Architecture

Friday, 27 March 2026
18 facts about Hagia Sophia
18 facts about Hagia Sophia
The most significant work of Byzantine architecture
The Hagia Sophia's Temple, now an Istanbul mosque, was initially built as the Church of Divine Wisdom. It was the highest-ranking temple in the Byzant ...

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Trevi Fountain
The construction of the new fountain lasted from 1735 to 1776.
Hagia Sophia
The largest door in Hagia Sophia is the Imperial Gate, an entrance used exclusively by the emperor, his personal bodyguard and entourage.
They date back to the 6th century and are about 7 meters long. Byzantine sources claim they are made of wood from Noah's Ark. In April 2022, the doors were vandalized by unknown assailants.
Krak des Chevaliers
When the Crusaders left the Middle East in 1291, the fortress of Krak des Chevaliers lost its military importance.
The fortress shared the fate of almost all fortresses. War techniques and strategies changed, and fo ...
Hagia Sophia
Justinian I the Great spared no expense in furnishing the church. Porphyry and marble were used to decorate the temple and as wall and pillar coverings.
Mainly green marble was used for the columns. Many elements were decorated with gold, silver, ivory ...
Mont Saint-Michel
The sanctuary of the Archangel Michael was built on the island. It occupies a small part of the territory of Mont Saint-Michel.
The original name of the sanctuary, used throughout the Middle Ages, was Mons Sancti Michaeli in periculo mari (St. Michael's Mountain in the Perilous Sea).
Pompeii
It had a sewerage system running along the streets.
Protruding boulders that were "pedestrian crossings" rose across the streets.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
The image of the lighthouse was preserved on coins dating back to the period of its existence.
Mont Saint-Michel
In 1863 the prison was closed and the abbey passed into the hands of the Bishop of Coutances.
In 1879, the causeway was fortified, so that Mont Saint-Michel ceased to be an island and became a promontory jutting out to sea.
Windsor Castle
Much was done during the reign of Elizabeth II, not only to restore and maintain the castle but also to transform it into a major tourist attraction in Britain.
The castle contains a significant part of the Royal Art Collection. In 2007, Windsor Castle was visited by 993.000 tourists.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty's copper plating makes it one of the most lightning-struck structures in New York.
It is estimated that it has been struck by approximately 600 bolts of lightning every year ever since it was assembled.