Basilica Nova and St Peters Square

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Basilica Nova and St Peters Square

Imperial Christian architecture and art is an important part of art when it comes to art history based on religion. Early byzantine art is also of great importance when it comes to art history and how this art was used in churches and in worship and how significant it was to the people then as well as now. This art not only communicates about religion but it also shows how the people of that time practiced their culture and how that culture formed a very deep connection to God and spirituality which is displayed through the art. Basilica nova was built by emperor Constantine while St. peters square was constructed under Pope Alexander VII. These two churches are of great importance to the Christian worship and in them there is a lot of art which expresses different beliefs and the way of living at the time the church was constructed. This paper compares and contrasts the two churches in terms of their architecture and the art within the churches.

Constantine came to the top of the roman empire leadership at a time when the empire was divided within itself and it was facing external threats due to its internal weakness. This was a time when a lot of people vied for the position of the roman emperor. In 312 CE, Constantine won over Maxentius in the battle of Milvian Bridge. Due to this win the empire came back together and this was a time when emperor Constantine allowed Christianity to be practiced since he believed that it was the Christian God who had helped him to win the war. This was despite the fact that he came to believe during his deathbed moments. After Constantine won over Maxentius. He realized that Maxentius was in the process of building a grand basilica which he took over and finalized. It is located near the roman forum and it was renamed basilica nova.

When the basilica was complete it came to 300 feet, 215 feet wide and had a height of 115 feet. It was supported by concrete walls which were 15 feet thick. It was decorated with marble stucco and veneer. The northern end had an apse and the southern end was flanked by a porch. The Colossus of Constantine was located at the apse and it was built of many parts and not one. the body was built with wooden framework, brick core and it was gilded. Some parts remain of the colossus and one of them is the head that is over 5.5 feet long and eight feet tall. It portraits an individual with clearly defined features like the jaws, hooked nose, and large eyes. One hand points upwards towards the heavens while the other one held an orb or a scepter. It was a common multipurpose hall during the roman empire times and it functioned as law courts, business transactions and law courts.

On the other hand, St. peters basilica took a long time to build and many people were involved. However, the most important person was the Pope Alexander VII. St peters square houses over 300,000 people at once and it is one of the most famous and biggest squares in the world (Jones). The square was designed by Bernini in the 17th century and it has very many columns and rows. The square faces St. Peters Basilica and it has a lot of art within it. The most spectacular art which can be seen is the two giant statutes of St. peter and St. paul who were the two apostles to Rome. Interior of St peters square is decorated with marble. The entire interior of St. peters square and basilica are decorated with marble, gilding, reliefs, and architectural sculpture (maverickonthemove). It has a large number of tombs especially for popes and these are considered great works. There are also other great works of art and one of the most outstanding ones is the Michelangelo’s pieta as the mother of Jesus holds Jesus after being removed from the cross.

The art which is within the basilica and the square was done by some of the most famous artists like Carlo Maderno, Donato Bramante, Gian Lorenzo Bernini among others. The square also contains the Egyptian obelisk also known as the witness and placed at the center (“St Peter’s Square Vatican Rome Architecture & Facts Guide”). It is 84 feet tall and including the base it is 130 feet. It was originally in Forum Lulium around 25-30 BC. Caligula brought it to Rome and erected in 37 AD.

These two churches represent different people however along the same line of faith. Constantine and his basilica nova represent the people of his time in the year 300 AD while st peters square and basilica represent the people of 17th century (Jones). The two have differences but still also have similarities. Some of the similarities include the fact that the worship is of the same God for both. Therefore, the churches are constructed for the same purpose even though during the time of Constantine the church was used for several difference purposes. Both of the churches have art and this expresses the ability of the people of the two different times to express themselves. The differences include the fact that basilica nova is a small church compared to St. peters basilica and square. St peters basilica and square also have a lot of art which comparing to basilica nova does not exist.

In conclusion, these two churches express the thoughts of its people and the art which they used to have within their abilities. Even though the differences exist, the most important part is the ability of the churches to express faith and art at the same time.

Works cited

Jones, Muffet. “Early Christianity and Byzantine Art.” Boisestate.pressbooks.pub, boisestate.pressbooks.pub/arthistory/chapter/early-christianity-byzantine-art/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2021.

“St Peter’s Square Vatican Rome Architecture & Facts Guide.” Visit Vatican Info – Explore Rome with Our Rome Travel Guide, 15 Aug. 2020, visitvatican.info/st-peters-square/#Astonishing_details_about_St_Peter8217s_Square_Architecture. Accessed 27 Oct. 2021.

maverickonthemove, Author. “St. Peter’s Basilica – Renaissance Architecture at Its Best.” MaverickOnTheMove, 10 Sept. 2016, maverickonthemove.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/st-peters-basilica-renaissance-architecture-at-its-best/.

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