111.

Chiesa di S. Caterina della Ruota

One wonders if, when he prepared this view, Vasi had a premonition that his tombstone would eventually be located in the church of S. Caterina dell Rota (2). This modest 17th century church, which received a Borromini-inspired facade in the early 18th century, faces onto one of a series of piazze that follow the path of Via di Monserrato along which the two foreground figures are walking. Once part of the old Via Maior Arenulae (the main street of Rione Regola), Via Monserrato provides an important thoroughfare onto which a number of major palazzi also face such as Palazzo Farnese, Plate 73. On the left the church of S. Girolamo della Carità (1) has a 1660 facade which, unlike Vasi's depiction, actually rises well above the nave. Like the 17th century Palazzo Mastrozzi (3) the church has a side door opening onto the piazza, besides its main door fronting on Via di Monserrato. The almost hidden Palazzo Cieco (4) borders the narrow cross street that leads to Via Giulia, Plate 71.