Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/66

52 a general chapter of their order respecting this matter in Assisi, then carefully examined the site, and designed the plan of a very beautiful church and convent. The model presented three ranges of buildings, placed one above the other: the lowermost subterranean ; the two others forming two churches, of which the first was to serve as a vestibule, with a spacious portico and colonnade around it ; the second was set apart for the sanctuary, the entrance to this last being by a very convenient range of steps, ascending to the principal chapel, and these, being divided into two flights, encircled the chapel, that the upper church might be attained the more commodiously. To this temple gave the form of the letter T, the length being equal to five times the breadth, and the roof being raised on bold groined arches, supported by massive piers ; after this model he constructed the whole of this truly grand edifice, observing the same order throughout every part, excepting that, instead of pointed, he raised round arches on the upper supports between the apsis and the principal chapel, as considered of greater strength. Before the principal chapel of the lower church was placed the altar, beneath which, when completed, the body of St. Francis was laid with great solemnity ; and, since the actual sepulchre, in which the body of the glorious saint reposes, was never to be approached by the foot of man, the first, that is the subterranean church, had its doors walled up, and around the above-named altar was placed a very large iron grating, richly adorned with marbles and mosaic, which permitted the tomb beneath to be seen. Two sacristies were erected beside the building, with a campanile, the height of which was equal to five times its diameter ; a very high pyramid of eight sides surmounted the tower, but this, being in danger of falling, was removed. The whole work was, by the genius