Set against dramatic coastal backdrops, lighthouses cast a guiding light to steer ships through treacherous waters. They also hearken back to the romance of the past — reminding us of a time when sailing ships were used for travel, trade, and even battle. Perhaps that’s why many are so fascinated by lighthouses. Whether it’s the legends that surround them, their picturesque locales, or their innovative architecture, the following seven lighthouses around the world prove especially unique.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse – Argentina

Nicknamed the “Lighthouse at the End of the World,” Les Eclaireurs is located at the southern tip of Argentina in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Located on an island five nautical miles off the mainland, near the town of Ushuaia, it guides ships in the Beagle Channel, one of the three navigable passages in South America that connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Since it opened in 1920, the lighthouse has operated without interruption, helping ships pass through the windswept channel with its beacon range of 7.5 nautical miles. Although the interior of the lighthouse is closed to the public, boat tours from Ushuaia provide ample photo opportunities of the exterior of the South American landmark.

Whitford Point Lighthouse – Wales

Dating back to 1865, Whitford Point Lighthouse features a unique sturdy design consisting of seven layers of cast-iron plates bolted together — which was necessary to help it survive nearly two centuries on the wind-battered coast of the Gower Peninsula in southern Wales. During the mid-19th century, the lighthouse keepers were stranded at the lighthouse during high tide, and could only access land when the tide was out. Today, Whitford Point remains inaccessible to visitors when the water is high, although they may walk to it after the tide recedes.

Tourlitis Lighthouse – Greece

Rising from the Aegean Sea on a magnificent spire, Tourlitis Lighthouse has stood in the Cyclades archipelago of Greece for over a century. It began operating on January 1, 1897, guiding ships with a light that remained visible for 11 nautical miles. For decades, the lighthouse played an important role in Greek shipping and contributed to the region’s prosperity. But it was sadly damaged during World War II, and the lighthouse was inoperational for 60 years. When the lighthouse was restored in 1994, it became the first automated lighthouse in Greece.

Kjeungskjær Lighthouse – Norway

Perched on a small skerry, Norway’s Kjeungskjær Lighthouse guides vessels through a busy shipping channel, where Norway’s third-longest fjord meets the North Sea. Dating back to 1880, the lighthouse was constructed of stone and cast iron to protect it from unpredictable weather and consistently rough seas. Before the lighthouse became automated in the late 1980s, the lighthouse keeper resided full-time within its octagonal walls. A private school teacher also often lived in the lighthouse to provide lessons for the lighthouse keeper’s children. Today, Kjeungskjær is open to visitors, and the keeper’s former apartment is even available to rent for overnight stays.

Portland Head Light – Maine

Commissioned by President George Washington, the Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest and perhaps most iconic lighthouse. Situated on the rocky shores of Cape Elizabeth, the lighthouse ushers boats entering and departing Portland’s Casco Bay — and has done so since 1791. The lighthouse is set within the 90-acre Fort Williams, which features fort ruins, seaside walking trails, and an expansive wildflower garden. The lighthouse’s tower is open to visitors annually on September 14, Maine Open Lighthouse Day, but take caution — it is purportedly haunted by former lighthouse keepers.

Earhart Light – Howland Island, United States

Part lighthouse, part memorial, Earhart Light is named for legendary female aviator Amelia Earhart. Located on Howland Island — a remote, unincorporated U.S. territory in the central Pacific — Earhart Light is technically not a lighthouse, since it has no nightly illumination. Still, the daytime beacon can be seen several miles into the surrounding sea. Howland Island was meant to be a fuel stop on Earhart’s infamous voyage around the world, though she sadly never arrived on its shores. It remains the site of the aviator’s last received radio transmission, with some historians asserting she may have crashed into the sea nearby.

Tower of Hercules Lighthouse – Spain

Considered the world’s oldest lighthouse, this ancient structure dates back thousands of years, but its exact origins remain unknown. Historians agree, however, that the Romans rebuilt the Tower of Hercules sometime around the first or second centuries CE to help guide ships to and from port in what is now northwestern Spain. Despite its practical use, the ancient tower is surrounded by myth and legend. One such legend regales the tower’s eponymous hero, Hercules, arriving by ship to bury the head of a giant slain in battle. Others link the tower to the legend of Breogan, a Celtic chieftain who could spot his homeland of Ireland from the tower’s summit. To see if the legend rings true, the lighthouse remains open to visitors, who may wish to climb the 230 steps to the top for a stunning view over the Atlantic coast.

