#but also it's almost like a neo classical cathedral or temple

[trackerkitsune]

Is the Erdtree Sanctuary a castle or a palace??? Asking for fic purposes.

[jaydeemedia]

[ad_1] Explore the historic centre of the City of London on this self-guided walking tour. Highlights include the Knights Templar Church, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Maps and instructions included. LAST UPDATE: 15 Dec 2023 Anywhere We Roam is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support - Paul & Mark. London is a massive city of around 9 million people, but the old City of London, known as the square mile, is its small historic heart. This is where the city first came to life before it expanded beyond the original boundaries in the 17th century. Home to many of the most historic sites in the city, walking through its streets is a step back in time. On this self-guided walking tour, you will visit the remains of a Roman temple, see one of the greatest Norman Castles, explore the medieval church of the Knights Templar, and peer up at Wren’s great cathedral. Along the way, you’ll pass the institutions that helped build London including law courts, central banks, and trading exchanges. CITY OF LONDON TOUR MAP Use our map to navigate this self-guided walking tour of the City of London. We recommend starting at Holborn tube station and finishing at Tower Bridge tube station. However, you could also do this walk in reverse. The walk is 7.25 kilometres and, if you walk without stopping, it would take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There’s plenty to see along the way, so allow at least half a day. >> How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.   LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS Start at Holborn station and duck through Gate Street to enter Lincoln Inn Fields. Grab a coffee from Redemption Coffee Roasters at the entrance before you start the walk.   Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the largest public square in London. Surrounded by attractive townhouses, it has been here for almost 400 years. On its northern side is Sir John Soane’s Museum (free to enter), the former home of neo-classical architect John Soane. Inside, there’s a large collection of his paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The house is in the same condition as it was when he died in 1837. LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS LINCOLN’S INN At the eastern edge of the field is Lincoln’s Inn, one of only four Inns of Court in London that are entitled to call their members barristers. Set in beautiful historic grounds surrounding New Square, it is a hidden gem in London. Dominating the scene is the Old Hall built in 1492. Its Tudor architecture of red brick, original roof timbers and stained-glass windows are capped with soaring turrets and sculptures. The chapel, (free to enter) tucked into the corner of the square was rebuilt in 1623. Don’t miss the vaulted ceiling beneath its foundations. ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE Exit New Square and turn left on Carey Street. The glorious white building at the end of the street is Grade II-listed Maughan Library, now part of UCL. It was built in 1851 and its dodecagonal reading room (closed to the public) was inspired by the British Museum. Turn right onto Bell Yard and then right again on the Strand to stand in front of the Royal Courts of Justice. Looking more like a towering cathedral than a law court, its soaring arches and stained-glass windows are decorated with the coats of arms of Lord Chancellors. In the middle of the road outside the court is a dragon on a plinth. These cast iron dragons mark the boundary of the City of London, which you are about to enter. DRAGON PLINTH MAUGHAN LIBRARY ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE TEMPLE CHURCH Head east back up the Strand, turning right down Middle Temple Lane. This tiny alleyway takes you into the heart of ‘Temple,’ the headquarters of the Knights Templar until they were dissolved in 1312.

