The Medieval Piazza

Medieval Landscapes in ItalyMedieval Landscapes in Italy

The Medieval Piazza

The Medieval GardenThe Medieval Garden

The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval PeriodThe garden in medieval life was an intensely used space within the confines of the The garden in medieval life was an intensely used space within the confines of the castle fortification. Access was limited to those who toiled in its preparation and castle fortification. Access was limited to those who toiled in its preparation and maintenance and those elite who enjoyed its aromatic, visual, medicinal and maintenance and those elite who enjoyed its aromatic, visual, medicinal and horticultural pleasures. Pieter Brueghel’s Spring and a manuscript illustration of horticultural pleasures. Pieter Brueghel’s Spring and a manuscript illustration of an enclosed courtyard garden illustrate some of these aspects of the garden an enclosed courtyard garden illustrate some of these aspects of the garden environment and use. environment and use.

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Medieval BeginningsMedieval BeginningsUnique compositions of Unique compositions of defensive towers characterized defensive towers characterized each settlement throughout each settlement throughout the Italian landscape in the the Italian landscape in the 12th and 13th centuries. The 12th and 13th centuries. The vertical signature, seen on the vertical signature, seen on the horizon, was read from great horizon, was read from great distances. Counterbalancing distances. Counterbalancing this architectural form was the this architectural form was the common public space of the common public space of the piazza, or town square. Here piazza, or town square. Here the shared effort of the the shared effort of the community was made visible community was made visible by the volume of space set by the volume of space set aside for the commercial, aside for the commercial, religious, social and political religious, social and political purposes. purposes. 704

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The Towers of The Towers of San GimignanoSan Gimignano

Within this labyrinthine network of towers, buildings and narrow streets is a Within this labyrinthine network of towers, buildings and narrow streets is a sequence of spaces that defines the urban character of the city of San Gimignano sequence of spaces that defines the urban character of the city of San Gimignano at eye level. Two major piazzas, the Piazza del Cisterno (of the cistern, or well) at eye level. Two major piazzas, the Piazza del Cisterno (of the cistern, or well) and the Piazza del Puopolo (of the people) are significant places where the focus and the Piazza del Puopolo (of the people) are significant places where the focus of daily life occurs. These piazzas are welcome openings in the restricting of daily life occurs. These piazzas are welcome openings in the restricting passages that lead through the city. Winding, seemingly indirect streets roll up passages that lead through the city. Winding, seemingly indirect streets roll up the terrain toward the piazzas, strategically disorienting the stranger.the terrain toward the piazzas, strategically disorienting the stranger.

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San GimignanoSan GimignanoThe city of San Gimignano is a The city of San Gimignano is a readily distinguishable urban readily distinguishable urban landmark in the Tuscan hills. landmark in the Tuscan hills. The silhouette of the cluster of The silhouette of the cluster of towering structures was a towering structures was a guidepost to traveling merchants guidepost to traveling merchants and peasant farmers alike. and peasant farmers alike. Within the supporting walls of Within the supporting walls of the city, competing feudal lords the city, competing feudal lords constructed the towers in a show constructed the towers in a show of might and control. Like the of might and control. Like the corporate barons of our own corporate barons of our own times who have transformed the times who have transformed the Manhattan skyline in an Manhattan skyline in an egotistical pursuit of prestige egotistical pursuit of prestige and recognition, the lords of San and recognition, the lords of San Gimignano marked the land Gimignano marked the land with these aggressive symbols of with these aggressive symbols of strength.strength.

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The Piazza in San GimignanoThe Piazza in San GimignanoThe Piazza del Cisterno and the Piazza The Piazza del Cisterno and the Piazza del Duomo are tenuously connected by del Duomo are tenuously connected by a narrow passage, allowing them to a narrow passage, allowing them to exist in close proximity, yet remain exist in close proximity, yet remain distinct from each other in function, distinct from each other in function, character and spatial configuration. character and spatial configuration. The Piazza del Cisterno, triangular in The Piazza del Cisterno, triangular in plan, is entered at the corners, giving a plan, is entered at the corners, giving a sensation of a space that generously sensation of a space that generously opens outward and away from the opens outward and away from the observer. There is a dynamic quality to observer. There is a dynamic quality to the three-dimensional volume created the three-dimensional volume created by walls at acute angles to each other. by walls at acute angles to each other. The Piazza del Puopolo, on the other The Piazza del Puopolo, on the other hand, is an L-shaped and rectilinear hand, is an L-shaped and rectilinear form, stable and static, seemingly form, stable and static, seemingly occupied by the mass of the basilica occupied by the mass of the basilica and its grand stair, both of which are and its grand stair, both of which are flanked by the Palace of the flanked by the Palace of the Government.Government.

