architecture
The Grand Dame of Toronto
The Gooderham Building (or Flatiron Building) in Toronto is one of the city’s most loved icons. Many locals refer to it as the Grand Dame. This red-brick beauty was completed in 1892 and is located at the intersection of Front Street and Wellington Street, a short walk away from the famous St. Lawrence Market.
Read the accompanying post: “A Forest of Glass and Steel“.
La Almudena Cathedral in Madrid
The La Almudena Cathedral in Madrid (or if you prefer its full name: Santa María la Real de La Almudena) is situated directly opposite the Royal Palace. Strangely enough for a predominantly Catholic country, Madrid didn’t have a cathedral until La Almudena was completed in the 1990′s. The cathedral is a mix of neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque styles. The interior, with its soaring columns and cavernous nave, is certainly impressive.
Read the accompanying post: “Ten Things To Do in Madrid“.
The curves of the Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto is one of the largest art galleries in North America, featuring more than 80,000 works of art from the 1st century to more contemporary pieces. The gallery has been renovated several times during its existence; the latest renovations were designed by the world-famous architect Frank Gehry (think Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao) who was born in Toronto. The artworks at the gallery, from Renaissance to Canadiana, were certainly impressive but the most striking features of the museum were, in my view, the gorgeous curves designed by Frank Gehry.
The entrance of the AGO
In the entrance hall, visitors are greeted by a stunning winding path.
In the central hall, I gasped when I saw this stunning curly staircase!
The upper gallery features an impressive curvy wall of glass and wood.
The exterior (rear) of the gallery are adorned with more curly staircases!
If you’re in Toronto, the AGO is absolutely a must-visit, if only to admire its gorgeous curves!
St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City
One of many great things to do in the Vatican City is to climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, that’s if you’re not afraid of narrow, curvy staircases! The view from the top of St. Peter’s Square and Rome is phenomenal!
The railway station in Kuala Lumpur
The railway station in Kuala Lumpur was built by the British and opened in 1910. The station, with its Moorish domes, arches and minarets, is one of the most unique in Southeast Asia. Its Moorish style has since been replicated across Malaysia and a new railway station, Sentral, opened just up the road in 2001 but the old railway station remains one of Kuala Lumpur’s most loved buildings.
Read the accompanying post: “Ten Things To Do in Kuala Lumpur“.
