Sydney Opera House
Australia ·
Description
The Sydney Opera House is a sailboat that never set sail. Its white concrete shells, which took 16 years to build, have become Australia's icon and one of the 20th century's most recognizable architectural works. At sunset, the Harbour Bridge frames them as sun paints the sails pink and orange.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
The Sydney Opera House is a 20th-century architectural masterpiece. Jørn Utzon's revolutionary design solved unprecedented structural problems. It's one of the world's most iconic buildings.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being a 20th-century architectural masterpiece that solved unprecedented structural challenges.
It was inscribed in 2007 under criterion (i).
Danish architect Jørn Utzon; won the competition in 1957 but resigned before completion.
Yes, guided tours available; you can also attend performances.
16 years (1957-1973); cost 14 times the original budget.