10 Marvelous Gems of Architecture In Europe

Do you daydream of stepping into Sleeping Beauty’s castle or wandering through the hallways that Count Dracula used to haunt? Or, for something a little less fantastical, perhaps you’d like to gaze upon Gaudí’s modernist delights or ancient Athens’ architectural wonders? 

Whichever way you want to dip into the past, learn more about a city’s history, and remove yourself from the humdrum of everyday life, we have ten marvelous gems of architecture that will sweep you off your feet and whisk you away. Ready to roam the earth, in search of something just a little bit more? 

La Sagrada Família | Barcelona, Spain

Do you go to Barcelona for the beaches, the tapas, or the architecture? Perhaps a little bit of everything – including the nightlife. Still, when you’re there, one masterpiece that can’t be overlooked is Gaudí’s true masterpiece – La Sagrada Família. Believe it or not, this basilica has been under construction for more than a century. But, it’s, perhaps, the world’s most beautiful blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles with its intricate facades, organic shapes, and sky-piercing towers. 

The Colosseum | Rome, Italy

Leaving the Colosseum off a list like this would be completely remiss. To see something standing so tall and proud that was built in the 1st century AD is staggering. Indeed, the massive amphitheater remains one of the world’s greatest marvels of ancient engineering. You can all but picture the gladiator battles and dramatic performances that took place when it was “the place to be.” Is there any other ancient civilization that could outwit the ingenuity of Roman and Greek architecture? 

The Parthenon | Athens, Greece

…which brings us to Rome’s neighbor. Even today, the Parthenon stands proudly atop the Acropolis in Athens. Built as a temple to the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, its perfect proportions and majestic Duric columns are the perfect example of classical architecture at its finest. Even today, the Parthenon continues to inspire architects all over the world. 

Casa Batlló | Barcelona, Spain

Okay, we’ll lay off the Gaudí wonders after this. But, even as we ventured over to Italy and Greece, we couldn’t stop thinking about one more monument. Casa Batlló is a surrealist dream of undulating curves, vibrant mosaics, and skeletal balconies. (Basically, it stands in complete opposition to the Parthenon’s uniformity.) Often referred to as the “House of Bones,” this imaginative masterpiece, born of Gaudí’s brilliant mind, captures the essence of Catalan modernism and is worth a wander through, especially while daydreaming.