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What was the Belvedere Court that Bramante designed for Julius II?

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Medallion depicting Pope Julius II — Julius II Julius II, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.

The Belvedere Court, begun by Donato Bramante around 1505 for Pope Julius II, was a monumental architectural project designed to connect the existing Vatican palaces with the villa of Innocent VIII located on the hill above.12

The complex was conceived with a neo-antique aesthetic, drawing inspiration from imperial Roman palaces and the hippodromus on the Palatine Hill. It featured a terraced design across three levels, joined by monumental stairs and enclosed by arcaded loggias with superimposed orders. Beyond its architectural significance, the court was specifically designed to house the Pope’s collection of ancient statues.123

Although the project was pursued with great speed, it remained unfinished at the time of Bramante’s death in 1514 and underwent numerous modifications over the following centuries. In 1587, the original concept was significantly altered when the Vatican Apostolic Library was built across the center of the court, effectively dividing it in half.123