Today it’s home to Temple Inn, another of the four Inns of Court. Make a detour to Middle Temple Hall. Completed in the 1570’s its hammerbeam roof is the best in London but usually closed to the public. MIDDLE TEMPLE HALL MIDDLE TEMPLE LANE Next up is Temple Church, one of the most significant historic buildings in London. The oldest section of the church is The Round. Built by the Knights Templar and consecrated in 1185, it was designed to reflect the round church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Inside (£5 to enter) lie the tombs of knights, dating back 800 years. Turn left up Old Mitre Court, then turn right onto Fleet Street. TEMPLE CHURCH TEMPLE CHURCH THE ROUND, TEMPLE CHURCH FLEET STREET Fleet Street used to be home to many of Britain’s most famous newspapers including the Daily Telegraph and The Times. Looking for cheaper premises, they left in the 1980s and Fleet Street lost its energy. Nevertheless, the views up to St Paul’s that flicker between the buildings at the end of the road are excellent. Literary enthusiasts should take the short detour off Fleet Street to Doctor Johnson’s House (see walking tour map above). This 300-year-old townhouse was home to Samuel Johnson, compiler of his great Dictionary of the English Language. The house contains a collection relating to his work (£9 to enter). DOCTOR JOHNSON’S HOUSE FLEET STREET ST PAULS CATHEDRAL Rising above the narrow streets of the City of London is St Paul’s Cathedral. One of the most recognisable buildings in London, it dates to a church founded here in 604 CE. The present building was completed in 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren and has dominated the skyline ever since. It’s worth walking anti-clockwise around the entire church and peering up at the remarkable dome and sculpture-covered facades. Inside (cheaper if you book in advance), you can explore the towering nave, stained glass windows, and tombs in the crypt. They include Nelson, Wellington, Joseph Turner, and Sir Alexander Fleming. You can also climb the 1161 steps to the Whispering Gallery (underneath the dome) and the top of the dome which offers panoramic views across London. ST PAULS PATERNOSTER SQUARE Paternoster Square is on the northern side of St Paul’s Cathedral. The entrance is marked by Temple Bar Gate, the only surviving gateway to the city of London dating to the late 17th century. The gate was at the junction of Strand and Fleet Street before it was moved here in 2004. Pass under the gate, turn right through Paternoster Square, cross over the busy junction, and head up Cheapside towards the skyscrapers of the city. PATERNOSTER SQUARE TEMPLE BAR GATE WREN CHURCHES Cheapside runs through the parish of St Mary-le-Bow. The parish used to include 9 churches, but all were destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Four were rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. Most important is the Church of St Mary-le-Bow (free to enter) made famous by the English nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons. After the church turn right down Bow Lane, then left down Watling Street. Cross over Victoria Street and head down Bloomberg Arcade where there is an excellent choice of restaurants. Turn left on Walbrook. ST MARY LE BOW CHURCH LONDON MITHRAEUM During the construction of Bucklersbury House in 1954, ruins were found beneath Walbrook Street. It turned out to be the remains of a third-century Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras. After a failed attempt to move the temple, Bloomberg bought the property and restored it. Today, the Temple of Mithras (or London Mithraeum) sits underneath Bloomberg’s European Headquarters. London Mithraeum (free to enter) has a small museum section before stairs descend to the temple. Entry is every 20 minutes and begins with an immersive light and sound show, after which you are free to walk around the temple walls. MITHRAEUM BANK OF ENGLAND Exit London Mithraeum, turn left up Walbrook, and then right onto Queen Victoria Street. In front of you stands The Bank of England and Royal Exchange.

The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model upon which most other central banks are built. Established in 1694, it’s the eighth oldest bank in the world and a cornerstone of Britain’s success in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tucked around the corner of its imposing façade is the small Bank of England Museum (free to enter) detailing the history of the bank and displaying old banknotes. There’s even a gold bar in a box that you can try to lift.  BANK OF ENGLAND GOLD BAR, BANK OF ENGLAND ROYAL EXCHANGE The Royal Exchange is even more imposing than the Bank of England. Opened in 1571 it was to be the centre of commerce in the City of London. Only the exchange of goods was allowed here, and the unruly behaviour of stockbrokers was banished to nearby coffee houses. The Royal Exchange has been destroyed twice by fire. The version you see today was opened by Queen Victoria in 1844. Its portico of eight Corinthian columns is topped by a pediment covered in 17 figures representing merchants and traders. Enter through the columns and you’ll find Fortnum & Mason and other boutique brands in the grand halls and arcades.   Exit out the back, turn right, and then left onto Cornhill. At the A10 main road turn right and almost immediately on your left is Leadenhall Market. ROYAL EXCHANGE LEADENHALL MARKET Dating back to the 14th century, Leadenhall Market is one of the oldest markets in London. Originally a meat, game, and poultry market, an ornate roof was added in 1881. A dramatic restoration in 1991 made this Grade II listed building one of the most attractive in London. Its beautifully lit arches appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Head through the market, then pass the back of the tubular Lloyds Building. Turn right on Lime Street and cross over Fenchurch Street onto Philpot Street to reach the Sky Garden. LEADENHALL MARKET SKY GARDEN Sky Garden is on top of the building known as the Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street). It’s the highest public garden in London and it has magical panoramic views across the city. It’s one of the best free things to do in London. Book a free timed entry slot up to three weeks in advance. Next wind your way down to Monument following the route on the map above. SKY GARDEN 20 FENCHURCH ST VIEW FROM THE SKY GRADEN MONUMENT The Great Fire of London started on 02 September 1666 in Thomas Farriner’s bakery in Pudding Lane. It swept through the City of London for 4 days destroying most of the buildings.   The fire is commemorated by the large, fluted Doric column called Monument built between 1671 and 1677. You can climb the 311 steps to the viewing platform at the top (£6), but the views are much better from the Sky Garden. Near the base of Monument, don’t miss the sign marking Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane. Before heading to St Dunstan in the East take an optional detour onto London Bridge for views along the Thames and up to Tower Bridge. MONUMENT TOWER BRIDGE FROM LONDON BRIDGE ST DUNSTAN IN THE EAST St Dunstan in the East is one of London’s best-hidden gems. Severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941 only the tower and steeple survived. The church was never rebuilt and as nature began to take over, it was opened as a garden in 1967. Today, trees and vines climb up the ruined church walls and it’s one of the most atmospheric locations in the city. Now follow the map, crossing over Lower Thames Street and loop anti-clockwise around the Tower of London. ST DUNSTAN IN THE EAST TOWER OF LONDON Next on our historic self-guided City of London walking tour is the Tower of London. It was founded in 1066, but the white tower that gives the castle its name was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. Stunningly situated by the river Thames it was expanded in the 12th and 13th centuries, but its general layout has remained ever since. It’s free to walk around the outer walls, but to see the Crown Jewels and explore

