foundations
early christian churches of rome merith ann bennett
foundations early christian churches of rome merith ann bennett
Copyright 2011 by the author of this book, Merith Ann Bennett. The book author retains sole copyright to her contributions to this book.
This publication and the photographs held within it were made possible by the Gunilla and Jerry Finrow Endowed Fellowship. I wish to thank Professors Gunilla and Jerry Finrow for their continued generosity to the University of Washington and the students who study at the Rome Center.
contents
1
introduction
3
mausoleo di santa costanza
11
santo stefano rotondo
19
basilica di san lorenzo fuori le mura
27
san giorgio in velabro
35
basilica di sant’agnese fuori le mura
43
additional information
introduction
Upon the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Church rejoiced at its newly elevated status and growing influence among the people. However, to ensure its permanence within the minds of the people and the empire, the Church quickly understood the need of buildings to relay its message both liturgically, as well as symbolically. Immediately the Church began a building campaign in search of the ideal place of worship. The spaces need to be both familiar yet markedly Christian, thus the earliest churches tend to reflect experimentations with Roman and Jewish building traditions, using a variety of forms, spatial relationships and building techniques to develop a decidedly Christian space. Through these built investigations a more coalesced, building form emerged – the foundation of Christian architecture. The following pages present a record of a selected few early Christian churches existing within Rome. I focused on churches that retained their early Christian character, as many have been altered significantly over time. Those unaltered are fascinating in their variety and modesty, and beautiful in their quiet nature. Enjoy.
mausoleo di santa costanza
mausoleo di santa costanza
4
foundations
5
mausoleo di santa costanza
6
foundations
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mausoleo di santa costanza
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foundations
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santo stefano rotondo
santo stefano rotondo
12
foundations
13
santo stefano rotondo
14
foundations
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santo stefano rotondo
16
foundations
17
basilica di san lorenzo fuori le mura
basilica di san lorenzo fuori le mura
20
foundations
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basilica di san lorenzo fuori le mura
22
foundations
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basilica di san lorenzo fuori le mura
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foundations
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san giorgio in velabra
san giorgio in velabro
28
foundations
29
san giorgio in velabro
30
foundations
31
san giorgio in velabro
32
foundations
33
basilica di sant’agnese fuori le mura
basilica di sant’agnese fuori le mura
36
foundations
37
basilica di sant’agnese fuori le mura
38
foundations
39
basilica di sant’agnese fuori le mura
40
foundations
41
The following list of early Christian churches is not exhaustive, but a starting point for further exploration.
additional information
Ara Coeli Battistero S. Giovanni in Fonte San Clemente San Cosimato Santi Giovanni e Paolo Santa Maria in Cosmedin Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Maria in Trastevere San Paolo fuori le Mura Santa Prassede Santa Pudenziana* Santi Quattro Coronati Santa Sabina* *images found in this book, see page 45
santa pudenziana (table of contents)
santa pudenziana (table of contents)
santa sabina (table of contents)
santa sabina (table of contents)
45