This page is dedicated to all the domes and sights you can see from the terraces of the apartment, and which will surround you. The panorama is endowed with the discreet (yet with no less personality) old reddish-ocre roofs, and by the light blue skies of Rome. On cloudy days, Rome's clouds, typically low, and displaying ever-changing shapes, complete the view.
On the left side of the terraces, towards Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona, you will see the domes of San Carlo ai Catinari in Campo de' Fiori, of Sant'Andrea della Valle, and of Sant'Agnese in Piazza Navona, all lined-up as if they were attending a procession (the domes will appear nearer than in the above photo, as the wide angle used make the domes appear more distant than it occurs in the reality).
San Carlo, situated in Largo Arenula, is the nearest church. It is dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo, a cardinal of Milan whose motto was "Humilitas" (humbleness). The first chapel to the right just after the entrance is dedicated to the owners of the palace of this apartment, who will welcome you upon your arrival. Sant'Andrea della Valle (in Corso Vittorio Emanuele) has the second highest dome in Rome after St. Peter, and is the main church of the Order of the Teatine priests.
Sant'Agnese, designed by the genial 19th century architetct Francesco Borromini, is situated in Piazza Navona, and it faces the fountain of Four Rivers, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Whether true or not, anecdotes of the rivalry between the two architects abound. Francesco Borromini also designed the church and the dome of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, situated in Piazza Sant'Eustachio, between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Its shell-like dome remembers an ancient Babylonian "Ziggurat", or spiral pyramid.
You can also have a glimpse of the Pantheon's dome, resembling a flying saucer, amidst the chymneys and the old roofs. Near to it, to the right, you find the elegant dome of the Chiesa del Gesu' or Jesus' Church, the main church of the Jesuite order. It was built on purpose not high and sober, to symbolize the precept of poverty of the order.
You will also be impressed by two victory chariots: one on top of the Palazzo di Giustizia near the Tiber (more distant), and one nearer, on top of the Vittoriale or Altare della Patria, the Altar of Fatherland or Victor Emmanuel monument. It celebrates the indipendence and union of Italy of 1870 in which the king Victor Emmanuel had a major role. Dubbed "the type writing machine" by Romans, and "Wedding cake" by the American soldiers in WW2, it is a controversial monument, as to build it many ancient churches and palaces of Capitol Hill had to be demolished. as many Romans believe.
You can also single out clearly the palace of Rome's Municipality, situated since 2,750 years on top of Capitol Hill, the most important of the seven hills. Near it, you can see the profile and the domes of the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli, and behind it, the Palatine Hill. For a detailed presentation of the rooms, please go to the INDEX on top of this page or - best - look the 3D FLOOR PLANS in different angles.
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