In 1996, among the 44 proposals submitted to the competition, it was decided in favor of the Austrian designer Robert Kalima. As may seem obvious, it was specified within the rules of the competition that the represented elements should not symbolize or represent any particular nation, so that the drawings we find on the euro banknotes do not belong or rather did not belong to anyone. a genuine construction, although it may look, if not, that it corresponds to the characteristic architectural styles of European history as Romanesque or Gothic. The symbols of front and rear doors and bridges aim to represent the spirit of openness and cooperation that European space represents.

You are probably wondering the nuance of «they do not belong, or rather do not belong to any real construction». It turns out that in 2011 Robin Stam decided that, in his own words, it would be «fun» to build the 7 bridges to cross the man-made river that surrounded the urbanization that was built in Spijkenisse.

5€ – Classic architecture

This message shows a round arch with columns with jonic capitels and on the back a Roman aqueduct.

10€ – Romanic architecture

Opposite is an extended portal with a round arch and at the back a massive bridge with a small donkey shape.

20€ – Gothic architecture

At the front there is a stained glass window with pointed arches and slender columns that form four-fold complexes, just as the bridge has pointed arches in the purest Gothic style.

50€ – Restoration architecture

Una ventana clásica se muestra al frente del billete, tiene rasgos del arte clásico del Renacimiento: arco redondo , semi-columnas laterales y tímpano sobresaliente, y atrás el puente con grandes arcos semicirculares y enormes pilas sobresalientes.

100€ – Rococo and Barroque architecture

In front is a baroque portal with a broken eardrum, exquisite ornaments and two Telamon with a thick lintel, behind is a thin bridge with ellipsoidal arches.

200€ – XIX Century architecture

The front of this banknote shows a thin window with iron and glass structures known as ‘engineering architecture’, to match it, the back shows a bridge similar to the cast iron rail with large structures.

500€ – XX Century architecture

Prior to this invoice, there are two generic facades, a distinctive feature of skyscrapers and modern architecture, behind a cable-stayed bridge directly to large masts. This structure is completely different from the previous ones (which were based on the arch).

Bibliography:

– https://economipedia.com/sabias-que/estilos-arquitectonicos-en-los-billetes-de-euro.html
– https://www.paredro.com/7-estilos-arquitectonicos-en-los-euros-diseno-billetes/
– https://www.planoyescala.com/2015/11/arquitectura-en-billetes-de-euro.html