7 Famous European Sites - Modern Tatebanko

If you are looking for a project about famous European sites, these paper dioramas may be just the thing.

Tips And Tricks

Read The Instructions First

There are a lot of steps in each of these projects. Also, there are several different kinds of folds and cuts you need to make. Plus, some pieces will require shaping before being assembled.

So you need to read and understand all of the instructions before you start.

If you do make a big mistake, you can always print it again and start over. But why waste time and suffer the aggravation? Just spend a few minutes reading and understanding the instructions before you start.

Tools & Materials

You will need some tools to make your tatebanko. Here is a suggested list that will help make the project easier.

scissors, utility knife
glue stick, PVA
metal ruler, square
pencil
scoring tool
toothpicks
tweezers

You can print the project on your home computer. But you may find that regular printer paper is not stiff enough. So you may want to switch to matte photo paper (approximately 50# or 190 gsm) for better results.

Assembly Tips

Write the part number lightly in pencil on the back of each part so that you can keep track of each one.
Use a metal ruler and scoring tool to score the fold lines. Please, remember to make scoring lines on the front of the piece.
Fold and shape each piece before gluing. Dry fitting parts before gluing will save you a lot of time and help produce better results.
If you are using PVA, try using a toothpick to apply a thin coat of adhesive. Too thick a coating may wrinkle the paper.
Tweezers help with tiny parts.

The Seven Famous European Sites

Arc de Triomphe, France

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France. It stands at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

Emperor Napoleon commissioned the arch in 1806 to commemorate his victories. The architect, Jean Chalgrin, designed the arch. He started building it but died before finishing. Another architect, Jean-Nicolas Huyot, completed the construction.

The arch honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I lies within the arch. The French hold a ceremony at the tomb every 11 November on the anniversary of the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

Difficulty ★☆☆☆☆

Assembly time 30 minutes

Finished size Unspecified

You can get a downloadable PDF of the Arc de Triomphe, France Mini Version.

Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France.

The island is about 1km(0.6mi) off the north-western French coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River. The total size of the commune is 400 hectares (988 acres). About 30 people live on the island.

The island is unique because it is just a few hundred meters from the shore. So when the tide is low, you can walk to the island. But when the tide is high, the island is surrounded by water.

Because of the tides, people used the island for many things. It has been a fort and a prison. Today the abbey and island are tourist attractions.

UNESCO named Mont Saint-Michel one of its World Heritage Sites in 1979.

Difficulty ★★☆☆☆

Approximate time 1 hour

Finished size W100mm(4in) x H95mm(3.75) x D80mm(3.15in)

Like the other projects, the Mont-Saint-Michel, France Mini Version downloadable PDF is available in US and international paper sizes.

Florence Cathedral, Italy

Florence Cathedral is the cathedral of Florence, Italy. The architect Arnolfo di Cambio designed the building. Construction started in 1296 and finished in 1436.

The cathedral is significant for several reasons.

First, it is enormous – 8,300 square meters (89,340 square feet). It is one of the largest churches in Italy.

Second, it is one of the first buildings created during the Italian Renaissance. So the designer rejected the flying buttresses of the medieval Gothic style and chose to use a classic free-standing style.

Third, the dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed and is the fifth tallest dome in the world.

Filippo Brunelleschi, who was the first modern engineer, designed the dome. Brunelleschi used more than four million bricks to build the dome.

He did not leave any drawings or notes about how he made the dome.

The cathedral complex is in the Piazza del Duomo and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Difficulty ★★★☆☆

Approximate time 3 hour

Finished size W70mm(2.75in) x H70mm(2.75) x D110mm(4.3in)

Download your PDF copy of Florence Cathedral, Italy (Mini Version) so you can get started now.