Civic structures are called on to be more than office space, where the day-to-day business of governing gets done. They are often designed to be statements of a nation’s wealth, pride, and heritage. While some are stern and understated, many important government buildings are intentionally overwhelming in both architecture and opulence. Here are six temples to public governance to explore on your travels.

Tashichho Dzong – Thimphu, Bhutan

In the high Himalayas on the west bank of the Wang Chu River stands a mighty fortress, one of the largest buildings in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The fortress (or dzong) was built starting in 1216 and passed through several Buddhist sects before becoming the seat of Bhutan’s government in 1962. Today, the often-rebuilt fortress and monastery looks out over the valley’s serene terraces, and is home to Buddhist monks and government ministers. The gleaming white perimeter of the dzong is guarded by four three-story towers, their roofs sparkling with red and gold.

After passing through a security check, visitors are free to roam around the northern part of the complex. Wander the vast flagstone courtyard, where ceremonies are held and prayer wheels rotate peacefully in the wind, then climb the steep wooden stairway to the top of the utse, or central tower, for views of the expansive fortress.

Reichstag – Berlin, Germany

One of the most historically significant structures in a city that is teeming with elegant and important buildings, Berlin’s Reichstag is the seat of power for the Bundestag, the only federal representatives directly elected by the German people. Built over 10 years and completed in 1894, it sits along the River Spree and served both the German Empire and the Weimar Republic. One month after Adolf Hitler was appointed as chancellor in 1933, the building was torched, allowing the Nazis to consolidate power and persecute their political opponents.

Fortunately, the building survived fire, bombing, and even being wrapped in fabric as an art installation. Remodeling and modernization was completed in the late 20th century, and the Reichstag reopened in 1999. The work included the construction of an enormous glass dome, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding city. Visitors today may tour the dome and the rooftop garden. Admission is free but must be reserved in advance.

Palacio Nacional – Mexico City, Mexico

The Aztec ruled their vast empire from the city of Tenochtitlán, and Spanish conquistadors decided to do the same, building Mexico City’s enormous Zócalo — the largest city square in Latin America — partly atop the ruins of Montezuma’s grand palace. Mexico’s seat of government occupies the entire east side of the square, sprawling almost 500,000 square feet. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palacio Nacional also serves as the Mexican president’s official residence. 

Construction on the building began in 1522, only for most of the structure to be destroyed by fire in 1692. Today, it combines Neoclassical, Baroque and Neo-Colonial architectural elements. The legendary Mexican artist Diego Rivera painted allegorical murals onto the frescoes of the grand stairwell. Titled The History of Mexico, they document the nation’s past from Mesoamerican times through the conquest to 1930. A 1935 fresco titled Mexico Today and Tomorrow also illustrates the political turmoil affecting the country. Admission is free, but you will need a visitor tag and a guide is recommended.

Casa Rosada – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Unapologetically pink, Argentina’s Casa Rosada (“Pink House” in Spanish) is familiar to theater lovers who may have never even set foot in South America. That’s thanks to the 1996 film Evita, based on the musical by composers Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice about the legendary life of Argentinian First Lady Eva Perón. In the film, Madonna (who portrays Perón) belts out the famous song “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” from the balcony of the palatial pink mansion, while impassioned supporters crowd the Plaza de Mayo below.

Completed on the site of a Spanish colonial fort in 1898, Casa Rosada and its interesting historical museum are free and open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays and on public holidays. Guided tours are available in English and Spanish; just note that you will need to present a passport.

Union Buildings – Pretoria, South Africa

Situated on the highest point in Pretoria, the historic Union Buildings — originally called the Government Administration Building — are widely considered to be the pinnacle of South African architecture. Architect Howard Baker envisioned the sandstone structure — completed in 1913 — as a modern-day Acropolis, adding Greek flourishes such as an amphitheater with seating for 9,000 people and elaborate gardens. 

The site’s two wings branching off from a curved central building was intended to reflect the unity between the English-speaking and Afrikaans-speaking peoples of South Africa. Interestingly, the country has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. In 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated here as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Parliament House – Canberra Australia

One of the largest buildings in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the heaviest structures on the planet, Australia’s current Parliament House was the most expensive building in the world when construction began in 1981. Approximately 90% of the materials were sourced from Australia. In the forecourt fronting the Great Verandah, an enormous mosaic was designed by Aboriginal artist Michael Nelson Jagamara. Forty-eight columns crown the Marble Foyer, while the Great Hall showcases an enormous tapestry. Construction was completed as planned on Australia Day (January 26) in 1988. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Parliament House on May 8, 1988.

