The New Palaces of Medieval Venice

The medieval palaces of Venice are unlike those from anywhere else and they also survive in this equally unique city in far greater numbers. This well-presented study argues, however, that contrary to other opinions, the architecture of Venice was developed from that of northern and western Europe and not from that of Byzantium and Late Antiquity. In four brief essays Juergen Schulz examines Venice's pre-Gothic and Gothic building types, showing how buildings were adapted to suit the watery conditions, the functions that the palatial rooms served, the social background to their individual development and adornment, and their flamboyant architectural sculpture. The bulk of the book comprises five appendices, each of which focuses on a specific house and the history of those who lived in it. The volume ends with many illustrations and photographs of the palaces as they were and as they are today.