A picturesque cathedral city in northwestern England was named as the home of the ‘most beautiful’ buildings n the world, beating beloved Italian hotspots Venice and Rome. The study, carried out by Online Mortgage Advisor, used Google Street View to assess the architectural magnificence of countless homes, monuments and thoroughfares across the globe.
Chester, renowned for its ancient Roman city walls spanning over 2,000 years, achieved an impressive 83.7% ‘beauty score’ according to the ‘golden ratio’. The research, highlighting the importance of the golden ratio in artistic circles, said: “Which city is home to the most beautiful buildings in the world? Using a famous mathematical concept, we analysed thousands of buildings worldwide to find out.”
It continued: “Artists over the last few centuries have incorporated the golden ratio into their work, believing it to be a gold standard in natural aesthetic perfection.”
With Chester’s rich heritage encompassing Roman legions, Norman conquerors, and Viking invaders, alongside its architectural excellence, the destination offers plenty for holidaymakers.
The city boasts the Eastgate Clock which was constructed in 1897, and is broadly regarded as the second most photographed timepiece in England following Big Ben.
Likewise, Chester Cathedral stands as a monument to history itself, housing the most comprehensive collection of monastic structures in Britain.
The masterpiece showcases distinctive Gothic archways, coloured glass panels, Roman barracks and a Georgian square situated directly beside it.
Speaking of the local attraction, Tony H said on TripAdvisor: “What struck me was the feeling of history that swept over me as we walked round. Having visited quite a few cathedrals in the past, including Notre Dame several years ago, I have never had that feeling before. Everywhere, including the courtyard, just felt steeped in history.”
Frequently called the ‘divine proportion,’ the golden ratio is believed to be found throughout art, architecture, and even the natural world.
Trust science to settle the ‘can beauty be measured’ argument once and for all.
Additional British cities that met the beauty criteria include London and Belfast, achieving respective ratings of 83% and 82.9%.
Internationally, Chester was closely pursued by Venice, which scored 83.3%; Rome, which achieved 82%; and the Spanish city of Barcelona, which registered 81.9% on the measurement scale.