The architecture of Venice is a real fairy tale. This city is a real miracle, a dream that appeared on the islands of the lagoon on the north side of the Adriatic Sea. Why is Venetian architecture considered the most expensive in Europe? At least because the locals were once the most respected robbers, and it was on their trophies that a brilliant and unique architectural culture was created.
What is Venice?
The essence of architectural culture is its hyperelecticism. It combines such different styles that just would never have crossed if the course of history was measured and consistent. It was the conditions of existence of Europe of the Middle Ages that became the prerequisite for the appearance of such a fabulous city. There is a certain stylistics of Venice architecture in the photo below.
History of the origin of the city
In fact, this Italian town could not appear just like that, there is nowhere without prosaic reasons. So, the story of Venice begins with the year 452, when the Huns persecuted the inhabitants of Veneto, and the latter had to hide in the shade of the islands. Only in this way could you protect yourself and your families. Others preferred to hide from the invasion behind the powerful walls of the fortresses, but only the future inhabitants of Venice were saved by water, the lack of roads along which they could be reached. In turn, the north-eastern part of Italy from about the second half of the second millennium BC was inhabited by tribes called Venets, in Latin it sounded like veneti. And only after the 13th century did the world know such a name as Venice. The Romans were very skeptical of these people, they called the future Venetians Illyrians, which in Latin means foreigners. The Biennale of Architecture in Venice is a great opportunity to study the history of art.
How was the city built?
The peak of construction of the city occurred in the IX-XIII centuries. The process took place on islands separated from the mainland by a strait, the length of which reached four kilometers. Also just two kilometers from the city was the open sea. That is why embankments were not built in Venice: all houses and streets went straight to the water, and people used narrow boats for transport purposes, which were usually black and cast in gilding. Soon they began to be called gondolas, which is translated from Latin as "sea eel." Outwardly, they were very similar to these marine inhabitants.
Grand Canal
The length of the largest canal in the city reaches almost four kilometers and a curved snake divides the city into two parts. Small canals flow into it already, there are about 45 of them. As for the land that remained after the construction of the canals, local residents used it to strengthen the shores of the islets. There were 118 of them in the future Venice, and they are interconnected by 350 channels. Sounds impressive, doesn't it?
Venetian landscapes
The first associations that come to mind are stone, sun and water. This is the whole of Venice. Here you will not find greenery, but this does not prevent the city from being very picturesque. The winding canals, charming narrow streets, architecture and the play of the sun on water and stones amaze with its beauty. However, it is not easy for tourists as well as for local residents, because in the variety of lanes it is very easy to get lost. The history is very interesting, but today's architecture of the city of Venice is a ghost of a past life, and the eternal holiday, unfortunately, is nearing completion. As famous historians wrote, the city retained its former fun and brightness only on the works of artists. But, nevertheless, having stepped into the territory of Venice, the feeling of a fairy dream will not leave you exactly until the moment when the foot touches the ground.
The most ancient buildings
The history of construction begins on the island of Torcello. It is here that the most ancient buildings of the city are located. The name comes from the word torre, which means "tower".
It’s worth starting with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, it began to be built in the distant VII century and finished only in the XI. This building is a true example of the Romanesque style, which is distinguished by some severity. The next object, without which it is impossible to talk about the architecture of Venice, is the Church of Santa Fosca. Translated, the name means "gloomy", and it was built in the period from the XI to XII century. The church is distinguished by the style of Byzantine architecture, it was built in the form of a Greek cross. Unfortunately, the dome of the building did not survive to this day.
What is Venice architecture
Over the centuries-old history of the city, four architectural styles have coexisted perfectly in it at once. Each of them defines a specific era. Architecture styles in Venice: Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. We will analyze each of them and start from the time of Byzantium. This style is dominated by a love of luxury, wealth, it is teeming with various decorations and ornaments. A distinctive feature is the arches of various shapes and sizes, as well as domed arches and truly royal mosaic decor on the walls and ceilings.
Particularly popular was the Byzantine style in the period from VI to XII century. Since this particular style is connected with the heyday of Venice as a whole, it is worth noting that it just left its mark on the subsequent development of the city's architecture.