the White Tower, Medieval Palace, and torture exhibition you’ll have to head inside – book a time slot in advance. TOWER OF LONDON TOWER BRIDGE London’s most ornate bridge is 800 ft (240m) across and was built between 1886 and 1894. The two bridge towers are connected at the upper level by two horizontal walkways and at the lower level by a pair of bascules that open to allow boats to pass underneath. It’s free to walk across the pedestrian footpath on the lower levels. You’ll need to buy a ticket to head up the towers, visit the Victorian bascule engine rooms, and look through the glass floors of the upper-level walkways. Our City of London walking tour ends at Tower Bridge tube station. We hope you enjoyed it. TOWER BRIDGE MORE LONDON GUIDES ANYWHERE WE ROAM ISREADER-SUPPORTED Booking your trip via the links on this page earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can also buy us a coffee. Big thanks – Paul & Mark. INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK [ad_2] Source link

[travelguideworldtour-blog]

Bucharest Travel Guide – Tips for Visiting Bucharest

Bucharest Travel Guide

Certainly one of the primary cities in Europe, Bucharest can be a up-and-coming destination that provides unique architecture, diverse neighbourhoods to research, quirky street-art, a beautifully renovated Old Town filled up with cafés and pubs, and enough museums to help keep any culture-lover joyful. If you should be interested in seeing or are planning your journey, our knowledgeable local Bucharest tour-guides have the inside scoop on all you want to understand to get a memorable adventure from the metropolis.

  10 Top Tourist Attractions in Bucharest

Dealul Mitropoliei

South of Union Square is actually really just a smaller increase where Romania’s Orthodox religious associations are seen in buildings that are upholstered. The Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral is just one, and we’re going to cover the following.

However, this stands at a outfit with the Palace of the Patriarchate, having its striking design columns. For 90 years by its conclusion in 1907 the palace has been the chair of consecutive Romanian parliaments, by the Meeting of Deputies throughout the monarchy, throughout the Great National Assembly into the Chamber of Deputies following the 1989 Revolution.

The mountain is still actually just really a sight to marvel at Palm Sunday and Easter (Pascha), if it’s filled with worshippers, a convention which continued under communist regimen.

  Palace of Parliament

  Subsequent to the Pentagonthe Palace of Parliament could be the planet’s second largest Profession construction. Construction with this lavish and massive construction, which had been the brain child of Nicolae Ceausescu, began in 1984. But, it’s not been completed for the very day.

The neo classical building, that includes a lot more than 3,000 chambers, is — at a great deal of manners — a reminder into the Romanian individuals of this excesses of this Greek period, notably as it was constructed during a period when a lot of its taxpayers have been desperately poor.

This really is among the very popular attractions in Bucharest, therefore it is suggested that people purchase their tickets beforehand.

