Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station is made up of two power stations, named A and B, and remains the largest brick building in the Europe. The first power station was built just before world war two, and the second power station became operational in 1953. Until 1983, Battersea Power Station was used as a coal-fired generator of electricity. It is a Grade II listed building and was designed by architects Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and Theo J. Halliday. Art deco fittings in the control room of A station displayed the influence of Halliday. It was recently purchased and will be redeveloped as a multi-purpose housing complex – although a mandate remains that the facade and any listed part must be maintained.

Photo of Battersea Power Station, London, UK by Aurelien Guichard

BBC Broadcasting House

Broadcasting House is the home of the world renowned British Broadcasting Corporation. Designed in an art deco style, work on the building began in 1932, and was completed in two years. The building’s exterior was designed by George Val Myer, with help from M T Tudsbery, who was a civil engineer employed by the BBC. The interior of the building was designed by Raymond McGrath. Currently, Broadcasting House is being renovated and is home to Radio 3 and Radio 4.

Photo of BBC Broadcasting House, London, UK by keriluamox

Claridge’s

Claridge’s is one of the most famous luxury hotels in London, and opened in 1812, when it was originally called Mivart’s Hotel. The Claridge family purchased the hotel in 1854. A visit by Queen Victoria boosted Claridge’s reputation as an elite hotel, and it has had entertained an exclusive host of guests down the years. The original Claridge’s hotel was replaced in 1898 by George Trollope & Sons. Claridge’s was to become recognised as a fine example of art deco style, when Basil Ionides re-designed both the hotel’s restaurant and some of its suites in the 1920s.

Photo of Claridge’s, London, UK by Ewan Munro

OXO Tower

Built in the late 1800s, the Oxo Tower’s origins were as a power station. It obtained its current name after being bought by the manufacturers of the Oxo cube, the Liebig Extract of Meat Company. The original building was radically redesigned by Albert Moore in the late 1920s, when, notably, the word ‘Oxo’ was spelt out by the two circles and cross design. It was designed in a way that reflected the popularity of art deco at the time. It was in the 1990s that the Oxo Tower became used as a multi-purpose building that included shops, a restaurant, space for exhibitions, and even housing.

Photo of OXO Tower, London, UK by ChrisO

Royal Institute of British Architects

Home of the Royal Institute of British Architects, architect George Grey Wornum designed the Portland Place art deco building, which was opened in 1934 by King George V and Queen Mary. Wornum’s design was deemed to have been the best out of 3,600 submitted entries. It is a Grade II listed building, and the general public have access to the library and exhibition galleries. Also included in the building is a restaurant, cafe and bookshop. For any fan of Art Deco style, this building is not to be missed.

Photo of Royal Institute of British Architects, London, UK by Oxyman

Wandering the streets of London is a great way to experience the myriad of styles dotted all over the city – and Art Deco lovers have plenty to feast their eyes on.

Mike is a freelance writer who loves exploring the architecural feats of the great city of London. Mike is currently writing on behalf of Claridge’s hotel – a world famous luxury hotel who also offer private dining.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by schizoform

The most striking feature is the unusual dome’s roof with 135 towers and innumerable statues and gargoyles. In clear weather you can see the Alps with the Matterhorn from the towers. For the lovers of Gothic architecture, the Duomo is a masterpiece of perfectly made ​​decorations.

Cathedral windows dating from the 15th century, are among the largest in Europe. In the nave, near the entrance, you can see the largest sundial in the world (dating back to 1786).

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jiuguang Wang

Milan Cathedral is considered to be one of the most popular buildings in the whole European continent. It is also known to be the largest cathedral of all cathedrals in Italy and the second largest one in Europe (just after Seville Cathedral). It consists of five naves, which supports 52 columns. The highest point of the cathedral is La Madonnina (the statue of the Virgin Mary) from the 18th century, which is now the symbol of Milan.

The project of cathedral was meant to help all those who are helpless and ordinary people who are suffering or suffered under the ruling of tyrant Bernabò. During the construction of this cathedral a large amount of donations were collected from people and soon the news of construction spread with the people.

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The fort is protected by the state since 1904, first as a national monument, and later as a place of cultural interest. The castle itself was rebuilt in the 20th century. It was built of red bricks which is typical for that area.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by MANUEL ZALDÍVAR

Castillo de la Mota has two main parts, its own citadel of three massive stone towers guarding the original Muslim town, and the dilapidated abbey of Santa Maria Mayor. Here we find the Gothic church of Iglesia San Miguel with a Renaissance facade and painting by El Greco and a mosque rebuilt in 1341 to the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos. If a hot weather is not a problem for you, you could climb to the tower of the fort where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the whole neighbourhood and the ancient town walls.

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The Pantheon is the resting place of Italian kings – Vittorio Emanuele II. and Umberto I. The Pantheon is marked as ingenious construction. In the middle of the dome of the Pantheon there is a giant circular opening through – thanks to its unique architecture – never rains inside the building. This opening serves as a sundial, and every noon sun shines on the front door of Pantheon.

Pantheon has, from architectural point of view, really very interesting ceiling. Elements of this architecture appear in the Vatican museums, and also in the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

On the building facade you can see the same inscription as had the original building from 27BC: “M•AGRIPPA•L•F•COS•TERTIVM•FECIT” which means “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, Consul for the third time, built this”. Pantheon has survived for centuries until today, and now it is the best preserved Roman building, plus permanent used.

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You can find The Great Synagogue in the 7th district of Budapest – on Dohány street. This is why the synagogue is known also as Dohány Street Synagogue. The building is 75 meters long and 27 meters wide and accommodates up to 3,000 seating worshippers. It consists of three chambers and according to Orthodox tradition it has a separate gallery for women and men. Ornate interior of the synagogue is the work of Hungarian architect Frigyes Feszla and some elements are clear ideas of Reform Judaism. One example is the placement of the stage for Torah readers.

The facade of the synagogue is decorated with a large rosette. It is located between two richly decorated octogonal towers, which are typically accompanied by onion-shaped domes. Above the rosette there is the Hebrew inscription of the Second Book of Moses. The facade is composed of strips of white and red bricks.

Austrian Jewish journalist Theodor Herzl was born at The Great Synagogue, who became the most important representative of Zionism, and later became the spiritual father of Israel. There was a museum founded in 1931 at his birthplace house, where is located the extensive collection of historic relics, the Jewish objects of everyday needs. Exhibits date from the periods of ancient Rome to the present. A very valuable book for example is the Burial Society Chevra Kaddisha from 1792. The museum was previously attached to the main building and is now open to the public throughout the whole year. One separate room is dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust.

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is one of the most venerated synagogues in Europe.

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