Tag: Romanesque architecture

Categories
Articles

Spanish Ancient, Romanesque, and Gothic Architecture features

Spanish Ancient, Romanesque, and Gothic Architecture features
spanish ancient architecture

Spanish Ancient Architecture

If you ever get stuck to decoding the proverb “ Rome can’t be built in a day”, then say thanks to the Spanish as being one major part of the roman empire, Rome is famous for their art and the architecture which they presented to the world, the wider architecture made it to form the proverb later.

We all have heard the history of Rome and it is one of the ancient civilization along with the Indians and Africans, but where Rome stands out is for its artwork, but unfortunately, most of the Spanish ancient architecture are not standing today but only in photographs and in theories to read and to get amused.

Celtic was one of the earliest architecture we can find in Spain, the Castros in Galicia stand as proof of their ancient architectural styles.

Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque is one of the oldest architectural styles not only for Spanish architecture but for the entire world out there, it is believed that Romanesque architecture began in the 6th century and the thing it still stands today, though it is a religious architecture even today some classic architectures influence its style to build churches somewhere in the countrysides.

Semicircular arches were commonly used for windows and doors, and groin vaults were placed to stand along with the roof and also to add a bit of classic style to the buildings, thick walls and lack of sculptures were the core characteristics of Romanesque architecture, the 10th-century architecture is one of those fancy kind we can find in a game of thrones.

Basilica de San Isidoro in Leon is one fine example of Romanesque architecture in the Spain region, the thousand-year-old building is more of a museum to adore Romanesque architecture today, classical Roman architecture is being influenced by architecture and architects even today.

spanish ancient architecture

Spanish Gothic Architecture

Gothic Spanish architecture spread to various parts of the world like wildfire in summer, it created a great impact in the book of Spanish architecture too, from using the rib vaults to pointed arches and flying buttresses gothic architecture stands out from all of its fellow architecture styles, the arrival of Gothic architecture replaced most of the Romanesque buildings by replacing the semi-circular arches to pointed arches. Glass also used as a major element in Gothic architecture which made the structures look stylish and created a uniformity.

Burgos Cathedral is a fine Gothic building, the tall tower made it look a bit odd but beautiful, it represents point arches (one of the core elements of Gothic architecture) and lighter walls with cross-ribbed vaults it is a glory that never fades even by time.

Categories
Articles

German Architecture: facts and characteristics

German Architecture: facts and characteristics

Germany is a land of history and violence as to facts and research over the internet, all of our minds go to the mighty Hitler and beer, but it is also recognized as the biggest auto manufacturing country in the world, Germany is famous for its art and culture along with fashion and humanity, of course, the German architecture has a very long journey to look at from influencing most amazing architectures of Europe to creating their own gothic architecture, it is a country to look at when it comes to architecture and the philosophy hidden behinds it.

Historicism is a collective architectural style that is to recreate the historic styles and reestablishs the work of historic artisans, combining different elements can create a completely different style from the former one, from baroque to vernacular everything will come under historicism architecture.

Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque is one of Europe’s most famous and widely recognized architecture by using most ancient Roman elements and characteristics being influenced heavily by the architectural philosophy and style, we can witness that the majority of cathedrals, and symmetries in central Europe are of Italian Romanesque architecture style.

In Germany, it made a great impact during the 6th to 11th century and it led to the creation of many famous architectures in Germany with the Romanesque style, the massive quality of the architecture made it enlarge with time and a rapid adaptation emerged, the thick walls and round arches along with standard sturdy pillars made the architecture more beautiful and astonishing one between peoples, the large towers and barrel vaults with decorative arcading even added spice to the architectural philosophy much greater and acted as its core characteristics.

Basilica of the holy apostles, cologne

It is one of the glorious twelve Romanesque churches (German architecture) around Cologne in Germany, cathedrals are highly influenced by Romanesque architectural style for their usage of elements and characteristics, the Romanesque churches look richer look which made people believe in God even more and the architectural structure stands tall to tell that God is above all.

Gothic Architecture

Gothic is another amazing European architecture that flourished from the cultural capital of world Europe, gothic architecture has its root in the Gothic tribes of Germany and then influenced by various countries across the world, it is a sub-architecture of Romanesque or even we call it as another leaf of Romanesque architecture.