  Stavropoleos Church

Located at the Old City, Stavropoleos Church is just a small, reasonably church which has been constructed in 1724. It’s famous for its exceptional Brancovan architectural model and for its own exquisite, carved doors. Stavropoleous Church additionally comprises some intriguing artifacts, for example Lord Nicolae Mavrocordat’s throne.

The church had been originally a portion of a inn and had a monastery, however both were made by the late 19th century.” Stavropoleos Church is one of those very few churches located from the oldtown which survived the excellent Fire of Bucharest, which happened in 1847, which totaled a sizable section of the metropolis.

  Romanian Athenaeum

Founded in 1888, this magnificent, neo-classical domed building is just one of Romania’s greatest secret milestone and home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s moreover one of those web sites used throughout the biennial George Enescu Music Festival, that’s the greatest international cultural event held in Romania.

The Romanian Athenaeum chairs approximately 800 guests, and also the inner wall has been decorated with a fresco that portrays significant minutes in the annals of Romania. If at all possible, travelers should make an effort to acquire tickets to your performance here, however if that is not feasible, they ought to still get an attempt to go to the construction and its own exquisite gardens.

  Hanul Manuc

Nevertheless, the hotel’s restaurant — that was remodeled — is available for business. Through time, Manuc’s Inn has become the site of some range of events. By way of instance, the peace treaty which ended the Russo-Turkish warfare in 1812 occured in this construction. Manuc’s Inn can be a extraordinary, three-level arrangement and also a gorgeous cultural milestone.

Earlier it was closed down for is recovery, this historical inn was usually put to use as a backdrop for Romanian tv folklore shows. As a result of its recovery, it’s estimated that Manuc’s Inn is going to be returned into its entire glory and beauty.

  Victoriei Street

This can be Bucharest’s best selling thoroughfare. Therefore it is not surprising that a Number of the town’s attractions are located here, such as the Cantacuzino Palace, which houses the George Enescu Museum, the National Museum of Art of Romania, Odeon Theatre, Revolution Square and the Kretzulescu Church.

Additionally, there are many hotels, shopping and restaurants options available on this route. Victoriei Street runs between Piata Victoriei from the north west and also Piata Natiunilor Unite and also the Dambovita River.

This street was originally called Podul Mogosoaiei, but its name has been changed into Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue) on October 12, 1878 later Romania gained its freedom from the Ottoman Empire.

  Cismigiu Gardens

The earliest diversion space within the middle of Bucharest, Cismigiu Gardens took shape at the exact middle of the 19th century and so were organized by Italian landscape architect Carl Meyer.

About that which was always a vineyard, he implanted tens of thousands of plant and tree species acquired out of Vienna’s botanical gardens and Romania’s upland regions. The lake itself could also be navigated by row boat at summer time, of course whether or not it freezes over in winter it will be likely to really go skating on its own surface.

Even the Rondul Român can be really just actually a tradition garden, together with busts of all Romania’s 1 2 best-loved authors, while there’s also different monuments into the French troops that perished in Romania at First World War, along with Americans who perished from the nation at the next World War.

  Village Museum

On the beaches of Lake Herastrauthis open minded museum hosts several hundred historical houses, farms as well as other structures which were transferred out of their original locations across Romania and re built with this website.

The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum premiered in 1936, & almost all of its arrangements date back to the mid 19th century. There are several, nevertheless, which are actually older. By way of instance, some structures in Berbesti, a spot found in the center of Romania, back to 1775.

The Village Museum is really actually just a mustsee for anybody that doesn’t need an opportunity to venture from Bucharest to observe that exactly the Romanian countryside.

  Herastrau Park

This playground, that’s the largest in Bucharest, is situated round Herastrau Lake and can also be home to the Village Museum. First opened in 1936, Herastrau Park offers people a lovely getaway from the metropolis. One of its many features are walking paths, a Japanese garden and a openair theatre which hosts performances.

Visitors may also enjoy boat rides on the lake or rent bicycles to bicycle across the playground. Additionally, there are lots of restaurants located round Herastrau Park. Even though this park is quite popular with local residents, it’s large enough it not feels bloated.

  Revolution Square

The atmosphere for several kinds of Romanian associations, Revolution Square obtained its name in the violent unrest from 1989 that deposed Nicolae Ceaușescu and overthrew the Socialist Republic of Romania. An intriguing building to contemplate for a minute may be that the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This was assembled since the Central Committee of the Communist Party, and at 1989 Ceaușescu along with his wife Elena fled by helicopter from the roof until finally being attempted and implemented on Christmas day of the season.

