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St. Peter's Basilica |
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The elliptical shape, a symbol the Church's embracement of all mankind, is defined by 284 columns arranged in four rows. At the end of the right |
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colonnade, two Swiss Guards stand watch before the Scala Regia. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica was designed by Michelangelo, who also designed the plan of the |
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Renaissance church which was rebuilt over the early Christian one as ordered by Donato Bramante (the papal architect). That controversial order gained Bramante the nickname "Ma[e]stro ruinante" ("destroying master"). Michelangelo's Pietà, the only work signed by the sculptor, is kept in the first chapel of the right aisle. Michelangelo, angry because no one knew that he had done the masterpiece, engraved his name on the band encircling the Virgin's breast and his monogram "M" in the folds of the Virgin's right hand (the one turned towards the viewer). |
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Victor Emanuel II Monument |
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Built between 1885 and 1911 this impressive monument known as Vittoriano was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi as a tribute to Italy's first king. |
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The design earned Sacconi the second competition in 1884. A number of buildings had to be demolished to provide sufficient space for |
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the structure. The monument includes a large bronze equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. |
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