Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures.
The most popular architects:
1. Taj Mahal, India
The monumental tomb Taj Mahal , located in the city of Agra in India , is quite valuable in terms of architecture as well as its construction story. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1652. It is also quite remarkable that the architects of the Taj Mahal, which is considered one of the most important works of Islamic mausoleum architecture , were Mimar Sinan’s students Mehmet Isa Efendi and Istanbullu Ismail Efendi. Architect Muhammed Sharif from Samarkand also helped Isa Efendi’s project come to life. The inscriptions on the Taj Mahal also bear the signature of Turkish calligrapher Hattat Serdar Efendi. Some sources also state that the chief architect of the structure was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.
It is impossible not to mention the story of the Taj Mahal . The Taj Mahal, one of the most important monuments built for love in the world, is one of the top places to visit in India. The mausoleum, which is a concrete symbol of legendary love, was built by the Mughal King Shah Jahan after the death of his beloved wife. Wanting to build the most beautiful mausoleum for his beloved wife, Shah Jahan started a competition and architects from all over the world participated in this competition. The project of Muhammed Isa Efendi, of Ottoman origin and a student of Mimar Sinan, won the competition. The construction of the Taj Mahal took 20 years.
Photograph: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/article/taj-mahal
2. Sagrada Familia, Spain
La Sagrada Familia , also known as the Unfinished Church , is a basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. The first architect of this church, which began construction in 1882, was Francisco de Paula del Villar. After various disagreements, Antoni Gaudi took over this task in 1883. However, he died under a tram in 1926, and the story of the Unfinished Church began. This church, which is still being completed after the architect’s death, is now one of the must-see places in Barcelona.
With its unique design, La Sagrada Familia was a structure that Gaudi worked on with the meticulousness of a sculptor. Different details inspired by nature, special symbols and Gaudi’s unique rounded lines can be seen in the church architecture. Gaudi designed the church in three different facades. The first of these facades is the Nativity Facade, which was completed during his lifetime between 1894-1930 . This facade has dense and delicate decorative details… The second facade, the Passion Facade, was designed more simply. The construction of the largest facade, the Glory Facade , began in 2002 based on the design Gaudi prepared in 1936.
As Gaudi’s original drawings were lost over time, the project was completed through the interpretation of existing areas, and Gaudi’s attention to detail was somewhat relegated to the background. Work on the church is still ongoing, and construction is expected to be completed in 2026-2028. Mark Burry, the chief architect of La Sagrada Familia, has been on duty since 1979.
Photograph: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Antoni-Gaudi
3. Hagia Sophia Mosque, Türkiye
The Hagia Sophia Museum, which has dozens of stories and legends in its hundreds of years of history, is one of the top places to visit in Istanbul . This historical value has a very impressive and magnificent structure in terms of architecture. The largest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, has been rebuilt several times in the same spot throughout history. For this reason, the version we visit today is also known as the Third Hagia Sophia.
The current Hagia Sophia, the construction of which first began in 532, was commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor of the time. The structure, which was completed in 537, was a patriarchal cathedral with a basilica plan with Byzantine architecture , and after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, it served as the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Since 1935, it has been hosting visitors as the Hagia Sophia Museum.
The carrier system, dome transition, mosaics and decorations of the Hagia Sophia Museum, which is a domed basilica type, provide the structure with an important place in the history of world architecture. The architectural features and decorations of Hagia Sophia are so remarkable that there are many writings written on its name. During the Ottoman Period, sections such as mihrabs and minbars were added to the mosque. With its magnificent architecture, Hagia Sophia still manages to impress all its visitors today.
Photograph: https://tr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayasofya#/media/Dosya:Hagia_Sophia_Mars_2013.jpg
For more check this https://thoughtfactory.online/2024/12/07/photography/
