Final answer:
Central European Baroque architecture combines influences from Italian Baroque, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and Northern European Baroque. Notable examples include Spanish cathedrals and the vernacular Baroque of Madrid, blending traditional and Baroque elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Central European Baroque architecture synthesizes a number of influential styles to create its distinct aesthetic. Italian Baroque, with its emphasis on dramatic intensity and emotional expressiveness, played a key role in shaping Central European Baroque. Additionally, the architecture was characterized by a direct link to the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which was a response to the Protestant Reformation, leading to an expressive style that represented both the emotions and the wealth and power of the Catholic Church. Another influence was the Northern European Baroque, which brought its own variation of dramatic contrasts and deep use of chiaroscuro in the visual arts.
Examples such as the facades of Granada Cathedral and Jaén Cathedral demonstrate the interpretation of traditional Spanish architectural motifs through the Baroque lens. The vernacular Baroque of Madrid, with its roots in Herrerian and traditional brick construction, is reflected in the Plaza Mayor and the remnants of the Royal Palace of El Buen Retiro. The sober brick Baroque of the 17th century is noted for its combination of traditional materials with new baroque stylizations in Madrid's palaces and squares.