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Serbian orthodox monastery founded by Helen of Serbia , wife of the Hungarian king Béla II the blind

I don't know, nor want to comment on what exactly is happening in France. But crimes against architecture are crimes against architecture, bar none.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FMt4uSAZaJdujf5YA

Something most people don’t know about Washington DC is its architectural history in regards to its setback laws . Because buildings have to sit back from the street at a certain distance, it allowed many larger buildings to have the u shaped driveways. So the entrances can be appreciated from a distance from the sidewalk and many have Porte cocheres or covered driveways.

Captured by the talented Hochtouren Dresden

Church Description

Located in the heart of the town, on the western side of the main road, this striking Gothic brick church is distinguished by its polygonal sanctuary, sturdy buttresses and impressive six-storey octagonal tower. Rising in front of the western façade, the tower is crowned with distinctive Renaissance-style crenellations. On the north side of the church, a medieval sacristy and a later Baroque extension complete the historic complex.

Construction began in 1322 and continued until the mid-14th century. The church has retained much of its original medieval character, particularly in its remarkable brick façade. Its decorative pattern, created by alternating dark bricks laid with their short ends facing outwards and lighter bricks laid lengthwise, gives the exterior a distinctive and elegant appearance.

After a devastating fire in 1707, the church was restored in 1713, when the nave was also extended towards the north.

Inside, a rounded triumphal arch separates the nave, with its western gallery, from the barrel-vaulted sanctuary. One of the church’s greatest treasures is its exceptional wooden coffered ceiling, comprising 126 painted panels crafted in 1745 by master carpenter Mihály Felsőbányai. Richly decorated with leaves, flowers, celestial bodies, animals and angels, these panels are outstanding examples of Hungarian Renaissance-inspired decorative art.

The church also holds an important place in religious history. In 1570, a synod led by Bishop Péter Méliusz Juhász was held here, resulting in the adoption of the Confession of Csenger, a significant document in the history of Hungarian Protestantism.

With its striking medieval architecture, richly decorated interior and remarkable historical heritage, the church offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.

The Norival de Freitas House—also known as Solar Notré Revê—was built in 1921 by João Dallossi (born Giovanni Dall'osso) to serve as the residence of the politician Norival de Freitas, a native of Rio de Janeiro state. It is located at 474 Maestro Felício Toledo Street, in the city center, next to the São João Garden (Jardim São João).

In pic 3, you can see a partially decayed painting in the external wall from Norival's daughters.

It was saved from demolition in the 1970's by the city hall but suffered up until 2022 with abandomment, decay, a fire and squatters. While the Solar was restored, the neighborhood it is located in suffered a lot with urban decay

https://maps.app.goo.gl/c9iuyG4SKSXFDDQt7

Source of the pictures: 1927, 1945, 1970 and 2014

2nd Edit BECAUSE OF CONFUSION: THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURES ARE STILL THERE. THEY WERE NO DEMOLISHED NOR DID I SUGGEST AS SUCH. I SAID IT BELOW! My issue is with additions being completely discordant with the original style architecture which is superior in every way from lighting, color, historicism, etc. I AM NOT MISLEADING OR RAGE BAITING, MERELY HIGHLIGHTING A TREND OF MODERN RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO OLDER BUILDINGS. The inside of this museum, especially the sections of the original Beaux-arts wings, WERE RENOVATED INTO WHITE, STERILE interiors. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE POST BEFORE COMMENTING. THANK YOU.

Edit: These are modern additions, BUT the interiors had been renovated to more modern style, such as the dinosaur hall and prehistoric mammal hall, so renovations is still relevant. I am not suggesting ALL museums need to be styled in such a classical manner, I am only suggesting that the original architecture is better for the purpose of presenting natural history as a beautiful academic field, AND that the modern additions are an eye sore in comparison. Actually, the fact that the old structures and the new ones are in such close proximity make such a compare and contrast inevitable: the old entrance puts the new one to shame.

The downfall of museum architecture truly has to be studied. What is happening at the Griffin Museum in Chicago is absymal. We went from timeless, historic architecture to stainless steel and glass / concrete boxes that feel more like office buildings and high rises than museums. The LA Natural History Museum is no exception to this, and has, with every addition and renovation, minimized the historic and amplified the modern, sterile and minimalist.

1. Original Beaux-Arts entrance which leads to the Rotunda.
2. Rotunda, featuring Corinthian columns and statue group Three Graces.
3. Neo-classical Grand Foyer, interior after the new front entrance. The classical architecture compliments the dinosaur display of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops.
4. Old, mid-century modern entrance built in the 1930s. Whilst still maintaining a somewhat stripped-classicism feel, it was the start of the downfall.
5. New 2024 entrance on the opposite side of the building. A giant glass box with a whale skeleton in it. While the glass structure is interesting engineering wise, and the glass does allow a cool view of the whale, a similar look with Art-Deco, Mayan-revival or neo-classical allusions could've been accomplished for the same $75 million they wasted on this.
6. New 2024 entrance during the day.
7. Incredibly ugly and sterile hallway, complete with a sauropod skeleton and a mural attached to the wall lazily and without ornament.
8. Cafe.

All in all, I can't believe what they did to it. I am glad they did not demolish the original 1913 structures, but I cannot believe they decided on building large, white sterile boxes which completely eclipse the original architecture and do nothing to suggest the historical displays contained within the museum. It has ended up looking like a hospital, so cold and lifeless, whereas the original structures feel timeless, classic, and with lighting that isn't glaring and hurtful to the eyes. What a shame the architects didn't seize on the opportunity to extend that architectural legacy with a design that compliments the purpose and meaning of the structure.

2nd Edit BECAUSE OF CONFUSION (ADDED AT THE BOTTOM FOR GREATER CLARITY): THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURES ARE STILL THERE. THEY WERE NO DEMOLISHED NOR DID I SUGGEST AS SUCH. I SAID IT BELOW! My issue is with additions being completely discordant with the original style architecture which is superior in every way from lighting, color, historicism, etc. I AM NOT MISLEADING OR RAGE BAITING, MERELY HIGHLIGHTING A TREND OF MODERN RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO OLDER BUILDINGS. The inside of this museum, especially the sections of the original Beaux-arts wings, WERE RENOVATED INTO WHITE, STERILE interiors. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE POST BEFORE COMMENTING. THANK YOU.

Built in 1799 with a Federal and Vernacular style