Churches and Cathedrals: 1700 Years of Sacred Architecture

by Rolf Toman

Featuring some of the most dazzling art, architecture, and history in the world, cathedrals and churches are cultural landmarks as well as religious institutions. This incredible guide to some of the world's most famous churches features brilliant photography and explanatory text examining architectural highlights and history of the most prominant styles and eras, including Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance art. With detailed descriptions of each building, multi-perspective photography, and architectural drawings, this coffee table book is a treasure for any art and history fan.

Genres: Art, Architecture, History, Religion, Medieval, Nonfiction, Travel

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2009

About the author

Originally, Rolf Toman wanted to become a teacher but he spent the years following his second state exam working as a publishing editor at a large international publishing house. From 1992 onwards, he worked as an independent publisher for various international publishing houses. Publications on art history epochs were at the center of his work.

Reviews

[Jim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick gave me this book for Christmas, 2010. Such incredible beauty, I read a few pages at a time, just to absorb all the beautiful churches in 1700 years of church building!

This book is worth paging through from time to time -- there's too much information to truly absorb and appreciate.

The book seems to end abruptly. No conclusion, just the last church treated.

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

My atheism cannot hold back the joy I feel about architecture of a godly nature. Though I wish it were not so, their ancient greed has given us some of the most beautiful things to look at. Their intrinsic need for affirmation, as they bribe the heathens in with their gothic style, makes them appear nothing but human.

[Erik Thibaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel boeiend en mooi overzicht. Soms wel (te) specifiek of abstract taalgebruik. Het kan natuurlijk ook aan de vertaling liggen, ik heb het in het Nederlands gelezen.

[Roger Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you could want in a coffee-table work. Sumptuously beautiful photography. Enlightening text. The standards and the unexpected. Spiritual uplift. It cover antiquity to the 20th century, but concentrates on Europe (without Russia), with brief forays into the New World. Within those limits, it is beautifully unsurpassable.

[Teresa Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures but didn't care for this book. Writing often is describing the outside of buildings while pictures were of inside. Did not include any map locations and often found myself trying to figure out what country and location I was in.

[Alexzandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, great book. If you love cathedrals you'll love this book.