DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0149
Ch. III.
THROUGH ITALY.
121
and the four that support the central arches are
of vast magnitude. Two flights of marble steps
lead from the nave to the sanctuary : the pave-
ment of this latter part is of fine marble ; that of
the former of shattered fragments of ancient
tombs marked with inscriptions. The altar
stands under a canopy terminated by an awk-
ward Gothic pyramid ; the circumference of the
sanctuary is adorned with some very ancient mo-
saics. The walls of the nave and centre rest on
I
arches carried from pillar to pillar; those of the
nave are high and covered with faded paintings.
The length of the church is about three hundred
feet, its breadth about one hundred and fifty, and
from its magnitude, proportions and materials, it
undoubtedly furnishes all the means requisite if
properly managed, of rendering it one of the most
noble, and perhaps one of the most beautiful
churches in the world. As it is, it presents a very
exact copy of its ancient state, for it seems to
have suffered considerable damage almost as soon
as finished, from the wars, alarms and devasta-
tions that commenced in the reign of Honorius.
and continued during several successive centu-
ries.
Although many popes, and particularly Sixtus
Quintus and Benedict XIV. have repaired or or-
namented this venerable fabric, yet it still retains
THROUGH ITALY.
121
and the four that support the central arches are
of vast magnitude. Two flights of marble steps
lead from the nave to the sanctuary : the pave-
ment of this latter part is of fine marble ; that of
the former of shattered fragments of ancient
tombs marked with inscriptions. The altar
stands under a canopy terminated by an awk-
ward Gothic pyramid ; the circumference of the
sanctuary is adorned with some very ancient mo-
saics. The walls of the nave and centre rest on
I
arches carried from pillar to pillar; those of the
nave are high and covered with faded paintings.
The length of the church is about three hundred
feet, its breadth about one hundred and fifty, and
from its magnitude, proportions and materials, it
undoubtedly furnishes all the means requisite if
properly managed, of rendering it one of the most
noble, and perhaps one of the most beautiful
churches in the world. As it is, it presents a very
exact copy of its ancient state, for it seems to
have suffered considerable damage almost as soon
as finished, from the wars, alarms and devasta-
tions that commenced in the reign of Honorius.
and continued during several successive centu-
ries.
Although many popes, and particularly Sixtus
Quintus and Benedict XIV. have repaired or or-
namented this venerable fabric, yet it still retains