10 incredible structures that you need to see with your own eyes (21 photos)

From an ice castle in Finland to bridges made of living roots in India, these man-made creations are mind-blowing.





These man-made masterpieces aren't just beautiful or unusual. The architectural structures also make you wonder how such a thing could have been built.

1. Hotel Montaña Mágica, Chile



This hotel is a waterfall, volcano, tree house and art object all rolled into one. Built from local wood and stone, it seems to grow out of the rock, with water trickling down its façade, hidden under dense undergrowth. Accessible only by a suspension bridge, guests are rewarded with giant tree trunk pools overlooking the Huilo Huilo Nature Reserve.





2. Sea Ranch Chapel, California



Built in 1985, this mahogany and copper chapel resembles a clam shell or a conquistador's helmet. The ocean inspired undulating forms and the interior is a fairytale-like retreat. The chapel was donated to the city in memory of local artist and pilot Kirk Ditzler, and has become a quiet, non-denominational haven for all.



3. Baldwin Street Houses, New Zealand



Baldwin Street in Dunedin is one of the steepest streets in the world. The houses here seem to slide down, their foundations literally dancing at an angle to the road. Locals even hold annual races up the slope, and even organize races of chocolate candies that roll down like balls.



4. Waseda Eldorado, Japan



This psychedelic house in Tokyo's Waseda district was a real architectural breakthrough. Built in 1983, it looks like it was created by Gaudi in a fit of madness: stained glass, abstract frescoes, gothic motifs. Inside, there is a whole world where reality mixes with fantasy.



5. The Big Pineapple, South Africa



The 17-meter pineapple made of metal and fiberglass was turned into a tribute to the main agricultural product of the region. Inside there is a museum dedicated, naturally, to pineapples, and also a shop with pineapple jam, wine and other goodies.



6. Kemi Snow Castle, Finland



Every winter in Lapland they build a huge castle of snow and ice with a hotel, a chapel and a gallery. And in the spring it melts, only to appear again a year later. Guests can stay overnight in ice rooms or even get married in a glittering ice hall.



7. The Living Bridges of Cherrapunjee, India



In one of the rainiest places on Earth, local tribes have been growing bridges from the roots of rubber trees for centuries. These natural structures reach 50 meters in length and can withstand even monsoon rains.



8. Gnome Walk, Belgium



This hotel has embodied all the brightest childhood fantasies. There is a Moon room, a troll cave and even a two-story Trojan horse with a drawbridge. The horse's head moves with the help of levers, creating the feeling that you are inside a giant toy.



9. Salderini House, Italy



A whale house, a dinosaur house, and more. This 1962 villa has been called by many different names. Its undulating concrete and mesh walls are the world's first example of bioarchitecture, where the form is completely subordinated to natural lines.



10. Camera Obscura, Canada



In the small town of Chevery there is a strange brick booth. It is a giant camera obscura. When you enter, you will see an inverted image of the rocks on the opposite bank, projected onto the floor through a tiny hole. In this inconspicuous booth, real magic reigns, without Photoshop.