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The Goryokaku was made in 1864 and it's construction took ten years. This is Japan's first western style castle, and it is shaped like a pentagon star, hence the name ('go' means five). From the top of Goryokaku tower, you can see Goryokaku's pentagon shape. For the 100th year anniversary the first tower was built, in December 1964 (60m high), and 41 years later in 2006 the new tower (107m high) was completed and the structure obtained the present shape.
From the observation deck at the highest floor of the tower, you can clearly see the star-shaped Goryokaku and the Hakodate Mountains, Tsugaru Strait, and other mountains. On the observation deck, there is a display space to learn about the Goryokaku. The observation deck is covered with strongly protected glass, and there is a café and a gift shop.
The new tower focuses on the star shape; not only the observation deck is star shaped but the cross section of the tower has a shape of a star as well.
Today Goryokaku does not have a surrounding wall; instead, there is a park filled with greenery. In spring, 1,600 cherry trees bloom and people visit from all over Japan. In winter, the Goryokaku is lit up, and from the top of the tower, we can see a beautiful star shape on the ground.
This was taken in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Here is a link to some more lightning photos!! www.flickr.com/photos/kevinaker/sets/72157609571304508/
The cross is one of the most ancient religious symbols, and while it predates Christianity in both the East and the West, it is universally recognized as the principal symbol of the Christian faith today. Many variations of the symbol are used by various branches of the Christian church, including the Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions, but the original Latin cross consists of a long vertical bar intersected by a shorter, horizontal bar, and is frequently used in architecture, jewelry and religious rituals. I saw this architecture of holy cross along the countryside of Bulgaria.
The Scaligero Castle is a fortress from the Scaliger era, access point to the storical center of Sirmione. It's one of the most complete and well conserved Italy's castles..The massive fortress is totally surrounded by water and has an inner porch which houses a Roman and Medieval lapidary..From the drawbridge, a staircase leads to the walkways above the walls, providing a marvellous view of the harbour that once sheltered the Scaliger fleet..The doors were fitted with a variety of locking systems, including a drawbridge for horses, carriages and pedestrians, a metal grate and, more recently, double hinged doors.