Built in honor of the Virgin Mary in the fifth century AD, The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore still stands today with great beauty. The architecture is very classical Roman, with Roman arches and ionic columns throughout the structure. The ceiling was built by Alessandro VI, an archpriest and member of the Borgia family, a prominent Spanish Renaissance family from which two popes came. It is coffered, meaning there are sunken square panels covering the ceiling, similar to those found in the dome of the Pantheon, and contains wooden detailing. Although initally painted by Guiliano da Sangallo, the ceiling was finished by Guiliano's brother, Antonio. In the center of the ceiling there is the coat of arms of the Borgia family, displaying a bull as the family crest. It is said that the coat of arms contains gold given by Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, brought back from the New World.
The apse contains mosaics done by Jacopo Torriti, depicting the coronation of Mary. It is split into two parts: the central medallion and the lower band. The central medallion shows Jesus and Mary sitting upon an oriental throne. Jesus is placing a crown on Mary's head, suggesting Mary is the "Mother of the Church" and the "Bride of her Son". Beneath them are mosaics of the sun, moon, and a host of angels. To the right is St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, St. Anthony, and the donor, Dardinal Colonna. To the left is St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, and Pope Nicholas IV.
Sources:
-"BUILDING HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE."BUILDING
HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE. N.p., 25 Feb. 2000. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
-Riccitelli, Patrizia, and Giammarco Limardi. A Visit to the Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria
Maggiore. Vatican City: Edito Da Di. Edit., 2005. Print.
-"Salus Populi Romani." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Mar. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2014
-"The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore." The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
-"BUILDING HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE."BUILDING
HISTORY OF THE BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE. N.p., 25 Feb. 2000. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
-Riccitelli, Patrizia, and Giammarco Limardi. A Visit to the Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria
Maggiore. Vatican City: Edito Da Di. Edit., 2005. Print.
-"Salus Populi Romani." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Mar. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2014
-"The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore." The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2014.
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