I’m not sure why, but these images of arches have captivated my imagination–including in my dreams.  As always, it’s amazing how much beauty and variety humans manage to create with something that seems simple, like an arch.   These images are all complements of Sam Pryor on Pinterest.  I’ve referred to him many times when I use pictures from his site but this is the first time he’s done all the collecting for me.  Do give his site a try.

As always, I give attribution where I know it.  If you have knowledge of the location of an unmarked arch, or of the architect who designed it or the artist who took the photograph, please share it with everyone in the comments at the end of the post.

By Katarina 2353

By Katarina 2353

By Matteo Angelotti

By Matteo Angelotti

8eb1a037146c524cb54b33cf0bc2f030

Tin Mal Mosque, Morocco, By Kasmil

489eec6a70cac6866ebd9feb0c92cdae

Bologna, by mym on Flickr

58831450556f66ac2910ada926d3c215

Arganzuela Footbridge, Dominique Perrault Architecture

Arganzuela Footbridge, Dominique Perrault Architecture

After the rain, Abbey of San Galgano,  Italy by Marite

After the rain, Abbey of San Galgano, Italy by Marite

bd947a7e31af1677a36fa6f030511215

Chiapas. Mexico

Chiapas. Mexico

Arched Door - Chateau de Belcastel 13th century, France
Arched Door – Chateau de Belcastel 13th century, France

 

 

b269471e2af6e31a98d24fd61231791e

By skipnclick on flickr

By skipnclick on flickr

 

 

 

54f2ab43b7973d9fc2f6810ed5830cc6

Chaumont Viaduct, France. Lighting design,  Jean-François Touchard -  Photographed by Didier Boy de la Tour

Chaumont Viaduct, France. Lighting design, Jean-François Touchard – Photographed by Didier Boy de la Tour

Chaumont Viaduct, France

Chaumont Viaduct, France

Inside the Steinway Piano factory

Inside the Steinway Piano factory

Iran

Iran

Jean Dieuzaide, Eglise Romane, 1921

Jean Dieuzaide, Eglise Romane, 1921

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, II Italy by mbell1975 on flickr

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, II Italy by mbell1975 on flickr

Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England

Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England

Scandinavia, via National Geographic

Scandinavia, via National Geographic

The Blue Mosque, Tabriz. Iran

The Blue Mosque, Tabriz, Iran. Image by Ri Za

Design by Gaudi, Casa Mila

Design by Gaudi, Casa Mila

Ouse Valley viaduct

Ouse Valley viaduct

d89f9a5b8af68e3927dfa8e6ab1b9364b7bb2fbd2f32cc2b666ef25d0fc7f074ea1f00c36256bb11f54f63a45e427f27

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey Print by Carson Ganci

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey Print by Carson Ganci

fc4fc6b0175753a6e3d5adf075e85d06

Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey

Isfahan, Iran

Isfahan, Iran

mario botta

Design by mario botta

Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha, Coimbra by Samuel Santos, via Flickr

Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha, Coimbra by Samuel Santos, via Flickr

New York City

New York City

Safdarjung Tomb by Renee Vititoe, New Delhi, India

Safdarjung Tomb by Renee Vititoe, New Delhi, India

Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland  by JCNixonPhoto on flickr

Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland by JCNixonPhoto on flickr

Savilla, Spain by kdynamic on Flickr

Savilla, Spain by kdynamic on Flickr

BRAAMCAMP FREIRE Secondary School, LIsbon, Portugal

BRAAMCAMP FREIRE Secondary School, LIsbon, Portugal

The Industrial Cathedral

The Industrial Cathedral

Kyoto, Japan  by tatuya_sss on flickr

Kyoto, Japan by tatuya_sss on flickr

India

India

Park Guell. Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona, Spain by RoldixBCN

Park Guell. Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona, Spain by RoldixBCN

Munich subway

Munich subway

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Shiraz, Iran

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Shiraz, Iran

Prayer Tunnels

Prayer Tunnels

By Yasir Nisar

By Yasir Nisar

f9b85c4d238c4f2772ede0330137f70192f8bb847b29e33316d1a2c726ea3c39

berceau

By Richie 78 on flickr

Mirogoj Cemetery Arcade in Zagreb, Croatia By Richie 78 on flickr

Colorful passage in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Colorful passage in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Cathedral Park

Cathedral Park via Earth Shots.org

Townhall in Vienna, Austria

Townhall in Vienna, Austria

Puff Adder is a wooden tunnel resembling a snake used for growing lilies in South Africa, architects by Patrice Taravella and Terry de Waal.

Puff Adder is a wooden tunnel resembling a snake used for growing lilies in South Africa, architects by Patrice Taravella and Terry de Waal.

Roman galleries under the old Archbishop's Palace of Aeminium , modern Coimbra, Portugal

Roman galleries under the old Archbishop’s Palace of Aeminium , modern Coimbra, Portugal

Wells Cathedral  by Matt Wiebe on flickr

Wells Cathedral by Matt Wiebe on flickr

99c7a17d07c039803a388ebbda3a1364golden

Escalator in Umeda Sky Building, Osaka City, Japan

Escalator in Umeda Sky Building, Osaka City, Japan

Rafael Moneo

Design  by Rafael Moneo

 

The Royal stables, Meknes, Morocco

The Royal stables, Meknes, Morocco

Hôtel Thoumieux on the Left Bank, Paris.  created by Thierry Costes and designer India Mahdavi

Hôtel Thoumieux on the Left Bank, Paris. created by Thierry Costes and designer India Mahdavi

Setting sun

Setting sun

If you like the sensibilities in this post, don’t forget to try Sam Pryor on Pinterest.

 

 

22 thoughts on “Enchanting Arches

  1. They are absolutely marvelous. They make me wonder why are they so melancholic and still wish for me to be there.

  2. No matter our thoughts on Iran, it is a complicated subject, but there is no denying the beauty and phenominal architecture of their arches.

  3. Exquisite collection – thank you very much for putting this slide show together, it is appreciated.

  4. “13th century…” and still standing. How many walls, bridges, arches being built today will be standing as long as this one?

    Being able to lay my hands on buildings 300 years old, while visiting Europe in the 80s, was as meaningful as all else I saw.

    Thank you for sharing with us these beautiful architectural marvels.

  5. The picture “Scandinavia” is Runde Taarn (the round tower) in Copenhagen, Denmark. It has an observatory at the top and a view of all rooftops in Cph.

  6. So many centuries of History built by so many countries of Glory in their magnificent architecture. It would be wonderful if all these countries could be free , friendly and independent with each other.

  7. WOW, what a stunningly beautiful assortment of,….well, sheer beauty, thank you so much for sharing such meaningful beauty, looking forward to much more from you ! ! ! !

  8. Marjorie ..I just love every thing you have sent i am in awe of the photography I dearly love nature the animals are superb .
    Thank you looking forward to the next email

  9. It’s such a great pleasure to enjoy also appreciate each of these stunning architectures and photography beauty , is wonderful and thank you so much !

  10. An excellent collection of art and documentation…it`s an inspiraton to Photographers and lovers of Architecture and Monumental History!

  11. An excellent collection of art work and documentation…It is a treat to the eye of even ordinary people but definitely inspiration to Photographers,Travelers,and those interested in Monuments and History..and of course nature lovers!

  12. It’s amazing how the arch seems to lead us visul ally to the unendiing expanse of our universe. It seems to let us know that there is a never ending spirit availabe to us. as I ly in my hospice bed, I have an arched window to gaze through each day. It tells me I will be able to become part of the universe even if only as molectory energy that goes on and on.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *