25 Incredible Architectural Pieces From The Renaissance

Posted by , Updated on January 23, 2024

Between the early 15th and early 17th centuries, Renaissance architecture was the most predominant and widely-adopted type of architecture throughout Europe. Renaissance architecture is characterized by the revival of the development of Greek and Roman influence in building styles. It first became popular in Florence, Italy, with renowned architect Filippo Brunelleschi as one of its originators. From Italy, it was carried all the way to other parts of the continent, including Russia, Germany and England. Unlike Baroque, Renaissance Architecture relives the elements of symmetry, geometry, regularity and proportion in ancient roman architecture. Structures built during this era were remarkable for the orderly arrangements of their columns and for their arches and hemispherical domes. Here is a list of 25 incredible architectural pieces from the Renaissance.
25

Filippo Brunelleschi. Sagrestia Vecchia. Florence, Italy. 1421-1440

Filippo Brunelleschi. Sagrestia Vecchia. Florence, Italy. 1421-1440www.lib-art.com

Also known as the Old Sacristy, Sagrestia Vecchia is an old Christian building in Florence designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. It is considered as one of the most important monuments of early Italian Renaissance architecture. Its interior is articulated by a rhythmic system of arches and pilasters for geometric unity.

24

Donato Bramante, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. Santa Maria Presso San Satiro. Milan, Italy. 1472-1482

Donato Bramante, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. Santa Maria Presso San Satiro. Milan, Italy. 1472-148247hirome.blog129.fc2.com

A Renaissance art, Santa Maria Presso San Satiro was built during the 15th century and is one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance architect Donato Bramante. It is remarkable for its rich ornamentation, altar pieces, paintings and gold tooling.

23

Michelozzo Di Bartolomeo. Palazzo Medici Riccardi. 1445-1460

Michelozzo Di Bartolomeo. Palazzo Medici Riccardi. 1445-1460Michelozzo Di Bartolomeo. Palazzo Medici Riccardi. 1445-1460

Designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo, Palazzo Medicri Riccardi was built between 1445 and 1460 and is well known for its stone masonry that includes both ashlar and rustication. Its tripartite elevation demonstrates the Renaissance spirit of rationality, classicism and order.

22

Inigo Jones. Queen’s House. Greenwich, London. 1616-1619

Inigo Jones. Queen’s House. Greenwich, London. 1616-1619lisboainacessivel.wordpress.com

Considered as the first Renaissance building in England, Queens House is a Palladian mansion that serves as a true masterpiece of classical architecture. It is notable for its symmetric proportions and harmoniously contrived details, as can be seen on its finely executed marble floors and painted ceilings.

21

Inigo Jones, Palladio. Banqueting House. London. 1619-1622

Inigo Jones, Palladio. Banqueting House. London. 1619-1622www.strollon.co.uk

The Banqueting House replaced an older Tudor that was burnt down in 1619. In its construction, Architect Inigo Jones introduced the renaissance ideals of Palladio to England. Its façade was modeled after Palladian prototypes and took the form of superimposed orders resting on a basement story. The pillars, windows and other details were also demonstrative of Renaissance architecture.

20

Filippo Brunelleschi. Ospedale Degli Innocenti. Florence, Central Italy. 1419-1445

Filippo Brunelleschi. Ospedale Degli Innocenti. Florence, Central Italy. 1419-1445www.studyblue.com

Architect Filippo Brunelleschi designed the Ospedale Degli Innocenti synonymous with the genesis of Renaissance architecture. It was the first building in Florence, Central Italy that was built in a Renaissance manner, characterized by its composite columns and windows with classical pediments.

19

Giulio Romano. Palazzo Del Te. Mantua, Italy. 1524-1534

Giulio Romano. Palazzo Del Te. Mantua, Italy. 1524-1534www.redbubble.com

Palazzo Del Te is widely considered as one of the most cultivated and erudite of all Renaissance art patrons. This mannerist villa is like the Villa Farnesina that is close to the city and combines the aspects of palace and villa architecture and function. It involves fresco paintings in its interior rooms and its architecture is filled with complex effects.

