A Glimpse of Italy

A Glimpse of Italy Architectural Magazine

& Architecture

History

Sights to See in

Italy Forms of

Italian

Architecture Italian

Architectural

Photographers

Table of Contents

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Ferrara, Italy

About........................................................................................................3 Capture the History...........................................................................6 Let your Passions Guide You - Luca Girardini...................7 Forms of Italian Architecture Byzantine......................................................................10 Romanesque....................................................................11 Gothic...............................................................................14 Renassiance.....................................................................16 Baroque............................................................................17 Neoclassical.....................................................................20 History & Architecture..................................................................22 Forgein Inspiration ........................................................................24 Little Pieces of Italy Around the World ............................26 Sights to see in Italy Venice.................................................................................27

Florence Cathedral.........................................................28 Museums...........................................................................30

Vatican City......................................................................31

Basillica of Santa Maria...............................................32

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About H

ello! My name is Julia Miloscia and I am the creator of A Glimpse of Italy. I traveled to Italy in the beginning of 2020 and saw amazing Italian structures and learned about the rich history of the country. I took countless photographs of Italy and wanted to incorporate them into an educational magazine on Italian culture. Learning about European history, especially Italian history, is extremely eye-opening and could help people understand why our world was constructed that way it was. Many nations throughout Europe, and the world, took techniques from others and Italy is no exception.

Italian architects took building techniques from Greece, France, Islam, and many other places, they embellished and incorporated their styles into structures that we can still view today. Bringing features of other styles and cultures into a new country is a concept that showcases that we all share ideas with eachother. That is an amazing thing, that we all live in this world and share beauty among those around us. I hope to have viewers glance through this magazine and see the beauty of Italy and fully realize the beauty of their own country. To capture an understanding for Italian culture and began to relate it to their own. Showing that in this world, we may seem separated, but we are all connected.

The time period of a monument or building, along with its architectural style can explain a lot about ideals of the culture at the time of construction. My hope is that through my magazine, people will see the amazing images of Italy and wish to learn more about their creation and time-period of creation. Italian architecture is history that one can physically view and interact with. It’s history that explains the ideals of the time, what was prioritized and what scientific and mechanical advances they achieved. Instead of just reading about Italian History in a history book, have history come alive right before your eyes. See the beauty of Italy, while learning about rich history through A Glimpse of Italy.

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San Gimignano, Italy

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Milan Duomo - Milan Italy

Capture the History T

here are many Italian architectural photographers that are truly inspiring and share so much passion for photography and the material they are photographing. Many of these great photographers start out on a path to become an architect but later discover their true calling for photographing such amazing structures. Photography studios around Italy have been used to inspire young photographers who wish to expand their skills and knowledge of capturing the perfect images. Looma is a photography studio located in Rome, Italy. This studio specializes in architectural, construction, and industrial photography and was the light that guided a man by the name of Fabio De Farro, to his desired career.

De Farro graduated university with a degree in architecture in 2003. The bases for his interest in architectural photography came from examining design, construction, and project management fields related to space and environment of buildings. In 2015, after years of architectural knowledge, he began to fully commit to his choice of becoming a fulltime photographer. He attended classes and case studies at Looma to increase his understanding of the camera and the art of photography. He now is based in Rome, Italy, specializing in architectural corporate photography, Construction photography, and Industrial photography. Looma has influenced hundreds of photographers to pursue their dreams and aspirations and of examining the arts from unique perspectives.

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Let your passions guide you dini r a r i G a c u L

