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Monday, June 13, 2022

GEUS CHURCH, WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

 There’s been weeping and gnashing of teeth about the so-called renovation (wreckovation) of the Gesu Church in Rome, which is the Jesuit Church there. It is stunningly beautiful except for the cube they call an altar which is in front of the magnificent counter-reformation altar which still remains, thanks be to God.

While the cube altar looks like something out of 2001, a Space Odyssey, and completely out of place in this building, the new configuration is a bit nicer than the older one. 

Before:

After:



8 comments:

the Egyptian said...

that altar reminds me of the Jesuit order, CRACKED

TJM said...

LOL - looks like Star Trek to me. I have been in the Gesu many times over the years but have not been there for 5 years. This will really pack em in!

ByzRus said...

It isn't complimentary to what had always been there. It all has a temporary look that will hopefully make the next renovation/restoration more easily achieved.

Tom Makin said...

This says it all....from Francis on down.

James said...

I really not keen on those wedding-cake style tiered steps, which remind me of the opening credits for Family Guy. I quite like the altar and the bronze ring though, and it's good to see the suspended cross (which reminds me of the one that was recently added in St John Lateran).

I wonder what you make of the following renovation, from Alba Cathedral (near Turin). I saw it in the flesh a few years back and after a few moments of shock was really impressed by it; especially the canopy, which casts a soft white light over the whole sanctuary area:
https://www.architetturadipietra.it/wp/?p=4501

William said...

Destroying the architectural integrity of gorgeous buildings is the past-time of idiots and vandals.

TJM said...

William,

A “tradition” since Vatican II!

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

James, the cathedral image you post may have some artistic merit but it doesn't go with the architecture and hurts my eyes because of it. The same with the Gesu Church, clashing motifs. I find that European renovations don't wreckovate like we did, but they impose dissonant styles in the new stuff and often it is cringe worthy.