Mysterious buildings worldwide gained their reputation not just because of their identity but also their meanings. Evoking curiosity among people makes it secretive or unclear.
Both ancient and modern architecture, if done by pushing the boundaries of usual designs, tend to be perceived as impossible or mysterious.
More often than not, our current understanding can limit our interpretations of "impossible" ancient structures.
Even modern buildings can considered mysterious if they are internationally designed to provoke thoughts.
Why Are There Mysterious Buildings in the World?
CNN noted that ancient, mysterious buildings are considered such due to the lost culture that could explain them. Not to mention that they are often found in unexpected places that are sometimes far from their known site.Whether they are temples or burial grounds, the experts' lack of information leaves room for conjecture and conspiracies.
In addition, Design Times reported that their designs were also seen as "anomaly" due to methods or materials that surpassed those believed to be available at the time.
But when it comes to modern buildings, what makes them mysterious is the cultural differences artists have compared to their audience. Artistic visions are also a significant factor. For example, Banksy's animal-themed artworks appear strange as they appear daily in London.
Also Read: Top 5 Impossible Ancient Structures Explained
5 Most Mysterious Buildings in the World and Their Meanings
Whether ancient or modern, these five most mysterious buildings in the world are no longer mysteries, with the following meanings found to be attached to them.
(Photo : BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images)
1. Area 51
One minute, you have an internet sleuth telling the world that the US government is housing aliens in Area 51; the next, you see that it has become notoriously known for being the secret connection to aliens that have visited Earth.
As it turns out, Area 51 is highly restricted to the public because it's an advanced military aircraft training site. According to Space, this most mysterious building was erected in 1955 and is where spy planes were developed and tested. Hence, why residents close to the area have seen strange sightings of "flying objects."
Currently, no solid evidence of aliens has been found in this building.
(Photo : Kevin Moloney/Getty Images)
2. Cheyenne Mountain Complex
How we view "mysterious" buildings in the world, so far, is due to their secrecy. Cheyenne Mountain Complex is one of them.
Similar to Area 51, this mysterious building is just another highly-secured military complex. WIRED reported that it served as a command center for NORAD or North American Aerospace Defense Command and USSPACECOM or United States Space Command.
There is no alien around but, best believe that it can probably detect one as it's responsible for monitoring North American airspace and detecting aircraft threats.
Perhaps, it's the underground design that makes it a mystery. NORAD countered that this is due to facility's impenetrable feature since it should be able to withstand nuclear war or catastrophic global events.
(Photo : WILLIAM EDWARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
3. Skara Brae
As previously mentioned, modern humans have limited understanding of some ancient cultures. This is where Skara Brae is relevant. Located in Scotland's Orkeny Islands, this is one of the most mysterious buildings in the world due to expert theories that it has been around since 3200 BCE, making it older than Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids.
According to CNN, Skara Brae is mysterious to some because of how well-preserved it is and the seemingly advanced stone-built houses. Similar to Pompeii and Herculaneum, the prehistoric site is most likely a victim of a natural disaster, as evident in the sand dunes that buried it over time. Therefore, protecting it from destructive elements.
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)
4. 33 Thomas Street
Not all mysterious are secretive in nature or lacks information. Sometimes, it's the way they were designed that makes it such, like the 33 Thomas Street.
Also known as the AT&T Long Lines Building, it's a towering, windowless skyscraper in New York City that. Standing 550 feet tall, the lack of windows and fortress-like appearance led to speculation about what goes on inside.
The New York Post once reported that it has been known as a spy building with a code name 'TITANPOINTE' where National Security Agency (NSA) intercepted communications in the country.
In the report, the very same speculation was debunked, The windowless design serves a practical purpose since the building was designed to protect sensitive telecommunications equipment from external threats like extreme weather or potential attacks.
33 Thomas Street is actually a major telecommunications hub built by AT&T as part of the company's long-distance phone network, and the building's height and structure were necessary to house the large mechanical equipment. Atomic Ranch calls it a "brutalist" habitat for the said machines.
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)
5. The Yonaguni Monument
Not all monuments were done underwater, hence, why the Yonaguni is one of the most mysterious buildings in the world. Located off the coast of Yonaguni Island in Japan and submerged about 25 meteres below ocean surface, experts still wonder it this was man-made or formed naturally.
Based on Japan National Tourism Organization, the monument consists of large, flat, and stepped terraces, as well as sharp angles and straight edges that resemble man-made architectural features.
This deserved the last spot in this list because it's still slightly mysterious today. However, there are now studies being made with geologists theorizing that it's a natural formation, created by tectonic activity, erosion, and the unique geology of the region.
Some archaeologists, such as Masaaki Kimura, argue that the monument was at least partially shaped by humans, per Explorers Web. Kimura claims to have found evidence of carvings, staircases, and even what he believes are stone tools, which would suggest that the structure was altered by an ancient civilization.
Related Article: Top 5 Ancient Man-Made Structures That Reveal Lost Civilizations
