The architecture of the Old Continent will surprise you
Did you know that the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca, is the largest in the world and its surface is equal to 56 soccer fields ? And what to build the Taj Mahal used more than thousand elephants who transported marble and precious stones?
Do you know which is the longest bridge in Europe? (it's closer than you think...) .
Open a random page of The Illustrated Atlas of Architecture and Marvelous Monuments (Monumental Atlas: Records and Wonders of architecture) is to embark on a surprise journey through the most amazing architectural wonders on the planet.
FROM THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT TO THE EMPIRE STATE
5 continents, 80 countries and more than 180 buildings and illustrated monuments are hidden in the pages of this wonderful atlas that you won't be able to stop browsing.
From places thousands of years old to the most modern and futuristic contemporary buildings. Each of them comes with data about the architect, dimensions, location, awards and interesting facts.
Its authors, Alexandre Verhille and Sarah Tavernier, They did extensive research on the longest bridges in the world, the tallest towers and the most impressive cultural centers.
The illustrated atlas for architecture lovers
A VISUAL WONDER
Each section begins with an overview map of each continent to later break it down by zones with illustrations of the different buildings.
Castles, towers, museums, churches, cathedrals, universities, theaters, hotels, airports... A walk through the history of architecture that both children and adults can enjoy.
EUROPE: THE HERITAGE OF HUNDREDS OF CIVILIZATIONS
Our journey begins in the old continent, where we will find a multitude of places, that either we did not even know of its existence, or knowing it, we had overlooked many curious facts.
For example, did you know that the Atomium of Brussels has the longest escalators in Europe?
And what the Saint Basil's Cathedral of Moscow was initially built of wood and later rebuilt using bricks?
What continent do we discover today?
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: PAST AND FUTURE
On the Mediterranean coast of the African continent we find Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Phoenician influences but also a great tradition of adobe constructions that in Middle East They coexist with some of the tallest buildings in the world.
In Casablanca (Morocco), we find the Hassan II Mosque, whose construction required 80 million hours of work and 10,000 workers and artisans.
Five minutes is the time it takes to open the ceiling of the prayer hall, It is the size of half a football field.
In Dubai (United Arab Emirates) there is the Burj Khalifa, that with its 163 floors spread over 828 meters of height, it is, today, the tallest building in the world.
Africa, the cradle of civilization, keeps many architectural treasures
ASIA AND OCEANIA: AN INFINITE JOURNEY
On the Asian continent we find one of the most famous buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers , in Kuala Lumpur . What you may not know is that the two towers and the structure that links them are reminiscent of the letter M, in honor of Malaysia.
Surely you have also heard of Angkor Wat , in Comboya. Did you know that 50,000 workers were building this Buddhist temple for 35 years?
An atlas for young and old!
NORTH AMERICA: THE NEW WORLD
There are many buildings to highlight in North America but perhaps one of the least known and most curious is the Cleveland Clinic, in Las Vegas, of the architect Frank Gehry, who has 199 windows, all different.
In the CNN Tower, in Toronto, you can walk on a glass floor 340 meters high.
By the way, how many people fit in the Havana Revolution Square (Cuban)? No less than a million!
The most amazing buildings in North America
SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA: WITH COLUMBUS AT THE CENTER
We can distinguish two types of architecture in South America and Central America: the pre-Columbian (Incas, Mayans and Aztecs) and the colonial style, from the 16th century. Contemporary architecture is concentrated in Brazil.
If you ever go to **Ipiales (Colombia) ** and visit the Las Lajas Sanctuary, you will have to climb 170 steps to reach the neo-gothic floors at the top.
And if your destination is Uruguay, do not hesitate and stay at Casapueblo, located in Punta Ballena, a structure located on a hill that was once an artist's studio and was converted into a hotel.
It also has a museum and an art gallery. By the way, the complex was built without using a single blueprint.
Have you been wanting more? You can buy the Illustrated Atlas of Architecture here. And if you prefer it in Spanish, it is available in all these Spanish bookstores.
Good architectural trip!
Pre-Columbian architecture and colonial style coexist in South America and Central America