Chapter 264 - 5: Temptation_2
The 25-meter obelisk had, in fact, become a landmark, with one magnificent fountain at each of its four sides. The lines connecting the fountains and the obelisk formed the long and short axes of the Virgin Square, centered on the obelisk. The elliptical Virgin Square unfolded accordingly, its arc-shaped colonnade extending outwards to become the greatest open-air square on the Continent. The square’s long axis stretched for 198 meters, while the arc-shaped colonnade was 17 meters wide. Four rows of proud Doric columns—284 in total—stood tall, with 88 engaged columns majestically designed, and the parapet atop the cornice decorated with 96 statues of saints and martyrs. The columns, robust and densely packed, appeared as a forest layer upon layer, the interplay of light and shadow dramatic. Here, Baroque artistic imagination harmoniously blended with a concise and rigorous layout, creating a wondrous hybrid entity. Between the colonnade and the cathedral, corridors connected on the left and right, forming a trapezoidal square. The square had a noticeable slope, so the Pope, standing on the cathedral’s front steps, could bless the congregation, who could see everything clearly from the square.
Such a grand yet exquisitely intricate architectural marvel is no wonder the culmination of all the talents and passion of the most famous master architect of the time, Bernini. It is said that after completing this building, he uttered only one sentence, "Divine inspiration, gone in an instant, forever lost." Thereafter, he never again presented a work of similar calibre to the world.
Entering the hallway next to the church and turning left, one was met with a spacious crystal vestibule.
The wheelchair creaked steadily along. If anyone unaware of the circumstances were to witness this scene, they would undoubtedly stand agape in shock. Without any assistance, the wheelchair slowly glided forward like a legendary haunted carriage, its wheels moving at a uniform pace with a monotonous creak. Sitting in the wheelchair was a body so dwarf-like that it verged on the bizarre, it was hard to believe one’s eyes.
What a strange face it was, an invisible line extending downward from the bridge of the nose split the face into two utterly different halves—each half unforgettable to anyone who saw it. The left side of the face was shriveled up as though an oilskin was plastered onto a skeleton. Even the seams at every joint of the facial bones could be clearly seen through the skin. Yet that eye with more black than white was so profound, its chilling gaze capable of cutting through any barrier that stood before it. The right side of the face, by contrast, resembled the delicate and fair complexion of an infant’s cheek, pale and blushing, the skin gradually growing vibrant and lively, even the pores were clear and smooth, without a single flaw. What spoiled this half of the face was the eye—cloudy and lifeless, full of blood vessels and spots, it was unacceptable that such an eye belonged on this side of the face.
If someone told you now that this face with such stark contrast belonged to Julius II, the current Pope of the Church of Light, who held sway over the Continent, you certainly wouldn’t believe it. But the truth was exactly that.
Coughni Chapel, also designed by Bernini, is a perfect specimen of architecture, sculpture, and painting combined into one—a testament to its excellence. The divine architecture of Saint Helena was entirely sculptural, with thin relief on both side walls creating accurately perspective balconies, the Coughni family seemingly leaning on the balustrades, gazing into the enchanting image of Helena, as if about to come forward. The small chapel, glittering with gold and brimming with colors, was incredibly magnificent.
The wheelchair finally came to a stop at a space in front of the chapel, patches of sunlight filtering through the colorful glass from the top of the chapel. This method of using multiple layers of glass to refract sunlight turned it into a kaleidoscope of colors, creating a dreamlike effect sufficient to invoke in the faithful a longing for heaven. Draped in the simplest of white cloths, the frail body curled up in the wheelchair was illuminated by the beautiful patches of light. Yet it still seemed as if life was slowly ebbing away from this body that had once known boundless glory.