10 Most Awesome Roofs Around The World That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of.

We often forget about our roofs until it rains and leaks but roofs can be a lot of fun! And I’m not just saying that because I work for a roofing company. Hear me out. Did you know? Throughout history, roofs have been used as symbols of wealth and social status. In many cultures, the type and quality of materials used for roofing, as well as the style and design of the roof itself, were considered indicators of the wealth and status of the building’s owner.

For example, in ancient Rome, the wealthiest citizens had houses with roofs made of marble or decorated with intricate designs and elaborate sculptures. Similarly, in medieval Europe, wealthy nobles often had elaborate roofs made of materials such as slate, copper, or lead, while peasants typically had simpler thatched roofs made of straw or reeds.

Even today, in many parts of the world, the size, design, and quality of a person’s roof can still be seen as a status symbol. For example, in some parts of Asia, the use of red tiles on a roof is considered a sign of prosperity and good fortune, while in Western countries, large and ornate roofs are often associated with luxury homes and high-end architecture.

If you haven’t left yet and are possibly sold on what I’m selling? Here are 10 of the Most Awesome Roofs Around the World That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of!!

10. Sigriya, Ancient Fortress Central Province, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, a small but beautiful tropical paradise Island Country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of India. Despite its relatively small size Sri Lanka offers stunning landscapes, golden sandy beaches, and a rich culture that is a blend of ancient traditions and modern influences. Speaking of its ancient history, Sigriya, an ancient fortress in Sri Lanka, lies in the Central Province.

Sigiriya also known as the Lion Rock, architecture that is situated on a massive rock plateau. At the top, which is considered the roof of the fortress, are the ruins of a palace, where visitors can visit a throne room, bathing pool as well as numerous frescoes that depict beautiful women. But its most famous feature is the massive stone lion that once guarded the entrance to the palace, but today only the paws remain.

 

9. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

It may be a stretch to say you probably haven’t heard of the Opera House in Sydney, Australia as it has been featured in many popular films and television programs. But I’m going to add it to the list anyway.
Completed in 1973 but began construction in 1959, The Opera House features a unique design, consisting of a series of white sail-like “shells” that form the roof of the building.

The shells are made of precast concrete panels and are covered with more than a million white ceramic tiles. The building also includes a glass-walled foyer, a concert hall, a theater, a studio, and several restaurants and bars!

Although hard for us here at Central Roofing to visualize, peeling oranges was the original inspiration for the “shells” at the Sydney Opera House. That’s right, according to the Architect Jorn Utzon, he got the idea of the distinctive “shells” while sitting at a restaurant and watching someone peel an Orange. Again, we don’t see peeling Oranges, when we look at the “shells” but the story is true.

Overall, the Sydney Opera House is an architectural masterpiece and an important cultural landmark in Australia and the world.

8. Royal Pavilion, Brighton, England, UK

Located about 54 miles (87 kilometers) South of London, Brighton is the location of the former royal residence of King George IV, The Royal Pavilion.
The Royal Pavilion is notable for its distinctive architecture, which combines elements of Indian and Chinese design known as the Indo-Saracenic style.

The exterior of the building features minarets, domes, and a central onion-shaped dome, which is adorned with gilded dragon sculptures and has a similar look to the Taj Mahal in India.
Although we think it’s impressive, famous author Jane Austen wasn’t impressed and thought it was a “strange-looking place…” when she visited the Royal Pavilion in 1815.

Regardless of what Jane Austen thought, the Royal Pavilion is a unique and fascinating landmark that offers a glimpse into the eclectic tastes and interests of one of England’s most colorful monarchs.

 

 

7. House Of Five Senses, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

The House of Five Senses is an interactive museum located in the town of Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands. The museum offers a range of exhibits and activities designed to engage visitors’ senses and provide a unique sensory experience.
For the purposes of this article, we’re only going to look at the spectacular main entrance.

Designed by Ton van de Ven and completed in 1996, The architecture is based on the Indonesian Rumah Gadang style.
The 52-meter-high (171 ft) wooden construction has the largest reed roof (48437 square feet/ 4500 square meters) in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Also, it kind of looks like Sauron’s Tower in Lord of the Rings.

Lastly, in case you’re wondering the five peaks of the roof symbolize the five senses.

