Nature is unyielding and unstoppable, and it has repeatedly upended human civilization. Given that natural disasters are a normal part of our lives, it isn’t surprising that they have impacted many aspects of people’s lives and the infrastructure around them.
Numerous famous landmarks around the world have been damaged by natural disasters over the centuries and decades. While some have been restored to their former glory, some ruins depict the turbulent side of nature.
If you are curious about the different landmarks that have been damaged by natural disasters, keep reading for all the details.
1. Christchurch Cathedral – New Zealand (2011 Earthquake)
Located in New Zealand, the Christchurch Cathedral experienced the brunt of the disastrous 2011 earthquake. This neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral’s iconic spire collapsed, further leading to a domino effect, destroying large portions of the church’s structure. Eventually, the landmark became a powerful symbol of loss and resilience as the city recovered from the earthquake.
2. Kathmandu Durbar Square – Nepal (2015 Earthquake)
Following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the central Durbar Square in Kathmandu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was ransacked and destroyed to the ground. Ancient temples, palaces, and statues dating back to the 12th century crumbled, shocking the local residents and the world.
3. Kumamoto Castle – Japan (2016 Earthquakes)
Another earthquake that caused destruction and led to the degradation of an iconic landmark was the Kumamoto Castle in Japan. The castle collapsed after being hit by two consecutive earthquakes in 2016. The disaster revealed the challenge of preserving ancient architecture in seismically active Japan.
4. Basilica of St. Benedict – Italy (2016 Earthquake)
Besides the 2016 earthquake in Japan, another hit in Italy impacted the Basilica of St. Benedict, located in Norcia, Italy. The landmark was built over the birthplace of Saint Benedict, and following the 6.6 magnitude earthquake, it was torn down into rubble. This landmark’s destruction was a haunting experience, framing the void where centuries of religious heritage once stood.
Uncover the ignored warning signs before historical disasters that could have prevented major catastrophes worldwide.
5. Bagan Temples – Myanmar (2016 Earthquake)
The year of 2016 was terrifyingly the year of earthquakes because another 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, causing significant damage to over 400 of the 2,200 ancient temples in Bagan. Most of the spires and stupas were damaged due to structural cracks, raising questions about restoration versus preservation of authenticity.
6. Tōdai-ji Temple – Japan (1995 Kobe Earthquake)
Given that Japan is known for its recurrent seismic activity, another popular landmark that was destroyed due to a natural disaster was the Tōdai-ji Temple in 1895. The Great Buddha Hall of the temple sustained the maximum damage. Cracks appeared in the walls, and surrounding structures also shifted around the temple.
7. Statue of Liberty – USA (2012 Hurricane Sandy)
While the Statue of Liberty stands tall as one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S, it experienced nature’s wrath in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit it. The hurricane caused significant flooding to Liberty Island in 2012 wherein the infrastructure was crippled, electrical systems were destroyed, and the island was closed for eight months.
8. The Parthenon – Greece (1981 Earthquake)
In history, one of the worst earthquake damages was to the Parthenon in Greece in 1981. Although the damage wasn’t as disastrous, it did cause moderate damage to the Parthenon on the Acropolis. There were structural cracks and loosened stones, which revealed the vulnerability of the ancient temple.
9. Bam Citadel (Arg-e Bam) – Iran (2003 Earthquake)
Another earthquake that destroyed a popular landmark happened in 2003 in Iran, impacting the Bam Citadel (Arg-e Bam). The natural disaster nearly obliterated the world’s largest adobe structure. Over 90% of the fortress was destroyed, along with much of the surrounding city, almost wiping out a 2,000-year-old piece of Persian history.
10. Machu Picchu – Peru (2010 Landslides and Floods)
Today, Machu Picchu is renowned for its natural beauty and the adventurous activities you can set out on, but the impact of the 2010 floods and landslides almost took all of that away. Torrential rains triggered landslides and floods that isolated Machu Picchu for days. In fact, during that time, hundreds of tourists were airlifted as railways and bridges collapsed.
11. Wat Arun – Thailand (2011 Floods)
Another disastrous flood that almost obliterated a popular landmark happened in 2011 in Thailand. Severe monsoon flooding in 2011 submerged large parts of Bangkok, including the iconic Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) grounds. Extensive waterlogging caused long-term concerns about the landmark’s stability. There were extensive restorations done afterwards.
Learn about the cities most at risk from climate change and how rising threats are reshaping urban futures across the globe.
12. Mont-Saint-Michel – France (Storms and Coastal Erosion)
The existence of Mon-Saint-Michel is truly a reflection of medieval architecture and its marvels. However, the landmark has suffered gradual damage from rising tides and Atlantic storms. Sections of the causeway and surrounding seawalls have been rebuilt multiple times. Given that the battle of the tidal island and the elements is ongoing, it is difficult to guess how long the structure will stand the test of time.
13. Notre-Dame Cathedral – France (2019 Fire + Earlier Storm Damage)
While the 2019 fire stole headlines, Notre-Dame had earlier endured damage from storms, including a 1999 windstorm that shattered stained glass windows and damaged flying buttresses. It is believed that the damage caused by the fire overshadowed much of the damage that was earlier caused by the storm, indicating that nature’s impact and the natural wear and tear contributed to the cathedral’s vulnerabilities.
14. Himeji Castle – Japan (1995 Earthquake)
Several of Japan’s iconic landmarks have experienced the impact of nature, especially earthquakes. In 1995, a high magnitude Kobe earthquake affected many of the structures around, including the Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, cracks appeared in the plaster walls, and tiles were dislodged following extensive renovation and restoration at a later date.
15. Tulum Ruins – Mexico (2005 Hurricane Wilma)
Tagged as one of the most wrathful hurricanes to date, Hurricane Wilma happened in 2005, hitting the Yucatán Peninsula. The disaster battered the coastal Mayan ruins of Tulum. Not just that, the salt-laden winds and persistent heavy rainfall accelerated erosion of the limestone structures, while coastal flooding further degraded their bases.
With tornado activity shifting eastward, explore the cities most vulnerable to major tornadoes in 2025.
Final Words
The beauty of nature is unmatched, but the wrath of natural disasters is terrifying, and these 15 landmarks are living and breathing proof of that. Earthquakes, floods, fires, and storms have tested the resilience of cultural treasures across the globe, and each of these structures and their damage reflects the isolating power of nature that we often take for granted.
