On the territory of various European states, there is a huge number of historical monuments and architectural masterpieces that delight tourists with pomp and grandeur. Medieval castles, narrow streets, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces, ruins of ancient temples and much more - here everyone will find attractions to their liking.
Sublime antiquity
Perhaps the richest in ancient monuments was and remains Greece. In almost every city and surroundings, you can see ancient columns, the ruins of once majestic temples dedicated to the ancient gods. The best preserved are the ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Athenian Acropolis, the Erechtheion, the Parthenon, Asklepion, the Temple of Zeus at Athens and the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Here the dawn and dusk of a beautiful and amazing culture that still inspires filmmakers and musicians, artists, designers and fashion designers.
No less interesting is the ancient architecture of Italy, it may not be as elegant as the Greek one, but it also breathes with antiquity and mystery, strength, and sometimes cruelty of the emperors-builders. The most outstanding monuments of Rome can be considered the Baths of Caracalla, the remains of the giant palace complex "The Golden House of Nero", the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Portuna, the Pantheon and, of course, the Colosseum.
Gloomy gothic, medieval architecture
The Gothic style is most widely represented in Great Britain. It is easily recognizable by its pointed turrets, pointed narrow windows, and decorative elements filled with gloomy cemetery grace. All the charm and charm of the Gothic cathedrals, as if entwined with old ivy, is reflected in the most famous architectural structures of the early and late Middle Ages in England: Salisbury, Canterbury, Durham and York cathedrals, Westminster Palace and the adjacent territories.
Venice is well worth a visit to enjoy the most expensive and exquisite architecture in Europe. The Venetian style is inimitable and unique in its way; it has absorbed elements of Byzantine architecture, Gothic and Classicism.
The neo-Gothic style, in contrast to the old classical Gothic, was more to the taste of Germany, France and Spain and Eastern Europe. Each of these countries has hundreds of cathedrals, chapels, churches and castles. More than eighty medieval castles are located on the banks of the French Loire alone. But the most beautiful and famous are the German castles of Leuvenburg, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the Aragonese castle in Italy, the English Bodiam, the Portuguese Pena castle and the French Mont Saint Michel.
Renaissance architecture
It is believed that the birthplace of architectural pretentiousness was the France of the Renaissance. Until the middle of the 16th century, Gothic prevailed in the vastness of the kingdom, but at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries, the style of architectural structures began to be revolutionary: it was replaced by the "French Renaissance". The main idea of the architectural structures of France of this period is the wealth and grandeur of palace complexes and castles.
Another unique architectural style on the body of Europe originated in Spain - plateresco. The combination of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance subjects led to the formation of a completely new architectural trend.
It was necessary to move away from the medieval feudal-Gothic style and turn the impregnable fortress into a luxurious manor with a lot of facade decorations, huge parks and magnificent gardens. These buildings were intended for idleness and fun, magnificent balls and receptions. Among the most remarkable architectural masterpieces of that time are the Fontainebleau Palace, the colossal palace of Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Luxembourg Palace in a mixed Renaissance and Baroque style, and the Palace of Versailles. Finally, amazing combinations of styles and times are presented in the architecture of the Louvre.
