A concise introduction and critical review of the field of bridged aromatic compounds. Surveys the syntheses, stereochemistry and unusual reactions of these compounds, whereby the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary contexts and beauty of the molecular architecture are shown and emphasized. Commences with nomenclature; introduces strained hydrocarbons; discusses transannular steric and electronic effects; considers larger ring cyclophanes; concludes with calixarenes, spherands, porphyrinophanes, naturally occurring, exotic and multilayered phanes. Features a contemporary study on topical cyclophane host compounds.