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Apr 21 13 tweets 5 min read Read on X
Rome may have not been built in a day.

But its legacy began today, exactly 2,777 years ago.

Here are its greatest masterpieces... (thread) 🧵

1. The Pantheon (128AD) Image
The Pantheon is, without a doubt, Rome's best preserved monument.

It is home to the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world - still even today, after almost 2,000 years since it was built. Image
The very secret to its impeccable condition lies in Roman concrete itself.

When it rains, water seeps into the cracks and reacts with the calcium carbonate in the rock, plugging in any holes, virtually self-healing the dome. Photo: Roman History on X
3. The Colosseum (80AD)

Originally built under Emperor Titus, it stands as the world's biggest amphitheater, with a seated capacity of no more than 50,000.

The first games ran for 100 days straight, in honor of the completion of the great arena. Photo: danieleragazziniv
More impressive above all, is the fact the the Romans managed to construct such a marvel in just a timespan of 8 years.

Their skill was unmatched. Photo: James Lucas
4. Trevi Fountain (1732)

An incredible showcase of Baroque architecture built from the very same material as the Colosseum (travertine stone).

The fountain façade features Neptune, the mythological Roman god of the sea, riding a chariot pulled by seahorses. Image
According to legend, those who throw a coin into the fountain secure themselves a swift and inevitable return to Rome. Photo: Manutoni24
5. Piazza Navona (86AD)

An incredible historic square (once an ancient arena) that holds the keys to the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

A baroque masterpiece made by none other than Bernini himself in the 17th century. Image
6. Palazzo Spada (1540)

A historic palace home to a famous baroque gallery, originally built for Cardinal Capodiferro.

It is one of the earliest examples of an architectural trompe-l'oeil or "trick of the eye" featuring the Borromini Perspective. Photo: sailko
The forced perspective illusion of Borromini's courtyard is a stunning masterpiece.

Despite being only 8 meters length, the colonnade appears to be 30 meters long. Photo: Ottone Porfirogenito
7. Vittoriano (1911)

A grand monument built in honor of the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, symbolizing Italian unity and patriotism.

It is often referred to as the "typewriter" due to its white marble façade, much to the critique of the Italians... Image
8. St Peter's Basilica (1506)

An iconic example of the Renaissance ideal of beauty, harmony and grandeur.

It stands as the largest church in the world by interior measure and at the time of construction, took 120 years from start to finish. Image
It is masterpiece within too.

Michelangelo designed the gigantic 448-foot dome, with the letters on the base alone, being a staggering 2 meters tall.

Undoubtedly, a true marvel. Photo: youarchitecturefeed

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More from @XWorldView

Apr 16
Today marks 5 years since a fire, that almost caused the collapse of one of the most inspiring feats of architecture, was put out.

While some lost hope, others found a renewed faith.

But what is so special about Notre-Dame and why does it even matter... - (thread) 🧵 Photo: manhai
The first stone, of what was to be a massive structure measuring 130m in length by 48m in width, is said to have been laid in 1163.

But it would take another 200 years to complete to be considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Notre-Dame de Paris, Frédéric Houbron, 1901, Musée Carnavalet
It is the cathedrals of French cathedrals after all.

As home to one of the longest histories, having hosted everything from royal weddings to the beatification of Joan of Arc.

It was also here, at Notre-Dame, Henry VI, King of England, was crowned King of France in 1431. 1836 Watercolour by Thomas Shotter Boys.
Read 12 tweets
Apr 3
The Romans succeeded where others failed.

Everyone has heard about the Colosseum but what happened to the rest of their marvels?

8 feats of Roman architecture that everyone must know about: (thread) 🧵 Image
1) The Roman Forum

At the height of the Empire's glory, the rectangular plaza acted as one of the most important government buildings of the ancient world.

Its walls saw everything from public speeches to convicting criminals and gladiatorial battles. Image
2) Circus Maximus

Centuries older than the Colosseum, once stood the Circus Maximus - the very first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and later the Empire.

Thousands of years later, all that is left is a public park. Image
Read 10 tweets
Mar 20
While most cities are completely unrecognizable compared to a century ago, a few seem to have been frozen in time.

This is how history, culture and tradition are preserved.

A journey through time of the most iconic examples... (thread)🧵

1. Oxford, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Image
The streets of Oxford are virtually indistinguishable from the past. Image
And some cities have still kept their natural look, even through art in paintings.

2. Venice, Italy 🇮🇹 Image
Read 12 tweets
Feb 9
The most incredible architectural wonders that you haven't heard about (thread)🧵

1. Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland 🇮🇸 📸Gunnar Freyr
2. Meteora Monasteries, Greece 🇬🇷 📸chris_kap.21
3. Scott Monument, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 📸sixyeargapyear
Read 15 tweets
Jan 29
The most underrated cities in the world - a thread 🧵

1. Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 📸: Timi Keszthelyi
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia 🇸🇮 📸: tilen_kermavner[IG]
3. Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 📸: @ilhan1077_
Read 15 tweets
Jan 14
The world's most picturesque small towns and villages - a thread 🧵

1. Monschau, Germany Credit: melianpablo
2. Castle Combe, EnglandCredit: cumakevikphoto
3. Shirawaka-Go, Japan Credit: efataultranstourbali
Read 15 tweets

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