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Sarasota is a city in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The area is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities, beaches, resorts, and the Sarasota School of Architecture. The city is at the southern end of the Tampa Bay Area, north of Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019 Sarasota had a population of 58,285. In 1986 it became designated as a certified local government. Sarasota is the principal city of the Sarasota metropolitan area and is the seat of Sarasota County. Long the winter headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus, many landmarks in Sarasota are named for the Ringlings.
The Sarasota city limits contain several keys, including Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Otter Key, Casey Key, Coon Key, Bird Key, and portions of Siesta Key. Longboat Key is the largest key separating the bay from the gulf, but it was evenly divided by the new county line of 1921. The portion of the key that parallels the Sarasota city boundary that extends to that new county line along the bayfront of the mainland was removed from the city boundaries at the request of John Ringling in the mid-1920s, who sought to avoid city taxation of his planned developments at the southern tip of the key. Although they never were completed in the quickly faltering economy, those development concessions granted by the city never were reversed and the county has retained regulation of those lands.
The city limits had expanded significantly with the real estate rush of the early twentieth century, reaching almost 70 square miles (180 km2). The wild speculation boom began to crash in 1926 and following that, the city limits began to contract, shrinking to less than a quarter of that area.
The area is known today as Sarasota first appeared on a sheepskin Spanish map from 1763 with the word Zarazote over present-day Sarasota and Bradenton. From 1883 to 1885, The Florida Mortgage And Investment Company Of Edinburgh bought 60,000 acres for development in what is now the City of Sarasota. Many Scottish people began to arrive in Sarasota in December 1885. The municipal government of Sarasota was established when it was incorporated as a town in 1902. John Gillespie was the first Mayor.
Italian architecture and culture are quite strong in the area because of the Ringling Museum. An unusually large number of homes and buildings are designed in the Italian style, especially Venetian as influenced by Ringling's Cà d'Zan. Italian-inspired statues are also common and Michelangelo's David is used as the symbol of Sarasota.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasota,_Florida
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Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls.
"The Church of St. John Baptist, Cirencester is a parish church in the Church of England in Cirencester. The church is medieval. It is renowned for its perpendicular porch, fan vaults and merchants' tombs.
The chancel is the oldest part of the church. Construction started around 1115. It was widened in about 1180. The east window dates from around 1300. The original stained glass of the east window has long since disappeared and it is now filled with fifteenth century glass from other parts of the church.
To the north of the chancel is St. Catherine's Chapel which dates from around 1150. It contains a wall painting of St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child, and vaulting given by Abbot John Hakebourne in 1508.
To the north of St. Catherine's Chapel is the Lady Chapel, first built in 1240 and extended in the 15th century.
The Trinity Chapel dates from 1430–1460 and was endowed for a priest of the nearby Abbey to say masses for the souls of Kings and Queens. It contains a squint which enabled the priest to synchronise the celebration of mass with that at the high altar.
The nave was completely rebuilt between 1515 and 1530 and is a remarkable example of late perpendicular gothic architecture.
The tower is fifteenth century and remarkable for the large buttresses which shore it up at its junction with the nave.
The great south porch which adjoins the market place was built around 1500 at the expense of Alice Avening." - info from Wikipedia.
Summer 2019 I did a solo cycling tour across Europe through 12 countries over the course of 3 months. I began my adventure in Edinburgh, Scotland and finished in Florence, Italy cycling 8,816 km. During my trip I took 47,000 photos.
Now on Instagram.
Francesco Guardi (1712-1793) - architectural capriccio with Roman ruins (1780-86) - oil on canvas 59 x 69 cm - Museo Poldi Pezzoli Milan
Conosciuto soprattutto per le sue vedute di Venezia, reali e immaginarie (alcune delle quali basate su opere di altri artisti), Francesco Guardi, nella sua lunga carriera dipinse più di mille opere tra scene di genere, avvenimenti della Venezia del proprio tempo, fiori, ritratti e capricci, genere di cui fu uno dei maggiori e più sensibili interpreti. Molto richiesto nel XVIII secolo, il “capriccio” è un’invenzione paesistica in cui architetture classiche, spesso in rovina, talvolta esistenti ma anche di fantasia, vengono accostate liberamente.Nel nostro dipinto, sulla costa digradante e aperta sul mare, dominano i resti imponenti di un grande arco romano in rovina, affiancato da colonne dal capitello corinzio, mentre una folta e incolta vegetazione ha ricoperto quasi l’intera sommità dell’architettura. La scena è animata da diversi uomini a terra o sulle imbarcazioni che, come piccole “macchiette” si muovono a gruppi o singolarmente.
Known especially for his views of Venice, real and imaginary (some of which based on works by other artists), Francesco Guardi, in his long career he painted more than a thousand works between genre scenes, events of Venice of his time, flowers, portraits and whims, a genre of which he was one of the greatest and most sensitive interpreters. In great demand in the eighteenth century, the “capriccio” is a landscape invention in which classical, often in ruins, sometimes existing but also imaginative architectures are freely combined. In our painting, on the sloping coast open on the sea, the remains dominate imposing of a large ruined Roman arch, flanked by columns with a Corinthian capital, while thick and uncultivated vegetation has covered almost the entire top of the architecture. The scene is animated by several men on land or on boats that, like small "specks" move in groups or individually.
First Friday Art Walk in Baker City Oregon
A beautiful evening celebrating the arts during the First Friday Art Walk and watching the seasons change in historic downtown Baker City, Oregon, multiple gallery openings, live music, and just exploring downtown Baker City's amazing architecture.
The First Friday Art Walk is one of numerous events celebrating the arts throughout Baker County. Other events include the Baker Open Artists Studio Tour in October, the monthly Thursday Art Night at the historic Eltrym Theater, the We Like ‘em Short Film Festival in August, and the Great Salt Lick Art Auction in September.
Visitors will find numerous art galleries throughout Baker City’s historic downtown including the Crossroads Carnegie Art center in the restored Carnegie Library building.
For more information about First Friday Art Walk or other art events and galleries throughout Baker County Oregon visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.travelbakercounty.com
Our journey through Uzbekistan started in Khiva, and we were genuinely impressed by this ancient Silk Road city. Surrounded by thick mudbrick walls and filled with minarets, madrasas, and open squares, Khiva is one of the best-preserved historic cities in Central Asia.
This photo shows a small but striking detail: a man selling balloons near the base of the Kalta Minor Minaret. The bright colors of the balloons contrast with the patterned turquoise tiles behind him—a mix of everyday life and historical architecture.
The Kalta Minor, or "Short Minaret," was commissioned in 1851 by Muhammad Amin Khan, who planned it to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia. Construction stopped when he died in 1855, and the tower was never completed. Today, its wide, tiled base is one of Khiva's most recognizable landmarks—proof that even unfinished projects can leave a lasting mark.
View of the Angkor Wat from outside the Southern Entrance fencing.
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.
Ostuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses. It is a genuine and charming example of Mediterranean architecture.
The city of Ostuni is a series of levels, staircases, small roads, alleys, arches. Hints of the Middle Ages are at hand in every corner, in every view to the sea, in the portal of a palace, in the walls of a convent or the front of a church.
The brightness of its whitewashed houses, set against the pink-tinged brown of its principal monument, makes the town stand out in the green of the surrounding area.
Is this happy combination of the natural and the manmade that has made Ostuni one of the most attractive cities in the region and an essential part of any tour of Italy.
