Languages of Baroque / Baroque architectural rhetoric and urban structures

An important theme of the Baroque period was city-planning based upon the new sense of theatrical effects.

An important theme of the Baroque period was city-planning based upon the new sense of theatrical effects, where a unique cityscape was formed out of monumental staircases to combine architecture, fountains, water and sculpture. Fortification architecture had a special place in Baroque city-planning due to the uncertain times of frequent wars. In the southern regions of the Austrian Monarchy, on the territory of what is nowadays known as Croatia, the most important fortresses were built in Slavonski Brod, Osijek and Bjelovar.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Spanish Steps1723–26Rome, Latium, ItalyThe Spanish Steps were built to link piazza di Spagna with Via Felice, the first great street planned by Pope Sixtus V (1585). Several other projects by Alessandro Specchi were realised between 1717 and 1720.
Staircase1735Jesuit Church of St Ignatius, college and Jesuit stairsDubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Telč 1375–1800Telč, Moravia, Czech RepublicThe square is an example of the modern-age urban concept; an effort to create a compact whole. The unique complex of Renaissance and Baroque houses has been listed as part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site list.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Telč 1375–1800Telč, Moravia, Czech RepublicThe square is lined with picturesque houses with gables and arcades closed-off by the chateau to the west.
Telč 1375–1800Telč, Moravia, Czech RepublicIts multi-coloured architecture and decorative sculptures, resembling theatre props, create space for everyday life.
Telč 1375–1800Telč, Moravia, Czech RepublicThe historical core and original layout of the houses have been preserved each with a width of 8–10 m and a depth of around 30 m.
Downtown Lisbon1755–1759Lisbon, Lisbon, PortugalThe basic layout of the so-called Lower Town of Lisbon was planned within the limits of three monumental squares: Praça do Comércio, Rossio and Praça da Figueira.
Almeida Fortress1641–1680Almeida, Guarda, PortugalAlmeida Fortress is a large military fortification conceived to endure artillery attacks. It has a star-shaped ground-plan with six main bastions, and the citadel is entirely surrounded by a wall.
Plan of Slavonski Brod Fortress18th CenturySlavonski Brod, Slavonia, Croatia
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Detail of the Fortress18th centuryBuilt of clay, brick, wood and some stone, the fortress complex was designed to accommodate 4,000 soldiers and 150 cannons.
Detail of the Fortress18th centuryBuilt of clay, brick, wood and some stone, the fortress complex was designed to accommodate 4,000 soldiers and 150 cannons.