Great Viewing Platforms in the World

Viewing Platforms have existed for thousands of years. these first structures were used for very practical purposes such as observing the enemy in battle or guiding ships along the coast. over time Viewing Platforms have come to gain new purposes. today, Viewing decks allow people to look at nature from unique vantage points or look skywards towards the constellations. these structures can be tall towers or tiny edifices all of which have their own function. this building typology is not something you see everyday, which explains part of its appeal. this collection of Viewing Platforms represents a wide range of sizes and styles all of which are designed to observe different things.

The Landscape Promontory, Ticino, Switzerland

the landscape promontory is a suspended viewing platform designed by paolo bürgi as part of the cardada project, a revitalisation of the cardada mountain that is expected to finish in 2010. as with 'il binocolo', the steel and titanium platform enables you to walk amongst the tree tops and experience a view of lake maggiore that was previously unattainable.

Dachstein Skywalk, Dachstein glacier,Austria

Nicknamed the 'balcony of the alps', the dachstein skywalk is perched above the 850ft vertical rockface of the hunerkogelin austria and offers views of both slovenia and the czech republic. in order to scare tourists as much as possible there's also a glass section of floor at the unsupported end of the cantilevered platform. a definite knee-trembler.

Top of Tyrol,Tyrol, Austria

'Top of Tyrol', Designed by Aste Architecture , is a spectacular cantilevered viewing platform overhanging a ridge of mount isidor in austria. admittedly the same view could've been gained without the steel platform but it definitely provides a decievingly safe area for tourists wanting a perfect view of stubai glacier. plus there's always the attraction of the thrill factor as you stand 9 metres away from the mountain

Aurland Lookout, Aurland, Norway

architects todd saunders and tommie wilhelmsen were commissioned to design a scenic rest-stop 2'000ft above aurland fjord in norway and came up with this beauty. the outermost end of the horizontal platform - which curves to form the structure's support - is closed off by a sheet of glass, offering an incredible view towards the ground for all those with the balls to make the trip to the end.

Il Binocolo,Meran,Italy

Within the gardens of trauttmansdorff castle in italy you'll find this charming steel platform poking out through the trees, its name (meaning 'the binoculars') coming from the shape of the platform's small roof and the view of the surrounding landscape. i've no idea of the platform's height - it doesn't look incredibly high - but i know i wouldn't like to fall off the edge. designed by architect matteo thun .

Grand Canyon Skywalk, Arizona,USA

This horseshoe-shaped pant-filler hangs approximately 4'000ft above the floor of the grand canyon. but... below the platform is not a sheer drop of that height - it's still extremely high, but not 4'000ft worth. also, the platform is located in a side canyon, not the main one, although it's pretty close. all that said, this is still a monster.Watch the video