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Casa Navàs

Casa Navàs (Navas House) is a modernist building located in the centre of REUS, Catalonia. Casa Navàs is a building designed by Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

Joaquim Navàs Padró, the house’s owner, contracted Domènech i Muntaner as the architect of his new house. The building was constructed from 1901 to 1908.

The building had a tower on the left facade, but it was destroyed by bombing by Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War and never rebuilt. Inside the building there is a very wide and bright patio. Marble works were done by Alfons Juyol i Bach, the paintings by Tomàs Bergadà, the furniture by Gaspar Homar and the ceramics by Hipòlit Montseny; all of them under the instructions of Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

Nowadays the building is still the same as it was originally (except the tower), and that includes the furniture, the ceramics, mosaics, lights, etc.

Izmir Clock Tower

Izmir Clock Tower (Turkish: İzmir Saat Kulesi) is a historic clock tower located at the Konak Square in Konak district of İzmir, Turkey.

The clock tower was designed by the Levantine French architect Raymond Charles Père and built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II's accession to the throne (reigned 1876–1909). The clock itself was a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II (reigned 1888–1918). It is decorated in an elaborate Ottoman architecture style. The tower, which has an iron and lead skeleton, is 25 m (82 ft) high and features four fountains (şadırvan), which are placed around the base in a circular pattern. The columns are inspired by Moorish themes.

In the former Balkan provinces of the Ottoman Empire, particularly in present-day Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin towns such as Belgrade, Prijepolje, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Gradačac and Stara Varoš, similar Ottoman era clock towers still exist and are called Sahat Kula (derived from the Turkish words Saat Kulesi, meaning Clock Tower).

The emblem of Thessaloniki

The White Tower is perhaps the most recognizable spot in Thessaloniki. Depicted on all types of souvenirs and favorite clothes, photographed from all angles, in all seasons and at each hour of the day, it has come to be imprinted on our collective unconscious, an archetypal image. With its distinctive cylindrical shape, its six stores and its memory-charged history, it has become the city’s trademark. When one sets eyes on the White Tower, it means that one has made one of the most fascinating journeys and is in the city of a thousand promises, Thessaloniki.

The exact date of its construction is hidden in the mists of time. The initial suggestion that it was perhaps of Venetian construction, has not been accepted by archaeologists. Most likely it was built during the early Ottoman period, sometime after 1530. It is believed by some that the architect of this defensive fortress was Mimar Sinan, who also built a very similar tower in the port of Valona in Albania. What is certain though is that this impressive piece of architecture was built on top of a pre-existing Byzantine building.

A low, octagonal, surrounding wall and three additional towers, existing in the building’s initial form, were demolished in the early 20th century. It is thought that on this outer wall stood heavy artillery which guarded the port and the coastline. It was initially named the Lion Tower, indicating the glory of the Ottoman military machine. During the 17th century it was unofficially known as the Fortress of Kalamaria. After 1826 it took the name Kanli-Kule, or Tower of Blood. Its present name conceals a great human story. A Jewish prisoner in the tower, Nathan Guidili, took it upon himself to smarten it up by painting it white. For this he won his freedom and certainly posthumous fame.

The White Tower, apart from being a great architectural monument, is a reference point in Thessaloniki. Dominating the shore, it has become a meeting point and a good place for a walk.

A tower steeped in history

The White Tower is inextricably linked to the history of Thessaloniki. Its walls preserve the memories of the stormy course of this great city. It has never ceased to play an important role. A watchful sentry guarding over the precious city of Thessaloniki for the Ottomans, then a place of imprisonment for unconquerable spirits.

During World War I, the allies housed the communications centre in the White Tower. At the same time the British expeditionary corps used it to save countless antiquities.

When it became the responsibility of the Greek state, from 1912 up to 1983, it housed the air defense of Thessaloniki. It has also accommodated the meteorological laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki and Sea Scout troops.

The White Tower at the heart of knowledge

Today the renovated White Tower is used as an exhibition centre. Under the auspices of the Museum of Byzantine Culture a permanent exhibition is on display dedicated to Thessaloniki, which allows the visitor to acquire a detailed knowledge of the successive historical periods of this great city. At the same time significant temporary exhibitions are held, such as for example exhibitions on Byzantine religious painting. The renovation of the monument and the themes it hosts show a deep respect both for its architectural style as well as its significance.

Major educational programmes are held at the White Tower; pupils, students and scholars from Greece and all over the world are given the opportunity to be initiated into the world of art and history.

The viewing platform at the top of the Tower acts as an extension of the exhibition centre. The visitor can learn from information signs about the history of the particular view he can see. It is a unique journey through time that adds to the visual enjoyment.

St. Louis’s Church

St. Louis’s Church. The first time Alytus as the township was mentioned in the Jonas Zabžezinskis writing in 1524 where he says that he gives the capital for the Alytus church establishment. The church was built in the same year. The first wooden church was called St. Jonas Baptist church, The Virgin Maria Assumption church and St. Nicola’s church. After the church burnt, in 1818 a new stone church in classical style was built next to the old church. In the honour of the priest Liudvikas Kaminskas, the initiator of the construction, the church was sacred to the memory of St. Louis. Today this is the oldest church of Alytus that still has a ringing XVII century found bell. A canvas of St. Louis painted in XIX century also remained to this day.

Stanisław Staszic Primary School No.1 in Pila

Stanisław Staszic Primary School No.1 in Pila, since 1945 has been located in the previous Town School No.1. It was a school for the children of evangelical religion. Its predecessor was a protestant town school, which was built after the fire of the town in 1834. The school was built in Poznanska Street (now Śródmiejska). In 1871, 542 students attended this school, and in 1886 there were 1117 pupils. In this situation in the years 1889-1890, two new protestant schools were created, in the Berlinska suburb (now Górne suburb ) and in the Bydgoska suburb (now Zamoście suburb). The both schools were located in the rented premises. On October 1, 1900, the construction of the Municipal School (Town School) was started in Bismarck street (now Buczka street). The building was completed on October 14, 1902roku. The school manager until 1921 was Lakoschus.

Education in the school, as in the whole Kingdom of Prussia, lasted 7 years. The grades 7 and 6 were lower degree of education (initial), the grades 5 and 4 were a middle level of education, and the highest degree of education were grades from 3 to 1. The program consisted of 12 school subjects. They were introduced successively at subsequent stages of education, however, the number of hours for their implementation was different for boys and for girls. Students had 13 hours German language and 4 hours evangelical religion every week. Teaching at primary level was compulsory. For unjustified absence of the child at school was applied a fine to his parents. Sums collected from these fees were spent on the students' school needs and for the aid for the poorest children. The classrooms were not coeducational, so girls and boys were taught separately. In fact the school building had two entrances: one for boys and one for girls.

The school building was severely damaged as a result of the battle for the city in late January and early February 1945. However, the May 1, 1945 was opened the first public school in Pila (then in Piramowicza street, now Buczka street.) Its first headmaster was Tadeusz Mikolaszek. In the early days 7 pupils attended the school.

The information was compiled by the Roman Chwaliszewski.

The text was translated by Wanda Wisniewska.

Polish models of different buildings in Poland