Lenka Cirnerova

Architectural and Design features of

Saint Pauls Cathedral

Page 1.

Some of the factors that became influences of Saint Pauls Cathedral include the influence of the royalty. Rising power of the Church of England is reason of interior façade of The Dome being embellished by incredible frescoes with Christian motifs. Paintings have been created in balance with historical subjects within Italian baroque tradition such us the express the triumph of the Catholic church with sense of grandeur and emotional content. In general, Baroque paintings was a reflection of the profound political and cultural changes emerging across Europe.

The phoenix – mythical bird who arose from the ashes. This stone carving become an important and powerful image for the society. Symbol of new beginning, symbol of brighter future and celebration. Phoenix is rising from the ashes symbolizing rebirth of society, rebirth of London itself after the catastrophic Great Fire of London which destroyed the old gothic cathedral in 1666.

This symbol of immortality and hope was used on many occasions even decades later. For Example Phoenix was final chose as a mascot for Elons Colleague. This decision was made because of the fire, which destroyed Old Main Administration building as a symbol of colleague recovery.

Frescos are types of the mural painting mostly painted on walls and ceilings. Meaning comes from Italian word affresco - ‘fresh’. Frescoes were done rapidly in watercolour, mostly used in Roman times. Frescos had usually religious meaning and most favourite motifs were Gods.

Fresco of St Maria, Vienna

Frescos in St Pauls Cathedral

Phoenix symbol, Elons College

The most important symbolic bird in London on St. Paul’s Cathedral raising from the ashes.

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The Dome – Wrens masterpiece is still now even beside skyscrapers dominant part of London skyline. Its look has been influenced by several historical factors. Wren took inspiration from St. Peters Basilica in Rome. With the expansion of scientific knowledge in structural engineering and architecture this three Dome structure was first of its kind supported by 8 awesome pillars. Style of the Dome has been inspired by French and Italian baroque style, which Wren liked while visiting Paris - a visible statement of the wealth and power of the Church.

In the early 16th century was Italian lantern gradually adopting the bulbous cupola from the Netherlands. Many bulbous domes relied primarily on oral traditions rather than the architectural treatises. Mathematical study of statics led to a more precise formalization of the construction of arches and vaults. Before Roberts Hook invention of characteristics of hanging chains, the catenary curve used to be standard for large domes.

Italian Bulbous Cupola

St Peters Basilica

St Pauls Cathedral

Altar is structure, which offering sacrifices and where worship are made for religious purposes. Altar is mostly located in main part of the religious buildings, where services taking place. We can find this structures in temples, churches, cathedrals etc. St Pauls Altar

Solomic Columns St Peters Altar

Santa Lucia alla Badia, Malta

One of the most magnificent Altar in the world is located in St Pauls Cathedral. Made of Italian marble based on Wren’s sketches is replacement of original Altar damaged during bombing in 1958. Its massive structure is held by solomic columns popular in Baroque architecture. The twisted S-curved shaft often embellished with gold and detailed carvings were also used on furniture. Solomic columns could be also found on St’ Peters Altar in Rome and many other buildings.

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• Sketch: Wilsonyau.co.uk. (2013). St’ Pauls Cathedral. Picture 1. [Online]. Available from http://wilsonyau.co.uk/st-

pauls-cathedral-1st-july-2013/ . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• Phoenix: Pinterest.com. (2015). Rising phoenix tattoo sleeve. [Online]. Available from

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571112796471836421/ . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• Phoenix carving: N ancyzouenglish3.blogspot.co.uk. (2015). Book Review: Jane Eyre- Post 5. Picture 2 . [Online].

Available from http://nancyzouenglish3.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/book-review-jane-eyre-post-5.html . [Accessed 04

November 2015].

• Phoenix sculpture: Belkarchives.wordpress.com. (2012). The rise of the Phoenix. Picture 1. [Online]. Available from

https://belkarchives.wordpress.com/category/symbols/ . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• Fresco: Englishcathedrals.co.uk. (2015). St’ Pauls Cathedral, London. Picture 2 . [Online]. Available from

http://www.englishcathedrals.co.uk/cathedral/st-pauls-cathedral-london/ . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• Fresco 2: Aeuropeanadventure.com. (2013). Vienna day 2: Like a months to a flame. Picture 12. [Online]. Available

from : http://aeuropeanadventure.com/tag/goulash/ . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• The Dome: En.wikipedia.org. (2015). St Pauls Cathedral. Picture 13. [Online]. Available from:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul%27s_Cathedral . [Accessed 22 October 2015].

• Italian Dome: En.wikipedia.org. (2006). The Cathedral of Florence with Brunelleschi’s dome, Italy. [Online]. Available

from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome#/media/File:Santa_Maria_del_Fiore.jpg .[Accessed 22 October 2015].

• St Peters Dome: Entertainment.howstuffworks.com. (2015). St’ Peter’s Basilica. [Online]. Available from:

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/artwork/st-peters-basilica5.htm . [Accessed 04 November 2015].

• St Pauls Dome: En.wikipedia.org. (2015). St Pauls Cathedral. Picture 13. [Online]. Available from:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul%27s_Cathedral . [Accessed 22 October 2015].

• St Pauls Altar: Girlstalkinsmack.com. (2015). London’s top 10: St’ Pauls Cathedral. Picture 5. [Online]. Available

from: http://mom.girlstalkinsmack.com/travel/london-s-top-10---st-paul-s-cathedral-(part-1).aspx . [Accessed 22

October 2015].

• Santa Lucia alla Badia, Malta:

• Solomic Columns: Garyelamantiques.net. (2015). Set of Four Italian Lacquer and Giltwood Solomonic Columns. .

[Online]. Available from: http://www.garyelamantiques.net/home/architecturals-statues/italian-columns-2/.

[Accessed 22 October 2015].

• St Peters Atar: Pbase.com. (2015). Inside of Saints Peters Basilica . [Online]. Available from:

http://www.pbase.com/phsan/image/91034235 . [Accessed 22 October 2015]. 4.