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Rome - Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
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The Basilica of Santa Maria above Minerva
(the site was originally a Minervium church) started construction
in 1280 by Dominicans monks who built just a central nave and
two aisles only. The church is one of the best examples of mediaeval
gothic architecture in Rome with a
gorgeous ribbed vault ceiling stretching the length of the nave
and beautifully pointed arches separating the two aisles
on either side.
The church has a colourful history with
Saint Catherine of Siena buried under
the main altar while her head is buried elsewhere in Siena. Lurking at the back of the church is the Medici Chapel which was built for
Pope Leo X, who spent so much money during his reign
that he nearly bankrupt the roman church. The beautiful blue and gold ceiling design and (fake) white marble columns were added in
1850's to create a "new splendour" for the ancient building, but was seen to clash with the purity of the architecture at the time.
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