PALLADIO, Andrea
(b. 1508, Padova, d. 1580, Maser)

San Giorgio Maggiore: Interior

1566
Photo
Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice

The form and grandeur of this church depend directly on its location, highly visible from the representational and celebratory centre of the city at San Marco. Every year on the day after Christmas the doge and senators made a solemn visit to the church. In his "Four Books", Palladio advocated a central plan as the most suitable for a church. Here, however, he respected the preference of ecclesiastical and civil authorities for a long nave and ample transepts - in this case to accommodate the annual procession of the doge - devising a Latin cross plan crowned with a dome at its crossing. Palladio's nave, with its rhythmic interplay of attached columns and pilasters, is impressive and yet welcoming.

The inside of the church clearly follows the dictates of the Council of Trent (1545-63) with respect to liturgical concerns. The depth of the transept and choir in proportion to the nave is innovative. The imposing high altar, decorated with bronzes by Girolamo Campagna, divides the presbytery from the choir.

A monumental Composite order on high pedestals supports a pediment crowning the nave; this is interlocked with a lower, horizontal temple front, which coincides with the aisles. Below this, single-storey Corinthian pilasters frame triangular pedimented aedicules containing sculptural decoration celebrating the history of the church.

View the ground plan and section of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice.




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