Monuments

Selimiye Mosque — Ottoman imperial mosque in Edirne Selimiye Mosque A major 16th-century Ottoman mosque in Edirne, designed by Mimar Sinan for Sultan Selim II, famed for its large central dome, four minarets and status as an architectural masterpie…

Sentinel (Spitfire sculpture, Birmingham) Sentinel (sculpture) Sentinel is a 16 m public sculpture by Tim Tolkien on Spitfire Island, Birmingham. It depicts three half‑scale Spitfires with vapor‑trail supports and commemorates the Castle Bromw…

Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque) — Isfahan's Safavid masterpiece Shah Mosque Overview of the Shah (Imam) Mosque in Isfahan: history, architectural features, decoration, conservation and its place within the Naghsh-i Jahan UNESCO ensemble.

Shalimar Gardens, Lahore: Mughal terraced garden and historic site Shalimar Gardens Lahore A concise encyclopedic overview of Lahore's Shalimar Gardens: design, history, features, and cultural importance as a leading example of Mughal garden architecture in Pakistan.

Shaolin Monastery (Shaolin Temple) — history, martial arts, and cultural role Shaolin Monastery Historic Buddhist monastery on Mount Song, Henan, China, known for its association with Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin martial arts; a major cultural and tourist landmark.

Shasta Dam Large concrete dam on the Sacramento River in northern California, completed in 1945. Forms Shasta Lake and supplies water storage, flood control, hydroelectricity, and recreation.

Shea Stadium (William A. Shea Municipal Stadium) Shea Stadium Shea Stadium was the New York Mets' home ballpark in Queens from 1964–2008. Located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, it hosted major baseball, notable playoff runs, the Yankees tem…

Shōsōin: the Nara treasure repository at Tōdai-ji Shōsōin Shōsōin is the historic treasure repository beside Tōdai-ji in Nara, preserving an outstanding collection of Nara-period artifacts and exemplifying traditional azekura log-cabinet…

Shrewsbury Castle: history, architecture and modern use Shrewsbury Castle Medieval red sandstone castle on a River Severn promontory in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Overview of its origins, architectural features, later uses as a civic and museum site, and it…

Shrine of the Book — building housing the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jerusalem Shrine of the Book A distinctive museum building at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem that preserves and exhibits the Dead Sea Scrolls and related artifacts, noted for its symbolic architecture and cons…

Shrines and Temples of Nikkō Historic complex in Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan, comprising 103 structures around two Shinto shrines and a Buddhist temple; noted for ornate architecture, cedar avenues and UNESCO World…

Shurijo (Shuri Castle): palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and cultural symbol Shurijo Shurijo, commonly called Shuri Castle, was the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Shuri (now part of Naha). It is noted for its gusuku architecture, wartime destruction, reconst…

Siegessäule (Victory Column) — Berlin's commemorative monument Siegessäule The Siegessäule is a 19th-century Prussian victory column in Berlin, noted for its gilded Victoria statue, sculptural reliefs, 1938 relocation, and role as an observation point and…

Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) — Santa Maria Assunta Siena Cathedral Romanesque–Gothic cathedral in Siena, Italy, noted for its black-and-white marble stripes, rich medieval art, mosaic pavement and an incomplete 14th-century expansion halted by the…

Singha Durbar (Lion's Palace), Kathmandu Singha Durbar Singha Durbar is a historic palace complex in Kathmandu, Nepal, built by Rana prime minister Chandra Shumsher and later converted into the principal government administrative compl…

Sistine Chapel — Vatican chapel famed for Michelangelo frescoes Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel is the Pope’s principal chapel in the Vatican, renowned for Renaissance frescoes—especially Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment—and for papal ceremonies inc…

Skara Cathedral Medieval cathedral in Skara, Sweden; seat of the Diocese of Skara with origins in the 11th century, noted for its Romanesque and Gothic fabric, medieval art and continuing role in…

Skytrail Bridge (Outlook, Saskatchewan) Skytrail Skytrail Bridge in Outlook, Saskatchewan, is a former railway span converted to a pedestrian walkway across the South Saskatchewan River. It is noted as the longest pedestrian brid…

Snowman A snowman is a human-like figure built from snow, commonly made as a winter pastime, seasonal decoration, or folk art; it has cultural variants, construction methods, and occasiona…

Solomon's Temple An encyclopedic overview of Solomon's Temple (the First Temple): its purpose, layout, historical tradition, religious role, destruction, and the archaeological and scholarly issues…

Somnath Temple — historic Shiva shrine and coastal pilgrimage site Somnath temple Somnath temple in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, is a principal Jyotirlinga shrine of Shiva, rebuilt in post‑Independence India in historic style. It is a major pilgrimage, cultural and t…

Sonarang Twin Temples (Sonarang, Bangladesh) Sonarang Twin Temples Two adjacent Hindu temples in Sonarang village, Bangladesh, set on a single raised masonry platform and bordered on three sides by a moat; notable for their paired plan, local terr…

Southwark Cathedral Medieval Anglican cathedral on the south bank of the Thames in London; seat of the Diocese of Southwark with over 1,000 years of worship and a mainly Gothic fabric dating from the…

