The Importance Of St
St. Peters Basillica
St. Peters Basilica in Rome is one of the most influential Christian sites found within contemporary society. This building, complete with an obelisk, an enclosed piazza, a central façade and a dome, is the work of several architects and programs throughout the Early Christian, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The importance of St. Peters Church is its foundation on a necropolis with the tomb of St. Peter, a Christian martyr and the first pope of Rome. When considering the plan of the basilica, St. Peters can be understood as an architectural palimpsest. “A palimpsest is something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface.” 1The basilica relays the historical context and Christian culture through its multiple layers and explicates the development of the modern basilica. When looking at the consequence of these layers of architecture and the function of the church, different themes are portrayed to the observer including: the triumph of Christianity over paganism, the incorporation of pilgrims into the mass, the validation of the basilica through the presence of relics and the symbolism of the power of the church from the entire edifice.
Prior to the Early Christian period and the rule of Constantine, early cemeteries and sites for burial were placed outside of the city. Underground burials were carved into tufa material and were constructed several stories high.2 There was often a mixture of Christian and pagan burials in close proximity. Following the passage of the Edict of Milan in 312, Christianity was officially recognized and Christians were given the right to practice their religion within the city walls. This also signified the rapid development of the construction of churches soon thereafter. St. Peters Basilica is a key example of the beginning of continuous development of architecture and Christian culture in Rome.
In the early fourth century, Constantine initiated the construction of St. Peter’s
St. Peters Basilica in Rome is one of the most influential Christian sites found within contemporary society. This building, complete with an obelisk, an enclosed piazza, a central façade and a dome, is the work of several architects and programs throughout the Early Christian, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The importance of St. Peters Church is its foundation on a necropolis with the tomb of St. Peter, a Christian martyr and the first pope of Rome. When considering the plan of the basilica, St. Peters can be understood as an architectural palimpsest. “A palimpsest is something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface.” 1The basilica relays the historical context and Christian culture through its multiple layers and explicates the development of the modern basilica. When looking at the consequence of these layers of architecture and the function of the church, different themes are portrayed to the observer including: the triumph of Christianity over paganism, the incorporation of pilgrims into the mass, the validation of the basilica through the presence of relics and the symbolism of the power of the church from the entire edifice.
Prior to the Early Christian period and the rule of Constantine, early cemeteries and sites for burial were placed outside of the city. Underground burials were carved into tufa material and were constructed several stories high.2 There was often a mixture of Christian and pagan burials in close proximity. Following the passage of the Edict of Milan in 312, Christianity was officially recognized and Christians were given the right to practice their religion within the city walls. This also signified the rapid development of the construction of churches soon thereafter. St. Peters Basilica is a key example of the beginning of continuous development of architecture and Christian culture in Rome.
In the early fourth century, Constantine initiated the construction of St. Peter’s