CHAPTER VII
SOME OF THE WORLD'S FAMOUS BUILDINGS
Like so many subjects suggested for club work, the one presented here may be expanded indefinitely. Each of the great buildings given should serve to introduce the subject of architecture and history.
Material will be found in good histories; in the encyclopedia, especially the Encyclopedia Britannica, and in the many books on architecture. Among the most useful in the way of description are: "Historic Buildings Described by Great Writers," and "Turrets, Towers and Temples," both by Esther Singleton (Dodd, Mead & Co.), and "Wonders of Art and Archaeology," by M. Lefevre (Scribner). Ferguson's "History of Architecture" (Dodd, Mead & Co.) is also valuable. At each meeting there should be illustrations shown of the buildings studied.
I--EGYPT'S GREATEST BUILDING
The earliest of the world's great buildings, and in some respects the most remarkable of them all, is the Great Temple of Karnak, at Thebes, in lower Egypt, built about 1600 B. C.
Introductory papers should describe the country and its rulers, its development and religion. Speak especially of the power of the monarchs and the nation of slaves. Show pictures of pyramids, obelisks, gates and temples. Speak of Thebes, described by Homer as "hundred-gated." Compare with Memphis.
Then follow with one paper on the great ruins on the left bank of the Nile at Thebes, and read Shelley's sonnet on the fallen Colossus there. Crossing to the right bank, describe the ruins at Luxor, and so come to the vast and overwhelming Temple of Karnak itself.
Note the avenue of sphinxes, the forest of columns which led to the river bank, the huge fallen capitals, on each of which a hundred men can stand. Give some idea of the immensity of the Hall and what it must have been like when the roof was on, and the whole area of two hundred and seventy acres was in its perfection. Read the description by Amelia B. Edwards in "Turrets, Towers and Temples."
II--THE PARTHENON AND THE ACROPOLIS
To realize the beauty and value of the Parthenon at Athens, clubs must first study the history of Greece from the time of Themistocles and the Persian wars, through the rule of Aristides and Cimon when, it is believed, the building of the Parthenon was begun. The Age of Pericles, when art was at its height, needs two or more meetings; it was then that the temple was finished.
A good picture of the Acropolis at Athens should be shown to keep the buildings distinct; the one in Lefevre's book is excellent. Read the description of a procession to the temple by John Addington Symonds, in "Sketches in Italy."
One paper should discuss the architecture of the Parthenon; another should mention the sculptures and paintings; a third may give its later history, noting that while it was intact until 1687 its history from that time has been one of destruction. Mention the injuries done by collectors, especially Morosini and Lord Elgin. What of the ethics of the removal of the sculptures? Close with a descriptive reading on the Parthenon as it is to-day.
Studies of other Grecian temples will be found in the "Isles and Shrines of Greece," by S. J. Barrows (Little, Brown & Co.).
There is a remarkable little collection of poems called "The Englishman in Greece" (Clarendon Press) which will give delightful material for illustrating this program with verse from famous writers.
III--THE BUILDINGS OF ROME
The picture of the Coliseum at Rome brings with it the wonderful story of the imperial city at the height of its splendor, and also in its decay. Have meetings on Rome under Vespasian and Titus, who together built the Coliseum. It was completed in 80 A. D., ten years after the destruction of Jerusalem.
One paper may describe its architecture, its arches, its massive stone walls, its successive tiers of seats, its divisions for the people and the court, its interesting exits. It covered five acres of land and seated eighty-six thousand people; compare with the great stadium at Harvard to-day.
Follow with papers on the Roman games; at the dedication of the Coliseum these lasted a hundred days. Have one also on the gladiatorial fights and one on the Christian massacres, many of which took place here. Read from "Ben Hur" (Harper), the Chariot Race. Show, if possible, Gabriel Max's picture, "The Last Token." Then take the gradual destruction of the building by Goths and Vandals, and by the people of Rome themselves. Read from Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" his description of the building and the events which took place there; and also from the Coliseum, by Dickens, in "Historic Buildings."
Other buildings which may also be studied are the Pantheon, the Arch of Titus, Pompey's Theater, and the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, all in the early history of Italy. Clubs may follow the meetings on these buildings with two others on the more modern but no less remarkable St. Peter's, at Rome, that colossal edifice in the transept of which it is said that a cathedral could stand. Read from the description in "Wonders of Architecture."
