Renaissance architecture

Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries

Demonstrate a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture.

 The style was started in Europe and carried to France, Germany, England, Russia and other parts of Europe at different dates and with varying degrees of impact.

Features of Renaissance Buildings 

Renaissance architecture had some distinct features that were fairly common to major construction:Square - Many buildings were built as square or rectangle symmetrical shapes.

• Front - The front or "façade" of the buildings were generally symmetrical around the vertical axis.

• Columns - They used Roman type columns.

• Arches and Domes - Arches and domes were popular. This was again taken from Roman and Greek architecture.

• Ceilings - The ceilings of buildings were generally flat. Previously in the Middle Ages ceilings were often left open.

St. Peter's Basilica is a prime example of Renaissance architecture

St. Peter's Basilica is a Late Renaissance church located within Vatican City,  west of the River Tiber.

Designed principally by DonatoBramante, 

Michelangelo,  Carlo Maderno and

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance

architecture and remains one of

the largest churches in the world.

While it is neither the mother church of the Roman Catholic Church nor the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, St. Peter's is regarded as one of the holiest

Catholic sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world“ and as "the

greatest of all churches of Christendom’’.

Constructed in 1626

Length: 730 feet (220 m)Width: 500 feet (150 m)

Height:  (max)452 feet (138 m)Dome dia.: (outer)137.7 feet (42.0 m)Dome dia.:  (inner)136.1 feet (41.5 m)

The basilica is approached via St. Peter's Square, a forecourt in two sections, both surrounded by tall colonnades. The first space is oval and the second trapezoid. The façade of the basilica, with a giant order of columns, stretches across the end of the square and is approached by steps on which stand two 5.55 metres (18.2 ft) statues of the 1st century apostles 

to Rome, Saints Peter and Paul.

Front Facade

The 45.5 meters (149 ft) high facade is crowned with 5.7 meter tall statues of Christ, John the Baptist and the apostles except for St. Peter. On either side are huge clocks supported by angels and decorated with ornaments and the papal crest. They were added in the early nineteenth century and are the work of Giuseppe Valadier. Below the clock on the left you can see the church bells.

Narthex

Five entrances lead to the narthex (the lobby area) of the church, where you find an equestrian statue of Charles the Great on the left and another equestrian statue of Emperor Constantine, created by Bernini. Five doors lead from the narthex to the nave of the basilica. The central bronze door was created in the fifteenth century by the Florentine sculptor and architect Filarete for the old basilica. The door on the right is the Porta Santa, the holy door which is only opened once every twenty-five years.

Interior

once inside the nave the enormous size of the church becomes apparent. The basilica has a surface area of 15,160 square meters, enough space to accommodate 60,000 visitors. It is covered by a coffered barrel vault ceiling and a huge central dome. 

In front of the papal altar is the confessio (burial crypt) that marks the presumed grave of St. Peter. It is encircled by a balustrade with ninety-five bronze oil lamps. 

DomeThe confessio is located right below the majestic dome. Look up and you'll see the impressive colorful vaulting with sixteen ribs that are supported by four massive pillars. The triangular spaces where the pillars meet the dome are decorated with mosaics depicting the evangelists. Light enters through the lantern and the sixteen large windows below the cornice.