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The Italian Buildings and Monuments ClipArt gallery includes 181 illustrations of churches, cathedrals, palaces, government buildings, major monuments and other famous structures in Italy and the Holy See.

"Owing to the rarity and expensiveness of free-stone in Upper Italy, an architectural style in brick was developed side-by-side with that which has just been touched upon. This material had already been employed in the foregoing period for churches, and it now came into frequent use in the construction of the palaces. Bologna is especially rich in palaces of this description, which, with an admixture of earlier forms, belong for the most part to the Early Renissance, with semicircles for the heads of the opening, as was necessitated by the character of the material. The easy multiplication of the ornamental parts in burnt clay, generally led to an undue increase of the decorative element. Inasmuch as the main streets of Bologna have arcades running along them of which the individual palaces only embrace a portion, these buildings do not present the appearance of being totally detached, but seem rather parts of the entire front of the street, and show much similarity in the architecture of their façades with that of the arcades themselves."

Façade of a Palace at Bologna

"Owing to the rarity and expensiveness of free-stone in Upper Italy, an architectural style in brick…

"The lower story of palaces by Palladio, the greater part of which are at Vicenza, is generally of rustic work, whilst the upper storeys have pilasters or a colonnade; occasionally, however, pilasters or arcades are introduced on the ground-floor."

Façade of a Palace at Vicenza

"The lower story of palaces by Palladio, the greater part of which are at Vicenza, is generally of rustic…

In the Giraud Palace and the great Palazzo della Cancelleria, pilasters appear in the external composition, and all the details of doors and windows betray the results of classic study, as well as the refined taste of their designer.

Façade of the Giraud Palace, Rome

In the Giraud Palace and the great Palazzo della Cancelleria, pilasters appear in the external composition,…

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy in Italy. According to Sir Banister Fletcher it is "the most imposing Italian palace of the sixteenth century."

Plan of Farnese Palace

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy…

This view of Florence shows the Duomo (cathedral) on the right and Giotto's Campanile (tower) on the left.

Florence

This view of Florence shows the Duomo (cathedral) on the right and Giotto's Campanile (tower) on the…

"There exists, however, a few Florentine palaces of a smaller type, which externally present a more habitable appearance. In these rustic-work is not the all-important feature, but it is only employed for the quoins of the fa&ccedilade, though it sometimes extends to the whole of the ground-floor. The roof. which projects very considerably, and shows the wooden construction, is not in accordance with the rest of the architectural features of the façade, nor is it supported by a strong enough cornice. Sometimes the upper storey forms an open arcade (as shown here). The figures and embellishments in sgraffitto which are introduced in this façade are not a necessary feature in these Florentine palaces. This method of ornamentation is also met in exceptional instances in some of the Roman palaces."

Gaudagni Palace at Florence

"There exists, however, a few Florentine palaces of a smaller type, which externally present a more…

"An expression of great massiveness is the main characteristics of this Florentine style, which was principally applied in the architecture of the palaces. The forms which were borrowed from the Roman columnar construction do not in this style, as they do more or less in the other styles of the Renaissance, constitute a pseudo-architecture. The massiveness, however, of the Florentine palaces conveys rather the notion of a fortress than of a mansion of a wealthy nobleman, and this impression is increased by the smallness of the windows in comparison with the rest of the building. This is especially the case with those façades which are entirely constructed of considerably projecting ashlar of irregular size, and to a less degree in the case of those the lowest storey of which alone displays these large undressed blocks." The palace was designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo for Cosimo de' Medici, of the Medici family, and was built between 1445 and 1460. It was well known for its stone masonry that includes rustication and ashlar. The tripartite elevation was used here as a revelation of the Renaissance spirit of rationality, order, and classicism of human scale. This tripartite division is emphasized horizontal stringcourses that divide the building into stories of decreasing height. This makes the building seem lighter as the eye moves up to the extremely heavy cornice that caps and clearly defines the building's outline. Michelozzo di Bartolomeo was influenced in his building of this palace by both Roman principles and Brunelleschian principles. During the Renaissance revival of classical culture, Roman elements were often replicated in architecture, both built and imagined in paintings. In the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the rusticated masonry and the cornice had precedents in Roman art.

