Spires Gallery

The most famous buildings of the world 1885

Comparative heights of famous buildings in 1885, including 1. Porcelain Tower, Nankin China. 2. St. George's Hall Liverpool. 3. Tomb of Thedoric, Ravenna. 4. Chichester Cathedral. 5. Victoria Tower, Westminister. 6. Boston Church, Lincolnshire. 7. Taj Mahal, Agra. 8. York Cathedral. 9. Temple of Bacchus, Teos. 10. Alexandrian Column, St Petersburg. 11. Column of July, Paris. 12. Torre Asinelli, Bologna. Date: 1885

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Holsten gate at Lubeck, engraved by John Godfrey (1817-89) (colour engraving)

REV326585 Holsten gate at Lubeck, engraved by John Godfrey (1817-89) (colour engraving) by Werner, Carl Friedrich Heinrich (1808-94) (after); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; (add.info.: la porte Holstein a Luebeck; part of the medieval fortifications; Holstentor;); German, out of copyright

© Bridgeman Images

Eiffel Tower in comparison to other buildings, 1889

A diagram showing how much higher the Eiffel Tower was in comparison to other world-famous tall buildings when it was constructed in 1889. Even the spires of Cologne and Old St. Paul's cathedral are dwarfed by its immense height which was almost 1000 feet. Inset is a portrait of its creator, French engineer, Gustave Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower was built as a centrepiece to the Paris International Exhibition. Despite many detractors initially, the building was a huge success and is today an iconic symbol of Paris and France. Date: 1889

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans