Time Machine: Architecture of the past in the present

All over the world, examples of architectural creativity, erected more than one hundred years ago, are increasingly being replaced by modern skyscrapers. However, these photos clearly show that both the old and the new are quite capable of harmoniously existing side by side.

Frankfurt. The modern Nextower skyscraper and the medieval Eschenheim Defensive Tower

In 2011, a 35-storey Nextower skyscraper was erected in Frankfurt. Surely the experienced craftsmen of the 14th century who built the Eschenheim tower, even in their wildest fantasies, could not imagine what the buildings of the distant future would look like.

San Francisco. Old and new Bay Bridge. Past and present side by side

The old bridge was opened in 1936, the new one in 2013, almost 80 years separate these two twin bridges.

China, Central Shanghai

Spain, Sanpedor, St. Francis Church

Built in the 18th century by Franciscan priests, this beautiful church at the convent eventually fell into disrepair, but architect David Close breathed new life into it with the help of hybrid architecture in the form of modern glass-concrete structures.

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Notre Dame de Saigon Cathedral on the background of modern buildings

Built by the French in 1880, this small piece of Paris is one of the few historical buildings that have remained in the heart of the bustling city.

London, the Bank of England against the backdrop of skyscrapers

The Bank of England building, erected in 1734, is one of the first bank buildings. By the way, this bank is one of the world's oldest banks, which still functions today. Over time, numerous skyscrapers lined up around it.

Scotland, Call Island, White House

This 18th-century structure, designed by the McLean-Bristol family, is now an incredible architectural mix of past and present.

Canada, the crystal building of the Royal Ontario Museum

This historical and ethnographic museum was built in 1914, then its facade was reconstructed several times, and in 2007 another part of the building was added to the museum in the form of a huge crystal iceberg.

China, Hong Kong, Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin is a large Taoist temple complex in Hong Kong. It was built in the 1920s and still remains the most popular local attraction, located in the middle of the most modern city buildings.

London, St. Mary's Church against the backdrop of the Cucumber skyscraper

The skyscraper, popularly called "Cucumber", was built in 2004. It is almost 800 years younger than the church, which is located at its foot, and more than 180 meters above it.

Chicago, a water tower surrounded by skyscrapers

The tower was erected in 1869, and since then it has served as a water storage for firefighters. The need for the tower disappeared with the advent of modern water supply technologies, but this magnificent structure still stands in the middle of the noisy urban jungle.

Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark. Being a major port since its foundation in 948, the city is an amazing mix of medieval and modern architecture.

Milan, Italy

Milan has a rich history, because the city was founded by the Celts in 400 BC, and conquered by the Romans 200 years later. After the Second World War, more modern buildings began to appear actively around the ancient churches.

USA, Boston, Trinity Church and John Hancock Tower

The John Hancock Tower, built in 1976, is the tallest building in Boston. Her neighbor, Trinity Church, opened its doors 99 years earlier, in 1877. Now the church is beautifully reflected in the glass walls of the tower, as if conveying greetings from the previous century.

Germany, Hamburg, Port city

Hafenport was the most important commercial port in the 18th and 19th centuries, but with the advent of container ships in the 20th century, it could no longer be competitive and emptied for the next few decades. Now this area is being intensively reconstructed and built up with modern office buildings.

Canada, Montreal, Romanesque Church Museum

This crumbling ancient church was renovated and converted by the architect studio Provencher Roy into a magnificent modern building that houses a museum and a theater.

Boston, the old Parliament building

The old parliament building was built in 1713, until 1798 it housed the Massachusetts Legislature. Boston's two-story buildings were eventually demolished, skyscrapers took their place, and this old parliament building has survived to this day and now serves as a museum.

Nanjing, China

Nanjing is one of the four ancient capitals of China. The foundation of the city dates back to 495 BC, which means that Nanjing is older than most countries of the world. Under the Mongol Empire, the city became the center of the textile industry, and it should be noted that its economic power and potential have been preserved to this day.

USA, New York, Beekman Tower and Woolworths Building

The Woolworths building and Beekman Tower are great examples of how far architecture can go. The Woolworths building was built in 1913, and the Beekman Tower in 2011, the age difference is almost a century.

Hong Kong, China

Wales, Swansea Castle on the background of the second tallest building in the city

The castle was built by Henry de Beaumont in 1106 and was once the dominant building of this landscape. Now it looks tiny against the background of the British TV tower, which is, in principle, low by today's standards — only 13 floors.

Warsaw, Poland

Tokyo, Japan

Romania, headquarters of the National Union of Architects

This modern glass and metal skyscraper is built directly above a typical European building built in the second half of the 19th century.

Brno, Czech Republic