Romanesque style
The heyday of the style fell on the Middle Ages and was especially firmly established in the West. The peoples of the Roman Catholic religion made their hand in the development of Romanesque stylistics. The first attempts to bring new elements to the architecture came in the time of the Byzantine style. But already in the XI-XII centuries began to appear churches with wide walls and small windows, which is one of the characteristic features of the style. It is also worth paying attention to the double row of columns, which are interconnected by semicircular arches. Thus, this design divides the building into three parts.
Gothic venetian
First of all, it's worth figuring out where the name came from. It all started back in the Renaissance, when Italian craftsmen dubbed so inferior to the classical style. They considered Gothic synonymous with barbarism. In Venice, he became popular between the 12th and 15th centuries. Gothic architecture can be recognized by lancet arches, steep arches, rising buttresses, tall windows, lace decor and so on.
Renaissance
The revival of antiquity in Venice dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. It was at that time that the most famous architects of Italy drew inspiration from Ancient Greece and Rome. They adapted the elements of that culture to the requirements of their time. The characteristic features of the architecture of Venice in the Renaissance are considered columns that are installed as a single rod, arches, ornament, painting, relief, rectangular windows, massive cornices, luxurious decorations. Already in the 17th century, elements of the Boroco style began to take over. Now consider the monuments of architecture of Venice.
Ponte dei Sospiri
In the Russian-speaking environment is better known as the Bridge of Sighs. Its creation dates back to 1602, and the construction took place under the guidance of the famous architect Antonio Kontino. The bridge is made in the style of the baroque architecture of Venice and is distinguished by its special grace. The design objective is to connect the shores of the Rio Di Palazzo, better known as the Palace Canal. One coast is significant in that it housed the Doge's Palace, its peculiarity is that it was previously a court, but on the opposite bank there was a prison. If you believe the Venetian legends, such a prosaic name as the Bridge of Sighs came from the sad sighs of prisoners who moved across the bridge from court to prison sadly looked around the fabulous Venice.
Another legend is more romantic. She says that sighs were not sad at all and belonged to couples in love, and not to convicted criminals.
Doge's Palace
It is impossible to talk about the architecture of Venice and not to mention the great monument of Italian Gothic. Doge's Palace is one of the most important sights of the town on the water. The building was located on St. Mark's Square, where the eponymous cathedral stands nearby. As for the name, its origin is associated with the residence of the Doge, and this is the head of the Venetian Republic. Like the nearby cathedral, the palace was built long enough and decorated for more than a century, which is why it contained a wide variety of styles.
The very first building saw the world in 810 and was the most ordinary fortress, consisting of walls and towers. There was only water around. One century succeeded another, and already in 976 there was a famous revolt against the Doge Kandiani of the Fifth, the people burned his residence. Instead, it was decided to build a new fortress, however, her century was short-lived, it burned down in 1106. The palace that we can see today was built in the period from 1309 to 1421. To establish with absolute accuracy who was the architect is quite difficult, in some sources the surname of the architect Filippo Calendario is indicated. But this palace had difficult times. Already in 1577, a small part of the building was irretrievably destroyed by fire, and the architect Antonio de Ponti took up the restoration. Behind his shoulders was already such great work as the Rialto Bridge. At the Doge’s Palace, meetings of the Grand Council and the Senate were held, the Supreme Court worked here, and even the secret police worked inconspicuously.
St. Mark's Square
The peculiarity of this square is that it is the only one in all of Venice, which the locals call piazza, which means "square". The rest are called campo, which means “field” and is considered less extensive. Thus, the Venetians indicate the importance of St. Mark's Square for both tourists and local residents. The name of the attraction was in honor of the Apostle Mark. In the distant 829, two merchants took the relics of the Saint from Alexandria and quietly delivered them to Venice. To prevent the Arabs from approaching the cargo, the merchants laid pork carcasses around the sarcophagus. To store the relics was built St. Mark's Basilica. However, after the palace coup, the building was destroyed, and only in 1063 the cathedral began to be built in its place.
Over time, Piazza San Marco expanded, and eventually reached such proportions that city festive parades, carnivals, and even executions of criminals were held there. The architecture of the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice includes several styles that are skillfully combined with each other.