Another milestone event happened here twenty five years before when Ceaușescu declared Romania’s coverage of autonomy in the Kremlin after condemning the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

    Shopping in Bucharest

Like every major city, Bucharest has cafes and shops, and you will discover all types of stores on Calea Victoriei, the historical thoroughfare. However, the ideal assortment of Romanian memorabilia — Folkart, religious icons, sheepskin Watches, jewelry, woven rugs, embroidered table runners — could be discovered at gift shops at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant and also the National Village Museum. (make sure you look at the museums’ opening hours prior to going.) Prices are the cheap to this lavish. Exotic wines in the Prahova Valley, widely accessible wine shops and food markets, may also be a excellent purchase.

Bucharest has quite a few departmental stores. AFI Palace Cotroceni, situated on Boulevard Timisoara, boasts not just a huge array of shops (including recognizable names such as Calvin Klein and Sephora) but in addition an IMAX theatre, casino, gokarts and laser label. The Unirea Shopping Center (Piata Unirii inch ) is just another massive mall that offers clothing, electronic equipment and household products and a supermarket.

    When to Go

With a nearby climate, summers are hot and winters freezing cold, using significant snow fall. While summer brings most traffic, avoid July and August if it’s too hot. Late April or May is the ideal time to see with the city spinning green and booming with magnolias, hyacinth, and lilies. September is just another excellent alternative, if it’s warm still for al fresco dining room and abundant with vibrant foliage.

    Celebrate

Festival season starts in April Together with Spotlight Festival, Ongoing with Art Safari and Also Romanian Design Week in Might and Also Street Delivery in Middle June. Additionally in May is nights the Museum–certainly one of the most useful days to find the beaten trail Bucharest, visiting dwelling temples or temples perhaps maybe not usually available. September is just another fantastic time to see, such as the monthlong bi annual George Enescu Classical Music Festival.

    What to Eat in Bucharest

  GULAȘ DE CARTOFI CU AFUMĂTURĂ

Soup is soulfood for me personally and that I couldn’t get enough of curry goulash with smoked meat. It’s really a traditional noodle soup very similar to gulaš individuals ate from Czech Republic or even Hungary nevertheless the Romanian variant is filled using ingredients.

  SARMALE

Sarmale is noodle cabbage leaves filled with meaty goodnessrice and some times veggies. They state cabbage rolls left 2-3 days taste much better.

  MOLDAVIAN MEAT PIE

Exotic cuisine is a mix of Impacts Such as Italian, Bulgarian, Serbian, as Well as Hungarian. Meat pies that stem from Moldavian civilization, are very popular with locals.

  MITITEI

Mititei or mici can be actually really just a jam packaged sausage with three distinct kinds — an awesome-ness mixture of ground beef, lamb, and pork with garlic, black pepper and paprika spice. It’s sometimes functioned with marginally sexy adjika sauce.

  PAPANAȘI

Papanași is a standard donut dessert served with fruit shake, also tender cheese (like sour cream). You may even attempt gogoși that will be really a donut pocket (with no gap ) full of fruit jam.

  COVRIGI

Covrigi could be your greatest street food! They truly have been salty-sweet, rolled rings up injected with sweet fresh fruit shake and sometimes chocolate. How will you withstand? The top ones are out of Gigi close Kilometre Zero. It is possible to see the bakers roll out them from the heaps in their store front window. This shop was too near our apartment.

    Bucharest Travel Guide – Tips for Visiting Bucharest

[thisdaynews]

Breaking News: Indonesia's 'chicken' church

New Post has been published on https://www.thisdaynews.net/2018/05/24/breaking-news-indonesias-chicken-church/

Breaking News: Indonesia's 'chicken' church

Deep in the jungle of Central Java, Indonesia, a bird-shaped building called Bukit Rhema stands tall above the treetops. Built in 1992 by Daniel Alamsjah, a Christian who claimed his work was inspired by a vision from God, the structure is not technically a church, but a “prayer house for all nations,” according to its official website.

However, to almost everyone — including Werner Herzog, who featured the building in his 2016 documentary “Into the Volcano” — it is simply known as gereja ayam, or “Chicken Church.”

