Built by Columbia University president Seth Low, in honour of his father, he also funded the $1m project himself, the university’s alumni unwilling to support his idea, which proclaimed the belief of knowledge over religion. Understandable, but ironic for such a religious belief. The Ionic-columned front façade sits at the top of its steps, offering wonderful blending of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. A National Historic Landmark, it has the largest free-standing granite dome in the US. There is fine detail, almost exclusively classical, the entrance housing busts of Apollio and Zeus, with Pallas Athena in white marble in the foyer. The 106ft rotunda is lined with columns of solid green Irish marble with gold capitals.

Written by  George Monkhouse.

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