St. Peter’s Basilica as a symbol of the counter reformation

I took an art history class in highschool, and after highschool for a senior trip went to Europe to see all the things that I had learned about. Because we have been talking about the Protestant reformation in my digital civilization class I decided to talk about the St. Peter’s Basilica as a symbol of the counter-reformation.

St. Peter’s Basilica’s architecture can be broken down into three contributions by three architects; Michelangelo, Moderno, and Bernini.
***This really needs to be seen to get the full magnitude. Go to www.maps.google.com and search "St. Peter's Basilica Rome" and drag the yellow guy into the square so you get street view. ***
 
Michelangelo was in his seventies when he was “asked” by Pope Paul III to finish the extensive remodeling of the older predecessor of St. Peter’s Basilica. Michelangelo had the unenviable position of combining various floorplans from a number of previous architects who had all passed away while at the same time restricting his artistic spirit by the parameters the Pope had set. This made for a very conflicted relationship between Michelangelo and the Pope. Michelangelo is most known for his construction of the huge dome in the transept.

Moderna made the facade (front entryway) to St. Peter’s Basilica. This addition extended the nave of the basilica, modifying the original floor plan from Greek Cross to a Latin Cross.

Bernini made his contribution right at the time of counter reformation. He was comissioned to make the piazza or square in front of St. Peter’s. Bernini designed two colonades that would extend away from the facade then surround an oval area in front of the basilica. At first glance this is an attractive entryway to ‘the most important church in christnedom.’ But if you put yourself in the historical setting, the church has just made an enormous analogy or symbol of cupping its hands around the members of the church.



The question is this, Is the Catholic church placing the members in a protective embrace to save them from the preaching of the Protestants? Or is it a desperate PR attempt to prevent them from leaving? As nice as the symbol is that the church is wrapping its arms around the members, the Spanish Inquisition presents a very different symbol.