Sydney, Australia: Opera House

One of the most interesting things about the Sydney Opera House is that it seems to have a different shape every time you approach it from a different angle. The photo to the right was taken from the harbour, which is different than the one often shown from the sides. The outer shell was taken from portions of a sphere, and the effect is dynamic and unique. You don't have to be inside to realize that this is a very special place.

The idea for the facility dates all the way back to the 1940s, when a complex for the arts was first proposed. Finally, a contest for the design was held in the mid-1950s, and Danish architect Jorn Utzon was the winner. Construction was started in 1959, as it took two years just to plan how to build it. Problems came up along the way, and delays lengthened. But finally, the Opera Hall was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1973. The cost was $102 million - a little over the planned budget of $7 million. Utzon never did set foot in his own building, leaving the project in the 1960s. But he was around to be honored with the designation of the facility as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They usually don't do that for such young buildings. The two sides later patched up their difference. 

What should you know about the inside? There are six different halls in the complex, which means six different events can take place at the same time. In our case, "Rent" was performed just down the hall from a Rosie O'Donnell show. A guided tour also reveals several interesting angles to the structure of the building. Go around a corner, and a surprise awaits. 

Ten million people show up here each year, and 350,000 take the tour. They don't go away disappointed. The Opera House shows what man can do with enough time, imagination and money.