St. Basil’s Cathedral MOSCOW, RUSSIA
POSTNIK YAKOVLEV This unique building, usually known as St. Basil’s Cathedral, but more correctly called the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, is one …
Category: Great Buildings
Doge’s Palace VENICE, ITALY
GIOVANNI & BARTOLOMEO BON From the 7th to the 18th centuries the city of Venice was an independent republic with an elected nobleman, the Doge, as its head, advised …
FORTIFIED PALACE GRANADA, SPAIN
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN The fortified palace of the Alhambra (“red fortress”), set squarely on a hill in the upland city of Granada, is one of the wonders of Islamic architecture. …
Looking at Buildings
Buildings are among the largest structures made by human beings, and the most ubiquitous. Apart from agriculture, no human activity has changed the face of the Earth more than …
FLORENCE CATHEDRAL ITALY
1296-1436 CATHEDRAL FLORENCE, ITALY VARIOUS ARCHITECTS Florence was one of the richest cities of late medieval Italy. At the end of the 13th century, the city council decided to …
Villa La Rotonda COUNTRY HOUSE VICENZA, ITALY
ANDREA PALLADIO Set on a hilltop in northern Italy, the supremely elegant Villa La Rotonda is the most famous of the country houses designed by the Renaissance architect Andrea …
CASTLE BURGHAUSEN, GERMANY
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN At just over a half-mile in length, this colossal Bavarian stronghold is the longest medieval castle in Europe and a fine example of late-medieval architecture. Constructed on …
CATHEDRAL CHARTRES, FRANCE
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN During the night of June 10, 1194 disaster struck the northern French city of Chartres when a fire swept through its streets. Much of the walled city …
BORGUND STAVE CHURCH NORWAY
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN The stave churches of Norway are masterpieces of architecture, built almost entirely of wood. The finest examples of them are tall buildings with multiple tiered roofs, such …
CASTLE NEAR HOMS SYRIA
ARCHITECT UNKNOWN High on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Homs Pass in the Syrian desert stands the formidable Krak des Chevaliers, one of the finest and best preserved castles …