- The Hundertwasser Toilet in Kawakawa, New Zealand, is a public work of art designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It features ceramic tiles with undulating patterns, a tree growing through the roof, sculptures, and a grass roof, making it visually striking and sustainable.
- Langley Castle in Northumberland, England, boasts 12 well-preserved medieval “garderobes” (medieval toilets). These toilets were an architectural feature of the castle and were connected to a pit that waste would fall into and be washed away by a stream. They were named “garderobes” because people would hang their gowns in them to help kill off fleas with the ammonia from urine.
- The Solid Gold toilet, valued at $6m, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England shortly after being installed as part of an art exhibition. Designed by Maurizio Cattelan, the gold toilet was fully functioning prior to its theft.
- Benjamin Franklin’s Privy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a circular brick-lined privy at Benjamin Franklin’s house. It dates back to the late 18th century and employed a similar waste disposal system as the medieval garderobes.
- The Uredd Rest Area in Norway is known as the “world’s most beautiful toilet.” It has a frosted glass and concrete structure and offers stunning views of the fjord, midnight sun, and Northern Lights.
- Cedar Lake, Michigan, is home to a two-story outhouse dating back to around 1875. The upper floor was accessible via a walkway and provided more privacy for the owner’s wife and daughters, while lumberjacks used the ground floor facilities.
- Lobster Loos in Wellington, New Zealand, are lobster-shaped toilets situated in a public space on Queen’s Wharf. Designed by architect Bret Thurston, these orange steel toilets aim to be a tourist attraction and are coated with an anti-graffiti material.
- Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Mombasa, features wall-mounted hole toilets. The fort, designed by Giovanni Battista Cairati, has been under the control of the Portuguese, Arabs, and Brits throughout its history. When viewed from above, the fort is shaped like a man.
- The USS Monitor, a Civil War ship, contained flush toilets that expelled waste in a torpedo-like manner. After the ship’s discovery in 1998, salvagers noticed the interesting toilet mechanism. Although sailors had to be cautious of a potential malfunction that could cause seawater to spray back at them, these toilets provide a fascinating glimpse into naval history. A portion of the ship is on display at the Batten Conservation Complex at the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia.
- Housesteads Roman Fort, located near Langley Castle on Hadrian’s Wall, boasts the best-preserved Roman toilets in Britain. In this fort, which once housed 800 soldiers, men would sit side by side and use a communal sponge on a stick for cleaning, as there were no niceties like toilet paper in ancient Roman times. Other Roman toilets can be seen at Roman Vindolanda near Langley Castle as well.
- “Toilet Island” near Placencia, Belize, features a flushing toilet amid a small island with palm trees. This secluded toilet provides a sense of luxury for those seeking a peaceful castaway experience.
- Comstock Saloon in San Francisco is home to a restored urinal, known as a spittoon, surrounding the bar counter. Originally used as a convenient way for customers to relieve themselves without leaving their seats, it is now a quirky feature of the bar. However, guests are no longer encouraged to use it.
- The NASA toilet was specifically designed for the International Space Station to function in zero gravity conditions. It separates urine from waste, filtering the former for drinking water and freezing the latter to eliminate odour and bacteria. While only accessible to astronauts, it would be interesting to see their pictures if they were to share them.
WANDERLIST: Cistern act, the world’s most famous toilets
0
Share.