IV--CASTLES AND CATHEDRALS IN GERMANY
Among the many great architectural remains in Germany perhaps the most interesting is the Castle of Heidelberg, standing on a hill three hundred feet above the town. It was begun toward the close of the thirteenth century, and is divided into two palaces and a hall, all of different periods. The extraordinary thing about it is the fact that nearly every style of architecture has been employed in its construction and adornment, yet it remains a thing of beauty. In the Palace of Frederick IV there are chiseled sculptures of five emperors, two kings and nine palatines; in the Palace of Otho Heinrichs there is a lovely Italian facade, with Greek demi-gods and nymphs, Hebrew heroes, and Roman Caesars. There are four granite columns given by the Pope to Charlemagne, which were transferred from palace to palace before they were finally brought here. One writer has said that there is renown for ten artists in this castle, all of them unknown.
Study the history of Germany in connection with this building, the different palatine emperors who lived here, the wars in which it played a part, and the great events of which it was the scene. Read the description by Victor Hugo in "Turrets, Towers and Temples."
Clubs should also take up the Cathedral of Cologne, the Castle of the Wartburg, the Dragonfels, and the church at Aix-la-Chapelle.
V--THE MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA
The Mosque of St. Sophia at Constantinople is the great example of Byzantine art. Its history begins in the latter days of Roman history. Constantine, Theodosius, and Justinian all were connected with it. Read of the part each emperor took. Study next the rise and development of its style of architecture; note how uninteresting is its exterior, how curious the material of which it is built, and how wonderful its interior is. Note especially its marvelous dome, its pillars, built of marble and mosaics, its galleries and seats, so unusual in a great church. Take up the history of its greater columns, some from the Temple of the Sun at Baalbek, built by Aurelian, others from the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, and still others from Thebes, Athens, Rome, and Alexandria. This one topic of the columns could fill a meeting.
The use of color in the church should be emphasized; greens, blues, reds, black and white, rose and gold all mingle here in the decoration. Lamps, globes of crystal, even ostrich eggs, are suspended from the ceiling. Carpets and rugs, inlaid lecterns, painted sentences from the Koran are all of interest, but perhaps most remarkable are the scenes of Moslem life and worship at all hours.
As to the history of the great church,--that covers all of the Middle Ages, and extends even to our own day. Christians and Mohammedans have fought for it; it has withstood sieges and bombardments, and known massacres and pillage. Read from many sources; one good description by De Amicis is found in "Turrets, Towers and Temples."
VI--MOORISH ARCHITECTURE IN SPAIN
On a hill-top in Spain in the fortified suburb of Granada is the famous palace of the Moorish kings, the Alhambra. A large part of it was torn down by Charles V to make way for a palace which he began but never finished; it has suffered from neglect, from spoliation, from bombardment, from earthquakes and from fire; yet it still remains to-day an exquisite and unique piece of architecture. The whole place is easily divided into its parts, and papers may describe them separately. The entrance with its great vestibule and the inner portal, one with a gigantic hand and the other with a key, around which emblems cluster fascinating legends, may be the first subject; then will follow others on the Hall of the Ambassadors, the Court of the Fish Pond, the Court of the Lions, the Hall of the Two Sisters, and the Hall of the Abencerrages. The Court of the Lions is the most beautiful, with its alabaster fountain resting on the crouching lions; the Hall of the Abencerrages witnessed a famous massacre; show pictures of these two rooms. Notice how everywhere there are the vaulted ceilings of carved cedar wood, the bubblelike domes, the mosaics, the tilings, the arabesques, the delicate tracery of color, and the marvelous lace work of wood and marble. The deep well of icy water is also to be mentioned, and the repeated fountains; the glorious views from the various windows and arches are also famous. Read several chapters from Washington Irving's "Alhambra," and also from "Spain and the Spaniards," by De Amicis (Coates).
The Giralda and the Alcazar, both of Seville, should also be studied as other Moorish remains; and if there is time there may be one meeting on the Escurial.