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uca Girardini is an Italian photographer born in Venice, Italy. He attended IUAV University of Venice and graduated in 2006 with a degree in architecture, specializing in rehabilitation of ancient buildings. After working as an architect for some years he decided to focus more on architectural and landscape photography. He had a passion and appreciation for the beauty of architecture, as shown through his studies, so digitally capturing exquisite structures was art to him. In 2010, he then attended FORMA School of Milan in Italy and took an Architectural Photographic course to further his skills and techniques. Since then, Girardini has dedicated his time and work to architectural photography. He has participated in many collaborations with individuals all around Europe, but primarily in Berlin, Northern Italy, and Spain. Most of the projects he has created in Italy are works of photojournalism. From 2011 to 2012 Girardini had a project through Veasyt Tour: new internet accessible tourist guide. Taking pictures of amazing Veneto structures like, Villa Contarini, Piazzola sul Brenta in Padova, Italy, the Villa Pojana, Pojana Maggiore in Vicenza, Italy, and the Town of Thiene in Vicenza, Italy. He also partnered with Airbnb for a project in his hometown of Venice in 2012. He was selected as the photographer for Airbnb’s Neighborhoods in Venice, which were picture stories of the 9 main neighborhoods in the city. Girardini has gained major recognition for his work in Italy. In 2010, he won the first prize of LavorandoVerso il Futuro for his work Diari della Terra: the rural landscapes of Veneto. This is an International Photography Competition that was organized by the Veneto reginal district in Italy. In 2012, one of his personal projects titled “Lavoro, come lo vedi?” was selected for an exhibit at the MACRO Museum in Rome, Italy. Most recently he won the Atlantic Dell’Architettura Comtemporanea in 2019. He received this award for his work with photographer Marco Zorzanello for the documentation of various Italian structures.This award was given through the MUFOCO Museum of Milan, with the collaboration of MIBACT, Ministry of Italy. Luca Girardini is an example of a man who found and pursued his passion for what he truly loved, and was able to incorporate his studies with his passions to now create amazing architectural photography. He is an inspiration to always follow whatever it is that brings you happiness.

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8 Grand Canal- Venice, Italy

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St. Mark’s Basilica - Venice, Italy

Forms of Italian Architecture

Byzantine B

yzantine architecture was created when Constantine the Great moved the Roman capital to Byzantium in around 330. This form of constructing structures continued until the fall of the empire in 1453. The new Italian architecture became more gratifying and bolder than previous architecture, with very exotic and ornate domes with colorful, striking mosaics. Early Byzantine designs where similar to early Roman architecture.

Through the years, structures grew in their geometric complexity, as plaster and brick were used with different stones to decorate notable buildings. Many of the basilicas have high domes, creating a more spacious and airier center of the church. They believed this heightened their spiritual connection and sense of grace. The round arch is a staple articular design of the Byzantine style. Grand golden mosaics with simple, yet breathtaking designs brought light and spirit to the basilica.

This type of architecture inspired many other forms of European building styles, such as medieval architecture, and became the basis for Renaissance and other Italian architecture.

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Romanesque

The Romanesque architecture was used in Italy from the 6th to the 11th century before it developed into the Gothic style. The word “Romanesque” means “descending from Roman”. The style was inspired by the rounded arches from ancient Rome. Domes were often found in crossing tower duomos at the intersection of the transept and the central part of the church. This allowed churches to be more open and spacious. Architects of the time focused on building large basilicas and duomos with one wide aisle to fit those who worshipped at the alters for various saints and listened to the priest saying mass. Making the walls stripped by alternating white and gray or black stone was a decorative feature often used during this time.

Arcades, which were a row of arches supported on piers or columns, usually separating the aisles from the nave, were also created in the interior of churches. In order to support the heavy weight of the masonry, the walls were made solid and thick and rested on huge piers. Given the importance of the structural support of the walls, they could only be pierced by a few small windows. This gave Romanesque cathedrals a very dark, mysterious, oppressive mood.

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Siena Cathedral - Siena, Italy

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Gothic

Gothic style architecture was active between the 12th through 15th centuries and was used in each independent city-state in Italy. At first, the style was fairly similar to the architectural style Romanesque, but then changes appeared as the centuries went on.

Pointed arches were widely used to bear much more weight than one than rounded ones. This allowed for thinner walls and higher cathedral ceilings. Less weight being supported by the walls also created opportunities for larger windows, and many gothic style structures have beautiful stainedglass windows that take up much of the walls. These are colorful glass frescos lining that tell Biblical stories. This allowed churches to be more bright and welcoming, making many parishoners feel spiritual and closer to the light of Christ. One notable addition to gothic structures were flying buttresses. These were external, free-standing pillars that were attached to the duomo by a thin arm of stone. These pillars helped direct the weight of the building and roof out and down to the ground instead of on the thin walls.

Many of these flying buttresses had stone statues on top of them to add aesthetic appeal as well as counter the cross-forces of the building.

