Not far from charming Venice is the city of Vicenza, which is no less beautiful than a fairy tale on the water that has preserved a medieval image. It is unlikely that it will be possible to describe all the sights of a popular tourist settlement in one article.
Vicenza is called the city of Andrea Palladio in honor of the great genius who moved here in his youth, who built magnificent buildings here that became the pride of Italy.
Let us dwell on a country house, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994, which is called La Rotonda (Villa Rotonda). Vicenza Palladio left behind brilliant constructions, and in architecture the Italian city is forever associated with the name of the great master.
The genius of architecture
His works in stone are never repeated, and even small decorative elements are individual.
The creator of many masterpieces, the only architect in the world whose name was called Palladian style, believed that any building looks most advantageous with the correct ratio of the whole and the details in it. And no amount of decorated columns, luxurious statues, elegant arches will not make the construction beautiful.
Symmetry principle
Andrea di Pietro, known by his pseudonym as Palladio (on behalf of the Greek goddess Athena Pallas), did not accidentally spend much time exploring the ancient buildings of the city. Making sketches of houses and temples, he understood why they are so beautiful. Having measured the powerful columns, the creator discovered that before they were erected, the masters carried out complex mathematical calculations.
Palladio realized that the principle of symmetry for architects of past centuries was fundamental. One side of any structure mirrored the other, this concerned premises in the form of squares and circles. After examining the rectangular structures, the architect found that they were especially careful in the correct proportion of length and width.
The model home
Villa Rotonda, standing on a hill, like a religious building, proudly rises above Vicenza. After the work was completed, strict buildings began to appear for English aristocrats, built in this likeness, and the St. Sophia (Ascension) Cathedral in Tsarskoye Selo is considered the most famous copy.
This is the first private house in the history of construction, repeating in its forms the ancient religious building. This similarity appeared due to the wide stairs, statues of the ancient gods and the dome, which cause associations with the Roman "temple of all gods" - the Pantheon.
Dynamic statues
The sculptures are worth mentioning separately. In his book, the Italian mentions several craftsmen who worked with him and created dynamic sculptures. The figures that the architect so loved to put near the stairs are always in motion. This is not a familiar frozen silhouette, from each image it seems that there are currents that give life to the whole building as a whole.
Construction history
The Villa Rotonda near Vicenza, built according to the rules of the golden section, was created as a noble mansion for Paolo Almerico, and after the death of the architect, his talented student V. Scamozzi completed the finishing work for the new owners - the Capra brothers.
The history of the construction of the main attractions of the city is known. A priest who had moved to Vicenza turned to an architect who had wise experience and dreamed of a perfect home. The lover of the correct geometric shapes immediately realized that he would take the square as a basis, into which the circle would fit.
In 1566, Palladio, who believed that simple things were the most beautiful, developed a sketch of the future building. Thanks to carefully thought-out mathematical proportions, the villa is characterized by perfect symmetry: the round hall was inscribed in a square.
The world's first domed building
The master’s talent manifested itself in the fact that all the decorative details inherent in temple architecture fit perfectly into the private building and give it a special elegance. The high base was an important part of religious buildings, and, erecting a secular house, Andrea Palladio did not forget about it.
Villa Rotonda near Vicenza became the first Renaissance secular building in the world, decorated with a dome with a hole cut out in it through which sunlight fell into a huge hall.
The external beauty of the structure is fully consistent with the internal. To paint the interiors, talented painters were invited to decorate the ceiling and walls with frescoes on mythological themes and allegorical depictions of the life of the priest Almerico.
Simplicity in everything
Villa Rotonda, which made the name of Italian genius famous throughout the world, consists of four identical facades surrounding the central round hall crowned with a dome. Massive wide staircases with stone statues on the parapets lead to each facade decorated with porticoes with six columns and pediments.
Simple, at first glance, architectural solutions without any frills make the exterior of the building refined and elegant.
Previously, ancient architects attached the portico only to the central facade, and Palladio went against established traditions, making the villa symmetrical on all sides.
Harmony of nature and architectural masterpiece
When designing the building, the ingenious Andrea Palladio relied on his invaluable experience. Villa Rotonda, built in the best traditions of the ancient temple, blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape. The architect brilliantly mastered the art of harmonizing elegant architectural forms with natural beauty, having absorbed this skill from ancient architects.
In his book, he admitted that he had specially chosen the most beautiful place imaginable for the monumental creation. The author always turned to nature, and each of his work merged with it in complete harmony.
Goethe Building Assessment
Villa Rotonda in Vicenza has always been of great interest. Many wanted to get acquainted with a unique masterpiece, and Goethe was no exception. Extremely interested in antiquity, the German poet came to Italy to personally see the works of Palladio. He believed that it was possible to appreciate the amazing beauty of buildings only in person, so he went to Vicenza.
In 1786, after visiting the house, the admired Goethe wrote in his notes: “Villa Rotonda is a magnificent building located on a picturesque hill. It seems that before this architecture did not allow itself such a luxury. Each side of the house resembles a temple. Incredibly beautiful rooms and a large room. The owner of the building, visible from any point, left a real monument to the descendants. ”
Change of owners
In June 1912, the Villa Rotonda changes its owner. They became the Valmaran family, who wished to restore the architectural miracle. Professor of Architecture Mario, who died in 2010, spent 60 years trying to get that look that is known to contemporaries. In 1980, the area becomes open to visitors, and on certain days you can get acquainted with the interior.
Today, the owner of the villa is Lodovico Valmaran, who has established a special fund.
Most researchers of the works of the Italian architect believe that the peak of his work is the magnificent Villa Rotonda. Palladio embodied in her grandiose designs and demonstrated the architectural principles of symmetry.
An example of style and ideal proportions for any visitor causes an irresistible desire to get acquainted with other works of the master, which are abundant in the city district.