Riccardi Palace at Florence

"An expression of great massiveness is the main characteristics of this Florentine style, which was…

"Those palaces which like the back of the Strozzi Place are constucted of dressed blocks with a less decided projection, present a more elegant appearance." Palazzo Strozzi is a palace in Florence, Italy. The Palace was begun in 1489 by Benedetto da Maiano, for Filippo Strozzi the Elder, a rival of the Medici who had returned to the city in November 1466 and desired the most magnificent palace to assert his family's continued prominence and, perhaps more importantly a political statement of his own status. A great number of other buildings were acquired during the 70s and demolished to provide enough space for the new construction. Giuliano da Sangallo the Younger provided a wood model of the design. Filippo Strozzi died in 1491, long before the construction's completion in 1538. Duke Cosimo I de' Medici confiscated it in the same year, not returning it to the Strozzi family until thirty years later.

Strozzi Palace at Florence

"Those palaces which like the back of the Strozzi Place are constucted of dressed blocks with a less…

"The Fountain Trevi." — Young, 1901

Trevi Fountain

"The Fountain Trevi." — Young, 1901

Illustrated are gardens of the Pope. The gardens are on the Quirinal, Rome.

Gardens of the Pope

Illustrated are gardens of the Pope. The gardens are on the Quirinal, Rome.

The gate at Herculaneum. Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town famous for being preserved along with Pompeii.

Gate at Herculaneum

The gate at Herculaneum. Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town famous for being preserved along with…

"The purity of style, however, of the Genoese palaces is not so great as in the Roman, particularly as regards the heavy, ungraceful forms of details. This is shown by [this image], and there are other instances in which the faults are more marked than in the palaces in question. The palaces of Genoa may, however, be favorably contrasted with the Roman as regards height; for ground-floor and the mezzanine are raised considerably, in order to gain more light and a better view from the main storey. Owing, however, to the extreme narrowness of the streets and the consequent difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory point of view, the object is not obtained to the desired degree."

Half the Façade of a Palace at Genoa

"The purity of style, however, of the Genoese palaces is not so great as in the Roman, particularly…

"The purity of style, however, of the Genoese palaces is not so great as in the Roman, particularly as regards the heavy, ungraceful forms of details. This is shown by [this image], and there are other instances in which the faults are more marked than in the palaces in question. The palaces of Genoa may, however, be favorably contrasted with the Roman as regards height; for ground-floor and the mezzanine are raised considerably, in order to gain more light and a better view from the main storey. Owing, however, to the extreme narrowness of the streets and the consequent difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory point of view, the object is not obtained to the desired degree."

Façade of the Tursi-Doria Palace at Genoa

"The purity of style, however, of the Genoese palaces is not so great as in the Roman, particularly…

Also known as the Castle of St. Angelo. A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages.

Hadrian's Castle, Rome

Also known as the Castle of St. Angelo. A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols…

The tomb of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, in Rome.

Hadrian's Tomb

The tomb of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, in Rome.

Also known as Castel Sant'Angelo. The temple of the Roman emperor Hadrian.

The Tomb of Hadrian

Also known as Castel Sant'Angelo. The temple of the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Lateran Palace in Rome where Roman bishops would stay in the time of Constantine.

Lateran Palace

Lateran Palace in Rome where Roman bishops would stay in the time of Constantine.

An illustration of a man and woman observing the leaning tower of Pisa.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

An illustration of a man and woman observing the leaning tower of Pisa.

"Lombardic Architecture is the style of architecture that prevailed in Lombardy and part of Upper Italy, and which for a long time was recognized as a distinct Lombard style, presenting essential points of difference from the other later Romanesque styles. In the Lombard churches the type of early Christian architecture was abandoned, and the vaulted basilica was introduced in its stead."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Lonja Palace, Valencia

"Lombardic Architecture is the style of architecture that prevailed in Lombardy and part of Upper Italy,…

"Part of the Ospedale Maggiore, Milan." —D'Anvers, 1895

Ospedale Maggiore

"Part of the Ospedale Maggiore, Milan." —D'Anvers, 1895

An ancient chariot racing stadium used during the Roman Empire.

