A Santa Prassede, nella Gerusalemme nuova : l'assetto architettonico dello spazio absidale, l'arredo e la disposizione liturgica

Although the apse space of the basilica of Santa Prassede has undergone frequent, major modifications during the millennium since the church was erected at the order of Pope Paschal I (r. 817–824), surviving traces enable reconstruction of the original nineth-century layout as a whole. These enduring elements, augmented with new measurements and discoveries, point to fresh observations that shed light on the original plan of Santa Prassede's preeminent space. This enquiry, while taking account of various scholars' valuable reconstructions and theories, arrives at new conclusions. These, in turn, lead to precise calculations regarding the height, depth, and façade of the apse podium in relation to the fenestella confessionis, together with specifications relating to the width of this same platform, determining its boundaries in the direction of the transept wings. All this relates to a subterranean semi-annular crypt configuration. Finally, the investigation shows that the six decorated columns now flanking the presbytery previously stood alongside the podium as a diaphragm in relation to the transept arms. Even without archaeological evidence, analysis of written sources, the study of the fragmentary pluteus, the measures of the presbyterial space, and the proportional relationship of some architectural elements (porphyry columns / Corinthian columns) combine to permit a hypothesis about furnishings and the liturgical layout. Santa Prassede's architects used traditional specimina to develop innovative chancel barriers. Distinct from the "new style" solution of San Clemente (sixth/twelfth centuries), Paschal's chancel barriers stress canonical separations between the clergy and the plebs Dei, that is, the areas reserved for high and low clergy left the nave's remaining space to laity, and also separated men from women and nobles from commoners.