Reflections of old,colorful architecture.The shot was taken some time ago,so I don't know anything about the building the reflections are on.Enjoy.

Complete with its moat, Beersel Castle is one of the country’s few well-preserved examples of medieval military architecture.

The castle was built around 1420 and served as a front line site for the protection of Brussels.

The fortifications in this fortress are traditional: deep moats, a drawbridge, battlements with parapets and embrasures.

Tintern Abbey is a national icon — still standing in roofless splendour on the banks of the River Wye nearly 500 years since its tragic fall from grace.

It was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks, who were happy to make do with timber buildings at first. Abbot Henry, a reformed robber, was better known for his habit of crying at the altar than for his architectural ambitions.

A simple stone church and cloisters came later. But then, thanks to the patronage of wealthy Marcher lords, the white-robed monks began to think bigger.

In 1269 they began to build a new abbey church and didn’t stop until they’d created one of the masterpieces of British Gothic architecture. The great west front with its seven-lancet window and the soaring arches of the nave still take the breath away.

So grateful were the monks to their powerful patron Roger Bigod that they were still handing out alms on his behalf in 1535. But by then King Henry VIII’s English Reformation was well underway.

Only a year later Tintern surrendered in the first round of the dissolution of the monasteries — and the great abbey began slowly to turn into a majestic ruin.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

Garmo stave church at Maihaugen in Lillehammer, Norway. The woman in front of it, was one of the guides - they were all dressed in traditional Norwegian costumes.

This stave church originally dates to the middle of the 12th century - later expanded in the 18th century. In the 19th century the church was replaced with a newly built on in Garmo and this one was dismantled and sold at auction(!) in 1880. It was bought by Trond Eklestuen, who spent much time buying traditional Norwegian objects (and buildings) and giving them away to museums for preservation. The church ended up at Maihaugen (the largest open-air museum in northern Europe, founded in 1904), a place dedicated to the preservation of Norwegian history and architecture. The church was rebuilt there in 1921.

The Registan was the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand of the Timurid dynasty, now in Uzbekistan. The name Rēgistan means "Sandy place" or "desert" in Persian.

The Registan was a public square, where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, heralded by blasts on enormous copper pipes called dzharchis - and a place of public executions. It is framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) of distinctive Islamic architecture.

The three madrasahs of the Registan are: the Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420), the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646–1660) and the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636). Madrasah is an Arabic term meaning school.

Evening view of the new district of Krasnogorsk on the bank of the Moscow river.

About the cathedral: built in 2020, two floors: the upper church is dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the lower one is dedicated to the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The interior and exterior decoration of St. Andrew's Church is focused on the best examples of Byzantine and Old Russian architecture.

The height of the temple is 55 meters. The temple is designed for one and a half thousand people. The monolithic reinforced concrete building of the temple, with a total area of about 4,500 square meters, was built on two floors, interconnected by three stairs. For the convenience of parishioners, the church has 3 elevators. The concrete elements of the dome are covered with smalt ceramics, and translucent elements are inserted into the windows. Depending on the holiday, the domes of the temple will glow in different colors.

Das Gebäude wurde 1897/98 für die Firma F. Laeisz nach Plänen von Bernhard Hanssen, Wilhelm Emil Meerwein und Martin Haller im Stil der Hannoverschen Architekturschule erbaut. Der umbaute Raum betrug ca. 34.000 Kubikmeter. Die Baukosten beliefen sich auf 960.000 Reichsmark, das sind 28 Reichsmark pro Kubikmeter umbauter Raum.

Außer der Reederei Laeisz hatten von Beginn an bedeutende Seeversicherer dort ihre Geschäftsräume. Auch heute ist das Haus noch Firmensitz der Reederei F. Laeisz.