The Estación del Norte (North Station) in Madrid, Spain, has a rich history tied to the development of the city's railway network. Located in the area of Príncipe Pío, it was once one of the most important railway stations in Madrid.
Early Beginnings
The station was inaugurated in 1882 to serve as a key connection for trains traveling to and from northern Spain, hence its name. It was designed in a classical style with a large, metal-covered structure typical of 19th-century railway architecture. The station was the terminus for the Madrid-Hendaye line, which connected the capital with France via the Basque Country.
Peak and Decline
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Estación del Norte became a major hub for both passenger and freight trains. However, with the expansion of other railway stations in Madrid, such as Atocha and Chamartín, the importance of Estación del Norte began to decline in the mid-20th century. By the 1960s, it no longer held the prominence it once did and ceased to be the primary northern gateway to the city.
Transformation and Present Use
The original railway operations at Estación del Norte largely ended in the 1990s, and it was transformed into a transportation hub incorporating metro and commuter rail services. Today, the station is known as Príncipe Pío and serves as a multimodal transportation center. It houses a shopping mall and entertainment complex, in addition to the commuter trains and metro lines that continue to use its facilities.
While it no longer functions as a major intercity railway terminal, Estación del Norte remains an important part of Madrid's urban fabric and serves as a reminder of the city's railway history. Its architectural heritage, especially the iconic metal roof, is still preserved and appreciated by visitors.
Prompt: [Atmosphere of a modest 19th century Russian manor in an apple orchard]::1 [contemporary Peter Zumtor architecture] : [the winter, a lot of snow] : [the light from windows] : [the sunny day]::1 in the style of Aleksey Savrasov --ar 5:4 --p m3lgrn9 --v 6.0
La Iglesia del Salvador sobre la Sangre Derramada o Iglesia de la Resurrección de Cristo (en ruso:Храм Спаса на Крови) es una iglesia de San Petersburgo, situada en la orilla del canal Griboyédova (nombrado en honor de Aleksandr Griboyédov) cerca del parque del Museo Ruso y de la Avenida Nevski. El nombre oficial en ruso es Собор Воскресения Христова, que significa catedral de la Resurrección de Cristo, y fue construida sobre el lugar donde el zar Alejandro II de Rusia fue asesinado, víctima de un atentado el 13 de marzo de 1881 (1 de marzo para el calendario juliano, en vigor en Rusia en esa época). Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y el bloqueo de la ciudad, una bomba cayó encima de la cúpula más alta de la iglesia. La bomba no explotó y estuvo dentro de la cúpula de la iglesia durante 19 años. Sólo cuando los obreros subieron a la cúpula para remendar las goteras, la bomba fue encontrada y retirada. Entonces se decidió comenzar la restauración de la Iglesia de la sangre derramada. Tras 27 años de restauración, la Iglesia del Salvador sobre la Sangre Derramada fue inaugurada como museo estatal donde los visitantes pueden conocer la historia del asesinato de Alejandro II.
La iglesia fue diseñada en estilo ecléctico conjuntamente por el arquitecto Alfred Parland y el archimandrita Ignati (nombre secular Mályshev), rector del monasterio Tróitse-Sérguievski. La construcción de la iglesia se inició en 1883 durante el reinado de Alejandro III, como conmemoración a su padre asesinado en ese mismo lugar dos años antes. Los trabajos se prolongaron y fue finalizada en 1907, bajo el reinado de Nicolás II: los fondos necesarios procedieron de las arcas de la familia imperial y de numerosas donaciones privadas.
A finales de marzo de 1883, el Zar aprobó la composición de la Comisión de Consolidación con el Gran Duque Vladímir Aleksándrovich como su director. La primera sesión de la Comisión decidió el nombre del templo, como la Iglesia de la Resurrección de Cristo, como lo sugirió el archimandrita Ignati.
Un fragmento de la barandilla de hierro fundido, pedazos de granito y algunas piedras manchadas de sangre de Alejandro II fueron retirados del lugar para mantenerse como reliquias en la capilla en la Plaza de Konyúshennaya. Posteriormente, volvieron a donde pertenecían y fue erigido sobre el lugar un pabellón, como solía hacerse en las tradiciones de la arquitectura rusa. El 6 de octubre de 1883, se celebró la ceremonia de colocación de la primera piedra, con asistencia del metropolitano Isidoro de San Petersburgo y Nóvgorod y miembros de la familia imperial.
La Iglesia de la Resurrección tardó 24 años en construirse. Este lapso relativamente largo puede ser atribuido a la decoración abundante y variada y al uso en la construcción de técnicas de ingeniería innovadoras en la época. Los cimientos de estacas fueron abandonados por primera vez en la historia de San Petersburgo, a favor de unos de cemento. Un sofisticado aislamiento hidráulico fue desarrollado para proteger a la iglesia de las aguas del canal. Calefacción de vapor y sistemas eléctricos se instalaron después.
El 19 de agosto de 1907, el Metropolitano Antonio de San Petersburgo y Ládoga consagró la iglesia. El nuevo templo surgió junto al canal Griboyédova (anteriormente llamado Canal de Catalina), para perpetuar la memoria del emperador asesinado, Alejandro II.
La Iglesia de la Resurrección (Iglesia del Salvador sobre la Sangre Derramada) es una de las iglesias más significativas en San Petersburgo. Su composición vibrante, pictórica y la decoración multicolor lo convierten en un punto destacado y distintivo en la arquitectura del entorno del centro de la ciudad. La Iglesia de San Salvador puede ser correctamente llamada un monumento de "estilo ruso" en San Petersburgo. Conforme a lo solicitado por Alejandro III, Alfred Parland diseñó la iglesia en el estilo del siglo XVIII y la arquitectura de Moscú y Yaroslavl. Él imaginariamente reelaboró las ideas de la arquitectura eclesiástica de la época anterior a Pedro el Grande para crear una iglesia que personificara el templo ortodoxo ruso.
El plan de la iglesia es una estructura compacta de cinco cúpulas, se completa con tres ábsides semicirculares en la parte este y un enorme pilar como la torre de campana en el extremo oeste. El techo de carpa octogonal de la torre ocupa la posición central. Este elemento tiene una estrecha afinidad con una serie de iglesias monumentales conmemorativas que datan de los siglos XVI al XVII.
La Iglesia es de ladrillo rojo y marrón, toda la superficie de sus paredes está cubierta de adornos elaborados y detallados, similares a los producidos por maestros del siglo XVII en Moscú y Yaroslavl. Bandas y cruces de ladrillo de color, azulejos policromados establecido en los huecos de la pared, "shirinka", azulejos en los tejados de las torres y coberturas piramidales, ábside, pequeños arcos de calado, las columnas en miniatura y kokoshniki (arcos de ménsula) de mármol blanco. Los mosaicos desempeñan un papel importante en la creación de aspecto festivo de la Iglesia acentuando los elementos arquitectónicos principales: kokoshniki, puertas de dique, y frontones.
Las cinco cúpulas centrales de la Iglesia son únicas, chapadas en cobre y esmalte de diferentes colores, que recuerdan a las cúpulas policromadas de la Catedral de San Basilio en Moscú, que a menudo es comparada a la Iglesia de la Resurrección, a pesar de su diferencia total en la ordenación en planta. Las cúpulas más pequeñas en forma de cebolla sobre los ábsides y la cúpula del campanario son, como es habitual, doradas.
El nivel inferior de la torre del campanario está decorada con 134 mosaicos de escudos de armas de las provincias y pueblos rusos que hicieron donaciones para la construcción de la iglesia. Estos escudos de armas componen una colección heráldica única.
