Flowers of revival. Famous Buildings of Renaissance Architecture

Strict proportions and symmetry, domination of regular shapes and sequence of elements – these are the architectural traditions of the Renaissance period. Sometimes even contemporary architects are cornered with the complex proportions of buildings. We have a lot of constructions of the Renaissance period that remind us of a great period of the world history. Wonderful palaces, royal residences, magnificent monasteries, inaccessible castles, the world know museums with priceless art and historical collections – that is a small part of the heritage of this epoch.

Santissimo Nome di Gesu Cathedral has placed right in the centre of the so-named square in Rome. It was built in 1584 and at first, it was a monument in the mannerism style. However, after the reconstruction, the church has received bright features of Renaissance. One of the main peculiarities of the inner decoration is the unique frescoes. They were painted in modern 3D technique. For the medieval times, this technique was quite unusual.

The church has become a home for some unique religious artefacts. The thing of main value is a St. Maria icon of the 14th century. Saint Ignatius of Loyola is a founder of this church and the first man of the Jesuits Society of Jesus. The church has saved the founder’s room. It is practically unchanged since that time.

Today some rooms of the cathedral are used for museum needs. There you can see a great collection of items that are dedicated to the founder and participants of the Jesuits Society of Jesus. The main church’s masterpiece is the altar. It is decorated with azure stone, other semiprecious stones and rare types of marble. The main religious artefact is the reliquiae of St. Ignatius. His funeral urn is put near the altar. Nowadays Santissimo Nome di Gesu Cathedral is a popular place in Rome. It adores with as with its magnificent façade as with the outstanding inner decoration. Next - Chateau d Ecouen

Chateau d Ecouen, France

Near Paris has placed a wonderful Chateau d Ecouen. It was built in the 16th century and is the spectacular example of Renaissance style. It is no surprise that right in this historical building has placed the National Museum of the Renaissance since 1977. The palace was built in 1538 at the place of the destroyed old fortress. For its long history, the palace saw a lot of various owners. At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon ordered to open there an orphanage of Legion of Honour. In 1962 this building was given to State ownership. Complete article

Cotton Exchange Building, USA

Cotton Exchange Building has placed on the Hannover Square in New York. This building is also known for travellers as India House. This wonderful Renaissance building has appeared in 1853. Originally there was a General Headquarters of Hannover Bank. In 1870 the building was turned in to a cotton exchange that became the second in the world. In 1914 the building has changed its status, there was opened a private club called India House. Complete article

Heidelberger Castle, Germany

An old Heidelberger Castle is the main landmark of Heidelberger city. It is located on the hillside and grandly rises about the city. The first mentions of this castle go up to the 1225 year. In the second half of the 17th century, the castle was destroyed after the next aggression of Louis XIV. After this, the historical construction was partly rebuilt. The last owner of the castle was Count Charles de Graimberg. He ordered to reconstruct the castle. A large reclamation works has lasted for a half of a century. Complete article

Uffizi Gallery, Italy

Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest museums of Europe. It is known not only thanks to its rich collections, the building itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The building has begun in 1560 on a direction of the Tuscany Duke Cosimo I de' Medici. Originally in this marvellous building was planned to place several administrative and court institutes. Now, this historical building is a famous gallery with the best Renaissance artists’ works. Complete article

Aliiolani Hale, Hawaii

In the downtown Honolulu at the King Street has placed the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Originally it was built as a royal residence. It is surrounded with a marvellous tropical garden with palms and landscape compositions. The main outdoor decoration is the gilded statue of Kamehameha V. The residence has been built for 3 years and was finished in 1874. The major architect was an Australian Thomas Rowe. He has projected the building in an Italian Renaissance style. From Hawaii language, Aliiolani Hale translates as the "House of Heavenly Kings". Complete article

Chateau de Fontainebleau, France

French Chateau de Fontainebleau is a wonderful example of Renaissance architectural style. The first owner of this palace was Louis VII. Then there lived great rulers of France, among which was Napoleon III. Since 1981 this palace-park complex is in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every year the palace is visited by more than a million tourists. The palace is situated in a unique natural area. It is surrounded with several-hundred-old forests. Complete article

Amazon Theatre, Brazil

In Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, has located the Amazon Theatre. It is a regular place of the Amazonas Opera Festival. This theatre is famous not only for its musical events but also for its unique architectural style. The building has been lasting for 15 years and finally, the grand opening was in 1896. Complete article

El Escorial Monastery, Spain

El Escorial Monastery is a famous Spanish residence of King Philipp II. The monastery is located near Madrid in a picturesque mountain area Sierra de Guadarrama. Philipp II ordered to build this magnificent monastery in 1557. In the middle of the military campaign, the king’s army has destroyed the old monastery named after Saint Lavrenty. This man was born in Spain that’s why the king decided to build a great monastery after the saint’s return to the motherland. Complete article

Antwerp City Hall, Belgium

The Antwerp City Hall is a great example of Holland Renaissance. This magnificent city hall has been built for four years and was finished only in 1565. Notwithstanding the city hall’s age, the building has saved many original elements. As many years ago, the hall’s façade is decorated with medieval heraldic symbols. Not so far next to them has appeared bright flags of Antwerp margraves and Spanish dukes. Complete article

Baltimore City Hall, USA

Baltimore City Hall is a quite interesting building form the architectural point of view. Since 1875 it is used according to its intended purpose. The building combines elements of Renaissance and Baroque styles. In the second half of the 20th century, the future of the building was under a question. The local administration has to decide whether to reconstruct the whole building or to build a new one. Complete article

Hollywood Tower, USA

The Hollywood Tower is one of the most outstanding sightseeing in Los Angeles. This is a high-rise apartment house that was built in 1929. This high building in a French Renaissance style was one of the most luxurious blocks in the city. There were made 50 large blocks of flats and three penthouses that belong to the wealthiest locals or guests of Los Angeles. Complete article

Majestic Theatre, USA

The unique building of 1925 – the Majestic Theatre – has placed in the centre of Dallas. At the beginning of the 20th century, the theatre was in the centre of the large square that was popular with its entertainment venues. Today it is the only reminder of the rich cultural life of this area. In 1917 in Dallas, the largest and most popular theatre was burned. At the place of it was built a new one. Complete article

Kolner Rathaus, Germany

Kolner Rathaus is another outstanding architectural monument of the Renaissance style. It is one of the oldest building in the city, the first mentions go up to the 1330 year. Since the building, the historical construction was absolutely ruined and rebuilt, however, some original elements were saved. During the Second World War the building was seriously destroyed, only in the 1950s, it was reconstructed from the old sketches. Complete article

Auckland Art Gallery, New Zealand

The Auckland Art Gallery is the greatest architectural monument in New Zealand. This art gallery was built in 1887. Today there has placed a rich collection of art pieces of local and foreign artists. Large halls are usually used for international exhibitions. Complete article