The building was built in 1897/98 for the F. Laeisz company according to plans by Bernhard Hanssen, Wilhelm Emil Meerwein and Martin Haller in the style of the Hanover School of Architecture. The enclosed space was approximately 34,000 cubic meters. The construction costs amounted to 960,000 Reichsmarks, that is 28 Reichsmarks per cubic meter of enclosed space.

In addition to the shipping company Laeisz, major marine insurers had their business premises there from the start. Even today the house is still the headquarters of the shipping company F. Laeisz.

Visiting Azerbaijan

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (Marathi: बृहन्मुंबई महानगर पालिका) (formerly the Bombay Municipal Corporation) or the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is the civic body that governs the city of Mumbai (Bombay). It is India's richest municipal organisation. Established under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, it is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city and some suburbs of Mumbai. Its motto, यतो धर्मस्ततो जय (Sanskrit: Yato Dharmastato Jaya or, Where there is Righteousness, there shall be Victory) is inscribed on the banner of its Coat of Arms. Built in the Indo Saracenic style of architecture the BMC, as it is more popularly known, is the largest civic organisation in the country, and administers an area of 434 sq km.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी टरमीनस), formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay VT) is an historic railway station which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India[citation needed], and serves Central Railway trains terminating in Mumbai as well as the Mumbai suburban railway.

The station was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a consulting architect in 1887-1888, for the princely sum of 16.14 lakh rupees. Stevens earned the commission to construct the station after a masterpiece water colour sketch by draughts man Axel Herman. After earning the commission, Stevens went on a ten-month trip to Europe to make a detailed study of the stations there. The final design bears some resemblance to St. Pancras station in London[citation needed]. It took ten years to complete and was named "Victoria Terminus" in honor of the reigning Queen Victoria.

In 1996, the station was renamed by the state government after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a famed 17th century Maratha king.

On July 2, 2004 the station was nominated a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.

Monastery - Nilova Hermitage. Tver region. Russia.

The monastery dates back to 1528, from the moment of the arrival of the Monk Nile on the island of Stolobny, on Lake Seliger.

A few years later, after the presentation of the Monk Nil of Stolobensky, in 1594, a Blessing was given for the opening of the monastery of the Nilov Pustyn.

In the 18-19 centuries, the Nilova Pustyn Monastery was one of the largest cultural centers in Russia, with a huge library, educational institutions, with its own large production of goods and products.

It was in the Nilova desert that Leonty Magnitsky, a mathematician and teacher, studied under whom, later, the Great Lomonosov studied. Nilova Hermitage was visited by many great people, including Emperor Alexander I and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After the blasphemous looting and partial destruction of the monastery by the Bolsheviks, the buildings were used as a colony for minors, as a prisoner of war camp, as a military hospital, as a camp site. When all the buildings of the monastery fell into disrepair and could no longer be used, without major repairs, by the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, in 1990, the monastery complex was transferred to the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the revival of the Nilo-Stolobensky Monastery. Ahead, there are still colossal works to restore the former splendor of the holy monastery. But already now, the Nilo-Stolobenskaya hermitage is the pearl of the Tver diocese. Even in spite of all the destruction that befell from the godless power, this monastery with all this lies before us in all its beauty and grandeur of the genius of architecture, the pious ancestors of the Russian land.

Today, the monastery, thanks to the governor Archimandrite Arkady (Gubanov), is being successfully restored by the brethren and already has its own autonomous production of products, which is in great demand among pilgrims and local residents.

This white marble temple is dedicated to Athena, the gardian goddess of Athens, bringing victory (Nike).

It is the smallest tempel to be found on the Acropolis.

The temple was erected in the 5th century BC at the height of the classical period of Greek architecture. The small temple is one of the most beautiful examples of architecture built in Ionic order.

The temple is situated on the edge of the steep rock of the Acropolis, with the city of Athens at its feet and the Aegean Sea in the distance....

