PISA-LEANING TOWER OF PISA-PIAZZA DEI MIRACORI-TUSCANY-ITALY

The leaning tower of Pisa is a campanile ( free standing bell tower) located in Piazza del Duomo also known as Piazza dei Miracori - the cathedral square.



Together with the Cathedral and Baptistery they form a cathedral complex which was was funded in XI-th century. This arrangement of group of sacral buildings was very typical for the Romanesque architecture of Italy, but only here the ingenious design and artistry of the workmanship achieved a great lightness and delicacy of  early medieval structures - despite the fact some of them crooked.



The square is surrounded by also medieval wall.
.....and yes we did this funny posture ( supporting the tower) posing for the photo but we're not going to publish it ;-)
























Should you like to find out more, please see the link below:
http://www.architectureppf.com/ppf/author.aspx

ROME - ARA PACIS MUSEUM

Museum commisioned in 2006, designed by international architect Richard Meier.
The edifice was erected to house an ancient roman treasure, from the hellenistic period Ara Pacis - Altar of Peace.



The building really stands out in the ancient stucture of the city with its white walls,very dynamic design, sofisticated relation between the particular forms and use of simple materials.As always in his works, architect mastered to perfection the art of combining the modern materials: sstone, white painted thick walls, glass.



Elements of landscape architecture were created using the steps and water and the entire building stands on the pedestal.
The area surrounding the building creates a friendly place for visitors and a perfect metting point.














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QUIRINAL HILL - PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE & PALAZZO DELLA CONSULTA

Quirinal Square and Palazzo del Quirinale & Palazzo della Consulta



The palazzo built in 16th century, comissioned by Pope Paul V on one of the Roman ancient hills - Quirinale.



The building was supposed to be a summer residence for the pope, situated away from the smelly river Tiber (as there was no foul drainage at the time and the all waste were directed staight into the water)became not only a residencebut also a workplace of sevaral popes, kings and presidents nowadays.



The Palace at first was built by Ottaviano Mascherino/ il Mascarino in a renessaince style with porticoed parallel wings and internal courtyard and some time later with the new pope, westwards of the buildings were extended by Domenico Fontana.




Later, the builing gained a bell tower and a chapel designed by Carlo Maderno and Francesco Borromini, richly decorated with frescoes. Carlo Maderno was also a father to the central portal of the building and a balcony above supported by two statues of St Paul and St Peter.




The building also consists a beautiful gardens form 18th century.



In mid 18th century there was another building constructed called Palazzo della Sacra Consulta, to the right hand side of the Palazzo del Quirinale.



Palazzo della Consulta was raised upon the ruins of baths of Constantine and its present facade was designed by Ferdinando Fuga.In early 20th century the building used to be the Mussolini's ministry of colonial affairs.



The piazza del quirinale also features a gigantic Roman marble "Horse Tamers" representing Castor and Pollux, found in the nearby Baths of Constantine .

THEATRE OF MARCELLUS - TEATRO DI MARCELLO

Very unusual building that used to be a typical ancient Roman theatre where audience could watch performances of clasicall dramas and songs.



Founded by Emperor Augustus and completed in 13BC, the theatre was named after ceasar's nephew - Marcus Marcellus.



The building had a semicircular plan and was 111m in diameter)as most Roman theatres,was built of tuff and roman mortar and concrete cladded with white travertine.



Using a standard means of roman architectural expression like arches, corridors,vaults the space capable of holding 11000 spectactors was created.



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In the middle ages the building was remodelled and used as a fortress and later in high renaissance - early mannerism, the top, residential storey was designed and built by Baldassare Peruzzi and the structure serves its function until nowadays.

PORTICO D'OTTAVIA OR PORTICUS OCTAVIAE

The todays Portico D'Ottavia or Porticus Octaviae was built in 27 BC in archeological area of Rome, in a southern part of Campus Martius and is concidered to be the oldest quadriporto (four-sided porch) in Rome.


Located near the theater of Marcellus (like the other porticos behind the scaenae of typical Roman theaters) - was supposed to be a place of rest and relaxation during all day programs of performances -


The remains of columns and fragmented pediment of Porticus Octaviae once formed a part of vast rectangular portico (139x119m), supported by 300 columns.The structure replaced the other portico called Porticus Octavia that had been built in 146 BC by builder called Octavius.


Portico D'Ottavia was commisioned by Augustus in 27 BC to commemorate Octavia Minor - Augustus's sister and wife to Marc Antony, a woman of a state and a very important person for both of them.



The structure was adorned with foreign marble and within its colonnaded walks included preexisting buildings like temple of Juno Regina and temple of Jupiter Stator and also a library.


Entire area has a lovely history but is often underestimated by the tourists beacuse it is not as spectacular as the other remains of Rome.