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Historian and writer Dan Cruickshank explores how humanity has created beauty through architecture, beginning in Greenland where he attempts to build an igloo.

Dan Cruickshank explores how humanity has created beauty through architecture. He travels to Greenland to build an igloo, creating an architectural form that is under threat due to climate change. In China he scales the world's biggest Buddha and deciphers a temple in India rich with erotic images. He visits the Catherine Palace, a hot-blooded baroque masterpiece in the middle of snowy Russia. Finally, he uncovers the dark tale of Albi Cathedral, a building originally designed to suppress the local population but now an object of beauty and wonder.

1 hour

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:03

    James Newton Howard

    Blood Diamond: Crossing The Bridge

  • 00:31

    Nick Ingman

    The Stairs

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Dan Cruickshank
Executive Producer Basil Comely
Producer John Hay
Producer John Mullen
Producer Helen Nixon

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