La Iglesia de la Resurrección de Cristo fue concebida como una de las principales iglesias de la capital, diseñada para servir como un recordatorio de las grandes hazañas realizadas por el zar Alejandro II, el Libertador.
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_del_Salvador_sobre_la_sangr...
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Russian: Церковь Спаса на Крови, Tserkovʹ Spasa na Krovi) is one of the main sights of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Other names include the Church on Spilled Blood (Russian: Церковь на Крови, Tserkov’ na Krovi), the Temple of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Russian: Храм Спаса на Крови, Khram Spasa na Krovi), and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Russian: Собор Воскресения Христова, Sobor Voskreseniya Khristova).
This church was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded by political nihilists in March 1881. The church was built between 1883 and 1907. The construction was funded by the imperial family.
Construction began in 1883 during the reign of Alexander III, 2 years after the assassination of his father Alexander II. The church was dedicated to be a memorial to his father, Alexander II. Estimates suggest that the construction cost 4.5 million rubles. The construction was completed during the reign of Nicholas II in 1907. Funding was provided by the Imperial family with the support of many private donors.
The church is prominently situated along the Griboedov Canal; paved roads run along both sides of the canal. On March 13, 1881 (Julian date: March 1), as Tsar Alexander II's carriage passed along the embankment, a grenade thrown by an anarchist conspirator exploded. The tsar, shaken but unhurt, got out of the carriage and started to remonstrate with the presumed culprit. A second conspirator took the chance to throw another bomb, killing himself and mortally wounding the tsar. The tsar, bleeding heavily, was taken back to the Winter Palace, where he died a few hours later.
A temporary shrine was erected on the site of the attack while plans and fundraising for a more permanent memorial were undertaken. In order to build a permanent shrine on the exact spot where the assassination took place, it was decided to narrow the canal so that the section of road on which the tsar had been driving could be included within the walls of the church. An elaborate shrine, in the form of a ciborium, was constructed at the end of the church opposite the altar, on the exact place of Alexander's assassination. It is embellished with topaz, lazurite and other semi-precious stones, making a striking contrast with the simple cobblestones of the old road, which are exposed in the floor of the shrine.
Architecturally, the cathedral differs from Saint Petersburg's other structures. The city's architecture is predominantly Baroque and Neoclassical, but the Savior on Blood harks back to medieval Russian architecture in the spirit of romantic nationalism. It intentionally resembles the 17th-century Yaroslavl churches and the celebrated St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.
The church contains over 7500 square meters of mosaics—according to its restorers, more than any other church in the world. This record may be surpassed by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which houses 7700 square meters of mosaics. The interior was designed by some of the most celebrated Russian artists of the day—including Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and Mikhail Vrubel — but the church's chief architect, Alfred Alexandrovich Parland, was relatively little-known (born in Saint Petersburg in 1842 in a Baltic-German Lutheran family). Perhaps not surprisingly, the church's construction ran well over budget, having been estimated at 3.6 million rubles but ending up costing over 4.6 million. The walls and ceilings inside the church are completely covered in intricately detailed mosaics — the main pictures being biblical scenes or figures — but with very fine patterned borders setting off each picture.
In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the church was ransacked and looted, badly damaging its interior. The Soviet government closed the church in 1932. During the Second World War when many people were starving due to the Siege of Leningrad by Nazi German military forces, the church was used as a temporary morgue for those who died in combat and from starvation and illness. The church suffered significant damage. After the war, it was used as a warehouse for vegetables, leading to the sardonic name of Saviour on Potatoes.
In July 1970, management of the church passed to Saint Isaac's Cathedral and it was used as a museum. The proceeds from the Cathedral funded the restoration of the church. It was reopened in August 1997, after 27 years of restoration, but has not been reconsecrated and does not function as a full-time place of worship. The Church of the Saviour on Blood is a museum of mosaics. In the pre-Revolution period it was not used as a public place of worship. The church was dedicated to the memory of the assassinated tsar and only panikhidas (memorial services) took place. The church is now one of the main tourist attractions in Saint Petersburg.
In 2005, the State Museum of St. Isaac's Cathedral began the recreation of the Holy Gates (permanently lost in the 1920s during the Soviet period). Entirely produced with enamels and based on the pictures and lithographies of the time, the new Holy Gates were designed by V. J. Nikolsky and S. G. Kochetova and reified by the famous enamel artist L. Solomnikova and her atelier. Orthodox bishop Amvrosij of Gatchina celebrated the consecration of these new Holy Gates on 14 March 2012, the 129th anniversary of Alexander II's assassination.
The Woudagemaal, being the largest steam pumping station in the world, impresses. The huge machine hall are four steam engines, coupled with four powerful flywheels, which are still operational. The steam engines and flywheels driving eight round centrifugal pumps (also called Jaffa pumps) that move about 6 million cubic meters of water per day.
See website: www.woudagemaal.nl/
Thank you very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments.
CATHEDRAL OF STEAM
The special brick building is sleek and sober of character. The modest facade ornamentation and the horizontal wall classification of the Woudagemaal are typical characteristics. The interior of the machine hall - looks like a cathedral - obvious bears features of the Berlage's rationalism, such as steel trusses, the use of stone, oak, sophisticated colors and lots of trimmings.
HISTORY
The Woudagemaal was built at the end of the steam era. In the 19th and the first half of the 20th century large parts of Friesland were under water during the winters. To counteract flooding in Friesland it was decided in 1913 to build a pumping station at Lemmer.
The Woudagemaal was opened in 1920 and has still today - as largest working steam pumping station worldwide - a practical function in the Frisian water management.
STEAM, WATER AND ARCHITECTURE
The pumping station is named after ir. Dirk Frederik Wouda (1880-1961), then chief engineer of the Provincial Public Works. He was responsible for the design and the construction of the pumping station in the style of the Amsterdam School. The calculations of the mechanical installations were done by Ir. Wouda from the Technical University of Delft, while he was assisted by Ir. JC Dijxhoorn.
MONUMENT ON STEAM
Until and including the construction of the electric Hooglandgemaal in Stavoren (1966) the Woudagemaal was used to control the level of the Frisian waters. The pumping station is now only in action at extremely high water.
The whole of the structural building and the technical installation of the Woudagemaal is a protected monument. Since 1977 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Clingmans Dome Tower was constructed in 1959. It is a 45 foot high observation tower with a sweeping 375 feet long ramp for visitors to reach the tower. The Tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and played a significant role in the architectural history of the National Park Service. It is an prominent example of the National Park Service Modern architecture period, which broke away from the long-standing Rustic style of the NPS knows an 'parkitecture.'
It is also significant as a representation of the National Park Service's Mission 66 program, which resulted in a significant change in National Park Service planning, management, and architecture. The Mission 66 program, which spanned from 1955 to 1966, resulted in the construction of hundreds of building and structures. Yet, of the many structures built during the program, only nine were towers. As one of the nine towers built during the program, Clingmans Dome Tower is an example of a comparatively rare Mission 66 structure type. It was also the model for two other later Mission 66 towers - Look Rock Tower in Great Smokey Mountains NP and Shark Valley Tower in Everglades NP.
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) rises higher.
Clingmans Dome is a popular Park destination. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. A paved trail leads to a 54-foot observation tower. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.
Vistas from Clingmans Dome are spectacular. On clear, pollution-free days, views expand over 100 miles and into seven states. However, air pollution limits average viewing distances to 22 miles. Despite this handicap, breathtaking scenes delight those ascending the tower. It is a great place for sunrises and sunsets.
