Description
Richard Wittman’s Rebuilding St. Paul’s Outside the Walls offers a comprehensive examination of the architectural reconstruction of one of Rome’s most significant basilicas following its devastating fire in 1823. The book explores how this major restoration project became a focal point for the Catholic Church’s broader revival movement throughout the 19th century.
Wittman demonstrates how architectural decisions—from structural engineering to decorative elements—embodied Catholic theological principles and the Church’s response to modernity. The reconstruction involved leading architects, artisans, and church officials who grappled with questions of tradition versus innovation, authenticity versus contemporary aesthetics.
Through detailed analysis of architectural plans, correspondence, and historical documents, the author reveals how St. Paul’s reconstruction symbolized the Catholic Church’s institutional strength and spiritual renewal during a period of significant political and social upheaval in Italy. The book connects local architectural history to broader themes of religious revival, artistic patronage, and ecclesiastical authority in 19th-century Europe.
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