This has to be the hardest church for me to blog about so far. I have never visited it. Its reputation is formidable. Surrounded by piles of books full of complex architectural jargon I am at last ready to try! In my opinion this is one of the most remarkable and influential buildings I have come across. It is a key to understanding so much that followed beyond the Alps in Germany and Bohemia.
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Guarino Guarini (1624-83) came from Modena, joined the Theatine Order in 1639 and studied in Rome. This clearly included theology, maths, philosophy and architecture. He returned to Modena in 1649 and was in Messina in 1660 and in both was involved in church design. He worked in Paris too and when he settled in Turin in 1666 was a well established architect. Alas much of his work has been lost and it is through the documentation that his influence has spread. See his "Dissegni d'archittectura civili e ecclesiastica" of 1686 and Vittone's edited version of 1737.
In his work on San Lorenzo we see him at his peak. He was taking over a building started a few years earlier and he transformed it into something new and daring. He could be said to be the successor to Borromini - the creator of St Ivo in Rome. San Lorenzo may seem a simple octagonal main space plus small interconnected oval sanctuary, From my reading and the photos and video below it is anything but that! There is huge emphasis on the interior of the domes. These are not heavy in effect and lit with windows. Perhaps the main dome was meant to overwhelm us in its complexity. Is it a symbol of infinity? Some have claimed Islamic influences in his architecture but from his writings it is clear that he saw himself as successor to the medieval masters who aimed to create an atmosphere of divine majesty.
I could try to explain the interior but I think it has to be experienced. It is so three dimensional and multi-layered. The way that the red marble pillars frame the four chapels at each corner and the octagonal shape is midden and at the higher level the building takes on the appearance of a Greek cross and rising up to the lacelike diaphonous dome. If you have time take a look for a minute or two at the Youtube video below.
I look forward to a visit - high on my post COHID list - and take my own photos. Thank you to the lucky ones who have seen this for the phots below.
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| Interior of the main dome ([A25] on Creative Commons) |
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| High altar in the sanctuary (Alexander Schimmeck Creative Commons) |
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| View of main dome (Alejandro Creative Commons) |
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| The exterior gives little away about the amazing interior |
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