Introduction to Round Windows

The Round Window Site

The subject of this site is round windows. Don't expect useful information: it is just a weird, but structured collection of round windows over the world. In order to understand them better, there is a focus on shapes, and a focus on their setting. The purpose of this site is none; just to look at the world and wonder.

There are 3 different views
SHAPES: The shape of the window is about their internal subdivision. There are subdivisions of horizontal/vertical lines, diagonal lines, flower shapes, geometrical & spiral forms and fantasy forms.

SURROUNDINGS: Surroundings is about their setting. This can be the wall or roof or about grouping of windows. Windows in pairs, triplets, manyfolds, in brick walls, flat walls, decoration around, statue heads etc. This section contains a verbal description of each window and where it can be found.

WEIRD & WONDERFUL: Amazement is the keyword. Is this really a window? Look how beautiful this is! Click on the window to see the view! A disgrace for humanity; how could they do this?

NEW: Incredible, but I continue to encounter new wonders. Good news: my provider spontaneously increased the disk space, so I can continue to enlarge the collection. This means I can also include contributions from others (although I will do so sparingly). This section contains all new images added after 25 Oct 2003. Last update 16 July 2005.

A final word: why a round window in a usually squarish building? It is much easier to construct square openings in a wall. At this time I can offer a few explanations, but I am not sure which one is right. Perhaps they all are, depending on time & place

The visual field of the eye is almost round, so if you want a maximum view with a minimum opening, a round window is the choice. It should be your height though to be effective

There has been a time that window panes were made from bottle like structures, so that could have been for a short time a motive to make the openings round. Of course this is not necessary anymore for centuries now. So why do builders continue to make round windows? Beats me..

Again on the eye-theme: especially when round windows occur in pairs the building seems to look at you. And of course you have the protection against the "evil eye". Sometimes ships in the Mediterranean get protected by Osiris' eye.

A round form offers more structural strength, and especially in metal walls sharp angles are to be avoided because fractures tend to start there. Good examples are ships and planes of course.