Circus Maximus

An ancient chariot racing stadium used during the Roman Empire.

The palace of the Medici in Florence, Italy.

Medici Palace

The palace of the Medici in Florence, Italy.

"The Villa Medici, from the Terrace." — Young, 1901

Villa Medici

"The Villa Medici, from the Terrace." — Young, 1901

The home of Michelangelo in Florence, Italy.

Michelangelo's Home

The home of Michelangelo in Florence, Italy.

"For tombs of smaller dimensions various forms and abnormal decorations were employed. An ornamented erection of a shape similar to an altar or a temple, and resting on a solid substructure, is a by no means uncommon form. Many tombs are constructed like real temples, while others consist only of simple columns."

Tomb of Nævoleia Tyche at Pompeii

"For tombs of smaller dimensions various forms and abnormal decorations were employed. An ornamented…

"Palladio, who became the special champion of this style of architecture, was born in Vicenza in 1518, and died in 1580. He was undoubtedly a man of great talent, and, after Michelangelo, exercised, perhaps, more influence than anyone else on architecture. Still the introduction of great confusion of ideas is attributable to this architect, for he adorned buildings of every kind and of the building as a whole, so that the order was frequently carried up through several storeys without any reference to its arrangement. But although these reproductions of columns and the employment of pilasters were meaningless in themselves, they served, in a merely decorative point of view, to give a striking appearance to the buildings." Palazzo Valmarana is a patrician palace in Vicenza, Italy, built by architect Andrea Palladio in 1565 for the noble Isabella Nogarola Valmarana.

Palace at Vicenza

"Palladio, who became the special champion of this style of architecture, was born in Vicenza in 1518,…

"The finest monument of this time is the Pantheon of Rome, first built about B.C. 27, which is one of the grandest buildings of the ancient world. Whether it was erected as a Temple or as a Hall attached to the Thermae of Agrippa is a moot point. It is even now in a sufficient good state of preservation for us to be able to judge of what it was." —D'Anvers, 1895

Pantheon

"The finest monument of this time is the Pantheon of Rome, first built about B.C. 27, which is one of…

The Pantheon is a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt circa 125 AD during Hadrian's reign. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Catholic church. The Pantheon is currently the oldest standing domed structure in Rome.

The Pantheon at Rome

The Pantheon is a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient…

"The most important and most beautiful of circular buildings without columns surrounding it is the Pantheon at Rome, which was completed in the reign of Augustus, in the year 25 A.D."

Façade of the Pantheon at Rome

"The most important and most beautiful of circular buildings without columns surrounding it is the Pantheon…

"The most important and most beautiful of circular buildings without columns surrounding it is the Pantheon at Rome, which was completed in the reign of Augustus, in the year 25 A.D."

Interior of the Pantheon at Rome

"The most important and most beautiful of circular buildings without columns surrounding it is the Pantheon…

A building in Rome commissioned as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome.

The Panthéon

A building in Rome commissioned as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome.

A city in Italy, capital of a province of the same name, on the Arno River, forty-four miles west of Florence. it has well platted and paved streets, and is connected with Leghorn, Florence, and other cities by an extensive railway system.

Pisa

A city in Italy, capital of a province of the same name, on the Arno River, forty-four miles west of…

The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The architecture in Pisa: a cathedral, baptistry, and Leaning Tower.

Pisa

The architecture in Pisa: a cathedral, baptistry, and Leaning Tower.

The most remarkable campanile in the world is known everywhere as the "Leaning Tower of Pisa." Its construction was commenced in 1074, by the German architect, Wilhelm of Innsbruck. Its total height is 170 feet.

