The Unique Architecture Of Venice - Physical Differences

The city of Venice is not only culturally and historically but also physically different to other Italian cities. As much as its history and culture impacted the city's architecture, it is this physicality that had a major impact on how Venetian buildings look and were built. This set the city's architecture apart and marked it as different. Just find a vacation rental in Veneto and come see this uniquely beautiful city for yourself.

Venice is defined by her plan - divided by both streets and canals and built on marshy ground. This confined and restricted space and determined the way in which buildings could be made and how they looked.

The foundations had to be different – a system of pile-grids – and this sense of preoccupation with stability created a predilection for columns, arcades and other support systems.

Buildings such as San Zaccaria and Ca' Vendramin-Calergi showcase this feature of Venetian architecture with facades that are emphasised by an emphatic use of pilasters, engaged columns and columns.

Venice is also home to none of the giant castles of fortified palaces that dot other Italian cities like Florence and Rome. In Venice, fortification was unnecessary as the sea made for a natural protective barrier.

The Ca' Vendramin-Calergi is a good example to consider. For all its similarities to the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, the Ca' Vendramin-Calergi is executed quite differently – there is no rustication, a more frequent use of columns and pilasters and there is a greater ratio of opening to wall space.

Venetian buildings often have more openings than other buildings in other Italian cities, in order to open up the facades of buildings and lighten the load on the foundations that were so worried about and, once again, because fortification was not necessary. The result is that the case of Venice are far less imposing than the palazzi of Florence and the focus is, instead, on having pleasing, decorative facades.

With so much to see and so much setting Venice apart from anywhere else in the world, there are endless reasons to visit this beautiful city, not least of all her unique architecture!