Sometimes, we just want to see excruciatingly bad things. They make us smile and have us wonder why. Eyesores are one of these things. Throughout the world, many sights are far from beautiful. This article, in the interest of broadening our travel plans, will consider some of the world’s worst sights. We may not agree, and there is only one way to be certain, and that is to visit them for ourselves.
Ugliest Building: Lincoln Plaza, London, England
In 2016, Lincoln Plaza was awarded the Carbuncle Cup. It was considered an ugly building because of its architecture that juts out and its awful-looking cladding. It just shows, though, as you should not judge a book by its cover, you should also not judge the inside of a building by its outside. The 31-storey building houses luxury apartments, a private movie theatre, a health club, and a 4-storey winter garden.
Ugliest Bridge: Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
The Ponte Vecchio is considered by many as the world’s ugliest pedestrian bridge. It was spared destruction during World War II and survived the flood of 1966. So, it is just meant to survive for us all to marvel at its ugliness. To define the bridge, it is a stone three-arch design that is only for pedestrians to cross. It spans the Arno River in Florence, Italy. There has been a bridge at this location since Roman times, according to documentation dating to 996AD. Bridges in this location were destroyed in 1117AD and 1333AD, with the current bridge dating to 1345AD. So, it is too old to consider replacing, unless another flood should make it necessary. To see how ugly it is, why not visit it for yourself. You can juxtapose your beauty against its ugliness. Now, that would make a good photo.
Ugliest Mountain: Stetind, Norway
The Stetind or Stetinden (Norwegian) is a mountain located in the municipality of Narvik. This is in Nordland county, Norway. The mountain is described as a granite giant and being of an obelisk shape. Its peak represents an important coastal landmark historically. William Cecil Slingsy is said to have characterized Stetind as the “ugliest mountain he ever saw”. This may have something to do with the fact that in 1904 he failed to reach its summit. In terms of its shape, the mountain has been compared to an anvil (ste). In 1910, its summit was reached by Carl Wilhelm Rubenson, Ferdinand Schjelderup, and Alf Bonnevie Bryn. So, this is possible to achieve.
Ugliest Statue: A Conversation with Oscar Wilde, London
Considering how beautifully constructed the language was in Oscar Wilde’s plays, the statue entitled “A Conversation with Oscar Wilde” would seem to lack anything that you could associate with beauty. The sculpture by Maggi Hambling is located in central London and depicts the playwright. It was unveiled in 1998 and has in its way graced the London street along which it is found ever since. In form, it is a bench-like sarcophagus made from green granite and depicts a bust of Oscar Wilde emerging from its upper end holding a cigarette in one hand. Perhaps whether you like it depends on whether you smoke or not.
So, four things that seem ugly aesthetically but no doubt will represent beauty for many. Not just because of their history but because of their associations. Also, in the case of a building, what might seem ugly on the outside can be housing the most luxurious interiors and a host of facilities to enjoy. So, this is something to think about when you are visiting the different locations. The widely thought of eyesores might also provide a topic of conversation back home when you return with your photographs of them.