Architectural monuments are objects that were created, as a rule, in honor of a significant event or important person. The age of some is calculated in tens of years, while others still remember the Egyptian pharaohs. This review contains the most famous architectural monuments about which you can write the history of mankind.
1. Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram)
The Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram) is a cube-shaped building located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is considered the most sacred place in Islam, as well as the oldest and most famous cultural monument in the world.
The Quran says that the Kaaba was built by Abraham (Ibrahim on Arabic) and his son Ismail, after the latter settled in Arabia. A mosque, the Masjid al-Haram, was built around this building. All Muslims around the world turn to face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.
One of the five basic laws of Islam requires every Muslim to make the Hajj - a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. In this case, the Kaaba must be circumvented seven times counterclockwise (when viewed from above).
2. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal ("Crown of Palaces") is a white marble mausoleum located in the city of Agra, India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely regarded as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the world's recognized masterpieces of world heritage". The area of the Taj Mahal is about 221 hectares (38 hectares are occupied by the mausoleum itself and 183 hectares by the protected forest around it).
3. Egyptian pyramids
A total of 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. Most of them were built as tombs for pharaohs and their wives during the Old and Middle Kingdoms. These are one of the oldest famous cultural monuments.
The earliest known Pyramids of Egypt were found at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. And the oldest of them is the Pyramid of Djoser, built in 2630-2611 BC. e., during the third dynasty. This pyramid and the complex surrounding it were designed by the architect Imhotep and are generally considered to be the world's oldest monumental structures made of bricks with facings.
4. Great Wall of China
Great Chinese Wall is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, rammed earth, wood and other materials built along China's historical northern borders to protect the country from incursions by various warlike peoples.
Several walls were built as early as the 7th century BC and were later added to form what is today known as the Great Wall. Particularly famous is the part of the wall built between 220-206 BC. the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang (very little remains of her).
By the way, there are many more in China
5. Angkor Thom (Greater Angkor)
Angkor Thom is a 3 square kilometer walled royal city that was the last capital of the Khmer Empire. After Jayavarman VII retook Yashodharapura (the previous capital) from the invaders from Champa in 1181, he built a new imperial capital on the site of the ruined city. He started with existing surviving structures such as Bapuon and Fimeanakas and built a majestic walled city around them, adding an outer wall with a moat and some of the the greatest temples Angkor. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal direction and the Gate of Victory leading to the area of the Royal Palace. Each gate is crowned with four gigantic faces.
The Acropolis of Athens, also called "Kekropia" in Athens, is the most important place city and one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. This is the main guide ancient Greek culture, as well as the symbol of the city of Athens itself, since it represents the apogee artistic development in the 5th century BC.
7. Chiang Kai-shek National Memorial Hall
National memorial hall Chiang Kai-shek is a famous monument and local landmark erected in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former president Republic of China. It is located in the Chinese city of Taipei. The monument, surrounded by a park, was built in the eastern part of Memorial Square. To the north of it is National Theater, and from the south is the National concert hall.
The Potala Palace is located in the city of Lhasa in Tibet. It is named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara. The Potala Palace was the main residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, during the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959.
Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, the fifth Grand Dalai Lama, began construction of the Potala Palace in 1645 after one of his spiritual advisors, Konchog Chopel, noted that the location between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa was ideal for the seat of government. The Potala was eventually built on the remains of an earlier fortress, called the White or Red Palace, built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 637. Today the Potala Palace is a museum.
Russia is big and beautiful country, rich in various architectural monuments that have centuries of history. In our article you can get acquainted with the most famous and beautiful architectural structures 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
16th century
In the 16th century, urban planning was actively carried out in Russia, so this period can be safely called an “architectural upsurge”. Moscow expanded, new cities, cathedrals, temples were built. Let's look at the most famous architectural monuments built in the 16th century.
Ivan the Great belltower
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is a white brick church located on Sobornaya Square of the Moscow Kremlin. The date of construction is 1500-1508. The project of its creation was carried out by the well-known at that time Italian architect on the estate of Bon Fryazin. The structure of the main ensemble of the bell tower includes 3 objects:
- tower of "Ivan the Great" (the head structure of the bell tower);
- belfry "Assumption";
- extension "Filaretovaya".
The belfry holds 34 bells of various sizes and sounds. The main ones are: "Uspensky" (67 tons), "Roaring" (33 tons) and "Lenten" (12 tons).
