A century that presaged the world as we know it, and that witnessed some incredible history is well-represented with interesting and important architectural achievements. Here is my list of the most significant of these accomplishments. A photo album will follow, tomorrow.
1. Melk Abbey, Melk, Austria (1702) – Here is a prominent Baroque masterpiece, on the Rhine River, between Salzburg and Vienna. Its church (Stift) and Library are both magnificent.
2. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, England (1705) – Sir Winston Churchill was born in this elaborate country house and its historical importance makes it a significant tourist attraction in this country of elegant palaces.
3. Sao Francisco Church, Salvador de Bahia, Brazil (1708-1723) – This Colonial church is one of the holiest sites in the entire country of Brazil. It is located in Pelourinho District of the city, its most historic area.
4. Old State House, Boston, MA, USA (1712) – Prominent during the American Revolution, this historic structure houses the National Historic Site headquarters and Visitor Center.
5. Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria (1714-1722) – This glorious residence sits on a hill just above Vienna’s Altstadt. It now contains a museum of the Austrian republic. Wandering the rooms of the castle gives the visitor a glimpse of the wealth of the time.
6. Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg, Russia (1714) – One of the most luxurious and opulent palaces in all of Europe, the grounds of this mansion, strewn with scultures and fountains, are among the most elaborate in the world.
7. Catherine Palace, Pushkin, Russia (1717) – This Rococo summer palace of the Russian Tsars was built by Catherine I. The gilded exterior is particularly stunning.
8. Residenz, Wurzburg, Germany (1722) – Another of Europe’s grand palaces, this Baroque masterpiece has wowed generations of tourists and heads of state.
9. Winter Palace, St Petersburg, Russia (1732) – This huge and magnificent mansion, built by Peter the Great, is now the home of the world-famous Hermitage Museum.
10. Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy (1732) – Probably the world most recognized fountain, this elaborate fantasy of sculpture and water occupies an entire city block in the Eternal City.
11. Radcliffe Camera, Oxford, England (1737) – This circular building is a prominent landmark on the campus of Oxford University.
12. Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain (1738) – This light-colored mansion in the heart of the royal city of Madrid is done in the style of Versailles and and the other great chateux of France.
13. Ettal Monastery, Ettal, Germany (1744) – This ornate, Baroque masterpiece is near the charming village of Oberammergau, at the foot of the German Alps, and is a frequent stop along the Romantic Road.
14. Summer Palace, Beijing, China (1749) – The idyllic residence of Chinese rulers is located, picturesquely, on a lake in the outskirts of Beijing, and contains the longest covered walkway in the world.
15. Reggia Caserta, Caserta, Italy (1752) – Here is another royal palace which harkens to the grandiose design of Versailles. The interior is just as respendent.
16. Lazienki Palace, Warsaw, Poland (1764) – This "palace on the water" is located on an artificial island in the middle of a lake in the outskirts of Poland’s capital city.
17. Schwedagon Stupa, Yangon, Myanmar (1774) – This is one of the most important and stunning Buddhist pagodas in the world. Unfortunately, the country of Myanmar does not encourage tourism, so the temple is not well-known outside the area.
18. Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand (1782) – This amazing, gilded complex also houses the Wat Phra Kew, home of the Emerald Buddha, and still features a Changing of the Guard ceremony daily.
19. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, Sri Lanka (1784) – This temple, within the Royal Palace complex, is the holiest religious site in the country, because of the presence of this important relic of Buddha.
20. 4. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany (1788) – The backdrop for the famous Ich bin ein Berliner speech of US President, John F Kennedy, this monumental arch has become a symbol of a unified Germany.
21. Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand (1788) – This beautiful temple complex houses the huge Reclining Buddha and is an extremely popular tourist attraction in the center of Bangkok.
22. St Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA (1789) – A symbol of the city, this distinctive, two-towered church sits on the elegant Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter.
23. White House, Washington, DC, USA (1790-1800) – Built during the early days of America’s independence, this palatial residence has become a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
24. Hawa Mahal (Hall of Winds), Jaipur, India (1799) – The most noticeable and exquisite sight in the Pink City, this building is part of a huge complex.
