A Brief History of European Architecture Quiz

Although it might seem surprising to some to give farmers during the New Stone Age credit for architecture, the circumstances of the time helped in the creation of some rather monumental pieces. The advent of the domestication of plants and animals led to an increase in community size, and, with that, created a need for community buildings. Over time, having villages with more people also helped to provide manpower for even larger building projects. The people were able to move vast amounts of earth and stone to create rather impressive architecture; even though the structures they made may seem rather simple, the contribution to architecture is important to note because it is the beginning of the discipline. Believe it or not, some of the techniques employed by Neolithic architects, with their use of mud bricks and masonry methods, are still used today.

Çatalhöyük, located in modern day Turkey, gives a glimpse into early architecture during the Neolithic Age. Considered to be one of the first cities in the world, the houses were built in an urban setting without the use of streets. Homes were entered using a ladder and going through an opening in the roof! Dating to c. 7,400 BC, it is estimated that somewhere between 5,000-7,000 people lived continuously in Çatalhöyük for two thousand years.

Much smaller in size, the Neolithic village of Skara Brae was located in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. Ten structures built of earth and stone housed the people who lived in the community from approximately 3180 BC-2500 BC. These homes had stone fireplaces and beds, as well as a simple sewage system that took waste to the sea. It is just a bit older than the monumental structure of the Neolithic Age - Stonehenge!

Although historians still debate the purpose of Stonehenge and how exactly the giant megaliths were quarried and moved, its presence shows the progression of architectural knowledge during the Neolithic Age, as well as the development of social organization. With the first phase of construction beginning approximately 3100 BC, large numbers of people were organized to move the megaliths - some weighing 25 tons - and put them into place without the use of metal tools or the wheel. And, after all these years, the structure still can be used for its presumed purpose - astronomical observation!

The ancient Greeks are credited with beginning the Classical Age of architecture in the 5th century BC with their splendid use of columns, symmetry, and proportion. Most of their buildings were rectangular-shaped temples that were constructed from marble using post (column) and lintel (flat roof) construction; semi-circular amphitheaters are believed to have been about the only public structures that were not built in that way by the ancient Greeks.

By the 300s BC, however, "captive Greece took captive her savage conqueror" (according to Horace), and the Romans adopted Greek architectural methods. Over time they added arches, domes, and vaults to Greek designs and concrete to their list of building materials.

With its simple, yet beautiful, Doric columns, the Parthenon is one of the best examples of Classical Greek architecture. Rebuilt in the 440s BC after the original temple to Athena had been destroyed by the Persians, it still stands today - albeit in ruins - as a testimony to the ancient Greeks' skill in architecture. The roof of the rectangular building was held in place by 46 Doric columns, and the building was decorated with statues and friezes that told the story of the history of Athens.

Talk about a building that looks Greek in the front and Roman in the back! The Pantheon in Rome boasts 18 Corinthian columns in the front, but upon entering the building the Roman innovations of a dome and arches are immediately apparent. By the time of the Pantheon's reconstruction, c. 126 AD, the Romans had already been experimenting with their new invention, concrete, although historians today are still unsure about the exact composition of the material that was used to build the Pantheon. And while the exact purpose of the building is still discussed today, traditionally it is believed that it was built as a temple to honor of all of Rome's gods and goddesses.

The era of Byzantine architecture began in 330 AD when the Roman Emperor Constantine took over the ancient Greek village of Byzantium, and built a city which would eventually become the capital of the eastern Roman Empire, which is also called the Byzantine Empire. Constantine's massive building program included a forum, temples, palace, stadiums - exactly what ancient people would have found in any large Roman city.

The Byzantine Empire, situated on the eastern edge of Europe in what is Turkey, was also eventually influenced by Middle Eastern styles; it was a unique blend of Classical architecture with Near Eastern influences featuring arches, domes, and, above all, mosaic work. Mosaics were not just placed on the floors, but also on the walls and ceilings.

The original construction of the Hagia Sophia was probably ordered by Constantine, but was completed by his son. Damaged by fire and time, it was rebuilt several times until the church that exists today was built by the Emperor Justinian and completed in 537 AD. It is quite exquisite, both inside and out, with its huge dome, mosaics, and frescoes. Used after 1453 as a Roman Catholic Church, a Greek Orthodox Church, an Islamic Mosque, and a museum, today the Hagia Sophia is once again an Islamic Mosque that is also open for tours.

Unsurprisingly, the Byzantine architectural style also influenced buildings in Italy. In Ravenna, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was originally built by Theodoric the Great, an Ostrogoth king, for use as the chapel for his residence. The beautiful mosaics that adorn the interior were used to tell the stories of Jesus' miracles, life, and death, that were read aloud in church during Lent.

It was a difficult time in history with a lot of fighting taking place. People needed a way to protect themselves from invaders, and Romanesque architecture helped them do that with thick walls and small openings for windows. While this might lead one to immediately think of castle construction, there was, however, way more to it, including the use of semicircular arches, barrel vaults, and arcades. The truth is that there were a lot more churches and abbeys built during this time than homes for noblemen.

