Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Illinois Chicago World Artifacts on the Tribune Tower Walls

World Artifacts on the Tribune Tower Walls

Fragments of architectural wonders from around the globe are embedded in the newspaper building's walls.

Chicago, Illinois

Added By
Steven Henry
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
  JulsMaya / Atlas Obscura User
  Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
  Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
  Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
  mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
Temple Forbidden City Peking   rar0956 / Atlas Obscura User
July 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
July 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
So many artifacts   jscottmuscatello / Atlas Obscura User
  kellyddobs / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
  sonotthereason / Atlas Obscura User
  sonotthereason / Atlas Obscura User
  sonotthereason / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  stevenhenryatx / Atlas Obscura User
  kellyddobs / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
  lainezizka / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Embedded into the base of the Tribune Tower, on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, are close to 150 fragments of famous world architecture. These fragments include pieces from some of the world's greatest architectural wonders, including the Hagia Sophia, the White House, the Houses of Parliament, St. Peter's Basilica, Pompeii, the Forbidden City, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Each fragment is labeled with its place of origin and the building it was retrieved from. These artifacts were collected by correspondents of the Chicago Tribune in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When the building was being constructed in the 1920s, many of these stone fragments were incorporated into the lower levels of the exterior of the tower.

Since then, some new additions have been added over the years, most recently a piece of twisted metal from the World Trade Center after its destruction in 2001. To the left of the entrance of the tower, in the window display, you will see a moon rock from the Apollo 15 mission, which was put on display to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the moon landing in 1969. It is on loan from NASA.

Update May 2019: The Chicago Tribune moved out of the tower and the building is under going major work while it is being converted to condos. As of 2019, there are construction walls completely blocking the building and it is not known if the fragments will remain.

Update as of  July 2022: The construction walls are down and the fragments are still intact.

Related Tags

Towers Architecture Architectural Oddities

Community Contributors

Added By

stevenhenryatx

Edited By

jacob, smcrific, ccesare, JulsMaya...

  • jacob
  • smcrific
  • ccesare
  • JulsMaya
  • mocchiatto
  • sonotthereason
  • kellyddobs
  • jlord7
  • Julius Spada
  • jscottmuscatello
  • rar0956
  • lainezizka

Published

May 30, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2013/03/05/pictures-of-all-149-rocks-stuck-on-the-tribune-tower/
  • http://www.chicagotribune.com/special/adsections/tribunetowertour/chi-special-caf-towertourhighlights-story.html
  • http://www.chicagotribune.com/special/adsections/tribunetowertour/chi-special-caf-towertourhighlights-story.html
World Artifacts on the Tribune Tower Walls
Chicago, Illinois
United States
41.890363, -87.62365

Nearby Places

Heald Square Monument's Statue of Liberty

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

American Writers Museum

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

Lower Lower Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Chicago

Chicago

Illinois

Places 160
Stories 54

Nearby Places

Heald Square Monument's Statue of Liberty

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

American Writers Museum

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

Lower Lower Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Chicago

Chicago

Illinois

Places 160
Stories 54

Related Places

  • The former Wyoming National Bank buildings, known locally as “the onion” and “the egg beater.”

    Casper, Wyoming

    The 'M' Building and Tower

    Locally known as the "Onion” and the "Egg Beater,” Casper’s most recognizable buildings are beloved local landmarks to many, and eyesores to others.

  • Peavey–Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    St. Louis Park, Minnesota

    Peavey-Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    This unassuimng grain elevator, commonly confused for a smokestack, helped inspire the modern architecture movement.

  • Anclote Key, Florida

    Anclote Key Lighthouse

    Though it may look like it’s missing its outer shell, this skeletal cast-iron tower was built to withstand wind and waves.

  • Tower of Wind.

    Kawasaki, Japan

    Tower of Wind

    Curious onlookers have suspected this strange structure is a secret government base.

  • The tower dominates the town’s skyline.

    Oban, Scotland

    McCaig’s Tower

    Looking strangely like Rome's Colosseum, this unfinished tower has dominated the skyline for over 100 years.

  • View of the church and its spire.

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Church of Our Saviour

    Climb to the top of its spiral spire for spectacular views of Copenhagen.

  • Tower of the Storks (center).

    Cáceres, Spain

    Torre de las Cigüeñas (Tower of the Storks)

    The tallest tower in Cáceres's Old Town.

  • Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower.

    Tosashimizu, Japan

    Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower

    This retro underwater observation tower would make the perfect lair for a sea-loving villain.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.