New book presents the work of Baroque architect Martinelli

Brno - The life and works of the Italian Baroque architect Domenico Martinelli (1650-1718) are chronicled in a new book that was launched today in Brno at a concert by American bassist and lutenist Joel Frederiksen. The publication "Domenico Martinelli - Genius of Baroque Architecture" emphasizes, in particular, his buildings created in Moravia. It is the first publication of its kind in the Czech Republic, said Dagmar Dvořáková, co-creator of the Martinelli Project, whose goal is to present the famous architect.
    Experts consider Martinelli to be a figure who brought High Baroque to Central Europe. Structures from his projects are located not only in Italy or Vienna but also in the Czech Republic, Moravia, Poland, and the Netherlands. The architect created many buildings, particularly in Moravia.
    He is responsible, for example, for the reconstruction project of the castle in Slavkov near Brno, which he adapted for the Imperial Court Chancellor Dominik Ondřej Kounice (1654 to 1705) into a residence.
    Martinelli is the author of designs for many palaces, including the Šternberk Palace in Prague, as well as churches. Among these, the temple in Rousínov in the Vyškov region stands out. His buildings can be found in Uherský Brod and Valtice. Martinelli was able to create interesting works not only of grand buildings but also of ordinary farm structures.
    The architect was a great perfectionist. When his instructions were not precisely followed during the construction of the Liechtenstein Palace in Vienna, he wrote a letter complaining about how his work was being destroyed. He then had the letter posted in several places around the city.
    The extraordinary talent of Martinelli has been decided to be presented to the public by preservationists and Baroque enthusiasts through the Martinelli Project. It includes not only expert symposia and the publication of works but also concerts by Joel Frederiksen, who focuses on Baroque music.