Indian Columbus

In the quiet village of Sanyasi Kuppam, near Thirubuvanai in the Union Territory of Puducherry, stands a colossal Nandi, forgotten by time but not by heritage enthusiasts. Surrounded by trees and resting close to a local liquor shop, this weathered and damaged sculpture has long been the subject of legend, devotion and literary memory. The Legend: A Gift from Sembiyan Mahadevi According to popular belief, this gigantic Nandi was originally meant for the Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple). The story goes that Sembiyan Mahadevi, the illustrious grand-aunt of Rajaraja Chola and a renowned patron of temple renovation, commissioned the Nandi as her contribution to the grand temple her grandson was building at Thanjavur. At the time, she was involved in restoring the Vagra Kali Amman Temple in Thiruvakkarai. Hearing that Rajaraja was constructing a temple of an unprecedented scale, she arranged for the Nandi to be transported from Thiruvakkarai along the banks of the Va...

Among the many characterful frontages along Spon Street, the building that houses Turmeric Gold presents a slightly different architectural story. Flanked on both sides by imposing timber-framed merchant houses with jettied upper storeys, this building stands out with its simpler rendered frontage and decorative floral touches. Though more subdued in its medieval elements, it still plays an important role in the continuity of the historic streetscape. The structure forms part of the sequence of restored and retained buildings that define the Spon Street conservation area. Its current appearance suggests extensive reworking over the centuries, with a front elevation likely updated during the 18th or 19th century. Yet it sits within a stretch of plots that have existed since the medieval period, and the structure may contain older fabric behind its rendered surface. The roofline, window placement, and the general scale of the building are all consistent with domestic or trade-related ar...

One of the most visually commanding buildings on Spon Street is the tall, three-storeyed timber-framed structure that now houses Frank Harvey Hi-Fi Excellence. With its two jettied upper floors, elaborate timber framing, and series of finely carved mullioned windows, this building is among the finest surviving examples of medieval merchant architecture in Coventry. Believed to date from the late 15th century, the building reflects the prosperity that Coventry enjoyed during the height of its cloth and wool trade. The size and height of the structure, especially the presence of three full storeys, suggest that it once belonged to a wealthy merchant. The overhanging upper floors and detailed tracery on the windows point to both the affluence of its original owner and the architectural language of the time, where each projecting level not only added more internal space but also demonstrated the status of the household. Frank Harvey Hi-Fi Building, Spon Street, Coventry Unlike many of th...

Among the most distinctive timber-framed structures along Spon Street is a long row of jettied buildings with red and black vertical timbers and a tiled roof that stretches low to the street. This row, commonly referred to as Black Swan Terrace , includes several historic houses, the most notable being the one now interpreted as The Weaver’s House . The terrace represents a rare survival of medieval artisan dwellings in Coventry. Although many such structures were lost during the Blitz and urban redevelopment, this particular group endured. The buildings were carefully restored in the latter half of the 20th century as part of the city’s commitment to preserving its medieval streetscape. The frontage now reflects the typical form of 15th and early 16th-century housing once common in the city, timber-framed with close studding, upper floors that project over the lower ones, and gabled ends. Spon Street, Coventry One of the restored houses in the terrace has been converted into a living ...

Situated prominently at the beginning of Spon Street, near the modern traffic junction where the medieval meets the present, stands one of Coventry’s most picturesque timber-framed buildings. This two-storey structure with its distinctive jettied upper floor and exposed oak frame is known today as 1 & 2 Spon Street. Though it may appear to have stood here for centuries, its presence on this street is relatively recent, the result of Coventry’s determined efforts to preserve and reconstruct its medieval heritage. Spon Street, Coventry The building, believed to date back to the 15th century, is an excellent example of a Wealden house, a type more commonly associated with south-east England. It features a recessed central bay flanked by projecting upper-storey wings, a design typical of high-status houses from the late medieval period. The close-studded framing, braces, and dragon beams have all been carefully restored and reinstated, showcasing the craftsmanship of its original buil...

Located just behind the pastel-hued Peranakan shophouses of Joo Chiat, the Kuan Im Tng Temple in Singapore stands as a peaceful Taoist retreat amidst a bustling urban neighborhood. This temple, dedicated to Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) , is not only a place of worship but also an architectural reflection of Southern Chinese Taoist traditions, harmonizing faith, symbolism, and heritage. Kuan Im Tng Temple A Hidden Gem Behind the Peranakan Rows Though modest in scale, the temple is easily recognizable by its twin-tiered red tiled gateway crowned with traditional roof eaves. Red, a color symbolizing fortune and protection in Chinese culture, dominates the structure, from the gate columns to the roof tiles and window accents. The temple complex is paved with terracotta-toned tiles and enclosed by walls, offering an oasis of calm amid residential life. At the entrance, a golden censer stands under a pagoda-style pavilion. It is adorned with dragon carvings, used for burning incense sticks ...