Century overview
The world in the 12th century
1101 – 1200. 184 events across 7 regions. Below, the century’s most significant events by region — what each part of the world was doing during the same stretch of time.
Europe
Showing 6 of 117 events from this century
- Tournai Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady in Tournai, Belgium, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tournai and the only Belgian church built as a cathedral from its inception. Combining Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is a significant monument of Western art due to its size and architecture. It has been a Wallonia major heritage site since 1936 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
- Urnes Stave Church (12th century)
Urnes Stave Church is one of the oldest surviving stave churches in Norway, located at Ornes along the Lustrafjorden in Vestland county. It was built in the 12th century, is managed by the Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
- Founding of Spiš Castle
Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle sites in Central Europe, was founded around the 12th century in what is now eastern Slovakia. The hill had earlier hosted a Slavic fortification. Destroyed by fire in 1780 and later restored, the ruins were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 as part of the ‘Spiš Castle and Associated Cultural Monuments’.
- Founding of Studenica Monastery
The Studenica Monastery was founded in the 12th century by Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Nemanjić dynasty, in central Serbia, becoming one of the country's largest Orthodox monasteries.
- Founding of Fountains Abbey
In 1132, the Cistercian Fountains Abbey was founded near Ripon in North Yorkshire, England. It was established under the direction of Thurstan, Archbishop of York, in the wooded valley of the River Skell. As one of the principal Cistercian houses in England, it later became one of the wealthiest monasteries in the country before its dissolution in 1539.
- Spišská Kapitula Becomes Religious Center of the Spiš Region
Spišská Kapitula is an exceptionally well-preserved ecclesiastical town on the outskirts of Spišské Podhradie, Slovakia, overlooking Spiš Castle. Around the 12th century, it became the religious center of the Spiš region. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Levoča, Spiš Castle and the associated cultural monuments.”
West Asia
Showing 6 of 23 events from this century
- Walls of the Old City of Baku Begun
In the 12th century, construction began on the defensive walls encircling the Old City of Baku, marking a key phase in the formation of this historical core. The Old City is the most ancient part of Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, and is surrounded by walls; by the early 21st century it still had about 3,000 inhabitants. In 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower, became the first site in Azerbaijan to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Foundation of Gelati Monastery
In 1106, King David IV of Georgia founded Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi as a monastic and educational center.
- Battle of Didgori
In August 1121, the army of the Kingdom of Georgia under King David IV decisively defeated a large Seljuk force at the Didgori gorge near Tbilisi. The victory led to the recapture of Tbilisi, which was restored as the capital, and inaugurated Georgia's Golden Age. The battle is still commemorated annually in Georgia with the Didgoroba festival in September.
- Siege of Edessa
From 28 November to 24 December 1144, the Zengid dynasty besieged Edessa, capital of the County of Edessa. The city fell to Imad al-Din Zengi, atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo, and the event directly triggered the Second Crusade.
- Founding of the Chapel of the Ascension
The Chapel of the Ascension is located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, a site believed by both Christians and Muslims to be the place where Jesus ascended into heaven. The chapel, originally part of a larger complex that included a Christian church and monastery, later became an Islamic mosque. The exact date of its founding is uncertain, as no specific construction date is mentioned in the sources.
- Construction of Nur al-Din Bimaristan in Damascus
In 1154, the Zengid Sultan Nur al-Din commissioned a large Muslim hospital, the Nur al-Din Bimaristan, in the old walled city of Damascus. Located in the al-Hariqa quarter southwest of the Umayyad Mosque, the medieval medical institution was later expanded and restored, and now houses the Museum of Medicine and Science in the Arab World.
South Asia
Showing 6 of 16 events from this century
- Construction of the Qutb Minar Begins
The Qutb Minar, an Islamic minaret in Delhi, India, began construction in the 12th century. It was initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak of the Delhi Sultanate after his victory over the local ruler, marking the start of Islamic rule in the region. The monument was later declared a World Heritage Site.
- Angkor Wat Founded
In the 12th century, Khmer king Suryavarman II founded Angkor Wat within the ancient capital of Angkor as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. The complex is noted for its monumental scale and elaborate bas-reliefs, and is the largest religious structure in the world.
- Construction of the Hoysala-style temple complexes
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas consist of three Hoysala-style temples in South India, representing a significant stage in the development of Hindu temple architecture. These temples were built under the Hoysala Empire between the 12th and 13th centuries. They are characterized by hyper-real sculptures and stone carvings covering the entire architectural surface, a circumambulatory platform, a large-scale sculptural gallery, and a multi-tiered frieze. The site was later inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Founding of Angkor Capital
Angkor was founded as the capital of the Khmer Empire around the early 12th century, located in present-day Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The capital included the complexes of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat, succeeding Hariharalaya as the empire's centre, and later became a vast archaeological site with numerous temples and hydraulic works, designated a World Heritage site.
- Construction of Airavatesvara Temple
The Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Chola architecture built in the 12th century by the Chola emperor Rajaraja II. It is located in Darasuram, Tamil Nadu, India, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Great Living Chola Temples.
