Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 17 July 2008 in Architecture.
Located on the summit of Rome's Esquiline Hill is this great patriarchal basilica, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in the 350's by Pope Liberius, rebuilt by Sixtus III in 432 it still bears many Romanesque treasures. The columns flanking the nave are made of Athenian marble and were possible used by an older building before. The mosaics above the pillars are the oldest Christian mosaics of a Roman church (5th century), the gilded ceiling (the gold is said to be the first from the New World, the Spanish just had discovered 'El Dorado') is done by Sangallo.
The High Altar and the apse behind is very interesting. We're going to have a closer look later.
Wonderful perspective and spectacular detail!
17 Jul 2008 1:00am
@Michael Skorulski: Thanks! It's slightly distorted and I'm not fully satisfied with it but this church is so different that I like to share it :)
I can only say WOW! What an amazing place and you captured it very well...
17 Jul 2008 4:58am
@juant3: Thanks a lot! This place is indeed different as it is very old (5th century) and it has a very different architecture. Comparing the churches of Rome, you soon find out that the ceilings gets more three-dimensional the older the churches are. While the ceilings of 18th century churches are quite flat with 'ordinary' paintings, Baroque churches often try to break the borders of the architecture by using illusionist paintings (Il Gesù, e.g.) and the oldest have heavy wooden constructs above your head. Like this one.
The length is quite extraordinary, you got a very sharp shot considering the shutter speed, well done.
17 Jul 2008 9:05am
@JoeB: I developed a special breathing technique. :)
Gorgeous shot.
17 Jul 2008 9:10am
@Don: Thanks very much, Don?
I love the perspective, this is simply magnificent, A truly beautiful shot MS.
17 Jul 2008 10:57am
@MaryB: Wait - there's more! :-)
it should be your TREASURE picture. .. great shot ... what your eye has seen is great ...
17 Jul 2008 11:32am
@SIMR: Thanks! Feel free to visit them all :-)
what a beautiful cathedral!
17 Jul 2008 1:34pm
@Jennifer Radio: And old! Very old! :-)
That's quite a ceiling.
17 Jul 2008 2:51pm
@Twelvebit: I'll show you even weightier ones. Soon.
Great use of depth here, where everything is clearly visible all the way to the back. This also creates a lot of good symmetry with the repeating columns, windows and the many squares of the coffered ceiling.
17 Jul 2008 3:06pm
@Steven: The first impression you get here is that of a temple. One has to realize that when they started to build up this church the Forum Romanum was still the living center of the city and that it is 'in use' since that time! However, there are many changes from later centuries, but the apse at the High Altar will show us some authentic Romanesque mosaics that are really exciting! Soon!
A stunningly beautiful image.....!
17 Jul 2008 4:45pm
@Observing: I tell you, if I had a flat in Rome...
Very nice perspective. A gorgeous architecture.
17 Jul 2008 6:17pm
@akarui: Yes, I agree! More about this soon.
coolness
17 Jul 2008 9:36pm
@Daniel: Thanks! You've written comment # 2000 in this blog! :-)
The ceiling of this basilica is very impressive!!!!
17 Jul 2008 11:49pm
@Laurent: Definitely! But there are ceilings in other churches that are still weightier! Soon.
It's a good perspective just to give us an idea about this monument built on the ruins of another...I like when part of construction materials from one building are built into another, it is ...somehow...like resurrection.
20 Jul 2008 9:44am
@Japanalia: Most of the ancient Roman temples survived this way - they turned into churches. Most of the other buildings were used as quarries up to the 17th century!
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