Building houses on level surfaces has been the norm since the beginning of time. But just like everything humans create, there’s always a longing to be creative and make it unique. This hunger for creativity is what has made some structures around the world to be built in some of the most bizarre ways one can ever think of. At first glance, they may seem like they are about to collapse, but many of these structures have been standing for several decades. Without further ado, here are some houses around the world that will make the beholders scratch their heads in shock.
10 Drina River House, Serbia
While other houses are built on land, the Drina River House was built in the middle of a river on top of a rock where it faces a threat at all times from the constantly flowing water. This wooden cabin was built by a group of swimmers who sought to hide from the fury of the sun and enjoy an adventurous summer in the middle of the scenic Drina river. The house was first built in 1968, but such a precariously positioned house was doomed to face a lot of challenges. With the constant rising of the river level, the structure stood no chance as it was soon washed away. Over the years, since its first erection in the middle of a river, this house has been washed away up to seven times and rebuilt every single time. The current house was built in 2011, and it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
9 The Hanging Temple, Hengshan, China
Different religions around the world have been known for building structures in strange places. But unlike other religious buildings, the Hanging Temple in Dashu is built uniquely and perilously as many of its parts sit precariously on the cliffs of Mount Hengshan. Besides being one of the world’s precariously positioned structures, the Hanging Temple is the only temple dedicated to three religions which are - Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
8 Cedar Creek Treehouse, Washington
In the forest of Ashford, Washington, lies a precariously positioned treehouse that offers visitors the opportunity to lodge 50 feet from the ground. At such a height, this treehouse presents an unparalleled view of the surrounding lush forests and nearby mountains, and visitors here will enjoy not only the views but also comfortable beds and a spacious sitting area.
7 Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi
Italy is not the only place with a leaning tower. There’s also one in the Middle East, which is just as stunning. Located in the capital of the UAE is the impressive Capital Gate, which is most commonly referred to as the leaning tower of the Middle East. The 35-story building stands at a height of over 160 m and features 35 floors, but none of that satisfyingly describes its uniqueness. The building’s uniqueness lies in its 18-degree lean that makes it seem like a collapsing structure even though it has been standing since its construction in 2011.
6 Meteora Monasteries, Greece
Meteora is one of the popular tourist destinations in Greece. While its rocky landscape is one of its unique features, the precariously placed monasteries are the region's unique attributes. The monasteries belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, and most of them were constructed precariously on gigantic rocks that rise to 500 meters above the ground. Visitors who visit these monasteries will be stunned by the incredible scenery of the landscape surrounding these amazing structures.
5 Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
Many Kingdoms of old were known for building castles on mountain tops, and many of these impressive buildings still stand today. Lichtenstein Castle is one of them. Besides rising to an elevation of 817 m, this castle sits precariously at the edge of the Swabian Alps and overlooks a beautiful lush valley. Its precariously positioned nature combined with the impressive gothic-style architecture makes this castle look more like a structure in a fairytale.
4 The Pole House, Australia
The Pole House is a unique architectural marvel situated on a beachfront in the Great Ocean Road of Australia. This impressive structure rises to a height of 40 above Fairhaven Beach, and while it presents amazing views of the ocean and the sandy shoreline, the strange positioning of the house on a pole might have guests struggling to keep their eyes closed when in the house.
3 Puerta De Europa, Spain
Also known as the Gate Of Europe towers, the Puerta De Europa are twin towers located in Madrid that feature unique architectures. The towers rise to a height of 115 meters and lean 15 degrees toward each other. This unique structure has earned the tower the title of one of the tallest inclined towers in the world. The fact that they were built in 1996 also makes them the first inclined skyscrapers in the world.
2 Robert Bruno’s Steel House, Texas
There is no limit to the imagination of humans. Perhaps the strangest house one can lay eyes on is Robert Bruno’s Steel house. At first glance, it looks more like a giant crab, but this is actually a house built in more than two decades by a passionate sculptor named Robert Bruno. While the unique architecture is one thing that interests lovers of architecture, the gravity-defying nature of the building is what makes it so unique.
1 Hanging Houses Of Cuenca, Spain
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca are precariously positioned structures located near the area. The houses may look dangerous, but it is clear that these houses were simply the result of the maximization of limited space. What makes the houses even scarier is that many of them feature up to two or more stories, while some even rise as high as eight stories. History has it that these types of houses were common in the 15th century, but only a few can still be seen today.