Rocky landscape with ruins, by Nicolaes Berchem, ca. 1650 (Alte Pinakotek, Munich)

Burg Are

The ruins of the 14th century castle in Wenecja near Żnin (Poland)

Ruins are the remains of man-made architecture. The term is used to describe a structure that was at one time complete but has fallen into a state of disrepair over time due to the action of weathering and lack of maintenance. Download high resolution version (834x1006, 120 KB)Rocky Landscape with Antique Ruins Nicholas Berchem, ca 1657 Alte Pinakothek, Munich This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (834x1006, 120 KB)Rocky Landscape with Antique Ruins Nicholas Berchem, ca 1657 Alte Pinakothek, Munich This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (1150x768, 237 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1150x768, 237 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1329x867, 198 KB) Summary The images author is Andrzej Łuczak (woochuck@op. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1329x867, 198 KB) Summary The images author is Andrzej Łuczak (woochuck@op. ... Wenecja (Polish Venice) is a small village approximately 5 km south of Żnin in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship (Kujawsko-Pomorskie) in Poland. ... Motto: Żnin - the open town Voivodship Kuyavian-Pomeranian Municipal government Rada Miejska w Żninie (The Żnin Town Council) Mayor Jarosław Jaworski (Burmistrz Żnina) Area 8. ... The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece Architecture (from Latin, architectura and ultimately from Greek, αρχιτεκτων, a master builder, from αρχι- chief, leader and τεκτων, builder, carpenter) is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. ...

There are famous ruins all over the world, from the remains of the Roman Empire in Europe to those of the Incas in Peru.

Most civilizations have left behind remains of their architectural heritage in the form of ruins, which can be fortifications, places of worship, or entire cities and towns.

Ruins are important for the studying of the past, in particular history and archaeology.

Some famous ruins include:

Troy

Pompeii

Macchu Picchu

Angkor

There are also substantial ruins in modern cities such as Rome and Athens.

Many countries will also have ruins in the form of castles, churches, temples or monasteries. Public bodies such as English Heritage in the UK are responsible for maintaining many different ruins. For example the dissolution of the English monasteries in the mid-sixteenth century by King Henry VIII led to many former convents and abbeys falling into a state of disrepair. One of the most famous of these is Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

Modern ruins often occur as a result of natural disaster, war or other forms of depopulation. Many European cities were in ruins after World War II, especially Berlin, London, Coventry and Dresden.

The subject is examined in detail by the book 'In Ruins' (2001) by British art historian Christopher Woodward.

Ruins are often romanticised in literature and film, and often provide a backdrop for other forms of decline or decay.

See also

• Folly

Broadway Tower, England The folly at Wimpole Hall, England High Service Water Tower (1895), Lawrence, Massachusetts. ...

External links