Mainz Cathedral

Mainz, Germany

http://image26.webshots.com/26/1/47/2/304314702RHWgkc_fs.jpg

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Architecture: Rococo

The Cathedral of Mainz dates from 975 AD but was continually rebuilt and restored, reaching its present form mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries.
It was at Mainz Cathedral on March 27, 1188, that Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa), took up the Cross in the Third Crusade called by Pope Gregory VIII.
During World War II, Allied bombing of Mainz destoryed 80% of the city, but the cathedral was left almost entirely unharmed.

The different levels of towers and overall design is appealing to me.

Convent of St. Gall,

St. Gallen, Switzerland

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/2008-05-17_St._Gallen_5456.jpg
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Architecture: Rococo

Around 720, onehundred years after Gallus's death, the Alemannian priest Othmar built an abbey and gave it the name Abbey of St. Gallen. In 926 Hungarian raiders attacked the abbey and surrounding town. Saint Wiborada, the first woman formally canonized by the Vatican,[4] reportedly saw a vision of the pending attack and warned the monks and citizens to flee. While the monks and the abbey treasure escaped, Wiborada chose to stay behind and was killed by the raiders.

Asamkirche

Munich, Germany

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_fiXDv2vcQ-Q/SKbqMDnLDtI/AAAAAAAADrY/K72gB8J_FO0/IMG_1209.JPG

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Architecture: Rococo

In 1729-30, sculptor and stuccoist Egid Qurin Asam bought two properties here, which he converted into a family home for himself. Soon after, he acquired a plot of land next to his house, where in 1733 he began to built a church dedicated to the newly canonized St. John Nepomuk, a 14th-century Bohemian monk who drowned in the Danube. E.Q.'s brother Cosmas Damian Asam contributed the presbytery. The church was completed in 1746.

Cathedral of the Epiphany

Moscow, Russia

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5412602.jpg
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Architecture: Baroque

Legend has it that the Epiphany Monastery was founded by Prince Daniil Aleksandrovich around 1296. The first stone church on the site was built in 1342. Stefan, Sergii Radonezhski's older brother, was the first hegumen of the monastery.
Bogoyavlensky Monastery has always been under the patronage of grand princes and tsars, many of whom donated some of their sizeable estates to the monastery. By the order of Ivan the Terrible, the monastery became a collection facility for crops. In 1584, the tsar donated a substantial amount of money for the remembrance of the disgraced.

Puebla Cathedral

Puebla, Mexico

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/10784482.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10784482&usg=__9NA8GlJC_XHCvpm6hO2sFckh_vA=&h=803&w=1200&sz=502&hl=en&start=7&itbs=1&tbnid=thu2cJp9atDx1M:&tbnh=100&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPuebla%2BCathedral%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1,isz:l

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Architecture: Baroque

Construction on Puebla Cathedral began around 1535 under the patronage of the Bishop of Tlaxcala, but a few decades later, the plan for the cathedral was changed to a larger and more elaborate building. Designed by by architect Francisco Becerra, the new project began in 1575.
After a few more decades of construction, the money ran out. The project came to a halt in 1626, but not for long. In 1634, the master architect of Mexico City Cathedral, by architect Francisco Becerra, amended the plans for Puebla Cathedral yet again. His design gave it a more basilical appearance and incorporated the Neoclassical style.

Berliner Dom

Berlin, Germany

http://wallpaper-s.org/63__Berliner_Dom_%28Berlin_Cathedral%29%2C_Berlin%2C_Germany.htm

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Architecture: Baroque

The earliest predecessor of the Berliner Dom was the St. Erasmus Chapel within the Hohenzollern royal court, which was elevated to the status of a collegiate church in 1465.
In 1536, Elector Joachim II transfered this "Domkirche" status to the former Dominican church south of the palace. After the elector accepted the Reformation in 1539, the Domkirche became a Lutheran church. In 1608, the the Dom was declared the highest parish church in the area. In 1613, Elector Johann Sigismund converted to Calvinism and the Dom became a court and parish church.