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SienaSiena

Siena, like San Gimignano, is characterized by the typical medieval meandering Siena, like San Gimignano, is characterized by the typical medieval meandering street pattern. Almost as if they were a direct interpretation of the topographical street pattern. Almost as if they were a direct interpretation of the topographical contours, the streets weave circuitously through the architectural structures that contours, the streets weave circuitously through the architectural structures that house shops, homes and churches. Just as the visitor is about to experience an house shops, homes and churches. Just as the visitor is about to experience an anxious moment of confusion and frustration, the tunnel of space turns toward anxious moment of confusion and frustration, the tunnel of space turns toward one of two piazzas, the Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral square) or the Piazza one of two piazzas, the Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral square) or the Piazza del Campo (the field, or encampment). Here the relief is tangibly recognized and del Campo (the field, or encampment). Here the relief is tangibly recognized and greatly appreciated. A third major piazza, Piazza del Mercato (the market greatly appreciated. A third major piazza, Piazza del Mercato (the market square), is located near the Campo, just outside the Palazzo del Puopolo.square), is located near the Campo, just outside the Palazzo del Puopolo.

Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Duomo

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Siena’sSiena’sPiazza del CampoPiazza del CampoThe large scale of the spatial The large scale of the spatial volume and the dominating volume and the dominating architectural structures of the architectural structures of the Palace and Tower distinguish the Palace and Tower distinguish the Piazza del Campo. The bowl-like Piazza del Campo. The bowl-like enclosure created by the buildings enclosure created by the buildings is further articulated in the is further articulated in the sloping surface that drains toward sloping surface that drains toward the loggia at the base of the tower. the loggia at the base of the tower. The concavity of this enveloping The concavity of this enveloping space is inviting and comforting space is inviting and comforting even while it maintains a scale that even while it maintains a scale that is monumental and a character is monumental and a character that is majestic. Il Campo proudly that is majestic. Il Campo proudly claims a grand position in the claims a grand position in the fabric of the city.fabric of the city.

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The Streets of SienaThe Streets of SienaThe narrow streets The narrow streets of Siena maintain a of Siena maintain a pedestrian scale pedestrian scale and liveliness that and liveliness that is reinforced by the is reinforced by the architectural architectural rhythm and detail rhythm and detail of doors, windows, of doors, windows, surface decoration surface decoration and rooflines. The and rooflines. The winding direction winding direction and limited views and limited views help to build help to build anticipation in the anticipation in the participant as participant as he/she progresses he/she progresses toward the nearest toward the nearest piazza.piazza. 715716

The Medieval Piazza

The Space of the CampoThe Space of the Campo

Over time, the Piazza del Campo has developed a very refined level of detail in Over time, the Piazza del Campo has developed a very refined level of detail in the paving pattern that accentuates the sloping floor and pays homage to the the paving pattern that accentuates the sloping floor and pays homage to the central focus of the space, the tower. The permanent landscape furnishings like central focus of the space, the tower. The permanent landscape furnishings like the bollard posts that separate the inner circle from the perimeter “track” add the bollard posts that separate the inner circle from the perimeter “track” add to the clarity of the subsidiary space within the larger frame.to the clarity of the subsidiary space within the larger frame.

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A Record of Time in the CampoA Record of Time in the Campo

Like the gnomon on the face of a sundial, the tower of the Palazzo del Puopolo Like the gnomon on the face of a sundial, the tower of the Palazzo del Puopolo casts a shadow on the arcing plane of the piazza floor, artfully registering the casts a shadow on the arcing plane of the piazza floor, artfully registering the time of day in the season of the yearly cycle. Light and shadow are as much time of day in the season of the yearly cycle. Light and shadow are as much determinants of the spatial character of the piazza as are the buildings that determinants of the spatial character of the piazza as are the buildings that enclose it. Ceremonial events like the twice-yearly Palio, a reenactment of enclose it. Ceremonial events like the twice-yearly Palio, a reenactment of medieval war games and horse races, are colorful illustrations of the temporal medieval war games and horse races, are colorful illustrations of the temporal quality of this place.quality of this place.

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VeniceVenice

Venice existed only as an undistinguished, marshy archipelago until the 11th Venice existed only as an undistinguished, marshy archipelago until the 11th century when the islands were gradually occupied and eventually filled with century when the islands were gradually occupied and eventually filled with the dredged soils of the shallow channels. The architectural definition given to the dredged soils of the shallow channels. The architectural definition given to the seawalls and buildings on piling supports established a clearly delineated the seawalls and buildings on piling supports established a clearly delineated canal system. The influence of trade contacts in the Far East produced a canal system. The influence of trade contacts in the Far East produced a sophisticated merchant class and a city of unusual and exotic splendor.sophisticated merchant class and a city of unusual and exotic splendor.

