The single nave and side chapels were very popular in Rome at this time. The largest nave in the church was almost 18 metres (nearly 60 feet) wide. On both sides of the nave were 4 interconnecting chapels. The main function of the church was for preaching. The nave is followed by a huge dome and a shallow apse, which was located near the end of the church. This church was financially supported by cardinal Alessandro Farnese. He hired his own architect known as Vignola.
The Gesu has many paintings and designs which are imitations of Michelangelo's work.
The Renaissance
Life in the middle ages was pretty simple. Nobles provided the King with protection, peasants worked the land for nobels, who also were provided with protection.
However, life in the city soon changed during the late Middle Ages and the ealr Renaissance (1350-1450). A horrible plaque known as "Black Death" tortured one half of Europe's population. The plaque spread quickly in cities. The onlywas these people could aviod this disease was to leave the city and head for the country. Unfortunately, only the very rich could afford to make this trip to the country. In the late 15th century the plague eventually decreased causing the population to rise once again.
The Italian city known as Florence was where the renaissance first occured. The renaissance meant a rebirth that occuredthroughout all of Europe. Florence showed this because of its economy and its writers, painters, architects and philosophers.
