Architecture
Paris Mayor Wants to Keep the Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower
Critics worry that the symbol will tarnish the iconic structure's historic character
Workers Uncover an Underground Chamber Sealed for More Than a Century Near the National Mall
The dry cistern was discovered by construction crews working on the Smithsonian Castle’s renovation
Workers Find Mysterious Letter Hidden Inside a Concrete Column at London's National Gallery
John Sainsbury hoped the note would be found when the "unnecessary columns" were finally demolished
How the Hirshhorn Museum Went From Iconoclast to Icon
Celebrating 50 years of the modernist masterpiece that shocked critics—and helped turn Washington into an arts capital
Washingtonians Love to Hate Brutalist Architecture. But What If We Could Fix It?
An exhibition at the National Building Museum investigates the history and future of the much-maligned architectural style
William Blake's Cottage Will Be Saved—and Transformed Into a New Museum
The 18th-century poet wrote some of his most renowned works in the house in southern England, which has since fallen into disrepair
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Only Skyscraper Is Heading to Auction
Price Tower is one of three Oklahoma buildings designed by the renowned American architect
Take a Virtual Tour of New York City With These 15 Photos
Get a slice of the Big Apple with shots of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park and more from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Historic Theater Discovers 15th-Century Doorway That May Have Led to a Dressing Room
Some experts speculate that Shakespeare could have used the room to change costume during performances in the late 16th century
Firefighters Extinguish Blaze at London's Somerset House
The palatial complex's historic artworks sustained no damage from the fire that broke out on August 17
Will the Tower of London Lose Its UNESCO World Heritage Status?
The United Nations agency is worried about high-rise developments near the famed 11th-century fortress
See the Historic Ruins Hidden Inside Everyday Buildings in Athens
Houses and businesses across the Greek capital incorporate—or obscure—structures spanning the city’s ancient, Byzantine, medieval and Ottoman eras
These Olympic Gold Medalists Get to Ring a Bell Bound for Notre-Dame
The bell was built for the Games, but it will soon get a second life in one of Paris' most beloved landmarks
Poetry Was an Official Olympic Event for Nearly 40 Years. What Happened?
Pierre de Coubertin hoped the modern Games would encourage the ancient Greek notion of harmony between "muscle and mind"
Why the Eiffel Tower Has So Many Copycats
Replicas have popped up around the globe for decades, showcasing the design power and cultural significance of the world-famous French landmark
Inside the Controversial Plan to Turn a Hotel Where Jane Austen Attended Balls Into Student Dorms
Devoted readers are worried about the fate of the historic Dolphin Hotel in southern England
Watch Andy Warhol's Eight-Hour Film About the Empire State Building on the Skyscraper's 80th Floor
Released in 1964, the divisive experimental film is being screened in honor of its 60th anniversary
Six Innovative Ways Humans Have Kept Cool Throughout History
From sleeping porches to coastal escapes, these tips and tricks helped people deal with extreme heat before the advent of air-conditioning
Ruins of Centuries-Old Palace That Housed Dozens of Popes Discovered in Rome
Before the papacy relocated in the 1300s, first to Avignon and then to the Vatican, pontiffs lived at the Lateran Palace
China Plans to Open Ming Dynasty Tombs to the Public by 2030
The sprawling burial complex on the outskirts of Beijing was built to hold the remains of 13 emperors
Page 1 of 37