Cortile del Belvedere, Renaissance courtyard in Vatican City
The Cortile del Belvedere connects the Vatican Palace with Villa Belvedere through a sequence of terraces bordered by architectural wings and staircases.
Architect Donato Bramante began construction in 1505, creating a transformative design that influenced formal garden layouts throughout Western European architecture.
Pope Julius II established the Vatican's sculpture collection in the courtyard, including notable Roman works such as Laocoön and His Sons and Apollo Belvedere.
Visitors can access the courtyard through the Vatican Museums, which operate Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The space hosted the papal menagerie where Leo X displayed an elephant named Hanno, which was later buried within the courtyard grounds.
Location: Vatican City
Inception: 1506
Architects: Donato Bramante
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
GPS coordinates: 41.90417,12.45472
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:59
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