There is a strong architectural tradition in Switzerland.The Romanesque style of the 12th century can be found in the cathedrals of Basel,Sion,Chur,Geneva and Lausanne.This style,which is rich in expression,can also be found on many castles and fortresses around the country,many of which preserved in a good condition.The cathedrals of Schaffhausen,Zug and Zürich are of the Gothic style,and the churches of Einsiedeln and St.Gallen are of Baroque style.During the Renaissance,a large number of architectural masters gave their talents to Italy.Most of these came from the southern canton of Ticino.The Prisons near the Doge's Palace in Venice and the Rialto Bridge in Venice were built by Antonio da Ponte.The Bridge of Sighs in Venice was built by Antonio Contino,and Domenico Fontana (1543-1607) designed the entire Lateran Palace in Naples as well as the facade of the St.John Lateran Church and the Royal Palace in the same city.Fontana's nephew Carlo Maderno was an architect to Pope Paul V.San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane,the gallery of the Palazzo Spada and the Filippini monastery were built by Francesco Borromini,and Carlo Fontana was responsible for the facade of San Marcello al Corso and the Montecitorio Palace; Baldassare Longhena,from Maroggia,built the church of Santa Maria della Salute,the Rezzonico and the Widmann palaces; all in Venice.
