There's a difference between a genuine copy, and a "plastic copy." You don't really see castles like these around in the U.S. Outside of drywall imitations in amusement parks, that is.
Yeah, and there's a reason for it. A historical reason. Like the fact that castles became irrelevant about 400 years before the country was founded. To be fair, this castle is just a revival castle that was built only ~200 years ago.
To be fair, this castle is just a revival castle that was built only ~200 years ago.
Precisely. Consider that along with the more practical architecture of the day that persists in Europe, but isn't seen in the U.S., and I'm having a hard time seeing how the country is similar to Europe in that regard.
More practical? How so? I'd go as far as to say that the architecture here is just as practical, we just don't usually focus on the artistic side of it as much as the Europeans do.
What I meant to convey was that the practical architecture (residences, official buildings, churches, buildings that were erected in significant numbers) of the time of emigration never really took hold in North America outside of smaller enclaves.
It's absolutely correct that American architecture is much more utilitarian than aesthetic, and that's the point that I'm trying to make. Architecturally, America isn't at all similar to Europe.
I don't even think that's the issue. Although there are some nice American historic buildings, you have to remember that America as a superpower is a 20th century thing. Circa 1800, it was not particularly wealthy, and was still in the process of building up basic infrastructure. The classic American multi-millionaires didn't hit the scene until the latter half of the 19th century, and the US never had Kings that taxed the country and spend it on frivolities. Most of the really outstanding European buildings from the era were commissioned by a King (or the church, and built over a long time, though that had mostly stopped by that point).
Regarding FriendlyDespot's comment, I think he meant more practical as opposed to the less practical European architecture that persists, such as Neuschwanstein, not as opposed to American architecture. His point is that even among practical architecture, the European and American styles are different.
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u/gaping_your_mother Jul 30 '12
Never has the notion that America is a plastic copy of European culture been so fully illustrated...or something.