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The Fort of Fenestrelle, nestled in the Piedmontese Alps, is one of the largest and most complex mountain fortresses in Europe. Construction began in 1728 by the Kingdom of Sardinia (House of Savoy) to defend against French incursions. Stretching over 3 kilometers up the mountainside, its vast system of walls, bastions, and stairways reflects centuries of military engineering. Known as the 'Great Wall of the West,' it played a strategic role in regional defense until the 20th century.
The Wallace Monument stands against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, its stone façade a testament to the legacy of Sir William Wallace. In capturing this photograph, I was awestruck by the monument's architectural grandeur and the way it commands the landscape. The angle of the shot was chosen to accentuate the tower's height and the intricacy of its design, with the sunlight casting sharp, defining shadows that give the image a three-dimensional feel. This structure is not just a monument but a storyteller, recounting a tale of courage and history etched in stone.
The cobbled High Street runs past the distinctive St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.
St Giles Cathedral has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. The present church dates from the late 14th century, though it was extensively restored in the 19th century, and is protected as a category A listed building.
Photographed in the wake of the Bosnian War, this image captures the haunting state of the Holiday Inn Sarajevo’s twin towers — once a landmark of Olympic optimism, later transformed into a battered icon of conflict. Designed by architect Ivan Štraus and completed in 1983 for the XIV Winter Olympic Games, the hotel exemplified Yugoslavia’s embrace of bold, modernist architecture. Just a decade later, those same geometric forms and mirrored glass became the canvas of war.
Situated on Sarajevo’s infamous “Sniper Alley,” the Holiday Inn served not only as shelter for international journalists during the longest siege of a capital city in modern history, but also as an inadvertent participant in what would later be termed warchitecture — a movement examining how built environments are transformed, scarred, and reinterpreted through conflict. The aesthetic of bullet holes, blown-out windows, and exposed structural systems embodies a raw, involuntary art form: architecture altered by violence.
The left tower’s signature rooftop penthouse and the right tower’s shattered curtain wall façade are no longer mere design features — they are historic artifacts, visible markers of a city under siege. The damaged façade, with its scorched symmetry and skeletal floors, unintentionally exemplifies the principles of warchitecture: destruction as form, trauma as texture, and resilience embedded in material memory.
The Holiday Inn became a visual and symbolic threshold between civilian life and frontline danger. Its vibrant yellow exterior — once a bold color choice against the gray Yugoslav skyline — faded and darkened, not just by time but by war. Its structural endurance despite the surrounding chaos became a metaphor for Sarajevo itself: battered but not broken.
Architecturally, Štraus’s work is a case study in late socialist modernism, combining prefab concrete and mirrored glass to project internationalism and modern identity. Ironically, the very openness these materials suggested became liabilities during war — reflective surfaces shattered, exposed floor plans became targets. But through the lens of warchitecture, these scars now speak volumes. They chronicle a city’s suffering and survival, capturing the interplay of design, politics, and human cost.
Today, parts of the Holiday Inn have been restored and repurposed, but the legacy of its war-scarred form remains visible and vital. This image, stark and silent, stands as more than a record of physical damage. It’s a document of how architecture lives through war — how buildings not only shelter but witness, endure, and remember.
Light from the rising sun warms up the Pisa Cathedral in the Square of Miracles, helping it stand out against a dramatic dawn sky.
The Square of Miracles is a wide walled area located in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, recognized as an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world.
With its impressive Neoclassical façade, the cathedral is located in the heart of Fossano, on the site of the original 13th-century collegiate church of Santa Maria and San Giovenale. The interior decoration is mainly 19th-century, though it features valuable older works, including paintings by the Flemish master Claret.
Eminönü İlçesi’nde, Vezneciler semti 16 Mart Şehitleri Caddesi üzerinde ve Vezneciler Kız Yurdunun yanında bulunan Kalenderhane Camii; Kiliseden devşirilmiş camilerimizdendir. Yapının kilise olarak ne zaman yapılandırılmaya başlandığı kesim olarak bilinmemekle birlikte, 9. ve 12. yüzyıllar arasında inşa edildiği sanılmaktadır.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed İstanbul’u aldıktan sonra bu kiliseyi, ordudaki kalender adlı dervişlere tahsis ettiği için mekân Kalenderhane olarak anılır. 18 yy.da Babüssaade Ağası Maktul Beşir Ağa tarafından camiye çevrilmeden önce kilise ve daha önceki dönemlerde manastır olarak kullanılmıştır. Saray hamamından, komnen kiliseye, sonra bir zaviyeye, daha sonra küçük bir camiye çevrilen mekân, İmparatorluğun çöküşüne doğru harap bir hale gelmiş ve caminin minaresi 1930 yılında yıldırım çarpması sonucu yıkılmış, 1966 yılından 1972 yılına kadar süren onarım sonrası tekrardan ibadete açılmıştır. Ayrıca tarihi yapı; 1966 ve 1975 yılları arasında Harvard Üniversitesi ve İTÜ işbirliği ile ayrıntılı bir kazı çalışmasına da sahne olmuştur.