- Foundation of the Great Mosque of Herat
The Great Mosque of Herat was founded in 1200 CE by the Ghurid Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad Ghori. Located in Herat, north-western Afghanistan, it is a Sunni Friday mosque. Its fundamental structure from the Ghurid period has been preserved, though it was later extended and modified numerous times, acquiring its present appearance in the 20th century.
East Asia
Showing 6 of 13 events from this century
- Construction of Anping Bridge Begins
Around the 12th century, Anping Bridge was built across Anhai Bay in Fujian. It is a stone beam bridge connecting Anhai and Shuitou, and was the longest bridge in ancient China. It later became a nationally protected historic site.
- Building of the First Fujian Tulou
Around the 12th century, the Hakka people in the mountainous areas of southwestern Fujian began constructing large earthen buildings known as tulou. These inward-looking, circular or square structures served as communal dwellings and fortresses, housing up to hundreds of people within high fortified walls and a single entrance.
- Founding of Chūson-ji Temple
Chūson-ji was founded in the early 12th century by Fujiwara no Kiyohira in Hiraizumi, later serving as the head temple of the Tendai sect in the Tōhoku region.
- Founding of Donglin Academy
The Donglin Academy (initially known as Guishan Academy) was established in Wuxi in 1111 during the Northern Song dynasty, where the neo-Confucian scholar Yang Shi taught. It later became a center for political discussion by the Donglin faction in the Ming dynasty.
- Jurchen invasion of Song and Jin–Song Wars
In 1125, the Jin dynasty launched a major invasion of the Song dynasty, marking the beginning of prolonged military conflict. The two powers had previously allied against the Liao, but tensions over territory soured relations. Jin armies attacked Taiyuan and the Song capital Bianjing (modern Kaifeng), opening decades of warfare.
- Construction of Foguang Temple East Hall
The East Hall (main hall) of Foguang Temple was built during the Tang dynasty. It is the third-oldest surviving wooden structure in China and houses Tang dynasty sculptures, murals, and inscriptions. Architect Liang Sicheng called it 'China's first national treasure'.
North Africa
Showing 6 of 9 events from this century
- Founding of Rabat
Rabat was founded in the 12th century, at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river on the Atlantic coast of northwestern Morocco. It later became the capital of Morocco and a major political and cultural center.
- Construction of the Kutubiyya Mosque
Around the 12th century, the Kutubiyya Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakesh, was built. It is situated in the southwest medina quarter near the Jemaa el-Fnaa marketplace, flanked by large gardens, and its architecture and ascetic decoration reflect Almohad art.
- Establishment of the Menara Gardens
In the 12th century, Abd al-Mu'min ordered the creation of the Menara Gardens west of Marrakesh. The gardens were laid out around a central water basin and reservoir. They later became one of the iconic views of Marrakesh and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Completion of Bab Agnaou
Bab Agnaou, one of Marrakesh's most famous gates, was completed in the late 12th century under Almohad Caliph Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur.
- Foundation of the Almoravid Koubba
The Almoravid Koubba is a small religious monument in Marrakesh, Morocco. It was built in the early 12th century under the Almoravid sultan Ali ibn Yusuf. It is known for its exquisite decoration and remains one of the only surviving examples of Almoravid architecture in Marrakesh.
- Founding of the Great Mosque of Taza
The founding of the Great Mosque of Taza marked the beginning of this religious building. It was commissioned by the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min and is the oldest surviving example of Almohad architecture.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Showing 5 of 5 events from this century
- Rock-Hewing of the Church of Saint George in Lalibela
The Church of Saint George is one of eleven monolithic churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia, commissioned by King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty. It was carved entirely from rock as part of a complex intended to represent a "New Jerusalem." The church remains in use by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
- Formation of the Kingdom of Benin
Around the 11th century, the Edo people established the Kingdom of Benin in present-day southern Nigeria, with its capital at Edo (now Benin City). It became one of the oldest and most developed states on the West African coast, holding significant importance in African history.
- Carving of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
Around the late 12th to early 13th century, construction began in Lalibela, Ethiopia, on a complex of churches carved out of solid rock, establishing the site as a major Christian holy city and pilgrimage center.
- Completion of Bete Maryam Church in the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Around the 12th century, the monolithic rock-cut church of Bete Maryam was built in Lalibela, Ethiopia, as part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is one of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, a group later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rock-Hewing of Biete Medhane Alem Church in Lalibela
Around the 12th century, during the Zagwe dynasty, an underground monolithic rock-cut church named Biete Medhane Alem was excavated in the Lalibela area. It belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, and is known for housing the Lalibela Cross.
Central Asian steppe
Showing 1 of 1 events from this century
- Battle of Qatwan
The Battle of Qatwan was fought in September 1141 on the Qatwan steppe north of Samarkand, between the Qara Khitai and their Karluk allies and the Seljuk Empire with its vassal the Kara-Khanid Khanate. The Seljuks suffered a decisive defeat, and the Qara Khitai became the dominant power in Central Asia.