Ivan the Great belltowerCathedral of the Archangel
Arkhangelsk is called Christian Orthodox Cathedral, which can be seen on Cathedral Square, located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. This building has five domes, six towers, a necropolis (a place for the burial of the dead, and separate rooms are provided for men and women), a special inner choir tier. The cathedral is finished with white stone. There are paintings inside famous artists- Fedor Zubov, Stepan Ryazants, and Joseph Vladimirov.
Cathedral of the ArchangelChina town
Kitay-gorod is one of the historical districts of the capital, located on the territory of the Kitaygorod fortress wall, which was attached to the corner towers of the Kremlin in 1539. Kitai-Gorod stretches from Red Square to the Moskva River, borders on Okhotny Ryad, Theater Square, as well as Lubyanka. Currently, the metro station of the same name operates in this direction.
China townSt. Basil's Cathedral
Perhaps one of the most famous churches in Russia is St. Basil's Cathedral, which is located on Red Square. The date of its construction is 1556. The structure of the cathedral includes 10 annexes, each of which was erected in honor of a particular saint. The central part is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the side buildings "belong" to the Holy Trinity, Nikola Velikoretsky, Alexander Svirsky, St. Basil the Blessed, as well as the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem.
St. Basil's CathedralNizhny Novgorod Kremlin
The Kremlin is the main historical fortress Nizhny Novgorod, which is located on the Volga-Oka Spit on the highest right bank. This building was erected in 1508 by order of Ivan the Terrible. The walls of the Kremlin are made of red brick. Their total length is about 2-3 km. The fortress also has 14 towers, 5 of which are rectangular and 9 are round. The “Stone City” (as the Kremlin is sometimes called) is surrounded by dry moats, which were created to protect against enemies.
Nizhny Novgorod KremlinNovodevichy Convent
Novodevichy is an Orthodox convent located on the territory of Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street in the very center of Moscow. The date of construction is 1525. The Novodevichy Convent was built by order of the Grand Russian Prince Vasily III. This building has one belfry, two round observation towers, cells for nuns, as well as a separate standing churches where the daily prayer service took place.
Novodevichy ConventTula Kremlin
The Tula Kremlin is considered one of the oldest buildings in the city of Tula. It is located in the very central part. The date of construction is approximately 1514. The Tula Kremlin was built by order of Ivan the Terrible. The Kremlin walls are made of red brick. The structure includes several round as well as rectangular observation towers. There are 2 cathedrals on the territory: Assumption and Epiphany.
Tula Kremlin17th century
The 17th century is the era of architecture, during which a huge number of different significant events, which largely influenced the life of Russia, including its architecture. Most houses began to be built of brick or stone, but wooden structures still did not lose their former popularity. Let's look at the most famous architectural monuments of the 17th century.
Kolomna Palace
The Kolomna Palace is a royal estate located in the Moscow region in the village of Kolomenskoye. The approximate date of construction is 1667. This building is a whole complex of various wooden buildings, which are interconnected by endless passages and tunnels.
Kolomna PalaceChurch of the Intercession in Fili
The Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Virgin is located in the Filevsky Park area, Moscow. The modern building of the temple was erected in 1690 with funds donated by the brother of Queen Natalia Naryshkina. The temple has five tiers, one bell tower, and 3 wide porches.
Church of the Intercession in FiliDormition Divine Church
The marvelous church is located in the city of Uglich. It is one of the outstanding monuments of ancient Russian architecture of the 17th century. The approximate date of construction is 1628. This temple has a different name - "Assumption". The building has a rather original appearance: three hipped domes forming a "trident" crown, a refectory adjoins the main part of the building, as well as a front porch, decorated with decorative elements of white stone.
Dormition Divine ChurchChurch of Elijah the Prophet
The Church of Elijah the Prophet is located on the central (Soviet) square of the city of Yaroslavl. This temple was built in 1647. According to legend, it was founded along with the city itself by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The Church of Elijah the Prophet can be recognized by the snow-white stone walls and grassy green domes.
Church of Elijah the ProphetChurch of John the Baptist
Church of John the Baptist - one of the main and ancient architectural Yaroslavl architectural monuments. This building was built in 1687 according to the design of Fyodor Ignatiev and Dmitry Plekhanov. For the construction of the temple, molded red bricks were used, as well as tiles. The church has 15 domes of various sizes.
