A never-ending space

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.

Echoes of a Roman Pantheon are clear to see. But Leon Battista Alberti was responsible for an unparalleled refinement of style. The chapels open to the left, the right and the back from the square central section. They are rendered all the more spectacular by the semi-circular qualities of the apsidal half-cylinders, which highlight the arms of the cross from the centre. It is thanks to the chapels that the arches are not as high as those that determine the overall appearance of the church interior. There is a circular window between each minor arch and each arch in the apse, flooding the interior with light. In all probability the original design did not correspond to what can be admired today. Nonetheless, the initial intention can still be seen in the form of the original style.

Here is the decorative element of the cornices and pendentives, which probably cannot be traced back to the time of Alberti, but most certainly pre-date the Schiavi restoration. It is conceivable that they were constructed during this vast intervening period. As Calzona notes, however, a simple solution that was part of the original project should not be ruled out, as the function was to interrupt the gaze and create a barrier between the vault and the arms of the Greek cross. The subtle interplay of the recesses and their pendentives is also quite striking.

The faux pendentive is depicted with an imaginative 16th century style, becoming more incomplete the further upwards you look.

There are different groups of fallen soldiers commemorated in the memorial chapel, or Famedio. In 1930, the monument to the Martyrs of Belfiore that stood in Piazza Sordello was dismantled. The urns and ashes were brought to this church. Other displays pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. Alongside the plaques that honour the fallen of the Second World War, of paramount significance is the monument that commemorates the Resistance, which was constructed by the sculptors Albano Seguri (1913-2001) and Aldo Bergonzoni (1899-1976).

Here, the winged putti are supporting the marquis coat of arms of the Gonzagas, which appears in the middle of a wreath. Debate still rages on about the artist behind these three valuable works. Of the numerous hypotheses, those particularly worthy of note are the illustrious example of Donatello, Fancelli on the design of Mantegna and Pellegrino Ardizzoni. Moreover, there is little agreement about the meaning of these sculptures. Nevertheless, scholars all agree about the quality of these works, which can probably be attributed to an original harmony between the various ways of understanding sculpture in the late 15th century.

The back of each slab features a cup-like vessel, from which two large acanthus leaves spring forth, lending symmetry to the rectangular space. Each is completed with a floral pattern.