The vast differences between these two buildings is illustrative of the diversity found across Indonesia’s ecclesiastical architecture. Ranging in influence from traditional Indonesian design to Western movements like Art Deco and neoclassicism, they not only tell the story of Indonesia’s relationship with Christianity but also of its centuries-old fate as a colonized nation.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country, with more than 82% of its roughly 260 million people following Islam. Around 10% of the population are Christian.

Colonial influences

Like most of Indonesia’s early Christian buildings, Jakarta’s Sion Church was built by Dutch colonialists. Constructed in the late 17th century for Portuguese slaves who had been converted to Protestantism, it is now the Indonesian capital’s oldest surviving church.

Wide and rectangular, the church’s hall was built on top of 10,000 wooden logs. One of its most striking features is a Baroque-style wooden canopy (known as a baldachin), reminiscent of the one found in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

“It was a modest baldachin — they didn’t have the resources to make a lavish one,” said Mohammad Nanda Widyarta, a University of Indonesia lecturer specializing in architectural history, in a phone interview.

“After … the cultivation system policy in the 19th century (in which the Dutch forced farmers to produce crops for export), the Dutch East Indies had become a fragile place. What they had in mind then was a more capitalistic colony, so Indonesia at that time, especially Jakarta, was becoming more modern. Investors started rolling in. It was at this time that architectural styles became a point of interest.”

Dutch Protestantism loomed large in Indonesia, with missionary societies helping to spread the religion across its many thousands of islands. Although Christianity was never able to challenge the dominance of Islam, which arrived in the region during the 14th century, the colonists left their mark on the country’s architecture — and not just of churches themselves.

“From hospitals to universities, some of the architectural styles … bear European traces, like neo-classical, neo-gothic and eclecticism,” Widyarta said.

The influence of neo-classicism is especially evident in Jakarta’s Immanuel Church, which King William I of the Netherlands had hoped could unite the various branches of Protestantism in the country at the time. Known by the Dutch name Willemskerk upon its completion in 1839, the building’s design features tall Tuscan-style pillars and a pediment reminiscent of classical Greek architecture. A huge dome emerges from the center of the structure, its roof lantern etched with lotus flowers.

If Jakarta’s Chicken Church was home to Indonesian Christians, then Immanuel Church was for the Dutch elite. Comparing the two buildings’ architecture speaks volumes about this dichotomy, with the opulence of the latter clearly contrasting with the modesty of the former.

The building was designed by J.H. Horst, who had “no prior pedigree in architecture,” according to the executive director of Indonesia’s Documentation Center of Architecture(PDA), Nadia Purwestri. At the time, formally trained architects were rare, with most of Jakarta’s buildings designed by the Dutch military’s engineering arm.

Horst was inspired by Greek-style temples and other European designs that were en vogue at that time. But he made a number of adjustments to make the building suitable for Indonesia’s tropical climate. Eaves, a typical feature of Asian architecture, were installed to channel rainwater away from the roof and increase the amount of shade at ground level.

A new architectural fusion

By the late 19th century, the idea of fusing local and Western designs had developed into a unique architectural movement known as New Indies Style. The style is characterized by European designs that have been adjusted for the Indonesian climate. Architects, both local and foreign, who had trained in Europe started bringing new ideas to Asia, and the profession flourished. “Most of the designers brought here what they saw in Europe,” said Purwestri.

While this fusion of East and West is most evident in Jakarta, there are signs of it elsewhere in the country. At East Java’s Pohsarang Church, for instance, Dutch architect Henri Maclaine Pont used Western construction methods while eschewing common neo-gothic tropes — like the tall spires and pointed features of Jakarta’s Cathedral — in favor of Javanese ideas. Built in the 1930s, the church draws on the traditions of local houses, which Pont thought had all the trappings of modern architecture, such as tent-like tensile structures and the heavy use of stone.

The variance found among Indonesia’s churches is testament to the cultural melting pot that the country has become. Purwestri argues that, even if the Dutch hadn’t colonized the archipelago, its architecture would still be similarly varied.

“I think they’d look just as diverse,” she said. “Foreign nations in the 16th or the 17th century came to Indonesia with the purpose to trade while spreading the Christian belief. They didn’t have a model to build their churches after, because Christianity was rather new. So they built them the same they do back home.

“If we had not been colonized, European influences would still have been there since there were priests or nuns or missionaries who came here.”