Though the Gothic style is highly influenced by ancient Roman architecture, it chose different elements to show itself unique from all other European architectures, the exaggerated arches with highly increased vaults and enlarged windows made it exceptional and the usage of thin walls with flying buttresses differentiate it from the Romanesque architecture, the stone structures of gothic style made it to look like skyscrapers and reached to heavens

Most of the Gothic architecture is of cathedrals, churches, and some palaces, of course, it is a whole new level of architecture at the time, the French-born art dominated Germany for the time duration.

Heidelberg Castle

The red-painted palace or castle (German architecture) is one fine example and witness of the mighty work of Gothic architecture, though it is extraordinary Gothic architecture renaissance architecture too influenced by its construction through various centuries and kings.

City church, and castle church in Wittenberg are a few other gothic architectural stands in Germany.

Classical (Classicism) Architecture

No matter how advanced the world gets and new trends emerge every single day, the respect for classics still lives and will live till there’s someone to admire and adore it, classical architecture is just out of the boundary in the world of architecture, the influence of ancient Rome and Greek-style made it even more classical then it is and getting adapted by people even who love trends rather than classics.

Vitruvius(Roman architect) played a very important role in making and showing the world what classical architecture it and he never knew that all of the Roman temples were going to use the style at the time, the usage of geometry and columns are core features of the classical architecture and unfortunately, there’s no living architecture is there to witness its beauty but exist in theories alone to give an idea and then birth to the neoclassical architecture style.

Modern Architecture

Modern architecture is a change to every architecture ever found in history, the usage of modern elements like glass and steel influenced highly in modern architecture, and reinforced concrete acted as another major element being used in the construction, it is one of ever longing architecture styles in history and from the establishment of modernism, the entire world adapted to it and even major architecture style use the elements of modern architecture.

20th-century architecture is a revolution in the world of architecture with its material like cast iron, plate glass, and concrete, it seems to fit within budget and be long-lasting at the same time, the usage of bricks are common, and even wood is sometimes used according to regions.

The creation of modernism dominated many other architectures from beaux-arts architecture to classical and eclecticism, the rectangular forms with horizontal and vertical lines and flat roofs or broad roofs are some of the core characteristics of modern architecture.

Elbphilharmnie or Elphi

The Elphi in the modern city of Hamburg is one fine modern architecture(German architecture) Germany the raw iron and glass in the building shine and display the true characteristics of modernism,

Commerzbank Tower is another important modern architectural building located in Frankfurt Germany, for its stylish design and tall tower structure it sure reflects all the elements of modern architecture without a miss.

Baroque Architecture

The 17th-century architecture is one of the most amazing architecture which represents the grandness of Europe, architecture began as a catholic revolution in the European region, high decorations and theatrical styles are one thing to look at and admire, the reformation process went to peak by the influence of baroque architecture.

At times churches and castles, the usage of bright lights is highly innovative in the baroque architecture style.

Dresden Frauenkirche and St. Stephen Cathedral in Passau are some of the witnesses to the Baroque architecture in Germany.

Art nouveau Architecture

Art nouveau is one of the most curious architectural styles to be noted for its strangely unusual design philosophy and usage of simple yet effective material, the style is internationally recognized one, and highly decorative art is where the art nouveau lies. The floral-like architecture is accepted by people of the world, and the dynamism in architecture acts as a highly essential one, Art nouveau is more of art than architecture.

More than just architecture in the field of Jewellery, metal, and glass art and even in painting art nouveau plays a very important role, the 19th-century architecture is a rare species of architecture for its design concept.

Usage of ceramics, mosaics, and sometimes wood is used as the decorative elements of the architecture.

Schloss Lieser in the village of Lieser, Germany is a fine example of art nouveau architecture in the German region, the highly decorated usage of golden colors in the exterior and the selective usage of lights and woods make it more attractive.

Lutherkirche, Wiesbaden, or the Luther church in Wiesbaden is another fine art nouveau building in Germany, the usage of colors is highly encouraging and the design philosophy is one thing to remember and admire at.

