St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral
Throughout history, a church is a building that is used for religious activity, specifically for worship services. The typical architecture for a church usually consist of a cross. Oftentimes, the church also includes a dome or a large vaulted space. The church is typically used by Christians but it can also be used by other religion. There are various type of church. For example, there is the Basilica type, which is originally used to describe the Roman public building and it is typically located in a forum of a Roman town. In addition to that, the Basilica is usually describe as and open, roman, public court building. The first basilicas built during the early years had no religious function at all. The roman basilica was a spacious public building where people use it for business or legal matters. Another type of church is the Cathedral which is a christian church that contain the seat of the bishop, therefore serving as the central church of diocese, conference, or episcopate. Cathedral has many function. The role of the cathedral is to serve God in the community. The building symbolizes the glory of God. The two buildings being discussed and compared in this paper are St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Pauls Cathedral. I will be comparing the history, function, and architecture between these two buildings.
St. Peter’s Basilica remains one of the largest church in the world. With the height of over 400 feet tall and length of 730 feet, and the width of 500 feet. It is located on Vatican Hill. The Vatican Hill is located across the Tiber river from the traditional seven hills in Rome. Its coordinates includes 41° 54’ 8” N 12° 27’ 7” E. This church is considered one of the holiest Cathol...
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...hed the old St, Paul. In 1669, the new St. Paul was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. He had previously been put in charge of the rebuilding of churches to replace those lost in the great fire. Christopher Wren had begun advising on the repair of the old St. Pauls in 1661 The proposed work included renovations to both interior and exterior that would complement the Classical facade designed by Inigo Jones in 1630. Wren planned to replace the dilapidated tower with a dome, using the existent structure as a scaffold. He produced a drawing of the proposed dome, showing that it was at this stage at which he conceived the idea that it should span both nave and aisles at the crossing.[16] After the fire, It was at first thought possible to retain a substantial part of the old cathedral, but ultimately the entire structure was destroy in the early 1670s to start afresh.
For much of the last millennia many great architects have looked upon the Pantheon as a staple of classical architecture, as well as a model for many modern day buildings. Created by the Romans, the Pantheon would use many elements better than any other works of architecture to that time. No further than Columbia Missouri is this evident in the construction of what used to be known as the First Academic Building on the University of Missouri campus. The Architects Bell and Binder headed the creation of the new building after the First Academic Building burnt down in 1892. Known today as Jesse Hall, this modern day work of architecture pulls many elements from the Pantheon to create a unique work of public space. The most glaring comparison of both comes from the domes that top both buildings. Each building also shares similar characteristics in their front facades. Yet, while there are many similarities to both works, each contain unique differences in their layout and construction.
In conclusion, I admire the work ethic of the individuals who built this cathedral because it shows work ethic, precise with mathematics, and a strong religious faith. During this Gothic time frame in history majority of their art resembled images that the Holy Bible describes. Religion during this time period was represented very well even experts are still amazed as to how this cathedral were built so tall and high. Even though this cathedral has been exposed to stress, with the assistant with the flying buttress, ribbed ceiling, and metal this cathedral will be an ongoing restorative process so that it will be around for generation here to come to admire its beauty.
St Peter’s basilica which is built based on rational form of architecture is a Late Renaissance church located within Vatican City, designed by Donato Bramante. Its significant history is that according to the Catholic tradition this was the place that Saint Peter was buried. Not so far away...
During the Romanesque era, pilgrims were the most noticeable characteristic of public religious devotion, proclaiming their faith in the power of saints (Gardner 335). Pilgrims traveled all over Europe to reach the major shrines located in Jerusalem. The large quantity of pilgrims whom wished to visit the saints effected the Romanesque churches architecturally (Gardner 335). Changes in design and structure we being made in order to accommodate the growing crowds of pilgrims. Changes such as longer and wider naves and aisles, transepts and ambulatories with additional chapels and even second-story galleries (Gardner 335). The increase of the pilgrimage routes which allowed more pilgrims to travel in order to visit their saints, established many changes in architectural styles as well as the dissemination of the faith in saints.
The Hagia Sophia is a stunning, spherical-shaped building made of marble and gold (Doc. 4). Justinian built the Hagia Sophia, which means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek, after a church of the same name was destroyed in riots in Constantinople (outside information). Procopius, Justinian’s court historian, described the church as “suspended from heaven by the fabled golden chain” (Doc. 4). Undoubtedly, visitors to the Hagia Sophia are left breathless by its beauty (outside information). Other churches that Justinian built include the Church of St. Salvator in Chora and the Church of the Apostles (Doc. 5). Justinian’s churches were beautiful; however, they were created to be more than just a display. The churches caused people to feel a connection with God, which helped unify the empire under a single faith. The bonding of the Romans under one faith helped strengthen the entire empire. Moreover, the abundance of churches in Constantinople helped make the city the center of religious power (Doc. 5). Evidence of Justinian’s legacy can be found when one realizes that the Byzantine Empire’s revived culture influenced Orthodox Christianity, a major branch of modern
...uffering the Civil war that broke in 1642 in England. A few months after Wren returned from his self-educational trip to France, in May 1666, made a very radical suggestion for the restoration of the Cathedral, instead of that, of the patching up proposals of the older men in the Commission, Sir John Denham the Surveyor, John Webb and Sir Roger Pratt. Wren suggested to change the interior of the nave like the exterior, and to substitute the nave vault with saucer domes. ‘He noted that it would be easy to perform it after a good Roman manner, so as to follow the Gothic rudeness of the old design’ In Wren’s report there were also practical propositions for the erection of the new dome above the old tower, which would be used as scaffolding and then demolished after the completion, a method that gained in his trip abroad, a method that could save both time and money.