Yet for Widyarta, the buildings cannot be separated from their colonial past.

“If we had not been colonized, we perhaps wouldn’t have had the Immanuel Church or the Chicken Church or the Pohsarang Church,” he said. “We wouldn’t probably have Indonesia as it is today.”

[designanddecor]

Gothic v. Renaissance Analysis

Juxtaposition in Gothic Art Comparative Analysis 

Analysis 01:

Gothic Work: Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Presentation at the Temple, 1342, Tempera on Panel Renaissance Work: Fra Carnevale, Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, 1467, Tempera and Oil on Panel Both of these paintings are depicting a temple, with features such as columns, arches, and decorative bordering. In Lorenzetti’s work, we are looking straight at religious, sacred environment. Each person depicted is adorned with a halo around their head, typical of Gothic portraiture. The colors seem to be contained with a palette, focusing on the wardrobe as more vibrant in hue. The architecture is a bit unbalanced, eccentric, and top heavy. Pointed archways frame this work, which not only mimics the architecture of the time, but also mimics the triptych panels often seen in Gothic cathedrals. Although there is a hint of perspective, it is foreshortened. The columns seem quite slender, with unproportioned plinths and capitals. The scene depicted here seems to be a framed episode in this temple. This painting has a vertical flow that focuses on the divine, reinforcing a Neo-Platonic hierarchy.

In Carnevale’s work, although fairly similar in relative scale, seems to be much more balanced and focused on classical elements. A strong perspective is seen, with an arcade of semicircular arches and Ionic capitals. Architectural motifs such as rosettes, capitals, festoons, molding, inset panels, and column plinths, resemble a classical, Roman style and unify this piece. There seems to be a lot more action in this painting; almost a snippet of a naturalistic world is depicted here. Advanced techniques of not only perspective, but shadowing and realistic light sources are also seen here. Through the people and their relationship to one other, both the plentitude and continuity features of Neo-Platonic ideals are revealed. We see groups of people in this painting, but there does seem to be a connection and link between each group. Compositionally speaking, both of these paintings are quite similar, however, focus on very different social, secular, and political ideals.

   Analysis 02:

Gothic Work: Jean Froissart, Battle of Otterburn, Chronicles, 1388. Renaissance Work: Antonio Tempesta, Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs, 1555-1630, Pen and brown ink, and brush and brown and gray wash, with traces of graphite, red chalk, and incising, on ivory wove paper, laid on board.

Two depictions of battles are seen here with very different stylistic elements. A framed, symbolic representation of the Battle of Otterburn, painted by Froissart, is very Gothic in style. Colorful filigree fill the asymmetrical frame, while a vibrant, almost playful, landscape is seen. Soldiers line the foreground in an arc, even further framing this battle scene. The perspective in this painting is somewhat foreshortened, the flags are rather large in representative scale. There is an interesting juxtaposition between the violent depiction of battle and delicate filigree details and color. This battle scene upon closer investigation appears to be more episodic in nature, as it is a representation of battle, rather than a glimpse into what would be a snapshot of battle. The soldiers in the foreground, could very well be the same two soldiers echoing a scene, while the castle in the background remains static.

Tempesta’s work, also much more stylized, has a dynamic range of line weight and gestural, chaotic shapes indicating movement and action. We typically see this in Renaissance paintings, as it is much more illustrative than Froissart’s Chronicles. This painting has a horizontal composition, which provides a panoramic survey of a battle; very different from Froissart’s vertical symbolism of a Neo-Platonic hierarchy of soldiers and royalty in a castle. The line weight in the right of the painting allows this soldier and horse to arrive at a foreground; however, the rest of this composition is taken all at once, typical of Renaissance paintings. This painting is arguably more realistic, through detail of the curves and muscles; although interestingly enough, is a monochromatic abstraction. During this time, there was a shift in thought of perfection, which is seen as we gravitate towards capturing beauty, even within chaos. In Gothic art, seen in Froissart’s work, there is a focus on the soul and body, forming a secular world based on hierarchy.

  Analysis 03:

Gothic Work: Alberto Sotio, The Mourning Virgin Mary, 1180-1190, Tempera on Panel. Renaissance Work: Agnolo Bronzino, Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time, c. 1545, Oil on Wood.