Kalenderhane Camisi’nin ana mekânına, tonozlarla örtülü narteksten girilmektedir. Ana mekânın ortası pandantifli kubbeyle örtülüdür ve bu ana kubbe, beşik tonozlarla desteklenerek tavan örtüsü ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Caminin duvarları taş ve tuğla karışımıdır. İç duvarlar renkli mermer kaplama ve kabartmalarla süslenmiş olan yapı ibadete açık olup, aynı zamanda yerli ve yabancı konukların da uğrak yeridir.
Hazırlayan: Ali Akçakaya
With its impressive Neoclassical façade, the cathedral is located in the heart of Fossano, on the site of the original 13th-century collegiate church of Santa Maria and San Giovenale. The interior decoration is mainly 19th-century, though it features valuable older works, including paintings by the Flemish master Claret.
Casa Cavassa, a refined Renaissance residence in the historic heart of Saluzzo, was transformed in the late 15th century by Marquis Michele Antonio di Saluzzo into an elegant urban palace blending medieval structure with Renaissance elegance. Today home to the Civic Museum Casa Cavassa, it preserves original frescoes, stuccoes, and period furnishings, offering a rare glimpse into the domestic life and artistic tastes of the noble elite in the Marquisate of Saluzzo. Its harmonious courtyard and richly decorated interiors reflect the cultural flourishing of this independent Piedmontese state before its absorption into the Duchy of Savoy.
The Royal Palace of Venaria, located just outside Turin, was built in 1675 by Duke Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy as a grand hunting lodge and summer residence. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, it was designed to showcase the power and refinement of the House of Savoy, with vast gardens, opulent halls, and an expansive park. Abandoned and later restored in the 21st century, La Venaria Reale is now one of Italy’s most spectacular cultural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing both the splendor and resilience of Savoyard heritage.
Early Christmas morning leaves the usually packed Piccadilly Circus strangely deserted.
Piccadilly Circus is a road junction and public space of London's West End in the City of Westminster, built in 1819 to connect Regent Street with the major shopping street of Piccadilly. In this context, a circus, from the Latin word meaning "circle", is a round open space at a street junction.
Should Conrad Black arrive at these doors, he would be turned away despite his corporation being the former owner/occupant of this historic building at 10 Toronto Street. It was here that Conrad Black was taped removing boxes of documents from the office - one action which eventually caught up with him. Black is currently serving a 6.5 year sentence at a Florida jail after his conviction in 2007 for fraud and obstruction of justice for swindling shareholders of the Hollinger International media empire.
Canadians are familiar with Conrad Black – the successful mogul who had to revoke his Canadian citizenship in favour of a peerage in England: "Lord Black of Crossharbour – named after a subway station in London and the region near it in the Isle of Dogs. There has been discussion in the unelected House of Lords of stripping titles from members who are found guilty of serious misconduct. Black might soon be a Lord without a subway station but for now he at least has his jail cell in sunny Florida.
The reason Black would not be welcomed through these doors is not merely that he is a criminal but also... "In a bittersweet homecoming, the descendants of Colonel Max Meighen are buying the historic Toronto downtown building at 10 Toronto Street that served as the headquarters of Conrad Black's former media empire. The sale comes nearly 30 years after Col. Meighen was ejected from Argus Corp., and the building, by a group that included Lord Black." (National Post - Dec. 9, 2006)
This “L” shaped Folk Victorian was built in 1888. The original five bay “I “ house has had many add-ons, a rear room was once on the east side of 1820 Kane! Don't let the cow on the roof confuse you. It does not alter the architecture of the house, and as such, does not violate the historic preservation ordinance.
Sixth Ward, Houston, TX
Unidentified Jain angel / god with no shirt on a cute stomach and remarkable attire for the bottom adorns one of the finest Jain temples in Pakistan. This idol survived vicious local Hindus who've stolen and sold may precious gods and angels to godless buyers in Pakistan and abroad. It also survived, during riots in 1990s following Babri masjid destruction in India. In Pakistan, to avenge fundamentalist Hindus' destruction of 16th century Mughul-era masjid fanatical Muslims, mostly from major cities like Karachi and Lahore, fanned out across the country destroying various temples, some very ancient. In process, some of the finest 15th and 16th century (and even earlier) temples were destroyed. Some temples survived the onslaught but their gods were gone for ever.
Much before, during 1971 war with India, almost all Jains left Pakistan when Indian forces occupied Southern parts of Sindh as far as Umerkot. Those fleeing Jains and some Banya Hindus took away some of the most remarkable god icons along with them.
An empty Chelsea Creek running past the Chelsea Monster.
Lots Road Power Station (Also known as the Chelsea monster) is a disused coal and later oil-fired power station on the River Thames in Chelsea which supplied electricity to the London Underground system. It has been a Grade II Listed Building since 2007.
Portal românico da Igreja de Santa Marinha, em Moreira de Rei, Trancoso, caracterizado pelo arco de volta perfeita e colunas decoradas. Em primeiro plano, sepulturas antropomórficas escavadas na rocha, vestígios de um antigo cemitério medieval, refletindo práticas funerárias medievais ligadas ao templo. A disposição das sepulturas junto à igreja indica a importância religiosa do local e a crença na proximidade do sagrado como fator de proteção espiritual.
Walking through the streets of Shaftesbury, I was captivated by the old-world beauty of these stone cottages. Their walls, rich with history, are softened by the green embrace of climbing plants and the careful touch of gardeners. The blend of natural beauty and architectural heritage here is just perfect, echoing the peaceful spirit of this quaint English town.
The facade of the Hotel Concorde Opéra Paris is a cultural and artistic landmark . It truly reflects the parisian architecture.
It is located nearby the cultural sites and the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann.
there are red flowers in this capture under each windows. The patter of windows and coordination of this beautiful architecture is just a mesmerizing reflection of the parisian ambiance and character.
Where other men blindly follow the truth, Remember, nothing is true.
Where other men are limited by morality or law, Remember, everything is permitted.
We work in the dark to serve the light.
We are assassins!
#lego #legos #toy #toys #moc #afol #venice #venezia #italia #italy #art #artist #medieval #historocal #historic #architecture #historicarchitecture #historicalarchitecture #legoartist #legocreator #legoarchitecture #legodesign #legomoc #ac2 #assassinscreed #legoassassinscreed
The Fort of Fenestrelle, nestled in the Piedmontese Alps, is one of the largest and most complex mountain fortresses in Europe. Construction began in 1728 by the Kingdom of Sardinia (House of Savoy) to defend against French incursions. Stretching over 3 kilometers up the mountainside, its vast system of walls, bastions, and stairways reflects centuries of military engineering. Known as the 'Great Wall of the West,' it played a strategic role in regional defense until the 20th century.
Eminönü İlçesi’nde, Vezneciler semti 16 Mart Şehitleri Caddesi üzerinde ve Vezneciler Kız Yurdunun yanında bulunan Kalenderhane Camii; Kiliseden devşirilmiş camilerimizdendir. Yapının kilise olarak ne zaman yapılandırılmaya başlandığı kesim olarak bilinmemekle birlikte, 9. ve 12. yüzyıllar arasında inşa edildiği sanılmaktadır.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed İstanbul’u aldıktan sonra bu kiliseyi, ordudaki kalender adlı dervişlere tahsis ettiği için mekân Kalenderhane olarak anılır. 18 yy.da Babüssaade Ağası Maktul Beşir Ağa tarafından camiye çevrilmeden önce kilise ve daha önceki dönemlerde manastır olarak kullanılmıştır. Saray hamamından, komnen kiliseye, sonra bir zaviyeye, daha sonra küçük bir camiye çevrilen mekân, İmparatorluğun çöküşüne doğru harap bir hale gelmiş ve caminin minaresi 1930 yılında yıldırım çarpması sonucu yıkılmış, 1966 yılından 1972 yılına kadar süren onarım sonrası tekrardan ibadete açılmıştır. Ayrıca tarihi yapı; 1966 ve 1975 yılları arasında Harvard Üniversitesi ve İTÜ işbirliği ile ayrıntılı bir kazı çalışmasına da sahne olmuştur.
Kalenderhane Camisi’nin ana mekânına, tonozlarla örtülü narteksten girilmektedir. Ana mekânın ortası pandantifli kubbeyle örtülüdür ve bu ana kubbe, beşik tonozlarla desteklenerek tavan örtüsü ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Caminin duvarları taş ve tuğla karışımıdır. İç duvarlar renkli mermer kaplama ve kabartmalarla süslenmiş olan yapı ibadete açık olup, aynı zamanda yerli ve yabancı konukların da uğrak yeridir.
Hazırlayan: Ali Akçakaya
Located on The Green in Hunstanton, Norfolk, the Town Hall stands as a testament to Victorian architecture. Designed by George Skipper and completed in 1896, this Grade II listed building showcases the Jacobethan style, featuring distinctive carrstone construction and ornate detailing. Originally serving as the town’s civic centre, it now houses the Town Council’s meeting chamber and has been repurposed to include an art gallery, celebrating local artists.
In the upper terraces of Palácio Nacional da Pena, the interplay of light and color feels almost theatrical. The warm ochre and deep red façades glow under the morning sky, revealing centuries of history woven into every stone. Built atop a Sintra peak, the palace fuses Romanticism with Moorish and Manueline influences — exuberant yet deliberate, whimsical yet architectural.
The courtyard’s textured paving leads to arched walkways and winding staircases, where each curve reveals a new perspective of the surrounding forest and Atlantic mist. It’s a place that feels both surreal and deeply human, a masterpiece of imagination brought to life above the clouds.
The Fort of Fenestrelle, nestled in the Piedmontese Alps, is one of the largest and most complex mountain fortresses in Europe. Construction began in 1728 by the Kingdom of Sardinia (House of Savoy) to defend against French incursions. Stretching over 3 kilometers up the mountainside, its vast system of walls, bastions, and stairways reflects centuries of military engineering. Known as the 'Great Wall of the West,' it played a strategic role in regional defense until the 20th century.