Architecture the Light - 9 | Photo Diary

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Hong Kong, 2020

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The Ionic order is one of the three canonic orders of classical architecture, the other two being the Doric and the Corinthian. There are two lesser orders: the Tuscan (a plainer Doric), and the rich variant of Corinthian called the composite order. Of the three classical canonic orders, the Corinthian order has the narrowest columns, followed by the Ionic order, with the Doric order having the widest columns.

The Ionic capital is characterized by the use of volutes. The Ionic columns normally stand on a base which separates the shaft of the column from the stylobate or platform while the cap is usually enriched with egg-and-dart.

The ancient architect and architectural historian Vitruvius associates the Ionic with feminine proportions (the Doric representing the masculine)

From Wikipedia

Built on a small hill as a miniature piece of late Byzantine architecture, the quaint stone-built chapel of Agios Georgios dates back to the 13th century when it was the church of the Medieval village of Agrinou (now within the Larnaca area).

The village and the church were destroyed by the Egyptian Mameluks, who invaded in 1426, and also captured the Lusignan King Janos. Fortunately, the church was soon repaired and the king was freed.

The church served as a monastery in the 18th-19th centuries, but the annexed structures were demolished in the 20th century, thus restoring the original setting of the church. A wall painting of the saint still survives on the north wall. I was not allowed to photograph inside this time but I will try again.

Murau

Gothic architecture

The parish of Murau is characterized by its five historically valuable churches, as well as by its various forms of worship.

The Murau parish church is one of the earliest and most interesting Gothic sacred buildings in Styria. It goes back to the founding of Otto II von Liechtenstein, the then lord of Murau. Construction began in 1284 above the town, halfway up the south slope of the Schlossberg.

In 1296 the consecration in honor of St. Matthew, the final completion of the building, however, dragged on for a few more years. In 1311, the donor's will reports that the church building, a cruciform basilica with a high choir and a heavy, stone crossing tower, was not quite finished at that time. Late Gothic additions and extensions from the first half of the 17th century. - when after the extinction of the House of Liechtenstein-Murau, the rule passed to the house of the later princes Schwarzenberg - are witnesses of building changes and additions, which, however, in no way changed the basic character of the early Gothic building.

Imagen creada a partir de una fotografía hecha en la Ciudad de las Arte y las Ciencias (Valencia) a una de sus arquitecturas principales, el "Museo de la Ciencia"

El título es un juego de palabras. Cada uno puede interpretar, o ver lo que le parezca, como mirar por un kaleidoscopio

English

Image created from a photograph taken in the City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia) to one of its main architectures, the "Museum of Science".

The title is a play on words. Everyone can interpret, or see what they like, like looking through a kaleidoscope

The Internationales Congress Centrum Berlin (ICC Berlin) ranks among the biggest congress venues in the world. It was built in just four years under the architects Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte. Since its opening the highly versatile communication complex - 320 metres long, 80 metres wide and 40 metres high, - ICC Berlin is one of the most outstanding landmarks of postwar German architecture.

The complex consists of spacious lobbies (5,500 m2) and 80 halls.

A three-storey walkway provides a direct link between ICC Berlin and the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

The building is contaminated by asbestos, renovation has to be done and it's future is until now undecided.

© All rights reserved - Don't use my images on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto

Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.

Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu's times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture.

The first floor is built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during the Heian Period, and with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls contrasts yet complements the gilded upper stories of the pavilion. Statues of the Shaka Buddha (historical Buddha) and Yoshimitsu are stored in the first floor. Although it is not possible to enter the pavilion, the statues can be viewed from across the pond if you look closely, as the front windows of the first floor are usually kept open.

The second floor is built in the Bukke style used in samurai residences, and has its exterior completely covered in gold leaf. Inside is a seated Kannon Bodhisattva surrounded by statues of the Four Heavenly Kings; however, the statues are not shown to the public. Finally, the third and uppermost floor is built in the style of a Chinese Zen Hall, is gilded inside and out, and is capped with a golden phoenix.

www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

Orthodox church; a monument of history and architecture, the oldest surviving stone building in the city of Tver

In the course of the centuries so much has been built, demolished and carpeted at Heeswijk Castle that medieval builders today would have great difficulty recognizing their castle. Heeswijk may be a construction history jumble, it is still a large, imposing and beautifully situated complex that can rightfully be considered as one of the important medieval castles of North Brabant.

