The church of Sant'Ivo and the wings of the Palazzo della Sapienza
Corso del Rinascimento
Rome, April 2013
“One of the most distinctive landmarks of Rome is the dome, with its airy lantern and spiral finial, of the church of St Ivo in the Palazzo della Sapienza. The ‘Sapienza’ was the home of the University of Rome from its foundation by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303 until it was able to move to more spacious accommodation in the University City in 1935. The three-story palace, now housing the State Archives, was built by Giacomo della Porta for Pope Sixtus V in 1587. Crossing the inner courtyard between the two massive wings of the palace, we come to the church of Sant'Ivo, a Baroque chapel with a lively facade mingling concave and convex forms. The interior with its semicircular and trapezoid elements was designed by Borromini in the form of a bee, the heraldic emblem of Pope Urban VIII, a member of the noble Barberini family. The church as a whole is a masterly example of the work of Borromini, domestic architect of the Barberini family.” (Church of St Ivo in Palazzo della Sapienza, PlanetWare)
Marvellous architecture, fascinating history and I don't even know where it is. Off to Google maps right now.
ReplyDeleteOk, now I know where it is. I even know the street. But I turned off the street on my way to San Luigi dei Francesi before getting there...
ReplyDelete