The Puente de Occidente Colombia

The Puente de Occidente is also called Bridge of the West is located in western Antioquia, Colombia. The Puente de Occidente is a suspension bridge that connects the municipalities of Olaya and Santa Fe de Antioquia, east and west of the Cauca River, respectively. Therefore, this was an impressive single suspension span supported from four pyramidal towers on each bank of the river with each tower anchoring two cables. The suspension bridge has a main central section which cars and smaller trucks can cross and two pedestrian paths on either side of the central roadway. So far, it is considered the 7th largest suspension bridge worldwide. 

The bridge construction was started in 1887. So, material mainly iron and steel was being imported from England, however towers were built with local materials. The 291 meter high bridge works begin in December 1887 and completed in 1895, approximately five years after initiation with the final cost was 171.000 pesos. Initially it was open for pedestrian only, but later on decision was made revert and vehicles were allowed. These days much longer suspension bridge in providing facilitation to South American. Once, the Puente de Occidente was longest of such type in the continent, and with the passage of time, it requires repair work, which were significantly performed in the early part of 2014. In Nov 1978, it was declared a National Monument of Colombia. Moreover, the structural system of the Puente de Occidente is alike to the suspension/cable-stayed hybrid used in the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge´s structure is made up of four caraway wooden towers, iron sheets supported on masonry walls, wire ropes and a roadway of 3.10 meters wide and lateral sidewalks. In 1955, bridge was underwent reinforcement works to increase the bearing capacity to allow vehicles. 

The Puente de Occidente was an expeditious way to get to the Magdalena Rive the country’s main waterway that divides the province into two parts. The major purpose was to construct the bridge actually remove the obstacles in order to establish the trade routes and would connect the region with other regions in the country. On May, 30 1881, a decision was made to build the suspension bridge over the Cauca River. Before the bridge, the river was undoubtedly, the greatest obstacle for the communication between the people of Antioquia. Due to rich history, and vulnerability, the bridge is included in tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Pyramid of Sun Mexico

The Pyramid of Sun is the largest building in Teotihuacan and Mesoamerica. The name derives from Aztecs, who visited the Teotihuacan during abandoned times. However, the name given to Pyramid by the Teotihuacanos is not confirmed. The Pyramid is found along the Avenue of the Dead, in between the Pyramid of the Moon and the Ciudadela, and in the shadow of the massive mountain Cerro Gordo. The pyramid rises 216 feet above ground level, and it measures about 720 by 760 feet at its base. It was constructed of about 1,000,000 cubic yards of material.

The two phase construction brought the size making the third largest Pyramid in the world, just over half and height of the Great Pyramid of Giza. However, the second phase construction could not survive into modern times. The Pyramid lime plaster imported from nearby areas, with dazzlingly colored murals. As the time passes, the Pyramid paint and plaster have no longer visible. The temple on the top of pyramid demolished deliberately and natural forces has prevented identification of the Pyramid. 

The structure orientation had some anthropological significance, August 12, and April 29 is divinatory Calendar year for the Teotihuacanos. Hence, August 12, is most important actually marked the date of beginning of the present era and initial day of the Maya long count calendar. The Pyramid was built on a man-made tunnel, and it is believed that place could have been used as royal tomb. There’re sacrificial objects found inside the Pyramid and same objects have been discovered at the nearby Pyramid of the Moon. 

A unique historical artifact discovered near the foot of the pyramid is now in the British Museum's collection. Moreover, the burial sites of children have been found in excavations at the corners of the pyramid, and thought these burials were part of a sacrificial ritual dedicating the building of the pyramid. The city and civilization was decline after 450 CE is not confirmed. Although, archaeologists believe, that climate change severe droughts led to internal unrest may have caused the destruction of the city. Nowadays, Teotihuacan is a widespread tourist destination replete with museums and ongoing archaeological investigation.

Mysterious Ranikot: The World's Largest Fort

The Ranikot Fort is also famous as Dewar-e-Sindh (Great Wall of Sindh), with a massive circumference of 26KM is believed largest unexplored fort in the world. Ranikot Fort is located at Kirthar Range in Jamshoro District Sindh, Pakistan. The fort is most impressive wonder of Sindh, also included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The massive walls can see from five kilometers away, are built with dressed sandstone and reinforced with 45 bastions along the outer wall. Some walls are rectangular and few are round, but modified though the ages to utilize the gun power. It is believed, Ranikot Fort is largest Fort in the world.  

The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort is not cleared yet, however attribute to Arabs or may be Persian noble built this fort. In spite of the fact this is a prehistoric site of Amri is adjacent, there’s no trace of any old city inside the fort and the present structure has little evidence of prehistoric origins. The Fort stands in the middle of nowhere, defending nothing. So, why this fort was built still a curious exploration to many researchers? However, the ruler of Sindh built for safe and secure place where they can send their families and spend times during difficult times. The unsolved question baffled all researchers to defy all reasons. Nevertheless, this has not been enough to convince the authorities to develop it as a major tourist attraction. 

The fort is easily accessible from Karachi through and excellent road of The National Highway. The internal key features include “Sann Gate”, “Meeri” “Shergarh” “Paryun jo talao” and “Mohan Gate”. The Villagers says, scattered animals, skeletons and prehistoric fossil are highly rumored be found here and there. These days, a number of visitors including families are visiting Ranikot Fort to see the marvelous architects. Hence, it is highly suggested to go there early morning, spend the noon there and get back to Hyderabad before sunset. Hope it will be safe and promising.

The Tower of Kamyenyets

Well, The Tower of Kamyenyets is often called “White Tower” actually a main landmark of the town of Kamianiec in Belarus. It is constructed in 1271-1289 by architect Oleksa, on the northern border of Principality of Volhynia. The Tower has constructed with red brick through the ages, gets never white. The Tower is main landmark of the area, and standing atop gives a majestic view of Liasnaja River. However, it was erected in 1270’s, but foundation date is referring 1276. These days, the tower is national historic site of Belarus, and converted into regional museum since 1960. As the time passes, there were similar towers being built in different areas but badly destroyed in course of wars. 

The tower is 98 feet high, and redbrick walls are approximately 8.2 feet thick with a pitched roof at the top. The tower of Kamyenyets was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on January 30, 2004, in the Cultural category. The tower was completely constructed with red brick give it really a unique look. Therefore, distinct the narrow loopholes on lower levels, the pointed big lancet windows and niches on the upper floor are an outstanding example of early Gothic architecture in Belarus. The opening windows were plastered and whitewashed; permit the entry into the apartments. The upper part of the tower was furnished with battlements and pattern of surface modeling of the brick work, with the addition of several nice ring dong tooth courses running below the battlements. Moreover, the brickwork features a peculiar Baltic bond and some bricks on the exterior were damaged or dismantled by the local peasants. 

The tower is so special for in tourism in Belarus, survived various wars and savagery. Unluckily, the tower has diminished the defensive values over the times, and several attempts made to dismantle him in order to get the red bricks. Nonetheless, people found out that it was unbearable: the bricks turned into rough stone, reluctant to dismantling. The five-tier round building was built for defensive purposes and so lacks architectural and decorative elements. In its place, it has thin portholes and four flat niches with semicircular ends. Moreover the top part of the tower, was an observation platform, is well surrounded by 14 rectangular merlons with apertures and a decorative strip runs around the top of the tower.