STORIA DELL’ARCHITETTURA ANTICA E MEDIEVALE

The course traces the course of western architecture from the ancient age to the Middle Ages, not excluding the specificity of the Sicilian territory and its towns. In highlighting the passages of the various historical periods or, in brief, the nodal structure of the political, economic and social events that form the backdrop to the architecture, the choice falls on works that, for the quality of the design response, the complexity of the interweaving of linguistic tools, protagonists, pre-existences and the functional programme, exemplify the links that bind architecture to its urban, territorial and environmental context. In this way, through the acquisition of knowledge and suitable methodological tools, the aim is to stimulate a critical formation regarding the structural cornerstones of the history of architecture and, finally, to ensure that students are able to grasp the fact that each architectural work belongs to a precise historical-cultural, environmental and landscape context and, at the same time, recognise its specific constructional, functional, formal and typological features.
The aim of the course is to provide students enrolled in the second year of the degree course with the basic information and essential tools for understanding the history of ancient and medieval architecture, also in relation to contemporary history and design; explicit reference will thus be made to those masters of architecture who during the twentieth century have looked critically at ancient architecture as a model and source of inspiration for making architecture: Le Corbusier, Aalto, Asplund, Kahn,... In particular, the course aims to provide a framework through the historical and critical analysis of the main issues in architecture from the Minoan civilisation to the late Gothic period, through an overview and some monographic insights.
At the end of the course, students
- will have attained an adequate knowledge of ancient and medieval architectural history
- have refined their study method by deepening their knowledge of the history of ancient architecture, looking at it as a subject for contemporary design, also in relation to more specific research and interests to be developed independently during their studies.
- will have learnt to critically read an architecture both in its constructive and material aspects and in its functional and linguistic aspects in relation to the historical context
- they will have improved their language and expression skills so as to be able to present the knowledge they have acquired to an audience of both specialists and non-specialists.

The course includes lectures and some seminars, supplemented when possible by guided tours and exercises.
Videos and documentaries will be shown to support and integrate the lectures.
In itinere learning tests will be scheduled (optional), through written exercises with open-ended questions and an oral interview.
The final examination will consist of an interview on the various topics covered by the lessons.
If the course is taught in a blended or distance learning mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what has been previously stated, in order to comply with the syllabus.

Prologue and introduction to the course; historiographical problems and methodological aspects; Cretan and Mycenaean civilisation; Greek architecture; Architecture of Hellenism; The Acropolis of Athens in the age of Pericles; Roman architecture in the age of kings and republicans; Roman architecture from Claudius to Hadrian; The Greek city and the Roman city; Late antique and early Christian architecture; Byzantine Architecture; Carolingian and Ottonian Architecture; Romanesque Architecture; Romanesque Architecture in Italy; Architecture in the Norman Age in Sicily; Gothic Architecture; Early Gothic and the Ile de France; The Spread of Gothic (England, Holy Roman Empire; Iberian Peninsula); Gothic Architecture in Italy; The Medieval City; Late Gothic Architecture in Europe.

Reference bibliography:

- C. BOZZONI, V. FRANCHETTI PARDO, G. ORTOLANI, A. VISCOGLIOSI, L’architettura del mondo antico, Roma-Bari, Laterza, (1978) 2006.

- R. BONELLI, C. BONELLI, V. FRANCHETTI PARDO, Storia dell’architettura medievale, Roma-Bari, Laterza 1997.

- C. TOSCO, L'architettura medievale in Italia 600-1200, Bologna, Il Mulino 2016.

- Lineamenti di storia dell’architettura, Sovera, Roma (1978) 1994.

In particular, in relation to the topics that will be dealt with during the course and with reference to the historical periods concerned, please refer to the monographic volumes of the History of Architecture, Electa editore and/or individual contributions that will be provided during the year.