THE BROCHURE SERIES

OF ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION.

VOL. I.
JANUARY, 1895.
No. I.


THE GOTHIC PALACES OF VENICE.


The location of Venice upon a group of islands, sufficiently removed
from the mainland to make it impossible to effectually attack it from
this side, and naturally defended on the side towards the sea by a
long chain of low islands, separated by shallow inlets and winding
channels, making it difficult to approach, has rendered the city
peculiarly free from the disturbing influences which were constantly
at work in the neighboring cities of Italy during the Middle Ages.
While her neighbors were building strong encircling walls, each
individual house a fortress in itself, Venice rested secure in her
natural defences and built her palaces open down to the water's
edge, with no attempt at fortification. Her hardy and adventurous
inhabitants rapidly extended their trade to all quarters of the world
and accumulated vast wealth, which was freely lavished on public and
private buildings. The magnificence of the former was only equalled in
the days of ancient Rome, and it is doubtful if the latter have ever
been surpassed in sumptuousness and splendor. The palaces of Venice