CATHEDRALS OF THE WORLD GRAZIELLA LEYLA CIAGA Book Number: 69970 Product format: Hardback A very unusually shaped and beautifully produced volume, 8" across by over 14" tall, make space for this glossy-paged tribute to the world's best ecclesiastical architecture. The evolution of types of basilica and cathedral is analysed through a selection of 36 buildings that were erected over 15 centuries from the 6th to the 21st in 12 countries and over three continents - Europe, America and Asia. They are looked at from the point of view of construction techniques, liturgical requirements, architectural styles and decorative elements like the cathedral of Notre Dame with its imposing apse, a striking feature of the Paris skyline. Here is the glowing basilica of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Christ's Cathedral Durham, Ely, the Cathedral of St Andrew at Wells, Cathedral of Our Lady in Burgos, St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, St Basil's Cathedral Moscow, St Paul's in London, St Isaac's in St Petersburg, Westminster Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brazil and St Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo among them. The stainless steel facing creates a radiant effect at St Mary's Tokyo contrasting with the neoclassical designs, vaulted structures, spiral shapes, elegant gothic style cross vaults, marble statuary, bronzes by Bernini and Borromini, tombs, organ pipes, stained glass windows and stunning façades of these iconic cathedrals. A beautiful treatment in a splendidly designed and manufactured tome on a very unusual geographical tour. 216pp. Published price: £22.99 Bibliophile price: £10.00

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