Category: Europe

Architecture of Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Posted on March 15, 2025March 15, 2025 by rcarney

Home to the famous Oktoberfest, Munich is the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany’s architectural highlights. The city was a key component in the medieval Duchy of Bavaria and has roots dating back to the Romanesque and Gothic Ages. Munich also prospered throughout the Renaissance and Baroque periods and would eventually become the capital of the independent Kingdom of Bavaria in 1806. Munich is an amazing city, filled with buildings from every major architectural age.

Architecture of Vienna, Austria

Posted on January 19, 2025March 9, 2025 by rcarney

Vienna is one of Europe’s most livable cities and one of the continent’s greatest places for Architectural History. Vienna contains buildings from every major architectural age, and all of these structures blend to create a truly unique city. The Ringstrasse on its own is an incredible site to see, and it pairs well with Vienna’s other notable sites such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Schönbrunn Palace. Anyone who visits Vienna is sure to be amazed by its grand boulevards, pristine buildings, and elegant and artistic culture.

Architecture of Avignon, Provence, France

Posted on January 4, 2025February 9, 2025 by rcarney

Avignon is a remarkable city with a very unique history. Avignon reached its cultural and political peak during the period of the Avignon Papacy. The Popes would fill the city with many notable works of Gothic & Medieval Architecture. Avignon also prospered during the the 19th century, and it is home to a great variety of Neoclassical and Revival-style buildings. Avignon is not a particularly large city, but its abundance of impressive architecture makes it one of Southern France’s greatest destinations.

Architecture of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Posted on December 14, 2024February 22, 2025 by rcarney

Even if it only contained the incredible buildings of Antoni Gaudí and the Modernisme Movement, Barcelona would be one of the world’s top architectural destinations. But, Barcelona is about so much more. Within Barcelona, you have Roman monuments, Gothic Churches, the Eixample district, and all the modern improvements created for the ‘92 Olympics. This abundance of incredible buildings makes Barcelona one of the world’s greatest cities for Architectural History and any fan of good food, iconic architecture, and warm weather is sure to enjoy this incredible city.

Architecture of Seville, Andalusia, Spain

Posted on October 8, 2024December 14, 2024 by rcarney

To me, Seville’s architectural significance is embodied in the Mudejar Style of Architecture. The whole concept, of a new style of Architecture forming itself from historic events, is the thing that makes Andalusia Spain, and Seville in particular, so magical. Everywhere you look, you can see in every stone, brick, and column, influences of the past rulers of this great city. From the Romans to the Moors, to the Spanish Empire, and on to modern Spain, Seville showcases all of these cultures and how they helped the city become the landmark it is today.

Architecture of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Posted on July 24, 2024October 19, 2024 by rcarney

Siena is a great example of a Tuscan Hill Town. Although similar to many other towns in the surrounding area, Siena stands out thanks to the many architectural sites within the historic center. The vast majority of the buildings are from the 12th to 17th centuries. It has one of the best preserved historic centers in all of Europe.

Architecture of Copenhagen, Denmark

Posted on June 18, 2022March 9, 2025 by rcarney

Copenhagen is a city filled with history and impressive architecture. It’s one of the leading cities in Scandinavia, and it maintains a strong connection with its Viking Roots. Copenhagen has been the seat of the Kingdom of Denmark for over 600 years, and many different Danish Kings commissioned impressive structures throughout the city. Copenhagen contains a blend of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architecture, along with an abundance of new contemporary buildings. It’s a city with a strong past and a bright future, and anyone visiting Copenhagen is sure to be inspired by its historic buildings, its inviting people, and its laid-back Scandinavian Culture.

Architecture of Istanbul, Turkey

Posted on April 17, 2022March 5, 2025 by rcarney

Istanbul truly is one of the world’s greatest cities. It has a long and storied history, and many groups including the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the modern Republic of Turkey have all left their mark on the architecture of Istanbul. In addition to wonders like Süleymaniye and the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul is home to dozens of lesser-known but still significant buildings. Any fan of architecture is sure to enjoy Istanbul, and the city remains a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures, as it has been for thousands of years.

Architecture of Venice, Italy

Posted on January 12, 2022September 29, 2024 by rcarney

Venice is truly one of the most iconic and unique cities on earth. From its origins as a humble fishing village, Venice eventually grew into the grand capital city of the Republic of Venice – one of the wealthiest and most powerful maritime republics in Mediterranean history. Venice is the birthplace of Venetian Gothic Architecture and the Venetian Renaissance, and the city contains buildings from every major age in architecture. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth, and any fan of architecture is sure to be delighted by the splendor and brilliance of Venice.

Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on November 21, 2021February 23, 2025 by rcarney

Lisbon is one of those cities where history and architecture are directly correlated with one another. Within Lisbon, you will find buildings from every major age in architecture. By far the most important event that left its mark on the city was the massive earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755. This disaster killed thousands and left most of Lisbon’s History Center in ruins. But, from the ashes of the destruction came the new Baixa Neighborhood which stitched together and repaired the heart of Lisbon. Today Lisbon is a thriving city and the capital of one of Europe’s most visited nations.

Architecture of Prague, Czech Republic

Posted on September 24, 2021January 19, 2025 by rcarney

Prague is one the best-preserved cities in all of Europe. It miraculously survived the bombs of WWII that were prevalent throughout the continent, and much of its historic center looks the same way it did hundreds of years ago. Today Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and is home to over 1.3 million people. Prague is also one of those rare examples of a city that contains buildings from every major age in architecture. Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture can be found throughout the city.

Architecture of Stockholm, Sweden

Posted on July 6, 2021October 23, 2024 by rcarney

Stockholm is the capital and largest city within Sweden. The city has a unique layout because it is dispersed on several different islands located between the Baltic Sea to the east and Lake Mälaren to the west. The city has a long history spanning the early middle ages to the modern era. This article will highlight some of the most important and culturally significant buildings within Stockholm, showing how the architecture of the city evolved from the early 12th century to the 21st century.

Architecture of Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Posted on April 26, 2021February 9, 2025 by rcarney

Florence is one of the most influential cities in European History and it was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The city contains countless works of architecture spanning multiple different ages. Of course, there are the main renaissance attractions like Florence Cathedral, but there are also monuments from Florence’s medieval past, as well as buildings from after the unification of Italy.

Architecture of Valencia, Spain

Posted on March 6, 2021December 15, 2024 by rcarney

Located on the southeastern coast of Spain, Valencia is the country’s third-largest city and home to over 800,000 people. Over 2000 years, the city has had various rulers including the Romans, Moors, and the Kingdom of Aragon. The architecture of Valencia is incredibly diverse, with examples from different time periods including the Gothic Age, the Baroque Age, and the modern works of Santiago Calatrava.

View of Budapest at night from Buda Castle. The Chain Bridge can be seen in the foreground.

Architecture of Budapest, Central Hungary, Hungary

Posted on May 31, 2020March 2, 2025 by rcarney

Budapest has one of the most complex histories of any European city. A diverse blending of cultures and rulers has left the city with many different styles of architecture. Several hardships and conflicts have left their mark on the buildings as well, but despite all of this Budapest remains one of the top destinations in Europe.