Il capitano e l’architetto. Processi decisionali nell’architettura fortificata della Serenissima nel Cinquecento

During the sixteenth century, the Venetian Mainland was transformed into a huge construction site on a territorial scale, in which an integrated system of fortresses was created to safeguard the safety of the Serenissima. Initially promoted by Andrea Gritti with the advice of Francesco Maria della Rovere, this defensive renewal is based on a tight planning of the complex construction process, starting from the decision-making phases. Even if it is generally believed that the military architect is the main responsible for the construction of a fortification, actually the analysis of the documents shows that the decision-making role belongs to the man-at-arms and that even famous architects such as Michele Sanmicheli had to submit to the warlords’ decisions.