Renaissance architecture

Renaissance is another European architectural style that then spread to various parts of the world, it influenced Germany in the 14th to 16th centuries, like Romanesque and Victorian Renaissance is another architectural style that stands as a witness of time, the geometry and symmetry from the ancient Greek and Roman architecture is highly used in the renaissance architecture.

Columns, pilasters, and domes with semicircular arches are some of the core characteristics of the Renaissance architectural style, the doors, domes, and ceilings along with windows given priority over anything else, and the decoration in both the interior and exterior is highly effective.

St. Michael’s church in Munich is one fine example of Renaissance architecture in Germany, the 14th-century architecture was built and designed by Duke William, and the stability of the building is highly encouraging, the old academy in Munich is another Renaissance architecture, unfortunately, this is also built by duke William

Conclusion

Germany is a country of many things from beautiful lands to high fashion art and architecture, the country witnessed high violence to highly emerging arts, created many histories, and acts as one remarkable in the world, from forest to mouth-watering beer the country is heaven within, much such architecture has dominated the country from ancient roman architecture to modernism and even art nouveau dominated for the time duration, the architecture of Germany is one fine theory to know and to study architecture deeply, from various colors to different styles of architecture being placed at the part of the country, it is one fine nation for art, culture and of course architecture.

Categories
Articles

Spanish Architecture: types and characteristics

Spanish Architecture: types and characteristics

From football to royal wines Spain stands out for many things, it is one amazing place of art where people with beautiful eyes and paintings with beautiful colors live, the country is widely popular for tourism and the art which spread over the country, with lots of colors, decorations being used along with beautiful flowers surrounded and greenery placed perfectly it is a country of wonders and magic.

Meanwhile, Spain is also a very important point of architecture from the mighty Roman Empire to making modernism alive Spain made a lot of contributions by making architecture mingle as a part of our day-to-day life, let’s explore the secrets and the essence of Spanish architecture in its own way.

Ancient Spanish Architecture

If you ever get stuck to decoding the proverb “ Rome can’t be built in a day”, then say thanks to the Spanish as being one major part of the Roman Empire, Rome is famous for their art and the architecture which they presented to the world, the wider architecture made it to form the proverb later.

We all have heard the history of Rome and it is one of the ancient civilizations along with the Indians and Africans, but where Rome stands out is for its artwork, unfortunately, most of the ancient architecture is not standing today but only in photographs and in theories to read and to get amused.

Celtic was one of the earliest architecture we can find in Spain, the Castros in Galicia stand as proof of their ancient architectural styles.

spanish architecture

Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque is one of the oldest architectural styles not only for Spain but for the entire world, it is believed that Romanesque architecture began in the 6th century, and the thing it still stands today, though it is a religious architecture even today some classic architecture influence its style to build churches somewhere in the countrysides.

Semicircular arches were commonly used for windows and doors, and groin vaults were placed to stand along with the roof and also to add a bit of classic style to the buildings, thick walls and lack of sculptures were the core characteristics of the Romanesque architecture, the 10th-century architecture is one of those fancy kind we can find in a game of thrones.

Basilica de San Isidoro in Leon is one fine example of Romanesque architecture in the Spain region, the thousand-year-old building is more of a museum to adore the Romanesque architecture today, the classical Roman architecture is being influenced by architecture and architects even today.

St Maria Capitol, Romanesque Church

spanish architecture

Spanish Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture spread to various parts of the world like wildfire in summer, it created a great impact in the book of Spanish architecture too, from using rib vaults to pointed arches and flying buttresses gothic architecture stands out from all of its fellow architecture styles, the arrival of Gothic architecture replaced most of the Romanesque buildings by replacing the semi-circular arches to pointed arches.

Glass was also used as a major element in Gothic architecture which made the structures look stylish and create uniformity.

Burgos Cathedral is a fine Gothic building, the tall tower made it look a bit odd but beautiful, it represents point arches (one of the core elements of Gothic architecture) and lighter walls with cross-ribbed vaults it is a glory that never fades even by time.

