- The Middle east is home to many ancient architectural sites built by civilizations such as the Romans and the ancient Persians.
- However it is fast becoming home to some stunning modern buildings too.
- Here are 16 modern architectural wonders in the Middle East you've probably never heard of.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Middle East is home to the remnants of many architectural wonders from the ancient world.
Some of the most visited include Petra, the famous archaeological site in Jordan and former capital of the Nabatean kingdom, and Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in ancient Persia.
However the region is fast becoming home to some of the most stunning modern buildings in the world too.
From the tallest building in the world to what is set to become the world's first "vertical city," here are 16 stunning modern architectural wonders in the Middle East you've probably never heard of.
Cayan Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2013
Also known as the Infinity Tower, the Cayan Tower in Dubai is recognizable by its twisted body.
It stands at 1,005 feet and is the 138th tallest building in the world.
Source: The Skyscraper Center
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2009
The Burj Khalifa currently holds the record for the highest building in the world at 2,716.5 feet (828 meters) tall .
It also holds the record for the tallest free-standing structure in the world, and has the highest occupied floor of any skyscraper.
Source: burjkhalifa.com
Burj al-Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1999
The Burj al-Arab is a luxury seven-star hotel located on its own artificial island, with the building designed to look like a sail.
It boasts 202 luxurious suites, all of which overlook stunning views of the Persian gulf.
Source: jumeirah.com
Tabi'at (Nature) Bridge, Tehran, Iran, 2014
The bridge was designed by Iranian architect Leila Araghian, who made it with multiple pathways to encourage pedestrians to wander and explore.
Source: Dezeen
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2007
The vision for the Sheikh Zayed Mosque was to bring together architectural styles from across the Islamic world.
The architects behind the design of the building, which can house a total of 40,000 worshippers and visitors, were British, Italian, and Emirati, and brought in design inspiration from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, and Egypt, as well as other Islamic countries.
Source: visitabudhabi
The National Museum of Qatar, Doha, Qatar, 2019
The building was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, who said the distinctive large flat discs that make up its roof were inspired by rose petals.
Inside, the museum intends to tell the story of the Qatari people organized into three chapters— Beginnings, Life in Qatar and The Modern History of Qatar, spread across 11 individual galleries and almost a mile of rooms.
Source: Qatar Museums, Dezeen
The Louvre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2017
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the result of an intergovernmental project between the UAE and France.
Designed by the same architect who masterminded the National Museum in Qatar, Jean Nouvel, the building is in a contemporary style and covers 64,000 square meters.
Source: Louvre
Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, 2008
The museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei.
Source: Qatar Museums, The Museum of Islamic Art
Amman Rotana, Jordan, 2016
The Amman Rotana is the tallest building in Jordan and the first tower hotel in Jordan.
It towers over the rest of the Ammani skyline at 616 feet (188 meters) tall.
Source: Amman Rotana
Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait City, Kuwait, 2011
The Al Hamra Tower is the tallest building in Kuwait at 1351 feet (412 meters) high.
It is comprised of office buildings, a health club, and a high-end shopping mall.
Source: Skidmore, Owings & Merril LLP
Borj-e Milad, Tehran, Iran, 2008
Milad Tower is a multi-purpose tower in Tehran and stands at 1427 feet (435 meters) tall.
Inside is an exhibition center, restaurants, and an observatory at the top of the building from which visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city.
Source: Milad Tower
Center Point, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2002
The Kingdom Center, or Center Point is a 41-story skyscraper stretching 991 feet (302 meters) into the sky.
It functions as a residential building, as well as a hotel and offices.
Sources: Skyscraper Center
Abraj Al Bait, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 2011
The Abraj al Bait Towers are made up of seven buildings located near the Masjid al Haram in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca.
The state-of the-art buildings include hotels and residential buildings.
Source: Skyscraper Center
Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain, 2008
The World Trade Center in Bahrain is home to a premium mall and fine dining restaurants, as well as offices, residential apartments and a hotel.
The contemporary structure overlooks the Manama waterfront, and lights up the skyline at night.
Source: World Trade Centers Association
Jeddah Kingdom Tower, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set to be completed in 2021/2022
The Jeddah Tower is still under construction, but when complete it will stand at a planned height of one kilometer (3,280 feet), taller than the Burj al Khalifa, the current tallest building in the world.
The tower is set to house a Four Seasons Hotel, 121 serviced apartments, 61 residential floors, 318 apartments and the highest observatory space in the world.
Source:ME Construction News
The Bride, Basra, Iraq, has been in construction since 2014 but no date has been announced as of yet for its completion
Once complete, this 3,780-foot-tall (1,152 meters) skyscraper will beat the Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world.
The skyscraper is set to have its own neighborhoods, schools, and transport system — which is why some have dubbed it as the world's first "vertical city."