Michele Sanmicheli: Architect of Venetian Fortresses and Classical Grace Michele Sanmicheli (1484-1559), a name perhaps less familiar than those of Bramante or Palladio, stands as a pivotal figure in the architectural landscape of 16th-century Italy. Born in San Michele Extra, near Verona, he rose from humble beginnings – his father and uncle were stonemasons – to become one of Venice’s most prolific and influential architects, leaving an indelible mark on fortifications, palaces, and religious structures across a vast geographical area, encompassing Venice, Verona, Dalmatia, Bergamo, Bresci…