Macereto

The Renaissance distinguishes itself from the medieval times because it represents a rebirth after the disasters of the Plague and the Hundred Years’ War. A new thought process developed in the fifteenth century, when people began to see themselves as important, intelligent, and able to achieve lofty goals. In addition, paintings were no longer used solely for religious didactic purposes and began to celebrate the human form. During this new rise of humanism, Renaissance architects and artists strived to imitate the architecture and art from the prosperous Greek and Roman times. Our excursion to the Basilica Santuario di Macereto demonstrated this return to Greek and Roman roots, which characterize the Renaissance period. In addition, our visit to the Castello Pallotta portrayed the life of a noble family during medieval and Renaissance times.

The Basilica Santuario di Macereto was used during the Renaissance by pilgrims on their way to Loreto as a place to rest and restock their supplies. The portico surrounding the courtyard of the church was an ospedale, where farmers and shepherds sold merchandise, and where pilgrims took shelter. The Basilica Santuario di Macereto was built over the course of many years and designed by various architects, including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Cardinal Pallotta.

The main gate of the Basilica Santuario di Macereto resembles many architectural techniques and decorations used by the Greeks and the Romans. The gate is made up of a Romanesque semi-circular arch with a keystone, and double columns topped with Ionic and Corinthian style capitals and a pediment. These features demonstrate the desire for Renaissance architects like Bramante, Michelangelo, and Cardinal Pallotta to return to their classical Greek and Roman roots. Many famous architects of the Renaissance, including Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, studied Greek and Roman ruins in order to incorporate that style into the construction of new buildings, like Brunelleschi’s Ospedale in Florence.

The fresco of the crucifixion behind the altar was painted by Simone De Magistris. It was painted during the Renaissance because it exhibits the one point perspective. Examining the fresco, we can observe the X and Y axis from the shape of the cross. Jesus’ arm as he being pulled down from the cross cuts through the image diagonally, which demonstrates the third dimension.

The Castello Pallotta was influenced by the Franks because its church was named after St. Martin. It was first built around 871 but was redesigned as a military stronghold after the invention of firearms, and later made into a summer residence for the Pallotta family. The family hosted Pope Clement VIII and a Swiss queen, who stopped there during her pilgrimage (to Rome or Loreto?). The Pallotta family was originally from Normandy and dominated Sicily at one point. They were well-educated and completed their dissertations at the University of Macerata. Among the many books they owned, they had an early copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy and Vitruvius’ De architectura, two works made famous during the Renaissance.

The Basilica Santuario di Macereto is a prime example of Renaissance art and architecture during the rise of humanism, when people revered the Greeks and Romans for their achievements. This is demonstrated in the semi-circular arches, the pediment, and the ionic and Corinthian style columns on the outside of the Basilica Santuario di Macereto, as well as the fresco painted by Simone di Magistris which utilizes the one point perspective. The evolution of the Castello Pallotta from a military stronghold to a summer residence teaches us about the dramatic changes that occurred between medieval times and Renaissance times.