Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Boston - ideas on city exploration routes

The First Church of Christ, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» The First Church of Christ was built in 1894. It is not just a single building but a complex. Here, the teaching of God and norms of behavior are preached. 
» The initiator of the construction of Boston Church was Mary Baker Eddy. She was cured of the disease after she had turned to God with daily prayers.
» The first congregation was established in 1879. Today, there are 2 000 branches in many countries.
» At the Christian Science Church, there are a library, a swimming pool, and a children’s fountain.
» The walls are faced with granite stone. The building accommodates about 900 parishioners.
» The interior is characterized by mosaic frescoes and stained glass windows. The floor is covered is tiled with Italian marble. Seats for worshipers are made of red Canadian birch. There is also an organ (1952). This keyboard and wind musical instrument is the biggest in the world, as it contains 13 389 pipes.
» The modern Christian Science Church Center (1960) has a total area of 57 m2.
» The Boston Church is called “The First” in accordance with the bylaws, by which congregations have got their sequence number since the foundation.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) opened its doors to the first visitors in 1876. 
» Its main exposure was the collection of the City Art Gallery. The museum fund contains a million exhibits.
» There are various exhibits: picturesque canvasses, antique pieces of furniture, jewels, household items, outfits of different epochs, numismatics, ceramic, glass, silver, and porcelain items. Here, you can also see exhibits used in funeral ceremonies.
» All the presented items demonstrate the development of the global culture of different countries and continents. Modern arts are not forgotten too. Here, you can also see everything related to the fashion industry: pictures, etchings, sketches, textiles, jewels, and musical instruments.
» The representatives of the gentle sex will be attracted by the exhibition dedicated to European and Asian fashion of the last century (works of Chanel, Gagliano, and Dior).
» There are more paintings of artist Mille, than in France.
» The complex consists of the main building and several outbuildings. Their walls are faced with granite produced in local quarries.
» The collection is replenished at the expense of businessmen and scientists.
Old North Church, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» The church had historical significance in the American annals. In 1775, the war of independence began in the USA. The warden on the roof gave revolutionaries a warning signal about the coming British fleet. 
» Old North Church, or Christ Church, was built in 1723. Eight church bells were cast specifically for this.
» The pointed spire that crowned the top of the building was destroyed by the hurricane in 1804. The second spire suffered the same in 1954. The last one was designed in the way that it could withstand natural disasters.
» The entire construction with a weather vane is 58 m high.
» You can go down to the basement on the right side of the door. It leads to the shelter of members of the organization called “Underground”. If you go up the stairs, you will enter the observation platform.
» The exterior is almost plain. It was built of light burgundy bricks.
» It is no coincidence that the dome is painted white. It symbolizes the purity of the Kingdom of Heaven.
» The interior impresses with light colors that match bright gilded chandeliers and decorative elements of the altar.
» The vault is supported by thin columns. Big windows give much sunlight.
Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» In Boston, you can stay at the five-star Harbor Hotel located on the embankment near the pier. 
» It offers all possible comfortable accommodation conditions. There are also spa salons for rejuvenation. You can also visit several restaurants and sports grounds.
» The Boston Harbor Hotel offers rooms in various price categories. At the Boston Harbor Hotel, there are rooms for married couples and romantic lovers. There are luxury and business rooms. In total, there are 232 rooms for all tastes. One room area is from 46 to 53 m2. In some of them, there are separate terraces that have a view of the city.
» A presidential suite is a spacious room with 2 sleeping areas and bathrooms. There are also a separate living room and a dining area.
» The hotel infrastructure includes a covered guarded parking area, round-the-clock services of the butler and the interpreter, a tour desk, and a law office. There is also a business center for business guests. The conference hall is equipped with audiovisual devices.
» In the territory of the hotel, there are stores with a wide range of products.
Trinity Church, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» There was swamp at the site where the church is located. It was backfilled with gravel to level the ground off. 
» Trinity Church was built here at the beginning of the 19th century. Main materials were granite and limestone. The foundation consists of 4 000 cedar pillars to make the huge building stable. They are placed deep underground, lower than the groundwater level. Piles have never changed since the construction.
» All the elements, such as stone arched vaults and impressive towers, are massive in the exterior. One of the towers weighs 90 million pounds. The church is designed in the new Romanesque architectural style.
» The church belongs to the state diocese. Church services are held here every day.
» Sunday school has a special Christian program.
» There is a choir at the church. During ceremonial services, it performs festive chants to organ music. Choristers go on tour to other countries.
» Trinity Church is located near the skyscraper with mirror walls. They are as luxurious, as its facade.
» The construction of any objects around the church is forbidden. It is located in the “green zone”.
» It is also the first religious institution designed by American architects.
Fenway Park, Boston
Location on the map:
Facts:
» Fenway Park is a sports ground for baseball games. 
» The stadium is named just like the place where it is located.
» The Boston Red Sox train here.
» Fenway Park is one of the oldest sports grounds of its type.
» The Osborn Engineering Company ordered to lay out a park in 1912. It paid $650 000 for the construction.
» According to the project, the stands consist of 35 000 seats. The arena was rebuilt many times. It was last reconstructed in 2008. The number of seats increased.
» One seat is painted red. In 1946, the kicked ball hit the hat of the spectator.
» The stadium can host up to 40 000 sports fans.
» Not only football and hockey matches, but also concerts are held at this multifunctional sports arena.
» The stadium is also distinguished by an 11-meter Green Monster Wall. The high wall is a left field border. It is a sort of a target for those who return the ball with a right hand. There are seats for spectators above the barrier.
» The right part of the field is surrounded by a 1.5-meter fence. It serves as an unusual funny scoreboard when players tumble over it when gathering the ball.
Skywalk Observatory, Boston

Facts: » The Skywalk Observatory is an observation platform of the skyscraper Prudential Tower. This building is 228 m high. It is the second highest construction in the city.
» The high spire attached to the roof makes the building even higher. So, the skyscraper with a spire is 276 m high.
» The Prudential Tower was built in 1964. It opened its doors for visitors in a year.
» There are 52 levels in the building. It has a reinforced concrete frame.
» There are 4 000 windows.
» The total area of 500 000 m2 is occupied by offices, business premises, brand stores, and a lot of expensive boutiques.
» Those who want to have a delicious meal and admire the bird’s eye view of the magnificent surroundings should visit the restaurant here.
» The 50th floor is a covered observation platform, the Skywalk Observatory. It is rightfully considered the highest platform in New England. It is better to view Boston on a sunny day when all the city attractions are clearly recognized.
» The building is included in a single complex called the Prudential Center. It was built upon the order of the Prudential Insurance Company.
This guide to architectural sightseeing in Boston is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.