For me, another surprise was how cathedral-like the building is. When you see photos, you almost always notice the sails but not the arched windows they create. When you visit in person, these windows and vaulted spaces become much more prominent. This photo from inside one of the foyers show the glass windows as well as the precast concrete ribbing that was used to create the vaulted spaces. The pieces were prefabricated offsite then dropped into place in sections. The first section was placed in 1964, ten years after Utzon's design was selected. Photo 10 of 14 in Sydney's Surprising Opera House by Miyoko Ohtake

Sydney's Surprising Opera House

10 of 14

For me, another surprise was how cathedral-like the building is. When you see photos, you almost always notice the sails but not the arched windows they create. When you visit in person, these windows and vaulted spaces become much more prominent. This photo from inside one of the foyers show the glass windows as well as the precast concrete ribbing that was used to create the vaulted spaces. The pieces were prefabricated offsite then dropped into place in sections. The first section was placed in 1964, ten years after Utzon's design was selected.