Italy can boast one of the greatest collection of artistic masterpieces
in the world. Classical buildings, fascinating medieval churches,
Renaissance and Baroque sculptures and frescoes, squares and fountains
are by themselves living museums. Getting to know the vast variety of
the land's cultural heritage broadens your sense of humanity and helps
cognize your soul.
When you travel Italy, you will have a unique chance to
see monuments of such important periods and styles of Italian
architecture as Ancient Roman, Early Medieval, Gothic,
Baroque and Renaissance ones, giving the world great architects and
artists like Andrea Palladio, Giacomo Vignola, Michelangelo Buonarotti,
Raphael Sanzio and many others.
Roman architecture features a careful selection of traditional Greek
and Etruscan elements, combined with new structural principles (the
development of the arch and use of new building material, concrete, and
mosaic as decoration) in innovative ways. The legacy of the period is
still seen nowadays in domes and rounded arches of political and
religious buildings. Enjoy the majesty and splendour of Ancient Roman
architecture by visiting Pantheons, Amphitheatres, Circuses, Basilicas
and Temples.
Medieval Italy presented a mix of ancient Roman architecture with
growing thearchic power and artistic rebellion. Artists protested
against claims that art should only have religious connotation so
everyday life of common people became the focus for new works. Cultic
art wasn't abandoned, however, and some of the greatest medieval
masterpieces were created, including beautiful churches and cathedrals.
From the mid-12th to the end of the 15th century Gothic architecture
flourished in Europe. Its vertical lines and spires, great height in
interior spaces, the pointed arch and tall pillars were used not only
for churches and monasteries, but for non-religious buildings as well.
In Italy, the Gothic architecture had a classical basis characterized
by vast spans and simple arches on a basilican plan. An example of this
style is Milan Cathedral.
The period known as the Italian Renaissance, or rebirth, began in the
14th century and lasted for about 200 years. Lively interest in ancient
Roman and Greek cultures excited development in art and architecture.
The works of Andrea Palladio made a revolution in European architecture
and continues to influence it today.
The word 'Baroque', originally a derogatory term of Renaissance, means
'absurd or queer'. Started in Rome
in 16th century by Michelangelo, it was primarily aimed to express the
city's dominant role in the Catholic world. Basic concepts of this
monumental style include the use of classical forms for dynamic and
dramatic large-scale schemes, integration of a building with its
surroundings and city plan on the whole. An outstanding representative
of this period's masters is Gian Lorenzo Bernini, under whom buildings
for popes, kings, and the nobility were constructed.
Some examples of sightseeigns
and attractions in Italy, worth to be explored
during your italian travel include the Pantheon, Capitoline Museums,
the Roman Forum and Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Basilicas, the
Academia, San Marco Square and the Academia in Venice.
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