**Chaco Culture National Historical Park** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 66000895, date listed 19661015
Address Restricted
Thoreau, NM (McKinley County)
A World Heritage Site (whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/us).
For all the wild beauty of Chaco Canyon's high-desert landscape, its long winters, short growing seasons, and marginal rainfall create an unlikely place for a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture to take root and flourish. Yet this valley was the center of a thriving culture a thousand years ago. The monumental scale of its architecture, the complexity of its community life, the high level of its community social organization, and its far-reaching commerce created a cultural vision unlike any other seen before or since.
The cultural flowering of the Chacoan people began in the mid 800s and lasted more than 300 years. We can see it clearly in the grand scale of the architecture. Using masonry techniques unique for their time, they constructed massive stone buildings (Great Houses) of multiple stories containing hundreds of rooms much larger than any they had previously built. The buildings were planned from the start, in contrast to the usual practiced of adding rooms to existing structures as needed. Constructions on some of these buildings spanned decades and even centuries. Although each is unique, all great houses share architectural features that make them recognizable as Chacoan. (1)
References (1) Chaco Culture NPS www.nps.gov/chcu/learn/historyculture/index.htm
The Golden Gate in Bhaktapur, Nepal.
One of the most beautiful and artistic examples of the ancient Nepali (Newari) architecture, the Golden Gate, known as Soon Dhoka in Nepali, of Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a masterpiece not only of Nepal but of the world. This door of the great monument is decorated with mysterious monsters and other mythical creatures and is of great archaeological, historical and religious value. It also depicts the great architecture of the period which indeed is of immense value.
Built by the Malla King, Ranjit Malla in the year 1753 after he successfully conquered Dudhkoshi and Tolkha, this gate provides an entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows. It also provides an access to Kumari Chowk and the Taleju Mandir and connects the two blocks of the fifty-five windowed palace. It is a pride of Nepal because of its immense religious, archeological, historical and architectural value.
Sarasota is a city in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The area is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities, beaches, resorts, and the Sarasota School of Architecture. The city is at the southern end of the Tampa Bay Area, north of Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019 Sarasota had a population of 58,285. In 1986 it became designated as a certified local government. Sarasota is the principal city of the Sarasota metropolitan area and is the seat of Sarasota County. Long the winter headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus, many landmarks in Sarasota are named for the Ringlings.
The Sarasota city limits contain several keys, including Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Otter Key, Casey Key, Coon Key, Bird Key, and portions of Siesta Key. Longboat Key is the largest key separating the bay from the gulf, but it was evenly divided by the new county line of 1921. The portion of the key that parallels the Sarasota city boundary that extends to that new county line along the bayfront of the mainland was removed from the city boundaries at the request of John Ringling in the mid-1920s, who sought to avoid city taxation of his planned developments at the southern tip of the key. Although they never were completed in the quickly faltering economy, those development concessions granted by the city never were reversed and the county has retained regulation of those lands.
The city limits had expanded significantly with the real estate rush of the early twentieth century, reaching almost 70 square miles (180 km2). The wild speculation boom began to crash in 1926 and following that, the city limits began to contract, shrinking to less than a quarter of that area.
The area is known today as Sarasota first appeared on a sheepskin Spanish map from 1763 with the word Zarazote over present-day Sarasota and Bradenton. From 1883 to 1885, The Florida Mortgage And Investment Company Of Edinburgh bought 60,000 acres for development in what is now the City of Sarasota. Many Scottish people began to arrive in Sarasota in December 1885. The municipal government of Sarasota was established when it was incorporated as a town in 1902. John Gillespie was the first Mayor.
Italian architecture and culture are quite strong in the area because of the Ringling Museum. An unusually large number of homes and buildings are designed in the Italian style, especially Venetian as influenced by Ringling's Cà d'Zan. Italian-inspired statues are also common and Michelangelo's David is used as the symbol of Sarasota.
Credit for the data above is given to the following website:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasota,_Florida
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Burnham on Crouch, Essex – United Reform Church
These are more examples of Essex Churches that show the Architecture, the Interiors, the Exteriors and especially the Stained Glass Windows that I have taken over the last two to three years. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did visiting them.
Burnham-on-Crouch is a town just about 12.6 miles from Maldon in Essex.
The United Reform Church is situated on Station Road and was built in 1950. Previously a Congretational Church had stood on the site but this was destroyed by fire in 1946. In 1984 the Congregational Church came together with the Methodist Church to form the United Reform Church. Stained glass windows by Mark Lawrence? Unfortunately cannot find out any other information about them. Does anyone else know?
[Explore! #348 on 2012-05-25]
O Castelo da Feira, também referido como Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira e Castelo de Santa Maria, localiza-se na freguesia e cidade da Feira, concelho de Santa Maria da Feira, distrito de Aveiro, em Portugal.
Outrora cabeça da Terra de Santa Maria, ex libris da Feira, é considerado como um dos exemplos mais completos da arquitetura militar medieval no país, uma vez que nele se encontra representada a vasta gama de elementos defensivos empregados no período.
(pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelo_de_Santa_Maria_da_Feira)
The Castle of Santa Maria da Feira is a Portuguese castle in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, district of Aveiro. Emblematic of Portuguese medieval military architecture, the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira is one of the monuments that best reflects the diversity of defenses used during the Middle Ages, having been instrumental in the process of Reconquista and autonomy of the County of Portugal. It has been listed as a National monument since 1910.
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Santa_Maria_da_Feira)
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The Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮 Katsura Rikyū), or Katsura Detached Palace, is a villa with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan (in Nishikyō-ku, separate from the Kyoto Imperial Palace). It is one of Japan's most important large-scale cultural treasures.
Its gardens are considered a masterpiece of Japanese gardening, and the buildings are regarded among the greatest achievements of Japanese architecture. The palace includes a shoin ("drawing room"), tea houses, and a strolling garden.
The palace formerly belonged to the princes of the Hachijō-no-miya (八条宮) family. The Imperial Household Agency administers it, and accepts visitors by appointment. (Wikipedia)
The Alhambra (/ælˈhæmbrə/, Spanish: [aˈlambɾa]; Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء, romanized: al-ḥamrāʼ ) is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Spain. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, in addition to containing notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
The complex was begun in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, the first Nasrid emir and founder of the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state of Al-Andalus. It was built on the Sabika hill, an outcrop of the Sierra Nevada which had been the site of earlier fortresses and of the 11th-century palace of Samuel ibn Naghrillah. Later Nasrid rulers continuously modified the site. The most significant construction campaigns, which gave the royal palaces much of their defining character, took place in the 14th century during the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered. In 1526, Charles V commissioned a new Renaissance-style palace in direct juxtaposition with the Nasrid palaces, but it was left uncompleted in the early 17th century. The site fell into disrepair over the following centuries, with its buildings occupied by squatters. The troops of Napoleon destroyed parts of it in 1812. After this, the Alhambra became an attraction for British, American, and other European Romantic travellers. The most influential of them was Washington Irving, whose Tales of the Alhambra (1832) brought international attention to the site. The Alhambra was one of the first Islamic monuments to become the object of modern scientific study and has been the subject of numerous restorations since the 19th century.[9][10] It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Granada. Spain.
Manchester architecture, the very impressive neogothic townhall. It has an impressive interior but as you can see from the photo it is closed until 2024! England
Manchester is an interesting city, I made a very short travel video about it here www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYMlWwxVQTM
ageing rocker, maybe ;)
relaxing face, shot by KHWD, selfie time
want to see more images or read the blog?
www.motorhome-travels.net/post/blog-71-french-holiday-2014
Mont-Saint-Michel is a breathtaking tidal island in Normandy, France, famous for its gravity-defying abbey and medieval village. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is one of France’s most visited landmarks outside of Paris.