 

6. The Thatch House, Charlevoix, Michigan, USA

The Thatch House was built in 1918 by Earl Young. Earl Young fresh out of quitting college after a year where he was studying architecture, built the Thatch house as his first home in 1918. He hated it! The design he felt was not his design but took influences from other architects. Originally the house didn’t have its distinct hobbit-home-style roof (Another Lord of the Rings reference, I swear I’m not a fan).

After the house was purchased and sold again after several years, finally in 2014, architect Mike Steitz purchased the house and re-designed the house to look like what it looks like today. It’s important to note that although Earl Young despised this he did always want a true thatched roof.

Want to check out the Thatch House In person? I have one even better want to stay at the Thatch House for a few days? You totally can. The house is available for rent on VRBO as of this writing.

 

5. Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan

Himeji Castle or also known as “White Heron Castle” due to its white exterior is a massive complex castle. It has 83 buildings, 3 moats, and many beautiful gardens.
Despite being heavily bombed in 1945 At the end of World War II, the castle is one of the finest surviving examples of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture.

This hilltop fortress is also the subject of many magic and ghost stories. For example, according to Japanese folklore, the roofing tiles at the edges of the roof are shaped like ogres. These menacing-looking creatures are said to repel evil spirits and protect the castle and its occupants from harm.

4. Blue Domed Rooftops Oia, Greece

The blue domes have become such a popular symbol of Greece that they are often featured in tourist brochures. The blue color of the domes is said to represent the sky and the sea which are both important elements of Greek culture and history.

The domes, however, are not just decorative they do serve a purpose the domes are made of a lightweight material such as plaster or ceramic tiles which helps keep the buildings cool in the hot Mediterranean climate. A form of “cool roofing” if you will.

 

3. Taj Mahal, Arga, India

Another bit of a stretch as the Taj Mahal is one of the most famous landmarks in India and is considered one of the greatest architectural masterpieces in the world.

With that being said, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. The dome is made up of white marble and is said that more than 1,000 elephants were used to transport the marble to the site.

Additionally, the Taj Mahal changes color depending on the time of day and the season. It appears pinkish in the morning, white in the afternoon, and golden in the moonlight. No words can truly describe the beauty of the Taj Mahal and it’s no wonder it is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.

 

 

2. Thean Hou Temple, Malaysia

Built-in 1987 the Thean Hou Temple is a Chinese temple dedicated to the goddess Tian Hou (also known as Mazu), who is revered as the protector of seafarers.
Interestingly enough the temple’s architecture features elements of Buddhism, Taoism,, and Confucianism.

The roof is one of its most striking features. The six-tiered roof is decorated with ridges and crests that resemble the scales of a dragon.

Dragons are an important symbol in Chinese culture, representing power, strength, and good luck.

Overall, the Thean Hou Temple is a beautiful and intricate work of art that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Malaysia and its Chinese community.

Honorable mentions

Here are some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut but should be mentioned nevertheless.

Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

We’re going back to Sri Lanka, this time to the north Matale District in the Central Province. This temple is made up of five different caves. The caves contain several statues of Buddha as well as delicate carvings and intricate murals.

The temple is over 2,000 years old and one of the historically significant sites in Sri Lanka. It is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting the beautiful island nation.

Terracotta rooftops, Dubrovnik Croatia.

If you’ve watched Game of Thrones then you’ve seen the terracotta rooftops of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The rooftops are one of the city’s most iconic features for centuries.

Despite the challenges posed by natural disasters, wars, and other threats over the centuries, the terracotta rooftops still stand as a symbol of Dubrovnik’s resilience, ingenuity, and enduring beauty.

 

#1 Wat Rong Khun Thailand Buddhist Temple

It was a hard choice but we’re finally down to number 1, the Wat Rong Khun Temple in Thailand.

Wat Rung Khun (also known as the White Temple) was designed and almost completely funded by architect Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997.

Interestingly enough, although considered a Buddhist temple, it is not affiliated with any particular Buddhist sect or organization and is instead intended to be a spiritual and cultural center open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. As Kositpipat put it, the goal was to create a “new heaven and earth”.

The entire exterior of the temple is white hence why it’s called the white temple, which includes intricate carvings and sculptures that adorn the walls and roof.

To enter the temple visitors must first cross a bridge over a pool of hands reaching up from the depths, which represents the cycle of rebirth and the importance of letting go of desires.

Over the years Wat Rong Khun has become a popular tourist destination in Thailand and it’s no wonder why, its beauty, spirituality, and surrealism are something to behold.