Dome

Aedicule, close-up showing juxtaposition of the base of an aedicule and a pilaster of the nave; Borromini's largest commission came in 1644, when Innocent X entrusted him with the renovation of S Giovanni in Laterano. The Pope wanted to restore the venerable but decrepit church of the Bishop of Rome for the Holy Year of 1650. Borromini was obliged to retain the historic fabric of the nave as far as possible, cladding the old walls, which in places were leaning at a dangerous angle. The transepts, which had already been restored for the Holy Year of 1600, and the choir remained untouched, but the side aisles had to be completely reconstructed. The lower level features wide arches alternating with narrow segments of wall holding aedicule niches for the monumental statues of the Apostles. The surfaces above the niches are decorated with stucco reliefs of Old Testament and New Testament scenes attributed to the school of Alessandro Algardi. The strongest touch of colour is provided by the dark green marble columns of the aediculae...The columns are spolia recovered from the recently demolished side aisles. The niches probably symbolize the 12 doors of the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:12). Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/10/2007)