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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.
Porta Fabrica (Book 1) (Map D2) (Day 8) (Rione Borgo)

In this page:
The plate by Giuseppe Vasi
Today's view
The gate
The little dome of St Peter's
The walls from Porta Fabrica to Porta Pertusa

The Plate (No. 17)

Porta Fabrica

The plate shows the high walls around the Vatican and the simple gate opened to let in the bricks produced in the nearby klins. Fabrica (factory) is a reference to them. The view is taken from the green dot in the small 1748 map here below. In the description below the plate Vasi made reference to: 1) Basilica Vaticana; 2) Small Dome (Cappella Clementina); 3) Cavalry Barracks; 4) Hill of S. Onofrio. 1) is shown in another page. The small map shows also: 5) Porta Fabrica.

Small ViewSmall View

Today

The area today

The area near the walls is now at a much higher level. The part of the Gianicolo where the church of Sant' Onofrio is located is now pierced by a road tunnel.

The Gate

The Gate

The gate was closed after 1870. The coat of arms of Pope Clemens XI is still there but has lost its papal attributes.

The Dome

The dome

Jacopo Barocci, born in Vignola, is known by the name of his birthplace. He is the architect of the two little domes of St. Peter's, always neglected, but well worth an admired look. The domes give light to Cappella Gregoriana and Cappella Clementina.

The Walls from Porta Fabrica to Porta Pertusa

The Walls

Climbing up the street along the walls, one keeps turning back to see beyond the high walls and the pine curtain the airy dome designed by Michelangelo. On the walls the coat of arms of Pope Pius V, who completed the large rebuilding effort of his predecessor Pope Pius IV.

Excerpts from Giuseppe Vasi 1761 Itinerary related to this page:


Porta Fabbrica
Perchè in questa valle hanno trasportato i moderni Fornaciari la fabbrica de' mattoni, tegole, ed altre opere di creta, quivi fu aperta questa porta per comodo della fabbrica della città Leonina, e della Basilica Vaticana, donde ne prese il nome; perchè alle dette fornaci corrisponde, ed è più vicino alla Basilica.

Next plate in Book 1: Porta Pertusa
Next step in Day 8 itinerary: Seminario di S. Pietro in Vaticano