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University Library of Louvain - Louvain, Belgium
The University Library of Louvain was once known as one of the best libraries in Europe.
The University Library of Louvain was once known as one of the best libraries in Europe. However, this famous site was burned down twice: once in 1914 when German forces invaded Belgium during World War I, and again during the Battle of Leuven in 1940 during World War II. The library was rebuilt a second time in 1951 and became a strictly protected historical site in 1987.
Souk Market - Aleppo, Syria
Images of the devastated market after the fire.
During the prosperous Ottoman period in the 16th century, the Souk in Aleppo, Syria, was a bustling center of cultural exchange and trade, particularly for products like soap, textiles, and spices. According to the World Heritage Fund (WMF), the Souk was completely destroyed by a fire in 2012 related to the fighting between Syrian government forces and opposition factions.
Crystal Palace - London, England
The Crystal Palace was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. It hosted major exhibitions in 1851, sponsored by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, and the Royal Society of the Arts. The palace was destroyed in a fire in 1936, and its remains were completely demolished in 1941 due to war.
Paleis voor Volksvlijt Palace - Amsterdam, Netherlands
"The People's Palace" in Amsterdam around 1890
Architect Cornelis Oudtshoorn designed the Paleis voor Volksvlijt palace, which was completed in 1864. It became a center of arts and culture, featuring a theater with a capacity of 9,000 people. In 1961, the "People's Palace," as it was called, was destroyed by fire. Later, in 1968, the Nederlandsche Bank headquarters was built in the same location as the Paleis voor Volksvlijt palace.
National Museum of Brazil - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The National Museum of Brazil lost 90% of its artifacts after the fire.
In 2018, the Brazilian National Museum was hit by a fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but museum officials said that 90% of the museum's artifacts were lost. According to The Guardian, the collection on Egyptian civilization was completely destroyed.
Honey Run Covered Bridge - Butte County, California, USA
Images of the bridge during the fire and after it was restored.
The Honey Run covered bridge was built in 1886. It is the only covered bridge in the United States with three unequal sections and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was destroyed by fire in 2018, but philanthropists later raised funds and rebuilt a replica.
Royal Clarence Hotel - Devon, England
The Royal Clarence Hotel was built in 1769 and named after the Duchess of Clarence when she stayed there in 1827. In 2016, a fire broke out at this historic hotel, and more than 1,000 firefighters battled to contain the blaze. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the hotel completely collapsed, according to the BBC.
National Museum of Natural History - New Delhi, India
The National Museum of Natural History in New Delhi was founded in 1972 and is famous for its 160-million-year-old Saurpad dinosaur fossil. Following a fire in 2016, the Deputy Sheriff of New Delhi stated that most of the museum's collections were destroyed.
The Beach Hotel - Galveston Island, Texas, USA
Architect Nicholas J. Clayton designed The Beach Hotel in 1882. This grandiose hotel was mysteriously destroyed by fire in 1898, just 16 years after opening. Some speculate that the hotel was found to be discharging sewage into the Gulf of Mexico, and that city authorities sought to close the property.
Tuileries Palace - Paris, France
The Tuileries Palace was a French royal palace in Paris, but it no longer exists. Begun in the late 16th century at the behest of Empress Catherine de Médicis, it became one of the most important royal palaces in France at the time. During the Paris Commune, the Tuileries Palace was burned down and subsequently destroyed. Today, the Tuileries Palace site is occupied by the Tuileries Gardens.
