Architecture of Cities

Architecture of Venice, Italy

Posted on January 12, 2022September 17, 2023 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.

Top 25 Examples of Mughal Architecture

Posted on December 4, 2021April 17, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on November 21, 2021March 4, 2024 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.

Top 10 Tuscan Hill Towns

Posted on November 2, 2021February 13, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Top 25 Examples of Renaissance Architecture

Posted on October 17, 2021November 5, 2023 by rcarney

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.

Top 8 Ancient Roman Victory Columns

Posted on October 2, 2021April 17, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Architecture of Prague, Czech Republic

Posted on September 24, 2021March 16, 2024 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.

Top 15 Italian Piazzas

Posted on September 7, 2021May 7, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Architecture of Stockholm, Sweden

Posted on July 6, 2021March 4, 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.

Venetian Cities and Venetian Architecture

Posted on June 22, 2021July 17, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Timurid Architecture and the Timurid Renaissance

Posted on June 6, 2021June 25, 2022 by rcarney

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.

The arch of Constantine is a Roman Triumphal Arch Located within Rome, Italy.

Top 15 Ancient Roman Triumphal Arches

Posted on May 10, 2021January 28, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Architecture of Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Posted on April 26, 2021September 17, 2023 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.

Top 15 Examples of Armenian Architecture

Posted on April 5, 2021October 1, 2022 by rcarney

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.

Norman Architecture and the Top 15 Norman Buildings

Posted on March 16, 2021September 17, 2023 by rcarney

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.