Even if I weren’t such a fan of all things architecture, there’s no way to visit the city of Prague without being struck by the buildings rising above the cobblestone streets. Today’s visit to the Royal Gardens only emphasized the power architecture holds over mankind centuries after it is built; the crowds around the Summer Palace and St. Vitus Cathedral were substantial, especially for a Monday morning. I often find myself suppressing the urge to gush about the importance of intentional architecture, and usually just end up taking my built-up energy out on my camera’s shutter. Filling the “Architecturally Speaking” category won’t be a problem.

Thankfully, the crowds hadn’t yet spilled over toward the palace’s surrounding buildings, where we spent most of our time today. One such structure, a Renaissance-style building called Ball Game Hall, sported intricate carvings on its white exterior. The hall served as a recreational facility for the royals staying in the palace nearby during the 16th and 17th centuries, but was later adopted as military storehouse until the 20th century. Because of the damage it incurred over time, it was eventually reconstructed in the 1950s. The woman photographed above spent a good bit of time deciphering the various images engraved on the facade, most of which are classical figures in line with its Renaissance style.

The hall is a perfect example of how effective a marriage between art and architecture can be, especially in terms of a building’s design and overall message. The smooth face of the building, with its even rhythm of arches and embedded columns, is an unassuming white canvas that leaves room for embellishment while still possessing an aesthetic of its own. Yet, because it features such detailed artwork, it evokes emotion that would otherwise remain unaccessed.