20 Breathtaking Aerial Photos Of Legendary Landmarks As You’ve Never Seen Them Before

Human beings love symbolism. So when a place is home to a notable landmark, we tend to pin certain values to it. For instance, some equate the Statue of Liberty with the notion of freedom. The Eiffel Tower, meanwhile, is an emblem of Paris itself. But while you can instantly recognize these and other important structures around the world from the ground, you might just have a more tricky task from the air. You’ll still be impressed by these 20 landmarks with a bird’s-eye view, but you might need a second to recognize them.

20. Central Park, New York

Whether it’s Times Square, the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, New York is full of world-famous urban attractions. But when it comes to seeking out a bit of serenity within the metropolis, nothing beats Central Park. Having a splash of green in the city is welcome, and if you view the park from the sky you can really get a sense of its scale.

Central Park covers a whopping 843 acres, which is quite something when you consider just how many people pack into New York. But it wasn’t exactly an accident. Rather, designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux carefully devised Central Park. The area’s perfectly rectangular shape shows off their planning.

19. Buckingham Palace, London

You know the saying “fit for a king”? Well, it’s never fit better than it does when we talk about Buckingham Palace. For almost two centuries now, British kings and queens have called this rather ostentatious building home and enjoyed its gardens. Given its role, then, it’s no surprise that the estate caters to the loftiest of tastes.

As houses go, it’s probably fair to suggest that Buckingham Palace is on the larger side. According to the British Royal Family website, the place is equipped with 775 rooms. These include “19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.” Plenty of room for a prince or two!