Gold is not only a symbol of luxury in the form of jewelry or investment, but has also been used for thousands of years as a stunning architectural element. Around the world, many buildings are covered in gold to represent glory, power and spirituality.
Not only do they steal the show because of their luster, gold-covered buildings also show the sophistication of construction techniques in their day. If you are curious about how gold can be part of the world’s architectural masterpieces, here are seven buildings covered in gold.
1. Golden Temple, India
The Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar is a spiritual center for Sikhs. As the name implies, the temple is literally a building covered in gold, especially on the top of the building and its stunning dome.
The layer of gold used is estimated to be over 750 kg. In addition, the building sits in the center of a sacred pond that reflects the temple’s shadow, creating a very calming and beautiful sight.
2. Kinkaku-ji, Japan
This temple located in Kyoto is also known as the Golden Pavilion. Kinkaku-ji is one of the most famous gilded buildings in the world. The temple has an official name of Rokuonji which was actually the resting place for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. In 1408 the building was converted into a Zen temple.
The upper two floors of the building are completely covered in gold leaf that reflects the sunlight magnificently on the surface of the surrounding pond. Apart from being a place of worship, Kinkaku-ji is an attractive spiritual tourism destination. Its beauty is even more apparent in the fall when the orange leaves surround the golden light.
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3. Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda or Shwedagon Paya is one of Myanmar’s most sacred and gold-plated buildings. The main pagoda tower is covered in gold, while the top is decorated with thousands of diamonds.
The centerpiece of the pagoda is a golden stupa that towers over the Yangon skyline at 99 meters high. It is estimated that more than 60 tons of gold were used to wrap this pagoda. While the top has about 5,000 diamonds.
4. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei Darussalam
The next gold-covered building is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is one of the symbols of the splendor of this oil-rich country. The mosque is widely known for its main dome that is covered in pure gold, creating an incredible sparkle when exposed to sunlight.
It’s not just the dome that steals the show, the interior of the mosque also exudes luxury with the use of the finest Italian marble, stained glass and crystal. Although open to tourists, the mosque still functions actively as a place of worship. No wonder it’s often included in lists of the most beautiful and influential gilded buildings in Southeast Asia.
5. Compañía de Jesús Church, Quito – Ecuador
Located in the heart of the old city of Quito, Ecuador, the Compañía de Jesús Church is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Latin America. The building is particularly famous for its interior, which is almost entirely covered in gold leaf from the ceiling, walls, to the carved details of the altar.
When visitors step inside, the first impression that arises is the warmth of the gold color that dominates the entire space.
Did you know that this luxurious building was inspired by two Roman Jesuit churches, namely Chiesa del Gesu and Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. The construction of this church took more than 160 years. Its beauty makes the Compañía de Jesús one of the most impressive gilded buildings in the southern hemisphere.
6. Katarina Palace, St. Petersburg – Russia
The next fairytale-like gilded building is located in Russia. Katarina Palace, located in Pushkin, near St. Petersburg, is known for its magnificent exterior and ornate interior, including the iconic Amber Room.
One of the main attractions of the palace is the use of gold in many decorative pieces, including wall carvings, furniture, and ceilings. It is known that the use of gold in this building is about 100 kilograms of pure gold. To this day, the palace still attracts thousands of tourists every year who want to witness the sheen of history firsthand.
The beauty and splendor of gold-plated buildings in various parts of the world prove that gold is not just an ordinary precious metal. Since thousands of years ago, gold has become a symbol of power, luxury, and spirituality that is passed down across generations.
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