2024-04-25
In times of pandemic, when we spend more and more time at home, various board games are gaining in popularity. In this list, I will present a subjective ranking of my favourite games related to old art.
The creators of Azul offered players the chance to take on the role of artists creating colourful mosaics out of Azulejos - Portuguese coloured ceramic tiles. These tiles were brought to Europe by the Moors and became popular thanks to King Manuel I (1469-1521, King of Portugal). He commissioned his palace to be decorated with mosaics in various patterns. Each player places tiles on their board to create the highest scoring pattern. The game has a very nice graphic design and can be played by up to four people. The average playing time is about forty minutes.
The fortifications of Carcassonne are a medieval architectural complex in France (Languedoc, near Toulouse) listed by UNESCO. The fortress includes a Gothic cathedral, the whole area lies on the edge of a steep plateau. It is one of the greatest attractions of southern France.
The board game Carcassonne takes its name from the city. During gameplay, players can take on the role of medieval castle builders. Interestingly, the game does not have a classic board, it is arranged during the game from tiles with images of fields, cities, cathedrals, rivers and roads. The game is suitable for the entire family, up to six players. Since 2006 the official World Championship of this game has been held in Essen.
The Sagrada Família is a massive, unfinished Art Nouveau church in Barcelona, the life work of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the interior features beautiful stained-glass windows and many other Art Nouveau works. In Sagrada, as in Azul, tokens are placed on the board. This time, however, the player takes the role of a stained-glass designer. It is an example of a typical family game for up to four players. The average game lasts about half an hour.