Rome’s Baroque Transformation: Papal Patronage & Urban Design
The Duchy of Tuscany in Florence and the Republic of Venice. When the Turks and Islam were advancing, the different states united to fight them.
The Patronage of Arts and Sciences
The **Pope** served as the center of the Catholic world monarchy, the Church.
Clients played an important role, often occupying government positions. These were rich and educated people who were suitable for the decoration of palaces.
Among major patrons, we can name:
- Cardinal Francesco del Monte: Galileo’s first patron, marking a crucial stage in the split between science and culture, influencing artists and sponsoring Caravaggio.
- Cassiano dal Pozzo: A friend of Galileo, protector of great scientists, and director of the Lincei Academy.
- Federico Lincei: (Implied as a key figure or patron from the original text’s phrasing).
- Scipione Borghese: Who protected Caravaggio and was a great discoverer of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The **Jesuit Roman College** reorganized its studies, where many mathematicians were found, such as **Christopher Clavius**, whose statement, conditioned by the Church, affected Galileo. **Grazia Grassi** was in charge of building the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome. **Athanasius Kircher** was associated with the magic lantern of Da Vinci. Finally, the **College of Classical Antiquity**.
Baroque Architecture in 17th & 18th Century Italy
Rome’s Urban Reforms: Sixtus V (1585-1590)
In 1585, the reform was conducted by Domenico Fontana and his collaborator Giacomo della Porta. This reform was conceived at a time when Rome sought to establish its prominence and become the center of Christianity. It leveraged the reforms of his predecessors, aiming to transform Rome into a modern city.
Sixtus IV (1471-1484) and Early Reforms
In the 15th century (1471-1484), Sixtus IV lived in Castel Sant’Angelo, which he linked to the medieval town with a bridge. He opened multiple avenues that facilitated access to the Vatican, envisioning a new modern city. From that bridge, three main routes emerged:
- The Pilgrims’ Route (from Sant’Angelo to Teatro di Marcello)
- Via Papalis (from the Forum to Piazza del Campidoglio)
- Strada Dritta (or Via del Corso)
- Via Romana (used to enter the city from the northwest gate of the wall and reaching the center of the ancient city)
Julius II (1502-1513) and Avenue Expansion
Julius II (1502-1513) attempted to complete the avenues opened by his predecessor. He opened the Via della Lungara, intending it to be the longest route to communicate with St. Paul Outside the Walls. He continued to open routes into the medieval city, including the ‘Milky Ceulia’ route reaching Trastevere, and another route that crossed the ‘Milky Trinitatis Cork’ and arrived at Santa Trinità dei Monti.
Leo X (1513-1521) and Key Thoroughfares
Leo X created the Via del Corso (from the former northwestern gate of Rome), which remains today one of Rome’s most important thoroughfares. He opened the Via Leonina to connect with a large square, Piazza del Popolo, and created another avenue to communicate with others leading to the Vatican. He utilized the bridge and provided an exit from the city gate.
Paul III (1534-1549) and the Trident
Under Paul III, with Michelangelo as architect, the Via del Babuino was created. From this moment, the Trident was formed, comprising the three most important avenues of Rome: the Leonine, the Babuino, and the Corso, all communicating from Piazza del Popolo.
Pius IV (1559-1565) and Porta Pia
Pius IV also commissioned Michelangelo to reorganize and create the true modern city from Piazza del Popolo to the Quirinal Hill. He joined it with a new gate, the Porta Pia (for self-glorification), a grand gate that connected via the Via Pia to the Quirinal Palace. Along the Via Pia, Michelangelo modernized the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Gregory XIII (1572-1585) and Urban Development Laws
Gregory XIII established a law that allowed and recommended opening large avenues for communication.
Sixtus V (1585-1590) and Rome’s Catholic Capital Status
Sixtus V, a pope who capitalized on the decadence of Philip II, converted Rome into the capital of the Catholic world. Anything with a good religious justification, such as creating avenues to connect basilicas, was undertaken so that pilgrims could navigate through static focal points, creating a dynamic space. He created the Strada Felice (a grand avenue) named after him, commissioned from Domenico Fontana, connecting Piazza del Popolo with the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on the southwest side of Popolo, and ordered its construction. He chose this route because it required passing through the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, for which he felt great veneration.