Medieval Architecture Quotes

The Maghribis have just founded a town outside Fustat called Cairo. Jawhar, the Maghribis general, staked it out on his arrival in Egypt for his army, stores, and retinue. It now has different quarters and markets, as well as places for breeding livestock, facilities such as baths and inns, and even well-built palaces and useful facilities. Jawhar has surrounded it with a strong, high wall, which encloses a space three times greater than the built-up area: these are parks kept in reserve for the livestock in case of outside attack. Inside are offices for the administrators of Egypt, and a beautiful elegant congregational mosque tended by an abundance of clerics and muezzins.

Wales is blessed with some truly magnificent castles, full of history and a must see for visitors.

The medieval hall house was very primitive when it became the characteristic form of dwelling of the landowner of the Middle Ages.

We must go to such towns as Bristol, York, and Norwich.

I was brought up in Florence, a beautiful medieval town whose rhythm is completely in antiquity.

But let my due feet never fail To walk the studious cloisters pale, And love the high embowed roof, With antique pillars massy proof, And storied windows richly dight; Casting a dim religious light.

There are fully forty towers, which are lofty and well built, the largest of which has fifty steps leading to its main body, and is higher than the tower of the principal tower of the church at Seville.

After Notre Dame, what is there?

On a trip to Germany, Lange and his entourage were climbing the tower of an ancient castle when they stopped to catch their breath. "How old is this ruin?" someone asked a guide. "Forty-two years," said Lange.

I went and looked at one of these great cathedrals one day, and I was blown away by it. From there I became interested in how cathedrals were built, and from there I became interested in the society that built the medieval cathedral. It occurred to me at some point that the story of the building of a cathedral could be a great popular novel.

Our horizon is the creation of a noble society to which, like the medieval builder of those glorious cathedrals, you will have added your conception, your artful piece of stone.

Most buildings, whether they're Gothic cathedrals or Romanesque ones, were high tech for their time.

What a grand, higgledy-piggledy, sensible old place Norwich is!

Alfriston is a compact village set around a rather traffic-weary High Street, mainly of old, timbered buildings. The principal sights lie to the east on the river side.

In the Middle Ages, cathendrals and convents burned like tinder; imagining a medieval story without a fire is like imagining a World War II movie in the Pacific without a fighter plane shot down in flames.

I expected something a little more castle-shaped," said Jamie. Nothing lasts forever," Nick said. "Except demons, of course." Has anyone ever told you that you're a charming conversationalist?" Jamie asked. No," Nick replied honestly. I cannot tell you how much that surprises me," Jamie told him, and Nick gave him a half smile.

I loved medieval architecture when I was very small; I don't know why.

I went to the Heidelburg Castle, a 1200-year-old castle, looked around. It was pretty awesome, but you know, they've got a coffee shop in there, and they have some sections closed off. I wanted to see the part where they tortured people, but it was cool, though.

Cloisters, ancient libraries ... I was confusing learning with the smell of cold stone.

I know it sounds glamorous, but it was bloody cold growing up in a castle.

There was a castle called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair.

Sorry, I don't do castles. I hate those winding turret stairs.

I'm just fascinated by visiting actual castles in the countryside.

He stood beneath the white tower, and looked up at it with that mournful expression which his face always carried in repose: for one moment he thought of climbing up its cracked and broken stone, and then from its summit screaming down at the silent city as a child might scream at a chained animal.

Every European goes on the streets and sees medieval churches. Not if you live in Indianapolis. The most exciting letters I received were from people in places like that.