When it comes to unique architecture, there are homes that defy all expectations. Some of the worst and strangest homes in the world stand as curious monuments to bizarre design choices and questionable taste. From structures that resemble oversized fruits to homes teetering on cliffsides with little regard for safety, these unconventional dwellings often leave people scratching their heads. In some cases, it’s not just the odd appearance but the impracticality of the homes that make them infamous. Whether it’s an apartment building designed to resemble a robot or a home built entirely upside down, these strange and unusual abodes continue to bewilder and fascinate, challenging our ideas of what a house should be.
Meteora Monasteries, Greece
One of the largest and tallest Eastern Orthodox monastery complexes in the world can be found in the Meteora in central Greece. As a defense mechanism against invasion, the original 24 monasteries were constructed atop the natural pillars at the end of the 14th century. There are now fewer than ten people living in each of the six that still exist. How, then, do the residents enter and exit the area? It used to be reachable only by means of a rope; however, modern-day rock formations have been modified to include stairs.
Meteora Monasteries, Greece
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
You’ve probably noticed by now that monks oftentimes live on the edge, both figuratively and literally. Those who have lived at Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Monastery have found this to be the case. The monastery, which is perched on a cliff at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet, is reached after a two-hour hike at the very least. If you’re ever in Bhutan and aren’t afraid of heights, you should visit this spot immediately because it’s rumored to be breathtaking.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan
Leaning Towers of Santos, Brazil
As it happens, leaning towers aren’t restricted to Italy. Unlike the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which serves primarily as a tourist attraction, the leaning towers of Santos, Brazil, are actually occupied by people who make their living in those buildings. These structures lean to one side because their foundations were hastily built into soft clay rather than dug deeper into the group, as would have been ideal under stricter building codes. While they may raise eyebrows, if there is ever an earthquake, these buildings could be disastrous.
Leaning Towers Of Santos, Brazil
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca, Spain
Although evidence of the Hanging Houses, also known as Las Casas Colgadas in Spanish, dates back to at least the 15th century, their etymology and historical development remain a mystery to historians. You have to admit that they blend in with the rock very well. There is now a restaurant and the Spanish Museum of Abstract Art located in the Hanging Houses. Probably not surprisingly, they are the most well-known structures in all of Cuenca.
The Hanging Houses Of Cuenca, Spain
