CULTURAL VARIATIONS OF COURTYARDS:

Around the world, especially in warm and dry climates, the courtyard has been used to extend the usable space within homes, villages, churches, and walled cities. As you view the images and read the associated text, keep in mind the purpose(s) of the courtyard. Note the achitectual details, style of embelishment, and how form follows function, or perhaps, how function follows form.

ITALY

POMPEII is one of the most accessible studies in Italian courtyards. In AD 79, the entire city was totally covered over with volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. From the street side, fronts of houses were lined up side by side with no windows. When entered, the stark outer appearance gave way to an inner courtyard of brightly painted frescoes. The second main feature, was a pool in the center. Rain water was directed to the pool via inward slanting floors.

Note the wall frescoes.

Pompeii courtyard. From: “COURTYARDS; Intimate Outdoor Spaces”. Written and photographed by Douglas Keister.

From the intimate...to the very pblic:

The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence, Italy. It is one of the most significant public places in Italy as the focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic and is still the political hub of the city. It is the meeting place of Florentines as well as the numerous tourists. Designed in 1453.

The various eye-catching statues in this square include:
• At the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio, a copy of David. The original by Michelangelo is being kept at the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts.
• The “bronze equestrian statue of Cosimo I by Giambolgna (1594)
• The Fountain of Neptune byBartolomeo Ammannati (1575)
• “The Lion”, referred to as “il Marzocco” with a copy of the “Florentine Lily”, originally made by Donatello (copy).
• “Judith and Holofernes”, by Donatello (copy).
• “Hercules and Cacus”, by Bandinelli (1533).

SPAIN

SPANISH courtyards were designed to extend the living space to a protected outdoors environment, made possible by Spain’s mild climate. Use of fountains, bird bath, paved patios of tile, brick or stone, container plants, garden beds with carefully selected plants and irrigation, created a restful outdoor room for entertaining and relaxing.

Palace of Viana, Cordoba, Spain. Known as a museum of patios because of the twelve 18th century courtyards.

Source: http://www.aboutcordoba.com/

Friends gather in courtyard.

Alhambra Palace gardens.

Granada, Spain

Source: http://www.greatbuildings.com/

MEXICO

Think vibrant color, textured walls, tile, stone, and recycled building materials.

Casa de la Cuesta bed & Breakfast

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Mexican Courtyard in San Miguel de Allende: Photos by Clara Cohan

Note the resourcefulness of the mosaic materials:

TURKEY

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey :

The imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for four centuries.
Built in the 1470’s in Istanbul.
The first courtyard is entered through the so-called Imperial Gate. The monumental fountain seen outside the gate is a beautiful example of 18th century Turkish art. In this courtyard there are the palace bakery, the mint, the quarters of the palace guards, and the firewood depots. The vegetable gardens used to occupy the terraces below.

Source: www.living_turky.com

BALI

Bali is an island of temples. Balinese temples are not closed buildings, but rectangular courtyards open to the sky, with rows of shrines and altars dedicated to various gods and deities. On festival days the congregation of each temple assembles to pray to and entertain the visiting deities. In temple festivals, the courtyard becomes a performance space where actors and actresses portray mythic episodes from the lives of the gods and heroes.
Temple gates.