The Grand Canal

Piazza San Marco

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Piazza San MarcoPiazza San MarcoThe Piazza San Marco, named for The Piazza San Marco, named for the patron saint of the Venetians, the patron saint of the Venetians, has evolved from a simple and has evolved from a simple and relatively small forecourt to the relatively small forecourt to the original basilica to what is today a original basilica to what is today a grand public forum. The two legs grand public forum. The two legs of the L-shaped space share the of the L-shaped space share the eloquent and free-standing bell eloquent and free-standing bell tower and use it as a unifying tower and use it as a unifying fulcrum, spinning into one unit the fulcrum, spinning into one unit the main piazza that is the front of the main piazza that is the front of the Byzantine-style basilica, and the Byzantine-style basilica, and the secondary piazzetta that leads to secondary piazzetta that leads to the Grand Canal. the Grand Canal.

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The Character of the Piazza San MarcoThe Character of the Piazza San Marco

This beautifully structured and handsomely detailed space has an intimate and This beautifully structured and handsomely detailed space has an intimate and complementary relationship with the palace residences, religious structures, complementary relationship with the palace residences, religious structures, academic institutions and commercial enterprises that frame it. The richly academic institutions and commercial enterprises that frame it. The richly decorated Cathedral of St. Mark, its famed Campanile, and the Doges Palace decorated Cathedral of St. Mark, its famed Campanile, and the Doges Palace are three of the most outstanding architectural figures in this unique landscape. are three of the most outstanding architectural figures in this unique landscape. Although the basilica and the tower prominently occupy the intersection of the Although the basilica and the tower prominently occupy the intersection of the two rectangular subspaces, all of the buildings play important roles in defining two rectangular subspaces, all of the buildings play important roles in defining the overwhelming sense of harmony and unity.the overwhelming sense of harmony and unity.

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The Streets The Streets of Veniceof Venice

The narrow commercial The narrow commercial and residential streets of and residential streets of Venice preclude the use Venice preclude the use of automobiles in the of automobiles in the city. Aside from the city. Aside from the occasional motorized occasional motorized bicycle, the pedestrian is bicycle, the pedestrian is spared the exhaust fumes spared the exhaust fumes and vehicular conflict and vehicular conflict that most contemporary that most contemporary citizens endure. Like the citizens endure. Like the labyrinths through most labyrinths through most Medieval urban centers, Medieval urban centers, the Venetian streets can the Venetian streets can be disorienting and, at be disorienting and, at times, frustratingly times, frustratingly indirect. The piazzas and indirect. The piazzas and views to the open sea views to the open sea provide a welcome provide a welcome contrast contrast 725 726

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The Canals of VeniceThe Canals of Venice

The major means of transportation other than foot travel, is the use of the The major means of transportation other than foot travel, is the use of the boat, gondola or vaporetto, the motorized water taxi. The canals, though, are boat, gondola or vaporetto, the motorized water taxi. The canals, though, are more than circulation routes and service access corridors. The canals of Venice more than circulation routes and service access corridors. The canals of Venice determine the quality of the light, the tangibility of the air, the intimate contact determine the quality of the light, the tangibility of the air, the intimate contact with the sky below, and the mystical aspect of a city mirrored at the floor. The with the sky below, and the mystical aspect of a city mirrored at the floor. The city is beautifully articulated in a patina of textures and colors that reflect the city is beautifully articulated in a patina of textures and colors that reflect the time passed and the vane attempts to mask its age.time passed and the vane attempts to mask its age.

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Piazza ViewsPiazza ViewsThe Basilica of San Marco is an The Basilica of San Marco is an richly ornamented Byzantine richly ornamented Byzantine structure characterized by the structure characterized by the onion domes that crown it. It is onion domes that crown it. It is the focus of both the grand the focus of both the grand piazza and the piazzetta that piazza and the piazzetta that leads to the sea. In the photo on leads to the sea. In the photo on the right, the approach from the the right, the approach from the sea gives a view of the basilica in sea gives a view of the basilica in the context of the Doges Palace the context of the Doges Palace (right), the Sansovino library on (right), the Sansovino library on the left and the brick campanile. the left and the brick campanile. Straight ahead, just to the left of Straight ahead, just to the left of St. Mark’s, the Merchants’ Hall St. Mark’s, the Merchants’ Hall façade is embellished with an façade is embellished with an early mechanical clock, a symbol early mechanical clock, a symbol of a new order and a new of a new order and a new concept of time. concept of time. 730

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ResourcesResources

Jellicoe, Geoffrey and Susan. The Landscape of Man: Shaping the Jellicoe, Geoffrey and Susan. The Landscape of Man: Shaping the Environment from Prehistory to the Present Day. The Viking Press: New Environment from Prehistory to the Present Day. The Viking Press: New York, 1975.York, 1975.

Newton, Norman T. Design on the Land: The Development of Landscape Newton, Norman T. Design on the Land: The Development of Landscape Architecture. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1971.Architecture. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1971.

Moore, Charles W., William J. Mitchell, and William Turnbull, Jr. The Moore, Charles W., William J. Mitchell, and William Turnbull, Jr. The Poetics of Gardens. The MIT Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1988.Poetics of Gardens. The MIT Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1988.