...ral (138 ½ feet), Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s (137 ½) and Wren’s St. Paul’s (109 feet). Until steel and concrete technology advanced in the 19th century, no single spaces were larger than these. Bibliography Dirimtekin, Feridun. [1964]. Saint Sophia Museum. Istanbul: Touring and Automobile Club of Turkey. Fossati, Gaspare. 1852. Aya Sofia, Constantinople : as recently restored by order of H. M. the sultan Abdul-Medjid. London: R. & C. Colnagni & Co. James Stevens Curl. Classical Architecture: an introduction to its vocabulary and essentials, with a select glossary of terms. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1992. ISBN 0-442-30896-5. NA260.C87. interior photo of circular space (photo of the prostyle octstyle portico of the Pantheon) William L. MacDonald. The Architecture of the Roman Empire I. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1982. ISBN 0-300-02818-0. LC 81-16513
The Holy Sepulchre is a church. It is also called the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Resurrection. This site is located in Christian quarter in the old wall city of Jerusalem. In early 2nd century the site was formerly a pagan temple. The first Christian emperor, Constantine ordered that the temple to be demolished around 325/356 and had it replaced by a Christian church. He ordered Macarius of Jerusalem, the local Bishop, to build a church on the site of the previous pagan temple. Many reports in 333 say,"There, at present, by the command of the Emperor Constantine, has been built a basilica, that is to say, a church of wondrous beauty". The church was built by connecting three churches, the Martyrium, Triportico, and the Anastasis. The old church of Anastasis is said to contain evidence of burial site of Jesus Christ. As legend says it Constantine ordered for the rock face from the alleged burial site to be removed from the rock cut room in order to isolate it.
The Basilica of St. Denis was originally built in 500-599 AD, but was later reconstructed by Abbot Suger in c.1135-1144. Although its original architect is unknown, it is most famous for its reconstruction that was overseen by Abbot Suger (Panofsky). This basilica is also well known for its representation of Europe’s architectural shift from the Romanesque style to Gothic. The Gothic style brought new designs and was dubbed the “transformat...
Architecture is one important aspect of Byzantine culture. One of the most famous Byzantine architectural achievements is the Hagia Sophia, which is located in modern-day Istanbul. The basic design of the cathedral has a dome over a square base, which required a new innovation. At the time, it was kn...
Construction spanning one hundred and eight years, the final result is magnificent. Having had many different architects working on the project, changing after either the leading Pope would die or the architect, it is a wonder the plans for the basilica came together and that the building has lasted so long. The original basilica, built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century is the foundation to this building. To those of the christian faith, this building is the epitome of belief. St Peter’s Basilica is from where the catholic faith
Thesis: Both St. John the Baptist Cathedral and Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres are constructed in French Gothic style which means that architecturally they have many similarities. However, the 700 year gap between their construction offers St. John the Baptist more flexibility in design and style. Still, their likeness and variations extend far beyond the realm of their design.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London, England, was designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren. Approval of this most significant architectural project took six years just for the plan. Construction, which began in 1675, took thirty-five years until finally complete in 1710. It was built to replace a church that had been leveled by the Great Fire of 1666. St. Paul's is the largest cathedral in England, and said to be Wren's masterpiece. He brought a range of new forms, and architectural combination into English architecture. Masonry, brick, timber, and cut stone were used to form the structure of the cathedral. St. Paul’s Cathedral has been one of the main socially significant buildings in London. Cathedrals all around, have always played a large role in the communities they serve. Their fundamental purpose is to bring people closer to God, but over the centuries they have served as a focal point for trade, as a stronghold and a place of safety in times of war, and as immense status symbols. The functions, of a cathedral, take on an additional significance for St Paul's, because it’s known as the cathedral of the capital city and, of the nation. The present building is also the first cathedral to have been built since the creation of the Church of England in 1534, when religion was brought under the direct control of the monarch. This quote from Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage really shows the significance the Church has made in England. “St Paul's Cathedral is the internationally recognized signature of London and the capital's most important historic and architectural focal point. Only St Paul's and the Palace of Westminster are protected by strategic views but the proposed tower disregards this legal protection and the significance of the Cathedral as the icon of London.” The West Front, which faces the heart of the City of London, is an iconic image with great national significance. It is through the famous West Doors that so many British monarchs and distinguished figures have entered the Cathedral. The nation’s “best-loved” church, St Paul’s has hosted some of the most important commemorative events in British history. In recent years the memorial service for the victims of 9/11, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday. Also, it was where the funeral services of Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Winston Churchi...
All over the world people still come to admire the beauty of European cathedrals. Many of the cathedrals are fragile due to age, neglect, pollution, and insufficient funds available to restore these historical and beautiful buildings. Nevertheless, visitors to these architectural masterpieces are fascinated by the design and structure of these churches. The cathedral builders using their own ingenuity, expertise, and limited resources were able to defy the laws of gravity and time. (Icher 30)
The style of Baroque architecture is say to be overwhelm, in other word, heavy and powerful. In order to bring out the sense of solemn, holiness, it is presented in the form of massiveness and movement. The St. Peter’s Basilica, completed in 1626, designed by Donato Brama...