Souvenir (memento or keepsake) Souvenir A souvenir is a tangible item kept or given to recall a person, place, or experience; often bought while traveling, it ranges from handmade crafts to mass-produced trinkets and car…

Space Needle (Seattle observation tower) Space Needle Iconic observation tower in Seattle built for the 1962 World's Fair, notable for its observation deck, rotating restaurant, engineering for wind and earthquake resistance, and cult…

Spandau Prison: history, administration, and legacy Spandau Prison Former prison in the Spandau borough of West Berlin (built 1876), used after WWII to hold convicted Nazi leaders; demolished in 1987 after the death of its last inmate to prevent a…

Sri Maha Bodhi — Sacred Fig of Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhi A sacred Ficus religiosa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, said to be a sapling from the Buddha's Bodhi tree; one of the oldest human-planted trees with a recorded planting date and an i…

SS Erinpura Memorial — Mount Herzl, Jerusalem SS Erinpura Memorial Memorial at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem commemorating 139 members of the British Army 462 Moving Unit from Mandate Palestine who died when the troopship SS Erinpura was attacked in th…

St Albans Cathedral (the Abbey) St Albans Cathedral Historic Anglican cathedral in St Albans, Hertfordshire — former Benedictine abbey, home to England's longest nave and the seat of the Bishop of St Albans since 1877.

St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury: Early Benedictine Monastery and World Heritage Ruins St Augustine's Abbey St Augustine's Abbey ruins in Canterbury, founded c.598 as a Benedictine monastery linked to Augustine's mission. Part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage ensemble highlighting e…

St Bartholomew's Church (Themar, Thuringia) St Bartholomew's Church, Themar Late Gothic parish church in Themar, Thuringia, noted for its late-medieval hall plan, rich furnishings, Romanesque remnants and post-Reformation alterations.

St Michael's Church (Michaelskirche), Bamberg St Michael's Church, Bamberg Romanesque hilltop church in Bamberg dating from the 12th century; former Benedictine monastery, now a viewpoint with an almshouse, museum and municipal art collections.

St Paul's Cathedral, London: history, architecture and significance St Paul's Cathedral Anglican cathedral in the City of London, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. Noted for its dome, state occasions, and long history from early medieval origins to…

St Thomas' Church, Strasbourg Historic Protestant church in Strasbourg notable for its five-aisled hall plan, Silbermann organ played by Mozart, medieval art and tomb monuments; a focal point of the city's reli…

St. Basil's Cathedral (Cathedral of the Intercession) St. Basil's Cathedral 16th-century Russian Orthodox cathedral on Moscow's Red Square, famed for its colorful onion domes, nine-chapel plan, association with Saint Basil, turbulent history, and status as…

St. John's Church (Jhelum) A 19th-century Anglican church in Jhelum cantonment, built in 1860 during the British Raj; now part of the Church of Pakistan and noted as a local colonial-era landmark.

St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral, Brussels St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral Gothic cathedral in central Brussels dedicated to Saints Michael and Gudula. Begun in 1226, completed in the late 15th century, it is the seat of the local bishop and a site for ma…

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna Principal Roman Catholic cathedral in central Vienna, noted for its Gothic architecture, patterned roof, tall south tower, historic bells (including the Pummerin) and central role…

Standing stone (menhir): forms, history, and cultural significance Standing stone An accessible overview of standing stones (menhirs): their forms, origins in prehistoric Europe, dating challenges, possible uses, and notable regional examples and related monumen…

Star of Nanchang (giant Ferris wheel) Star of Nanchang The Star of Nanchang is a 160 m (525 ft) observation wheel in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. Built as a city landmark, it offered panoramic views and held the title of world's…

Statue of Freedom — the allegorical figure crowning the U.S. Capitol Statue of Freedom Bronze allegorical figure by Thomas Crawford that crowns the United States Capitol dome. Installed during the Civil War, it represents freedom and national ideals and is preserved…

Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) Statue of Liberty Famed neoclassical monument on Liberty Island, gifted by France in 1886. Symbolizes freedom, welcomes immigrants, and features a copper figure, torch, tablet and broken chains.

Statue of Liberty National Monument A United States national monument preserving the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island; its history, components, public uses, and significance are explained.

Statue of Unity: memorial to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, India Statue of Unity Monument in Gujarat honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, opened in 2018. Covers design, construction, engineering features, visitor facilities, management and the cultural and politi…

Stećak (medieval monumental tombstones) Stećak Stećci are medieval monumental tombstones of the Western Balkans, notable for distinct forms, carved motifs and inscriptions that reflect social, religious and artistic life from r…

Stele: Upright Inscribed Slab Used for Memory and Record Stele A stele is an upright stone or wooden slab inscribed, carved or painted to mark graves, record laws or commemorate persons and events across many cultures.

Step pyramid A stepped, terraced pyramid form used by several ancient cultures for tombs, temples and ceremonies; best known from Egypt, Nubia (Sudan) and Mesoamerica.

Stirling Castle — Historic fortress in central Scotland Stirling Castle Prominent medieval royal fortress above the River Forth at Stirling, Scotland; key in Scottish history for defence, royal residence and national ceremonies, now a preserved heritag…