People of God needed protection too, and Romanesque architecture helped to provide the sense of security that was needed. The semicircular arches and barrel vaults gave stability to the buildings, and many times required less materials that were typically difficult to obtain. Arcades, constructed with arches and columns, helped to distribute the weight of the roof, and allowed light and air to circulate. In abbeys it was common for monks to use arcades for walking and praying, while in castle construction they were used more to support the upper stories of the building.

It is interesting to note that when construction began on Pisa Cathedral the church was not built within the city's walls. The people apparently wanted to show that they had no fear of attack. Perhaps the thick Romanesque walls gave them enough comfort and security? It took thirty years, from 1064-1092, to build the Pisa Cathedral, which is reminiscent of an ancient Roman basilica with its semi-circular arched doors and windows. This style was used so extensively throughout the city that it came to be known as Pisan Romanesque.

Pisa Cathedral's famous freestanding bell tower, known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, was also constructed in the Romanesque style, in spite of the fact that it took just about two hundred years, from 1173-1372, to construct. Like the church, the tower has thick walls; it is made of marble and decorated with stacked arcades on eight floors. And, in case you are wondering, it had already started to lean during its construction due to soft ground, tilting 5.5 degrees by 1990. A restoration effort in the 1990s reduced the tilt to 3.97 degrees.

Romanesque architecture was great, but the people wanted a style that was more grand to show off their increasing wealth. Times were not so dangerous that all buildings had to have thick walls, and now splendid architecture wasn't just reserved for cathedrals, churches, and abbeys. Town halls, palaces, and even universities adopted the style, which originated in northern France.

The characteristics of Gothic architectures are well known, and include pointed arches borrowed from Moslem architecture, rib vaults that made it possible to create larger windows, flying buttresses that carried the weight of the roof, and stained glass. What was the point? Well, the objective was to allow more light to enter the building with taller roofs and larger windows. The increase in light was meant to create a more heavenly atmosphere. In addition, the new architectural elements enabled buildings to accommodate more people.

It is impossible to speak of Gothic architecture and not mention Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Construction began on the project around 1163 and took about a hundred years to complete. Every feature in the cathedral is quintessentially Gothic, from its stained glass, to its flying buttresses, to its ribbed vaults, and, of course, its exquisite external and internals sculptures. After a fire in 2019, a meticulous restoration of the structure took place, and it was reopened in time to receive visitors during the Paris Olympics in 2024.

By the late 1200s the Gothic style of architecture had made its way to England, and university buildings that made use of the style were constructed. This was quite a change, as previously universities tended to look more Romanesque, with thick walls like castles. With its pointed arches, the Mob Quad in Merton College, built from 1299-1378 at Oxford University, is one of the earliest examples of what is called University Gothic in England.

The Renaissance, or Rebirth, began in Italy. It was a rebirth in the learning of the Greeks and Romans, so it stands to reason that the Classical style of architecture, with its symmetry, geometry, and proportion would once again become popular. It developed in Florence with Filippo Brunelleschi, who is known for creating the dome of the Florence Cathedral. Over time, the Renaissance style spread all over Europe, and was used for churches, public buildings, and homes for the wealthy. There were still a lot of examples from ancient times to examine and emulate, so one should expect to see columns, domes, and arches in the Renaissance style of architecture.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy, is a fine example of Renaissance architecture. Filippo Brunelleschi, one of the greatest architects of the Renaissance, began construction of the church in 1419, and when construction slowed due to lack of funds, the Medici family took over construction costs. It was mostly completed in 1449, three years after Brunelleschi died. Its design embodies Classical Roman architecture, with the use of columns and arches; due to its use of geometrical balance and harmony, many call it the first Renaissance church, marking a sharp departure from Gothic architecture.

Augsburg Town Hall, located in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, is considered to be one of the best examples of secular Renaissance architecture north of Italy. Its main architect, Elias Holl, inspired by Italian buildings during the Renaissance, began construction on the project in 1615. It was the tallest building in Germany for almost three hundred years! The Goldener Saal, or Golden Hall, was decorated with murals and frescoes that were badly damaged by time and war. The room was restored in 1985 using the original plans and drawings. It is considered to be the first building ever to be seven stories high. The Augsburger Rathaus, however, appears to have had rather mundane uses in spite of its architectural beauty; it was used for meetings, a prison, a place to make financial transactions, and the storage of town records.

The Tudor architecture style that developed in England represents the end of medieval architecture there. Here it must be noted that even though the Renaissance began in Italy in the late 1300s, it took some time for the ideas to spread to England. It is, therefore, correct to describe Tudor architecture as medieval.

By 1485, England was more peaceful, and the use of canons and gunpowder made it unnecessary to continue to construct buildings with heavy stone walls. In addition, with Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-1541), there were plenty of empty churches and abbeys that could be converted into more comfortable houses. And, for perhaps the first time, middle class people could also live in nicer homes.

