Our “Lists” articles are designed to explore one element within architecture and also answer a question, such as, “what is Byzantine Architecture?”
During the later period of the middle ages, one style dominated European building, the Gothic Style. Gothic Architecture was popular for hundreds of years, particularly in the most powerful Kingdoms of Western Europe such as England, France, and Spain. There are many trademark features in Gothic Architecture such as pointed arches, stained glass, and tall soaring towers and naves.
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The Mughals were a powerful dynasty that built not only the Taj Mahal, but dozens of other incredible buildings throughout India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Mughals combined Islamic and Hindu Architecture and paired it with materials like red sandstone and white marble. The Mughals built mosques throughout every major city in their empire, constructed a network of fortifications to protect their borders, and left behind massive tombs and monuments to show off their wealth. Today the Architecture of the Mughal Empire is one of the most influential styles from the Indian Subcontinent, and several Mughal Buildings are among the region’s most visited attractions.
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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 Renaissance was a rapidly evolving art movement that began in the late 13th century and lasted until the 17th century. Renaissance architects borrowed elements from much older works of Classical Architecture along with other traditional ideas such as Symmetry, and Proportion. From Italy to Germany, Spain, and beyond, this list will attempt to showcase some of the finest, most innovative, and impressive examples of Renaissance Architecture; highlighting various buildings from the Renaissance Age.
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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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The Republic of Venice was one of the greatest maritime powers of the middle ages. They controlled a vast territory that spread from their capital in Italy across the seas to the shores of modern-day Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Greece. Although most people only think of Venice when they picture Venetian Architecture, many Venetian-style buildings can be found throughout their former empire. This article will take a deeper look into the other cities of the Republic of Venice, and highlight Venetian Architecture from throughout the Mediterranean.
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Timur created a massive empire, that controlled much of Central Asia. The Timurid Empire borrowed heavily from older civilizations such as the Persians, and the Arabs, and they created some of the most incredible buildings that can be found throughout the region. This list will attempt to showcase some of the finest, most innovative, and impressive examples of Timurid Architecture; highlighting various buildings from throughout the former lands of the Timurid Empire.
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The Ancient Romans accomplished so much throughout the life of their incredible empire, and of course, the Romans were always eager to build monuments commemorating their accomplishments. They built triumphal arches throughout every Roman Province as a way to embellish the achievements of the Roman Emperors and acknowledge new territorial gains.
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Armenia was a formidable kingdom during antiquity, and the Armenian people lived on to begin many important dynasties over the centuries. This helped spread Armenian Culture and customs throughout the Caucasus, Anatolia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The Armenians perfected many building techniques through the construction of their churches and monasteries, and these developments are still influencing architecture to this day. Today millions of Armenians live in The United States, Europe, and the Middle East, and Armenian Architecture lives on both in the Armenian Homeland and the rest of the globe.
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The Normans have left a lasting legacy on European Architecture. Unlike other medieval kingdoms, the Normans weren’t a clearly united faction with a centralized government, but rather separate nations that shared a unified background. This largely explains the diversity of Norman Architecture, which is often very different in the Mediterranean vs. the British Isles. But regardless of a lack of unity, there are still many distinct features within Norman Architecture that helped shape the course of European building in the middle ages.
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The Romans had an unquenchable thirst for freshwater. Roman bathhouses, latrines, and public fountains, all required an immense amount of water every day. Without aqueducts, none of these luxuries would have been available. With the first aqueduct completed in 312 BCE, the Romans expanded and improved on their designs over time, and created the many examples of Ancient Roman Aqueducts that we see today.
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Despite the diversity of buildings all over the world, the vast majority are all made from a shortlist of materials. Wood, brick, stone, metal, glass, and a handful of others, make up 99% of the buildings around us. It’s rather unconventional to build something from solid rock, but despite the immense challenges, many monumental examples of rock cut architecture exist around the world.
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The five centuries worth of Moorish Rule in the Iberian Peninsula left behind some of the greatest works of architecture found in Spain. The Moorish buildings of Spain are some of the only works of Islamic Architecture found in Europe, and they rival some of the great buildings found throughout the Middle East. Although Moorish rule in Spain wouldn’t last, the monuments built by the Moors are still some of Spain’s most iconic sites.
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Romanesque architecture and art was a form of design that borrowed extensively from Ancient Roman art and architecture and was used throughout Europe from 500-1200 CE.
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