St. Anne's Church

Augsburg, Germany

http://remus.shidler.hawaii.edu/genes/Bavaria/augsburgluther/augsburgsstannalutherplatz.jpg

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Architecture: Renaissance

Built in 1321 by Carmelite monks, St. Anne's Church went on play an important role in the history of the Reformation. In 1518 that Martin Luther stayed here with the Carmelite friars when he was in town to meet the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the pope. St. Anne's Church converted to Lutheranism in 1545. The Goldsmith's Chapel was added in 1420; the Fugger's Chapel in 1509. The spire was added in 1607 by Elias Holl.
The church was restored and redesigned in the Baroque and Rococo styles between 1747 and 1749.

Santa Maria Presso di San Satiro

Milan, Italy

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/milan-san-satiro.htm

Photo By: Anthony M
Architecture: Renaissance

First built in 876, the church was dedicated to St. Satyrus, brother of St. Ambrose, and stands on the reputed site of his house. Later the church was dedicated also to Mary, so that the church's full name is now "St. Mary Staying with St. Satyrus."

A very nice and simple structure.

Convento de Cristo

Tomar, Portugal

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/portugal/tomar-convento-cristo-pictures/church-cc-cybermat.jpg

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Architecture: Renaissance

The castle of the Knights Templar of Tomar was built by Gualdim Pais, provincial Master of the Order of the Temple, around 1160. Later that century, the castle was chosen as the headquarters of the Portuguese Templars.
The Tomar castle was built as part of a Templar defense system to secure the border of the Christian kingdom against the Moors of Iberia. According to Christian chroniclers, in 1190 the castle of Tomar resisted the attacks of caliph Abu Yusuf al-Mansur, who had previously taken other Portuguese strongholds to the South. (A plate near the entrance of the nave commemorates the feat.) The round church (rotunda or charola) of the castle of Tomar was built in this early period and is Romanesque in style.

Milan Cathedral

Milan, Italy

http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/ruskinlib/eSoV/images/photos/veniceIB/016.jpg

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Architecture: Gothic

The street plan of Milan, with streets either radiating from the Duomo or circling it, indicates that the Duomo occupied the most important site in the ancient Roman city of Mediolanum.
Saint Ambrose built a new basilica on this site at the beginning of the 5th century, with an adjoining basilica added in 836. When fire damaged both buildings in 1075, they were rebuilt as the Duomo.
In 1386 the archbishop, Antonio da Saluzzo, began the new project in a rayonnant Late Gothic style that is more characteristic of France than Italy. Work proceeded for generations.
The main spire was topped in 1762 with a polychrome statue of the Madonna, to whom the Duomo and its predecessor have always been dedicated.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Paris, France

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Notre_Dame_Cathedral_-_Paris.jpg

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Architecture: Gothic

The Notre Dame de Paris stands on the site of Paris' first Christian church, Saint Etienne basilica, which was itself built on the site of a Roman temple to Jupiter.
Notre-Dame's first version was a "magnificent church" built by Childebert I, the king of the Franks at the time, in 528, and was already the cathedral of the city of Paris in the 10th century. However, in 1160, having become the "parish church of the kings of Europe," Bishop Maurice de Sully deemed the building unworthy of its lofty role, and had it demolished.
Construction on the current cathedral began in 1163, during the reign of Louis VII, and opinion differs as to whether Bishop Maurice de Sully or Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone of the cathedral.
Construction of the west front, with its distinctive two towers, began in around 1200 before the nave had been completed. Over the construction period, numerous architects worked on the site, as is evidenced by the differing styles at different heights of the west front and towers.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury, England

http://sjdahlman.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/canterburycathedral.jpg
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Architecture: Gothic

The history of Canterbury Cathedral begins with St. Augustine, a Roman missionary sent to England by Pope Gregory to convert the heathen Anglo-Saxons. The mission was a success: in 597 AD, Augustine baptized King Ethelbert of Kent.
In 602 AD, Augustine dedicated a cathedral church on this site to Christ the Savior. It was in fact probably an existing church building from Roman times, rehallowed by the missionary saint.

