Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DELLA PACE & CHIOSTRO DEL BRAMANTE
CHURCH, CLOISTER
(
www.chiostrodelbramante.it
;
Vicolo dell'Arco della Pace 5; exhibitions adult/reduced €12/10; church
10am-12.50pm Mon-Wed & Fri, 9am-11.50am Sat, cloister 10am-8pm; Corso del Rinascimento)
Tucked away
in the backstreets near Piazza Navona, this small 15th- century church boasts an elaborate
porticoed exterior and a celebrated Raphael fresco,
Sibille
(Sibyls; c 1515). Next door, the
Chiostro del Bramante
(Bramante Cloister) is a masterpiece of High Renaissance architectural
styling that is now used to stage temporary art exhibitions and cultural events.
The cloister, which you can visit freely by popping up to the first floor shop or cafe,
was originally part of the same monastery complex as the Chiesa di Santa Maria della
Pace. Its sober, geometric lines and perfectly proportioned spaces provide a marked coun-
terpoint to the church's undulating facade, beautifully encapsulating the Renaissance aes-
thetic that Bramante did so much to promote.
PASQUINO
( Piazza Pasquino; Corso Vittorio Emanuele II)
This unassuming sculpture is Rome's most famous
'talking statue'. During the 16th century, when there were no safe outlets for dissent, a
Vatican tailor named Pasquino began sticking notes to the statue with satirical verses lam-
pooning the church and aristocracy. Soon others joined in and, as the trend spread, talking
statues popped up all over town.
Until recently, Romans were still writing messages, known as
pasquinade
, and sticking
them to the statue. However, the sculpture is now off-limits and disgruntled Romans are
forced to leave their post-it protests on the small noticeboard.
MONUMENT
VIA DEL GOVERNO VECCHIO
( Corso Vittorio Emanuele II)
Striking off west from near Piazza Navona, Via del Governo
Vecchio is an atmospheric street full of attractive boutiques, popular eateries and vintage
clothes shops. The road, once part of the papal processional route that linked the Basilica
di San Giovanni in Laterano to St Peter's, acquired its name in 1755 when the pontifical
government relocated from Palazzo Nardini at No 39 to Palazzo Madama.
The architect Bramante is thought to have lived at No 123.
HISTORIC STREET
CHIESA NUOVA
CHURCH
