What are the architectural styles of the St. Peters Basilica?
It was originally designed by Bramante in the form a huge equal sided Greek Cross topped by massive circular dome based on the Roman Pantheon. It was to be a merging of traditional Renaissance church styling (layed out like a cross, oriented on the compass rose, etc.) with Roman temple styles (large domes, columns, etc). It was intended to be extremely innovative with regards to the central dome, as the dome would be supported by four large piers rather than be perched on top of a supportive circular wall such was used in the Pantheon. Raphael then modified these plans to include – – – quote from Wikipedia – – – “the nave of five bays, with a row of complex apsidal chapels off the aisles on either side.” – – – end quote – – – After Raphael’s death, Michelangelo took over as architect and: – – – quote from Wikipedia – – – “blurred the definition of the geometry by making the external masonry of massive proportions and filling in every corner with a small vestry or stairwell. The effect