Maria Laach Abbey

Maria Laach, Germany

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/maria-laach-abbey

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Architecture: Romanesque

The Abbey of Maria Laach was founded in 1093 by the Count Palatine of the Rhine Heinrich II (d.1095) and his wife Adelheid (1100). They were unable to have children and donated what would have been spent on a dowry on the foundation of a monastery across the lake from their castle. The foundation was accepted and overseen by the Archbishop of Trier and the first monks came from the monastery of St. Maximin near Trier. Built on the west side of the lake now known as the Laacher See, the monastery became known as the Abbatia ad Lacum, "Lake Abbey."

Durham Cathedral

Durham, England

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Sfec-durham-cathedral-2007-263.JPG

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Architecture: Romanesque

The foundation stone of Durham Cathedral was laid on August 12, 1093. The cathedral is the third church to be built on the site. From 1093 to 1540, the cathedral was not only the seat of the Bishop but the church of the Benedictine monastery of Durham. Around 1560, after the Reformation and Dissolution of the Monasteries, the walls of the cathedral were whitewashed, the shrine of Cuthbert destroyed, and the stained glass windows broken.

Abbaye aux Hommes

Cean, France

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/caen-abbaye-aux-hommes

Photo By: Allie Caulfield

Architecture: Romanesque

The Abbaye-aux-Hommes was founded by William the Conqueror in 1067 as penance for marrying his cousin, Matilda. The Conqueror himself was buried in the church. William the Conqueror's tomb was destroyed by Huguenots in 1562 during the Wars of Religion - only a hipbone was recovered. Then the last of William's dust was scattered in the French Revolution.
Additions to the abbey were made in the 18th century and its elegant buildings are now part of City Hall. During the height of the Allied invasion in World War II, residents of Caen huddled in St-Etienne Church for protection.

Trier Catherdral

Trier, Germany

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/trier-cathedral
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Architecture: Early Christian/ Byzantine

The biggest structure in Trier, Germany, the cathedral began construction 326 AD by Constantine to celebrate his 20th anniverary of reign. The original structure was four times bigger than the present day church, but after taking constant damage in the 5th and 9th century, the remains were enlarged and the styles of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque were all added at a later date.

I like the structure as it brings a sence of 'Big' and 'Bulky' and has also been mistaken as a fortress.

San Vitale

Ravenna, Italy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emilia_Ravenna3_tango7174.jpg

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Architecure: Early Christian & Byzantine

San Vitale Basilica began as early as 527 by Bishop Ecclesius, and was completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximain. Considered as one of the earliset forms of Christian Byzantine architecture, San Vitale serves as a chruch. With an octagonal plan the church also incorperated the Roman elements such as domes, shaped doorways, and stepped towers, with Byzantine polygonal apse, capitals and narrow bricks. Most famously known for the mosaics in the interior of the structure, San Vitale is extremely important to Byzantine architecture and art.

Santa Sabina

Rome, Italy

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-santa-sabina

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Architecture: Early Christian & Byzantine

Santa Sabina was built by a Dalmatian Priest, Petrus of Illria. It was founded around 422 AD and was was completed 11 years later 432 AD. It was an expansion to a house-church owned by a Roman matron woman Sabina, who later became a saint. The structure is classical rectangular plan with columns. The simply design gives the Santa Sabina a very 'roomy' feel to the area as it is also simply decorated on the inside.

Temple of Saturn

Rome, Italy

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Architecture: Roman

The original Temple of Saturn was built in the Forum around 497 BC. From the beginning, it served as the treasury of the Roman state as well as a temple. The treasure may have been housed in the substructure beneath the temple steps, which can be seen today.

