Raphael Rooms

About Raphael Rooms

Stanze di Raffaello, or the Raphael Rooms, is a series of four interconnected rooms in the Vatican Palace, in Rome. The rooms are known for their magnificent frescoes, which were painted by the famous Renaissance artist Raphael and his assistants in the early 16th century. The frescoes depict scenes from the Bible and ancient mythology, as well as portraits of the popes who commissioned them. The four rooms in the Stanze di Raffaello are named after their primary frescoes: the Room of Constantine, the Room of Heliodorus, the Room of the Segnatura, and the Room of the Fire in the Borgo. The Room of Constantine features scenes from the life of the first Christian Roman Emperor, while the Room of Heliodorus depicts scenes from the Old Testament. The Room of the Segnatura is the most famous of the four rooms and contains frescoes representing theology, philosophy, poetry, and law. The Room of the Fire in the Borgo depicts the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in the Borgo district of Rome by Pope Leo IV.


The Stanze di Raffaello was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 and was completed in the early 16th century. Raphael was assisted by a team of talented painters, including Giulio Romano and Giovanni da Udine, in the creation of the frescoes. The rooms were intended to serve as papal apartments and were used for this purpose until the 18th century. Today, the Stanze di Raffaello is one of the most popular attractions in the Vatican Museums. Visitors can admire the exquisite frescoes and learn about the history of the rooms and their creation through guided tours and audio guides. The rooms have undergone several restorations over the centuries, including a major restoration in the 1990s that returned the frescoes to their original vibrancy and colour. The Stanze di Raffaello is considered one of the greatest examples of Renaissance art and a testament to the skill and vision of Raphael and his assistants.

Hall of Constantine

The Hall of Constantine is the fourth and final room of the Stanze di Raffaello, or the Raphael Rooms, in the Vatican Palace, Rome. The room is named after the frescoes that adorn its walls, which depict scenes from the life of the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. The frescoes were painted by Raphael and his assistants in the early 16th century and are considered some of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance art. The frescoes in the Hall of Constantine are divided into four sections, each depicting a significant event in the life of Constantine.

Vision of the Cross

The first section is the Vision of the Cross, which depicts a miraculous event that is said to have occurred before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. According to legend, Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the sky with the words "in this sign you will conquer". The fresco shows Constantine and his soldiers gazing up at the cross in awe.

Battle of the Pons Milvius

The second section is the Battle of the Pons Milvius, which was fought between Constantine and his rival Maxentius in 312 AD. The fresco shows the moment when Constantine's army triumphs over Maxentius' army and Maxentius himself falls into the River Tiber.

Baptism of Constantine

The third section is the Baptism of Constantine, which is said to have occurred shortly after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The fresco shows Constantine being baptized by Pope Sylvester I in the presence of his mother Helena and other important figures.

Donation of Rome

The fourth section is the Donation of Rome, which depicts Constantine's gift of the city of Rome to Pope Sylvester I. The fresco shows Constantine presenting a scroll to the pope while other figures look on.

Triumph of the Christian religion

The frescoes in the Hall of Constantine are also meant to celebrate the triumph of the Christian religion over paganism. This is most evident in the final section of the frescoes, which shows the Triumph of the Christian Religion. The fresco shows Christ in the center, flanked by saints and angels, while figures representing pagan religion are scattered around the edges. This section is often seen as a reflection of the victory of Christianity over the old pagan religions of Rome.

Room of Heliodorus

The Room of Heliodorus is one of the four Raphael rooms in the Vatican Palace. It was decorated by Raphael and his workshop between 1511 and 1514. The room is named after the main fresco on the ceiling, which depicts the story of Heliodorus being expelled from the temple.

Mass of Bolsena

One of the most prominent frescoes in the room is the Mass of Bolsena, which portrays a miracle that took place in the city of Bolsena, Italy. The story goes that during a mass, a priest had doubts about the existence of transubstantiation, and as he raised the host, it began to bleed. The fresco shows the priest and the miraculous host surrounded by other figures in awe.

Liberation of St Peter

Another significant fresco in the room is the Liberation of St. Peter, which depicts the biblical story of St. Peter's imprisonment by King Herod. According to the story, an angel appeared to St. Peter in prison and helped him escape. The fresco shows St. Peter being led out of his cell by the angel while the guards sleep.

The encounter of Leo the Great with Attila

The Encounter of Leo the Great with Attila is another notable fresco in the Room of Heliodorus. It depicts a legendary meeting between Pope Leo I and Attila the Hun, who had invaded Italy in the 5th century. According to legend, Attila was persuaded by Pope Leo to spare Rome from destruction.

Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple

The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple fresco is the centrepiece of the room, and it depicts the biblical story of Heliodorus, who was sent by the king of Syria to seize the treasure in the temple in Jerusalem. The story goes that as Heliodorus attempted to take the treasure, he was struck by a heavenly apparition and forced to flee.

Room of the Segnatura

Room of the Segnatura in the Vatican Palace is famous for its frescoes painted by the Renaissance artist Raphael. The frescoes represent four main themes: theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, and poetry. Each of the frescoes is located on a separate wall of the room and has its unique subtopic.

Disputation over the Most Holy Sacrament

The Disputation over the Most Holy Sacrament depicts a theological dispute over the Eucharist. The fresco shows a group of theologians and saints gathered around an altar, debating the nature of the Eucharist. The upper part of the painting shows Christ, surrounded by angels, holding a chalice with the Eucharistic Host.

School of Athens

The School of Athens fresco depicts the greatest philosophers and scientists of ancient Greece, including Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras, gathered in the courtyard of a classical building. The painting is a tribute to the Renaissance's passion for classical culture and learning.

Cardinal and Theological Virtues and the Law

This fresco illustrates the three cardinal virtues - prudence, fortitude, and temperance - and the three theological virtues - faith, hope, and charity. In the center of the fresco, there is a depiction of an enthroned figure with a sword, representing the allegory of the Law.

Parnassus

The last fresco of the Room of the Segnatura represents the allegory of poetry. The painting portrays the gods and goddesses of the arts and sciences gathered on Mount Parnassus. Apollo, the god of poetry, is playing the lyre, and the Muses surround him, representing various artistic disciplines such as history, astronomy, and geometry.

Room of the Fire in the Borgo

The Room of the Fire in the Borgo is one of the four rooms located in the Vatican Palace, known as the Raphael Rooms or Stanze di Raffaello. This room was named after the fresco painting Fire in the Borgo, which depicts the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in a neighborhood near St. Peter's Basilica. The room also features three other frescoes painted by Raphael and his workshop: Crowning of Charlemagne, Justification of Leo III, and Battle of Ostia.

Crowning of Charlemagne

This fresco portrays the crowning of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 AD. The painting depicts Charlemagne kneeling before the Pope, who is placing a crown on his head, while other figures surround them. This painting symbolizes the relationship between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.

Justification of Leo III

This fresco depicts the events surrounding the trial of Pope Leo III, who was accused of various crimes by his enemies. The painting shows Leo III being absolved by the intervention of God, represented by a hand emerging from the clouds. The fresco portrays the triumph of justice over false accusations.

Fire in the Borgo

The fresco painting depicts the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in a neighborhood near St. Peter's Basilica. According to tradition, the fire was miraculously put out by the sign of the cross made by Pope Leo IV. The painting portrays the people of Rome witnessing the miraculous event, with some falling to their knees in prayer.

Battle of Ostia

This fresco painting depicts the Battle of Ostia, which took place in 849 AD. The battle was fought between the Papal States and the Saracens, who were attempting to invade Rome. The painting portrays the victory of the Papal States over the Saracens and the protection of Rome from their invasion.

FAQs Of Stanze Di Raffaello

What is Stanze di Raffaello?

Stanze di Raffaello, also known as Raphael rooms, is a series of four rooms located in the Vatican Palace that were decorated by the famous Renaissance artist, Raphael, and his assistants between 1508 and 1524.

What are the most famous frescoes in the Raphael rooms?

The most famous frescoes in the Raphael rooms are the "School of Athens" and the "Disputation over the Most Holy Sacrament," both located in the Room of the Segnatura.

What is the significance of the "School of Athens" fresco?

The "School of Athens" fresco is significant because it represents the culmination of Renaissance art and philosophy, as well as the synthesis of classical and Christian ideas. The painting depicts famous philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, alongside figures from the Renaissance, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

What is the theme of the frescoes in the Room of Heliodorus?

The frescoes in the Room of Heliodorus depict divine intervention and protection of the Church. They include the "Mass of Bolsena," the "Liberation of St. Peter," the "Encounter of Leo the Great with Attila," and the "Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple."

What is the significance of the frescoes in the Room of the Fire in the Borgo?

The frescoes in the Room of the Fire in the Borgo depict important events in the history of the Church and the papacy, including the "Crowning of Charlemagne," the "Justification of Leo III," the "Fire in the Borgo," and the "Battle of Ostia." They were painted to celebrate the reign of Pope Leo X.

thrillophilia-logo

About Us | Contact Us | Email Us: vaticanmuseum-tickets@thrillophilia.com | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policies | Terms and Conditions


The content and images used on this site are copyright protected and copyrights vests with the respective owners.

© 2024 www.vaticanmuseum-tickets.com All rights reserved.