Girolamo Franzini – Le cose maravigliose dell’alma città di Roma
This book was written by Girolamo Franzini (1537 – 1596). It was first published in the year of 1588 in venice and is written in italian. In contains 127 pages and tied together with another book from the same century. It’s segmented into 17 chapters which are all coherent. in the first chapter it is written in latin and the title is SIXTVS PAPA QVINTUS.
Furthermore, the book tells us about the seven main churches of rome and to whom they are devoted to. It describes in great detail, where they are located and what its purpose in the greater picture is. Every church is introduced with a hand drawn picture and the first letter is always embroidered.
In addition, several municipalities are described, such as trastevere and the different little “villages” that are based in rome. Some more churches and important buildings are mentioned. Girloamo describes triumphal arches, churches, state houses and other monumental buildings. He depicts the different orders of antique architecture, which can be found in those buildings breaks them down into fundamental principles. He exemplifies the various facades of the churches and helps us to understand the basic rules of roman architecture.