It is hard to image what the temple's full structure would have been looked like, but again it doesn't seem to stand out to me. Much like the rest of the Ancient Roman structures, it consists Tuscan columns on the periemter and very open space on the inside. Does not sperate itself from the rest i believe.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Pisa, Italy

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Architecture: Roman

The Leaning Tower of Pisa freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square. Although intended to stand vertically, the tower began leaning to the southeast soon after the construction in 1173, due to a poorly laid foundation.
The height of the tower is 55.86 m from the ground on the lowest side and 56.70 m on the highest side. The tower has 296 or 294 steps.

Because of how it stands - or leans, the amount of continous levels it holds without collapsing, i find the Leaning tower visually pleasing. It is a significant structure in Itailian history and holds muvh value.

The Colosseum

Rome, Italy

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Architecture: Roman

Construction on the Colosseum began under Emperor Vespasian and was completed under his son Titus in 80 AD. The arena was then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, after the family name of the emperors who built it. The name "Colosseum" was not used until 7th century, and derives from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood here. After Nero's death, the statue was transformed into a representation of Helios, the Gos of the son. It remained standing until the Middle Ages, when it was probably melted down for its bronze.

I appreciate this structure very much. The continous arcs and levels upon levels give it this really "bold, massive and almost intimidating" feel to it.

Parthenon

Athens, Greece

Photo By: Viton Vitanis

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-parthenon

Architecture: Greek

The Parthenon was finally constucted in 438 BC after 9 years of persistance. Its main purpose was house the statue of Athena Parthenos.

Doric columns are situated all along the perimter of the structure with simple patterns along the frieze. I like all greek construction but it seems to me personally that they all look very similar.

Temple of Apollo

Photo By Alan Grant
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/corinth

Architecture: Greek

Corinth, Greece

Constructed in 550BC, the doric columns reach a height of approx 24ft and a diameter of about 6ft.

Temple of Athena Nike

Photo By Steve Swayne

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/athens-temple-of-athena-nike

Architecure: Greek

Athens, Greece

The temple was built over a period 50years due to war funding. The Athenians constructed this temple high at the peak of an outcrop. It was a tribute to Athena - the Godess of Victory, in hope to bring blessing and victory to the Athenian people.

The structure itself is made out ofwhite marble with the obvious ionic columns on the front fascade.

All the elements such material, location etc all contribute to make tis temple visually pleasing.

Colossi of Memnon

Photo By: Richard Beck

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/luxor-colossi-of-memnon.htm

Architecture: Egyption

Lexor, Egypt

The twin statues stand at a height of 18m. Their original purpose was to guard a memorial temple that was used as acult centre. There the pharaoh at the time was worshipped as a god on earth.

The very limited resourses that were at the pharoah's disposal, did not disencourage the mass structures that were built in these times. These structures did not only cover a vast amount of space on ground, but the heights of which they rose is astonishing.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

Photo Abdullah Mohiuddin.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/giza-sphinx

Architecture: Egyption

Giza, Egypt

The Great Sphinx was built about 2530BC. The structure stands 73.5m long, 6m wide and 20.22m tall. The face is a potrait of the pharaoh at the time Khafre, and sphinx continued to be a sign of royalty for all the years to come in egyption history.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

Photo Jochen Bihn.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/giza-pyramids

Egyption Architecture

Giza, Egypt

The largest single building ever constructed, the great pyramid of Khufu reaches the hight of 148.5m. Being made of limestone block, the pyramid was built in horizontal courses. At the very base of the structure, the blocks are very large and bulky, but as it rises to it apex the stones become smaller being approx 50cm in thickness.

Inside the complex there are two entrances and passage ways to the burial chamber.

Visually a basic looking structure, but the time and the amount of man power needed to erect a pyramid is amazing.

Stonehenge
Wilshire, England

2000 BC

The mystery of who and why this structure was built all those years ago, tends to attract thousands of tourists every year. What and how the structure can be interperated to represent by the many individuals that pass, gives this monument a strong feeling of power and erie mystery.