To begin with, there is the respectable age of perhaps around 950 years. The history of Heeswijk Castle goes back at least to the first half of the twelfth century, and possibly even further, to the end of the eleventh century. First, a motteburcht arose on this site, that is to say an artificially raised hill, 6 to 7 meters high, between 25 and 30 meters in diameter and surrounded by a moat. A tufa stone reinforcement was built on that hill, probably in the form of a tower.

In the fourteenth century that tower was no longer sufficient. Then, in stages, the construction of the brick late-medieval castle began, of which considerable parts are still standing today.

However, Heeswijk is not only interesting because of its long history. Hein Hundertmark, who investigated the building history of the castle, points out that from that fourteenth-century rebuilding until well into the nineteenth century, Heeswijk was always at the forefront of architectural architecture. The owners and builders constantly led the way in adapting the castle to changing circumstances.

This applies to the ambitious fourteenth and fifteenth century construction phases, whereby the castle was adapted to, among other things, the development of gunpowder guns. But also for the sixteenth and seventeenth-century conversion of a defensible castle into a representative noble residence. All things considered, it is no less true of the romantic dream that inspired Baron Van den Bogaerde of Terbrugge and his sons in the nineteenth century to neo-gothic extensions and additions, including the incorporation of all kinds of building fragments into the exterior facades. Heeswijk also set a trend in this neo-gothic adaptation.

Only after the Second World War was this line of progressiveness broken. For the last owner, the architectural legacy of his nineteenth-century ancestors was an annoying "romantic madness." He wanted the castle to return to a sober medieval aesthetic. It is therefore all the more spicy that the restoration of Heeswijk, which had to bring about this, ended in a castle with a predominantly eighteenth-century appearance.

Binh Thuy Old House built in 1870 is an interesting mixture of Chinese, French and Vietnamese architectures. The house had been the residence for the Duong family that came from China and has been living in Can Tho for several generations.

Binh Thuy is the name of its neighbourhood.

The house was used for shooting the movie "L'Amant (The Lover)" directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras.

Placé au cœur de la Cour carrée du Louvre, le Panorama de l’artiste Eva Jospin est conçu comme une architecture artistique. Le côté minéral de la ville, du palais et le décor du musée du Louvre se reflètent sur les parois habillées d'acier poli-miroir.

Placed in the heart of the Cour Carrée du Louvre, the Panorama by the artist Eva Jospin is designed as artistic architecture. The mineral side of the city, the palace and the décor of the Louvre museum are reflected on the walls clad in mirror-polished steel

The Garden of Flowing Fragrance, is one of the finest classical-style Chinese gardens outside of China. Filled with Chinese plants and framed by exquisite architecture, the landscape is enriched with references to literature and art. Visitors can find both physical relaxation and mental stimulation when exploring the dramatic 15-acre garden.

St.Petersburg : Church of the Resurrection .

Italiano : Negli anni 30 deli' 800' sorse in Russia lo stile architettonico " Neo Russo " che si rifà allo stile classico Ortodosso di S.Basilio ,vero simbolo dell'architettura nazionale . La chiesa della Resurrezione ,che si rifà a questo stile ,ha una superficie di 1642 metri quadri e un'altezza di 81 m . E' a 5 cupole con il campanile affiancato ,sormontato da una cupola dorata. L'insieme è molto curioso per la forma e per i rivestimenti multicolori .Di una importanza notevole sono i 308 mosaici su una superficie di 6500 metri quadri di rivestimento . Non esiste un altro monumento che abbia qualcosa di simile . Progettata dall'arch. A.A.Parland e dallll'archimandrita Ignatij ( I.V.Malishev ) 1883-1907 .