 Arguably one of the oldest Italian paintings in America, this panel is a fragment of a painted crucifix. Drawn from Byzantine icons, this symbol of the Virgin Mary stylistically flat. A consistent line weight and no indication of figure ground relationship places Mary in a framed portrait, similar to a still life. A halo is painted around her head, very typical of Medieval and Byzantine portraiture. She is glancing to her left, which is where the painting of Christ’s wound would be in this crucifix, suggesting her subtle grief. This closed construct that Sotio has created catches a synthetic view of the subject matter.

Bronzino’s work is clear representation of the shift in mentality of where perfection lies. Switching from the Byzantine or Gothic mindset, Renaissance styles depict perfection within beauty. Bronzino captures a very erotic, exaggerated whirlwind of nude skin, where we see the shift from sacred to secular. This illusionistic world does not have a clear environment, however, indicates more realistic qualities in skin, complexion, shadowing, proportion, and expressionistic qualities. There is a similarity between Gothic styles, as this painting does become somewhat symbolic with each face representing a different moment in time. This artwork is created after the Platonic mindset of a hierarchy within a created world, as it focuses on the beauty within people themselves. Venus and Cupid, both in the foreground, have a somewhat precious visage, almost like a marble figurine.

 Analysis 04:

Gothic Work: Limbourg Brothers, The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry September, 1440, Paint on Vellum.

Renaissance Work: Girolamo Marchesi, View of a City, 1520, Tempera on panel, 67 x 50 cm. 

 Both works are architectural in nature, however we see a very different stylistic approach to creating art from the world we perceive. In the Limbourg Brothers work, a landscape with a fantasy approach is depicted, with a focus on the shift in time. The Neo-Platonic ideals of the Great Chain of Being are very prevalent in this compositionally vertical painting. From the foreshortened foreground upwards, we see a hierarchy from the workers to the large, ornate castle in the background. Even further upwards, a cycle of time is literally representational of time and space acting as a divine moment, controlling the world’s fate for the workers down below. This cycle is even further depicting Gothic work by framing this piece in a closed environment.

In almost complete contrast, Marchesi’s work is very mathematically symmetrical and balanced. The sense of a chain of being is almost dismissed, as there aren’t even any people depicted in this architectural world (very much reminiscent of The Grand Budapest Hotel). There is a clear sense of perspective, a vanishing point, horizon line, and architectural proportion. The color palette, although a bit vibrant, is unified and illusionistic. Marchesi’s panel seems to be a derivation of Serlio’s work in this time period – a very important shift in how the world around us is drawn and interpreted. Deep shadows, smaller windows, columns with pediments, repetitive contours in molding, and paneling itself ground this painting in the Renaissance style.

  Analysis 05:

 Gothic Work: Ambrogio Lorenzetti,The Effects of Good Government, fresco, City Hall of Siena, 1338.

Renaissance Work: Biagio d'Antonio, The Triumph of Camillus, c. 1470/1475

Lorenzetti’s work is an episodic narrative of the 14th century. This painting is quite top heavy, with a banded frame indicative of a somewhat picturesque environment. This work is a Neo-Platonic hierarchy, and in itself is a political and social statement on the world this artist sees. Although part of a vast fresco series, this depicts the center of the city of Siena, with the nine muses dancing in the foreground of the painting. Further links of continuity are seen with various episodes in this panoramic display of the city. Men chatting, horse riding, workers, and what seems to be a marketplace of sorts make up the action and movement of the foreground. A somewhat static architectural representation makes up the rest of the composition, with pointed arches windows, crenulation details, unproportioned archways, and towering buildings taking our eye to the sacred.

In contrast, Biagio d’Antonio’s work is a much more illustrative depiction of a city. Both works have similar compositional layouts, however, the open framework in the Renaissance work allows us to interpret this as an extract of this triumph. A very clear foreground and background is seen, with atmospheric perspective helping indicate a distant background. The detail in this painting focused on the secular and the warfare, rather than the architecture itself. We are able to see this moment in time as it seems to be a parade of celebration perhaps, for the Roman hero Camillus, who returned from exile and rescued Rome from the Gauls. As Hauser notes in his social commentary, Renaissance work tends to be a panoramic survey, which is clearly seen in this work – and also somewhat seen in Lorenzetti’s work. Lorenzetti’s work differs from this style in its episodic nature of displaying a series of events, rather than portraying a full moment in time.