History, Architecture and Power of the Serenissima
6 hours of live online lecture, 4 hours of site visit and simulation, 1 hour review with online lecturer, Specific teaching materials, 1 hour online final test
This module offers an in-depth analysis of the history of Venice, exploring its evolution from a simple lagoon settlement to one of the most influential commercial and political powers of the Middle Ages and the Modern Age. Through two three-hour lessons, participants will understand the commercial, diplomatic, and political skills of the Serenissima, as well as its extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage.
Contents
Lesson 1
From Origins to the Grandeur of the Serenissima
The first lesson traces the history of Venice, from its birth to its rise as a maritime and cultural power.
From the Swamp to the Serenissima
- Venice was born as a refuge from barbarian invasions and developed thanks to its strategic position in the Venetian Lagoon.
- Its commercial skill and the ability to manage maritime traffic transformed it into the Queen of the Adriatic, an economic and cultural power.
- The Venetian diplomatic system, based on shrewd alliances and a policy of neutrality, allowed it to maintain its independence for centuries.
A Unique Architecture in the World
- The architectural system on stilts: how Venice was built on water, with innovative techniques that allowed the construction of palaces and basilicas on unstable ground.
- Canals, alleys, squares, and wells: the urban organization of Venice and the central role of water in the daily life of the city.
Venetian Art and the Baroque
- Venetian painting, characterized by the masterful use of color and light, with masters such as Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and Tintoretto.
- Palladio and the 18th century: the architect’s contribution to defining Venetian style, with his monumental villas and churches that influenced Western architecture.
Lesson 2
Itinerary Through the Masterpieces of Venice
The second lesson is dedicated to the symbolic places of the city, retracing the buildings and institutions that made Venice a center of art and power.
Path Through the Monuments of the Serenissima
- Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari: one of the most imposing churches in the city, home to masterpieces such as the Assumption by Titian.
- Scuola Grande di San Rocco: the gem of Tintoretto, with the cycle of frescoes decorating its walls.
- Rialto Bridge: the commercial heart of Venice, the nerve center of trade between East and West.
- Piazza San Marco: the political and religious center of the city, the focal point of the Venetian Republic.
- St. Mark’s Basilica: the icon of Venetian spirituality, with its golden domes and Byzantine mosaics.
- Doge’s Palace: the symbol of the Serenissima’s power, the seat of the Doge and the Venetian magistracies.
- Academy Galleries: one of the most prestigious art collections in the world, with works by Giorgione, Veronese, Titian, and Canaletto.
- Santa Maria della Salute: one of the most spectacular Baroque churches, built as a votive offering for the end of the plague.
- The Customs House and the Biennale: from the site of the maritime customs house to the present day, when Venice confirms its role as the international capital of contemporary art with the Venice Biennale.
Module Objective
This module offers a complete journey through the history, art, and architecture of Venice, providing useful tools to understand and narrate the city with a clear, engaging, and professional language. Participants will acquire the necessary skills to conduct in-depth guided tours, highlighting the central role of the Serenissima in European history.