English : In the 1830 ,the " Neo Russo " architectural style revived in Russia ,with is based on the classical Orthodox style of St.Basilio ,a true symbol of national architecture . The Resurrection church ,with is based on this style ,has an area of 1642 square meters and hight 81 m. It is 5 domes with the flanked bell tower overlaid by a golden dome . The set is very curious for the shape and for the multicoloured coaling . Of a remarkable importance are the 308 mosaics on an area of 6500 square meters of covering .There is no other monument that has something like that . Designed by architect A.A.Parland and archimandrite Ignatij ( I.V.Malishev ) 1883-1907 .

Colourfully painted exterior of the main hall of Sro Loun Temple.

Carvings on the pillars at the entrance are very Vietnamese. Yellow flowers are also Vietnamese favourite. The temple complex as a whole looks like a departure from the traditional Khmer architecture.

The Fall of Saigon in 1975 resulted in the communist takeover of Cambodia. Khmer Rouge, as named by King Sihanouk, was backed by China and advocated the Maoist ideology and a fanatic Khmer nationalism. Influenced by the Cultural Revolution, they wanted to annihilate the bourgeoisie and killed a quarter of Cambodia’s population, in particular, intellectuals, Buddhist monks, ethnic minorities including Vietnamese, during their rule from 1975 to 1979.

They tried to get popular supports by fanning an anti-Vietnamese sentiment among Cambodians quoting Vietnam's occupation of Mekong Delta. They even invaded Mekong Delta and massacred 3,157 Vietnamese civilians in Ba Chuc village in 1978.

Myanmar has two traditions of architecture. One is imported from India (probably Bengal), which uses bricks. Another is an autochthonous tradition of wooden architecture. The former has been employed for monumental buildings like Buddhist temples, while the latter for residential buildings including monasteries and palaces.

Shwenadaw Kyaung is a Buddhist monastery made of teak. It is located in the neighbourhood of Kuthoudaw Paya in Mandalay. You may have noticed that the structure is built on stilts like many local houses in Myanmar.

It was not built as a monastery but a building in the Mandalay Palace. It was moved by King Thibaw, the last emperor of the Konbaung dynasty, out of the palace compound to the present location when King Mindon died. It used to be a favourite place of King Mindon, and his son was afraid that it would be haunted by the spirit of his father.

Mandalay Palace was converted to a military base for the British Army after their annexation of Burma in 1885. It was used as the Japanese military base in Mandalay during the Japanese occupation (1942-1945) and was burnt to the ground by the bombings of the allied forces in 1945.

Shwenandaw Kyaung is the only surviving architecture of the Mandalay Palace.

More Essex Churches

These are more examples of Essex Church images that show the Architecture, the Interiors, the Exteriors and especially the Stained Glass Windows that I have taken over the last decade or two. In this series of postings they are from the Village of Alphamstone, about 11 miles from Colchester, an important town in Roman times.

Sketches provided from the pencil of Charles Grigg Tate.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Архитектурный облик павильона №11 Республики Казахстан отражает мотивы казахского национального зодчества. Главный фасад оформлен в виде трехпролетной арки и украшен барельефами с этническими орнаментами, а также скульптурами колхозницы и сталевара и памятниками поэту Джамбулу Джабаеву и передовику сельскохозяйственного производства Чиганаку Берсиеву.....................The architectural appearance of Pavilion No. 11 of the Republic of Kazakhstan reflects the motives of the Kazakh national architecture. The main facade is decorated in the form of a three-span arch and decorated with bas-reliefs with ethnic ornaments, as well as sculptures of a collective farmer and a steelworker and monuments to the poet Dzhambul Dzhabaev and the foremost agricultural producer Chiganak Bersiev.

