The concept of time can be very subjective, because when you talk about time in regards to some things it is often figured that it is outdated or no longer holds the same value. In retrospect, sometimes time can create value, in memories, structures, and history. From Cathedrals, Railway Stations, Arches made from stone, to 60 feet sculptures made from granite, there is something extraordinary about looking at something from centuries ago, that continues to stand and carry with it its history and integrity today. Homes that were built in the 1600’s that stand tall today and Ancient ruins that have been found completely intact. From the Manhattan Bridge, the Brihadisvara Temple in India, Van Gogh’s ‘Cafe Terrace At Night’ 1888, and restorations after World War II, here are 35 ‘Then And Now’ Pics Showing How Time Changes Things.
The Big Oak, Thomasville, 1895
A large oak tree known as The Big Oak is one of Thomasville, Georgia’s oldest historic landmarks. The oak tree dates as far back as the 1600’s and was recorded to stand at approximately 640cm in 1936. The Big Oak is famous for its very long lifespan, but efforts to preserve the landmark have also continued throughout its time. These efforts have included installing sprinklers and underground watering systems to keep the soil hydrated.
In addition support cables have been installed to provide strength for various limbs and the trunk of the tree. The tree still stands strong and healthy today, and will probably outlive us all.
Ancient Greece, Before And After Excavation
We’ve all watched movies featured in old Europe with a scene of gladiators fighting in the center of the Colosseum and the crowd cheering. Colosseums were built centuries ago and could seat thousands of spectators, some structures measured as great as approximately 189 by 156 meters. Over time the structures suffered from natural disasters such as earthquakes, in addition to poor maintenance, which led them to eventually fall apart or be buried under the earth.
Today archeologists all over Europe, specifically Greece, have continued to discover these buried structures during their excavations, and remarkably some of them still remain held well together. With a little imagination, we might just be able to still hear the crowd cheering.
The Golden Cross Inn, Coventry, 1819
What is now well known as a pub in Coventry, West Midlands, England, was once something entirely different. The Golden Cross is the oldest pub in Coventry, built in 1583, and later being established as a house in 1661, this historical landmark has now become one of the longest-established pub venues in England. Housing traditional homemade British cuisine, and live music, The Golden Cross stands in the heart of the city and is everyone's favorite place to be.
The structure still stands today during which it has been well preserved and restored over the centuries. To think that what stands today as a pub has housed so many stories in so many lifetimes.
Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing The Delaware, 1851
German painter Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze is best known for his ‘Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851’ art piece, an oil painting depicting Washington's crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War. The painting currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City but has quite an interesting backstory. The painting has gone through three lives, Leutze began the first version in 1849 but was damaged in a fire in his studio.
After being restored, it was destroyed in a bombing raid in Germany in 1942, during World War II. The image depicted here is of two moments in history of people viewing Leutze's painting, 1910 and 2019.
The Berlin Wall
The German Democratic Republic built The Berlin Wall during the Cold War, in an effort to separate Berlin from the rest of East Germany. In addition, to prevent people from escaping into Soviet run and controlled East to West Berlin. The wall was built from barbed wire and concrete, and by the 1980s the 5 meter wall had stretched 45km through Berlin dividing the city, and 120km around West Berlin.
The Berlin Wall was taken down in 1989, and citizens once again were free to cross the borders. In celebration, the people of East and West Berlin flocked to the wall to celebrate.
Hiroshima 75 Years Ago
The two atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 during World War II killing hundreds of thousands of people and leaving people scarred and sick, continues to impact everyone until this day, and will continue to for a long time to come. Emotional and physical pain was carried throughout decades of the explosion, those who were exposed to radiation were getting sick, women were having miscarriages, and the trajectory for cancer began increasing in high amounts.
Today, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park honours the city and those who fell victim to the bombings. The park is visited by millions every year, and was built on an open field created by the explosion.