Church of John the Baptist18 century
The 18th century is the time when Russia "breathed" in a new way, because it was then that new cities began to be built, objects that are still considered historical monuments architecture. The first half of the 18th century is closely connected with the name of the great Russian emperor Peter I. It was he who brought many innovations and changes borrowed from European countries. Let's look at the most beautiful buildings and structures of this era.
Winter Palace
The Winter Palace is the main imperial building in St. Petersburg. The date of construction is 1754. The building was built in the style of the Elizabethan Baroque, decorated with rich monograms, columns covered with gold leaf. Currently in winter palace situated historical Museum- Hermitage.
Winter PalaceAdmiralty building
The Admiralty consists of a complex of buildings located on the banks of the Neva on the Admiralteysky Island. Initially, this building played the role of a shipyard (place of construction, as well as repair of ships, ships, boats), but a little later it was somewhat modernized and given the title of an administrative center, which housed the command of the Russian Navy. Date of construction - 1704.
Admiralty buildingPashkov House
One of the most famous buildings in Moscow, built in the style of early classicism, is the Pashkov House. This building was designed in 1784 at the request of the captain of the Semenovsky regiment Peter Pashkov. This house has an impressive appearance, which is partly related to the place on which it stands - Vagankovsky Hill. The main facade of the building faces the sunny side.
Pashkov HouseAlexander Nevsky Lavra
Alexander Nevsky Lavra is monastery located at the end of Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. It is considered the largest monastery northern capital. Date of construction - 1710. According to the assumptions of local historians and historians, this building was erected by order of Peter I. The emperor allocated almost 5,000 sq.m. for construction. On the territory of the Lavra there is a wooden Church of the Annunciation, the Trinity Cathedral, the Feodorovskaya Church, the Gate Church.
Alexander Nevsky LavraVolkov Theater
The Volkov Theater is one of the oldest drama stages in Russia. This institution was built in 1750 in the city of Yaroslavl. The theater got its name in honor of its founder Fyodor Grigoryevich Volkov, the son of a wealthy merchant. The young man very often arranged various theatrical performances with his friends, from which the idea arose to open his own place for their display.
Volkov Theater19th century
The architectural monuments of Russia, built in the 19th century, are distinguished by a new unconventional style for our country - eclectic (a combination of the incongruous, that is, a mixture of the most diverse and unimaginable trends). Eclectic "imitates" ancient Russian art, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. Let's look at the most popular buildings of the 19th century, built in an eclectic style.
Tsarskoye Selo
Tsarskoye Selo is a museum-reserve, which was created in 1811 in the city of Pushkin Leningrad region. This complex includes a palace and park ensemble, a country royal residence, Catherine's Park, the Hermitage Garden, the Grotto, the Alexander Garden, the Military Chamber and Chinese theater. On the this moment This place of extraordinary beauty attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.
Tsarskoye SeloCathedral of Christ the Savior
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is one of the main shrines of Russia, which was built in 1812. On the walls of the temple are depicted (sculpted from clay) Russian soldiers who laid down their lives for their homeland during Patriotic War 1812 with Napoleon Bonaparte. During the Stalinist reforms, the temple building was destroyed, but in 1994 it was rebuilt.
Cathedral of Christ the SaviorTriumphal Arch
The triumphal arch is an architectural monument built in 1829 in Moscow, which is a huge arch. Most often triumphal arches are installed at the entrance to the city, at the end of major streets, avenues, bridges.
Triumphal ArchArena
Manege is a historical building located in the central part of Moscow. This building was built in 1817 by architect Augustine Betancourt. Currently, the arena is the main museum and exhibition site of the capital, but it was built for drill training of troops guarding the Kremlin and Moscow borders. A little later, balls and royal receptions began to be held here.
ArenaSaint Isaac's Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Isaac of Dolmatsky is one of the largest churches in St. Petersburg, built in 1858 according to the project famous architect Antonio Rinaldi. The main dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral is made of gold leaf, the facade is made of gray stone, and the columns of the main entrance are cast in bronze.
Saint Isaac's CathedralIn our article, you met the most famous and beautiful monuments Russian architecture. Temples, churches, palaces, reserves were described. Russian Federation- country rich history, which is why here you can see unusual and unique structures that are not found anywhere else.
