A project of human thought or God's providence - three architectural masterpieces that stood the test of time

We have been surprised many times by the remarkable architectural achievements of people of the past. We have repeatedly wondered how, hundreds of thousands of years ago, humanity could have had such a profound knowledge of mathematics, engineering and construction to design such perfect creations that remain unmatched today. With all its knowledge, the 21st century man is not yet capable of creating something as brilliant and eternal as the pyramids, for example. Maybe because they are not just a project of the human mind, but of God's providence. But we will not talk about them now. We are moving a little further ahead in time to take a tour of some of the most remarkably architectural buildings that the Lord seems to keep. And why them? The answer is self-explanatory.

Theater in Epidaurus

Epidaurus (or Epidavros) is an ancient Greek settlement that attracts millions of tourists every year because of its two attractions - its sanctuary, located 8 km from the city and the theater. The sanctuary bears the name of Apollo's son, Asclepius, the ancient god of medicine, as the city is believed to be his birthplace. The place dates back to the 6th century BC, gaining the glory of a healer of all diseases. People from all over Ancient Greece came to sleep in it and in their sleep, the god Asclepius himself, whispered to them what to do to heal. And apparently this has actually happened because the sanctuary continues to gather worshipers for centuries, even after the advent of Christianity and its conversion into a Christian healing center.

What strikes the city more, however, is the theater. Created in the 4th century BC. designed by ancient Greek architect Polyclett Young, the theater is stunning with its incredible symmetry and beauty. Its dimensions are staggering - as many as 54 rows of seats that fit 14 spectators in a semicircle. The scene is built in the typical antique style - round, located very low at the feet of the audience, without curtains, without backstage, so that nothing escapes the view. The performances that are played today are perfectly complemented by the beautiful backdrop of forest hills that replace all modern scenery and set design.

Most remarkable in the architecture of this theater, however, is the perfect acoustics that it possesses, albeit outdoors. Even the lightest whisper on stage is perfectly audible on the last line, so that the artists do not even have to raise the tone, what remains to be called as today's actors in contemporary productions. Everything in its construction is directed in such a way that the sound rotates and reaches every line and place. There is no other theater in the world with similar acoustics. Even today's architects have failed to achieve this effect. Whether Polyclett Young was a genius or God moved his hand while drawing is unclear. But there is certainly some higher intervention in the construction of the Epidaurus, because it remains indestructible and unsurpassed to this day. How many theaters in the world can boast of such centuries-old and unique grandeur?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Pisa Tower is a favorite tourist attraction and continues to amaze with its ability to stand tilted, as if it has been falling for thousands of years. In fact, it is a separate bell tower, standing next to the cathedral and, by some strange coincidence, is located on the Piazza della Pisa. Its construction began in 1173 and is not designed in its entirety. The original idea was that the tower would stand upright, but the weak earth base and the wrong foundation would cause it to warp even when the second floor was completed. Construction was halted and started repeatedly because of wars and revolutions, and it was not completed until 1372.

It is not clear which architect designed the tower, but some of the biggest names in science at the time worked to finalize it. Curve, but still whole, the tower somehow survived until 1900, when the slope rises to a threatening 5,5 degrees and has to be closed for visits. Reconstruction began and continued until 2001. There have been repeated attempts to erect the tower. The scientists tried to draw some of the water and to fill it with soil, frozen the water around its base with liquid nitrogen, but the tower continued to tilt. By 2008, when it was revealed that for the first time in its history, the tower stopped tilting. But she didn't stand up.

The good thing is that today no one doubts that she can stand this way for at least 5 more years without falling, and tourists are free to look at her and climb her 300 steps to the top. This architecture mistake or miracle is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is believed that the bells of the tower are the most melodious instruments of its kind. Apparently the Lord has other plans for the tower that do not include its fall.

Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence

Santa Croce (or the Holy Cross) is a Franciscan Gothic church that gathers millions of tourists every year, despite the huge competition in the face of Santa Maria del Fiore, located in the same city and gaining more fame . However, there is something unique about Santa Croce that no other church owns. No, these are not Joto's beautiful murals, though they are a major motive for her visit. Here are also French and sculptures of other great artists such as: Donatello, Antonio Canova, Tadeo Gadi, Antonio and Bernardo Rosselino. There is hardly any other church in the world that has emerged from the pen and hammer of so many of the greats in the arts.

But this is not the most unique thing in the church either. Nor is the legend that St Francis of Assisi himself stands behind its foundation in 1294, with the financial support of some of the most affluent and influential families in Florence. It is not a fact that some 300 famous Florentines - people of culture, science and politics - are buried there: Lorenzo Bartolini, Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo Buonaroti, Gioquino Rossini and others.