ARCHITECTURE MALATESTA TEMPLE

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The Architecture of the Malatesta Temple

The Malatesta Temple, although Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta’s original plans remained unfinished, is unanimously known as one of the early Renaissance masterpieces. The exterior, planned by the architect Leon Battista Alberti, shows a solemn façade composed of a podium divided by the portal’s arcade, in which are conspicuous marble inlaid works of different shape and colour. The portal’s arcade is flanked by two blind arcades, which stand on the podium. Every arcade is flanked by two fluted low columns with capitals adorned with cherubim’s heads. The portal’s arcade, the two blind arcades and the low columns which sustain the cornice, were clearly influenced by the Arch of Augustus. The side walls, which recall the Tiberian Bridge, the second remarkable Roman monument of the city of Rimini, consist of engraved garlands alternate with seven arcades with pillars standing on the podium, crowned with a beautiful freeze adorned with Malatesta heraldic symbols.