OF SAINT PETER'S CHURCH

AND OF

THE PALACE OF THE VATICAN

The church of Saint Peter in Rome, so remarkable for it's size, and internal magnificence, was begun under the Pontificate of Julius the second. It was Bramante who furnished the designs, and erected the building to the heigth of the principal entrance, and the beginning of the dome.

The celebrated Michael-Angelo Buonarroti was directed to continue this edifice, but altering partly the plan of his predecessor, erected the dome now exhibited. After his death, the work was continued by Raffaelle the nephew of Bramante, afterwards by Julien de San Gollo, and by Peruzzi.

The square in front of Saint Peter's, is in part surrounded by two colonnades, in the midst of which, is seen an obelisk of Egyptian granit, with a fountain on each side. At the extremity of the colonnade, on the right, is seen part of the Vatican, a very irregularly built palace, and of such extent, that it contains thirteen thousand rooms.

On the third story from the court, is seen the little gallery called Le Logge whose arched windows are near the pavilion, where there is a clock; it has obtained. Its great celebrity from the arabesques and paintings, which Raffaelle executed there in fresco, upon is works.

K