Italian Architecture An aged-old Art

The Italian architecture prevailed everywhere- the Romanesque era, for example had a single wide aisle
or a wide central nave, flanked by two narrow aisles-the latter being separated by a row of columns or by
square stacks of masonry called piers, usually connected by arches. The variations on the theme had to
be built in according to the number of faithful, the building material, the architects' resources and the
churches' vision. All this changed as religion became powerful in the Middle Ages. It now became the
place to impress both the laity and often its own members - about the glory of the church. It housed the
mightiest power on earth, who in turn was the messenger of the almighty. All the trappings of power,
opulence, pomp and grandeur are on display in these churches.
The St.Peter's Basilica is both the symbol and the celebration of the power of the church. Your trip to
destination Italy will take you through various styles. Enabling a witness the concrete manifestation of
man's worldview-both sacred and temporal. Some of the well-marked architectural ones are:
Greeks and Romans
The subtle harmonies of space, materials and techniques are the hallmarks of Hellenic architecture. The
Romans, while utilizing these, added their own utilitarian post-and-lintel construction (essentially, a
weight-bearing frame, like a door) as well as the load-bearing arch. Experience the perfection of Grecian
architecture in most Greek Temples in the Magna Graecia of southern Italy, Sicily; Greek theaters in Sicily
at Taormina, Segesta, and Syracuse. Equally, relive a piece of Roman history and architecture -in Rome's
45,000-seat Colosseum, Pantheon (A.D. 1st c.); the brick public Baths of Caracalla (A.D. 3rd c.); and the
Basilica of Constantine and Maxentius in the Roman Forum.

Romanesque
The Romanesque architects were more hardy and utilitarian-concentrating on building large churches
with wide aisles to accommodate the masses. In their hands, the Good Lord's place had to withstand the
elements and often act as a shelter from the marauding enemy .Not surprisingly, the walls were
necessarily thick and solid with few and small windows. These rested on huge piers that imparted a dark,
somber, mysterious, feeling. Be transported into an era of strife and wars - and the power of religion in its
midst in such fine examples as: Modena's Duomo, Abbazia di Sant'Antimo; Milan's Basilica di San
Ambrogio; Pisa's Cathedral group; Lucca's Cattedrale di San Martino and San Michele.
Renaissance
Andrea Palladio became the high priest of Renaissance architecture by inventing the grandiloquent
Palladian style that still influences grandeur in architecture- anywhere in the world. His masterpieces
include Villa Foscari and the great Villa Rotonda, Vicenza's Olympic Theater San Giorgio Maggiore could
remind you of a monument you have seen in your own lands!
So aside from visiting popular places such as Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Canals of Venice; eating
delicious pasta, pizza and other delicious Italian cuisine; staying on a holiday villa or owners direct; you
should also marvel at the above mentioned architectures.