Art lovers, art students, and vacation travelers to world-famous sites will relish this beautifully bound and lavishly illustrated book. It explores and explains the architectural elements of buildings and monumentsathe arches, domes, roofs, walls, entrance ways, windows, arcades, and ornamental details that give each structure its own distinctive character. Discussing these elements from both an aesthetic and a practical, structural point of view, this beautiful volume presents technical drawings as well as interior and exterior photos of architectural landmarks around the world. Structures examined range from the buildings of classical Greece and Rome to the giant modern Gateway Arch that overlooks the Mississippi River in St. Louis. Variations on architectural elements are illustrated and analyzed. For example, a discussion of the arch includes examples ofa LI The Roman Arch aboth as incorporated into buildings and as stand-alone monuments, for example, the "Arc de Triomphe" in Paris LI The Lancet Arch athe elongated, pointed arch that distinguishes Europeas Gothic cathedrals LI The Ogee, or Venetian Arch aan ornate arch used, for instance, in Veniceas Palace of the Doges LI The Four-Centered Arch aan elliptical or pointed arch used, for instance, in Moorish Islamic buildings Readers will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of what went into the planning and construction of cathedrals, mosques, seats of government, private mansions, office blocks, apartment complexes, museums, castles, monuments, towers, and theaters. Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations. (sidebar) " Architectura " Analyzes Great Buildings in Detail includinga The Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now, Istanbul, Turkey), an edifice of the late Roman Empire. It was built as a Christian church in the fourth century by the Emperor Justinian. Transformed into a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Turks, it stands today as a great museum. Architectura examines the construction of this monumental building, using detailed cross-section drawings to demonstrate how ancient Roman architects and engineers built its great central dome.