The Most Famous Roofs From Around the World

A roof is an essential part of a residential or commercial building structure that people rely on for security and protection against harsh weather conditions, such as the uncomfortable glare of the sun and sharp-hitting hailstones during a stormy day. However, it is also an exterior ornamental piece that can significantly enhance the overall architectural appearance of a building, rendering some structures from around the world so remarkable and iconic that people from all walks of life continue to become awe-inspired by them.

Here, reputable roofing contractor Hero Roofing has put together a list of 10 of the most famous roof designs from around the globe to highlight some fine examples of what you can achieve for your own home or building.

The Taj Mahal is located on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, India. It is a stunning 17-hectare complex of five major structures housing tombs that took two long decades to build. In 1653, the mausoleum was completed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his deceased wife named Mumtaz Mahal, meaning “Crown Palace”.

The Taj Mahal boasts the design traditions of Persian architecture. The tomb is the centerpiece of the world-renowned complex. It is an ivory-white marble structure topped by a large dome and finial. The dome-shaped roof is slightly asymmetrical and is nearly 35 meters high. It is clad with marble bricks from Afghanistan, Arabia, China and Tibet and up to 28 unique varieties of gems were used for the decorative inlay work.

The architecture of the Sydney Opera House is unique for its spherical geometry. Its curvaceous panels are made from precast concrete and the pieces have been assembled on location. The splendid multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia has a roof that is covered with over a million glazed-white granite tiles imported from Sweden, creating the pristine and gleaming appearance of the structure.

According to a trusted roofing contractor in Georgia, the Opera House took 14 years to build and complete, costing a grand total of 102 million Australian dollars. In the end, the structure is successful in having an architecturally unique roof that is so expressive and immaculate only a very few buildings in the world can claim to achieve or mimic.

The Grand Palace lies at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand itself. It has been the official residence of the monarchy of Thailand — called Kings of Siam and later, Kings of Thailand — since 1782. The Grand Palace is made up of diverse buildings, halls, pavilions surrounding lawns, gardens and courtyards. It features asymmetrical and eclectic styles produced by its organic development and rebuilding over 200 years of history.

The complex of the Grand Palace is roughly rectangular in shape and has a combined area of 218, 400 square meters enclosed by four walls. The roofs are made up of ornaments symbolic to Thai culture and heritage and often decorated with green and orange tiles. This magnificent building is visited by many local residents and tourists who admire and appreciate the comprehensive detail and splendor of the architectural landmark.

The tile roof installation of Dubrovnik remains much the same as they have appeared for centuries. The city of Dubrovnik entertained Italian architects whose design concepts did not conflict with the existing architecture. Buildings were built in hard limestone with the same pale yellow and light red roofing tiles, creating a grand architectural ensemble of remarkable cohesion.

In 1991, the Serbian forces bombed the old city and damaged 382 residential structures and 29 public buildings. The rebuilding of the roofscape became a monumental period in the restoration of the city. Clay or terracotta roofing tiles are among the most eye-catching materials used in medieval buildings. The shapes, colors, textures, including the patchwork of old and new tiles, gave the distinct character of the historic structures.

While other cities in Europe parade intricate, often tortuous Baroque and Renaissance architecture with exuberant doorways and domed roofs, Dubrovnik’s appeal lies in its simplicity and functionality.

A beautiful domed roof on the Greek island of Santorini can become a tourist attraction on its own without the influence of aristocratic history. The blue-domed churches and whitewashed limestone that triumph the island of Santorini complement the dramatic views and stunning sunsets from Oia town and are practical for their reflective ability, helping keep the interior space and occupants cool and comfortable during their stay. The prevalent white and blue colors of the Cycladic architecture are thought to represent the colors of the Greek flag which was banned for 400 years during Ottoman rule.

In Santorini, visitors will come across particular windmills that appear as round buildings with joined roofs and wheels with sails that convert wind energy into rotational energy. And since rainfall is sparse in warmer Grecian climates, cisterns are strategically placed near the roof installation to catch runoff water.

The art of multi-colored glazed tile roofing is heavily pronounced in Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy in eastern France. The ornate polychrome roofs were traditionally considered as a symbol of prestige in the 13th and 14th centuries, and have remained an architectural hallmark of the place ever since. The modern tiles that can be seen embellishing the structures are replicas installed in the early 1900s, with materials sourced from around France.

Glazed roofs are popular in many parts of the world. In Asia, Europe, and North Africa, the same desire to combine notable aesthetics and superior protection prompted builders of palaces, cathedrals, temples and mosques to cover the roofing with similar types of tiles.

The Saint Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, is an Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow. The famed landmark is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia due to its beaming, vivid colors and striking design of eight domed spires. In the 17 century, the attitude of Russian people towards color changed in favor of bright colors and the iconographic and mural art experienced a significant growth that took form in the number of available paints, dyes and their combinations.

A roof repair expert defines the architectural style of the church as an integration of a staggered layered design and cylindrical shape. Each of the towers is crowned with an onion dome which is thought to evoke imagery of a candle’s curving flame. The central church features a lofty tented roof which was a rampant roofing style for church buildings throughout the 16th century in Russia.

New York, a place where it is easy to get lost in the everyday hustle and bustle of life and work, is the most populous city in the United States. The Art Deco style of the Chrysler Building remains a recognizable figure on the New York skyline that does not fail to capture the attention of artistically inclined locals and regular passersby. Its beautiful roof is composed of seven terraced arches constructed in a delicate sunburst pattern. At night, the Chrysler Building is decorated with lighting systems that make the pinnacle of the structure a spectacular sight to behold.

Hero Roofing a premier source of roofing and home improvement solutions in Georgia. Our trained, experienced professionals work diligently to provide exceptional service from start to finish, whether you need a new, beautiful roof installation or storm-damaged roof repair. Call us at (833) 321-4376 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. We look forward to transforming your dream home into reality!