Introduction
One of my favourite churches – one that I visit almost every time I go to Rome - is Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This church of the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church is located very close to the Pantheon (about 150 metres). It is considered to be the only Gothic church within the walls of ancient Rome (Sokolov, n.d.).
I will briefly describe the history of this church before describing relationship between its appearance and layout and its religious uses; and highlighting its unique structures and characteristics.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Santa Maria sopra Minerva literally means “Saint Mary above Minerva”. The name tells the story. It was constructed on top of an older Roman temple, the Delubrum Minervae, that dated …show more content…
It is almost austere, and blends surrounding buildings. The visual images evoked are that light and entry are important – there are few features other than windows and doors.
However, as Figure 2 shows, the interior is spectacular. Its Gothic features include: pointed arches; ribbed vaulting that forms apexes on the ceiling; and many windows on both the upper levels of the nave (central ‘hall”) and along the sides. In this case, the windows are all stained glass and are extraordinarily beautiful. It also features a magnificent cupola (dome).
Layout and religious usage
Figure 3 depicts a layout similar to that of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The main entrance is on the left-hand side. The nave is flanked by side aisles and then marble Corinthian columns (a departure from the Gothic, presumably used for decorative rather than structural purposes). The nave leads to a transept (the shaded area); and on the other side of the transept are the sanctuary, which incorporates the altar, and choir (see Figure 4 below).
On the other side of the columns, around the sides and semi-circular end of the church, are a series of richly ornamental side chapels. Figure 2 - Santa Maria sopra Minerva …show more content…
More specifically, religious usage is facilitated by layout through features such as:
• The size and scale of the nave, which provides for a large congregation of worshippers, visitors and/or other celebrants as the occasion demands while still maintaining, especially through its height, a sense of grandeur. The church is some 300 feet (90 metres) long and the central nave is more than 40 feet (12 metres) wide (Bumpus, n.d.);
• The array of side chapels, which facilitate both simultaneous ceremonies and private worship and/or contemplation;
• A raised altar and an elaborately carved secondary altar on the left-hand side of the nave provide an authoritative platform from which to preach;
• A range of sites for the interment of prominent Christians as well as for the display of religious iconography;
• Acoustic qualities that enhance the quality of liturgical singing and choral performances in religious ceremonies (see http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yjzw_bach-air-no-3-santa-maria-sopra-min_travel for video of a performance of Bach’s Air No 3 in D major by Nova Amadeus in the church);
• A layout which is highly familiar to Christians, enabling visitors to readily participate;
One of my favourite churches – one that I visit almost every time I go to Rome - is Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This church of the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church is located very close to the Pantheon (about 150 metres). It is considered to be the only Gothic church within the walls of ancient Rome (Sokolov, n.d.).
I will briefly describe the history of this church before describing relationship between its appearance and layout and its religious uses; and highlighting its unique structures and characteristics.
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Santa Maria sopra Minerva literally means “Saint Mary above Minerva”. The name tells the story. It was constructed on top of an older Roman temple, the Delubrum Minervae, that dated …show more content…
It is almost austere, and blends surrounding buildings. The visual images evoked are that light and entry are important – there are few features other than windows and doors.
However, as Figure 2 shows, the interior is spectacular. Its Gothic features include: pointed arches; ribbed vaulting that forms apexes on the ceiling; and many windows on both the upper levels of the nave (central ‘hall”) and along the sides. In this case, the windows are all stained glass and are extraordinarily beautiful. It also features a magnificent cupola (dome).
Layout and religious usage
Figure 3 depicts a layout similar to that of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The main entrance is on the left-hand side. The nave is flanked by side aisles and then marble Corinthian columns (a departure from the Gothic, presumably used for decorative rather than structural purposes). The nave leads to a transept (the shaded area); and on the other side of the transept are the sanctuary, which incorporates the altar, and choir (see Figure 4 below).
On the other side of the columns, around the sides and semi-circular end of the church, are a series of richly ornamental side chapels. Figure 2 - Santa Maria sopra Minerva …show more content…
More specifically, religious usage is facilitated by layout through features such as:
• The size and scale of the nave, which provides for a large congregation of worshippers, visitors and/or other celebrants as the occasion demands while still maintaining, especially through its height, a sense of grandeur. The church is some 300 feet (90 metres) long and the central nave is more than 40 feet (12 metres) wide (Bumpus, n.d.);
• The array of side chapels, which facilitate both simultaneous ceremonies and private worship and/or contemplation;
• A raised altar and an elaborately carved secondary altar on the left-hand side of the nave provide an authoritative platform from which to preach;
• A range of sites for the interment of prominent Christians as well as for the display of religious iconography;
• Acoustic qualities that enhance the quality of liturgical singing and choral performances in religious ceremonies (see http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yjzw_bach-air-no-3-santa-maria-sopra-min_travel for video of a performance of Bach’s Air No 3 in D major by Nova Amadeus in the church);
• A layout which is highly familiar to Christians, enabling visitors to readily participate;