Mudejar Architecture

It is one of the rarest architecture we can witness in the world of architecture itself, In the early 12th century the Mudejar architecture and art developed for political social, and cultural reasons, at the riverbank of Ebro River the fine art developed into something of big and better day by day, Christianity, Islam, and even Jews are influenced by the architecture.

Meanwhile, it is history that architecture was influenced by more than one religion at a time and all the glory goes to the architecture of the time who created it, even being one of the ancient architectural styles that used bricks as a core element in the architecture, the mixture of three various religions and culture made it fabulous one.

Decorations were highly encouraged in the Mudejar architecture and that’s how it became one of the famous architectural styles in the mid-European countries, the art culture created from the Aragonese soil ended in the Spanish country.

spanish architecture

Neo-Classical Architecture

Neoclassical is a bit new to the architecture world as it became one of the revolutionary architecture in European countries at the end of the 18th century. Classism is one of the few most popular architectural styles in the entire world, the architecture was adopted by many countries but it was rooted in Italy and France and then settled in Spain.

When the entire of Europe was satisfied with their Romanesque, gothic, and Greek architectural styles for their simplicity and usage of every perfect element being used till neo-classism showed what grandeur architecture is, the fine geometry form with very simple structure made a great impact on the European people.

Usage of columns in a dramatic way and blank walls are mostly preferred in neoclassical architecture, flat roofs, and large columns with gardens around the building are some of the core characteristics of neoclassical architecture.

In the busy and enchanting city of Madrid in Spain with entirely large columns and white in color, there stands the fine neoclassical architecture of the Royal Observatory of Madrid, it has been two hundred years since the construction was built, and still, it keeps its glory and all the details without fading.

Baroque Architecture

Baroque architecture is another religious architecture that acted the revolutionary purpose of making people attracted towards catholic and believe in Christianity more than any other religion at the time, the 17th-century architecture is a highly fancy one with a lot of decorations and usage of lights with bright colors made it look royal and fancy at the same time.

It is another European recognized to the world but created a great impact in the Spanish region too, calm, rational and geometric are the core characteristics of baroque architecture, and the purpose of making people believe in catholic acted as a revolutionary one and more people adapted the baroque architecture and then it spread to the world later.

Today we can witness many catholic churches around the world with baroque architectural style and fine elements used, the curving form and oval shapes are commonly recognized as one in baroque architecture.

Even palaces are built with the influence of the baroque architectural style for their fancy design and royal structure components, though it began as a religious architecture it lately considered one of the most beautiful architectures in the entire world.

Santiago de Compostela cathedral-  this world heritage site is a giant architectural building located at the Galicia in Spain, the cathedral is a great identity of baroque architecture style to witness today, with large towers and high decorations in the exterior and interior it is a magical castle but ruled by Christ inside.

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is another fine baroque architecture building which is a royal Spanish residence in the town of Aranjuez, with giant towers and decorated domes at the top and gardens surrounded, it is really a magical castle to be witnessed by.

Renaissance Architecture

Renaissance architecture is another architecture origin from the red carpet of Europe, by combining features from classic Greek and Roman architecture it emerged as something of beauty to experience, 14th-century architecture is defined by perfect symmetry, proportion, and geometry.

Though it emerged from the wonderful city of Florence and then passed to various countries over time, the usage of columns, arches, vaults with domes, and high ceilings is characteristic of the Renaissance architecture style.

The decorations in doors, walls, and windows with details given first priority in the construction of Renaissance architecture, it is more of the architecture of time which represents from 14th to 16th centuries.

The Palace of Guzmanes is proof of Renaissance architecture in the Spanish country, Being Built in the 16th century the story building is a heaven to explore in the entire Spain, the tall palace has all the fine elements of Renaissance architecture placed in one place.

Conclusion

Spain is a country of art and people with stylish and classical tastes, though Spain is famous for many things from football to bull race, it is a country of architecture too and a few of the most amazing architectural styles of the world emerged from the Spanish country and its surrounding, Spain is famous for its tourism just because it contains all the amazing architecture buildings in the world.

From baroque to neo-classism Spain witnessed many fine architectures of the world and finally ended with not one but everything, it is a beautiful colloidal formation of architecture and a treasure to explore.