Basilica of Sant'Andrea, Mantua

The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy (Italy). It is one of the major works of 15th century Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy. Commissioned by Ludovico II Gonzaga, the church was begun in 1462 according to designs by Leon Battista Alberti on a site occupied by a Benedictine monastery, of which the bell tower (1414) remains. The building, however, was finished only 328 years later. Though later changes and expansions altered Alberti’s design, the church is still considered to be one of Alberti's most complete works.

History

The façade, built abutting a pre-existing bell tower (1414), is based on the scheme of the ancient Arch of Titus. It is largely a brick structure with hardened stucco used for the surface. It is defined by a large central arch, flanked by Corinthian pilasters. There are smaller openings to the right and left of the arch. A novel aspect of the design was the integration of a lower order, comprising the fluted Corinthian columns, with a giant order, comprising the taller, unfluted pilasters. The whole is surmounted by a pediment and above that a vaulted structure, the purpose of which is not exactly known, but presumably to shade the window opening into the church behind it.

An important aspect of Alberti’s design was the correspondence between the façade and the interior elevations, both elaborations of the triumphal arch motif. The nave of the interior is roofed by a barrel vault, one of the first times such a form was used in such a monumental scale since antiquity, and quite likely modeled on the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome. Alberti most likely had planned for the vault to be coffered, much like the smaller barrel vault in the entrance, but lack of funds led to the vault being constructed as a simple barrel vault with the coffers then being painted on. Originally, the building was planned without a transept, and possibly even without a dome. This phase of construction more or less ended in 1494.

In 1597, the lateral arms were added and the crypt finished. The massive dome (1732–1782) was designed by Filippo Juvarra, and the final decorations on the interior added under Paolo Pozzo and others in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Relic of the Holy Blood

The purpose of the new building was to contain the pilgrims who visited it during the feast of Ascension when a vial, that the faithful argue contains the Blood of Christ, is brought up from the crypt below through a hole in the floor directly under the dome. The relic, called Preziosissimo Sangue di Cristo ("Most Precious Blood of Christ"), is preserved in the Sacred Vessels, according to the tradition was brought to Mantua by the Roman centurion Longinus. It was highly venerated during the Renaissance. The shrines are displayed only on the Good Friday, to the faithful and then brought out along the streets of Mantua in a procession.

Other aspects

In the belltower there are five bells (A, C#, E, F#, A) cast in the 19th century. One of the chapels houses the tomb of painter Andrea Mantegna, with a bronze figure of him, by Gianmarco Cavalli. His chapel has a Hoy Family by Mantegna. Other artworks in the chapels include frescoes of Giulio Romano's school (a work by Giulio is currently a copy) and by Correggio.

Notes

Шаблон:Reflist

References

External links

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Se7enthAngel
25 August 2022
"Do not judge a book by its cover" Unassuming outside but absolutely phenomenal inside. Here preserves the greatest relic of Christianity: the Sacred Vessels containing the blood of Jesus.
Flor
25 September 2016
St'Andrea is an unfinished basilica commissioned in 1470 by Ludovico II Gonzaga because he felt that the existing medieval church was not knot easier enough to represent the splendour of his state.
Flor
25 September 2016
The painter Mantegna (who designed the wall paintings of the chapel) is buried in the first chapel on the left, his tomb topped with a bust of the artist which is said to be a self-portrait.
Andrea Micheletti
13 August 2016
Stupenda!! Nulla da invidiare alle più blasonate chiese romane!
Albarico
13 September 2011
Qui si trova la tomba di San Longino, cioè del centurione che secondo la tradizione trafisse il costato di Cristo con la lancia, e anche i Sacri Vasi che, si dice, contengono il sangue di Cristo.
Николай С
29 September 2015
Всю церковь украшают росписи колонн под барельеф. Замечательный оптический эффект.
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Via Broletto, 20, 46100 Mantua, Italy Get directions
Mon-Sun 8:00 AM–Noon

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