The creators of city rankings are sometimes guided by the opinions of those who share their impressions online, and sometimes they also evaluate them in terms of accessibility, prices and tourist attractions. It happens that the list is simply the author’s subjective choice. However, in this ranking of the most beautiful cities, the criterion was different. A team of British mathematicians assessed cities around the world based solely on the “golden proportion”.
The golden ratio and the golden number. What is the golden ratio rule?
The golden ratio, golden ratio, divine proportion is a principle that boils down to the ratio of two reference points. In mathematics, it is nothing more than dividing a segment into two parts so that the ratio of the longer length to the shorter one is the same as the ratio of the entire segment to the longer one. This ratio is called the golden number, denoted by the Greek letter phi, and is (approximately) 1.618.
The golden ratio does not only exist in mathematics. It has been used by artists and architects for a long time. There is a belief that it is the golden ratio that makes something perceived as aesthetic. Divina proportio it is also observed in nature, most often in the form of a golden spiral drawn on the basis of the Fibonacci sequence. What does this have to do with city rankings? A group of mathematicians from the UK decided to use the golden ratio to analyze the world’s cities.
It is the most beautiful city in the world. It is located in England
According to , the analysis used Google Street View to analyze cities not only in the UK but also around the world based on images and then classify them according to the golden ratio. Photographs of buildings available on Google, not only the most famous ones, were taken into account, and then the proportions of the shortest and longest sections (usually width and height) were calculated. Finally, this number was compared to the golden ratio, and the final result indicated the percentage of buildings consistent with the divine division and the “natural aesthetic perfection” of the city.
The analysis led them to unexpected conclusions. The most beautiful city in the world turned out to be the English city of Chester, still little known on the continent. In the ranking, it beat such classics as Venice, Rome, Barcelona and London. The analysis was divided into two groups: UK cities and global cities. According to the data published by the portal, the top six are as follows:
- Chester, England: 83.7 percent golden ratio.
- Venice, Italy: 83.3 percent golden ratio.
- London, England: 83 percent golden ratio.
- Belfast, Northern Ireland: 82.9 percent golden ratio.
- Rome, Italy: 82 percent golden ratio.
- Barcelona, Spain: 81.9 percent golden ratio.
Where is worth going in the UK? Check out Chester. Attractions include more than just the castle
Chester is located in the north-west of England, in the county of Cheshire, right on the border with Wales. Founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, in its early days it was a base for Roman troops. After the fall of the empire, it came under the rule of the Celts, and finally came under the control of the Anglo-Saxons and then the Normans. Interesting history means that in Chester you can find many interesting monuments, such as a medieval castle, a cathedral built a thousand years ago, the ruins of the largest Roman amphitheater in Great Britain, and defensive walls.
Ruins of the amphitheater in Chester Photo Jeff Buck/Chester Roman Amphitheater via Wikimedia Commons
The historic city center with its perfectly maintained medieval urban layout is worth visiting. The town’s characteristic frame houses from the Victorian era also attract attention. How to get to Chester? Although you can’t get to this city by direct flight from Poland, you can reach Liverpool, from where there are direct trains. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
