The Architectural Works that Witnessed Historical Events

After all the living things are gone from history, what we can see is just Architectural Works.

Romonosov Moscow State University, the landmark of the Stalin era

(Location: Moscow, Russia; Construction date: 1949-1953)

The buildings of Moscow University show its spirit.

The 220-meter Sparrow Hill is the Peak of Moscow. This is where you can see what time has left to Moscow. The Seven Sister buildings have already been changed by tall glass buildings in CBD.

The main building of Romonosov Moscow State University is a combination of a grand monument and a gothic cathedral, built from stone and steel. It is cold and imperatorial. I know grand buildings often come from powerful regimes.

In 1947, Stalin saw that there was no skyscraper in Moscow and felt it was insult to the country, so Romonosov Moscow State University was ordered to be built.

The main building of Moscow University is as high as 240 m and nearly 40,000 MT of steel was used. It was the tallest building in Europe till 1990. It is still the tallest building for education in the world today. There is no traditional Russia element in this building. It is just cold.

Transportation: Subway Line 1 to Universitet Station, then walk north for about 500 meters

Tel: 495-9391000, open all year around

Palacio Nazaries, the sad history of the Moor people

(Location: Granada, Spain; Construction date: 1354-1391)

The towers of Alhambra Palace were very important for military reasons and were all over the whole palace.

In 1829, Washington Irving wrote History of Alhambra Palace and a sad history of the Moor people was described in this book. Many tourists came to seethe palace because of this book. In 1896, the composer Francisco Tarrega created Memory about Alhambra Palace. You cannot not really understand the music if you do not stand here.

Spain is like a combination of Europe and Africa. From the 6th century,Islam flourished and reached North Africa, then the Moor people, the heir of the Arabian and the black, was created. From the 7th century, the Moor people crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and conquered Spain in eight years. During the next centuries of peace, a grand civilization was created. Anda Lucia was the cultural center of the Moor people and the Arci Reed Palace of Alhambra Palace was their best building.

Arci Reed Palace was the chamber of the kings of Granada. The building is still beautiful, but the dynasty is long gone.

The scenic spot only sells 6,600 tickets every day. Please order the ticket in advance.

Transportation: Bus 30 and Bus 32

Toshodaiji Temple, the home of Jianzhen after he Crossed to Japan

(Location: Nara, Japan; Construction date: 759-770)

This building has been around for so many years.

During 710-794, Nara was the capital of Japan and was also the time Buddhism came to Japan.

From 630, Japan started to send delegations to China. After 124 years, Jianzhen came to Japan with his delegation and he was greatly honored by the emperor of Japan.

For some political reasons, Jianzhen resigned from the power center and focused on Buddhism. He was presented with a palace by the new emperor and then the palace was changed to Toshodaiji Temple. In 1998, Toshodaiji Temple was elected as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Transportation: Bus Toshodai Temple Station

Open hours: 8:30-17:00

Tel: 81-742-337900.

AyaSofya, to Honor Jesus or Allah

(Location: Istanbul, Turkey; Construction date: 537)

Dusk of Istanbul

On May 29th, 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the army of the Ottoman Empire. The whole city was ruined except Aya Sofya, because this was the place where gods of Orthodox and Islam rested. The Ottoman Empire finally transferred it into the biggest Masjid in the world and the city was re-named as Istanbul.

In 1835, under the lead of Kemal, Turkey got independence from Islam and Aya Sofya was no longer a Masjid, but a museum. Do not miss the delicate murals here.

Address: AyaSogya, Meydani 1,

Transportation: Bus Sultanahmet Station

Tel: 212-5221750, (ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr)

(This article is translated from Lonely Planet May 2016. Editor: Liu Hongwen, pictures: Lao Piaopiao. Do not reprint it without permission. For more information, please visit wechat lptraveller.)