domed lantern, a geometric staircase, and a grotto with retaining walls. The house was originally surrounded by 22 hectares of gardens, but most of the land was sold off in the late 19th century. The house is now owned by Sydney Living Museums, an agency of the New South Wales government, and is open to the public as a museum. Elizabeth Bay House is considered one of the finest examples of Australian colonial architecture and a symbol of the ambition and passion of Alexander Macleay, who was the colonial secretary and a leading figure in Sydney society.
8. Hyde Park Barracks
photo Artshub
The Hyde Park Barracks is a historic building in Sydney, Australia, that was built between 1811 and 1819 by convict labour under the supervision of architect Francis Greenway. It was originally designed to house up to 600 male convicts who worked on public projects in the city. The barracks also served as a hospital, a mint, a women's immigration depot, a courthouse and a government office. It is now a museum and a cafe that tells the stories of the people who lived and worked there, as well as the impact of colonial expansion on the Aboriginal communities. The Hyde Park Barracks is part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property and the National Heritage List.
These are the top 8 famous buildings in Sydney that you should visit to appreciate their beauty, history and significance.
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