On the Janiculum Hill, within the complex of San Pietro in Montorio, there is this small architectural jewel, the Tempietto del Bramante, today part of the Royal Academy of Spain, in Rome.
Considered the first great building of the High Renaissance, Bramante’s sublime little temple is built in the courtyard of the Church of San Pietro in Montorio. This is the place where some historical sources say it is where St. Peter should have been crucified.
The Tempietto, built by Donato Bramante between 1502 and 1509 commissioned by the Spanish royal family, is a small Renaissance architectural jewel. Bramante adopted the form of a circular temple with an external colonnade and a hemispherical dome.
Inside, the altar with the statue of Saint Peter and the floor decorated in Cosmatesque style stand out. Under the hall there is a crypt, where the crucifixion site of St. Peter was supposedly located. The Tempietto is a masterpiece from both an artistic and religious point of view.
More than a century later, in 1628, Bernini added a staircase and also contributed an adjacent chapel. It’s a nice climb, but the effort will be rewarded by the incredible point of view you can enjoy. Photo taken from the Smarthistory video.
Discussion about this post