Search
Search Results
Definition
Great Hall
The Great Hall was the architectural centrepiece of a medieval castle's interior and functioned as the social and administrative hub of the castle and its estates. With everyone dining and sleeping in the hall in its early days, the room...
Image
Triumph of Fame
A Flemish tapestry of The Triumph of Fame over Death made for the Bishop of Soissons (Septmonts, c. 1500-1530 CE; MMA acc. no. 41.167.2).
Image
Great Hall & Lesser Hall, Chepstow Castle
The Great Hall and Lesser Hall at Chepstow Castle in Wales. The halls contained the domestic facilities of the castle. The castle was first built c. 1067 CE by Earl William FitzOsbern, and then extended from c. 1190 CE by Sir William Marshal...
Definition
Horyuji
The Horyuji Temple near Nara in Japan was founded in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku and is the only surviving Buddhist monastery from the Asuka Period in its original state. The complex, consisting of 48 listed buildings including a 5-storey pagoda...
Definition
Valhalla
Valhalla ("Hall of the Slain") is the afterlife realm in Norse mythology for fallen heroes selected by Odin’s Valkyrie to become members of the army that will fight against the forces of chaos at Ragnarök. The concept of Odin’s Hall seems...
Definition
Ancient Nara
Nara, located around 30 km south of modern Kyoto, was the capital of ancient Japan between 710 and 784 CE. It gave its name to the Nara Period (710-794 CE), although the name during the 8th century CE was Heijokyo. Modelled on the Chinese...
Article
The Ajanta Caves
The 30 caves at Ajanta lie to the north of Aurangabad in the Indhyadri range of Western Ghats. The caves, famous for their temple architecture and many delicately drawn murals, are located in a 76 m high, horseshoe-shaped escarpment overlooking...
Image
Great Hall, Stirling Castle
The Great Hall of Stirling Castle, Scotland. Built c. 1500 during the reign of James IV of Scotland (r. 1488-1513). The hall was destroyed but has since been restored to its original form, including the hammer-beam ceiling.
Image
Main Hall, Horyuji
The Main Hall (aka Golden Hall) or Kondo of the Buddhist Horyuji monastery, Nara, Japan. 607 CE.
Image
Main Hall, Daigoji
The Main Hall (Kondo, aka Golden Hall) of the Buddhist temple complex Daigoji, Kyoto, Japan. Kamakura Period (1185-1333 CE).