Interior view
by BRAMANTE, Donato, Photo
At the intersection of the right transept and the nave is Bramante’s remarkable octagonal sacristy, the interior view of which is shown on the photo. Apart from the octagonal sacristies at Loreto, its most immediate model is local: the chapel of Sant’Aquilino attached to the Early Christian church of San Lorenzo, Milan, both of which were then believed to be antique. The lower storey of the interior of Bramante’s sacristy has eight large niches that are alternately curved and rectangular, folded ornamental pilasters in the corners with exquisitely wrought stone Corinthian capitals, and an entablature with all’antica heads and reliefs in the tall frieze executed by Agostino Fonduli. A second storey is encircled by a gallery with two arched openings on each side; the lighting is from the vault above.
The photo shows the interior of the sacristy.
View the diagonal section of the sacristy.