Stockholm's public library. The library has been described as the physical manifestation of a transitionary period in both the rationale of its designer and the shifting values of European architecture; the ultimate result a deceptively complex synthesis of styles presented in a visually straightforward package: the fading influence of Neoclassicism juxtaposed against the emergence of Rationalism. Brilliant!

Angkor Wat ("Capital Temple") is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world measuring 162.6 hectares. It was originally constructed in early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire and gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia (national flag) and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru. Within the moat is the outer wall 3.6 kilometers long and there are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the center of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas (deity) adorning its walls.

Church with sunset view - Paros island, Greece

Paros in Greece is among the most popular islands of Cyclades. Located in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Paros is one of the most typical islands of Cyclades, this place is famous for the traditional architecture, the lovely beaches and its nightlife.

Every corner of Paros is adorned with cute chapels and lovely churches, attractions that create this island's unique profile.

© www.myplanetexperience.com

The church of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul de Chânes was probably rebuilt by the monks of Cluny on a former church of the 9th century.

Although it has been transformed over the centuries (twelfth, seventeenth and nineteenth century), it remains very characteristic of Romanesque architecture: the gabled facade with its decor of Lombard arches semicircular, patterns sawtooth. There is also a Clunisian bell tower with a three floors octagonal plan.

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Une belle silhouette romane

L’église Saint Pierre et Saint Paul de Chânes a vraisemblablement été reconstruite par les moines de Cluny sur une ancienne église du IX e siècle.

Bien qu’elle ait été transformée au cours des siècles (XIIe, XVIIe et XIXe siècle), elle reste très caractéristique de l’architecture romane : la façade en pignon avec son décor d’arcatures lombardes en plein cintre, des motifs en dent de scie. On remarque également un clocher « clunisien» de plan octogonal à trois étages.

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Chânes - Bourgogne du sud / South Burgundy - France

Ålesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It’s known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. There are panoramic views of Ålesund’s architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. ― Google

Nîmes architecture. The Maison carrée, one of the best preserved Roman temples in the world

video tour youtu.be/x8-6xbp8-yE

Harpa

Concert hall, Reykjavík

"Harpa was designed by architect Henning Larsen from Copenhagen together with Batteríið arkitektar in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.

Artist Ólafur Elíasson designed the glass facade together with the architects.

(...) In 2013 the building won the European Union’s award for contemporary architecture, the so-called Mies van der Rohe award, for its outstanding architecture with the glass facade which seeks inspiration from Icelandic nature. The facade is made up from many smaller glass and steel elements and similar mirror elements are found in the ceiling. The artist’s idea was to move the basalt blocks which are found in several places in Icelandic nature closer to the citizens. The glass facade is inspired by naturally occurring pillow basalt.

The artist then plays with the light which comes on during Iceland’s dark winter months and is projected onto the building’s facade. It creates a magical light show reminiscent of the northern lights or the beautiful light and colours reflected in the sky at different times of year when the weather changes. (...)

The award statement said:

“Emerging on the border between the land and the sea, the crystalline structure captures and reflects the light, promoting a dialogue between the building, the city, and the surrounding landscape. One of the main ideas has been to dematerialise the building as a static entity and let it respond to the surrounding colours of the city lights, ocean and glow of the sky.”" www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/in-focus-2014/iceland...

A masterpiece of architecture, the Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most famous buildings. It is located on the edge of Sydney Harbour and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The building was evaluated as “one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity, not only in the 20th century but in the history of humankind."

百年建築 - 柳園教會

Lotus Palace is one of the fine architectural designed palaces that are uniquely identified by its lotus look like structure. This glorious building is within the Zenana Enclosure, a segregated area that was used by the royal women of Vijayanagara Dynasty. The balcony and the passages covered with a dome that looks like an opened lotus bud. The central dome is also carved as a lotus bud. The curves of the palace are given an Islamic touch while the multi-layered roof design is moreover related to Indo style of buildings. The style and designs is an inquisitive blend of Islamic and Indian way of architecture.

