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Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome

In front of Bernini’s Santa Teresa

More St. Theresa

La Fontana dell’Acqua Felice also known as the Fountain of Moses (late 1500s). Of interest are the horns on the head of Moses that are the result of a mistranslation of the Hebrew into Latin.

In front of the Basilica of gli Angeli e dei Martiri, Rome

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman Baths of Diocletian and initially designed by Michelangelo.

The big red arrow is pointing to a small hole in the wall known as an oculus. In 1702, Francesco Bianchini, a canon and scholar of eclectic culture, created the Meridian with zodiac signs on the church floor, drawing inspiration from the works of the great astronomer Gian Domenico Cassini.

“The meridian clock remains in working order to this day. Each day the sun aligns perfectly with a hole in the basilica’s ceiling sending a ray of light that lands on the line at exact noon. The time of year can also be determined by where on the line the light falls, as it veers towards either end of the line approaching each solstice. The line itself is made of bronze, encased in white marble, making not only surprisingly accurate, but beautiful as well.” via

You can find more info about the meridian HERE.

But a tiny occulus was not enough. Inspired by the Pantheon, a huge oculus (latin for “eye”) was also added to the Basilica. The oculus provides light and fresh air but, more importatntly, the oculus acts as a compression ring that equalizes the forces of compression at the dome’s center.

The Basilica reflects how both classical and Christian elements were combined during the Renaissance

The Renaissance revived painted coffered ceilings.

The artist Salvator Rosa has his tomb here.

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Related: The Horns of Moses + Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri +

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa + Pantheon + Meridian Line of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs +

5 Amazing Ceiling Paintings in Rome +