In reality, most of us probably don’t go around appreciating architecture the way that we should. Their work can be interesting and innovative, of course, but we should be most thankful that it’s sound and you know, doesn’t regularly collapse and kill us.

But these 16 architects have gone above and beyond, not only giving us safe and pretty buildings, but creating designs that truly are stunning, too.

16. How delightfully creepy.

This should be the setting for every scary movie ever.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/mlxzda/sumela_monastery_a_greek_orthodox_monastery/

15. This looks absolutely magical.

Those are actual trees, y’all!

This vertical garden located in Madrid, Spain
byu/tanmaypendse63 inArchitecturePorn

14. I would visit every day.

Imagine the stories we could write at those tables!

This cafe in Czech Republic
byu/MetallicMowl inArchitecturePorn

13. It blows your mind, right?

How were they able to do this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/nqyqyd/gloucester_cathedral/

12. Those colors are stunning.

They compliment the design so well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/npps0h/entrance_gate_of_the_st_petersburg_mosque_russia/

11. It’s like a big hug from nature.

I approve this message.

Apartment building in Turin holds 150 trees
byu/karmagheden inArchitecturePorn

10. It took six hundred years.

It honestly looks as if it might have taken longer.

Cologne Cathedral. Masterpiece of gothic architecture. Years build : 1248 – 1880
byu/Embarrassed_Ad_2165 inArchitecturePorn

9. Absolutely unreal.

It takes your breath away.

8. Beautiful colors.

It just makes you happy, right?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/nhyyes/arnavutk%C3%B6y_a_neighborhood_away_from_istanbuls/

7. I definitely want to visit.

I do not want to live here, though.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/pa8f4k/eltz_castle_is_located_in_wierschem_germany_and/

6. I feel like Scotland always has fog.

They must design around it.

Writer's Museum, Edinburgh, in the fog
byu/granta50 inArchitecturePorn

5. This must have been really hard to do.

You wouldn’t know if you got it right until you nabbed a drone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/meavlq/fort_bourtange_netherlands/

4. I want to meet this person.

So s/he can design my entire life.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/nunyz5/buildings_by_freddy_mamani_in_el_alto_bolivia/

3. The lighting in this shot makes it look even more gorgeous.

I didn’t think that was even really possible.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchitecturePorn/comments/ocwnpk/mont_saint_michel_in_france/

2. The red and the the brown/black.

Feels very classically Russian, no?

Ryazan, Russia (photo credit : Vadim Sherbakov)
byu/Ideal_Jerk inArchitecturePorn

1. I cannot even imagine how this was managed.

I would have lost my mind.

The 17th century Shah Jahan Mosque in Pakistan, notable for its geometric brick work
byu/Fuckoff555 inArchitecturePorn

I’m going to need to look around a little more carefully, I think. I might be missing something super cool!

What’s your favorite building in your hometown? Tell us what it is in the comments so we can Google!