Home > Asia > China > China Heritage Sites > The Great Wall
Tower on the Great Wall of China, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Tower on the Great Wall of China, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Tower on the Great Wall of China, 1850. At intervals, varying in distance from 200 to 500 yards, the Wall is flanked, on the Tartar side, by towers of brick, 45 feet square and 52 feet high. The one we examined was entered from the Wall by an arched granite doorway, 6 ½ feet high by 3 ½ broad. The construction of this arch...is most remarkable, for the Chinese have long ceased to use key-stones in their arches. A flight of steps to the right, within the doorway, leads up to the flat roof of the tower, which is surrounded by a parapet like that upon the Wall. The body of the tower is intersected at right angles by low arched vaults, each terminating in an embrasure, of which there are three on each outer face. From the construction of these vaults they seem to have been built for archers and spearmen, and not for any kind of artillery...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36201806
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Defence Defences Great Wall Of China Walls Fortifications
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Architecture
> Chinese
> Architecture
> Styles
> Victorian Architecture
> Architecture
> Towers
> Related Images
> Asia
> China
> China Heritage Sites
> The Great Wall
> Historic
> Ancient civilizations
> Great Wall of China
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1850, captures a tower on the Great Wall of China as it appeared during the Victorian era. The exact creator of this image remains unknown, but it was first published in the Illustrated London News, a prominent British newspaper at the time. The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous landmarks in the world, stretches over 13,000 miles and was built to protect China from invasions. In this photograph, we see a tower that stands proudly on the wall, flanked by brick towers that vary in distance from 200 to 500 yards. The tower in the image is entered from the wall by an arched granite doorway, which leads up to its flat roof. The construction of this arch is particularly noteworthy, as the Chinese had long ceased to use key-stones in their arches. Instead, the arch is held together by a remarkable interplay of forces, showcasing the ingenuity and skill of ancient Chinese architecture. The body of the tower is intersected at right angles by low arched vaults, each terminating in an embrasure, suggesting that the tower was built for archers and spearmen, rather than any kind of artillery. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back in time to an era when travel was an adventure, and the Great Wall of China was a fascinating tourist attraction for intrepid explorers and curious minds. Today, the Great Wall continues to captivate visitors from around the world, standing as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of China.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