Milan Duomo - Milan Italy

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Castello Estense - Ferrara, Italy

Renaissance

Renaissance architecture was used in Italy from the 15th to the 16th centuries and originated in Florence, Italy. This style reflected the rebirth of the Classical culture, and because of that the word “Renaissance” means “rebirth”. Even though this style started in Italy it quickly spread to other European countries. Renaissance architecture had a strong focus on proportional symmetry, as seen in many architectures of classical times. One aspect of Renaissance structures that had a symmetrical, square look that was the width of the aisles. Another symmetrical feature of these buildings were the facades that extended around the entire building. Many cathedrals externally had rows of pilasters, arches, and ornate moldings. Inside the structure, arches were used to create high ceilings and were supported by columns with capitals. Barrel vaulted ceilings were added to the top of the arch and were usually circular in shape giving a half cylindrical look. They were decorated with ornate, coffered shaped moldings and metals to create a grand appearance. Exquisite paintings can also be found linning the ceilings. Domes are a popular addition to Renaissance style buildings. They are a beautiful feature visible externally, and are used for roofing small spaces inside the church.Windows typically were paired with rounded arches to allow more light to access the interior. Renaissance walls were bricked then faced with exquisite stones and designs made from metal and marble statues.

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Baroque

Baroque architecture originated in Italy and was widely used from the 17th through 18th centuries. This highly decorated and ornate style was created by the Catholic Church, who wished to outdo the Protestant church with new, grand architecture. Architects of the time took many characteristics of the Renaissance period, such as domes and rows of columns, and made them taller, more detailed, and more stunning. Many of the interior dramatic effects were created using quadrature, or illusionistic ceiling painting, which is a technique used to add depth and make three-dimensional illusions on two-dimensional surfaces. This style was also accompanied by actual sculptures, drawing the eye upward and creating the effect that one is looking up to the heavens. Architects also used light entered from small domes called cupolas to provide a dramatic effect. This light was reflected off thin layers of gold that were placed as accents designs on the ceiling and walls of the church. The use of mirrors was also popular to give the impression of depth and vast space in the structure.

This pattern of architecture was adopted by many France and began to spread across Europe.

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St. Peter’s Basilica - Vatican City

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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan, Italy

Neoclassical

This style of architecture was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Neoclassical style began in Italy and France and quickly became one of the most iconic architectural styles of Europe. This architecture was inspired by the rediscovery of ancient Classical Age sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, thus creating a Neoclassical style of the time. This style put an emphasis on the construction of the structure rather than the added art accents that were common in architecture before of the Baroque style. Neoclassical architecture also incorporated the classical ideals of proportion and symmetry into their structures. They were created on massive scales to add the amazement without the use of artistry. Simple geometric forms were also used to make the building structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. This form of architecture was used worldwide and can be seen on famous American structures such as the White House in Washington, D.C.

There are many different forms of architecture that were widely used across the centuries in Italy. Some styles, such as Greek Classical architecture, were adopted from other regions and taken to Italian land. Many of the styles also draw inspiration and incorporate characteristics from other styles, then add their own details. There are also a number of the buildings constructed in Italy that fall under multiply architectural styles. For example, St. Peter’s Basilica incorporated aspects of the Renaissance style, as well as the Baroque style. The symmetry and barrel vaulted ceilings of the Renaissance period were used with the quadrature and gilded gold plated surfaces of the Baroque period. Many structures followed a design using numerous architectural designs to construct one building.

Architectural structures are works of history that can still be viewed today. Various styles can depict different ideals, ambitions, and views of the culture during the time they were constructed. Architecture will never cease to amaze its viewers with the history it displayed within its walls.

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History Architecture

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Rome, Italy

Colosseum - Rome, Italy

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talian history and architecture are strongly intertwined. Architectural styles of a particular time period could depict a lot about the ideals of the era they were created in. One of the earliest forms of Italian Architecture was the Byzantine style. This style came about during the rise of Christianity in Italy, and for that, many structures were created with religion in mind. The Christian idea of the basilica was invented in Rome, a basilica being a place of worship for Christians. Leaders of the time were very interested in the arts and artistry, which they decided to incorporate into their religious structures to show their dedication to their religion. The Byzantine architectural style was statues, mosaics, rich paintings and many other decorative styles. Many of which, had never been incorporated into buildings before this time. The following architectural style was known as the Romanesque. This style was created during the fall of the Roman Empire. This led to the evolution of many of the structural designs since much of the information regarding architecture was lost during the declining empire. Domes were a popular featured added to both Byzantine and Romanesque buildings, however, domes during the Romanesque period were created in a different manner due to lost formal Classical Orders that listed blueprints for the Byzantine creation of such domes. Domes were seen in the more supportive locations of a Romanesque structure, this section typically being the central area of the building at the intersection of the transept. The next architectural style that was seen in Italy was the Gothic style. This style was first seen in France then gradually appeared in many of Italy’s independent city-states in the 12th century.

The style was introduced to express national gradeurs, as well as, the word of theological doctrines to add more light into the structure. Adding light called for making taller structures that could feature larger windows to allow light in. Flying buttresses were created and added to the sides of the outer structure to hold the weight of the tall buildings. The Renaissance period was the next architectural period after the Gothic. This style was popular particularly in Florence, where architects wanted to revive the styles of the pervious Golden Age. The flying buttresses of the Gothic period were not seen as aesthetically appealing by Florence’s standards and were band from all construction. This called for new architectural styles to be created that would bring the same high structures, without the unsightly external buttresses. Many of these new architectural styles were used in the following Baroque architecture. Baroque was an extremely decorative and theatrical style that first appeared in Italy in the 17th century. This style was introduced by the Catholic Church as a way to compete against the Reformation and Protestant Church. They wanted their new architecture to inspire surprise and awe among its onlookers, especially compared to those that look at other religious churches compared to Catholic. Architecture tells a story about the history of the period. Studying architecture can help one uncover history of the time period and explain why our world was created in such a way.

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Siena Cathedral - Siena, Italy

Foreign Inspiration M

any of the great Italian structures we can see today were inspired by architectural styles from other areas of Europe. Italians took aspects of other cultures that they appreciated and incorporated them into their own country. One very notable example would be Ancient Roman architecture, which was inspired heavily on Classical Ancient Greek structures. This style was popular from about 509 AD to the 4th century AD. The external appearance of these buildings hold many similarities such a large decorated columns that consume much of the exterior. Italian architects added their own embellishments by including arches and domes to their structures to add more artistic value to their creations. Buildings during this time were also constructed using Roman brick and concrete, materials that were only created in Italy. Another architecture style that was first seen in a foreign country was the Gothic style. This style was first developed in regions of northern France and quickly spread to Italy and around Europe. Many Italian and French Gothic structures feature many architectural similarities, such as, pointed arches, traceries, and ribbed vaults. One way that the Italian architects stood apart was by creating their structures with brick and marble rather than using stone. The Gothic architectural style was also created with different influences around Italy. Venetian Gothic architecture is a specific style that can only be found in Venice, Italy. These structures took inspiration from not only the French, but also Islamic styles. Some Islamic stylings that can be seen in Venetian Gothic structures are the particular use of colors and patterns on outside walls, stone grills on windows, and decorative crenellations that line the roofs.

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Little Pieces of Italy Around the World 25

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imilarly, to how many Italians took inspirations from other cultures in Europe, many Europeans nations used Italian architectural styles in their country as well. The style of Romanesque was one of the first distinctive style to spread across Europe. Countries such as France, Britain, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Scandinavia are just some of the places that incorporated Romanesque styled architecture to their land. Regions such as England and Portugal in later years rebuild many of their structures that incorporated the Romanesque style with Gothic architecture. Locations in southern France and Spain are two of the places where many Romanesque structures still stand today and can be viewed by all. The Renaissance style is an Italian architectural style that not only spread to many countries in Europe by also around the world. Renaissance architecture can be found in the European countries of Bohemia, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Russia, Scandinavia, and Spain. It can also be found in the American countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. This style not only was featured all over a continent by all over the world. Many nations began to incorporate their own culture and styles to their structures but their underlying inspiration for many of their architectural works was the Italian Renaissance style. The architectural style of Neoclassical was first used widely in Italy but then spread to the western world and other places around the globe. This style can be seen in the European nations of Britain, France, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Spain, and Germany. This form of architecture can even be found in the Americas of the United States and Mexico. Many of the federal buildings that are seen in the USA are designed using the Neoclassical style. Structures such as the US Capitol Buildings, the US Supreme Court Building on Capital Hill, and the White House all used the architectural style of Neoclassical that was first developed in Italy.

