4. ATRIUM, PORTICO AND PORCH

There will be an atrium in front of the sacred building, as the architect will advise according to the space available and the structure of the ecclesiastical edifice, surrounded by porticoes on all sides and ornamented with other suitable architectural elements.{1}

If because of the limited space or inadequate funds, this [atrium] cannot be built, it should be seen to that at least a portico be set in front of the church.

The portico, composed of marble columns or stone or brick piers, will be as long as the entire facade of the church, and the width and height will be in proportion to the length.

Every parish church should ideally have a portico of this type.

If for lack of funds not even this is possible, at least a square porch should be built in front of the main door, with only two columns or piers set far from the door. It will be a bit wider than the entrance to the church.{2}

NOTES

Chapter IV

1. Borromeo’s five-year period in Rome had familiarized him with the majority of its churches. On 18 November 1564, he became the titular of S. Prassede and istigated, at his personal expense, renovation of the street entrance, the stairs, the façade, and the replacement of some columns in the atrium.(c) (Figs. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) In Milan, several churches still retain the atrium, such as S. Lorenzo, S. Maria presso S. Celso (Fig. 4.4), and St. Ambrogio with its Romanesque atrium that still joins the church in a handsome narthex (Figs. 4.5, 4.6). These churches may be found in Appendix II.
2. With his usual sense of practicality, Borromeo accepted historical change and recognized that the imposition of new roads, buildings, urban development in general, left few sites adequately large for a church plan that would incorporate an atrium. He allows for various possibilities, including financial, in suggesting construction of an atrium, porch, or vestibule.

(c) “Ristaurò mirabilmente questo titolo [di S. Prassede], e cominciando con la strada che si chiama Vico Laterizio, rifece il portico per salire alla chiesa, ristaurò la facciata, pose alcune colonne per l’atrio….” From B. Davanzati, Notizie al Pellegrino della Basilica di S. Prassede (Rome, 1725), p. 507.

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