7 Biggest Construction Projects in History for 2025

Throughout history, humans have pushed the limits of what is possible with the tools and resources given. This undying curiosity and determination results in construction projects of the grandest scale.

Spanning previous millennia, all the way up to the present day, enormous projects, infrastructures, and monuments have been built by humans. The purpose of each construction was for a multitude of reasons. Sacred sites, cities, tombs, and monuments for international acclaim all appear on this list of the biggest construction projects in history. Here are some of the largest construction projects that have been created throughout history!

What are the Biggest Construction Projects in History?

Big is a relative term. It can mean size, expense, or pure manpower. For this article, we’re simply highlighting some of the most impressive feats of engineering. Many of the biggest construction projects in history took decades to complete and required the labor of thousands of people.

Here are some of the biggest construction projects in history, in no specific order:

1. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the biggest construction projects in history and holds the distinction of being the longest as well! The building of the Great Wall began in about 400 B.C. and was completed in about A.D. 1600 – that’s 2,000 years!

Construction started and stalled and restarted as dynasties rose and fell throughout Chinese history. At times, the Great Wall was a military fortification against northern tribes, and at times a largely ignored relic. However, its 13,000 miles have grown to be recognized as a symbol of the enduring strength of China throughout millennia.

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2. Chichen Itza

The construction of this Mayan site took 400 years and resulted in one of the great cities of Mesoamerica. The population of this city was incredibly diverse, which lends itself to the diverse architecture throughout the city.

Although this elite city bustled in its time, it had entered decline by the time Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Mexico. The heavy population and curious architecture inspired them to establish a capital nearby.

3. Eiffel Tower – Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower is one of the biggest construction projects in history, its construction started on this gem in January 1887 and wrapped up in 1889 as the entrance to the World’s Fair – a celebration of the centennial of the French Revolution. The wrought iron tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the second tallest in France at 1,063 feet tall. It’s composed of more than 18,000 pieces joined together with about 2.5 million rivets. The tower is repainted every seven years with about 50-60 tons of paint to prevent rusting. It’s the most-visited paid monument in the world.

4. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai

Construction on the Burj Khalifa, one of the biggest construction projects in history originally titled the Burj Dubai, began in 2004 and was completed in 2009. The soaring skyscraper is part of a mixed-use development.

At 2,716.5 feet tall with over 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa swept several world records at its opening. These include the tallest building in the world, the tallest freestanding structure in the world, and the tallest service elevator in the world. The construction project was designed to diversify Dubai’s global presence and bring international acclaim to the oil magnate county.

5. Colosseum – Rome, Italy

Construction started on this project in 72 A.D. and is the largest amphitheater ever built. Made of sand and concrete, it was completed in 80 A.D. and could hold between 50,000-80,000 spectators in its prime. The base area of the Colosseum, one of the biggest construction projects in history is about six acres and the outer wall is made up of about 3.5 million cubic feet of stone set with mortar and held together by 300 tons of iron clamps. It was used for gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of battles, and more.

In its later years, the Colosseum, one of the biggest construction projects in history was used for housing, workshops, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. Over the years, it’s been partially ruined by earthquakes, fires, and stone robbers. A particularly devastating earthquake in 1349 caused the outer south side of the building to collapse. The deterioration over time led to a restoration program from 1993-2000, costing about $19.3 million. The first full cleaning and repair has taken place over the past few years.

6. Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and one of the only original seven wonders of the world that is still intact, although erosion has depleted its height by about 30 feet.

The giant tomb, one of the biggest construction projects in history was built over about 10-20 years and was the tallest building in the world for 3,800 years. The construction techniques are debated, but historians believe the enormous slabs were quarried and transported right from the quarry. Regardless, the coordination and movement of the huge slabs to the site, and movement into place in primitive Egypt, was a colossal achievement for its time. Plus, the construction has lasted intact for a millennium, leading some conspiracy theorists to believe aliens were involved in construction.

7. International Space Station

The station is expected to operate until 2028, with continual servicing and improvements. Another fun fact is the space station orbits the Earth every 92 minutes.

The huge space station is comprised of two segments, the Russian Orbital Segment, and the United States Orbital Segment. The United States segment is shared by many other nations. The first component of the International Space Station, one of the biggest construction projects in history was launched in 1998, and modules and components are launched and fitted regularly. 

Conclusion

Humans have always been builders. It’s one of the biggest things we do. It might have started with simply stacking one rock on top of another, but as technology grew so did what we built. We’ve built cities and bridges and the machines that have changed this world. If you’re reading this, it’s a good bet you’re into building things yourself — whether that means rolling up your sleeves with a shovel in your hand, dusting off your drafting table, or fueling up your dozer, you build.

The biggest construction projects in history represent more than just concrete, iron, and steel. Two of the projects were built during the Great Depression when workers earned $4 a day. Other projects united a nation, brought together different cultures, or simply provided a gift to the senses.

FAQs 

When was the starting and finishing point of the Great Wall of China?

• Answer: The building of the Great Wall began in about 400 B.C. and was completed in about A.D. 1600 – that’s 2,000 years!

When and for what purpose was the Eiffel Tower constructed?

• Answer: The Eiffel Tower is one of the biggest construction projects in history, its construction started on this gem in January 1887 and wrapped up in 1889 as the entrance to the World’s Fair – a celebration of the centennial of the French Revolution.

What is the most common belief about how the Great Pyramid of Giza was built?

• Answer: The construction techniques are debated, but historians believe the enormous slabs were quarried and transported right from the quarry. Regardless, the coordination and movement of the huge slabs to the site, and movement into place in primitive Egypt, was a colossal achievement for its time.

How many segments is the International Space Station comprised of?

• Answer: The huge space station is comprised of two segments, the Russian Orbital Segment, and the United States Orbital Segment. The United States segment is shared by many other nations.

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For all the pictures: Archdaily