Lonely minaret stump of a destroyed city.

Built entirely of interlocking pieces, construction of this Chinese Muslim house of worship required zero nails.

An outstanding piece of retro Sci-Fi architecture built into a sacred mountain.

The first version of this stalwart construction appeared around 3,000 years ago.

The world's second-tallest flagpole stands proud despite dropping rank.

This magnificent blue mosque in Afghanistan is surrounded by thousands of white doves.

Founded in 670, this ancient mosque is an architectural time portal.

An interesting look into 18th-century American history.

A historic recreation of the golden age of the Erie Canal, abandoned for some time, slowly being restored.

Nestled in a peaceful valley, this Armenian monastery may have been saved from Mongols thanks to the eyes of God.

In the foothills of the lesser Caucasus, a centuries-old fortress still stands.

Resonant stone, that has been played since prehistoric times.

Home to nearly a third of the world's mud volcanoes, Azerbaijan is home to a messy, bubbling, and sometimes explosive landscape.

A massive collection of petroglyphs dating back some 40,000 years.

This mysterious but iconic tapered tower appears in many Azeri fairytales and legends.

A gigantic collection of teeny, tiny books.

A unique museum dedicated to culture and artistry of carpet weaving.

The building's fluid, wavelike walls are a true feat of architectural ingenuity.

A dreamy mausoleum honors Persia's most famous poet.

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

Named after a legendary garden called Eram in southern Arabia, built by order of Shaddad, an Arab king who wanted to compete with Paradise.

A spectacular rainbow of stained glass makes the "Pink Mosque" one of the most beautiful in Iran.

17th century mosque for Shah Abbas' harem.

The cathedral stands in New Jufa, Isfahan's Armenian quarter that was established in 1606.