Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 08.djvu/138

LEFT ROME 104 ROME altarpiece by Muziano, a fine fresco by Domenichino, and the tomb of Salvator Rosa; Sta. Maria in Ara Cceli, on the Capitoline, a very ancient church ap- proached by a very long flight of stairs, remarkable for its architecture and for containing the figure of the infant Christ called the santissimo bambino; Sta. Ma- ria in Cosmedin, at the N. base of the Aventine, remarkable for its fine Alex- andrine pavement and its lofty and beautiful campanile of the 8th century; Sta. Maria sopra Minerva, so called from occupying the site of a temple of that goddess, begun in 1285 and restored 1848-1855, remarkable as the only Goth- ic church in Rome; Sta. Maria in Do- minica or della Navicella, on the Caelian, is remarkable for 18 fine columns of granite and two of porphyry, and the frieze of the nave painted in camieau by Giulio Romano and Perino del Vago. Among other churches are Sta. Maria della Pace, celebrated for its paintings, particularly the four Sibyls, considered among the most perfect works of Ra- phael; Sta. Maria del Popolo, interest- ing from the number of its fine sculp- tures and paintings (Jonah by Raphael, ceiling frescoes by Pinturicchio, and mo- saics from Raphael's cartoons by Aloisio della Pace) ; Sta. Maria in Trastevere, a very ancient church, first mentioned in 499 and San Paolo fuori le Mura. Palaces, Picture Galleries, etc. — The Vatican, adjoining St. Peter's, comprises the old and new palaces of the Popes (the latter now the ordinary papal res- idence), the Sistine chapel, the Loggie and Stanze, containing some of the most important works of Raphael, the picture gallery, the museums (Pio-Clementino, Chiaramonti, Etruscan and Egyptian), and the library (220,000 volumes and over 25,000 MSS.). The palace of the Quirinal was formerly a favorite sum- mer residence of the Popes, but is now occupied by the King of Italy. The Palazzo della Cancelleria is the only pal- ace on the left bank of the river still occupied by the ecclesiastical authorities. The building was designed by Bramante, and is one of the finest in Rome. A series of palaces crowns the summit of the Capitol, and surrounds the Piazza del Campidoglio. It is approached frqm the N. W. by a flight of steps, at the foot of which two Egyptian lions, and at the summit two colossal statues of Castor and Pollux standing beside their horses, are conspicuous. In the center of the piazza is a bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (161-181). On the S. E. side of the piazza is the Senatorial Palace, in which the senate holds its meetings. The building also contains the offices of the municipal ad- ministration and an observatory. Its fa- cade was constructed by Giacomo della Porta, under the direction, it is said, of Michelangelo. On the S. W. side of the piazza is the palace of the Conser- vatori, containing a collection of antique sculpture, including objects of art dis- covered during the recent excavations, and a gallery of pictures. Opposite is the museum of the Capitol, with inter~ esting objects of ancient sculpture and a picture gallery. Among private palaces may be noted the Palazzo Barberini, on the Quirinal, with a collection of paintings. The li- brary attached to it has numerous val- uable MSS., with some other literary curiosities. The Palazzo Borghese, be- gun in 1590, has a fine court surrounded by lofty arcades, but is chiefly cele- brated for its picture gallery, containing the Aldobrandi Marriage and some other works of great renown. The Palazzo Colonna has a picture gallery and a beautiful garden containing several re- mains of antiquity. The Palazzo Cor- sini has a picture gallery, garden, and collection of MSS. and printed books of great value. The Palazzo Farnese, one of the finest in Rome, was built under the direction of Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo, and Giacomo della Por- ta in succession. The celebrated antiqui- ties it once contained (Farnese Bull, Hercules, Flora, etc.), are now in the Museum of Naples. The Palazzo Ros- pigliosi, erected in 1603, contains some valuable art treasures; among others, on the ceiling of a casino in the garden is the celebrated fresco of Aurora by Guido. Villa Ludovisi, situated in the N. of the city, the ancient gardens of Sallust, contains a valuable collection of ancient sculptures. Villa Farnesina, on the right bank, containing Raphael's charming creations illustrative of the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Educational Institutions, Charities, etc. — Among educational institutions the first place is claimed by the university, founded in 1303. The most flourishing period of the university was the time of Leo X. (1513-1522), under whom the building still occupied by it was be- gun. Attached to the university are an anatomical and a chemical theater, and cabinets of physics, mineralogy, and zoology, as also botanic gardens, and an astronomical observatory. The univer- sity is attended by about 2,700 students. The Collegio Romano, formerly a Jesuit college, now contains the Archaeological Museum and the recently established li- brary, Biblioteoa Vittorio Emanuele — consisting mostly of the old library of the Jesuits, augmented by the libraries of suppressed monasteries (about 500,-