I love to observe the architecture as I travel from place to place. Obviously styles change over the years and , as a result,  in many cases, architecture can be used to ascertain the age of a particular building. Gothic buildings, for instance, suggests that these structures date from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

Like anyone else, I have seen specific buildings and other structures which have fascinated me over the years for one reason or another, a fact which has led to this list of Gary’s favorite buildings in the world.  Feel free to agree or disagree with my list and realize that this list will evolve over the years as long as I continue to travel.

Installment 1 — #’s 1-5

1. 911 Memorial Building, New York, NY, USA — This building, also known as the Freedom Tower, the tallest in the United States, has replaced the “Twin Towers,” which were destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

911 Memorial Tower

2. Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, USA — An eternal symbol of determination and patriotism, the Alamo was the setting of a fight-to-the-death struggle for Texas independence and a sacred place for all Texans.

Alamo

3. Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong, China — One of the most iconic buildings in the fabulous skyline of Hong Kong, the tower was designed by I.M. Pei, the noted architect who designed the glass and steel pyramid of the Louvre in Paris and the Kennedy Library in Boston.

Bank of China Tower

4. Basilica San Marco, Venice, Italy — This gorgeous church was built in about 1100 AD, in the Byzantine style and is the focal point of any visit to Venice. The multi-domed structure is decorated with mosaics and presides over what Napoleon called “the Drawing Room of Europe.”

Basilica San Marco

5. Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina, USA — This mansion, conceived and built by George Washington Vanderbilt in the 1890’s, is the largest private home in the United States.

Biltmore Estate