Friday, January 16, 2009

Dome Architecture Around the World

After my travels around the world, I have grown to appreciate different types of architecture. Of particular interest to me have been the dome structures of churches and government buildings.

Here I would like to contrast a few structures that I have encountered first-hand and others that I simply find intriguing.

Here are some questions for you to meditate on as you go through the images:
  • What do you think? Which buildings do you find to be most similar?
  • What other dome-style architecture do you know of that seems similar to the forthcoming?
  • Do you have a favorite? Which styles and periods of architecture do you prefer?
Des Moine's Iowa State Capitol, Photo 1 of 2

Des Moine's Iowa State Capitol, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_State_Capitol

Saint Petersburg's St. Isaac's Cathedral, Photo 1 of 2

Saint Petersburg's St. Isaac's Cathedral, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Isaac%27s_Cathedral
Inspired by Villa la Rotunda of Vicenza, Italy


Villa la Rotunda of Vicenza, Italy, Photo 1 of 2

Villa la Rotunda of Vicenza, Italy, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_La_Rotonda

California's Auburn Courthouse, Photo 1 of 2

California's Auburn Courthouse, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn,_California

San Francisco City Hall, Photo 1 of 2

San Francisco City Hall, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_City_Hall
Inspired by Les Invalides of Paris, France

Les Invalides of Paris, France, Photo 1 of 2

Les Invalides of Paris, France, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Invalides
Inspired by The Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica

The Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica, Photo 1 of 2

The Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica

Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral, Photo 1 of 2

Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Basil%27s_Cathedral

Suzdal's Transfiguration Cathedral, Photo 1 of 3

Suzdal's Wooden Dome Architecture, Photo 2 of 3

Suzdal's Wooden Dome Architecture
Suzdal, Russia, Photo 3 of 3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzdal

Bogolyubovo's Dome Architecture, Photo 1 of 2

Bogolyubovo's Dome Architecture
Bogolyubovo, Russia, Photo 2 of 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogolyubovo

Once again, here are the questions I posed at the beginning of my post:
  • What do you think? Which buildings do you find to be most similar?
  • What other dome-style architecture do you know of that seems similar to the aforementioned?
  • Do you have a favorite? Which styles and periods of architecture do you prefer?

2 comments:

Savin (Nay) Wangtal said...

I think Moscow's dome is by far the best. You just can't beat something that looks like it pops right out of a fairy tale--like a giant, candied softserve perched on top of a building.

You forgot the Springfield Dome, by the way.

Paris Photograph said...

I agree Moscow dome is beautiful, also the St. Peter's Basilica and the Les Invalides of Paris.