Temple of Hercules Victor: The Oldest Building in Rome
The oldest building in Rome doesn’t call much attention to itself. For a culture which showed the world how to build big, it’s rather petite….
Architecture
Sanfelice’s Rococo Palazzos in Naples’ Rione Sanità
Can any site embody a city, especially one as architecturally rich as Naples? If so, our candidate would be a pair of staircases in the…
History of the Alhambra's Paradisal Gardens and Courtyards
Inspired by paradise itself, Granada’s Alhambra holds the power to transport us from the cares of the outside world. In spite of being photographed thousands…
Moorish Architecture and Views in Granada’s Albaicín District
When asked to picture Granada, most people conjure visions of the Alhambra. But the city’s historic heart has always been the Albaicín (or Albayzín). For…
Visiting Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Towers
The Sagrada Familia may be Antoni Gaudí’s most famous building, but only a fraction of it was completed during his lifetime. The Nativity facade and…
A Guide to Toledo’s Historic Architecture
Our hotel proprietress assured us that “Toledo is most beautiful at night.” We don’t disagree – it’s just that we loved dusk, dawn, and daytime,…
The Mosques, Synagogues and Churches of Toledo, Spain
Toledo’s Muslim heritage permeates the city, from its layout of tiny, winding streets oriented to keep it cool to the Arabic inscriptions within its fortified…
Visiting Paestum’s Ancient Greek Temples
Southern Italy has been luring civilizations for thousands of years, only to wipe them out with catastrophe. Volcanic eruptions aside, the shifting coastline south of…
Palladio's Architecture in Venice
The churches of San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore feel like a shot of oxygen after trooping through the smoky light and elaborate ornamentation of…