These are the most beautiful European landmarks, according to math

With this in mind, experts at homedit.comExternal Link decided to investigate which European landmarks are the most beautiful, according to the golden ratio. The closer to 0, the more beautiful the landmark is as it means that it does not vary much from the golden ratio number (1.61803398875).

Please see full data hereExternal Link.

Top 10 Most Statistically Beautiful European Landmarks

Rank

Landmark

Location 

Percentage Difference From Golden Ratio

1

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Kiev, Ukraine 

0.69%

2

Basilica of the Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, Spain

5.23%

3

Prague Castle 

Prague, Czech Republic

7.88%

4

Grand Palace, Brussels 

Brussels, Belgium

10.58%

5

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Dublin, Ireland 

15.17%

6

Trevi Fountain 

Rome, Italy 

15.37%

7

Notre Dame 

Paris, France 

16.13%

8

The Duomo

Milan, Italy

18.88%

9

Neuschwanstein Castle 

Bavaria, Germany 

21.58%

10

Chateau de Chillon

Veytaux, Switzerland

34.65%

Homedit.comExternal Link can reveal that the most beautiful landmark is Ukraine’s spectacular Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. The monastery’s complex width/height ratio worked out at 1.606, which is just a miniscule 0.69% off the golden ratio’s proportions. It carries diverse memories of the past with its strong architectural signature of the Ukrainian Baroque construction style. 

Just behind, with a difference of 5.23% from the golden ratio is the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with a width/height ratio of 1.533. The Basilica is a one of a kind temple which was designed by famed architect Antoni Gaudi.

In third position is Prague Castle in the Czech Republic with a 7.88% difference from the golden ratio and a width/height ratio of 1.745. This impressive landmark is the largest ancient castle in the world!

Coming in at number four is the Grand Palace in Brussels, known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth, at 10.58% from the golden ratio and a width/height ratio of 1.446.

In fifth place is Dublin’s renowned St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a width/height ratio of 1.372 and 15.17% off the golden ratio. As one of the few buildings left from medieval Dublin, it offers visitors a rich and compelling cultural experience. 

Other landmarks in the top 10 include the Trevi Fountain (15.37% from the golden ratio), The Notre Dame (16.13% from the golden ratio), The Duomo (18.88% from the golden ratio), Neuschwanstein Castle (21.58% from the golden ratio), and Chateau de Chillon (34.65% from the golden ratio).

Methodology

  1. Homedit.comExternal Link sought to find out which European landmarks are the most scientifically beautiful.

  2. To do this, Homedit.comExternal Link collated a list of the 40 most famous European landmarks, using sources that included DestguidesExternal Link, the adventurous feetExternal Link, and celebrity cruisesExternal Link.

  3. Next, Homedit.comExternal Link sourced the dimensions of the façade of each landmark (width and height) using a combination of reliable online sources and Google Earth ProExternal Link in order to apply the golden ratio to each structure. Within this context, the weight/height ratio needs to be as close as possible to the golden ratio number (1.61803398875) in order to be considered statistically beautiful.

  4. The dimensions were then used to calculate the percentage difference from the dimensions of each landmark to the golden ratio.

  5. Each landmark was ranked based on which landmark’s façade was closest to the golden ratio, where the smallest percentage difference indicated a more scientifically beautiful palace.

  6. Data was collected on 17/02/22.

*Measurements are only for the facade of the building and what is clearly seen from the front. The highest possible point and width that can be seen was collected.

Credit: www.homedit.comExternal Link