Gateway of the Citadel, Cairo

Citadel, Cairo

Gateway of the Citadel, Cairo

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry, or exit or they may be merely decorative.

Wooden Locking Gate

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent…

An illustration of sculptures from a gateway at Khorsabad.

Gateway at Khorsabad

An illustration of sculptures from a gateway at Khorsabad.

"Entrance gateway, Palace of Khorsabad." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Khorsabad

"Entrance gateway, Palace of Khorsabad." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Remains of the circular walls round towns and palaces, which are known under the name Cyclopean, exist at the present day. These are found both in Greece itself and in many of the Greek colonies, as in Italy and Sardinia. Such walls consist of gigantic polygonal blocks of stone, the corners of which fit accurately into one another. Other structures of this kind consist of regular blocks of equal height. Both kinds are constructed entirely without mortar. The Lion Gate served as the gateway to the city of Mycenæ.

The Lion Gate at Mycenæ

Remains of the circular walls round towns and palaces, which are known under the name Cyclopean, exist…

Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes) and was founded in 1400 <small>BC</small>. The temple properly begins with the 24 meter (79 ft) high First Pylon, built by Ramesses II. The pylon was decorated with scenes of Ramesses's military triumphs (particularly the Battle of Kadesh). Pylon is the Greek term for a monumental gateway of an Egyptian temple. It consists of two tapering towers, each surmounted by a cornice, joined by a less elevated section which enclosed the entrance between them.

Pylon at the Palace at Luxor

Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in…

Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes) and was founded in 1400 <small>BC</small>. The temple properly begins with the 24 meter (79 ft) high First Pylon, built by Ramesses II. The pylon was decorated with scenes of Ramesses's military triumphs (particularly the Battle of Kadesh). Pylon is the Greek term for a monumental gateway of an Egyptian temple. It consists of two tapering towers, each surmounted by a cornice, joined by a less elevated section which enclosed the entrance between them.

Pylon at the Palace at Luxor, Profile with Colossal Statue and Obelisk

Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in…

Chinese structures have nothing durable about them, for perishable wood forms an essential element in their construction, and they were more remarkable for their elegance and slender proportions than for their vast dimensions. The roofs are especially characteristic, the most striking peculiarity being that they are always curved, and have figures on them in high relief, as well as at the corners, from which hang bells, and that they are decorated with all kinds of embellishments, such as gilt dragons, and other fantastic carvings.

Entrance-Gate to the Temple of Confucius at Shanghai

Chinese structures have nothing durable about them, for perishable wood forms an essential element in…