Machu Picchu, Peru, 1915
Site of ancient Inca ruins located 80 km northwest of Cuzco, Peru, Machu Picchu elevates at 7,710 feet and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Machu Picchu’s existence was not widely known until multiple excavations took place during the 19th century. These excavations unveiled and discovered more of what is now known as the greatest pre-Columbian historic landmark. Through much restoration over the centuries, the landmark has been the site of many tourist attractions, commercials, and more.
Due to extensive and repetitive damage from tourists and heavy traffic to the site, discussions opened regarding the installation of cable cars. If the remarkable site isn’t enough to visit Machu Picchu, Lamas are also known to wander around too.
Restored Home In Detroit, 1993
Known as the Ransom Gillis House, the-old-but-new restored house in Midtown Detroit, Michigan, was built between 1876 and 1878. One of Detroit's oldest and most beautiful Venetian Gothic inspired houses, Various attempts were made to restore the main structure in the 1970s, 1980s and then again during the mid-2000s, none of which were of any success. Unoccupied since the 1960s and almost ready to be forgotten until the HGTV show "Rehab Addict" renovated the entire house in 2015, which ended up airing on the show.
The 2015 restorations by “Rehab Addict” was part of larger plans of redevelopments in the neighbourhoods of Brush Park, Detroit, Michigan, with new residential units being built, as well as retail.
Prague,1910
The history of Prague is a long and interesting one, growing from the Vyšehrad Castle to the Czech Republic. After much conflict during the early centuries, the Dark Age in the 17th century, the Czech nationalist movement in the 18th century brought the Czech language, culture, and identity back to life. The industrial revolution brought new heights to Prague, National Museums and theatres opened which saw the population boom.
After World War II and the occupation by nazi, Germany, Czechoslovakia was re-established as an independent state,1989 saw the end of communism, making Czechoslovakia a democratic country. The history is a long and intertwined one, but to see how far the country has come is truly inspiring.
Milan, Italy 1950s
The construction of the Milan Cathedral began in the 13th century and was completed in 1965. Since the construction took so long, five centuries-long, different architects and artists contributed to the completion of this remarkable and well-known landmark. Today, the extraordinary Milan Cathedral stands with beautiful stained glass windows depicting stories from the bible, and if anyone has had the chance to visit and go inside, the marble staircase is hard to miss.
At 45 meters high, the Milan Cathedral still looks like it was built yesterday, with the many restoration over the centuries and the careful attention to detail, this is one cathedral we should all have on our bucket lists.
Hick's Court, St Ives, England, 1888
Hicks Court in St. Ives resides in the South West of England, where the famous granite archway that leads into the Hick’s Court stands with a sign in remembrance of its past owner George Hicks. “This arch marks the entry to Hick’s Court where stood the house of George Hicks, Portreeve, 1611 and 1624.” This very well-known granite archway once marked the entranceway to an old Manor home which belonged to the Hicks family, which the Court was named after.
Incredibly the arch still remains untouched and well preserved, depicting the history that was once, and still remains. There is truly something beautiful in preserving historical structures, and being able to see the difference, or lack thereof, time has made.
English Tank, Town Of Netherlands, 1945
The Netherlands continued on its path to neutrality to avoid hostilities during World War I but they were not so lucky in World War II. Despite trying their best to avoid hostilities, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940 and occupied it. The Dutch were not prepared for the invasion with their outdated weaponry, so Nazi Germany scathed through with some resistance but not enough to stop them from taking over.
The bombing of Rotterdam further diminished the Dutch of power, and they surrendered the city. Although the Netherlands today is one of the most beautiful sights to see, the history will always remain.
Battle Of The Rhine, Uelzen, Germany, April 1945
The Allied invasion of Germany resulted in the unexpected capture of the Rhine in 1945, now known as one of the most major European rivers. The river starts at the southeastern Swiss Alps, flowing north through the German Rhineland and the Netherlands. The second-longest river in Central and Western Europe once served as a crossing for soldiers on their way to war. The river is covered by trees and a rainforest with an extraordinary view.
