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Jan 11 22 tweets 7 min read Read on X
This is not the ceiling of the Taj Mahal, Notre-Dame or La Sagrada Familia.

It's the Palau de la Música Catalana, in Barcelona

But that's only one architectural wonder of Spain, so here are 21 more... 🧵 Image
1. Casa Battló, Barcelona (1906)

A masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí.

The building’s facade mimics the scales of a dragon. Image
2. Aqueduct of Segovia (50 BC)

A Roman marvel, built entirely without any form of mortar or concrete.

It supplied water to the city from the Frío Rive for almost two millenias, and was in use until 1973. Image
3. Alhambra, Granada (1238)

A stunning fusion of Islamic, Christian, and Renaissance styles that is the epitome of Moorish architecture.

4. Alcazar of Segovia, Seville (1454)

The Largest Castle in Spain. Image
5. Tower of Hercules, A Coruña (2nd Century AD)

The world’s oldest working lighthouse. Image
6. Puente Nuevo Bridge, Ronda (1751)

It took over 40 years to complete and contains a hidden chamber once used as a prison. Image
7. El Escorial Library, Madrid (1584)

A masterful wonder of the Renaissance, with an arched ceiling covered in frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi.

8. Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Barcelona (1961)

The church was designed in the neo-Gothic style and took 60 years to complete. Image
9. Alcázar of Toledo (1537)

This fortress witnessed some of Spain's most dramatic history, including a siege during the Spanish Civil War. Photo by @bokehm0n
10. Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona (1908)

A masterpiece of Catalan Art Nouveau.

Its stained glass ceiling creates the illusion of a drop of sunlight radiating into the concert hall. Image
11. Metropolis Building, Madrid (1911)

A wonder of Beaux-Arts that is crowned by a statue of the phoenix: Winged Victory. Image
12. Castillo de Coca (1453)

This castle is quite unique — it's a rare example of Spanish Mudejar architecture.

And it's a military fort built entirely out of bricks. Image
13. The Mezquita, Córdoba (785)

A mosque-cathedral most well known for its iconic red-and-white arches on the inside.

14. Casa Comalat, Barcelona (1911)

It was designed by Salvador Valeri and is one of the most interesting examples of Art Nouveau architecture. Image
15. The Seville Cathedral, Casco Antiguo (1506)

The world’s largest Gothic cathedral

It’s home to Christopher Columbus’s tomb and its Giralda tower was originally a minaret. Image
16. Park Güell, Barcelona (1914)

It was originally meant to be as a housing development but was turned into a park, 12 years after been completed. Image
17. Lugo, Galicia (276)

The only city in the world to be surrounded by completely intact Roman walls.

They stretch for over 2 kilometers and have 85 external towers. Image
18. Palace of Charles V, Alhambra (1957)

Built by none other than Charles V, who rebuilt portions of the Alhmabra under his rule.

He even built new portions of in the Renaissance style, such as his palace, which was finished 400 years later. Image
19. Church of San Nicolás, Valencia (1242)

An incredible Gothic gem. Photo by Juan Sánchez
20. Requesens Castle, Girona (11th Century)

A medieval castle that was entirely rebuilt in the Romanesque and Gothic style, in the 19th century. Photo by @Anc_Aesthetics
21. Burgos Cathedral, Castile-Leon (1221)

Beneath the Baroque splendor, it houses the tomb of the great warrior El Cid. Image

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More from @WorldScholar_

Jan 6
This may look like an ordinary church, but in reality, it holds an extraordinary secret.

It was built without a single nail, has multiple dragon heads — and is over 800 years old.

It sounds impossible, but this is only where the story begins... 🧵 Image
The Borgund Stave Church, in Norway is one of the most remarkable wooden buildings in existence

It was built in 1180 and is an interesting example of medieval architecture: it has weathered timbers, tiered roofs...

and of course multiple dragon heads, near the top. Image
But what makes it even more extraordinary is not its exterior, influenced by the Christians and Pagans, but its actual structure:

Not a single iron nail was used to build it.

It may sound simple or boring at first, but makes complete sense. The secret lies in the material: Wood Image
Read 19 tweets
Jan 4
The Alhambra isn't really a palace — it's more like a small city.

It was built on Roman ruins and is home to a fountain of 12 lions that can actually tell the time.

So the Alhambra is quite incredible, but that's just the tip of the iceberg... 🧵 Image
There's something interesting about the Alhambra.

That's because it's one of the few examples of Moorish architecture, ever built in Europe.

We begin in Roman ruins, in the 9th century but then nothing happens...until the 13th century, where the story really begins...
The word "Alhambra" literally translates to "the red one" in Arabic, linking back to the rammed earth that was used to build its outer walls.

It contained iron oxide, which gave it that iconic reddish charm. Image
Read 19 tweets
Jan 1
You've seen incredible forts before, but not like this.

This is Bourtange Fort in the Netherlands, built just 431 years ago.

And it's a breathtaking example of what we call a "star fort." Here's everything you need to know... 🧵 Image
For centuries, traditional medieval castles, with their towering walls and battlements were ideal for protecting yourself against an invading army.

But in the 15th century, a new problem arose in warfare: gunpowder. Image
Now, castles proved vulnerable to the destructive power of cannon fire.

This sparked the beginning of a new era in building forts and there was no better period than the Renaissance.

You had Michelangelo, who first used the idea of star forts in the groundworks of Florence. Michelangelo's drawings for the fortifications of Florence, made in 1528-9.
Read 20 tweets
Dec 24, 2024
The most beautiful winter towns and cities in the world - a thread 🧵

1. Prague, Czech Republic Image
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3. Budapest, Hungary Photo by krenn_imre
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If you like winter spirit, then you'll love Christmas Markets.

Here are the world's most beautiful ones... 🧵

1. Cologne, Germany Image
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3. Tallinn, Estonia Photo by @koljuchij
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Dec 20, 2024
Architecture is the body of a city, the heart of a culture and the soul of the people.

So here's one wonder from every major architectural style... 🧵

1. Gothic — Strasbourg Cathedral, France (1439) Image
2. Classical — The Erechtheion, Athens, Greece (406 BC) Image
3. Ancient Egyptian — Temple of Dendera, Qena, Egypt (30 BC)

Read 20 tweets

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