Jan Santini Aichel

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Jan Blažej Santini Aichel (February 3, 1677 - December 7, 1723), also called Giovanni Battista Santini, was a Czech architect of Italian descent, whose major works represent a curious amalgam of the Baroque and Gothic styles.

Santini was born in Prague to a family of stonemasons, who had moved from Italy to Bohemia during the 17th century. Borromini's influence is apparent in his predilection for star-shaped forms and complex symbolism. Many of his buildings are airy and elegant, yet he was considered a maverick genius by his contemporaries and exerted little influence on subsequent generations of Bohemian architects.

[edit] Works

• The Anna chapel in Brezany (1705-1707)
• The monastery in Plasy (1711-1723)
• The chateau Karlova Koruna in Chlumec nad Cidlinou (1721-1723)
• The Church of the Assumption in Kladruby (Tachov District)
• The Church of Saint Jan Nepomucký in Žďár nad Sázavou (1719-1727) — a World Heritage Site
• Initial architect for the rebuilding of Zbraslav chateau