Shatgombuj Mosque

Bangladesh has three World Heritage Sites: the historic Shatgombuj Mosque of Bagerhat, the ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur and

the Sundarbans. The Shatgombuj Mosque is a 15th century Islamic edifice situated in the suburbs of Bagerhat, on the edge pf the Sundarbans, some 175 km southwest of  Dhaka. It is ah enormous Moghul architectural site covering a very large area. The Mosque Is unique in that it has sixty pillars, which support seventy-seven exquisitely curved domes that have worn away with the passage of time. The mausoleum of the city's founder, Khan Jahan Ail can be, found nearby. With the declaration of the mosque as a World Heritage Site, it is hoped that this beautiful architectural monument will be preserved from further decay.

The Sangsad Bhaban

(Parliament House)

The Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka is a wonder of modern architecture and technology.

It is one of the largest and most Spectacular parliament buildings in the world. Originally designed by the famous American architect Louis I Kahn, thi5 155 ft high 9-storey building is surrounded by an artificial lake called the Crescent Lake. The main section is hidden behind a strong outer covering with circular and triangular openings. The structure has 1605 doors. 335 windows, 365 ventilators and corridors totalling to a bewildering length of 41.6 kilometers. One could easily get lost in these deceptive corridors. The house has 354 seats for MPs, 56 for guests, 40 for journalists and 430 for spectators. It has also three party rooms each of which can seat 153 people. The whole place is air- conditioned and includes all modern amenities. Although construction work on this structure started in 1964, it was finally inaugurated in 1982 and the first parliamentary session was held on 15 February the same year. Being a highly complex structure, its annual maintenance cost is about 50 million taka. This is truly a wonder for a poor country like Bangladesh.