8. WINDOWS
Enough has been said about doorways; the remaining details will be left to the judgement of a competent architect. We now have to deal with the windows, which will be built in the church and in the chapels in accordance with architectural criteria, structure, and the size of the edifice.
There is no reason why their height or width or their shape should be dealt with here, for these indications are pertinent to the art of architecture.{1}
However the most common form used for windows in the churches is the one where the upper part is somewhat rounded and, at the sides, much wider on the inside than on the outside, in keeping also with the mystical criteria handed down by the Fathers.{2}
The nave will have windows at the side, if the height of the roof allows for it, and in the aisles, in an odd number on either side, arranged at the center of each bay so as to correspond directly with each other, and not far from the frieze or architrave of the roof.
The main source of light for the church and the main chapel will be a circular window like an oculus, proportioned to the size of the church, on the facade, above the main doorway, and it will be decorated outside according to the style of the building.
In correspondence to the other aisles there will also be a window of oblong form on the facade, as the architect sees fit.
Light for the church and the chapel can however also be admitted from the cupola, and that is from the middle center of the vault summit, building lanterns all around.
In the main chapel and in each of the minor chapels, according to their size and style, there will be windows on both sides, to receive light everywhere.
If however light cannot be admitted from the sides and the light that comes in from the circular window, and the other windows on the facade, or from other parts, is insufficient, light will be admitted from the back wall of the chapel.
Precaution must be used however that the windows of the back wall do not occupy even the smallest part of the space belonging to any altar. And also and above all, that they do not open directly on the altar set against the same wall, nor that they are immediately above it.
If however windows will be placed on high and in such a way that those outside cannot look inside.{4} If however it is necessary to make a window less high than prescribed, as may easily be the case when old churches are restored, it will be furnished with glass panels, which cannot be opened to look inside.
All the windows, whatever they are, must be furnished, where possible, with iron bars, in addition to the structure in transparent glass, not painted in any part or at the most with the image of the saint to whom the church or chapel is dedicated, so that more light can be admitted. Outside, then, on all sides they will be protected by a bronze wire net.
This glass structure or barrier can be more or less decorated, depending on the type of building.{5} In the churches, lastly, which cannot afford windows with glass because of their limited income, they will at least have cloth panels.
Even so, whatever the type and however they are made, the windows must be of the kind that can be opened or removed in case of the exhalation of all fumes inside the church or chapel. {6}
NOTES
Chapter VIII, pp
- Up to this point Borromeo has left all technical problems to the architect. His terse summary in paragraph two further substantiates the theory that his norms should be interpreted in a liturgical-architectural frame of reference.
- “Windows are wider within than without because the mystical sense is more ample and precedeth the literal meaning.” Durandus, I, 24.
- In a climate such as that of the pre-Alpine region, the potential damage to buildings by wind and rain encouraged the use of small windows. Where it was possible, mountain churches frequently employed a form of window that is most seen in bell towers, i.e., thin stone slabs pierced with tracery.
- Borromeo’s norms for high set windows has an interesting similarity to Alberti’s prescription of “windows in the temple ought to be small and high, so that nothing but the sky may be seen through them; to the intent that both the priests that are employed in the performance of Divine Offices, and those that assist on account of devotion, may not have their minds in any way diverted… For this reason the Ancients were very often contented without any other aperture beside the doorway.”(b)
Carlo Borromeo’s ideal temple was a place totally free from distraction: a unique humanistic interpretation of harmonic rhythm of prayer and recollection without interruption, inspired to be so through the temple’s architectonic language. He repeatedly advised pastors to seal up windows that were at a level of visual communication and to construct new ones at a higher point. In effect, the windows of various chapels approved by Borromeo for the Sacro Monte of Varallo hold to this norm (Figs. 8.1 to 8.3).
(b) L.B. Alberti, L’Architettura, ed. G. Orlandi (Milan, 1966), VII, xii.
In 1567, Borromeo sent two delegates, Gerolamo Politi and Francesco Griffi to the rural diocese of Capriasca near the Swiss border. The report that they returned to him is typical of many prior to the institution of the norms and their enforcement. Here is an example.
- Pietro, Sureggio
A little church without a ceiling. The arches are in danger of collapse. Three windows in the choir, one over the altar. Five other windows, small. Window formed as a small cross in the façade. S. Sebastiano, Almatro A gunshot (Per jactum archibusij) from the parish church.
Plastered choir and vault. Very small building. The façade has an opening shaped like a cross. The walls have a few holes that need to be filled.
The following are Borromeo’s decrees to the churches of Capriasca after his personal visit of 1570.
- Pietro, Surregio
The wall facing the road is to be completely redone. All wooden roof supports are to be replaced. A ceiling is to be installed for at least half of the church. The windows are to be installed in “modern style.” Property may be sold to help with expenses.
- Sebastiano, Almatro
To improve light, a round window is to be cut over the main door. S. Clemente, (community of Vaglio)
A ceiling is to be installed for at least half of the church. The left window is to be made larger and higher.
It is practical to install a little window over the main door in order to relieve the stuffiness of a closed church.(c)
(c) A. Robertini, San Carlo Borromeo nella pieve Capriasca (Lugano, 1970).
- The same prescription appears in a pamphlet distributed to the clergy in general. To assure readability it was printed in the vernacular.
Alle finestre siano poste le ferrate per maggior sicurezza della chiesa; eccetto se non fossero tanto alte, che non vi fosse pericolo, ch’alcuno facilmente vi potesse entrar per quella parte.
Habbiano anco le finestre le sue stamegne, o di vertro, o almento di tela, le quali si possino aprir d’estate.(d)