Iconic Landmarks: National Treasures
August 19th, 2009 | by Kert |
Nikki Sabato asked:
The architecture of a nation can serve as its tangible cultural assets. Landmarks are a conscious and collective endeavor that not only serves a utilitarian purpose but essentially represent a nation’s core value; aesthetic, political, ethical, moral and spiritual belief. It is no wonder that architectural landmarks are the very images that bore through people’s minds as they have been printed numerously on various media. Until now, such famous landmarks continue to be popular subjects for poster printing. Print shops, travel offices and city tourist departments continue to print posters of these cultural icons to continue promoting their cities to the world.
Below are some of the most famous city landmarks in history along with their designers and some information on their location.
• Stonehenge-The Stonehenge is a circular arrangement of monumental stones surrounded by earthwork such as elevated banks and ditches. It is located 30 kilometers, South of Avebury and 13 kilometers northwest of Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. The subject of serious archeological excavations and academic debates, the monument has been speculated as a navigation tool, burial and relic site, ceremonial ground, and astronomical device. Its construction has been attributed to the use of tongue and groove joints, mortice and tenon joints and the strength of more than 600 men, at least.
• Great Wall of China-The Great Wall of China as an iconic landmark was renewed with fresh popularity due to China’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. This vast, dragon-like wall, built for protection against the Xiongnu tribes of Northern China, stretches a length of 8,851.8 kilometers from Shanhaiguan in the East to Lop Pur in the Western portion of China. Made of rammed earth and stone, the structure is essentially a fortification said to be composed of three major architectural elements namely; a beacon tower for smoke or fire signals, a mountain pass or shelter for high-ranking generals and top officials of the army and the varying height of the walls that connect the two along the plains and elevations of the landscape.
• Christ the Redeemer-known as Christo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; this gigantic statue of Christ, arms spread widely across the rugged landscape of the 2,300 feet high Corcovado Mountain stands at 38 meters high with pedestal and 30 meters wide. It’s construction is said to have began with the Corcovado Railroad Line from Cosme Velha. Official construction began in 1927. Final design is attributed to Carlos Oswald and French sculptor Paul Landowski. This grand Art Deco statue is said to be built of reinforced concrete surrounded with a durable soapstone base. Apart from motorized elevators and a panoramic elevator, the statue can be reached by climbing a 220 step stone stairway.
DOMINGO
The architecture of a nation can serve as its tangible cultural assets. Landmarks are a conscious and collective endeavor that not only serves a utilitarian purpose but essentially represent a nation’s core value; aesthetic, political, ethical, moral and spiritual belief. It is no wonder that architectural landmarks are the very images that bore through people’s minds as they have been printed numerously on various media. Until now, such famous landmarks continue to be popular subjects for poster printing. Print shops, travel offices and city tourist departments continue to print posters of these cultural icons to continue promoting their cities to the world.
Below are some of the most famous city landmarks in history along with their designers and some information on their location.
• Stonehenge-The Stonehenge is a circular arrangement of monumental stones surrounded by earthwork such as elevated banks and ditches. It is located 30 kilometers, South of Avebury and 13 kilometers northwest of Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. The subject of serious archeological excavations and academic debates, the monument has been speculated as a navigation tool, burial and relic site, ceremonial ground, and astronomical device. Its construction has been attributed to the use of tongue and groove joints, mortice and tenon joints and the strength of more than 600 men, at least.
• Great Wall of China-The Great Wall of China as an iconic landmark was renewed with fresh popularity due to China’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games. This vast, dragon-like wall, built for protection against the Xiongnu tribes of Northern China, stretches a length of 8,851.8 kilometers from Shanhaiguan in the East to Lop Pur in the Western portion of China. Made of rammed earth and stone, the structure is essentially a fortification said to be composed of three major architectural elements namely; a beacon tower for smoke or fire signals, a mountain pass or shelter for high-ranking generals and top officials of the army and the varying height of the walls that connect the two along the plains and elevations of the landscape.
• Christ the Redeemer-known as Christo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; this gigantic statue of Christ, arms spread widely across the rugged landscape of the 2,300 feet high Corcovado Mountain stands at 38 meters high with pedestal and 30 meters wide. It’s construction is said to have began with the Corcovado Railroad Line from Cosme Velha. Official construction began in 1927. Final design is attributed to Carlos Oswald and French sculptor Paul Landowski. This grand Art Deco statue is said to be built of reinforced concrete surrounded with a durable soapstone base. Apart from motorized elevators and a panoramic elevator, the statue can be reached by climbing a 220 step stone stairway.
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DOMINGO
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