What Is Baroque Architecture?

Baroque architecture is distinctly more theatrical than that of most other periods. Architects of the period intentionally altered classical elements to create flamboyant and evocative structures. Baroque-style interior design is no less lavish with its layers of sculptures, tapestries, crystal chandeliers, gilded walls, and intricately painted ceilings. It's debated exactly where the term baroque originated but it has come to refer to anything from extravagant pearl jewelry to extreme building shapes and excessive use of materials, such as gilt and gold.

What Is Baroque Architecture?

Baroque architecture is a highly opulent style of building, design, and art that originated in Italy during the 17th century and spread to the rest of Europe. It's characterized by extremely detailed forms, marble, large-scale decoration, and bright colors. The style was meant to showcase the power of the Roman Catholic Church.

Characteristics of Baroque Architecture

Look for these key elements in Baroque architecture. 

• Large domes or cupolas: Domes were generally positioned at the center of a building. Windows were built into domes and illuminated to highlight the architectural features.
• Elaborate motifs and decorations: Details are very intricate, adding to the extravagance and sacredness of the space. Motifs included human, animal, and floral forms, often combined and featuring scrolls and garlands.
• Gilded sculpture on the interior and exterior: Statues were made from plaster or marble and included highly contrasting colors and textures. 
• Attention-grabbing features: Features included curved walls, frescoes, columns, sculptures, arches, niches, fountains, scrolling, and broken pediments. Highly detailed vaulted ceilings were often painted like the sky to make rooms seem like they were open to the heavens.
• Double-sloped mansard roof. The mansard roof (a hip roof with two slopes) is a key element of French Baroque architecture and incorporated in many châteaux or country mansions. 
• Contrast between light and dark: Elements on buildings were designed to show a high contrast of light and shadow to create extreme drama. In drawing and painting, this treatment of light and shade is called chiaroscuro. Baroque painters include Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Peter Paul Rubens.

History of Baroque Architecture

Baroque architecture evolved in response to a tense period in the 16th century between the Catholic Church and the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic Church began building grand, dramatic churches and cathedrals filled with magnificent artwork to exhibit strength, wealth, and prominence that would reestablish patronage and attract new followers.

The style spread quickly through European and South American countries under monarch rule. The elements of Baroque architecture began to change and become more restrained as it adapted to regional preferences and material accessibility.

Baroque architecture ended around the 18th century and was followed by the Neoclassical period of the late part of the century. There is no noted Baroque-period architecture in North America though you can find some elements incorporated into churches and basilicas around the United States.

Examples of Baroque Architecture

• Church of Santa Susanna in Rome, Italy: Rebuilt by Italian architect Carlo Maderno in 1603, this church and monastery is a key building in the history of Italian Baroque.
• Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Italy: This is an example of a church with elements inspired by both the Baroque and Renaissance movements and built by Carlo Maderno between 1603 and 1625.
• Palace of Versailles in France: The restrained exterior of this expanded royal château (built by King Lous XIV in 1631) has distinct French Baroque interiors with overwhelming details in architecture, artwork, and furnishings.
• Royal Palace of Caserta near Naples, Italy: This is the largest palace in the world, originally designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli and erected in the 18th century in Italy (around 1752). It is known for its Baroque gardens.