Our “Lists” articles are designed to explore one element within architecture and also answer a question, such as, “What are the strongest castles ever built?”
Opera Houses are important buildings found in cities across the globe. Many of these structures date to the 19th century, when opera houses were routinely constructed using opulent materials. Other Opera Houses date to the modern age and are designed with large, monumental components. Today, Opera Houses continue to serve as important cultural institutions that showcase art forms like opera, theater, and ballet.
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Since the dawn of civilization, mankind has built large and magnificent tombs and mausoleums. These structures were designed to memorialize the deceased, and they illustrated an individual’s wealth, prestige, and power. Several of the World’s Greatest Tombs are among today’s most recognizable buildings, and these structures continue to amaze and inspire.
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The Ancient Romans glorified death and the afterlife, and many of the empire’s wealthiest citizens constructed elaborate tombs to house their remains. These mausoleums were typically round, cylindrical buildings, with a central space capped by a dome. Dozens of Roman Mausoleums exist throughout the former lands of the empire, and many of these ancient structures were later reused as churches and fortifications. The Roman Mausoleum created a lasting legacy, and it influenced many subsequent building forms, such as round churches and baptistries.
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Triumphal Arches are important monuments that originated in the Ancient Roman Empire. Triumphal Arches were constructed to commemorate important people, places, and events. These Monuments were popular worldwide during the 19th century, and today countless triumphal arches can be found in cities across the globe.
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Romanticism was an idea that completely transformed architecture in the 19th century. Many architects began studying Europe’s Medieval Past and wished to design new buildings that embodied the spirit of this now long-gone age. Romanticism influenced other architectural ideologies such as Historicism, Revivalism, and the Picturesque Movement. Today, there are countless Romantic Age Castles located throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
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Today the Roman Forum remains extremely influential. We still visit many of these ancient sites, and the legacy of Roman Forums can be seen throughout the modern world. Nearly all cities are still built around central open spaces used for events and gatherings. And the term “forum” is still used to describe lectures, public speeches, seminars, and symposiums.
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The Crusades were a very critical era in the History of Europe and the Mediterranean. After Jerusalem was Captured in the First Crusade, there was a frenzy of construction in and around the Holy Land. Dozens of castles were built in an attempt to fortify and protect the area from invasion, and to help facilitate the arrival of European Pilgrims. Many different Crusader Castles can be found all over the Eastern Mediterranean and they are some of the world’s most iconic examples of Medieval Military Architecture. The Size, complexity, and quantity of these castles illustrates how influential the Crusades were to the history and development of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
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Italian Baptisteries are worth studying because of their uniqueness. Unlike most European churches, many Italian cathedrals have detached buildings that were specifically designed for baptisms. These baptistries have their own architectural identity, and they can either contrast or compliment the elements of the adjacent church. Some baptistries date all the way back to ancient times, during the days of the Roman Empire, while others were built in the height of Medieval Europe during the Romanesque and Gothic Periods. The diversity of these buildings is part of what makes them so impressive, and baptistries are a unique part of Italy’s architectural heritage.
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The influences of Roman Theaters can still be seen throughout the modern world. The actual structure of these theaters is timeless, and it has been repeatedly replicated throughout history. Virtually all performance venues of the modern age are cast from the same mold as the ancient theaters of the Greeks and Romans. Theaters were so important to the Roman people that virtually every city in the empire contained at least one, if not multiple. Many of these venues are still utilized for performances today, which shows the lasting impact that these structures have had on the modern world.
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Many people visit Tuscany and only see its major cities like Pisa and Florence. But beyond the big cities, you will find an abundance of quaint, beautiful hill towns that have remained relatively untouched since the middle ages. The hill towns of Tuscany are unique to the region and are some of the most picturesque places in all of Italy. They contain a variety of different forms of architecture from throughout history, and they are a huge part of why Tuscany is one of Europe’s most visited regions.
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The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful and advanced civilizations of all time. They controlled much of Europe and the Mediterranean and they built countless important buildings and monuments throughout their empire. To commemorate important people and events, the Romans constructed what are known as Victory Columns. These columns vary in size and style, but they were all built for the same purpose, to commemorate something or someone of importance.
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Throughout Italy, Piazzas are a distinct element in every major city. These Piazzas vary in size and style, but they represent the heart and soul of every Italian city. Piazzas are where the Italian people gather together, where they eat and drink, where they trade their goods, and where they celebrate their most important festivals and holidays. Some of Italy’s greatest works of architecture can be found in and around these piazzas, and any visitor to Italy should include these important cultural centers within their travel plans.
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