Empire Builders

In the seventh century a great new religion was born and rose up in the deserts of what is now Saudi Arabia Within 200 years the religion had spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa and even through the Mughals to India In this episode of Empire Builders we explore ten sites that made history as we chart the rise and fall of these great Muslim empires

In this episode explore sites that made history We visit Bryzantiums greatest church the Haghia Sophia in modern day Istanbul the Crusaders greatest fortress and many more A true showcase of the Venetian Empire at its peak Together through these great sites and others we chart the rise and fall of the great Christian empires of Byzantium the Crusades and Venice

In this episode we explore the historic legacy of three of Europes greatest powers the French Russian and Habsburg Empires Their royal palaces cathedrals and other great buildings of the 16th to early 20th centuries are some of the worlds most remarkable and spectacular cultural monuments and memorialize in stone the dramatic history of the rise and fall of Imperial Europe

In the 18th century European powers combed the South Seas searching out unexplored lands treasures and people British ships commanded by celebrated navigators such as Captain James Cook led the way British sea power led to discoveries that would lay the foundations for its empire In this episode we explore 10 sites that made history and chart the rise and fall of the British empire

In this episode of Empire Builders we explore the remarkable history of one of the worlds most unique and diverse ancient cultures Japan traveling through time to explore the past 1500 years of Japans history through 10 of its most famous and spectacular buildings

Until the 15th century Spain was in many ways an unremarkable European country and only an object of conquest But by the 15th century Spain was a devoutly Christian and Catholic country and its monarchy then produced a series of ambitious and powerful leaders In this episode of Empire Builders we explore ten sites that chart the rise of this crusading Catholic empire

From the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall through to tech solutions of Silicon Valley America has shaped the world we live in all the while shaping its own identity through the iconic buildings and structures that chart the nations history