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Italian Architecture: Revisiting Baroque-Style Masterpieces That Formed Today's Historical Landmarks

By Edson Kyle Encina | Mar 08, 2017 11:11 AM EST

Italian architecture always has its place in history, but makes these marvelous structures unique from the world's architectural wonders? Italy has gone through various architecture styles over the years.

The country underwent styles such as Roman architecture, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, all the way to neoclassical. However, the Italian architecture particularly shines in their intricate stone-works that were carved as if these materials were made out of butter.

Take the beautiful masterpiece of Francesco Borromini for example, the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. Borromini's independently commissioned work resulted in an intricate Baroque-style Italian architecture.

The San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane is still admired by modern day architects to this day. According to ArchDaily, Borromini's design could still challenge 21st-century architects who possess all the modern technological advancements in architecture.

Borromini's San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane was constructed in the 1640s, way before advanced architecture tools were invented. Despite the lack of technologically advanced equipment Borromini was able to produce the pinnacle of Italian architecture through his work on the Roman Catholic church.

Some historians even labeled Borromini as somewhat of a madman due to his style. While Borromini's works were considered to be quite idiosyncratic, his inventiveness is still admired by architectural communities. His Baroque-Style contributions to the Italian architecture still inspire architects from around the world.

Italy's architectural flare isn't exclusive in the country alone, many instances of this style can be found worldwide as well. According to HuffingtonPost, instances of Italian architecture can evidently be seen in churches around Russia.

Saint Petersburg's Winter Palace and the Smolny Cathedral are testaments to the Baroque-Style architecture of Italy. Of course, Russia is influenced not only by Italian architecture but by Italian culture as well.

Italian architects such as Borromini and the iconic Michelangelo help innovate the modern pieces of architectural marvels we see today. Their historic designs helped create the uniqueness of Italian architecture that could inspire the next generation of architects. 

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