History & Architecture
- The island was originally called Mont-Tombe, but in the 8th century, Bishop Aubert of Avranches claimed that the Archangel Michael instructed him to build a church there.
- A Benedictine abbey was established in 966, and over the centuries, magnificent monastic buildings were added.
- The abbey features a Romanesque nave and a Flamboyant Gothic choir, built between 1450 and 1521.
- - During the Hundred Years’ War, Mont-Saint-Michel remained unconquered, thanks to its natural defenses.
- Under Louis XI, it was turned into a prison, a role it maintained until 1863.
Geography & Tides
- The island is surrounded by vast sandbanks and becomes completely cut off from the mainland during high tides.
- The Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel experiences the highest tides in continental Europe, making it a mesmerizing sight.
- A causeway was built to connect the island to the mainland, but it has led to rising sandbanks.
Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel
- The best times to visit are autumn and winter, as summers can be crowded.
- Arriving early in the morning or late in the evening allows for a quieter experience.
- Exploring the medieval streets, abbey, and ramparts offers a glimpse into centuries
- of history.
- For a unique perspective, visitors can cross the bay with a guide, experiencing the tides firsthand.
Would you like recommendations for photography spots or travel tips? I know you have an eye for capturing dramatic landscapes!
I try but don't always succeed
Ostuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses. It is a genuine and charming example of Mediterranean architecture.
The city of Ostuni is a series of levels, staircases, small roads, alleys, arches. Hints of the Middle Ages are at hand in every corner, in every view to the sea, in the portal of a palace, in the walls of a convent or the front of a church.
The brightness of its whitewashed houses, set against the pink-tinged brown of its principal monument, makes the town stand out in the green of the surrounding area.
Is this happy combination of the natural and the manmade that has made Ostuni one of the most attractive cities in the region and an essential part of any tour of Italy.
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.
The FIESP building (Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo) embodies the strength and innovation of Brazilian industry. With its striking pyramid-shaped facade, it rises like a futuristic monument amidst the bustling metropolis of São Paulo. The black-and-white composition emphasizes the strict geometry and timeless modernity of the architecture. The interplay of light and shadow on the textured surfaces brings the dynamic design to life, while the surrounding towers reflect the city’s industrial and economic progress.
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Baker City Oregon
Celebrating the arts during the First Friday Art Walk in historic downtown Baker City, Oregon, multiple gallery openings, and just exploring downtown Baker City's amazing architecture.
The First Friday Art Walk is one of numerous events celebrating the arts throughout Baker County. Other events include the Baker Open Artists Studio Tour in October, the monthly Thursday Art Night at the historic Eltrym Theater, the We Like ‘em Short Film Festival in August, and the Great Salt Lick Art Auction in September.
Visitors will find numerous art galleries throughout Baker City’s historic downtown including the Crossroads Carnegie Art center in the restored Carnegie Library building.
For more information about First Friday Art Walk or other art events and galleries throughout Baker County Oregon visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.travelbakercounty.com
The Currituck Beach Light is a lighthouse located on the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina. An example of Gothic Revival architecture, the Currituck Beach Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1973.
L’église Saint-Eustache 16/12/2022 10h21
The majestic église Saint-Eustache in full morning sunlight on a December morning.
Saint-Eustache
The L’église Saint-Eustache is a church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The present building was built between 1532 and 1632.
Situated at the entrance to Paris's ancient markets (Les Halles) and the beginning of rue Montorgueil, St Eustace's is considered a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. The church’s reputation was strong enough of the time for it to be chosen as the location for a young Louis XIV to receive communion. Mozart also chose the sanctuary as the location for his mother’s funeral. Among those baptised here as children were Richelieu, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, future Madame de Pompadour and Molière, who was also married here in the 17th century. The last rites for Anne of Austria, Turenne and Mirabeau were pronounced within its walls. Marie de Gournay is buried there.
Situated in Les Halles, an area of Paris once renowned for fresh produce of all kinds, the origins of Saint Eustache date back to 13th century. The church became a parish church in 1223, thanks to a man named Jean Alais who achieved this by taxing the baskets of fish sold nearby, as granted by King Philip Augustus.
The church is an example of a Gothic structure clothed in Renaissance detail.
[ Source & more Info: Wikipedia - Saint-Eustache ]
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Baker City Oregon
Celebrating the arts during the First Friday Art Walk in historic downtown Baker City, Oregon, multiple gallery openings, and just exploring downtown Baker City's amazing architecture.
The First Friday Art Walk is one of numerous events celebrating the arts throughout Baker County. Other events include the Baker Open Artists Studio Tour in October, the monthly Thursday Art Night at the historic Eltrym Theater, the We Like ‘em Short Film Festival in August, and the Great Salt Lick Art Auction in September.
Visitors will find numerous art galleries throughout Baker City’s historic downtown including the Crossroads Carnegie Art center in the restored Carnegie Library building.
For more information about First Friday Art Walk or other art events and galleries throughout Baker County Oregon visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.travelbakercounty.com
Walking through the streets of Tarragona, we can find different architectures. Visit the city if you have time. During the Roman Empire it was one of the main cities of Spain and capital of the Roman province Hispania Citerior or Hispania Tarraconensis. Roman remains of Tarraco are of exceptional importance in the development of Roman urban planning and design and served as the model for provincial capitals in the world.
Whitby Abbey architecture, the east end ruins stands almost to its original height and is an excellent example of Early English Gothic architecture. The ruins sit above the small fishing village of Whitby which is also famous for being a central location in Bram Stokers "Dracula". North Yorkshire, England, UK. Sony A6000
In the north of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) in the Maaspoort district, you will find fifty sphere houses with their striking architecture. The spherical house was designed by the sculptor, designer and architect Dries Kreijkamp born in 1937 in Tegelen. After following various courses and gaining work experience, architect Dries Kreijkamp has found his passion, the sphere, the most organic and natural form.
After the foundation of private company Bolbouw, the houses were realized in 1984 with the aid of a subsidy for experimental living. With the aim of connecting the residents with nature, partly due to the various round windows that are present in the houses. The houses are also environmentally friendly, because of the spherical shape the wind has almost no control over them and they are also designed in such a way that they are energy efficient and cheap.
The white sphere has a diameter of five and a half meters and consists of cement reinforced with glass fiber. The sphere is, as it were, part of a kind of stilt house. It rests on a precast concrete cylinder with a diameter of three meters. The houses are divided as follows: the living room is located at the top of the sphere, toilet and bathroom in the middle and at the bottom are the bedrooms and a storage room made of polyester.
The sphere dwellings are designed for 1 to 2 people. The diameter of the sphere is 5.5 meters. The round base has a diameter of 3 meters. Here is the entrance and storage room. The volume of the sphere is 124m³ with a floor area of 55m². Through the entrance you walk up the stairs where the bedroom is. The toilet and bathroom are located in the center of the sphere. The living room with open kitchen is located at the top of the sphere. The living room has beautiful round windows that give it a futuristic look.
This striking black and white photograph captures the façade of the Sacred Heart Canossian Convent, founded in 1905. With its blend of brick and clean-lined architecture, the image evokes a sense of serenity and history. The statue of Christ standing at the heart of the building adds a spiritual focal point, symbolizing peace and devotion. A moody sky frames the convent, enhancing the timeless, contemplative atmosphere.
