The book of German authors was prepared in the form of an illustrated dictionary-reference book of architectural and building terms with a consistent arrangement of material on historical and architectural eras. The main stages of the historical development of architecture common to European countries are briefly considered. Chronologically selected images of individual parts, fragments and details of buildings make it possible to compare examples of the style development of architecture. Ed. The 1st was published in 1990 for architects, art historians, as well as students of architectural educational institutions and a wide range of readers.