Venice, Italy

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Sights to See in Italy

Venice T

here are hundreds of amazing sites and places to visit in Italy. Architectural and landscapeing beauty is everywhere you look. One city to visit that is unlike any other is Venice. The “Floating City” has its own style of architecture, widely used during the 14th and 15th centuries, called Venetian Gothic architecture. This style conformed with local building requirements of the time, and also incorporated aspects of the Italian Byzantine architecture as well as varios Islamic styles. Some Islamic features seen in Venetian style were bright colors and patterns on walls of buildings, stone grills on windows, and decrorative battlements on rooflines. The use of fancy, uniquly colored stone and marble were also used in Venice and seen on many Byzantine styled structures around Europe. The use of ogee, or curved arches were a prominent feature of the architecture. In this style, traceries were used to support the entire weight of the structures. Unlike in Northern Europe where traceries were only used to support heavy stained glass. This reduced need for weight-bearing walls, giving the architectural style a look of grace and weightlessness.

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Florence Cathedral

This cathedral can be found in Florence, Italy and was construced between 1296 1436 in a Gothic incorporated Renaissnce architectural style. The striking structure is made with colorful marble sheets of green, pink, and white.There are hundreds of ornate sculptures and designs linning the exterior of the building. The facade of the building has techniques of gothic architecture, such as pointed arches and marble statues. The features of the Renaissance period come out with the addition of the highly decorate molding and the dome - which happens to be the third tallest dome in the world. The dome ascends over 140 feet and does not feature the classic Gothic buttresess to support it. It instead was supported by four internal horizontal stone and chain ribs serving as barrel hoops. This architectual choice was one of the first events to mark the start of Italian Renaissance, and the decline of the popular gothic style.

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Museums

Many who visit museums do not intend to find beauty in the structure that conatins the art pieces.

However, museums in Italy do not only have art on the walls, but also contain many forms are architectural art. The museum on the left, The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy was constructed in 1581. Not only does the museum house many priceless works from the Italian Renaissance period, but the building itself is a historic Renaissance structure. The building is a symetrical “U” shape, lined with columns and ornate moldings. Extremely detailed paintings line the ceilings as you walk through building. There is much to admire both above and around you. The museum to the right, Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy, was built around 1613.

This building also encompasses many of the Renaissance styles that could be found in The Uffizi Gallery.The building has a very simple, yet breath-taking look with very symetrical details and construction. There is also the use of very decorative molding, and exquisite paintings lining the ceiling and walls of the interior of the gallery. The gallery is also located in a garden called the Villa Borghese These are gardens in which visitors may stroll before entering the museum. There is truly wonder and amazement everywhere you look in Italy. From nature, to art, to architecture, beauty is all around you.

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Vatican City The Vatican Museum is located in Vatican City. Vatican City is its own country, and has

been since Febuary of 1929, but it is located in the heart of Rome, Italy. The museum is known worldwide and contains over 20,000 art pieces, many of which are some of the most important works of art of the Renaissance period.The museum is styled very similarly to St. Peter’s Basilica with it is guilded with gold accents and decorated with detailed molding. Intricate paintings also line the ceilings of the museum. Also located in Vatican City is the famous Sistine Chapel, with the painted ceiling by Michelangelo. This ceiling, as well as, the ceilings in the museum, feature the technique of quadrature.This makes the surface look three-dimentional as the figures in the painting almost look as if they are rising from surface. The history, art, and architecture in Vatican City is truly like no other place in the world, and it is right in the heart of Italy.

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Basilica of Santa Maria

The Basilica of Santa Maria, also called The Basilica of our Lady is located in the neighborhood of Trestevere in Rome, Italy. Something unique about this quaint church is that not many tourist know about the structure and it is free entry to all visitors. It is one of the oldest churches in Rome constructed in 1143 and it embodies many of the techniques used in Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. Byzantine details of the church include its gold pieces and ornate mosaics that make the small space glisten. The Basilica as has extremely high ceiling, which gives the space a more open feel, and tall colunms which were popular in many Romanesque structures.The building has few large windows as the thick supporting walls could not accommodate many openings. The small light sources reflect off the gold and brighten the church.

Amazing pieces of history are every where you turn, even in places you might least expect it.

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