116.

Chiesa dei SS. Venanzio ed Ansovino

Except for the fountain and the 17th century Palazzo Muti Bussi (1) on the left, all of the buildings in this print were demolished in the late 1920s. Thus was lost the definition of the bow-tie plan of Piazza d'Aracoeli, the urban space leading to the stair-ramp (cordonata) of the Campidoglio, Plate 80. The long piazza, whose plan resembled that of Piazza di Spagna, was part of the section of the Via Papale (the papal processional route) connecting Piazza del Gesù to Piazza del Campidoglio. The carriage on the left of the print is moving along that route on Via Capitolina (4) in the direction of the Capitoline hill. The fountain at the center, designed in 1589 by Della Porta, was altered in the 19th century when it lost its scalloped base. To the right of the fountain horses are enjoying a drink at the trough which can be seen on the Nolli plan as well. The church of SS. Venanzio e Ansovino (2) was originally known as S. Giovanni in Mercatello, a reference to the market (mercato) which took place in this piazza until the late 15th century. Vasi shows the 1720s reconstructed version of the church, flanked on the left by its parish house. On the right the 16th century Palazzo Silvestri (3) is close to the midpoint of the long piazza.