There is something special about looking at something that once represented so much trauma and fight, and see such beauty and memory of how it came to be, the Rhine river definitely does that.
Van Gogh’s ‘Cafe Terrace At Night’ From 1888
Van Gogh’s starry night collection of paintings is well known among his admirers, Café Terrace 1888 was one of the first of a series of paintings in which he used starry backgrounds. The oil painting overlooked the Café Terrace at The Place du Forum, in Arles, a village in the South of France. The Cloissonist style painting is believed to have been one of the artist's most profound works.
At the time he had moved to Arles, and some of his best work had been created during this time, Café Terrace being the most favoured amongst many.
Childhood Memory
Not many of us enjoy photos being taken of us, and often shy away from the camera, especially when mum or dad want to take awkward pictures with bad timing. Despite those moments being quite uncomfortable and the tantrums and drama always following, we realize later how significant they become. After a few years have passed and time has changed, we’ve grown up, moved out of home, these pictures become a very beautiful walk down memory lane.
Regardless of what we look like in the pictures at the time, there's always a memory we laugh about, and the details are always nostalgic to reminisce about with loved ones.
Church St. Martin In Cologne, Germany 1946
The Romanesque style Catholic church in Cologne, Germany is the remnants of what once was a Roman chapel which was later turned into a Benedictine monastery. The incredible structure was built between 1150-1250, and then badly damaged by a fire and during World War II, which took restoration work until 1985 to be completed. It can be seen as quite an inspiring symbol of hope and perseverance.
Although almost completely destroyed, today the Catholic church stands tall and incandescent, despite what the structure has been through over the centuries. Today the church is open for visitors, and provides a sacred space for those in need of spiritual healing.
Curtiss C-46 Commando
The C-46 Commando was the biggest twin-engine airplane in the world, which was used as military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces and also the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps. The airplane continued to be used as a passenger airline for some time but was soon regulated to cargo duty after a stronger version of the plane C-47 dominated the marketplace.
The C-46 continues to be used for cargo transport for remote locations well into the 21st century. The airplane was so strong, there were pilots that had allegedly said that if you could fly a C-46, you could fly anything.
The Main Entrance To The City, York, England 1865
Micklegate Bar was the main entrance to the city for those arriving from the South of the city, dating back as far as the 12th century. For centuries severed heads of traitors used to be displayed above the gate, the last of which took place in 1754. The structure still stands tall today remaining the south entrance of York city, England, and ends at the junction of North Street and Skeldergate.
Due to its historic relevance to the city, the Micklegate Bar continues to be regarded as the royal entrance to the city. Additionally, the surrounding structures and views are extraordinary.
The Royal Crescent, Bath, UK, 1829
One of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, The Royal Crescent in England, was built between 1767 and 1775, a row of 30 terraced houses, the 150m structure was designed by architect John Wood the Younger. The Georgian-style architectural landmark sits around a vibrant green lawn overlooking the Royal Victorian Park, which is today a five-star hotel known as The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Providing an experience of luxury and a sense of elegance, it has also become a popular location for films, featured in the 2008 film The Duchess starring Keira Knightley.
Court Of The Lions, Granada, Spain,1840
Amongst the heart of the Alhambra amongst a fortitude of palaces and gardens in The Court of the Lions, commissioned by the Nasrid sultan Muhammad V, which started during his reign, between 1362 and 1391 AD. The Islamic architectural style used for the courtyard which stretches at a length of 35m and 20m in width, embodies luxury and a heavenly feel. Carrying so much historic value, the site is today part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The artistic structure is supported by 124 white marble columns, and is covered in decorative tiles, with the famous water fountain that sits in the centre of the structure, held up by statues of lions.
The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, C.1847
In an old town of great historical and cultural importance, The Royal Mile in the city of Edinburgh in Scotland is a World Heritage site. Also home to parliaments, cathedrals and many tourist attractions including, shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, The Royal Mile is the busiest tourist street in the Old Town. This historical landmark overlooks the beautiful Edinburgh, whilst giving people the opportunity to experience a taste of history and culture.