Characteristics of Tudor architecture include rectangular or "H" shaped floor plans, large brick chimneys, and heavy timbers used to construct the upper floors, especially the gabled roofs. Many times timbers were left exposed, with stucco or some other type of stone used to fill in the spaces in between.

The construction of Hampton Court Palace in England began in 1514; it was originally intended to be a home for Cardinal Wolsey, who passed it on to King Henry VIII as a way to gain his favor. While it was later expanded in the Baroque style, it still boasts its red bricks, gabled roof, and massive chimney stacks.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage, a large farmhouse where William Shakespeare's wife lived as a young girl, is also a fine example of Tudor architecture with its exposed timber framing, thatched roof, and multiple chimneys. Today it is maintained by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as a museum.

The Jesuits of the Roman Catholic Church, while trying to bring parishioners back to the fold during the Protestant Reformation, provided for the creation of the Baroque style of architecture. The style has commonly been described as being like Renaissance architecture with columns and arches, but more grand.

With decorative elements like painted ceilings that employed optical illusions achieved through the use of trompe-l'oeil painting and expensive building materials like marble and gold, architecture was constructed with the intention of showing off the power and wealth of the Church, especially since many Protestant churches, in an attempt to avoid anything "too popish", had very plain interiors and exteriors. Its wide appeal, that spread all over Europe and in areas like South America that had come under European influence, came from statues of angels and paintings on the church ceiling, as well as cupolas that allowed light to stream down and gilding that made people feel as though heaven was looking down upon them.

St. Paul's Cathedral in London was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and constructed from 1675-1710 as part of a building project made necessary by the Great Fire of London. Its highly decorated interior isn't as lavish as some churches built in the Baroque style, but it has its share of elaborate carvings, ornamentation, arched windows, and light, complete with a dome.

If you have ever seen the Trevi Fountain in Rome, you know it is also a fine example of Baroque architecture. Building began on the fountain in 1723. It was to take the place of an earlier one built at the intersection of three roads in the city. Supplied with water from an ancient aqueduct, the fountain was placed near the back of the Palazzo Poli, a palace that had already been built nearby. The rear of the building was altered when the fountain was built. With its use of grand sculptures, other adornments, and water, the Trevi Fountain doesn't disappoint. Don't forget to throw a coin there when you visit Rome!

Sometimes called Late Baroque, Rococo architecture takes decorative art to the next level, using design elements like shells, acanthus leaves, flowers, and angels to create an even more favorable impression enhanced by curves. And, while Baroque architecture focused on symmetry, Rococo designs were more asymmetrical and used pastel colors to make rooms seem as if they had more light.

European monarchs especially favored the Rococo style for their palaces, both inside and out. The Catherine Palace was built in 1717 as a summer residence for Catherine I of Russia, who was the wife of Peter the Great. Featuring pastel colors, gilded designs, and woodcarvings, the famous Hall of Lights and Amber Room in the Catherine Palace impressed guests for years to come. Today it is used as a museum.

The Amalienburg, located in Munich, Germany, is another fine example of Rococo architecture. How Rococo is it? Look at the cover photo! It is pastel pink on the outside! Built between 1734-1739 as a hunting lodge for Elector Karl Albrecht, it was later used by Holy Roman Emperor Charles II and his wife. The inside of the building's first floor is decorated in light blue and silver with several mirrors, a symbol of the wealth of its owner.

By the mid-1700s, architecture styles once again were inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans; the Neoclassical movement was aided by the discovery of the archaeological ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, as well the sights seen on the Grand Tour through Europe, taken by wealthy young men.

Gaudy, asymmetrical ornamentation was out, and simplicity, balance, and geometric proportion were in. Blank walls and minimalist designs were preferred. Tall Doric columns were once again popular, and were used with either flat or domed roofs. This style, called either Neoclassical or Classical Revival architecture, is said to have arrived in Europe at the same time as the Enlightenment, when scientists were once again studying the history of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

The Brandenburg Gate, built in Berlin, Germany, from 1788-1791, is a great example of the Neoclassical architecture used in public buildings. Its twelve Doric columns help to form passageways that lead into and out of the gate; it is definitely the grand entrance that King Friedrich Wilhelm II hoped that architects could achieve. Said to have been inspired by the Propylaea, the monumental entrance way into the Acropolis of Athens, the gate is highly decorated with reliefs and sculptures, and its top is decorated with a quadringa, a chariot drawn by four horses, used by the ancients as a symbol for peace.

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, a triumphant arch in Paris, was built from 1806-08 by Napoleon to celebrate his victories in the Wars of the Third and Fourth Coalitions. Decorated with Corinthian columns, the monument, which was inspired by several Roman triumphal arches, features statues and a quadriga, as well as bas reliefs that depict Napoleon's victories. It was a glorious entryway that led to the Tuileries Palace, one of the traditional royal residences.