For a long time, golden-domed Moscow played a huge role in the history of the great Russian state. And later this wonderful city became the capital of our country. Emperors with their families, representatives of aristocratic dynasties, bishops and patriarchs, famous musicians, masters of painting and the most talented writers lived in Moscow. That is why, from time immemorial, cultural, political, financial, spiritual and, of course, secular activities have been concentrated in the white stone, which could not but affect the process of forming the architectural appearance of the city.
Today in the Russian capital you can see a huge number of stunningly beautiful buildings, which, due to their considerable age and the talent of famous architects, are truly our priceless heritage! Unique and inimitable architectural monuments in Moscow serve as a source of pride and admiration. Their fame has already spread all over the world!
The list of the capital's historical and architectural monuments is really huge. First of all, the attention of tourists is attracted by the recently opened, which can rightfully be called one of best jewelry Moscow. In addition, one cannot ignore the buildings of the Central Department Store and the Bolshoi Theater, etc. Each of these unique buildings has its own entertaining story and its incredibly interesting past.
If you have no more than a couple of hours to inspect Moscow monuments, then do not rush to get upset. Do you want to take a picture against the backdrop of magnificent architecture? Then just walk along the streets of old Moscow. For example, incredibly interesting old buildings are concentrated on the streets that are part of the Boulevard Ring. Mostly historical buildings erected during the 17th-20th centuries are located here.
There have always been many monuments in Russia. But the most famous, the most iconic works of art have become only a few. So here are our top 10 famous monuments in Russia:
1. Monument to Peter I - Moscow
Official name - Monument "In commemoration of the 300th anniversary Russian fleet". The author of the monument was Zurab Tsereteli. The grandiose sculptural composition was installed on an artificial island on the arrow, at the confluence of the Moscow River and the Obvodny Canal, not far from the famous Red October confectionery factory. The opening of the monument was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow. The total height of the monument is 98 meters, it is the highest monument in Russia, and one of the highest in the whole world.
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2. Monument "Worker and Kolkhoz Woman" - Moscow
"Worker and Collective Farm Woman" - an outstanding monument monumental art, "ideal and symbol Soviet era", which is a dynamic sculptural group of two figures with a sickle and a hammer raised above their heads. Author - Vera Mukhina; concept and compositional design of the architect Boris Iofan. The monument is made of stainless chromium-nickel steel. Height is about 25 m. It is located on Prospekt Mira, near the Northern entrance of VDNKh.
Initially, the monument to the worker and collective farmer was developed for an exhibition in Paris, but the result stunned everyone. After all, not only fundamentally new materials were used for the monument (stainless steel had not been used before), but also new principles of construction. After all, before that, it was also not necessary to increase from nature 15 times, it was a grandiose experiment.
Remarkable facts of the monument to the worker and collective farm woman:
· A monument to a worker and a collective farm woman was delivered to Paris on 28 railway cars, but even such a division was not enough, because. some parts did not fit into the tunnels, and had to be cut further.
· Before the opening of the monument in Paris, a sabotage was noticed in time, someone sawed the cables of the crane that was collecting the monument at the exhibition, after which round-the-clock security was set up from volunteers and employees who came to collect the monument.
· Initially, the monument to a worker and a collective farmer was assembled within 1 month, people worked in three shifts, slept only for three hours in a barn built nearby, where a large fire was always burning in the center.
· In Paris, the monument was assembled in 11 days, although 25 days were planned.
· It is the symbol of the film studio "Mosfilm".
· Dismantling, storage and restoration of the legendary sculptural composition cost the budget 2.9 billion rubles
3. Monument Rodina Mother Calling - Volgograd
The sculpture "Motherland Calls" in Volgograd is compositional center monument-ensemble "Heroes Battle of Stalingrad", located on. This statue is one of the tallest in the world, ranked 11th in the Guinness Book of Records. At night, the monument is illuminated by spotlights. The total height of the monument is 85-87 meters.
Its military name is Hill 102. During the years of the Battle of Stalingrad, the most fierce battles unfolded here. And then the dead defenders of the city were buried here. Their feat is immortalized in a unique monument-ensemble "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad", erected in 1967 according to the project of the famous Soviet sculptor Evgeny Vuchetich.
4. Monument-obelisk "Conquerors of space" - Moscow
The monument to the Conquerors of Space was erected in Moscow in 1964 to commemorate the achievements Soviet people in development outer space. This is a 107 m high obelisk lined with titanium panels, depicting a plume left behind by a rocket, located on top of the obelisk. On the facade, poetic lines by Nikolai Gribachev are laid out in metal letters:
And our efforts were rewarded,
What, overcoming lawlessness and darkness,
We forged fiery wings
To your country and your age!
