Course detail

Architecture of 16th Century

FA-A16-TAcad. year: 2025/2026

This cycle of lectures on the European architecture of the 16th century will introduce students to Renaissance architecture in Italy, Spain, France, England, Germany, Austria and the Czech Lands. Students will learn the broader cultural and historical context and basic information about the most important architects, architectural practice, the most important structures and theoretical publications. The course includes three excursions (to the Renaissance chateaus and urbanism).
In the study programme “Architecture and urban design” the course is part of the theoretical courses.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The assessment will be based on the participation during the lectures, on the contribution to the discussions during the lectures, and namely on the presentation of the paper during the excursions when the active participation in art and historical interpretation of historic architecture will be assessed.
Students will regularly participate in most of the lectures and should actively engage in the discussions; they will take part in the obligatory excursions where they will interpret the paper on the previously assigned topic. Absences from the lectures and namely from the excursions can be excused only for serious reasons.
In the case of a student's apology and with approval of the subject guarantor, personal attendance may be substituted with online attendance in the classes.

Aims

The lectures present the theoretical framework and the form of Renaissance architecture which had significantly influenced the subsequent development of architecture until the beginning of the 19th century (reflected in the forms of the 19th century “Neo-styles”). Students will familiarize themselves with the basic concepts, terminology, names, and the most important structures of the European Renaissance and Mannerism.
– Students will familiarize themselves with the cultural and historical context of the 16th century.
– Students will learn about the beginnings of Renaissance architecture and its spread throughout the whole Europe.
– Students will be able to identify the style of most Renaissance structures and to analyse the broader context of Renaissance architecture.
– Students will be informed of the most important architects and structures of the European Renaissance.
– Students will learn to orient in the most important architectural publications and will be able to describe their influence on the subsequent architecture.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BURCKHARDT, Jacob. Kultura renesance v Itálii. Praha: Rybka, 2013. ISBN 978-80-87067-08-6. (CS)
BURKE, Peter. Italská renesance. Kultura a společnost v Itálii. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1996. ISBN 80-204-0589-5. (CS)
KONEČNÝ, Michal (ed.). Na věčnou paměť, pro slávu a vážnost. Renesanční aristokratická sídla v Čechách a na Moravě ve správě Národního památkového ústavu. Kroměříž : Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa v Kroměříži, Masarykova univerzita, 2017. (CS)
PREISS, Pavel. Italští umělci v Praze. Praha: Panorama, 1986. (CS)
PREISS, Pavel. Panoráma manýrismu. Kapitoly o umění a kultuře 16. století. Praha: Odeon, 1974. (CS)
ŠAMÁNKOVÁ, Eva. Architektura české renesance. Praha: SNKLHU, 1961. (CS)
TOMAN, Rolf (ed.). Umění italské renesance. Praha: Slovart, 1996. ISBN 80-85871-94-7. (CS)
VLČEK, Pavel. Dějiny architektury renesance a baroka. Praha: Česká technika - nakladatelství ČVUT, 2006. ISBN 80-01-03407-0. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N_A+U Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    specialization --- (do 2022) , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

20 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Field trip

6 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer