Lecture Notes: Church of Santa Costanza

Introduction

• Topic: Analysis of the Church of Santa Costanza as an example of an early Christian mausoleum
• Term: Mausoleum
  • Definition: A monument or elaborate building used as a tomb
• Background
  • Originally a mausoleum for Constantina (one of Constantine's daughters)
  • Later became a church when she was recognized as a saint (Santa Costanza)

Exterior Characteristics

• Simple Brick Exterior
  • Common in Early Christian architecture
  • Example: Santa Sabina, another early Christian basilica church

Floor Plan

• Central Planned Structure
  • Circular in design, unlike basilica plan
  • Central planned buildings first used as tombs in Early Christian architecture
  • Floor plan includes a simple entry narthex

Roman Influence

• Roman Precedent
  • Influence from Roman architecture (e.g., The Pantheon)
  • Use of dome similarities
  • Adaptation of Roman architectural knowledge for Christian needs

New Vocabulary

• Ambulatory
  • Definition: The central walking space in a central plan church or structure
  • Distinct from aisles in a basilica plan church

Interior Characteristics

• Interior Elements
  • Originally contained tomb of Constantina; now an altar
  • Ambulatory surrounds the central space
  • Double Corinthian columns separating ambulatory from center
  • Clearstory windows above for light
• Decoration
  • Original brick structure covered with mosaic
  • Christian imagery and geometric designs
  • Barrel vault ceiling in the ambulatory
  • Use of mosaics on ceilings and walls (unlike Roman use on floors)
  • Marble veneer on walls

Significance

• Early Christian Mausoleum
  • First use of central plan architecture
  • Adaptation and innovation of Roman techniques for Christian purposes