World’s Most Spectacular and Beautiful Architectures: The Rise of Europe – Monuments to Change

World’s Most Spectacular and Beautiful Architectures: The Rise of Europe – Monuments to Change

By Mr Ghaz, February 4, 2011

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World’s Most Spectacular and Beautiful Architectures: The Rise of Europe – Monuments to Change

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In the 1400s, rich and ambitious citizens of Italy set out to create a whole new way of life. Their model was the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, which their scholars and artists carefully studied and copied. This period is called the Renaissance, and from Italy the movement spread to other parts of Europe. In the 1520s, Martin Luther called for the church to be reformed. He was joined later by other Catholic and Protestant thinkers such as John Calvin and Ignatius Loyola. Their religious activities produced the Reformation, which left European Christianity divided into many separate groups. The dramatic changes during these times inspired three new styles of architecture. While Renaissance architects built with simple shapes such as circles, squares and triangles, the new Mannerist style used complicated patterns to express the confusion of the times. The later Baroque style is recognized by its huge columns, bold curves, sharp contrasts and flamboyant and theatrical statues.

St Maria’s

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This small church in Todi, Italy, built in the Renaissance style, was designed and decorated using only a few simple shapes. The architect Donato Bramante wanted St Peter’s Basilica in Rome to be a large version of this church.

Original Design

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The coin shows an image of St Peter’s based on the design of Bramante, the first architect for the church. Michelangelo later changed the original plan to include a wider and higher dome.

Under the Dome

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Worshippers gather around the altar, which is covered by a bronze canopy built in the Baroque style. St Peter’s tomb lies beneath the opening in the floor.

On the Inside

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The interior of St Peter’s is decorated in the Baroque style. The nave is between the entrance and the altar. It is longer than the plan designed by Mechelangelo.

St Peter’s Basilica

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Eleven major architects directed the building of St Peter’s Rome, Italy, which includes three different architectural styles-Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque. Construction began in 1506 and took more than a century to complete.

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Dome: The dome is 43m (140ft) across and stands on legs 76m (250 ft) tall. It is buttressed by chains wrapped around it. The dome is considered one of the greatest accomplishments of Renaissance engineering.

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Looking In: The dome seems to float above the interior. This effect is achieved because there are no supports directly below the dome.

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Obelisk: Nine hundred workers and 240 horses moved this Egyptian obelisk across Rome, then stood it upright in the center of the piazza.

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Piazza: Two arms made up of four rows of columns outline the piazza, the large open space in front of the church. The piazza is oval-the favourite shape of Baroque architects.

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Congregation of Saints: A row of 140 sculpted statues of saints and angels face the piazza from the roof of the colonnade-an evenly-spaced row of columns.

A Complicated Pattern

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The front or façade of St Peter’s is designed in the Mannerist style. It has windows and doors in many different sizes and shapes. It is also wider than the church and high enough to partly hide the great dome.

The Church of St Charles

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This church in Vienna, Austria has a wide façade, tall imposing columns and many flamboyant statues, typical of the Baroque style.

Famous Masterpieces

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This museum in the Vatican City was originally built to house Pope Julius is collection of sculptures from classical antiquity. Many other popes added other ancient works of art. Works in many styles are now displayed.

City Within a City

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Vatican City is surrounded by the city of Rome. The small walled town around St Peter’s is crowded with famous museums and palaces.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Ceiling

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The Sistine Chapel, located in the Vatican complex, is the place where popes are elected. It is famous for the many frescoes on its walls and ceilings, which were painted by some of the most important artists of the period. Michelangelo always considered himself a sculptor, but he was also an architect, an engineer and a painter. He spent more than four years working on high scaffolding to pant the many scenes from Christian writings on the ceiling of the chapel. A figure from the fresco is shown here.

Did You Know?

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Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent country. The Vatican mints its own money and also has an efficient postal system. Postage stamps often feature pictures of buildings, famous people and art treasures from the Vatican.