Ever wondered what the White House (the very one now occupied by Barack and Michelle) is modeled after? See for yourself on our Athens, Istanbul and Aegean tour where you’ll survey the foundational architecture of Western civilization. After all, democracy is an invention of ancient Greece, so experience its birthplace on the Athens sightseeing walk. When visiting the Acropolis, notice the dominant Doric columns, similar to the ones at the White House, that hold up their stately facades. The golden years of the Acropolis were from 460–430 B.C. when buildings like the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike were built. These doric columns are a foundational feature of Classical architecture from which all later Western architectural styles have followed. Even your high school is likely derived from the Greek original order as that style was developed in contrast to Classical architecture. It’s no accident that the White House is in a Classical style, meant to symbolize the roots of democracy. Michelle Obama’s dramatic fashion sense is perhaps a throw back to the Goddess Athena Nike’s powerful sweeping robes. (Check Athena out amongst the Doric columns of her temple.)
Istanbul: Hybrid city
On to Istanbul, where the next chapter in this 3D architecture lesson starts. Domes seem common enough to us now—any old IMAX theatre has one. But when the Hagia Sophia was built in 360 however, they were an architectural feat. This cathedral with an 180-foot high dome was the first largest cathedral in the world (and has had more incarnations than even your average A-list celebrity.) Built by the Roman Empire, the Hagia Sophia is considered to have changed the course of architecture. Think about how different it looks from the white, square shapes of the acropolis in Greece. The Hagia Sophia became a mosque in 1453 when Istanbul was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. When you tour the luscious blue interior of the Blue Mosque notice what’s similar and what’s different about the two structures. The Blue Mosque is a hybrid of the Hagia Sophia’s Byzantine style and traditional Islamic architecture— it’s a modern word, but architecture has always been about hybrids.
Patmos: Beaches…and a Byzantine fortress
Cruise overnight to the Greek Aegean Island of Patmos, another world, but complete with exciting examples of Byzantine architecture. The Greek islands are known for their fabulous beaches but the monks in the still active orthodox monastery founded in 1088, St. John the Theologian, could care less about tanning. A veritable fortress built to protect the original monks from the Turks, the monastery contains stunning frescos from the 12th century. Even the original 11th century parchment from the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos, a deed which handed the entire island to the soldier-priest who built the monastery, is still on view. It’s hard to imagine the average piece of notebook paper nowadays lasting a few centuries much less someone giving away an island. Early Byzantine architecture often included the kind of thick exterior walls that encase the St. John monastery, shielding a labyrinth of interior rooms and chapels. This was developed to protect the relics and libraries kept safely in religious buildings at the time. St. John the Theologian, however, looks more like a fortress than a traditional cathedral. Its imposing presence is easily visible from miles away at sea. You’ll find the library inside the monastery still open as little in Patmos has changed. St John the Apostle himself is said to have had visions in a cave on Patmos and religious ceremonies dating from the 12th century are still performed unchanged in his honor. Imagine doing anything exactly the same way it was done in the 1100s? Nearly impossible, except in Patmos.
Santorini: Lost city of Atlantis
After a few days exploring the islands, cruise into Santorini and travel even further back in time. Home to the lost Minoan civilization dating from 3000 years BC, the Minoans had the most advanced architecture that we know of from that long ago. They even had running hot water—which makes you wonder how we still haven’t mastered continuous hot water after a toilet flush or back-to-back showers. Unfortunately, the ancient Thera volcano erupted and destroyed the Minoans, covering everything in many feet of ash. Enjoy their exquisite ceramics and detailed frescos which archeologists say indicate a happy and wealthy people. They are thought to be what Plato referred to as the lost people of Atlantis—their story, the real life events behind that legend.
Architectural remains have the power to remind us of civilizations past. The intricate architecture of the Minoans, Byzantine domes and massive Doric columns of Ancient Greece remind us our skyscrapers were not the first human victories.