Page 143 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

PIAZZA DI SP A GNA  141

. Caravaggio Paintings VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
in Cerasi Chapel
One of two Caravaggios in
the Cerasi Chapel, The Crucifixion Practical Information
of St. Peter uses dramatic Piazza del Popolo 12.
foreshortening to highlight the Map 4 F1. Tel 06-361 0836.
sheer effort involved in turning Open 7:30am–12:30pm &
the saint’s crucifix upside down. 4–7pm Mon–Thu; 7:30am–7pm
Fri & Sat. 7
Transportation
@ 117, 119, 490, 495, 926.
v 2. q Flaminio.

Stained Glass
In 1509
French artist
Guillaume de
Marcillat was
invited to
provide Rome’s
first two stained-
glass windows.

. Delphic Sibyl
This is one of a series of frescoes by
Pinturicchio, some Classical and others
Biblical, painted in 1508–10 to decorate
the ceiling of the apse.

Nero’s Ghost
Nero lived on in the imagination of the people long after the fall of the Roman
Empire. In the Middle Ages a legend arose that a walnut tree growing here on
the spot where his ashes were buried was haunted by the emperor. Ravens
roosting in the tree were thought to be demons tormenting him for his
hideous crimes. When the first church was built here in 1099 by Pope Paschal II,
the tree was cut down, supposedly putting an end to the supernatural events
that had terrified local people.

1485–9 Della 1513–16 Raphael
1213–27 Church enlarged Rovere Chapel designs and executes
under Gregory IX
painted by Chigi Chapel
Pinturicchio Pinturicchio
(c. 1454–1513)
1050 1200 1350 1500
1472–8 Sixtus IV builds church
1099 Paschal II builds
chapel over tombs of (one of the first Renaissance 1530–34 Chigi
the Domitia family churches in Rome) 1473 Main Chapel altarpiece
(which included Nero) in Pope Paschal II altar built built by Sebastiano
honor of the Madonna (reigned 1099–1118) del Piombo

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