In the north of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) in the Maaspoort district, you will find fifty sphere houses with their striking architecture. The spherical house was designed by the sculptor, designer and architect Dries Kreijkamp born in 1937 in Tegelen. After following various courses and gaining work experience, architect Dries Kreijkamp has found his passion, the sphere, the most organic and natural form.
After the foundation of private company Bolbouw, the houses were realized in 1984 with the aid of a subsidy for experimental living. With the aim of connecting the residents with nature, partly due to the various round windows that are present in the houses. The houses are also environmentally friendly, because of the spherical shape the wind has almost no control over them and they are also designed in such a way that they are energy efficient and cheap.
The white sphere has a diameter of five and a half meters and consists of cement reinforced with glass fiber. The sphere is, as it were, part of a kind of stilt house. It rests on a precast concrete cylinder with a diameter of three meters. The houses are divided as follows: the living room is located at the top of the sphere, toilet and bathroom in the middle and at the bottom are the bedrooms and a storage room made of polyester.
The sphere dwellings are designed for 1 to 2 people. The diameter of the sphere is 5.5 meters. The round base has a diameter of 3 meters. Here is the entrance and storage room. The volume of the sphere is 124m³ with a floor area of 55m². Through the entrance you walk up the stairs where the bedroom is. The toilet and bathroom are located in the center of the sphere. The living room with open kitchen is located at the top of the sphere. The living room has beautiful round windows that give it a futuristic look.
The Château des Adhémar is a castle, later converted to a Renaissance style château, in the French town of Montélimar in the Drôme département. It is located on a hill in the centre of the town.
Its origins are found in the 11th century when the first castle was built by the Count of Toulouse, the Duke of Narbonne. Little of this remains.
In the second half of the 12th century it became the property of the Adhémar de Monteil family, lords of Rochemaure, later lords of Grignan, then at the height of their power. The palace they built substantially exists today.
In the 14th century, it was taken by the papacy, joining the Pope's castles until 1447, when Montélimar was returned to the kingdom of France. The site of many armed conflicts, especially during the Wars of Religion, the castle suffered much damage and was transformed into a citadel, then back to a pleasant residence with the return of more peaceful times. In the 15th century it was used as a prison.
In the middle of the 16th century, Louis Adhémar rebuilt in the Renaissance style. During the French Revolution, the castle was partially destroyed.
The castle was a prison again between 1791 and 1926, a use which has meant that it remained practically intact.
Architecture
The château is considered to be one of the last examples of Romanesque castle architecture. having a fortified curtain wall, round walk, keep, a house and chapel, combining social, family, political and religious life in one. Only the Narbonne tower is outside the first wall, some metres to the north. Of the original 12th-century residential buildings, only the palace remains. There are three large rectangular rooms reached through a monumental doorway. The spectacular decoration of the lodgings is concentrated on the first floor gallery, with no fewer than nine semicircular arches with sculptured columns. This series of windows extends the full length of the building.
The keep has three floors. The austere architecture, with thick walls, reminds visitors of the castle's medieval origins.
The castle has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1889.
Contemporary art
The property of the Département de la Drôme since 1947, the Adhémar’s castle is a monument historique and, since 2000, a contemporary art centre. This centre works with artist projects linking both a high standard of proposals and a real firmly fixed territorial spot. The aim of the centre of contemporary art through the three castles of the Drôme general council (Adhémar at Montélimar, Grignan, Suze-la-Rousse) is to match contemporary creation and cultural heritage. Since its creation, about a fifty temporary exhibitions has been performed with renowned national artists, even international and younger ones.
Besides the contrast between medieval architecture and the various forms of present creation, the castle originality is expressed by the artists who have to keep in mind the important heritage of the place. Thus, each artist develops a strategy in their creation to emphasize, to refute, to express, to reveal or to conceal the powerful architectural presence of the Adhémar’s castle.
According to Raleigh Historic: The Nathaniel "Crabtree" Jones House is remarkable for its intact Federal‐style architecture. The house is a rare surviving early nineteenth‐century house built in what was at the time rural Wake County. It represents the type of dwelling a Wake County planter would have built for his family. Its intact woodwork and detailing reflect the craftsmanship of the workers who built the house. The house features molded weatherboards, modillion cornice, Flemish bond chimneys and six-panel doors. Nathaniel Jones, an early Wake County settler, built the dwelling. In 2014, the house was moved approximately 425’ southeast from its original location to its current site ‒ on land in the Crabtree Heights subdivision that was part of the original Jones family landholding. Private residence.
Date: ca. 1795
The Zisa is a castle in the western part of Palermo in Sicily, southern Italy. It is included in the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale World Heritage Site.
The construction was begun in the 12th century by Arabian craftsmen for king William I of Sicily, and completed by his son William II. The edifice had been conceived as summer residence for the Norman kings, as a part of the large hunting resort known as Genoardo (Arabic: Jannat al-arḍ, literally "Paradise on Earth") that included also the Cuba Sottana, the Cuba Soprana and the Uscibene palace.
The Zisa is clearly inspired by Moorish architecture. The name Zisa itself derives from the Arab term al-Azīz, meaning "dear" or "splendid". The same word, in Naskh script, is impressed in the entrance, according to the usual habit for the main Islamic edifices of the time.
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Egypt - Cairo - القاهرة - al-Qāhira - Great Pyramids of Giza - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Famous last remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the only true rival to the Great Sphinx when one thinks of ancient Egypt and its architecture. The Valley of Giza -- with its wonderful monuments -- is truly a marvel of architectural prowess. The three largest pyramids located in the valley consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura.
This photo is a another great example of Egypt way of modeling for money - Those of you that think that such a timeless photo opportunity will occur on each step in a place like a Pyramids, Valley of Kings or Luxor in Egypt ( I thought so) might be surprised as Egypt is a land of "baksheesh" and money is asked for everything. When I took photos of bakery in Oman or Yemen I left the shop with piece of free warm bread in my hand, when I tried to do same in Luxor, I was very shortly asked for "baksheesh" in very ordinary old bakery in the city. When I surprisingly just said "shokran" - thank you, I was not allowed to take more photos. The same story goes with this shot and many more. On a second thought, I should have asked for "baksheesh" too when those Egyptian guys have been taking photos with me to show off that they have new blond, European girlfriend.
These guys at pyramids are even smarter than those at Luxor, as they all pose for you with their camels they are at the same time inviting you to sit on the camel yourself. When you ask them if you have to pay for it after, they say - oh no, it is for free. However they dont let you off the camel unless you dont give them some baksheesh. If you claim that they said no at the first place, they reply that it is not for them but for the camel !! So be aware of all those tricks.
Camera Model: PENTAX K20D; ; Focal length: 10.00 mm; Aperture: 6.7; Exposure time: 1/180 s; ISO: 100
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova - www.luciedebelkova.com
All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Belton House a Grade I listed country house in Belton near Grantham, Lincolnshire.
The mansion is surrounded by formal gardens and a series of avenues leading to follies within a larger wooded park. Belton has been described as a compilation of all that is finest of Carolean architecture, the only truly vernacular style of architecture that England had produced since the Tudor period.
The house has also been described as the most complete example of a typical English country house; the claim has even been made that Belton's principal facade was the inspiration for the modern British motorway signs which give directions to stately homes.
For three hundred years, Belton House was the seat of the Brownlow and Cust family, who had first acquired land in the area in the late 16th century. Between 1685 and 1688 Sir John Brownlow and his wife had the present mansion built. Despite great wealth they chose to build a modest country house rather than a grand contemporary Baroque palace.
