architecture | Daydream Tourist

Dec 18

The Modernist Church of St. Joan of Arc in Rouen

Rouen, France has a beautiful medieval core with wood and plaster buildings slumped and crooked from centuries of settling. There are several beautiful medieval churches led of course by the grand Gothic Cathedral. But when it came time to commemorate Rouen’s most famous Saint, Joan of Arc, the city erected a thoroughly modern church – L’église sainte Jeanne d’Arc.

These oval-shaped, fragmented glass white windows circle the altar at the Church of St. Joan of Arc.

Dec 12

7 Comments

Inside Rouen Cathedral

A list of the greatest Gothic Cathedrals in the World is going to be dominated by the French greats: Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Chartres, Amiens, Riems and Rouen. Since cathedrals, with their cavernous interior space and organic ribbing, are places to be explored and experienced, I always make time for a long visit! Rouen Cathedral in Normandy is a spectacular example of the High Gothic (mostly) style and well worth gazing at and wandering through.

Main aisle of the Rouen Cathedral.

Sep 12

7 Comments

Blended Architecture in Chiesa Matrice, Erice, Sicily

Sometimes on the quest for art, you end up learning a lot more about the history of a place. I didn’t expect to find Norman castles and churches in Sicily but it is hard to deny the thick bulky structures when you find them. I also didn’t expect to find detailed decorative elements reminiscent of the Middle East but there they were. What became Sicilian Norman art is a blend of cultures and adds an exotic flavor to an already interesting mix of Greco-Roman and Baroque architecture on the island. Once you factor in 19th century restorations with a mind of their own, you find can find some complex and beautiful churches. I found one such example of blended art in the little town of Erice and the Chiesa Matrice Church.

Beautiful ceiling details

Aug 5

12 Comments

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The monthly ArtSmart Roundtable brings together some of the best art-focused travel blogs to post on a common theme. This month we are discussing great architecture! You can find links below for the rest of the group’s posts this month. Today I’m bringing you one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and the greatest Greek temple ever built: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus!

Concept drawing of the Temple of Artemis (Photo: dkiel)

Oh wait – that doesn’t look very impressive….

Temple of Artemis of Ephesus today in modern Selcuk

Temple of Artemis today in modern Selcuk, Turkey.

Jul 23

2 Comments

Travel, Timing, and Reconstruction: Why You Can’t See What You Came to See

Washington DC had a very unusual earthquake in 2011. It destroyed some of the statuary at the National Cathedral and cracked the Washington Monument, an iconic obelisk-shaped landmark in the center of the city. This summer a massive scaffold has gone up over the tower to continue the repairs. Reconstruction and restoration are common sights for travelers where long-term improvement projects often leave facades covered and historic interiors obstructed. You can still enjoy these sites with in most cases with minimal impact on your visit!