Page 126 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

124  ROME AREA B Y AREA

7 San Luigi dei
Francesi
Piazza di San Luigi dei Francesi 5.
Map 4 F4 & 12 D2. Tel 06-688 271.
@ 70, 81, 87, 116, 186, 492, 628.
Open 10am–12:30pm & 3–7pm daily.
Closed Thu pm. 5 = ^ 7
The French national church
was founded in 1518, but it
took until 1589 to complete,
with contributions by Giacomo
della Porta and Domenico
Fontana. The church serves as
a last resting place for many
illustrious French people,
including Chateaubriand’s
lover Pauline de Beaumont.
Three Caravaggios hang in
the fifth chapel on the left, all
dedicated to St. Matthew.
Painted between 1597 and
1602, these were Caravaggio’s
first great religious works: the
Calling of St. Matthew, the
Martyrdom of St. Matthew, and
St. Matthew and the Angel. The
first version of this last painting
was rejected because of its vivid
realism; never before
had a saint been
shown as a
tired old man
with dirty
feet. All three St. Matthew and the Angel by Caravaggio, San Luigi dei Francesi
works display a
highly dramatic Austria, illegitimate daughter Since 1871 the palazzo has
use of light. of Emperor Charles V, who been the seat of the upper
married Alessandro de’ Medici house of the Italian parliament.
Shield linking symbols of France and and, after his death, Ottavio
Rome on facade of San Luigi Farnese. Thus part of the art 9 Sant’Ivo alla
collection of the Florentine
Medici family was inherited by Sapienza
8 Palazzo Madama the Roman Farnese family.
The spectacular facade was Corso del Rinascimento 40.
Corso del Rinascimento. Map 4 F4 & Map 4 F4 & 12 D3. Tel 06-0608. @ 40,
12 D3. Tel 06-670 61. @ 70, 81, 87, built in the 17th century by 46, 64, 70, 81, 87, 116, 186, 492, 628.
116, 186, 492, 628. Open 10am–6pm Paolo Maruccelli. He gave it an Open 9am–noon Sun. 5
generally first Sat of month (exc Aug). ornate cornice and whimsical
Tickets available from 8:30am on day decorative details on the roof. The church’s lantern is crowned
of visit. ∑ senato.it with a cross on top of a dramatic
twisted spiral – a highly
This 16th-century palazzo was distinctive landmark from Rome’s
built for the Medici family. It was roof terraces. No other Baroque
the residence of Medici cousins church is quite like this one,
Giovanni and Giuliano, both made by Borromini. Based on a
of whom became popes: ground design of astonishing
Giovanni as Leo X and Giuli ano geometrical complexity, the
as Clement VII. Caterina de’ walls are a breathtaking
Medici, Clement VII’s niece, combination of concave and
also lived here before she was convex surfaces. The church
married to Henri, son of King stands in the small courtyard of
François I of France, in 1533. the Palazzo della Sapienza, seat
The palazzo takes its name of the old University of Rome
from Madama Margherita of Cornice of Palazzo Madama from the 15th century until 1935.

US_124-125_EW_Rome_US.indd 124 15/03/17 4:20 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm