044.

Chiesa di S. Maria in Via Lata

Via Lata was the medieval name for Via del Corso which is shown considerably widened in this print. The name survives on the street flanking the church. In setting up this view Vasi seems to have been aware of an architectural configuration peculiar to Rome where churches were often closely related to palaces (for other examples see Plate 63, Plate 74, Plate 115). Here the sprawling Palazzo Doria Pamphilj (2) surrounds the church of S. Maria in Via Lata on two sides, the 17th century part, facing Piazza del Collegio Romano, appearing behind it, while its Via del Corso wing by Valvassori (3) (1731) is attached on the left. Apart from the obvious height relationship between the latter and the church, there was an actual passage from the palace into the upper level of the church which enabled the family to attend services without having to exit their residence. Unusual is the bollarded sidewalk (also shown on the Nolli map) in front of the Via del Corso wing, and the multiple entrances to that wing, two of which lead to the side porticoes of the courtyard, the right hand one giving straight line access to the atrium of the wing facing onto Piazza del Collegio Romano, Plate 66. At the right edge of the print we see a corner of Palazzo de Carolis (1), now the Banca di Roma, designed by Specchi and completed in 1724. Below its ground floor window, Vasi picks out the Fontana del Facchino (porter) which Nolli also records (NN 850). The fountain has been moved around the corner facing the narrow Via Lata.