This small northern UK city has just been named the most beautiful in the world

These days, deciding whether or not a city is the most beautiful is not as simple as buying a plane ticket and visiting. Our human eyes no longer seem to be sufficient judges in this regard. In fact, it has become a whole lot more scientific. Gone are the days when Paris was considered the most beautiful city in the world. These days, Chester, a small city in the United Kingdom has taken its place. They say it is because a large proportion of its buildings are in alignment with the Golden Ratio.

Chester is ranked the most beautiful city in the world

Chester, a small city in the northern United Kingdom has been named the most beautiful city in the world. Not by architects or designers but by researchers from a financial services company called Online Mortgage Advisor. Their researchers used Google Street View to collect and compare thousands of photos of buildings in cities all over the world. They placed all the buildings into the Golden ratio, which is a mathematical ratio found in nature, geometry, art, architecture, and other areas.

In other words, the mathematical ratio is found in nature, geometry, art, architecture, and other areas. It is also known as The Divine Proportion and has been used by humankind since Ancient Greece. No one really knows why but for some reason, humans find structures and objects that reflect this ratio beautiful to look at.

The golden ratio is found in nature, art, and architecture

Artists and architects from all over the world and cultures believe the Golden Ratio makes the most beautiful shape. A shape that makes people feel happy to look at. Both the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci and the Parthenon from Ancient Greece have the Golden Ratio in them. But, so do pineapples and sea shells.

So, the Online Mortgage researchers placed all the buildings from cities all over the world under the Golden Ratio. In short, they did this by plotting points at the base of each building they measured. After finding the proportion between the long and short sides, they compared that to the golden ratio. It turns out, that Venice and Chester were neck and neck in their results, with Chester only being marginally more. The buildings in Chester scored 83.7 percent, and Venice came next with 83.3 percent. London followed with 83 percent, Belfast came fourth with 82.9 percent, and Rome got 82 – making it fifth. 

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How Chester became the most beautiful city

Chester was first built by the Romans. It was chosen to be the headquarters of the Legion XX, and was considered an important Roman settlement. But, it was left deserted by the 5th century. Fast forward to the 10th century, it became a thriving city that was part of Mercia. The city made its fortune by trading with Ireland and Wales. They were so successful, that they had their own mint, and were basically ruled independently from the crown. That is until about the 12th century, they rejoined the monarchy. Ultimately, the influence of Roman design made the city breathtakingly beautiful.

Sightseeing in Chester

If this article has sparked a fancy, and you wish to pay the most beautiful city a visit, there is a lot to look forward to seeing. Tourism in Chester runs throughout the year, although June and July are the peaks of the travel season. There are some amazingly monumental buildings, and architecturally genius designs.

Firstly, the East-gate Bridge, along with the gorgeous clock that sits on an arch above is definitely a must-see. Next, the Roman amphitheater would have been used in Chester’s Roman heydays for gladiator-related sports. Additionally, you could float down the River Dee, and see things from the water’s perspective. These are only a few of the many things to see in Chester, making it worthwhile for those who love to travel the world.

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