18

Juan De Alava and R.G. De Hontanon. Convento De San Esteban. Salamanca, Spain. 1624-1610

Juan De Alava and R.G. De Hontanon. Convento De San Esteban. Salamanca, Spain. 1624-1610contraperiodismomatrix.wordpress.com

Situated at Plaza del Concilio de Trento, Convento De San Esteban is a Dominican monastery that is known for its extraordinarily altar-like façade. It features the stoning of San Esteban as its central motif and its interior has a museum dedicated to the Dominicans.

17

Aleviz Fryazin Noviy. Cathedral of the Archangel. Moscow Kremlin, Russia. 1505-1508

Aleviz Fryazin Noviy. Cathedral of the Archangel. Moscow Kremlin, Russia. 1505-1508commons.wikimedia.org

Commissioned by Ivan the Great, the Cathedral of the Archangel articulates the influence of Italian Renaissance through the Venetian-style shell scallops along its gables and the stonework on its walls. It contains sacred relics of the Orthodox church and played an important role in Russian political history.

16

Leon Battista Alberti. Basilica of Sant’Andrea. Mantua, Lombardy, Italy. 1472-1790

Leon Battista Alberti. Basilica of Sant’Andrea. Mantua, Lombardy, Italy. 1472-1790www.flickr.com

Made of bricks and painted with stucco, the Basilica of Sant’Andrea was constructed in the 15th century and features a western façade. Its design is attributed to the humanist architect Leon Battista Albertim who was the person behind the first Renaissance architectural treatise.

15

Sir Christopher Wren. St. Paul’s Cathedral. London. 1675-1710

Sir Christopher Wren. St. Paul’s Cathedral. London. 1675-1710worlds.travel

St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the major landmarks of London. Located at Ludgate Hill, this cathedral is the fourth cathedral to occupy the sacred district. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and revealed the grandeur of Sir Wren as a court architect. It is surrounded by large paintings, statues, plaques and carvings dedicated to different people.

14

Andres de Vandelvira. Jaen Cathedral. Jaen, Spain. 1249-1724

Andres de Vandelvira. Jaen Cathedral. Jaen, Spain. 1249-1724www.terminartors.com

Located in the Santa Maria Square, Jaen Cathedral is a classic example and compendium of Renaissance architecture. It is the best conserved and most representative paradigm of Spanish Renaissance art, characterized by its traditional stonework and concept of space.

13

Filippo Brunelleschi. Basilica of San Lorenzo. Florence, Italy. 1422-1470

Filippo Brunelleschi. Basilica of San Lorenzo. Florence, Italy. 1422-1470zloris.blogspot.com

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is considered a classic example of early Ecclesiastic Renaissance architecture. It is one of the oldest churches in Florence and was the parish church of the most powerful families in Florence. Its renaissance interior is highlighted by white walls and gray columned arcades, as well as two bronze pulpits near its altar.

12

Elias Holl. Augsburg Town Hall. Augsburg, Bravia, Germany. 1615-1624

Elias Holl. Augsburg Town Hall. Augsburg, Bravia, Germany. 1615-1624mehaly.blogspot.com

Augsburg Town Hall serves as the administrative center of Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. It is considered as one of the most important secular buildings erected in Renaissance style north of the Alps. Designed by Elias Holl, this building is of historic and cultural importance to the people of Germany so it is protected by the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

11

Luder Von Bentheim. Bremen City Hall. Bremen, Germany. 1405-1409

Luder Von Bentheim. Bremen City Hall. Bremen, Germany. 1405-1409www.skyscrapercity.com

Bremen City hall stands to symbolize the civic autonomy and sovereignty of Bremen. It represents the medieval Saalgeschossbau-type of hall construction and serves as an outstanding example of the Weser Renaissance in northern Germany. It is also one of the oldest Roland statues in the country.

10

Cornelis Floris De Vriendt. Antwerp City Hall. Antwerp, Belgium. 1561-1565

Cornelis Floris De Vriendt. Antwerp City Hall. Antwerp, Belgium. 1561-1565justgoeurope.co.kr

Under the supervision of master builder Cornelis II Floris De Vriendt, the Antwerp City Hall was constructed between 1561 and 1565 in collaboration with Italian designer Nicolo Scarini. This structure is in the Flemish Italian Renaissance style or Floris style, characterized by its large wall panels and great interior.