Pisa Cathedral

The most remarkable campanile in the world is known everywhere as the "Leaning Tower of Pisa." Its construction…

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical tower, 178 feet in height, constructed of successive rows of pillars, chiefly of marble; it is extremely graceful in its proportions, but its chief peculiarity consists in its inclination about 13 feet out of the perpendicular, whence it is commonly called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Leaning Tower of Pisa

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical…

The Palazzo Pitti, in English sometimes called the Pitti Palace, is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in Florence, Italy. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker. The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It grew as a great treasure house as later generations amassed paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions. In the late 18th century, the palazzo was used as a power base by Napoleon, and later served for a brief period as the principal royal palace of the newly united Italy. The palace and its contents were donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1919, and its doors were opened to the public as one of Florence's largest art galleries. Today, it houses several minor collections in addition to those of the Medici family, and is fully open to the public. "Columns, pilasters, and mouldings are intermingled and intertwined in a fantastic and meaningless manner, the cornices are often interrupted; the essentially component parts of the architecture are frequently mutilated; for instance, columns and wall-pilasters are executed in rustic work, i. e., formed of extensively projecting hewn stones, yet are furnished with a capital and base as is shown [in this image], which is an illustration taken from the Late Italian Renaissance. For the sake of peculiarity, the various component elements assumed a form diametrically opposed to their original designation; mere decorative and secondary details were raised to the rank of essentials, whilst the real principal forms sank to an entirely subordinate position."

Part of the Back of the Pitti Palace at Florence

The Palazzo Pitti, in English sometimes called the Pitti Palace, is a vast mainly Renaissance palace…

This is a plan of the San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. It was built from AD 539 to 547. This is an example of Early Christian architecture. The scale is in feet.

Plan of San Vitale, Ravenna, AD 539–547

This is a plan of the San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. It was built from AD 539 to 547. This is an example…

This is a plan of the St Mark's, in Venice, Italy. Erected AD 929 to 1063. This is an example of Italian Byzantine Romanesque architecture. This church was created in order to "reproduce in some way the leading features of the church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople." The scale is in feet.

Plan of St Mark's, Venice, AD 929–1063

This is a plan of the St Mark's, in Venice, Italy. Erected AD 929 to 1063. This is an example of Italian…

This is a plan of the St Peter's at Rome. It is an example of Italian Renaissance architecture. The construction lasted from 1546 to 1564AD. "In 1505, on the advise of Michelangelo, Bramante was instructed to prepare designs for a new church in Rome dedicated to St Peter, to take the place of the early basilica, which, built in haste, began to show serious signs of failure [...] In 1546 Michelangelo, then seventy–two years of age, was entrusted with the continuance of the work, and he made radical changes, chiefly in the design of the dome. "

Plan of St Peter's at Rome, 1546–1564

This is a plan of the St Peter's at Rome. It is an example of Italian Renaissance architecture. The…

This is the plan of the Campanile and Cathedral in Pisa, Italy. This is an example of Italian Central Romanesque architecture. Furthermore it is an example of a Pisan Church. The Campanile, or Leaning Tower was erected from 1174 to 1350. The Cathedral was erected in 1067 to 1250 and restored after a fire in 1596. The Baptistery of St. Jean was erected in 1153 to 13th Century AD. The Cemetery, Campo Santo, was erected in 1278 to 1465.

Plan of the Campanile de Pisa, 1068–1509

This is the plan of the Campanile and Cathedral in Pisa, Italy. This is an example of Italian Central…

The ground plan of the baths of Pompeii, Italy.

Baths of Pompeii

The ground plan of the baths of Pompeii, Italy.

"For tombs of smaller dimensions various forms and abnormal decorations were employed. An ornamented erection of a shape similar to an altar or a temple, and resting on a solid substructure, is a by no means uncommon form. Many tombs are constructed like real temples, while others consist only of simple columns. These tombs were generally erected in rows along the main roads before the entrance to a town, so as to form a street of tombs, an arrangement which is still to be seen at Pompeii."

Street of Tombs at Pompeii

"For tombs of smaller dimensions various forms and abnormal decorations were employed. An ornamented…

An illustration of the streets of Pompeii. Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, its sister city, Pompeii was destroyed, and completely buried, during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in AD 79.

