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Mar 7, 2024 17 tweets 6 min read Read on X
They said it was the Dark Ages, yet Europe was igniting architectural wonders that continue to mesmerize the world to this day.

Let's delve into these timeless masterpieces. 🧵⤵️ Image
1. Aachen Cathedral, built in 796 AD, crowned Charlemagne and symbolized the Holy Roman Empire's power. By Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas or alternatively © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34481376
2. St. Peter's Basilica - The original church was built in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, the Roman empire’s first Christian emperor, on the spot where St. Peter was thought to be buried. The new church was constructed between 1506 and 1626.
Fresco showing cutaway view of Constantine's St. Peter's Basilica as it looked in the 4th century.
The new St. Peter's Basilica
3. Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 AD, transformed into a mosque in 1453, marking the Ottomans' triumph over Constantinople. By Arild Vågen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24932378
4. The Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, from the 9th century, allegedly protected the Holy Grail against Muslim conquest. San Juan de la Peña.
5. St. Mark's Basilica, initially erected in 828 AD, gained fame when Venice acquired Saint Mark's relics, boosting its religious clout. Image
6. Mont Saint-Michel, established in 966 AD, repelled an English siege in 1433, showcasing French defiance in the Hundred Years' War. Image
7. The Viking raid on Lindisfarne Priory in 793 AD, founded in 634, signaled the dawn of the Viking Age. By Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33863202
8. Santa Maria in Cosmedin, built in the 8th century, became known for the Mouth of Truth, enveloped in legends. By globustut.by - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60479722
9. St. Michael's Mount, with its monastery from the 8th century, is tied to myths of Archangel Michael's appearance in 495. By Marktee1 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17318191
10. The Rock of Cashel, rooted in the 4th century, is where St. Patrick reputedly used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. By David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada - Rock of Cashel, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96704425
11. Ravenna's 5th and 6th-century monuments stood at the heart of empire transitions, reflecting its changing fortunes. Basilica of San Vitale By Commonists - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113592919
12. St. Gall Monastery, founded in 719 AD, preserved medieval knowledge in its library through turbulent times. By A.Savin - Own work, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134255831
13. Bobbio Abbey, established in 614 AD, became a center of learning, safeguarding classical texts during the Middle Ages. Image
14. The Glosses of San Millán, from the 6th-century San Millán Yuso and Suso Monasteries, are among the earliest examples of Spanish and Basque languages. By Cenobio - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3834838
15. The Basilica of Saint Denis, with origins in the 7th century, became the burial site for French kings, linking it closely with France's monarchical history. Image
These buildings not only exemplify architectural mastery but also stand as silent witnesses to pivotal moments that shaped Europe.

What other structures did I miss that were built between 500 AD and 1000 AD. Reichsburg Cochem was built in 1000 AD Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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More from @CultureExploreX

Mar 25
This cathedral looks like a fantasy.

But it wasn't built for beauty — it was built to intimidate.

Its design was meant to mirror Heaven itself — and send a divine warning to Russia’s enemies. 🧵 Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
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Hungary is quietly leading Europe with one of the richest cultural legacies on the continent.

This building was built in the last 125 years... It is the Hungarian Parliament Building.

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The dome offers one of the best 360° views in Europe. Interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest, Hungary Credit: pinterest /pin/707698528989029051/
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Looks like a medieval fortress, right?

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Hungary is doing what no other Western nation dares: restoring the foundations of civilization.

The changes they are making are a model for the rest of the West ... Let me explain… 🧵

Family is the backbone.

1. No income tax for women with at least two children for life.

One-child mothers under the age of 30 are exempt from income tax.Hungarian children wearing folk costumes Credit: Ancient Hungary
2. Support for mothers who stay at home or need to work.

"We will be a tax haven for millions of women who choose to make their family a career."
-President Orban Image
3. Housing incentives for young couples.

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Mar 20
The Silk Road was the pulse of empires, carrying silk, spices, and secrets that shaped the world.

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The gateway to the Silk Road.

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Read 17 tweets

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