Initially, the option of placing a monument on the Lenin Hills (today the Vorobyovs) between the building of Moscow State University named after M.V. M.V. Lomonosov and an observation deck overlooking the Luzhniki. It was supposed to be made of smoky translucent glass with night illumination from the inside. The height of the monument was to be 50 m. At the personal suggestion of S.P. Korolev, it was decided to veneer the monument with a coating of "space" metal - titanium. The height of the grandiose monument has doubled and amounted to 100 m, and the total weight of the entire structure is 250 tons. The final site for the construction of the monument was a wasteland near the entrance to VDNKh and the metro station of the same name.
The monument became a symbol of a qualitative technological leap of its time: October 4, 1957 Soviet Union the first artificial satellite of the Earth was launched, on April 12, 1961, the cosmos spoke the language of man - and this language was the Russian language.
Together with the obelisk was born into the world and new type building structure - inclined tower. History keeps in its tablets only one such structure - the famous "Leaning Tower".
5. Monument "Millennium of Russia" - Veliky Novgorod
The Millennium of Russia monument is a monument erected in Veliky Novgorod in 1862 in honor of the millennium anniversary of the founding of the Russian state. The monument resembles a bell. Its upper part is a ball, symbolizing power - the emblem of royal power. The total height of the monument is 15 meters. This is one of the most iconic monuments in Russia, more details about it.
6. Monument to the Scuttled Ships - Sevastopol
The Monument to the Scuttled Ships is the most famous military monument of Sevastopol, it was depicted on the Soviet coat of arms of the city and is considered one of the main city symbols. The monument is located in the Sevastopol Bay, near the embankment of Primorsky Boulevard. The majestic and proud monument to the scuttled ships is one of the most beloved by residents and guests of the city. He is a symbol and calling card Sevastopol. Height - 16.7 meters.
There is another significant monument for Sevastopol - the brig "Mercury" and Captain Kazarsky. It was the first monument in the then young city. About it .
7. Monument to George the Victorious - Moscow
The statue of George the Victorious is located on the territory of the Moscow Victory Park and is part of the memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill. It is located at the foot of the obelisk dedicated to 1418 days and nights of the Great Patriotic War. St. George the Victorious strikes a snake with a spear, which is a symbol of evil. The statue of George the Victorious is one of the central compositions of the memorial complex.
8. Monument " Bronze Horseman" - St. Petersburg
The Bronze Horseman - a monument to Peter I on the Senate Square in St. Petersburg. The opening of the monument took place in August 1782. It is the very first monument in St. Petersburg. Later it got its name thanks to the famous poem of the same name by A.S. Pushkin, although it was actually made of bronze.
9. Monument to mammoths in Khanty-Mansiysk
sculptural composition"Mammoths" appeared in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2007. Creation this monument was timed to coincide with the 425th anniversary of the capital of the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region. The sculpture is located on the territory of the famous Archeopark. The sculptural composition consists of 11 bronze monuments. The total weight of these monuments exceeds 70 tons. All monuments are installed in full size. The height of the tallest mammoth exceeds 8 meters, while the smallest mammoth is only 3 meters high.
10. Monument "Alyosha"
Memorial to the Defenders Soviet Arctic during the Great Patriotic War" ("Alyosha") - memorial Complex in the Leninsky district of the city of Murmansk. The main figure in the memorial is the figure of a soldier in a raincoat, with a machine gun over his shoulder. The height of the pedestal of the monument is 7 meters. The height of the monument itself is 35.5 meters, the weight of the hollow sculpture inside is more than 5 thousand tons. "In its growth" "Alyosha" is second only to the Volgograd statue "Motherland". Nevertheless, it is among the highest monuments in Russia.
Content:
Architectural monuments are an invaluable heritage of world culture. Being witnesses of bygone eras, they represent examples of works of art. This is what distinguishes them from monuments. cultural heritage. The latter include, for example, the house in which Vasily Shukshin was born and lived, or, for example, Rasul Gamzatov. These houses are historical and cultural heritage. This is undeniable. But they are by no means architectural monuments.
