The other night, we were driving to dinner, and we went past a copy of an old Greek-style temple. I remembered that there are a few of these tiny temples around Baltimore, and when I had a little bit of free time, I drove around to take some pictures. Unfortunately, most of these temples are abandoned, and one I remembered, an old spring house, had vanished.
This one’s got all of the elements of a Doric temple… columns, capitals, architrave, frieze, and tympanum. Simple, elegant and very graceful.
This is spring house, moved to the grounds of the Baltimore Museum of Art. Its Ionic columns are a little more decorative than the Doric ones, and the dentil work around the tympanum really sets off the simple shape.
The third tiny temple used to be a bank branch. It’s on one of the worst corners of the city. 
The columns, while in the basic Doric order, have been embellished with carvings around them. 
The tympanum is also much more decorative than the other two temples, but with classic elements including the dentil work and acanthus leaves. Here’s a detail.
The final temple is the original building for the University of Maryland’s 200+ year old School of Medicine. It’s modeled after the Pantheon in Rome 
and is the oldest medical school building still in use in the States. Very simple and at nearly 200 years old, still fresh.
I find it so fascinating that more than two millennia after some of these buildings were first designed and erected, we’re still looking to their lines, proportions and decorative elements for inspiration.
Do you have any tiny temples in your town?
Hon? Do I have temples in my town? D.C.? *kawf kawf*.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love these, Meg. Just love them. Tell me where the first one is, and the former bank one. I want to go seek those out.
I love your little jaunts. Deedy, I do.
Cube, dear! TINY temples! The first is on East Baltimore Street in downtown. The second is at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The third in on the corner of North and Maryland Avenues and the last is at Lombard & Greene streets.
ReplyDeleteBravo. It pays to keep your eye peeled. A great shape doesn't go out of style. Most towns have these in their old cemeteries. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know if there are any temples nearby. I'll certainly be on the lookout now though since you've planted that little seed! Love that gorgeous doorway in the bad part of town.
ReplyDeletebrava! another lovely suite of photos. i remember greek revival temples all over the mohawk valley in upstate new york, and see some details now in florida, but the best ever was a tiny parthenon of a chocolate shoppe in bruges, belgium. big old cemeteries are also full of them around northern cities in the u.s. thanks for a lovely little visit, madam. did connor go along?
ReplyDeleteLove the tiny temples everywhere. In my garden I wanted to build a Judy Chicago style garden temple. My imagination far exceeded my budget. In its place, I have a simple temple based on proportions of my geeky greek ideas. By the way, have you read the book Sacred Architecture? A new way of seeing old things. Thanks for the viewing tour. I keep saying that Baltimore should rise up and called you blessed for what you to promote your city's history.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered about that temple on the BMA grounds -do you know anything more about it?
ReplyDeleteOur oldest Jewish temple actually looked like these - a Green temple - and is now some sort of other building which is so funny because the star of david is still on the outside. their second temple is now an auditorium - I still remember being in that one when I young. now I go for ballet recitals!
ReplyDeleteI love that tiny one on the bad corner.
Love the engraving on the old bank portico. A fine example of classical design. David.
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