Enumerating Italy’s Most Spectacular Architectural Wonders
Italy is a beautiful country situated in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea in Europe. Italy is known all over the world for its ancient and modern art and architecture. Some of the most spectacular architectural wonders in Italy are:
Leaning Tower Of Pisa
The leaning tower of Pisa is one of the most famous monuments in the world. This bell tower was constructed in the year 1173 as a fifty-six meters high tower. The tower is completely made with marble. While the architects were building, they somehow made a mistake while setting its foundation. When the three of the eight stories already completed, the glitch became prominent. The building started tilting to one side because of the soft ground. During that time, the war between some Italian states broke and the construction was halted for almost a century. By that time, the foundation somehow got settled, an engineer Giovanni di Simone was given the charge of completing the building. The extra stories that were added to the building made it tilt even more. In the 20th and the 21st century, the building was stabilized by adding cementing to its base and making some more changes to its interior. The tower leans to about 3.99 degrees now and is one of the most visited monuments in the whole world.
Florence Cathedral
The Florence Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church that was built in the years 1296 to 1436. The gothic styled church is one of the most important cathedrals in Florence. The beautiful structure was built by Filippo Brunelleschi at the site of the 7th century Santa Reparata church. The church got its name in the honor of Santa Maria del Fiore. The cathedral construction was started in the 13th century and was completed in the 15th century. The whole cathedral is made of different colored marbles. The exterior has a mix of white, green and pink marbles. The main attraction of this cathedral is its interior and the mosaic pavements. The artwork Last Judgment made by the artist Giorgio Vasari gives the cathedral an even mystic look.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a cluster of ruins of the ancient Roman District center and consists of many temples, public spaces, and basilicas. The site was initially a burial ground, but in the 7th century, the development of the place started and slowly it became the political, social and commercial hub of the Roman empire. Unfortunately, after the fall of the Roman empire, the place got neglected and the Forum fell. In the Middle ages, it was used as a pasture and was extensively exploited for its marbles and stones. The notable sites in this area are the Curia, Arco di SettimioSevero, and Casa del Vestal. In today’s times, only the remains of the forum are left, but the place is still worth visiting if you want to trace the history of the Roman empire.
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica is a Roman Catholic Church located in Venice. It is one of the most famous churches and is a beautiful example of Italo-Byzantine architecture. The construction of the cathedral was completed in the year 1092. It has been inspired by the Church of the Holy Apostle and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The floor plan is in the shape of a cross with a beautiful dome over the crossing. The cathedral’s design is a mix of gothic and Romanesque art. The exterior is beautifully decorated with Middle-aged architecture and the interior has been given marble detailing. This is one of the most visited cathedrals in the entire Italy.
