OLIVIER ROBERT PHOTO

It is an honor to be invited to write an article on the history and architecture of Japanese castles for the Royal Society for Asian Affairs (RSAA) in London. This article, published in their magazine Caravanserai n°7 (July 2025), is illustrated with several of my photographs. In this publication focused on the architecture of Japanese castles, I address the essential events that, through important periods of history, allowed castles to develop. I also discuss the five major

The Dom Luís I Bridge stands as an iconic symbol of the beautiful city of Porto. This double-deck metal arch bridge spans the Douro...

The 25th of April Bridge is not just an engineering marvel but also a strong symbol for Portugal, linking the past and the present, the...

The new cathedral of Salamanca is more than just a place of worship; it is a monument to the evolution of architectural style and the...

Foz do Arelho is a charming coastal town located on the Silver Coast in Portugal. Known for its picturesque beach, it offers a unique...

The Lion of Waterloo is more than just a commemorative monument of the 1815 battle. It's a work heavy with memory that continues to watch...

Yuyuan Garden, located in the old town of Shanghai, is an outstanding example of the classical Chinese gardens of the southern Yangzi...

The Residence of Hu Xueyan in Hangzhou is a historic residential complex located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Hu Xueyan was a very...

Shanghai, located on the east coast of China near the mouth of the Yangtze River, is a city that has played a central role in China's...

Located on the west banks of the Huangpu River, the Bund is one of the most recognizable icons of Shanghai. The origins of the Bund date...

The village of Hongcun is located in Anhui province and represents a remarkable example of the region's traditional Chinese architecture....

The city of Hangzhou is a historical and cultural gem of China. West Lake, in turn, is a significant source of artistic and literary...

The city of Hangzhou is a historical and cultural jewel of China. The West Lake, in turn, is a significant source of artistic and...

The city of Hangzhou is a historical and cultural jewel of China. West Lake, on the other hand, is an important source of artistic and...

Huangshan, located in Anhui province, is a city of immense historical and cultural wealth. Dating back to the Qin Dynasty, it was an...

Shanghai is a must-visit city for any photographer traveling to China. It's often the arrival point for international flights and serves...

The Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016 caused considerable damage to its iconic castle and the surrounding area, illustrating the vulnerability of historic structures to natural disasters. Among the most significant damage to the castle, the collapse of important centuries-old stone walls is lamented. © O. Robert These imposing support structures, which had perfectly withstood the vicissitudes of time, ended up yielding under the impressive force of the shakes. These walls, kn

Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman, is an emblematic body of water for Europe. Its historical, geological, and cultural characteristics...

Gardens by the Bay is an engineering and ecological design feat that aims to harmonize urban life with nature. It serves as a major...

Without a doubt, the Marina Bay Sands is a large-scale project that has had a significant impact on Singapore's cultural, economic, and...

Chiang Kai-Shek remains a controversial figure in Chinese and Taiwanese history. While some view him as an authoritarian leader, others...

Japan sadly bears numerous traces and remains of World War II, particularly in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In August 1945, the first atomic bombs in the history of humanity were dropped on these cities, resulting in more than 250,000 direct and indirect casualties. Causing indescribable damage for several kilometers around, these two bombs wiped Hiroshima and Nagasaki off the map in an instant. Fine Art Print © O. Robert (Purchase here) All buildings collapsed, were

Japan sadly bears numerous traces and remains of World War II, particularly in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In August 1945, the first atomic bombs in the history of humanity were dropped on these cities, resulting in more than 250,000 direct and indirect casualties. Causing indescribable damage for several kilometers around, these two bombs wiped Hiroshima and Nagasaki off the map in an instant. Fine Art Print © O. Robert (Purchase here) All buildings collapsed, were

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is more than just a means to cross a strait; it is a symbol of human ingenuity and perseverance. As the longest suspension bridge in the world, you will find it incredibly inspiring. It offers an endless range of opportunities to capture the grandeur of human engineering within the natural landscape of the Seto Inland Sea. Fine Art Print © O. Robert (Purchase here) Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the "Pearl Bridge", is an engineering marvel located in