Streets of Pompeii

An illustration of the streets of Pompeii. Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city…

This illustration shows the amphitheater in the ancient city of Pompeii.

Pompeiian Amphitheater

This illustration shows the amphitheater in the ancient city of Pompeii.

"The beautiful "Ponte della Trinita," erected at Florance in 1566 from the designs of Ammanati." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Ponte della Trinita

"The beautiful "Ponte della Trinita," erected at Florance in 1566 from the designs of Ammanati." —…

The details of the Porta-Aura (Golden Gate) of the Diocletian Palace at Spalato.

Porta-Aura

The details of the Porta-Aura (Golden Gate) of the Diocletian Palace at Spalato.

An illustration of the reading of the decree in Vatican City on July 18th, 1870.

Reading of the Decree, July 18th

An illustration of the reading of the decree in Vatican City on July 18th, 1870.

"Riccardi Palace, Florence." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Riccardi Palace

"Riccardi Palace, Florence." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin name, is located between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill of the city of Rome. It is the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. Citizens referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum

Roman Forum in 1885

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin…

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy in Italy. "The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as, for example, Balthazar Peruzzi (1481 to 1536) as the principle of his works may be mentioned the Farnesia at Rome; Ant. di Sangallo of Florence (died 1546), whose principle work is the Farnese Palace at Rome. The third story of this palace is, however, the work of Michel-Angelo. The Farnese Palace forms to a certain extent the type of distinct class in the architecture of Roman palaces, and its chief characteristic is, that the façades are not divided by any orders of columns or pilasters, but the same effect and impression are produced by the architraves, cornices, and plinths of the windows, which invariably have rectilineal terminations, as well as the doors, and also by the string-courses which divide the storeys, and by a far-projecting cornice: at the same time especial consideration is devoted to the effect of good proportions. Ornaments are by sparingly introduced; whilst, on the other hand, the corners are generally marked by rustications. These palaces convey the impression of solidity without cumbersomeness, or richness without luxury, and above all, of simplicity in conjunction with dignity."

Farnese Palace at Rome

Palazzo Farnese is a prominent High Renaissance palace in Rome, which currently houses the French Embassy…

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola in the province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio, Italy, approximately 50 kilometres (35 miles) north-west of Rome. The Villa Farnese is a massive Renaissance construction begun in the early 1520s by Antonio da Sangallo, opening to the Monte Cimini, a range of densely wooded volcanic hills. It has a five-sided plant, and is built in reddish gold stone; buttresses support the piano nobile above, with two floors above again housing an almost complete two-story villa in itself. As a centerpiece of the vast Farnese holdings, it has always been more than a villa in the ordinary agricultural or pleasure senses. "Another school, which displays a still stricter imitation of classical forms than that of which Bramante was the founder, was represented and advocated by Giacomo Barozzio, who is known under the name of Vignola (1507- 1573). This architect, by his works and his great influence on his contemporaries and successors, and the effect of his example is, like Palladio's, to be traced not only in the architectural bias of his own times, but also in the course of history of the eighteenth century. This result was principally brought about by means of his book on the five columnar orders of antiquity, and this treatise has been regarded as an authority down to the latest times. His most noteworthy construction is the Castle of Caprarola, between Rome and Viterbo."

Farnese Palace at Rome

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola…

"The most remarkable productions of Bramante at Rome are the Cancelleria Palace, with the Church of San Lorenzo in Damaso contained within its precincts, the Giraud Palace, now the Torlonia, and the Court of the Vatican, with the celebrated Loggie, decorated by Raphael." The Giraud Palace, known today as the Palazzo Castellesi Giraud Torlonia, was built in the 16th century for Cardinal Adriano Cestellesi. The palace was later owned by Giraud and finally by Torlonia.