History of over 500 years, this monument and the town that it rests on has become a quick tourist destination, with easy road access to drive up and enjoy the scenery.
Manhattan Bridge, 1908
We all remember a scene in some movie where the actor is starting their new journey and is captured driving over the Manhattan bridge with a beautiful shot of New York City on their dashboard. Designed by Leon Moissessiff and built by The Phoenix Company, the Manhattan Bridge is a great monument crossing over the East River in New York City. Construction of the Bridge started in 1901 and was open to traffic by the end of 1909.
At a length of 451m long and suspension cables of 993m, the Manhattan Bridge sits at an enormous total length of 2089m long. The Manhattan Bridge served as the model for many long suspension bridges built during the 20th century and remains a great monument in New York City.
Kraków, Poland, 1939
The Kraków tram system has a very long and interesting history, in fact the trams we see in Poland today have been established from centuries of improvements and restorations made to older tram lines and gauge tracks. The first tram line was opened in 1882, using narrow gauge tracks of about 900m at the time. During the early 19th century, the city of Kraków increased in size, and it became clear the narrow gauge tracks would no longer be sufficient enough to hold the capacity necessary.
In January 1913 the first standard gauge line was created, and over the centuries Kraków continued to expand and evolve. Today these trams continue to operate, looking not so different from how they did centuries before, but at a much more powerful pace and a stronger foundation.
Plaza De Callao, 1960
A symbol of Madrid and at the heart of the city is the square which was formally opened in 1866. Quickly becoming one of the most popular squares in Madrid, Plaza del Callao, one of the main attractions was and remains to be the original buildings that are almost, and still completely intact. Buildings that have stood centuries are now considered historical landmarks.
Although significant restorations have been made over the last two centuries, the integrity of the buildings surrounding the square remain completely unscathed.
Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, India, 1798
In southeast India, in the city of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu sits a magnificent temple, full of history. The Brihadisvara Temple was built under Chola emperor ruling over parts of which is now considered Sri Lanka. According to archeologists, the temple took about 12 year to complete, finished in 1011 AD, and now sits at a height of 216 feet. The temple was dedicated to Shiva, the third god in the Hindu triarchy.
Due to its extraordinary detail archaeologists have always wondered how it was built, as the temple is formed of 130,000 tons of granite which was nowhere near and impossible to lift by humans. But according to facts, it took over 1,000 elephants being used in forced labor to build the structure we see today.
Arch Of Constantine In Rome, 1943
Dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great, The Arch of Constantine, was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. The arch is a representation of the ideological and structural changes Constantine’s reign brought to art, and his power during that era. The Arch of Constantine is located along the Via Triumphalis in Rome, and resides between the Colosseum and the Temple of Venus and Roma.
The monumental structure stands approximately 20 meters high, 25 meters wide, with a central opening of approximately 12 meters high. There are also transcriptions on the Arch dedicated to the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantius.
Stonehenge, 1877
Stonehenge is arguably one of the most famous monuments in the world, the massive stone monument is located north of Salisbury, England. Some of the larger stones are up to 9 meters tall, weighing a heavy 25 tons on average. The site is home to many theories and historical findings; one theory in particular, released in 2012 by members of the Stonehenge Riverside Project, is that Stonehenge marks the "unification of Britain," “a point when people across the island worked together and used a similar style of houses, pottery and other items.”
Researchers have also shown that the site has continuously evolved over centuries, during which time dozens of burial mounds have been discovered, indicating thousands of people who may have been buried there at the time.
Woodstock Festival Site, 1969
A Woodstock Monument overlooks the Main Concert Field where the Woodstock three-day music festival took place on August 15, 1969 - August 18, 1969, in rural Sullivan County, NY. The site commemorates the famous festival, which in 2017 became of national significance, and is considered the ultimate expression of cultural and political idealism of the 1960s. The 1960s marked a time for which those who were born after World War II carried with them the obligation to shape the influence of post-war liberation.