At the same time, architectural monuments are not only majestic buildings, on the construction of which masters of architecture worked. It can be streets, squares and even entire blocks. Architectural monuments include buildings in which at least partially preserved fragments decoration, a unique layout characteristic of a particular era.
Architectural monuments are whole ensembles of buildings, complexes of structures that embody achievements in the field visual arts, architecture of the time when they were built. These can be buildings that convey elements of religious architecture, as well as monumental, arts and crafts. Moreover, these structures can be civil, religious, military, industrial. They can perform completely different functions. Belonging to the category of monuments makes the uniqueness and artistry that manifested itself during the construction and their further maintenance.
Palmyra was considered the richest city of late antiquity. It is located in Syria between the Euphrates and Damascus. King Tukrish is considered the founder of the city. At that time, Palmyra was called none other than the bride of the desert. The city amazed with its beauty, the grandeur of buildings, which were considered examples of ancient Roman architecture.
Not really most of cities can be considered monuments of architecture. by the most a prime example this is the city of Palmyra in the Syrian Arab Republic. The age of the city is approaching 4,000 years. Throughout its centuries, the city has experienced many invasions, accompanied by destruction. In the 7th century, Palmyra was captured by the Arabs. They destroyed all the temples and turned the city into a fortress.
In 1089, this powerful fortress for those times was destroyed as a result of a strong earthquake. The city, known until this sad date for its greatness, turned into a small village near the temple of the god Bel. A new revival of Palmyra began. Although the city was constantly robbed, it was reborn again and again.
Only in the 18th century did Palmyra begin to be of interest to the scientific community. And in the 20th century, constant protection of the city territory was organized. Archaeologists, who came here from many countries, began the restoration of Palmyra. As a result of extensive restoration work, many relics were revived. UNESCO recognized all the buildings and structures of Palmyra as monuments. World Heritage.
After the liberation of Palmyra from terrorists in the spring of 2016, experts testified that only 20 percent of the structures, which are considered unique, were completely destroyed. Terrorists destroyed mainly temples. The rest of the buildings and structures, which are of value, primarily as architectural monuments, remained intact or partially destroyed.
The next capture of Palmyra became more dramatic. militants criminal group ISIS, which is considered illegal in Russia, began destroying the famous ancient amphitheater, where an orchestra gave a concert in May last year Mariinsky Theater conducted by Valery Gergiev. Terrorists destroy other architectural monuments, execute people.
The capital of the Russian state is rich in architectural monuments. Originating in 1147, Moscow has always attracted the attention of architects, artists, artists from different countries peace. They built, decorated buildings, made entire complexes unique.
Many of them are lost forever due to numerous fires, aggressive wars, political reforms when unique structures were demolished, bulky buildings were built in their place, distinguished by bad taste, unsightly appearance. Some of the architectural monuments of Moscow have been preserved only in chronicles.
By a happy coincidence, in the capital of Russia they are alive and continue to amaze with their beauty, incredible mixture style directions many old buildings. Most of them are examples of Russian architecture. One of unique monuments architecture - Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
This monument has a dramatic fate. Its erection was the gratitude of the Russian people to the Almighty for help in the war against Napoleon. First, the building was laid according to the project approved by Alexander I, which won the big competition, the project of the famous architect A.L. Witberg. This happened in the October days of 1817. Soon it is discovered that the soil under the future building is weak due to small rivers flowing under it.
Alexander I dies. Nicholas I, who replaced him, stops construction. This takes place in 1826. After 6 years, the autocrat approves the project proposed by the architect K.A. Ton. In the first half of April 1839, the second solemn ceremony for the laying of the Temple takes place. And only after 43 and a half years was the celebration of its opening. The construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was under the patronage of four autocrats: Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II and Alexander III. The gates were made according to the samples presented by Count F. Tolstoy.
If measured by historical standards, the Temple lived a very short life. First, in 1918, he was completely deprived of state support by a decree that spoke of the separation of the state from the church and the church from the school. This is how the persecution of the church began, which later assumed a gigantic scale. And came black date Cathedral of Christ the Savior - December 5, 1931.
The temple, personifying, first of all, the memory of the glory of Russian soldiers, was destroyed in a barbaric way. But in the hearts ordinary people this memory lived on, just as the dream to revive the Temple did not die over time. The movement for its revival arose on the eve of the 90s. And this movement echoed in the hearts of the people of the whole country.
