“When we travel it’s often to see a building. From classic buildings and ancient sites to skyscrapers and contemporary designs”

What do Bran Castle in Transylvania, the Crooked House in Sopot, or the Shah Mosque in Esfahan have in common?

Bran Castle in Transilvania, Romania, is commonly known as Dracula’s Castle – Shutterstock

It’s simple. They are all some of the most amazing buildings – jaw-dropping constructions that have made it into the history books for their beauty, peculiarity, or simply for the story behind their creation.

Renowned publisher Lonely Planet has selected 120 outstanding buildings around the world for the Amazing Architecture: A Spotter’s Guide, a book filled with facts, maps and photos of the most amazing sites.

“When we travel it’s often to see a building – the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower. They’re things of beauty, symbols of their age and emblems of human endeavour,” Lonely Planet said.

“Sometimes, buildings are the reason we decide to go somewhere; think of an icon such as Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Cambodia‘s Angkor Wat temple complex.”

The Crooked House in Sopot was designed by Szotyńscy & Zaleski and inspired by the fairytale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg – Patryk Kosmider / Shutterstock

“Other times, buildings help make a visit more enriching and rewarding, like discovering the old district of Pelourinho in Salvador, Brazil and the majestic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.”

To give the readers the tale behind each the site, every entry in the book includes a brief introduction containing information about the building’s designers, when it was built – plus a map to help them plan a visit.

Lonely Planet’s list of famous, weird and wonderful places include:

Shah Mosque in Esfahan, Iran

The Shah Mosque in Esfahan, Iran, is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture from the Islamic era — Shutterstock

Skara Brae in Orkney, Scotland

Europe’s most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae in Orkney, Scotland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Shutterstock

Towers of San Gimignano, Italy

San Gimignano in Italy is also known as the Town of Fine Tower and is famous for its medieval architecture – Shutterstock

Roman Baths in Bath, UK

The well-preserved Roman site for public bathing in Bath, United Kingdom are among the greatest spas of the ancient world – Shutterstock

Ayutthaya temple complex, Thailand

Ayutthaya temple complex became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 for being an excellent witness to the period of development of a true national Thai art — Shutterstock

The Winter Palace, St Petersburg, Russia

Between 1732 and 1917 the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg served as the official residence of Russian monarchs — Shutterstock

Millau Viaduct, southern France

The Millau Viaduct in Southern France is the tallest bridge in the world — Gaspar Janos / Shutterstock

Chrysler Building, New York, USA

For 11 months, the Chrysler building in New York was the world’s tallest skyscraper — Shutterstock

The mud-made Agadez Mosque, Niger

Originally built in 1515 and restored in 1844, the prominent mosque in Agadez, Niger, is made of clay – Shutterstock