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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.

Great times fading away
During the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries the importance of the Papal State gradually decreased and for a few years (1809-1814) it was abolished and Rome became part of the French Empire. In 1848 the liberal revolution forced the pope out of Rome and he returned in 1849, but only with the help of the French (in Rome) and Austrian (in Bologna) troops. In 1860 the Papal State lost Marche and Umbria and eventually in 1870 Rome was occupied by the Italian troops. Most of the popes (9 out of 16) were elected among cardinals born in the Papal State. During the first half of the XVIIIth century there were some fine additions to the monuments of Rome. In the XIXth century the only remarkable change was the new design of Piazza del Popolo.

Innocentius XI - the Pope of austerity (Benedetto Odescalchi 1676 - 1689)

In the Chiesa del Gesł

In the rich Chiesa del Gesł (map2-29/E4), home of the Jesuites, Pope Innocentius XI left one his few, but very elaborated coats of arms. You can see his coat of arms in St Peter's together with the plate by Filippo Juvarra and in his family palace. The Odescalchi and Chigi coats of arms are celebrated in the Last Baroque Tomb in Rome, dedicated to Maria Flaminia Chigi Odescalchi in S. Maria del Popolo.

Alexander VIII (Pietro Ottoboni 1689 - 1691) click here to see his coat of arms in Palazzo Albani in Urbino

Innocentius XII (Antonio Pignatelli 1691 - 1700) click here to see his coat of arms in Via Appia Pignatelli

Clemens XI - a Pope of great culture (Gian Francesco Albani 1700 - 1721)

The fountain in front of S. Maria in Cosmedin

In the attempt to revive the Baroque period the Pope built many fountains inspired to those designed by Bernini. The fountain shown above is located opposite S. Maria in Cosmedin (map4-21/E5). Obviously S. Clemente bears the coat of arms of this Pope. For an unusual church in his honor with fine coats of arms visit Exhibition. Click here to learn more about him See also an imposing coat of arms in the Vatican Museum together with the plate by Filippo Juvarra. Pope Clemens XI built also Porto di Ripetta.

Innocentius XIII (Michelangelo Conti 1721 - 1724) click here to see his heraldic symbols in Piazza di Spagna

Benedictus XIII (Vincenzo Maria Orsini 1724 - 1730) click here to see his coat of arms in Museo Piersanti in Matelica

Clemens XII - the Blind Pope (Lorenzo Corsini 1730 - 1740)

The Trevi Fountain

Fontana di Trevi (map2-27/E3) is a must for every tourist. It is the third and last celebration of an acqueduct bringing more water to Rome. The name Trevi means just trivium = three streets. See the coats of arms of Pope Clemens XII in Piazza del Quirinale and in S. Giovanni in Laterano.
He was A Great Maecenas.

Benedictus XIV (Prospero Lambertini 1740 - 1758) click here to see his coat of arms in Palazzo Apostolico in Loreto

Clemens XIII - the Pope from Venice (Carlo Rezzonico 1758 - 1769)

In the Vatican Museums

In the Vatican Museums (map1-4/B2) this delicate painting is also reflecting the lack of money which did not allow Pope Clemens XIII to leave a marble memoir of his accomplishments.

Clemens XIV (Giovan Vincenzo Ganganelli 1769 - 1774) click here to see his coat of arms in Fontana del Vino in Genzano

Pius VI - the Pope who fought Napoleon (and lost) (Giovan Angelo Braschi 1775 - 1799)

The irongates of St. Peter

In his attempt to rival with his great predecessors he put his coat of arms also in St Peter's (map1-1/B2). Pope Pius VI topped with his heraldic symbols the Obelisk in front of Montecitorio. See also his coat of arms in S. Spirito in Sassia. His heraldic symbols show up very often in the decoration of the Vatican Museums (see the background of this page). Learn why The Wind was too Strong for Pius VI for him.

Pius VII - the Pope who regained the state (Barnaba Gregorio Chiaramonti 1800 - 1823)

Basement of the Obelisk and Piazza del Popolo

The coat of arms of Pope Pius VII on the basement of the obelisk in the Pincio Terrace (map2-9/E1) shows a neoclassical design; the same neoclassical influence can be seen in the assembly of symbols of the Pope and the Church in nearby Piazza del Popolo. Pius VII promoted the restauration of many ancient buildings like the Arch of Titus and the excavations along Via Appia Antica.

Leo XII (Annibale Sermattei della Genga 1823 - 1829) click here to see his coat of arms in Palazzo Lateranense

Pius VIII (Francesco Saverio Castiglioni 1829 - 1830) click here to see his coat of arms in St Peter's

Gregorius XVI (Bartolomeo Cappellari 1831 - 1846) click here to see his coat of arms in S. Rocco

Pius IX - the Pope who lasted longest (Giovan Maria Mastai-Ferretti 1846 - 1878)

St. Pancras Gate

This coat of arms in Porta S. Pancrazio (map1-16/B4) celebrates the reconquest of Rome by Pope Pius IX (with French help) in 1849 after the short lived Republic led by Mazzini and with Garibaldi in charge of the defence of Rome. But neither this victory, nor the one in Mentana in 1867 he celebrated with a large monument near S. Lorenzo al Verano, stopped the process of the Italian unification. In 1870 the Pope lost Rome for ever. You can see his coat of arms in the chapel of Torquato Tasso in S. Onofrio.


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