The origins of this movement were composers V.P. Mokrousov and G.V. Sviridov, writers V.G. Rasputin, V.P. Krupin and V.A. Soloukhin. The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church blessed the restoration of the structure and addressed the country's leadership with a corresponding message. In the request, a proposal was made to restore the building of the future cathedral in the place where it originally stood. In August 1996, Patriarch Alexy II consecrated the main altar. It happened in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior. Soon the services began here. Russian Academy art in incredible short time revived the design of the Temple. Many masters of painting, sculptors, showed their skills. It is believed that this work has no analogues.
Shortly before the onset of 2000, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II, who served a prayer service on this occasion. Today it is the highest of the Orthodox churches, the cathedral. He is outstanding monument architecture, embodying the spirit of the times of two centuries.
A miracle of architecture is called the Temple of the Sun God, which is located in the state of Orissa (India), on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Although the bay receded over time, and the coast is 3 kilometers away from the temple. Here everything is under the exaltation of the Sun. Even the place was not chosen by chance. After all, Konarak, translated into Russian, means the territory of sunlight.
Archaeologists, together with historians, managed to establish that the beginning of the construction of the Temple dates back to 1243. It was built by order of Raja Narasimhadeva, who ruled Orissa at that time. It took the builders and architects of that time only 18 years to build such a wonderful structure. During this time, walls were erected, a 60-meter tower was carved, decorating the halls from the inside.
The temple is mysterious. For example, it is still not known why this religious institution great place are occupied by drawings depicting carnal pleasures. Some researchers see in these drawings religious motives. According to the drawings, scientists are trying to understand the basis of the religious cult of the people.
Although the chronicles say that there were no special difficulties during the construction of the Temple, they, of course, were. Only the transportation of building materials from the quarries by sea was worth something. Every detail in the design of the halls was thought out and executed with special grace.
Three types of stones were used to build the sanctuary. The color of the stones was supposed to shimmer under the rays, glowing in various shades. "Black Pagoda" - this is sometimes called this architectural monument. It really looks like a pagoda from the outside. And if you look before sunrise, standing between the first rays and the Temple, it is seen as black.
The heyday of the Temple of Surya in Konark, researchers associate with recent decades XIII century. Ceremonies were held in it for two centuries. Then, for some reason not yet understood, there was a decline. Perhaps it was partially devastated and caused some destruction by the conquerors, others rely on natural disasters. Although the monument has survived to this day. He, according to historians, is one big mystery. Surya Temple in Konark is on the UNESCO list. It's true greatest monument architecture and history.
According to myths, merchants from Venice in 828 stole the relics of the Apostle Mark from the Egyptian city of Alexandria. The Muslim guards did not suspect that the merchants were carrying the stolen remains of the apostle in a container with pork meat. First, the relics were placed in the chapel of the Doge's Palace. This building was built on hastily and was considered temporary. Subsequently, solely for the purpose of preserving the relics of St. Mark, a cathedral was built. It was erected in three years - from 829 to 832. Soon it burned down. In 976 the building was restored. But even later, for centuries, its arrangement did not stop.
Merchants from the East brought capitals, columns, friezes, and other works of art to Venice specifically to decorate the basilica. The brickwork gradually disappeared under the marble cladding. Above it appeared drawings made by masters of painting long before the appearance of the cathedral itself.
"Golden Altar", what is the Pala d altar called? Oro, on the creation of which jewelers from Byzantium worked from the 10th to the 12th century, was decorated with precious stones, total which reached two thousand. In 1797, Napoleon stole some of the stones. But most of the jewelry is now under reliable protection.
All this gradually transformed the cathedral. But outwardly, the unique structure remained as it was. No add-ons or additions were made. long time the building was the doge's chapel. Only in early XIX century, it received the status Cathedral cities. A museum was opened here.
Currently, St. Mark's Cathedral is recognized as a model of Byzantine architecture. It is located next to the Grand Canal. The treasury contains relics, masterpieces of world art, rare icons, and various relics. Since 1987, the basilica has been under the protection of UNESCO.
There are many architectural monuments in the world. Among them, the most significant ancient theater d? Orange in the French Republic, big theater in the capital of Russia, Athens Acropolis in Greece and many others. Humanity is faced with the task of preserving architectural monuments, making sure that, having stood for centuries and millennia, they continue their lives and help solve the mysteries of the past, teach new generations to see beauty, enjoy it, in order to multiply it in their later life.