The contemporary, if provincial, Carolean style was the selected choice of design. However, the new house was fitted with the latest innovations such as sash windows for the principal rooms, and more importantly separate areas for the staff. As the Brownlows rose from baronets to barons upward to earls, successive generations made changes to the interior of the house which reflected their changing social position and tastes.
Following World War I (a period when the Machine Gun Corps was based in the park), the Brownlows, like many of their peers, were faced with mounting financial problems. In 1984 they gave the house away complete with most of its contents. The recipients of their gift, the National Trust, today fully open Belton to the public.
Information Source:
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Baker City Oregon
Celebrating the arts during the First Friday Art Walk in historic downtown Baker City, Oregon, multiple gallery openings, and just exploring downtown Baker City's amazing architecture.
The First Friday Art Walk is one of numerous events celebrating the arts throughout Baker County. Other events include the Baker Open Artists Studio Tour in October, the monthly Thursday Art Night at the historic Eltrym Theater, the We Like ‘em Short Film Festival in August, and the Great Salt Lick Art Auction in September.
Visitors will find numerous art galleries throughout Baker City’s historic downtown including the Crossroads Carnegie Art center in the restored Carnegie Library building.
For more information about First Friday Art Walk or other art events and galleries throughout Baker County Oregon visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.travelbakercounty.com
Battistero di Parma, edificio destinato al rito battesimale, si trova accanto al duomo di Parma ed è considerato come il punto di giunzione tra l'architettura romanica e l'architettura gotica.
Il battistero fu commissionato a Benedetto Antelami, che ne iniziò la decorazione nel 1196, come attesta un'iscrizione sul portale, la conclusione avvenne entro il 1270, quando l'edificio venne solennemente consacrato.
L'interno è costituito da 16 arcate che compongono delle nicchie, ciascuna delle quali contiene una scena dipinta. Tutti questi affreschi e dipinti risalgono al XIII e XIV secolo. I 16 lati della conformazione interna, che duplicano l'ottagono esterno (simbolo di eternità), evocano la cerchia dei dodici apostoli abbinata al 4 dei punti cardinali, degli evangelisti e delle stagioni.
The Baptistery of Parma (Italian: Battistero di Parma) is a religious edifice in Parma, northern Italy. Architecturally, the baptistery of Parma Cathedral marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.
The Baptistery was commissioned to Benedetto Antelami by the City Council of Parma in 1196. The outside of pink Verona Marble is octagonal. The inside contains sixteen arches, forming alcoves each containing a painted scene. All these are 13th and 14th century frescoes and paintings. The most striking part of the Baptistery, however, is its painted domed ceiling. Sixteen rays come out of the center of the ceiling, which each correspond to the arches.
A majestic example of medieval architecture, the Castle of the Princes of Acaja towers over Fossano’s historic center with its corner towers and inner courtyard. Built in the 14th century as a fortress, it was later transformed into a noble residence, preserving its grandeur and timeless charm.
From the Ante-Chapter-House a curved passage leads to one of the most admirable areas of Spanish Renaissance architecture: the Chapter-House of the Cathedral. It was begun in 1558 under the direction of the architec Hernán Ruiz II and was finished by Asensio de Maeda in 1592.
The layout of this area is elliptical so that all the members of the cathedral chapter were perfectly visible at their meetings where the problems of the spiritual and material government of the church were brought up and discussed. The oval vaulting in one simple unit helps the voice to carry and has exceptional acoustics. The need for hearing and seeing required in the meetings of the numerous clergy was thus satisfactorily solved, but at the same time the wall decoration of the Chapter-House consists of a complex series of pictures and figures to emphasize the virtues expected of those who came to meet there so that their exchange of ideas and opinions would take place in an atmosphere of harmony and concerd. The walls therefore show a moral code for the canons to observe in their chapter meetings. The composition of pictures and figures designed by the canon Francisco Pacheco includes a seies of sculptures ans paintings with Latin inscriptions referring to the meanings of the images. All this decoration appears in the second section of the Hall, and the first to be seen between the pedestals of the columns are painted versions of the Virtues, among which Justice, Charity, Faith, Compassion and Hope can be identified. These virtues are female figures, some of which represent Saints at the same time, such as St Barbara, St Katherine, St Lucy and St Agnes. These paintings were carried out by Pablo de Céspedes in 1592.
The authors of the large vertical reliefs between the columns are Juan Bautista Vázquez el Viejo and Diego de Velasco who made them approximately between 1582 and 1582. They show The Assumption of the Virgin, Two Miracles of St John the Evangelists, The cleasing of the Temple, The Heavenly Father with the Vintagers, The seven Angels calling the Damned, The Ectasy of St John Evangelist and The Allegory of the Mystic Lamb. The rectangular reliefs were carried out by Marcos Cabrera around 1590 and show The last Sermon of Jesus Christ, Daniel in the Lions´Den, Christ´s Baptism, The Storm in the Sea of Tiberias, The Parable of the Sower, Christ,s Agony in the Garden, St Peter contemplating the unclean Animals and Christ washing the Feet of the Apostles.
In the vault there is a magnificent series of paintings by Murillo who was commissioned by the Chapter in 1667. In a splendid carved frame everything centres on La Inmaculada, which may be considered among the most beautiful the artist made of the subject. Painted on circular canvases around the vault there is a series of eight Seville Saints who can be identified by the name on the signs. They are San Hermenegildo, San Fernando, San Leandro, San Isidoro, San Laureano, Santa Justa, Santa Rufina and San Pio. The Chapter-House centres on a magnificent mahogany armchair which was carved by the sculptor Diego de Velasco in 1592. Before it there is the secretary´s bench, also of excellent design by the same artist.
hispalis.net/turismo_y_cultura/monumentos/catedral/capitu...
Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House is a great architectural work of the 20th century that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation in both architectural form and structural design. A great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip of a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture. The Sydney Opera House comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ which roof two main performance halls and a restaurant. These shell-structures are set upon a vast platform and are surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. In 1957, when the project of the Sydney Opera House was awarded by an international jury to Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it marked a radically new approach to construction.
high on top is the restored old Partiarchal Cathedral is overlooking the hill of Tzarevets and all other hills ho Veliko Tarnovo.
Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: "Велико Търново", romanized: Veliko Tǎrnovo, pronounced [vɛˈliko ˈtɤrnovo]; "Great Tarnovo") is a town in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province.
Often referred as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and also a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls.
Trapezitsa is known for its many churches and as the former main residence of the nobility. During the Middle Ages, the town was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School, and to literature. Veliko Tarnovo is an important administrative, economic, educational, and cultural centre of Northern Bulgaria.
Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria, with a history of more than five millennia. The first traces of human presence, dating from the 3rd millennium BC, were discovered on Trapezitsa Hill.[6]
First Bulgarian state
Tarnovo was a stronghold of the First Bulgarian Empire. A number of coins, specimens and ceramics from the First Bulgarian State were found on the hills on which the capital city of Tarnovgrad stretched. [7] The city was important for the first Bulgarian state. There was an important military garrison in it. In the church of St. Forty Martyrs were found specimens that historians believe are the work of Bulgarians from Volga Bulgaria[requires source].
The Uprising of Asen and Peter began on 26 October 1185, the feast day of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, and ended with the restoration of Bulgaria with the creation of the Second Bulgarian Empire, ruled by the Asen dynasty.