9

Giovanni Battista di Quadro. Poznan Town Hall. Poznan, Western Poland. 13th-14th century

Giovanni Battista di Quadro. Poznan Town Hall. Poznan, Western Poland. 13th-14th centurykkokosz.deviantart.com

The Poznan Town Hall is considered as the most magnificent Renaissance masterpiece in Western Poland. It used to be a small one-storey building but was enlarged by up to three stories by Giovanni Battista to give it a Renaissance appearance. During the 16th century, it was installed with a tower made of bricks.

8

Galleazzo Appiani. Krasiczyn Castle. Krasiczyn, Poland. 1580-1631

Galleazzo Appiani. Krasiczyn Castle. Krasiczyn, Poland. 1580-1631www.panoramio.com

The Krasiczyn Castle is a renaissance castle that used to be owned by several royal Polish families. Among its most complex elements is its chapel located in the Divine Tower, as well as its richly sculpted portals, arcades and sgraffito wall decorations that depict Roman emperors and Polish kings.

7

Henrik Von Collen. Gripsholm Castle. Mariefred, Sodermanland, Sweden. 1537-1709

Henrik Von Collen. Gripsholm Castle. Mariefred, Sodermanland, Sweden. 1537-1709tupian.baike.com

Highlighted by its Swedish National Portrait collection, Gripsholm Castle was constructed more than five centuries ago and involves handcrafts, furniture and interiors from four centuries. Considered as the fairytale castle of the banks of Lake Malaren, this castle is one of Sweden’s Renaissance treasures.

6

Danish king Frederik II. Kronborg Castle. Helsingor, Denmark. 1574-1585

Danish king Frederik II. Kronborg Castle. Helsingor, Denmark. 1574-158559travel.ru

Kronborg Castle is widely considered as a classic example of Renaissance architecture. It is located along the stretch of water between Denmark and Sweden and played a significant role in the history of northern Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries.

5

Hans Van Steenwinckel the Younger, Bertel Lange. Rosenborg Castle. Copenhagen, Denmark. 1606-1624

Hans Van Steenwinckel the Younger, Bertel Lange. Rosenborg Castle. Copenhagen, Denmark. 1606-1624www.johnandkristie.com

The Rosenborg Castle is a distinguished example of the many building projects of Christian IV. Built in Dutch Renaissance style, it is remarkable for its tall towers and red masonry with sandstone ornaments. It stood as a royal residence until 1710.

4

Santi Gucci. Baranow Sandomierski Castle. Subcarpathian Voivodship, Poland. 1591-1606

Santi Gucci. Baranow Sandomierski Castle. Subcarpathian Voivodship, Poland. 1591-1606www.tripsoverpoland.eu

A classic example of Renaissance architecture in Poland, Baranow Sansomierski Castle is one of the few former magnate residences that were preserved in the country. Its front façade consists of a protruding tower that leads through a stone portal into an arcaded courtyard.

3

Georg Ridinger. Schloss Johannisburg. Aschaffenburg, Germany. 1605-1614

Georg Ridinger. Schloss Johannisburg. Aschaffenburg, Germany. 1605-1614www.filosofiki.eu

Popularly known as one of the most wonderful gems of the Renaissance period, Schloss Johannisburg or The Johannisburg Castle is a world-famous attraction in London. Among its highlights and features are its museums, palace gardens, and the Pompeiianum. This Renaissance masterpiece served as a secondary residence for the archbishops and electors of Mainz for two hundred years.

2

Jacopo Sansovino. Biblioteca Marciana. Venice, Northern Italy. 1537-1553

Jacopo Sansovino. Biblioteca Marciana. Venice, Northern Italy. 1537-1553pwalwer.blogspot.com

A library and a Renaissance building in Venice, Biblioteca marciana is one of the oldest surviving public document depositories in the country. Named after the patron saint of Venice, St. Mark, it currently holds one of the greatest classical text collections in the world.

1

Jan Ullrich. Radziwill Palace, Vilnius. Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania.1635-1653

Jan Ullrich. Radziwill Palace, Vilnius. Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania.1635-1653www.wallsdata.biz

Located in the Old Town of Vilinius, Lithuania, the Radziwill Palace is a Late Renaissance palace that combines the features of both the Netherlands Renaissance and the Lithuanian Renaissance architecture. The original layout and symmetry of this palace resemble those of the Luxembourg Palace in Paris, which was built on the basis of the Late French Renaissance architecture.