The palace is a two-storied building, well-structured symmetrically. It is surrounded by a rectangular wall and four towers. These towers are also in pyramidal shape giving a lotus-like structure visual. Around 24 pillars are present to support the arched windows and balcony of the palace. The walls and pillars are carved beautifully with patterns like sea creatures and birds.

This image captures the intricate spiral staircase located in the Deutschordensschloss (Teutonic Order Castle) in Bad Mergentheim, Germany. The stunning stone structure, featuring elegantly carved details and a circular, dizzying ascent, is a hallmark of the castle's Renaissance architecture. The ornate ceiling and the curvature of the steps are emblematic of the craftsmanship that defines this historical landmark, which served as the residence of the Teutonic Knights. The staircase exemplifies the fusion of functionality and artistic expression characteristic of the period.

I was in rehabilitation in Bad Mergentheim following knee surgery and unfortunately wasn't able to make it to the top. 😢

Ancient Greek theater is the oldest monument of Taormina. It is built of bricks, indicating that it was created in Roman times. Its layout is compatible with canons of Greek architecture. The back wall together with the scene create a picturesque frame for the landscape with Etna outline on the horizon.

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Starożytny teatr grecki jest najstarszym zabytkiem Taorminy. Jest zbudowany z cegły, co wskazuje, że powstał już w czasach rzymskich. Jego układ jest jednak zgodny z kanonami architektury greckiej. Tylna ściana wraz ze sceną tworzą malowniczą ramę dla krajobrazu z zarysem Etny na horyzoncie.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

This Japanese shrine, Ueno Tōshō-gū, is dedicated to the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, Ieyasu, founded in 1627, with the main hall (seen here) built in 1651 by the third Tokugawa shogun (and Ieyasu's grandson). It has survived the Battle of Ueno (1868), the Kanto earthquake (1923), and the bombings of the Second World War, and is now an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and is a great example of Edo architecture. The main building is covered with gold foil, and saw massive restoration work 2009-2013. This building is called the Golden Hall (金色殿) - and it's easy to see why - it is really eye-catching!

You are not allowed to enter the building - to preserve the shrine better.

And the name? Tōshō-gū is the name of any shrine dedicated to the shogun, Ueno is after the area where it is located, so you don't mix it up with any other.

Ragusa rises on the Iblei Mountains, is located in the south-eastern part of Sicily.

It was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693 and was rebuilt in Ragusa Alta and Ragusa Ibla.

This division was the result of various conflicts, but the most significant was undoubtedly that between the two main churches, in particular between the San Giorgiani and the San Giovannesi, who were linked to one or the other church, defending their autonomy.

The baroque historic center of Ragusa, or Ibla, represents the flagship of the city and thanks to the numerous churches and palaces it constitutes the most fascinating and historic part of Ragusa.

Thanks to its baroque architecture, the historic center has been included among the UNESCO world heritage sites.

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Ragusa sorge sui Monti Iblei , è localizzata nella parte sud-orientale della Sicilia .

Fu completamente distrutta dal terremoto del 1693 e fu ricostruita in Ragusa Alta e Ragusa Ibla.

Questa divisione fu il risultato di diversi contrasti, ma il più significativo fu senz’altro quello tra le due Chiese principali, in particolare tra i San Giorgiani e i San Giovannesi, che erano legati all’uno o alla altra chiesa, difendendone la propria autonomia.

Il centro storico barocco di Ragusa, ovverosia Ibla, rappresenta il fiore all’occhiello della città e grazie alle numerose chiese e ai palazzi costituisce la parte più affascinante e storica di Ragusa.

Grazie alla sua architettura barocca, il centro storico è stato inserito dall’Unesco tra i patrimoni mondiali dell’umanità.

