Editing Renaissance architecture (section)

==== Religious ====

The return of the [[Pope Gregory XI]] from [[Avignon]] in September 1377 and the resultant new emphasis on [[Rome]] as the center of [[Christianity|Christian]] spirituality, brought about a surge in the building of churches in Rome such as had not taken place for nearly a thousand years. This commenced in the mid 15th century and gained momentum in the 16th century, reaching its peak in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] period. The construction of the [[Sistine Chapel]] with its uniquely important decorations and the entire rebuilding of [[St. Peter's Basilica]], one of Christendom's most significant churches, were part of this process.<ref name= I.R.>Ilan Rachum, ''The Renaissance, an Illustrated Encyclopedia'', 1979, Octopus, {{ISBN|0-7064-0857-8}}</ref>

In the wealthy [[Republic of Florence]], the impetus for church-building was more civic than spiritual. The unfinished state of the enormous [[Florence Cathedral]] dedicated to the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]] did no honour to the city under her patronage. However, as the technology and finance were found to complete it, the rising dome did credit not only to the Virgin Mary, its architect and the Church but also to the [[Signoria of Florence|Signoria]], the Guilds and the sectors of the city from which the manpower to construct it was drawn. The dome inspired further religious works in Florence.

[[File:Angel Appearing to Zacharias (detail) - 1486-90.JPG|thumb|left|Four Humanist philosophers under the patronage of the Medici: [[Marsilio Ficino]], [[Cristoforo Landino]], [[Angelo Poliziano]] and [[Demetrius Chalcondyles]]. Fresco by [[Domenico Ghirlandaio]].]]