They are buildings, cities and natural wonders. They house the heights of cultural achievement and offer backdrops for our best ideas. Asked to name the most influential place in history, previous and present TIME 100 honorees reflect on locations that have seen and in some cases helped bring about some of the most transformative moments in human experience.
The Taj Majal in Agra, India
Built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid–17th century, the domed Crown of Palaces in Agra attracts nearly 4 million visitors each year. Jahan built the Taj in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and it is one of the finest examples of architecture that combines Indian, Turkish and Persian styles.
