TRAVEL
MUSINGS FROM SAN GALGANO After exploring the breathtaking beauty and history of San Galgano, the Introduction to Renaissance Art class reflect upon their impressions of the Cathedral of San Galgano. Daniela explores in depth the complex architectural detail of the cathedral, whilst Lydia delves into the story of San Galgano and his extraordinary life.
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN SAN GALGANO San Galgano, the site of many religious places, is known to be a Tuscan gem of Gothic arts and spirits because of its history, artistic design, and architecture. The cathedral of San Galgano is one place in particular that expresses the different architectural style that it has compared to other religious sites. Gothic art was originally described as “monstrous, barbarous� and was defined by confusion and disorder due to how different it was from traditional art and architecture. The style of gothic art was much bolder than traditional renaissance art and was used as a method of reflecting religious convictions, politics and wealth. Today, the most popular characteristics of Gothic architecture have been embraced in modern designs. Gothic art is known for its high arches; the pointed arches aid the height of the cathedral and help distribute the weight of the walls, ceilings, and pillars. Aside from the arches, vaulted ceilings help the structure of the pointed arches and distribute support to make ceilings
higher than before. The flying buttresses on the outside of the cathedral are both practical and decorative in design. The buttresses surround the building and act as a method of holding the weight of the walls. The higher the walls of the cathedral, the more the buttresses extend. The final aspect of the cathedral is the high windows; the windows have the same shape as the arches and were once filled with stained-glass. Stainedglass windows added additional light and
BEAUTY IN RUINS The San Galgano Cathedral was once a magnificent church that was built for monks and Saint Galgano. Although it has since been destroyed and now exists in ruins, its beauty remains in the surviving structure and its details. The cathedral no longer has a roof or windows, exposing its geometrical frame. The pillars in multiples of three or four show aspects of Romanesque times while the use of pointed arches resemble Gothic times. The building was worked 4
by Daniela Trotman Photo by Lapo Morgantini
color into the building. The Cathedral of San Galgano depicts the Gothic art style of pointed arches, tall height, high windows, flying buttresses and vaults rendering this art as popular and beautiful as it is. Due to the way in which this art has evolved from medieval times and the influence it has had, Gothic art will continue to be a model for architecture.
by Lydia Tourtellotte on throughout a number of centuries which is why there are Roman as well as Gothic aspects to the architecture. The cathedral also represents the architectural intelligence of people in those early years because of the accuracy of its perfect structure. Other aspects that show intense accuracy and architectural talent include the abbey, the spiral staircase, the cemetery, and the stone used to build such structures. The large window frames that line the
cathedral leave space to imagine what might have been, conjuring mental images of huge beautiful windows that would flooded the interior with natural light from its peaceful and secluded surroundings. As the first Gothic cathedral built in Tuscany, its details make it a gem of the experimental architecture of that time. The church was most likely built as an example to exhibit the wealth of Italy, and to attempt to build a holy space divine enough for