10 Lesser Known Masterpieces of

Architecture in history

CHAND BAORI – A step-well located in Rajasthan India, Chand Baori is 13 stories tall, 100 feet deep and lined with 3,500 steps arranged in an amazing zig-zag pattern. It dates back to the 10th century.

Alcobaca Monastery (Portugal) – It was founded in the 12th century by King Alfonso I. The grandeur, architectural aesthetics and the beauty of the material used, makes it a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic Art.

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PALMA Cathedral (Spain) – Built on the site of an Arab Mosque, the 397 feet long, 180 feet wide and 144 feet tall structure faces Mecca. It was built in Catalan Gothic style by King James I of Aragon between 1229 and 1601

SHAH Mosque (Isfahan, Iran) – Completed in 1629, under the orders of emperor Shah Abbas, the mosque is a masterpiece of Persian architecture, with magnificently rendered calligraphy and arabesque on its facade. It was also featured in the movie Around the World in 80 Days.

Ellora Caves (India) –Comprising of 34 monasteries and temples and extending over 1.24 miles, the caves were built between 600-1000 AD. A unique depiction of technological prowess, the sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism illustrate the spirit of tolerance in ancient India.

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Interior of La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (Quito, Ecuador) –The Church of the Society of Jesus, is a Jesuit Church, considered to be one of the greatest works of Spanish Baroque architecture, adorned with gold leaf, gilded plaster and wood carvings. The construction process took 160 years and culminated in 1765.

The Great Mosque of Djenne (MAli) –The largest mud-brick structure in the world, this mosque is considered to be the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architecture. The first mosque on the site was built in the 13th century, though the current structure dates back to 1907. Every year, the entire community of Djenne takes part in a festival to repair the mosque of damage caused by the annual rains.

St. George Church (Lalibela, Ethiopia) –Also known as Beta Giyorgis, this is a monolithic church, carved into the ground dating back to the 12th century. It is believed, in Ethiopian culture, that the instructions to build this church were sent to the king in a vision by St. George and God themselves. The church has been referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

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The Theatre of Epidaurus (Greece) –Constructed in the 4th century BC, it is considered among the most beautiful theatres in Greece. Unlike Roman theatres, the view of the magnificent landscape is an integral part of the theatre itself. It is known for its incredible acoustics; actors on stage can be heard by all 14,000 spectators, regardless of where they are seated.

Monastery of the Holy Trinity (Meteora, Greece) –Built in a region with almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, this magnificent piece of construction is a masterpiece of architecture and human creativity. It was constructed between 14th and 16th centuries, and has 24 operational monasteries.

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