VII--NOTEWORTHY RUSSIAN BUILDINGS
The Kremlin is the citadel of Moscow and is built on very much the same lines as the Alhambra, for a wall surrounds it and it contains many important buildings. Here are churches, palaces, and towers. Clubs should spend several meetings on this place, for it is of immense importance in Russian history. Have one paper on the Bell Tower; pass from this to the Cathedral of the Assumption, and describe its massive interior and the painted walls, with the figures whose aureoles, breastplates, necklaces, and bracelets are of precious stones; mention also the burial place of the Metropolitans. Follow with another paper on the cathedral of the Archangel, and a fourth on the new palace, which holds the art treasures of Russia, its famous manuscripts, paintings and jewels. The library, museum and university should also be described, the whole place forming a wonderful group of buildings.
Read the description by Theophile Gautier, in "Turrets, Towers and Temples." See also "The Russian Empire of To-day and Yesterday," by N. O. Winter (The Page Company). Give the description of a coronation.
VIII--NOTRE DAME
The history of the great church of Notre Dame in Paris goes back into pagan times. A heathen temple once stood on its site, and later a Christian basilica. The present church was begun in the twelfth century. Clubs should first take up its architecture, which is not pure Gothic but transitional, and understand how it differs from many of the beautiful pure Gothic French cathedrals. Some of its many striking features are its three deep porches in front, the massive square towers, the delicate gallery, with its openwork arches, which supports a heavy mass of stone, and the huge rose window.
The history of the church is of the deepest interest. One paper may be on the curious fact that, though the French kings were crowned at Rheims, an English king, Henry VI, was crowned in Notre Dame, and give a description of the times and the event. Note also the great Te Deum sung here in 1431 when Paris was retaken.
During the French Revolution this was the Temple of Reason, and a travesty on the usual religious services was performed. Napoleon, wishing to impress Europe, summoned the Pope to Paris, and was here crowned Emperor of the French, but by his own hands. All these and other historical points are to have papers.
Read parts of Victor Hugo's novel, "Notre Dame." Study also other French churches, especially the cathedrals of Amiens, Rouen, Chartres and Rheims. Read "Rambles in the French Chateaux," by F. M. Costling (The Page Company), "Old Paris," by H. C. Shelley (The Page Company).
IX--IN THE BRITISH ISLES
The Tower of London has a more intimate connection with the history of England than any other building. Tradition says, probably erroneously, that it was begun by the Romans; certainly, however, the oldest part, the White Tower, dates back to 1078. Have a picture or plan shown which makes clear how it is built,--with walls, a moat and various towers and the Keep. Then take in chronological order all the great events which occurred here, giving several meetings to their study. Kings were crowned, held court here, and were imprisoned. Queens died or were beheaded. Famous prisoners spent years in its dungeons. Describe the square place in the court where the executioner's block stood; show the Bloody Tower, and give the events which occurred there. Notice the gate connected with this, and also the Traitors' Gate. Tell of the Tower to-day, and its collection of armor and jewels.
In "Abbeys, Castles and Famous Halls of England and Wales," by Timbs and Gunn (Warne of London), there is an excellent resume of the history of the Tower. Or, a good English history, such as Green's, will give it.
Take also the history and description of Westminster Hall and Abbey, St. Paul's, the different cathedrals of England and other famous buildings. If possible add the famous buildings of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, Stirling, and others. Wales has many famous ruins, notably Carnarvon, Conway and Harlech. Ireland has, among others, Ross Castle.
X--THE TAJ MAHAL
India has many notable temples and ruins, but for sheer beauty nothing can compare with the Taj Mahal, at Agra. Built in the seventeenth century by the Emperor Shah-Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife and himself, it required the work of twenty thousand men for more than twenty years to complete it. It has been called a masterpiece of art, "a poem in stone."
A portico of red sandstone admits one to a long terrace built of white marble blocks, with wonderful gardens on each side and a canal reflecting the dark cypress trees. The tomb stands among these, reflected in the water. It is an octagonal building rising to a great dome, with smaller ones with minarets. All is built of marble and covered with exquisite carvings and inlays of flowers of turquoise and onyx, with sentences from the Koran in black marble. It is all simple, harmonious, and exquisitely beautiful. Within, in the bare central space are the two plain tombs, covered with what is like a pall of carved, lacy marble. The whole forms one of the art treasures of the Orient.