I'm standing on a bridge, admiring the picturesque scene of Ghent. The canal flows gently beneath me, framed by rows of ancient houses showcasing exquisite architecture. The beauty of the surroundings is enhanced by the presence of locals and tourists, leisurely strolling across the bridge, creating a lively atmosphere in the heart of the historic center.

As I take in the panoramic view, I am captivated by the charm of this place. The buildings, with their ornate facades and charming details, tell tales of a rich history that spans centuries. The gentle ripples on the water mirror the serenity of the moment, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.

From this vantage point, I can see the hustle and bustle of the city. The streets are lined with quaint shops and cozy cafes, tempting passersby with their enticing aromas. The tantalizing scent of freshly cooked fries wafts through the air, luring me to indulge in the famous local delicacy: fries with stewed meat.

With the promise of a delicious meal just a few steps away, I eagerly make my way towards the mouthwatering scent. The anticipation builds as I imagine the crispy exterior and the tender, flavorful meat that awaits me. Ghent's reputation for its exceptional fries and hearty stews precedes it, and I can't wait to experience this culinary delight firsthand.

As I venture further into the heart of the city, I feel grateful for the opportunity to savor both the visual and gastronomic delights Ghent has to offer. It's a true feast for the senses, and I can't wait to immerse myself in the vibrant atmosphere and indulge in the unique flavors that make this place so special.

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More Essex Churches

These are more examples of Essex Church images that show the Architecture, the Interiors, the Exteriors and especially the Stained Glass Windows that I have taken over the last decade or two. In this series of postings they are from the Village of Alphamstone, about 11 miles from Colchester, an important town in Roman times.

Sketches provided from the pencil of Charles Grigg Tate.

More Essex Churches

These are more examples of Essex Church images that show the Architecture, the Interiors, the Exteriors and especially the Stained Glass Windows that I have taken over the last decade or two. In this series of postings they are from the Village of Alphamstone, about 11 miles from Colchester, an important town in Roman times.

Sketches provided from the pencil of Charles Grigg Tate.

Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is one of the largest cities in the U.S and is famous for its bold architecture.

The Chicago River has an interesting history. In 1900 engineers accomplished one of the most remarkable feats of the early twentieth century. They reversed the direction of the Chicago River by taking water from Lake Michigan and discharging it into the Mississippi River watershed. The river originally flowed into Lake Michigan. Once a corridor of commercial activity, the river has been transformed into a recreational area with sightseeing boats and kayaks.

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies

(German: Wieskirche)

is an oval Rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by brothers J. B. and Dominikus Zimmermann, the latter of whom lived nearby for the last eleven years of his life.

It is located in the foothills of the Alps, in the municipality of Steingaden in the Weilheim-Schongau district, Bavaria, Germany. Because of its outstanding rococo architecture, the Wieskirche was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983

@Wikipedia

Bruges is a beautiful city in the Flemish part of Belgium. It is known for its picturesque canals, cobbled streets, and medieval architecture. The city has many attractions to explore, such as the Belfry of Bruges, the Groeningemuseum art museum, and the Church of Our Lady. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy local cuisine. Bruges is an ideal destination for adults looking for a relaxing getaway with plenty to see and do.

PP work in Luminar Neo and Aurora HDR filters.

Another photo taken in the premises of Yamada Ryokan.

The building in the right is called Nagaya (長屋) that is an Edo period construction. The building in the centre is Yudono (湯殿) that houses a hotspring bath, and the three -story building is called Shinkan (新館, new wing) for guest rooms although it is old enough. The two were constructed in 1914 during the Taishou era (大正時代 1907-1926). These three architectures are listed as Registered Tangible Cultural Heritage.

They are traditional structures supported by wooden pillars and beams, which allow installing plenty of glass windows.

In my opinion, this is architecturally the best part of the Japanese inn.

The building behind Shinkan is Bekkan (別館, annex) that is a reinforced concrete structure built in late 20th century. It may be comfortable to stay but is less attractive for photo shooting.