Veliko Tarnovo, originally Tarnovgrad (Търновград), grew quickly to become the strongest Bulgarian fortification and most prosperous city during the second half of the High and the Late Middle Ages and also most important political, economic, cultural and religious centre of the empire. In the 14th century, the city was described by Bulgarian cleric Gregory Tsamblak as "a very large city, handsome and surrounded by walls, with 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants".,[7] the fortress of Tsarevets being the primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces.
In the 14th century, as the Byzantine Empire weakened, Tarnovo claimed to be the Third Rome, based on its preeminent cultural influence in Southeastern Europe.
As the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, Tarnovo was a quasi-cosmopolitan city, with many foreign merchants and envoys. Tarnovo is known to have had Armenian, Jewish and Roman Catholic ("Frankish") merchant quarters, besides a dominant Bulgarian population. The discovery of three Gothic heads of statuettes indicates there may have also been a Catholic church.
thx to Wikipedia. For more Information on the further history under the Ottoman rule also please see Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliko_Tarnovo
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The Ancestral Pueblos were an ancient Native American culture that spanned the present-day Four Corners region of the United States, comprising southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado. The Ancestral Puebloans are believed to have developed, at least in part, from the Oshara Tradition, who developed from the Picosa culture.
They lived in a range of structures that included small family pit houses, larger structures to house clans, grande pueblos, and cliff-side dwellings for defense. The Ancestral Puebloans possessed a complex network that stretched across the Colorado Plateau linking hundreds of communities and population centers. They held a distinct knowledge of celestial sciences that found form in their architecture. The kiva, a congregational space that was used chiefly for ceremonial purposes, was an integral part of this ancient people's community structure.
In contemporary times, the people and their archaeological culture were referred to as Anasazi for historical purposes. The Navajo, who were not their descendants, called them by this term. Reflecting historic traditions, the term was used to mean "ancient enemies". Contemporary Puebloans do not want this term used.
Archaeologists continue to debate when this distinct culture emerged. The current agreement, based on terminology defined by the Pecos Classification, suggests their emergence around the 12th century BC, during the archaeologically designated Early Basketmaker II Era. Beginning with the earliest explorations and excavations, researchers identified Ancestral Puebloans as the forerunners of contemporary Pueblo peoples. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the United States are credited to the Pueblos: Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Taos Pueblo.
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The Palace of Culture and Science (Polish: Pałac Kultury i Nauki, also abbreviated PKiN) in Warsaw is the tallest building in Poland, the eighth tallest building in the European Union. From 1955 to 1957 it was the tallest building in Europe. The building was originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki imienia Józefa Stalina), but in the wake of destalinization the dedication was revoked. Stalin's name was removed from the interior lobby and one of the building's sculptures. It is now the 187th tallest building in the world.
The architecture of the building is closely related to several similar skyscrapers built in the Soviet Union of the same era, most notably the Moscow State University. However, the main architect Lev Rudnev incorporated some Polish architectural details into the project by traveling around Poland and seeing the architecture. The monumental walls are headed with pieces of masonry copied from renaissance houses and palaces of Kraków and Zamość.
This is early morning view of a Warsaw city. I have particularly picked the hotel so I have fabulous view to what I previously disliked the most in Warsaw but the feeling has slightly changed and now I like the most of all that Warsaw has to offer. While shooting this wonderful morning scene I was really lucky to get reflection of the sun on the opposite building.
Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens : EF17-40mm f/4L USM; Focal length: 17.00 mm; Aperture: 18, Exposure time: 13.0 s, ISO: 50
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El baptisterio de Parma (en italiano: battistero di Parma) es un baptisterio —edificio destinado al rito del bautismo cristiano— italiano del siglo XIII que está situado junto a la catedral de Parma y se considera estilísticamente como un punto de unión de la arquitectura románica y la arquitectura gótica.
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptisterio_de_Parma
The Baptistery of Parma (Italian: Battistero di Parma) is a religious edifice in Parma, northern Italy. Architecturally, the baptistery of Parma Cathedral marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles,[1] and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma_Baptistery
La catedral de Parma (Duomo) (del italiano: Basilica Cattedrale della Assunzione di Maria Virgine) es una basílica catedral de la ciudad italiana de Parma, Emilia-Romaña. Es una importante catedral de estilo románico, y el fresco del artista il Correggio es una de las obras maestras al fresco de la época renacentista.
es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catedral_de_Parma
Parma Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Parma; Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Parma, Emilia-Romagna (Italy), dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Parma. It is an important Italian Romanesque cathedral: the dome, in particular, is decorated by a highly influential illusionistic fresco by Renaissance painter Antonio da Correggio.
The Grade I Listed Salisbury Cathedral, (formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary), one of the leading examples of Early English architecture. The main body of the cathedral was completed in only 38 years, from 1220 to 1258. The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Salisbury and seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. In Salisbury, Wiltshire.
As a response to deteriorating relations between the clergy and the military at Old Sarum Cathedral, the decision was taken to resite the cathedral and the bishopric was moved to Salisbury. The move occurred during the tenure of Bishop Richard Poore, a wealthy man who donated the land on which it was built. The new cathedral was paid for by donations, principally from the canons and vicars of southeast England who were asked to contribute a fixed annual sum until it was completed. A legend tells that the Bishop of Old Sarum shot an arrow in the direction he would build the cathedral but the arrow hit a deer that died in the place where Salisbury Cathedral is now. The cathedral crossing, Old Sarum and Stonehenge are reputed to be aligned on a ley line, though Clive L.N. Ruggles asserts that the site, on marshland, was chosen because a preferred site several miles to the west could not be obtained.
The foundation stone was laid on 28 April 1220. Much of the freestone for the cathedral came from Teffont Evias quarries. As a result of the high water table in the new location, the cathedral was built on only four feet of foundations, and by 1258 the nave, transepts and choir were complete. The only major sections built later were the cloisters in 1240, the chapter house in 1263, tower and spire, which at 404 feet (123 m) dominated the skyline from 1320. Because most of the cathedral was built in only 38 years, it has a single consistent architectural style, Early English Gothic.
Although the spire is the cathedral's most impressive feature, it has proved to be troublesome. Together with the tower, it added 6,397 tons (6,500 tonnes) to the weight of the building. Without the addition of buttresses, bracing arches and anchor irons over the succeeding centuries, it would have suffered the fate of spires on later great ecclesiastical buildings (such as Malmesbury Abbey) and fallen down; instead, Salisbury remains the tallest church spire in the UK. The large supporting pillars at the corners of the spire are seen to bend inwards under the stress. The addition of reinforcing tie beams above the crossing, designed by Christopher Wren in 1668, arrested further deformation. The beams were hidden by a false ceiling, installed below the lantern stage of the tower.
Significant changes to the cathedral were made by the architect James Wyatt in 1790, including replacement of the original rood screen and demolition of a bell tower which stood about 320 feet (100 m) north west of the main building. Salisbury is one of only three English cathedrals to lack a ring of bells, the others are Norwich Cathedral and Ely Cathedral. However it does strike the time every 15 minutes with bells. In total, 70,000 tons of stone, 3,000 tons of timber and 450 tons of lead were used in the construction of the cathedral.
Yueh Hai Ching Temple is a Chinese temple in Singapore.
The current structure of this shrine dating back to 1850 and then it was substantially renovated in 1895. Since then, it has undergone several restorations.
Temple is an expression of a Taoist temple of Chinese architecture.
The temple was designated as a National monument of Singapore in 1996. Its restoration and conservation in 2011 earned the Award of Merit at the 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.