Giraud Palace at Rome

"The most remarkable productions of Bramante at Rome are the Cancelleria Palace, with the Church of…

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his example necessarily entailed imitation and produced effects on subsequent times. When his deviations were moderate, they were considered by his imitators merely as marks of the originality of his wonderful talent, and by this means proved stepping-stones to the degeneration which marked the ensuing period of the Roccoco style. Amongst his architectural works, the design of the Capitol at Rome, with its wings, may be considered as the most pleasing, whilst as a testimony to his lofty genius the mighty and glorious dome of St. Peter's at Rome, which has no rival in the world, must be adducted as a striking instance."

Modern Capital at Rome

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his…

"The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as, for example, Balthazar Peruzzi (1481 to 1536) as the principle of his works may be mentioned the Farnesia at Rome;"

Small Palace at Rome by Balthazar Peruzzi

"The pupils of Bramante and other renowned architects pursued the path which he had marked out; as,…

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured figures, and the flat spaces between the windows and mouldings underwent ornamentation. This took place either by a manner of painting called sgraffito, in which the undercoating was black, with a thin surface-coating of white laid over it, and then the design or shading was engraved or scraped away down to the black grounding; or similar designs were executed in base-relief, whilst [this image] represents part of a façade painted in sgraffito."

Façade painted in Sgraffito at Rome

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured…

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured figures, and the flat spaces between the windows and mouldings underwent ornamentation. This took place either by a manner of painting called sgraffito, in which the undercoating was black, with a thin surface-coating of white laid over it, and then the design or shading was engraved or scraped away down to the black grounding; or similar designs were executed in base-relief, as is shown" The Palazzo Spada is a palace in Rome that houses a grand art collection, the Galleria Spada. The collection was originally assembled by Cardinal Bernardino Spada in the 17th century and added to by his grand-nephew Cardinal Fabrizio Spada (1643-1717), and by Virginio Spada (1596-1662).

Part of the Façade of the Spada Palace in Rome

"Besides the walls and ceilings of the interior, the façades were frequently decorated with sculptured…

St. Peter's, Rome is considered it's own city.

Rome, St. Peter's

St. Peter's, Rome is considered it's own city.

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his example necessarily entailed imitation and produced effects on subsequent times. When his deviations were moderate, they were considered by his imitators merely as marks of the originality of his wonderful talent, and by this means proved stepping-stones to the degeneration which marked the ensuing period of the Roccoco style. Amongst his architectural works, the design of the Capitol at Rome, with its wings, may be considered as the most pleasing, whilst as a testimony to his lofty genius the mighty and glorious dome of St. Peter's at Rome, which has no rival in the world, must be adducted as a striking instance. This dome was only completed after Michel-Angelo's death. Both as regards its colossal dimensions, as well as its beautiful proportions and lines, it produces, both internally and externally, a most wonderful impression. It should be remarkable that Michel-Angelo, like Bramante before him, selected the form of the Greek cross for his church, and planned the dome accordingly, and that the nave, which is by Carlo Maderno, is, both externally and internally, prejudicial to the effect of the dome."The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), officially known in Italian as the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession.

Section of the Dome of St. Peter's, Rome

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his…

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his example necessarily entailed imitation and produced effects on subsequent times. When his deviations were moderate, they were considered by his imitators merely as marks of the originality of his wonderful talent, and by this means proved stepping-stones to the degeneration which marked the ensuing period of the Roccoco style. Amongst his architectural works, the design of the Capitol at Rome, with its wings, may be considered as the most pleasing, whilst as a testimony to his lofty genius the mighty and glorious dome of St. Peter's at Rome, which has no rival in the world, must be adducted as a striking instance. This dome was only completed after Michel-Angelo's death. Both as regards its colossal dimensions, as well as its beautiful proportions and lines, it produces, both internally and externally, a most wonderful impression. It should be remarkable that Michel-Angelo, like Bramante before him, selected the form of the Greek cross for his church, and planned the dome accordingly, and that the nave, which is by Carlo Maderno, is, both externally and internally, prejudicial to the effect of the dome." The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), officially known in Italian as the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession.

Ground-plan of St. Peter's, Rome

"Michel-Angelo assumed such considerable and prominent position by his genius and authority, that his…