Galeazzo Alessi

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A famous Italian architect, b. 1500; d. 1572. He showed an inclination for mathematics and literature at a very early age, and afterwards studied drawing for civil and military architecture, under the direction of Giambattista Caporali, a Perugian architect andpainter. AtRome he became a friend ofMichael Angelo. He completed the fortress ofPerugia, begun bySangallo, built an apartment in it for the governor of the castle, and erected a number of palaces, regarded as the finest in the city. He resided inGenoa a number of years, engaged in the erection of various edifices, the laying-out of streets, and the restoration of the walls of the city. On the Carignano Hill he built the church of the Madonna. He repaired, restored, and embellished thecathedral and made designs for its tribune, choir, andcupola. His abilities were most conspicuous in his design for the harbour. He erected therein large gateway, flanked by rustic columns, and adorned the sea-front with a Doric portico, ingeniously defended by balustrades. This fortress-like work protected the city from within and without and had a spacious square for the military in the interior. He also extended the mole more than 600 paces into the sea, and left a number of designs and models which have been at various times executed by the rich nobles of that city. These and similar splendid edifices have obtained forGenoa the title ofLa Superba (The Proud). Alessi executed many works atFerrara. At Bologna he erected the great gate of the Palazzo Publico. He finished the palace of the Institute according to the design ofPellegrino Tibaldi, and made plans for thefaçade of San Petronio. AtMilan he built the church of San Vittore, the whimsical auditorium del Cambio, and thefaçade of San Celso, and greatly distinguished himself by the erection of the magnificent palace of Tommaso Marini, Duke of Torre Nuova. He also designed edifices inNaples andSicily,France,Germany, andFlanders. The King ofSpain sent for him to execute some buildings, which, however, are not known, and after some period oftime permitted him to return toPerugia, laden with riches and honours. He was received by his fellow-citizens with the most flattering expressions of regard, was admitted into theScuola di Commerzio; and was sent toPope Pius V on a commission involving public interest. On his return to his own country he was requested by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese to submit a design for thefaçade of the Gesu atRome, so expensive, that it was never executed. For the Duke della Corgna he built the stately palace of Castiglione on the Lake ofPerugia, and for the Cardinal, brother of the Duke, he erected another on a hill a few miles from the city. In conjunction with Giulio Danti, a Perugian architect, he was employed in the erection of the church on the Madonna degli Angeli, nearAssisi, built after the design ofVignola. Finally, Alessi submitted to the Spanish Court a design for themonastery and church of theEscorial inSpain. It was considered the best among plans submitted in a general competition by all the architects ofEurope, and he was requested to execute it, but age and indisposition prevented him. Alessi was learned, agreeable in conversation, and capable of negotiating the most important affairs.

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