Places to avoid if you are claustrophobic, afraid of heights, or have a combination of both conditions. Likewise, places not to miss if you enjoy tight spaces and pointing saying “everyone looks like ants from up here!”
1. Delft Cathedral, Netherlands
Save up your energy because there’s only one way to reach the top of this tower: the stairs. Various levels deceive you into thinking the top is finally close at hand, but it is just a break before the staircase narrows and transforms from concrete to wooden planks with a thin splinter-inducing banister whirling you higher and higher. Listen closely for voices coming down before you embark upon the next level, these stairs are one way only. Along the way there are small several small openings onto the gothic-like stone balconies which offer a spectacular view of the treacherous drop into the market space. Very useful for taking a short break, taking some deep breathes, and talking yourself into trying for the top.
2. Tower of Columbus, Barcelona, Spain
Columbus was actually Italian, not Spanish as we are often led to believe. Regardless Barcelona hosts a commemorative structure towering over the harbor encircled by massive black lions reminiscent of Narnia’s Aslan, usually being straddled for a quick photo. For 2 euros a shaky elevator will take you to the top of this sculpture covered obelisk, revealing a 360 degree tour of the city, but the same effect (or better) can be achieved by hiking on solid ground to the top of Parc Guell on a sunny day – for free.
3. Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower, Canada
If news reports over the last thirty years haven’t convinced you of the structure’s reliability, I’m certain a ride to the top of the sixth tallest structure in Montreal will unsettle your stomach. Referred by locals as an expensive eyesore, the Olympic Tower tram that will transport you to the top for a lack luster view of the industrial part of the city. There’s a reason this Big O is referred to as the Big Uh Oh.
4. Toronto CN Tower, Canada
Another Canadian stop along this journey of structures too tall for themselves. It would be nice to take advantage of the complete view of sprawling Toronto, if only humans could battle of the gale force winds along the southern side. Being indoors is nice enough, but the glass floor is more of a scuffed view of the parking lot, and while I was there it was occupied by an East Indian family in full sari lying across it for an endless amount of snap shots. It’s just about 30$ with taxes to get to the top of the World’s Tallest building, and while I heard it was the best, it was merely taller than the rest.
5. St-Mark’s Tower, Venice, Italy
Ok, I can’t pick on Venice’s highest view, it was reasonably priced at 6 euros and on a beautiful clear day you can distinguish all the islands of Venice. It’s also nice to escape the loud construction along the harbor and the crowds of people. The line-up to the elevator can seem rather long, but it moves quickly and this view is well worth the wait.
Ultimately, whether a view from a claimed city’s tallest structure is worth it can come down to the cost, especially in places where the same can be achieved by walking up the same city’s most famous hill. Surely there are more dizzyingly heights from which tourists are invited to peer down from, constructions trying to reach the heavens seem to plague most cities trying make their mark on the architectural world, spotting the cityscapes sometimes at the expense of low-lying architectural marvels.
Photo of Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower originally posted by abdallahh
Topic: Top five Monday |
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Tags: Barcelona, Netherlands, Venice
About the author
A recent graduate of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology and Anthropology, Aliki has spent the last two years living in Holland and travelling around Europe, on a tight budget.
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