St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Catholic Church in the world, stands as a resting place of St. Peter on Vatican Hill. St. Peter was considered to be the first Pope and because of this, St. Peter’s Basilica is home of Catholicism. Emperor Constantine was the one who order this church to be built. The original church was constructed around 319AD and finished in 349AD until it later began to fall into ruins. The restoration of the church was ordered by Nicolas V around the middle of the fifth century until be also past causing the work to stop.
When Pope Julius II came to power, he decided to hire Donato Bramante and others to build a brand new church. His idea was to have a large dome surrounded by a cross with arms of equal length. This would add a Renaissance style of ancient times. Because Donato Bramante was the original architect, he had the ideas of giving the structure a modern, but at the same time ancient Roman theme. He had been very interested in early architecture and had been studying it for a long time before being asked to be the main architect for the St. Peter’s Basilica.
Before Donato Bramante could have his idea become a reality, he and Pop Julius II both died causing the architecture to be put into the hands of Michelangelo.
When Pope Julius II came to power, he decided to hire Donato Bramante and others to build a brand new church. His idea was to have a large dome surrounded by a cross with arms of equal length. This would add a Renaissance style of ancient times. Because Donato Bramante was the original architect, he had the ideas of giving the structure a modern, but at the same time ancient Roman theme. He had been very interested in early architecture and had been studying it for a long time before being asked to be the main architect for the St. Peter’s Basilica.
Before Donato Bramante could have his idea become a reality, he and Pop Julius II both died causing the architecture to be put into the hands of Michelangelo.
Tempietto
Tempietto, meaning small temple, is an Italian Reniassance style small martyrium, which commemorates Christians and the tomb of St. Peter. It sits in the center of the courtyard of the San Pietro in Montorio in Rome.
In 1502, Donato Bramante asked to build this small building with commissions from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. The temple of Vesta at Tivoli influenced Donato Bramante’s design because of its circular shape and tall columns. The circle signified the never ending life and perfection of god within the temple according to some. Other believe that the circle had to do with the sun and stars orbiting circularly around earth. He added a dome and followed the Doric order when enhancing the tomb. This style caused the temple to look very ancient and classical.
Donato Bramante’s architectural work was what made the Tempietto such a big name when thinking of High Renaissance architecture.
In 1502, Donato Bramante asked to build this small building with commissions from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. The temple of Vesta at Tivoli influenced Donato Bramante’s design because of its circular shape and tall columns. The circle signified the never ending life and perfection of god within the temple according to some. Other believe that the circle had to do with the sun and stars orbiting circularly around earth. He added a dome and followed the Doric order when enhancing the tomb. This style caused the temple to look very ancient and classical.
Donato Bramante’s architectural work was what made the Tempietto such a big name when thinking of High Renaissance architecture.
Santa Maria presso San Satiro
The Santa Maria presso San Satiro is a church in Milan restored during the 15 century by Donato Bramante. It was originally built in 876 over the house of St. Satyrus. The church was then remembered by Mary resulting in the church being called, "St. Mary Staying with St. Satyrus."
This church, in its time, was very popular because of the story of how the Madonna, a painting of Mary with baby Jesus, had left her blood there when she was stabbed. The Santa Maria presso San Satiro was then repaired by Donato Bramante, who brought his style of Renaissance architecture to the additions and repairs.
He also added in frescos to the high interior ceilings to bring a classical look to the inside. When walking through the church, the rounded arches and ceilings are seen with lots of gold throughout to brighten up the walls. When inside the building, Donato Bramante tried to make the space seem larger then it truly was.
This was just one of the many pieces Donato Bramante did to introduce High Renaissance architecture to Milan.
This church, in its time, was very popular because of the story of how the Madonna, a painting of Mary with baby Jesus, had left her blood there when she was stabbed. The Santa Maria presso San Satiro was then repaired by Donato Bramante, who brought his style of Renaissance architecture to the additions and repairs.
He also added in frescos to the high interior ceilings to bring a classical look to the inside. When walking through the church, the rounded arches and ceilings are seen with lots of gold throughout to brighten up the walls. When inside the building, Donato Bramante tried to make the space seem larger then it truly was.
This was just one of the many pieces Donato Bramante did to introduce High Renaissance architecture to Milan.