Storiadellarte.com: italian art history

Italian architecture was only slightly influenced by gothic Architecture from the other side of the Alps and during the whole XIII century the traditional style of Romanesque architecture did not change.
The Cistercian monks were the first to introduce the French gothic style into Italy, by adding and overlapping with Romanesque architecture typical gothic elements such as gothic or ogival arches.
The vertical trend of architecture from north of the Alps was softened by the thickness of structures which had no pinnacles, flying buttresses or spires. In general the Italian style was more sober than the other European styles.
Church of San Francesco d'Assisi
The first example of gothic architecture in Italy is the Upper Church of San Francesco d'Assisi. Building started around 1228 and the church was consecrated in 1253.
The basilica in Assisi is made up of two overlapping churches. The architecture of the Lower Church is typically Romanesque (thick walls, very thick pillars, low vaults with ribs). The Upper Basilica stretches towards the sky and is full of light and its style is therefore reminiscent of French gothic architecture. Inside, the immense stained glass windows, typical of French cathedrals, are replaced by frescos by famous painters such as Giotto.
Church of Santa Maria Novella
The church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence was started in 1278. Ogival arches and slender frame work are held up by polystylar pillars which make this a mainly gothic design whereas the facade decorated with polychromatic marble marquetry is reminiscent of Romanesque style.
Public buildings
In this period non-religious architecture became important once again as cities grew larger and strengthened their walls. Battlement towers were built. In northern Italy a special type of building developed, known as ‘broletto’, a town hall made of bricks, with large halls for meetings. Typical examples of this type of building are the ‘broletti’ of Como, Milan and Lodi.
There is a larger variety of public buildings in central Italy: an example is the People's Hall of Orvieto, which is actually a modified version of a ‘broletto’. Palazzo Tolomei, in Siena, is a typical example of the style used for public buildings in central Italy: square layout, two series of mullioned windows, a central door flanked by two smaller ones.
An exceptional case is the Pope's Hall in Viterbo where civil and military architecture merge. From the main hall there is access to another hall, where light enters through mullioned windows. Next to this is a balcony, once surrounded on all sides by entwined arches resting on small pillars.
In southern Italy civil architecture was replaced by military architecture.