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Temple of Hathor at Dendera
As a personal selection and leaving aside single-family homes –which deserve a separate ranking–, I choose this Ptolemaic-era temple, instead of one from earlier dynasties of better craftsmanship, because a large part of it preserves its roof. The magical light degradation from the blinding desert to the dark sacred chambers only traversed by thin beams of sunlight that penetrates, domesticated, through small skylights, can only be appreciated if the complex is roofed. The temple through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram2
Stoa of Attalos in Athens
Considering that the essence of architecture resides in its interior, I choose this monument that could be reconstructed, with very little room for interpretation, taking advantage of the typological repetitiveness of the porticoes that surrounded the Greek agoras, from the very few preserved architectural elements. It is true that these original fragments are distinguished by their carving, but this does not prevent us from understanding the original architecture in the shadow of these porticoes. Extreme archaeological respect works against architectural enjoyment. The monument through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram3
Pantheon in Rome
The best building of classical Rome and probably in the history of architecture. Another factory destined to cast shadows, since through its magical oculus heat escapes and rain penetrates, as demonstrated by the splendid bronze drain located at its base. The fact that the colossal dome had no keystone but a large oculus inspired Brunelleschi to raise that of Florence Cathedral without scaffolding. The Pantheon through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram4
Santa María del Mar in Barcelona
The presence of two Barcelona buildings in this selection seems very chauvinistic, but it is excusable due to my requirement to personally know all the works. Santa María del Mar seems to me the most austere and mystical Gothic church in the world. The basilica through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram5
The Alhambra in Granada
It is, along with the Sagrada Familia, the most visited monument in Spain: three million a year. Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, we can assure that you cannot fool so many for so long. The Alhambra is the best Arab architecture in the world, much better than any of those settled in Africa. The Alhambra through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram6
Apse of Saint Peter in the Vatican
Michelangelo is an absolute genius in all plastic arts, and in architecture too. The exterior of Saint Peter's apse – only visible from the Vatican gardens – is the brilliant transition, in one stroke, from the Renaissance to the Baroque. Unusual proportions, curved and broken pediments, a disconcerting attic. The new is usually bad but the good is always new. The basilica through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram7
Bernini's Colonnade in the Vatican
Borromini was the clumsy genius, Bernini the skillful genius. The colonnade of St. Peter's Square is of dazzling brilliance for several reasons, but, for an architect, Bernini's ability to set a classical colonnade on sloping ground without apparent conflicts is incredible. All the columns seem to have the same height and are vertical, the capitals seem orthogonal, the architrave seems horizontal. How does he make everything fit? St. Peter's Square in the Vatican through the photos published by its visitors on Instagram8
Würzburg Residence
German Baroque, a basic architectural style in history; Balthasar Neumann, its best representative; Würzburg, a dazzling palatial residence; its Imperial Staircase, the most beautiful in universal Baroque; its ceiling, the sum work of Tiepolo and the largest and best frescoed ceiling in history. The palace through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram9
Guggenheim Museum in New York
The one in Bilbao is not bad but I prefer Wright's. If I cannot select a mansion by this brilliant architect, I choose the museum in New York. I accept that hanging paintings on a curved and sloping wall is not the most advisable, but touring this space is an unforgettable architectural experience and, despite the difficulties, I would love to mount an exhibition there. The museum through thephotos published by its visitors on Instagram.10
The Sagrada Familia
I'm getting into deep water, but I decide to include this work by Gaudí among the ten highlights. More than fifty years ago I was one of the instigators of a manifesto, signed by many architectural figures, radically opposed to the continuation of the works. I was wrong. Although I would have resolved many details differently, the light and space – protagonists of architecture – are absolutely sublime. The temple through thephotos published by its visitors on InstagramEl presidente de la República, Gabriel Boric, se refirió este lunes a la conmemoración de los 50 años del golpe de Estado, que se cumple el próximo 11 de septiembre, y a la polémica que se ha generado en torno a la fecha.
En ese contexto, el Mandatario hizo un llamado a “no empatar las responsabilidades” entre quienes “quebrantaron la democracia” y quienes “la defendieron”.
“No es aceptable, no es aceptable, que se relativice o se justifique el golpe de Estado. No es aceptable que se relativice o se justifique la violación a los derechos humanos”, dijo Boric en un punto de prensa en el Palacio de La Moneda.
El jefe de Estado enfatizó que “no hay dos bandos, no hay dos bandos, no hay dos bandos. Hay quienes defendieron la democracia y quienes la quebrantaron”.
“Y eso es algo que tenemos que tener muy claro, muy claro, muy claro. Y no podemos empatar las responsabilidades”, añadió.
Boric también se refirió a la propuesta de la oposición de firmar una declaración conjunta en la que se condene el golpe de Estado y se defienda la democracia.
“Nosotros estamos disponibles a firmar una declaración conjunta, pero no a cualquier precio. No a cualquier precio”, sostuvo.
El Presidente explicó que “no vamos a firmar una declaración que relativice o justifique el golpe de Estado. No vamos a firmar una declaración que relativice o justifique la violación a los derechos humanos”.
“Nosotros estamos por la verdad, la justicia, la reparación y las garantías de no repetición. Y eso es algo que no vamos a transar”, sentenció.
Las declaraciones de Boric se dan en medio de la polémica que se ha generado en torno a la conmemoración de los 50 años del golpe de Estado, que ha generado un fuerte debate entre el oficialismo y la oposición.
La derecha ha criticado al Gobierno por lo que considera una “instrumentalización” de la fecha, mientras que el oficialismo ha acusado a la oposición de “negacionismo” y de “justificar” el golpe de Estado.
En este escenario, el Presidente Boric ha buscado marcar una postura clara y firme en defensa de la democracia y los derechos humanos, en un intento por cerrar las filas de su sector y evitar que la polémica escale aún más.