Sixteenth-Century Italian Architecture

1. Period and Location: Sixteenth-Century Architecture

This lesson focuses on the architecture of the 16th century in the cities of Rome and Vicenza (outside Venice) in Italy.

2. Bramante and the Tempietto

Donato Bramante (1444–1514) was a visionary architect whose work left an indelible mark on Renaissance Architecture. Among his most notable works are the initial designs for St. Peter's Basilica and the Tempietto, or Little Temple, in the courtyard of San Pietro in Montorio in Rome.

Below is a woodcut of the Tempietto created later by Andrea Palladio.

The Tempietto marks the traditional location of Saint Peter’s crucifixion. As the name suggests, it’s a small building that functions more as a sculpture than architecture. It’s inspired by the design of smaller, circular Greek shrines and round Roman temples like the Temple of Vesta and the Pantheon. This piece of architecture incorporates the elements seen in larger monumental structures of the time. This is done, however, in a condensed version that still manages to be fresh and original.

Although classically inspired, the execution is stylistically Renaissance. This is evident in the combination of well-proportioned architectural elements that wouldn’t have been used in antiquity, such as the drum and balustrade combination.

Here is a closeup of the colonnade:

3. Saint Peter’s Basilica’s Design

Bramante’s talent landed him the opportunity to design the replacement for the older Early Christian basilica-style church of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Below is an image of these plans.

Bramante’s original design was for a central-plan church, like a Greek cross, with a hemispherical dome. Upon Bramante’s death, the architectural responsibilities were passed to Michelangelo.

Michelangelo had firmly established his reputation as a master architect earlier, completely redesigning the Piazza Del Campidoglio in Rome, also known as Capitoline Hill, beginning in 1536.

His design is shown here:

Michelangelo reworked the piazza to face toward St. Peter’s Basilica rather than the previous direction facing the ruins of the Roman forum.

Michelangelo was so impressed with Bramante’s work that he decided to expand upon Bramante’s original designs for St. Peter’s. Michelangelo maintained the central-plan church style with some adjustments. Most notably, he changed the overall design of the dome from hemispherical to ogival, like the magnificent dome of the Florence Cathedral that was designed by Brunelleschi in the previous century.

term to know

Central-Plan Church

Basic church architecture that designs a central space that is surrounded by smaller symmetrical areas.

4. Palladio and the Villa La Rotonda

In the Venetian Republic, near Vicenza, the artist Andrea Palladio was busy building a major career as an artist that would eventually spread his influence outside of Italy to areas as far away as England and the United States. He was well known for his work on villas for wealthy citizens of the bustling Venetian economy. Palladio's works were inspired by the principles of ancient Roman architecture, and he meticulously studied the ruins of Rome to inform his designs.

His most famous villa, La Rotonda, stands as one of his most influential designs.

It was built on a hilltop with a central-plan design that featured four porches inspired by Roman temple porticos, such as that of the Pantheon. Each had a different beautiful view, or belvedere of the surrounding countryside, but the architectural elements on each porch were identical.

did you know

The influence of the Pantheon is very apparent in the design of this villa. From every entrance, the building strongly resembles the overall look of the older structure. However, while the influence was there, it is by no means a copy of the Pantheon.

Palladio’s dome, for example, complements the overall design rather than dominating it and is topped with a heavy lantern, in the style of Florence Cathedral and St. Peter’s Basilica, versus the open oculus of the Pantheon. The villa also serves a secular function, rather than a religious one, as was the case with many earlier domed structures.

Palladio's influence extended far beyond Italy, largely through his architectural treatise, I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), published in 1570. This work systematically presented his architectural theories, designs, and practical advice, making it widely accessible to architects and builders. The treatise played a crucial role in spreading Palladian architecture, a style based on his principles, across Europe and later to the United States in Thomas Jefferson’s plantation at Monticello in Virginia.

terms to know

Belvedere

A work of architecture that focuses on a beautiful scenic view and is usually built from a high position in the landscape.

Palladian Architecture

A style of architecture based on the writings and designs of Andrea Palladio, which is common in England and the United States.