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ALLIO, Domenico I - b. ~1510 Scaria, Lombardy, d. 1563 Graz - WGA

ALLIO, Domenico I

(b. ~1510 Scaria, Lombardy, d. 1563 Graz)

Italian architect and engineer, part of a family artists architects, son of the master mason Martino Allio I. There are four branches of this family of artists. The family was originally from Scaria but in the 16th and 17th centuries many family members moved to Austria, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Hungary, where they worked in a variety of fields associated with building. There were many intermarriages in the Allio family and thus the family tree is complex.

Domenico is considered the most important member of this branch of the Allio family. He trained in northern Italy and is documented in Steiermark from 1530. Ferdinand I, King of Bohemia and Hungary (later Holy Roman Emperor) was his patron; in 1553 he was appointed royal master builder and in 1555 chief master builder of the Croatian and Slovene frontier area. In 1558 Domenico was ennobled. Domenico renewed and modernized the fortifications against the Turks at many sites. Among his non-military projects is the Landhaus (1556-63) at Graz, considered his most important project and one of the most architecturally interesting 16th-century monuments north of the Alps.

With the threat of Turkish invasion, Graz became the principal stronghold of middle Austria from 1543. The plans for the fortification of the Schlossberg and the city with bastions and curtain walls were probably by Lazarus Schwendi and executed by Domenico Allio I, among others.

Exterior view
Exterior view by

Exterior view

The Grazer Landhaus in the Herrengasse was built in 1527-1531 as the first Renaissance building of the city of Graz. The main wing of the Landhaus was built from 1557 to the plans of the architect Domenico Allio in the style of a northern Italian palace.

The Italian fortress builder Domenico Allio, who was also involved in the expansion of the castle hill fortress, was commissioned in 1555 with a renovation of the building which resulted in the main tract on the side of the “Herrengasse” and the large arcaded court designed in the style of the Renaissance. Characteristic features of the building are the ornate arched windows, the airy arcades and the three-storey arcaded courtyard.

The Landhaus is the most important early Renaissance building in Styria, and one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. It was completed by several architects, nevertheless, it has retained a certain uniformity, since all additions were very carefully integrated into the existing building fabric. Overall, the building encloses three courtyards: the large Landhaushof, the small Landhaushof and the Zeughaushof, which is closest to the arsenal.

The photo shows the fa�ade on the Herrengasse. At left is the Zeughaus (Armoury), in middle the Landhaus, and at right the Rathaus (Town Hall).

View the ground plan of Landhaus, Graz.

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Interior view
Interior view by

Interior view

The Grazer Landhaus in the Herrengasse was built in 1527-1531 as the first Renaissance building of the city of Graz. The main wing of the Landhaus was built from 1557 to the plans of the architect Domenico Allio in the style of a northern Italian palace.

The Italian fortress builder Domenico Allio, who was also involved in the expansion of the castle hill fortress, was commissioned in 1555 with a renovation of the building which resulted in the main tract on the side of the “Herrengasse” and the large arcaded court designed in the style of the Renaissance. Characteristic features of the building are the ornate arched windows, the airy arcades and the three-storey arcaded courtyard.

The Landhaus is the most important early Renaissance building in Styria, and one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. It was completed by several architects, nevertheless, it has retained a certain uniformity, since all additions were very carefully integrated into the existing building fabric. Overall, the building encloses three courtyards: the large Landhaushof, the small Landhaushof and the Zeughaushof, which is closest to the arsenal.

The photo shows the large courtyard.

View the ground plan of Landhaus, Graz.

Send Postcard Learn More
Interior view
Interior view by

Interior view

The fa�ades of the two connecting sides of the courtyard show the Colosseum-motif with Tuscan pilasters on all of the three levels. It is the first appearance of Roman Renaissance in the Germanic region.

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Interior view
Interior view by

Interior view

The Grazer Landhaus in the Herrengasse was built in 1527-1531 as the first Renaissance building of the city of Graz. The main wing of the Landhaus was built from 1557 to the plans of the architect Domenico Allio in the style of a northern Italian palace.

The Italian fortress builder Domenico Allio, who was also involved in the expansion of the castle hill fortress, was commissioned in 1555 with a renovation of the building which resulted in the main tract on the side of the “Herrengasse” and the large arcaded court designed in the style of the Renaissance. Characteristic features of the building are the ornate arched windows, the airy arcades and the three-storey arcaded courtyard.

The Landhaus is the most important early Renaissance building in Styria, and one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. It was completed by several architects, nevertheless, it has retained a certain uniformity, since all additions were very carefully integrated into the existing building fabric. Overall, the building encloses three courtyards: the large Landhaushof, the small Landhaushof and the Zeughaushof, which is closest to the arsenal.

The photo shows the large courtyard.

View the ground plan of Landhaus, Graz.

Send Postcard Learn More
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