Despite churches being symbols of Christianity, they often attract people regardless of their beliefs. The reason behind this phenomenon is that most of these places of worship have beautiful architecture, a meaningful history, and cultural significance that naturally captivates the audience’s minds. All of those elements are true of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, which was built in 1228 in the eponymous city in Italy (Kleiner, 2012). The church is named after Saint Francis, who was born and died there and was the founder of the Catholic branch known as the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. The basilica’s architecture is magnificent, borrowing from the romanesque and Italian gothic styles, which is particularly apparent in its nave. The purpose of this paper is to describe the church’s interior and its overall significance in the country’s culture and Christianity.
The Description of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi’ Nave
The nave is the central part of a church that stretches from its entrance to its chancel and is typically heavily decorated. Additionally, it is the place that accommodates most of its visitors during any sermons that happen in the place of worship. The floor and the pews of the nave of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi are relatively simple. However, the truly impressive stylistic choices, particularly colorwise, can be seen on the walls and the ceiling.
The whole interior of the nave is painted in blue hues and decorated with golden stars that symbolize the sky. The ceiling itself is cross-vaulted, which helps with the structural integrity of the building but, additionally, provides a sense of spaciousness and, in this particular case, open air. Golden elements are present in many parts of the nave, which is common for churches as the material “is associated with a divine sphere, both in pre-Christian and in Christian religion” (Behr, 2010, para. 4). The windows provide a lot of natural light, which adds to the overall airy atmosphere. The walls of the basilica are decorated with icons and frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and the life of Saint Francis.
The Cultural Significance of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
As mentions in a previous section, the church is named after Saint Francis, who was born and died in it. This figure is most known for founding the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. The members of this branch live similar to monks as they take certain vows and dedicate themselves fully to their religion by spreading God’s teachings to other people. However, friars, additionally, take on separate “vocations such as doctors, lawyers, cobblers, tailors, or musicians” (Sherman, 2019, para. 10). The most essential cultural significance of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi lies with the fact it is the mother church for the order. While friars live in many different countries, all of them consider this place of worship to be the most important one in the whole world. Additionally, the church is a beautiful monument that still attracts many people with its stunning architecture.
Conclusion
While it is possible that not everyone has heard of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, most people are familiar with the Catholic branch that takes its roots within its walls. Appearance-wise, all of the elements of the church’s interior add to its overall holy atmosphere full of light. With its profound history and stunning architecture, the basilica continues to be one of the greatest monuments of Italy.
References
Behr, C. (2010). The symbolic nature of gold in magical and religious contexts. Portable Antiquities Scheme. Web.
Kleiner, F. S. (2020). Gardner’s art through the ages: A global history, Volume II. Cengage Learning.
Sherman, F. (2019). What are the duties of a friar?Chron. Web.