BERNAL, AIDYL KATE A.

BSAR-2B

OPTION 1
Instruction:
Select at least five sample images/ illustrations of Baroque churches/ structures in
Europe. Name each church and identify the common architectural character of this period
as well as identifying the architects of the structure.

The Gesu- Rome, Italy by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola

St. Charles Church-Vienna, Austria by Austrian architect Johann Bernhard

Fischer von Erlach

Noto: The Cathedral of San Nicolo by architect Bernardo Labisi

Façade of Santa Susanna by Carlo Maderno

St Paul’s Cathedral – London, United Kingdom by Architect Christopher
Wren

The common architectural character of the Baroque churches were

the dynamic column and pilaster rhythm, central massing, protrusion and

condensed central decoration. The adoption of decadent and detailed

Renaissance motifs such as columns and pilasters, round arch arcades were

evident on the above examples of Baroque churches. Furthermore, the churches

are characterized by a combination of symmetrical and ordered buildings with

lavish details. Another characteristic is distortion and facades are treated more

like sculpture and often features an attention-grabbing concentration of rich

elements like curved walls, columns, blind arches, statues, relief sculpture

around a central entrance.

BERNAL, AIDYL KATE A. BSAR -2B

OPTION 3: Take a photo of your church in your locality. Identify the architectural
styles and prove your answer

The Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Almeria, Biliran
 The façade of The Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage located in
Almeria, Biliran has an attribute of a Renaissance church architecture although this
was after the major renovation of the church some few years ago. By looking at it, the
emphasis on symmetry, proportion, geometry, and regularity of parts have become
its features. It can be determined as a Renaissance architecture for its symmetry on
its vertical axis, and incorporations of columns, semi-circular arches, pilasters and
entablature on its design. The columns which have roman orders of columns as its
model were incorporated on the façade as purely decorative.

However, it is also debatable that the church could be Baroque

Architectural style for the reason that it tends to be richly decorated and the
elements in the structure are used more freely than Renaissance. Niches, art
sculpture of the last supper, for example, are also evident for which Baroque
Architecture has an intense design focusing on the motif. The Porticoes increased the
interplay of light and shadow which makes the church seem dramatic. Sculptural and
wall elements project from the surface. It is more on highly decorative instead of
supportive. The façade of the church somehow creates a strong sense of liveliness,
spirit and attraction.