Power of Nature: World's Landmarks Illuminated by Lightning

Although scientists had long ago proved that lightning bolts and thunderstorms are the result of electricity in the atmosphere rather than signs of divine will, the sight of lightning still makes some people hold their breath and shiver.

And what could be more spectacular than to see than the world's famous landmarks illuminated by powerful lightning?

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Ostankino Tower, Moscow, can be seen in the midst of an electric storm.

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Lightning flashes over the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Corcovado Hill in Rio de Janeiro.

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Lightning streaks through the sky above Ankara, Turkey

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Smyr1 / Ankara Lightning

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The ancient Greek Parthenon, a temple atop Acropolis hill overlooking Athens, is framed by lightning bolts during a thunderstorm that broke out in the Greek capital in October 2006

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Lightning illuminates storm clouds over the Philadelphia skyline, 16 August 2016, seen from across the Delaware River in Camden NJ

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Lightning strikes in the background, behind the London Eye

CC BY 2.0 / David English / Lightning London Eye

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Bolts of lightning strike as people visit Tokyo's Sensoji temple during the preview of the annual two-day Chinese lantern plant fair in Tokyo on 8 July 2013

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Powerful thuderbolt behind the Eiffel tower.

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Lightning above Plaza San Martín in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

CC BY 2.0 / Deensel / Plaza San Martín, Buenos Aires

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Lightning strikes above the Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower in Shanghai.

CC BY 2.0 / Sung Ming Whang / Lightning over Pudong

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A lightning bolt strikes in the background of the Sassi di Matera, Matera, Italy

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Bobmorse59 / I Sassi di Matera

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Lightning hits the sky above Madrid, Spain.

CC BY-SA 3.0 / AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa / God's wrath - panoramio

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Dramatic Dubai sunset panoramic view of downtown with a lightning storm.