Overview:

The Cortile del Belvedere is a courtyard located in the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy. The courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante, was created in the early 16th century and served as a private garden for Pope Julius II. The Courtyard was also a place of relaxation for the popes and cardinals and a study hall for the famous artists, theoretical thinkers, and architects of the day. The Cortile del Belvedere is an important part of Italy's architectural heritage due to its evidence of classical Roman architecture blended with the unique Baroque style of the period. The courtyard is now open to the public for visits. The courtyard is home to several Renaissance statues and the Bramante staircase, which is a perfect example of Michelangelo's sculptures. The courtyard also features two notable fountains, the octagonal fountain of Neptune and the asymmetrical fountain of Sixtus V. Cortile del Belvedere is a great place to explore the history of Roman architecture and to enjoy the serenity of the Renaissance Vatican. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

The Cortile del Belvedere is one of the most spectacular and well-known sites at the Vatican. It is located within the walls of the Vatican and provides visitors with one of the most spectacular views of Rome and the Vatican gardens. It features the works of some of the most famous Renaissance and Baroque artists such as Raphael, Bernini, Andrea della Robbia, and Caravaggio. The Cortile del Belvedere was originally designed as a garden courtyard and features a large fountain, stone walkways and large sculptures. Visitors can tour the area and enjoy one of the most scenic views available from within the Vatican walls. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Cortile del Belvedere was an Italian Renaissance plaza in the Vatican City, located to the north of the Apostolic Palace. It was built in the early 16th century, commissioned by Pope Julius II and designed by Donato Bramante. The Cortile is a large open space surrounded by a series of arches and columns, with the walls of the Apostolic Palace forming one side. It was designed to be an open courtyard, and was a popular gathering place for courtiers and papal courtiers. It was even used as a makeshift outdoor auditorium for papal audiences. The courtyard was also a meeting place for many of the most influential figures of the Renaissance, hosting the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante himself. In 1541, Pope Paul III commissioned Giorgio Vasari to paint the frescoes that adorn the cortile’s walls today. The Cortile del Belvedere was not only an important public space within the Vatican City; it was also a focal point for some of the most momentous events of the Renaissance period. For instance, in 1497 a tournament was held in the Cortile to celebrate the marriage of Pope Alexander VI’s daughter Lucrezia Borgia to the Duke of Ferrara. Additionally, the cortile was the site for the historic meeting between King Henry VIII of England and Pope Leo X in 1520. Today, the Cortile del Belvedere serves as the main entrance to the Vatican Museums. With its vast open area, the courtyard is the perfect spot to relax and take in the magnificence of the Vatican’s architecture. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Cortile del Belvedere is a famous courtyard located a the heart of the Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. It was designed by the architect Donato Bramante (1444-1514) and is considered one of the most famous and ancient courtyards of Italy. 2. The Cortile del Belvedere was originally constructed in the early 16th century for Pope Julius II to serve as a grandiose entrance to the Vatican. 3. It houses some of the world’s most extraordinary works of art, such as the extraordinary marble statues of Laocon and His Sons, as well as Pieta by Michelangelo. 4. The courtyard also features beautiful Renaissance and Baroque decorations and structures, such as the very prestigious Gallery of the Candelabra, designed by Bernini in the 17th century. 5. The Cortile del Belvedere is also the place where Pope John Paul II was infamously shot in 1981. 6. The Cortile del Belvedere is one of the most visited places in the Vatican City and is open to the public from Mondays to Sundays. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.