The music festival was an exploration and symbolic gesture of freedom against oppressions and government policy and agendas. Till this very day, the site continues to carry a great deal of symbolic meaning and a remarkable time in history.
Former Public Bath, Wuppertal, 1993
Those who pay Germany a visit have long admired the beer gardens, the scenery, and the architecture. But there is one experience few people indulge in while in Germany, the bathhouse tradition. German bathhouses are often inspired by the art nouveau era and are the perfect place to relax while experiencing what the culture has to offer. While indulging in this tradition, or for those choosing to experience it for the very first time, it is important to recognize the relaxed attitude towards nudity.
This open-mindedness towards nudity in front of strangers started in the 19th century, when Scandinavian-style steam baths became popular. Today some people are impartial towards nudity, and others remain conservative, either way this experience is not for everyone.
Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula, 1964
The Kowloon Peninsula is a captivating peninsula that forms the southern part of the main landmass in Hong Kong, in the Kowloon area. The peninsula constitutes the Chinese mainland portion of Hong Kong and carries with it one of the most magnificent sceneries we’ve seen. Before the boundaries of the Kowloon Peninsula were established, the site served as an escape route during the dynastic times of China.
Parts of the land where caves stand have been preserved by a resolution that was passed in 1898 by the Colonial Hong Kong Legislative Council. Today the Kowloon Peninsula is famously known and a beautiful space to enjoy by tourists and locals alike.
Trains At Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, 1947
After the 2007 restoration of the stations tower of $2.2 million, Harpers Ferry station still stands strong today. The railway station in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and remains to be part of the Harpers Ferry Historic District. The building surrounding the station is an 1889 Victorian style building, carrying its original structure and keeping with the original Harpers Ferry armory buildings.
The station is currently part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1979. Today, the station is opened primarily for MARC commuter passengers but is still accessible for everyone wanting to enjoy this historic scenic experience.
Mount Rushmore, 1992
Standing at roughly 60 feet high, Mount Rushmore is a massive sculpture in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The sculpture famously depicts the faces of the U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The sculpture is a symbol of the growth and development and historic preservation of the country, bringing light to the heritage of the United States.
At an elevated height of 5,725 feet, the granite rock sculpture completed between 1927 and 1941, represents one of the world’s largest pieces of sculpture today.
Nashville House, 1896
A trip to Nashville is not complete without visiting one of its many historical restored homes. From mansions to castles, it’s a magnificent way to learn the history of the city through incredible scenery. Although restored, most of the most kept most if not some of their structural integrity, and the history, of course, remains intact. The experience of walking through a home of someone today that was once the home of someone centuries ago is one of the best ways to preserve history and keep it present.
If you’re an architectural buff, then you’ll also get a special experience out of the different styles used from Greek Revival to Italianate, Nashville history has it all.
Baker Street, London
The world's first underground railway known today as Baker Street in London, opened in 1863. Baker Street station is the combination of three separate stations, situated in a rough east to west alignment. Consisting of ten platforms, Baker Street has the most platforms of any London Underground station. Major restorations took place over the centuries, which created a much more efficient system for the expanding and growing population of the city.
Today the railway is one of the biggest underground railways in the world, and although much restorations had taken place throughout its lifetime, it still carries so much of its own history and structural integrity.
St Francis Of Assisi Church, Italy
The Romanesque and Gothic style church was designed by Maestro Jacopo Tedesco on two levels. The two levels are known as the "Basilica superiore" (The Upper Basilica), and the "Basilica inferiore" (The Lower Basilica). The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is the church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi, Italy. One of the most important sites for those of Christian faith, the historic structure is as magnificent as it is a safe haven for many people.
To think that this historic and religious landmark was started in 1228, demonstrates many things, among them the incredible developments of Italian art during this period.