San Sebastiano's Temple

In 1925, it was reopened and inaugurated as a Famedio by Benito Mussolini, following works by the engineer Andrea Schiavi. While it may have been controversial, the Schiavi restoration at least returned some charm to the church interior. Some scholars believe that for the initial project, Leon Battista Alberti may have been inspired by the work of Filippo Brunelleschi, the inventor of perspective, and by the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo and the Pazzi Chapel near Santa Croce in Florence in particular. Amedeo Belluzzi rightly points out, however, that Alberti's attention was focused on the circular form, which in his view prevails in nature, given that nature tends to "ensure that all its products are absolutely perfect". What is undeniable is that Leon Battista wanted San Sebastiano to be truly unique, drawing up the square and circle figures which can be seen quite clearly elsewhere at Mantegna's House nearby. Moreover, the brilliant idea of creating a raised section, with an underlying non-medieval crypt, illustrates how overall the building possesses the quality of an ideal, almost suspended space, ideal for celebrating the virtues of the Prince and, perhaps, for housing his tomb.