Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque. The Renaissance period is one of the best-known periods in the history of architecture, later followed by another well-known period called the Baroque era. The Renaissance era in architecture began when artists sought to create a new style that was totally different from those of its predecessor, while at the same time reviving the styles that the Romans and Greeks had done before them. This period saw the birth of many new architects notable for the Renaissance style; Brunelleschi, the inaugurator of the Renaissance style in Florence, Alberti in Rome and Bramante for his inauguration of the High Renaissance. The characteristics of this period are distinct in many ways. One of them is that it focuses on the proportions of things. The importance of the human form as the basis of proportions distinguishes Renaissance architecture from Gothic architecture. "The design of temples depends on symmetry... It derives from proportion... Proportion consists in taking in a fixed form, in each case both parts of a building and for the whole, by which the method of symmetry' (Vitruvius, De Arch., III, i) According to Alberti one of Vetruvius' main points is the key role of proportion. The extract from Book III of Vitruvius shows that proportion is the key element to have a plan with a regular shape. For this reason Alberti in his works underlines the use of proportions which will later be implemented by various architects in this period, even if it was Brunnellschi who was the first to think about the importance of integrating the plan according to the facade. A quick look at the plans of a building shows that in this era symmetry, squares and proportions were used according to... middle of paper... time. At that time, the term baroque mainly referred to Italian architecture, although there are differences especially in the northern part. Another issue is that when examining other areas and centers, it is often seen that the term Baroque cannot really be applied to every type of architecture during this time period throughout the world. Works Cited Gordon Campbell, 2004. Renaissance Art and Architecture. 0 Edition. Oxford University Press, USA Henry A Millon, 1968. Baroque and Rococo architecture. First paperback edition. Studio VistaPeter Murray, 1979. Renaissance Architecture (History of World Architecture). New edition Ed. Faber and Faber.John Summerson, 1980. Classical language of architecture (art world). Revised edition. WW Norton & Co Inc., 1988. Baroque and Rococo architecture and decoration. 0 Edition.worth it.