This timeline gives a chronological listing of the World’s tallest structures. We have used the definition of a structure to include buildings and towers that can be visited or climbed up.
8000 BCE (during)
Tower of Jericho, Palestine
8.5 metres (28 feet)
designed by unknown
8.5 metres (28 feet)
designed by unknown
2650 BCE (during)
2610 BCE (during)
Meidum Pyramid, Egypt
92 metres (301 feet)
designed by Sneferu
92 metres (301 feet)
designed by Sneferu
2600 BCE (during)
Bent Pyramid, Dashur, Egypt
104 metres (344 feet)
designed by Sneferu
104 metres (344 feet)
designed by Sneferu
2590 BCE (during)
Red Pyramid, Dashur, Egypt
105 metres (347 feet)
designed by Sneferu
105 metres (347 feet)
designed by Sneferu
2560 BCE (during)
Great Pyramid, Giza, Egypt
146 metres (481 feet)
designed by Hemiunu
146 metres (481 feet)
designed by Hemiunu
1311 (during)
Lincoln Cathedral, United Kingdom
160 metres (525 feet)
designed by Bishop Remigus, it lost its spire following a storm in 1549
160 metres (525 feet)
designed by Bishop Remigus, it lost its spire following a storm in 1549
1549 (during)
St Mary’s Church, Stralsund, Germany
151 metres (495 feet)
Built around 1298, St Mary’s became the tallest structure after Lincoln Cathedral lost its spire. In 1647 it was struck by lightning and burned down.
151 metres (495 feet)
Built around 1298, St Mary’s became the tallest structure after Lincoln Cathedral lost its spire. In 1647 it was struck by lightning and burned down.
1647 (during)
Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, France
142 metres (466 feet)
Designed by Erwin von Steinbach, it became the tallest structure after St Mary’s in Stralsund burned down.
142 metres (466 feet)
Designed by Erwin von Steinbach, it became the tallest structure after St Mary’s in Stralsund burned down.
1874 (during)
Church of St Nicholas, Hamburg, Germany
147 metres (483 feet)
Became the tallest building after being rebuilt following a fire.
147 metres (483 feet)
Became the tallest building after being rebuilt following a fire.
1876 (during)
Rouen Cathedral, Rouen, France
151 metres (495 feet)
Became the tallest building after a new spire was built following a lightning strike.
151 metres (495 feet)
Became the tallest building after a new spire was built following a lightning strike.
1880 (14th August)
Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany
157 metres (515 feet)
Work had begun in the 14th century but had stopped due to lack of funds.
157 metres (515 feet)
Work had begun in the 14th century but had stopped due to lack of funds.
1884 (during)
Washington Memorial, Washington, USA
169 metres (555 feet)
Designed by Robert Mills
169 metres (555 feet)
Designed by Robert Mills
1889 (15th March)
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
300 metres (986 feet)
designed by Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, the tower is named after engineer Gustave Eiffel who built it.
300 metres (986 feet)
designed by Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, the tower is named after engineer Gustave Eiffel who built it.
1930 (27th May)
Chrysler Building, New York, USA
77 floors, 319 metres (1,046 feet)
designed by William Van Alen
77 floors, 319 metres (1,046 feet)
designed by William Van Alen
1931 (1st May)
Empire State Building, New York, USA
102 floors, 381 metres (1,250 feet)
designed by William F Lamb
102 floors, 381 metres (1,250 feet)
designed by William F Lamb
1967 (during)
Ostankino Tower, Moscow, Russia
537 metres (1,762 feet)
designed by Nikolai Nikitin
537 metres (1,762 feet)
designed by Nikolai Nikitin
1975 (during)
CN Tower, Toronto, Canada
553 metres, (1,815 feet)
designed by John Andrews
553 metres, (1,815 feet)
designed by John Andrews
2010 (4th January)
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
128 storeys, 830 metres (2,722 feet)
designed by Adrian Smith
128 storeys, 830 metres (2,722 feet)
designed by Adrian Smith
Published Feb 07, 2020 @ 12.10 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2020). World’s Tallest Structures 8000 BCE – Present. https://www.thetimelinegeek.com/worlds-tallest-structures. Last accessed [date]