The Castles of the Crusades

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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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Top 15 Examples of Rococo Architecture

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Although Rococo Architecture was a relatively short-lived style that lasted less than 100 years, it is still one of the major movements in architectural history. Rococo Buildings took many of the aspects of Baroque Architecture and greatly enhanced them – creating spaces that were incredibly grand, audacious, and inspiring. Rococo Architecture can be found in many of the world’s largest palaces, and it is a style that is synonymous with the autonomous rule of most 18th-century monarchies. The lavishness of the Rococo Age would eventually lead to major social and political changes in Europe, and over time a new more practical style known as Neoclassical Architecture would emerge as the world’s most dominant building form.

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Architecture of Copenhagen, Denmark

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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.

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Top 25 Examples of Neoclassical Architecture

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Neoclassical Architecture remains one of the major architectural movements in world history. Born after the irrational exuberance of the Late Baroque and Rococo Ages, Neoclassical Architecture was a return to the more practical and timeless designs of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Neoclassicism became a global style by the 19th century, and many cities such as Washington D.C., London, and St. Petersburg all contain great numbers of Neoclassical buildings. Today there is still a strong association between Neoclassical Architecture and modern Democracy, and some of the world’s most well-known buildings were constructed during the Neoclassical Age.

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Architecture of Istanbul, Turkey

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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.

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Top 25 Examples of Baroque Architecture

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Baroque Architecture is one of the world’s first intercontinental building forms. It spread from Europe to other parts of the globe thanks to the many European Colonies that existed during the Baroque Age. Many Baroque palaces, churches, and public squares can be found in cities throughout the world, and some of the most recognizable structures on earth such as the Palace of Versailles and the Trevi Fountain were designed in the Baroque Style.

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Top 8 Italian Baptistries

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Italian Baptistries 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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Top 30 Ancient Roman Theaters

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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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Top 25 Examples of Gothic Architecture

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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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Architecture of Venice, Italy

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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.

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Top 25 Examples of Mughal Architecture

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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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Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal

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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.

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Top 10 Tuscan Hill Towns

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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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Top 25 Examples of Renaissance Architecture

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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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Top 8 Ancient Roman Victory Columns

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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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