They say you can’t fight city hall, but whether or not that is true, you can at least visit it. Showcasing history, leadership, and architectural design, these municipal buildings embody the spirits of the cities they serve. Best of all, they’re completely open and free for the public to tour. To witness local government in action, check out our picks for eight of the coolest city halls to visit in the U.S.

Buffalo City Hall – New York

Regarded as an Art Deco masterpiece, Buffalo City Hall was completed in 1931 to the tune of $6.9 million (the equivalent of over $100 million today). As one of the most expensive city halls of its time, the 32-story limestone structure has long been a fixture of the Buffalo skyline. The building’s main entrance features a frieze that depicts Buffalo’s history, while the lobby is home to a painted fresco representing peace between the U.S. and Canada. Don’t miss the observation deck on the 25th floor, which provides expansive views of the city below.

Dallas City Hall – Texas

The impetus behind the current iteration of Dallas City Hall was a tragic one. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963, the city was pressed to revitalize its image. With the help of world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, the city unveiled the building in 1977. The result — a converted concrete pyramid in the Brutalist style — was somewhat controversial, but the building’s unique design wasn’t without purpose. With dramatic angles that provide much-needed shade under the hot Texas sun, the building’s austere exterior is lightened by the playful, abstract sculptures in the outdoor reflective pool.

San Francisco City Hall – California

San Francisco’s City Hall was built in 1912 after the infamous 1906 earthquake destroyed the city’s former municipal building. For the new version, San Francisco held a design contest and chose a winning proposal submitted by architect Arthur Brown Jr., who had studied in Paris. As a result, the design was heavily influenced by the French Renaissance, featuring a gilded dome inspired by the Dôme des Invalides in Paris and an expansive portico with Doric columns. Today, the building is considered an architectural masterpiece and a historic city landmark, open to free docent tours every Friday.

New York City Hall – New York

Constructed during the early 19th century, New York City Hall is the oldest in the country still used for government functions. Although plans for the municipal building date back to 1776, the Revolutionary War and its aftermath stalled the project for 27 years. After nine years of construction, the building officially opened as the seat of the city’s government in 1812, reflecting an amalgamation of French Renaissance and American-Georgian architectural styles. Famous for its grand marble staircase, the building’s massive rotunda was notably where Abraham Lincoln was laid in state for public viewing after his assassination in 1865.

San Jose City Hall – California

One of the more recent city halls on this list, San Jose City Hall was completed in 2005 at a cost of $343 million, making it the most expensive city hall in the country. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the building’s high price tag led to public outcry, while also being reflective of the immense wealth in Silicon Valley. Spanning seven city blocks, the building’s main feature is its glass-domed entry, a modern take on the traditional rotundas typically found on historic buildings. The 10-story rotunda is illuminated nightly with various colored lights and hosts public and private events for the city.

Milwaukee City Hall – Wisconsin

It took $1 million and 8 million bricks to complete Milwaukee City Hall in 1895, resulting in one of the city’s most renowned architectural landmarks. Constructed in the Flemish Renaissance style — an architectural trend from the turn of the century — the building’s design features include elaborate gables, arched dormers, and a steep roofline. Climbing to 300 feet, the building had a brief tenure as the tallest in the country. Although that’s no longer the case, its current claim to fame remains the massive clock tower. The tower’s 22,500-pound bell was made from melted copper and tin reclaimed from firehouses and churches around the city.

Los Angeles City Hall – California

Completed in 1928 during the Art Deco architectural craze that swept the nation, Los Angeles City Hall was the city’s tallest structure at the time it was built. Although it was surpassed in height by Union Bank Plaza in 1969, it’s still considered a historic city landmark, emblazoned on postcards, official documents, and city seals. Rising 32 stories, the building is best known for its open-air observatory on the 27th floor — free to the public — in addition to its high ceilings and dramatic chandeliers. One floor down from the observatory is an art gallery featuring the work of local artists, many of whom partake in the city’s community art programs.

Austin City Hall – Texas

Before Austin City Hall was completed in 2004, the city council had no official home, choosing instead to convene in a rental property within city limits. Realizing an official city hall was necessary, Austin built this modern, airy, and thoughtfully designed building. Notable features include the “armadillo tail,” an exterior 49-foot copper spike recognizable on the city skyline, and the “protest window,” which gives lawmakers a direct view of demonstrators outside the building. The limestone walls and terraced design are meant to emulate the Texan terrain, and the building’s minimal energy use has earned it LEED gold status certification.