Architecture of Vatican City

In the 4th century AD, Emperor Constantine I built a basilica over a small shrine believed to mark the burial place of St.

[2] The windows were small and higher from the ground which let the basilica be a dark place with dingy light, making the surrounding mysterious.

[4] In terms of technical processing, Constantine's basilica reflects the design and construction of Romanesque buildings are based on vaults, covering the space with a curved structure of stones.

Constantine's basilica also reflects the art form of Roman architecture has a primary and secondary relationship which the building is dominant, while other artistic activities, such as painting, sculpture are in a subsidiary position.

[7] Pope Nicholas V began in 1447 the construction of the Apostolic Palace, founded the Vatican Library and commissioned the architect Bernardo Rossellino the design of the new St. Peter's Basilica and the painter Fra Angelico the decoration of the Niccoline Chapel.

[7] These architectures reflect the characteristics in the 15th century which most of the buildings looks like courtyards, three floors, built on the street, the plane tends to be compact and tidy, and only one facade is highlighted in the shape.

[9] Under the patronage of the pope, the heyday of Renaissance (first half of the 16th century) took place in the historic center of Rome, which now is part of the Vatican City.

During the Renaissance, European society experienced a renewal of interest in the ideas and artistic techniques of the Greco-Roman classical world.

[11] The structure of the architecture draws on the technique of small churches in Eastern Europe, uses the drum base to construct the dome, and becomes the center of the city outline.

All of the Casino of Pius IV,[14] the Cortile del Belvedere and Vatican palaces which consist Sistine chapel, Raphael rooms, Borgia apartments and clementine hall and the Cortile del Belvedere were built before the end of the 16th century, under the direction of following the genius of the same architects who had built Saint Peter and the same popes.

The organization under the leadership of the Pope attempted to eliminate the new ideas and concepts since the Renaissance, restore the prestige and status of the church, and set off an anti-religious reform movement.

In order to adapt to globalization and the development of religion and the administration of the Vatican City,[19] there are some modern architecture were constructed during 20th century such as the government palace.

The main building, St. Peter's Church and the square occupy most of the southern section of the eastern half of the Vatican City.

The Belvedere Palace courtyard, the Vatican Museums, and the Central Post Office are main buildings in the eastern half of the city.

The new buildings such as post offices, banks, and the reception of the pope in the 20th century mainly in the northeast, and southwest of the Vatican City.