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.