Architecture

Sunday, 17 May 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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Pompeii
Pompeii was bombed during World War II.
Most of the buildings were rebuilt.
Krak des Chevaliers
In 1934, on the initiative of the French authorities, the renovation of the castle began.
The people living in the castle were relocated to a settlement on the slope of the large castle mountain called Hosn.
Temple of Artemis
A medieval myth arose around Artemis Temple's columns.
According to a legend, columns removed from the legitimate location were used at the construction site of Hagia Sophia. There is no evidence to support this claim.
Spanish Steps
In the southern part of Spanish Square, opposite the Spanish Embassy, rises the column of the Immaculate Conception from the 19th century, which combines antiquity (Corinthian column) with modern times (statue of the Virgin Mary on the top).
Golden Gate Bridge
Any non-service animals, including horses, are not allowed on the Golden Gate Bridge.
The only time that a horse ever crossed the bridge was on the day of its opening.
Big Ben
There are four smaller bells in the tower, which every quarter of an hour strike a variation of several bars modeled on that of the St. Mary's Church in Cambridge from Handel's "Messiah".
The bells can be heard on BBC Radio 4 at 6 pm and midnight and on the BBC World Service.
Hagia Sophia
The side naves are separated from the main nave by columns connected by a semicircular arch.
The parts of the main nave covered with semi-domes contain four semicircular niches. The side naves ...
Empire State Building
Construction began on March 17, 1930 and 3400 workers were involved.
Five workers were killed during the construction.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
In 1185, when three stories of the tower had already been built, it was observed that it began to tilt.
A similar fate befell many of Pisa's structures at this time.
Big Ben
There is a lantern above the bell tower - Aryton Light.
This feature was added in 1873 by Acton Smee Aryton, then First Commissioner of Public Works and Bui ...