Alberti and the TEMPLE OF MYSTERIES for the new 5 EURO in San Marino
The work, fruit of the genius of Leon Battista Alberti and commissioned by Sigismondo Malatesta, is depicted on the coin for the 550th anniversary of the architect’s death
by Chiara Pasqui | The Maltestian Temple represents the key work of the Rimini Renaissance, as well as being one of the most significant Italian architectures of the 15th century. It is assumed that Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) – the greatest exponent of Renaissance culture – played a central role in the decision to change the project destined for construction.
The artist was then entrusted with the architectural arrangement of the exterior, also including – according to the testimonies provided by the numerous medals by Matteo de ‘Pasti from 1450 – the addition of a rotunda at the rear of the church, covered by a dome, imitating that of the Pantheon.
The idea of the Temple was by Sigismondo Malatesta. In the beginning, the lord of Rimini hypothesized to create a small chapel inside the church that could house his mortal remains. Thanks to a series of important military victories, Sigismondo came into possession of a conspicuous ability and power too, such that they allowed him to review his original project, expanding it to a size suitable for hosting the tombs of his descendants, showing his power. to the other sovereigns.
The symbolic iconographic apparatus of the structure it is unusual for a Christian church. The traditional religious references, in the original decorative apparatus, are very few, as well as secluded, to be obtained at first sight completely absent.
Pope Pius II Piccolomini in this regard asserted: “Aedificavit tamen nobile templum Arimini in honorem divi Francisci; verum ita gentili bus operi bus implevit ut non tam Christianorum quam Infidelium demon templum esse videretur“. This contributed to further cracking the relations already reached with the pontiff; precarious relations even before his election in 1458 also due to the previous military campaigns hostile to his hometown, Siena. Relations that culminate, in 1460, with the supreme provision of excommunication.
It would seem reductive, however, to limit the reading of the Malatesta Temple only as a personal challenge. Instead, it should rather be interpreted as a maxim manifestation of a refined culture neoplatonic, idealistic and intellectual, intentionally distant from reality, at all fearful of expressing themselves through a language far removed from Christianity – between ethos Apollonian and pathos Dionysian -, moreover, in a Christian temple.
Although refined, the decorative ensemble appears somewhat dispersive, with contrasts between the interior and exterior of the building. If you are really looking for a search, with difficulty, the only key to reading, you could find it in thecelebratory intent of the figure of the lord and his court. Alberti’s project, as we know, was never completed; the misfortunes in the military field of the Malatesta made it impossible to finish the works.
The focal point of the exterior of the Temple was the central portal, with a triangular tympanum in the center of a fornix richly decorated with marble slabs. The lack of the upper arch consent, even today, to see a glimpse of the medieval gabled façade of San Francesco. Historians, on the other hand, usually direct a direct intervention by Alberti inside the Temple, assigned, it seems, to Matteo de ‘Pasti and Agostino di Duccio. As a pagan place of worship, the six side chapels were dedicated to the liberal arts, the Zodiac, children’s games, prophets and sibyls.
It is set on 29 September the issue of the beautiful commemorative coin of San Marino which celebrates the 550th anniversary of Alberti’s death. Value 5 euro, 2500 specimens of 32 mm in diameter eg. 18 in weight, in 925 ‰ proof silver, with continuous thick knurled edging, coined by the Vienna Mint.
The models of the two faces were both made by Antonella Napolioneformer author of the standard obverse of the silver commemoratives of the Titan (state coat of arms).
On the reverse, the architectural details of the unfinished Malatesta facade are particularly refined and faithful. To find out other news on the numismatic news of the Republic of San Marino Click here.